Dominica, St. Vincent Embrace St Lucia's Banana Model

Contact: Rose Marie Harris

Thursday, August 2, 2001 - St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Dominica are moving to commercialise their banana industries, in effect embracing the model adopted by St Lucia four years ago.

Speaking in the House of Assembly on Tuesday, Prime Minister, Hon. Dr. Kenny D. Anthony, mentioned discussions he had with the Agriculture Ministers of the two countries. He said the Windward Islands banana industry would be in “a far better shape” today if they had gone the route of commercialisation earlier.

“If they had had the courage of the Government of Saint Lucia, the banana industry in the Windward Islands would have been in a far better shape than it is now because they have lost time.  Four years down the road, it is late but that’s a history we have to work with,” the Prime Minister said, referring to the criticism his government had received over the issue.

“I understand the pain and the agony involved in that transition but St Lucia stands out today as an example of what should have been done and others now have to emulate it,” Dr. Anthony added.

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