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Contact: Claudia Monlouis
Wednesday, April 23, 2008 – Development and expansion plans to the cruise sector have been included in the new estimates of expenditure for both the north and south of St. Lucia.
Plans for Port Castries, Prime Minister King says, will be facilitated via an agreement which will give effect to this initiative and will be signed in the coming weeks.
“During this financial year Madame Speaker, government in collaboration Royal Caribbean Cruise Limited will commence the development and expansion of the waterfront area of Castries to make the city a major cruise port and duty free shopping centre that will cater of cruise tourists, hotel visitors and the local public alike.”
According to the country's leader and minister for finance, this development is also expected to substantially increase the amount of airlift into St. Lucia as cruise passengers will be flying in connect to with Royal Caribbean and other cruise ships.
Prime Minister King says a project in the south will also unfold shortly in order to expand and develop the Vieux-Fort Port.
“In the coming weeks, Dubai Ports World, one of the world's largest port operators is expected to conclude a public/private partnership with the government of St. Lucia through the air and sea ports authority to develop and expand port operations of Vieux-Fort.”
Under this arrangement, all commercial cargo coming into to St. Lucia will be landed at Port Vieux-Fort thereby freeing port Castries to become a dedicated to cruise port. |
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