EU's RESTORE programme of tremendous benefit to rural communities

Friday, January 22, 2010 – A number of entrepreneurs and enterprises in communities around the island continue to benefit from support to restore their economic strength, through the collaborative efforts of the European Union (EU) and the government of Saint Lucia.

After benefiting from training and technical support, a number of rural enterprises including the Saint Lucia Co-operative League received computers, communication devices, and other equipment to foster their technological development and advancement.

At the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate the handover, representative of the EU Delegation Office in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Camille Wildman, lauded government's efforts to reduce poverty in rural communities by enhancing the business environment.

“I am heartened to see a small island developing state like Saint Lucia is seeking to enhance its entrepreneurs and enterprises, by offering innovative financial related development programmes which will certainly improve the countries prospects at continuing the diversification of its economy in a sustainable manner,” Wildman said.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Issac Anthony, says the initiative which was funded by the EU at a cost of 1.2 million Euros, contributed significantly to towards improving the standard of living in rural communities.

He says the Restoring Economic Strength to Rural Enterprises or “RESTORE” programme, also assisted with economic diversification by providing the necessary support to rural entrepreneurs and enterprises.

“By helping to strengthen the rural credit institutions particularly credit unions ad co-operative societies, the RESTORE programme promotes rural enterprise which is critical to economic development and poverty alleviation. We look forward to the equipment being installed at the various institutions and to a better service being offered to beneficiaries in the rural communities,” Isaac said.

The EU Delegation Office in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean says it looks forward to working on other successful programmes in collaboration with the government and people of Saint Lucia.

The RESTORE programme ended on December 31, last year.

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