Prime Minister King apprises UN of medium term strategy plan
|
|
|
Contact: Shannon Lebourne
Friday 8 October 2010 – Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Honourable Stephenson King says the Government of Saint Lucia has undertaken the development of a Medium Term Development Strategy Plan (MTDSP) for the period 2011 to 2016.
According to the Prime Minister, the plan will lay the blueprint for the development of the emerging new sources of growth such as offshore education, health and wellness tourism and high–end ICT; and expanding existing critical sectors such as tourism, agriculture and manufacturing.
Speaking in New York at the 65th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Prime Minister King stated that the Medium Term Development Strategy Plan is part of his government’s strategies in response to the global financial meltdown.
“The signing of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union in 2008, the implementation of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) and the OECS Economic Union will bring new sets of challenges and opportunities for Saint Lucia. Government’s strategic priority is to develop meaningful partnerships with the private sector in meeting the challenges and taking advantages of the opportunities provided. The capacity of the private sector will be strengthened to take advantage of the opportunities presented by these trading arrangements. However, government recognizes that this will require a host of general improvements in the business environment including strengthening the investment climate, expanding the skills base, promoting innovation and technology adoption and improving international transport services and other infrastructure. All of those will require large capital outlays.”
The Prime Minister says the role of the international financial institutions and bodies such as the G-20 in stabilizing the global economy and restoring growth is crucial for small developing countries like Saint Lucia.
Mr King says support of the international community is therefore necessary if Saint Lucia, and other small island developing states are to fulfil the goal of sustainable development, thereby improving the standard of living of their people and meeting all of the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.
“We call for a review of the UN’s delivery to SIDS and, particularly, for strengthened support measures to address the vulnerabilities of all SIDS and for support within the UN system for a special category. Most SIDS do not get our fair share of assistance because we fall into the Middle Income category. However, being middle income does not reduce vulnerability. “ The prime minister indicated that there is a greater need for advocacy and resources mobilization role for SIDS and the Mauritius Strategy for the Implementation (MSI) of the Barbados Plan of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island States.”
|
|
© 2010 Government Information Service. All rights reserved. Read our privacy guidelines. |
