The past 45 years have been an exciting era for the Eastern Caribbean country of Saint Lucia. The island of less than 200,000 people, 185,000 to be precise, according to United Nations estimate, began the decades of the 1970s as an Associated State of Britain, but transformed itself from a struggling British colony to an economy with a 1.5 gross domestic product, and a per capita income purchasing power of power parity of 15,000 – one of the highest
in the Caribbean and Latin America.
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On February 22nd, Saint Lucia, whose peaks are the attractive sight of those
seeking to get away from the biting cold of the wind in North America and Europe, will celebrate the 45th anniversary of the attainment of independence.
Prime Minister Phillip J. Pierre has pronounced the motto or theme for this year’s celebration as “Douvan Ansanm” .
Douvan ansanm means building a nation through unity, resilience and creativity, and this is the charge from Prime Minister Pierre. The Prime Minister went on in his message of independence to say, “although we attained independence 45 years ago, we are still encumbered by some aspects of colonial rule. It was just last year our country acceded to the Caribbean Court of Justice, CCJ, as a final Appellate Court to replace United Kingdom based Privy Council. But this is not the end. We have to acknowledge that at this juncture in nation building, there is still work to be done to finally proclaim a true liberation from colonial rule”.
Prime Minister Pierre has laid down plans for the next five years in emphasizing economic growth while cutting the fiscal deficit and putting more people to work. It’s much as clear economic diversification must be a priority to reduce reliance on tourism and offshore financial services, at the same time giving manufacturing a much needed shot in the arm; It is going to kick start its agricultural sector with a return to bananas.
Saint Lucia too, like the rest of the Caribbean, is suffering from the increased crime and violence that is plaguing the region. The United States, in sending Independence Greetings to Saint Lucia, has noted that it is prepared to work with Saint Lucia in resolving, among other things, the crime and violence that is so troubling, and of course, working along with Saint Lucia on climate change. Interestingly enough, Saint Lucia has an enviable record of attracting foreign direct investment, largely because of its reputation of slashing red tape and making business owners feel welcome to the land of the pitons. Overall, Saint Lucia has done exceedingly well since the day when the British flag came down for the last time in Castries. It has earned the praise being showered on it at this time, and the admiration of the region to the hundreds of Saint Lucians in the New York area and the diaspora.
We who have been supportive of your homeland, and to the people and government of Saint Lucia, we wish this little but dynamic country a wonderful 45th Independence celebration and continued success.
