ST. LUCIA-French islands conduct trade missions to St. Lucia.

CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC – A trade mission from Martinique and Guadeloupe has ended a visit here as the French islands continue strengthening their integration into the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

The Chambers of Commerce organized the trade mission and brought 18 companies from the two islands to St. Lucia as the French businesses sought opportunities and expansion into the island.

Accompanying the trade delegation were officials of the Guadeloupe-based CARO center (Centre d’Arbitrage Régional OHADAC/OHADAC Regional Arbitration Center), which provides services of mediation, arbitration and alternative modes of conflict solutions in legal proceedings.

The CARO center conducted a workshop on the legal aspects of investment in St.Lucia.

The St. Lucia-based French Ambassador to Eastern Caribbean and Barbados, Francis Etienne, highlighted the macroeconomic landscape influencing trade between the English and French islands.

He said less than three percent of the combined exports from Martinique and Guadeloupe head to St. Lucia. Likewise, less than one percent of goods imported to these islands originate from Castries.

“The potential for improvement is infinite…anything we can do to support business is necessary but, more importantly, essential,” the diplomat said.

President of the International Business Commission at the Guadeloupe Chamber of Commerce, Mrs. Christelle Boucard, noted the “increasing interest of Guadeloupean companies for their Caribbean neighbors, not only on the cultural side but also from a business point of view.”

She said the Guadeloupe Chamber of Commerce is prepared to bring its “support, expertise, and financial means to these exchanges because over the years to come, we must strengthen our partnerships with St. Lucia, our neighbor of only 220 miles.”

President of the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Brian Louisy, highlighted the importance of strengthening the partnerships between local businesses and their French counterparts while reaffirming the private sector’s continued support of the initiative.

Pablo Rosine, a Martinique Chamber of Commerce and Industry board member, reinforced this commitment.

A networking session over the weekend followed the joint export mission.

The delegation also engaged with Invest Saint Lucia regarding the country’s business landscape.