Ernest Hilaire shares 2023/2024 Budget highlights, says this budget puts people of Saint Lucia first

The Deputy Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Ernest Hilaire, stated that the government had passed a budget that puts the people of Saint Lucia first. He shared the highlights of the 2023/2024 Budget Address, which was presented on April 25, 2023. 

While sharing the highlights, Minister Ernest Hilaire outlined, “A budget with needs of all Saint Lucians at its core. A budget that gives back to the people of Saint Lucia. Our government is committed to the success of all Saint Lucians, and this budget represents our core philosophy of Putting You First.”

He shared some of the main points from the presentation made by Prime Minister Philip J Pierre, which are as follows:

1. The proposed removal of 12.5% VAT on plywood, lumber, steel, cement, and galvanising for two years 
2. Tax Amnesty Programme to be extended for businesses and individuals until May 1, 2024 
3. Excise tax on tobacco products will increase by 50% effective from May 1, 2023 
4. $500,000 allocated for scholarships 
5. Construction of the police divisional headquarters in Gros Islet has begun
6. $25 million for Public Assistance Program
7. Work on the Southern Police Divisional Headquarters (Vieux Fort) will commence 
8. New drug squad building to be commissioned 
9. Repairs underway at Canaries, Micoud, Richfond, and Marchand police stations
10. The contract for the construction of custody suites will be signed this week
11. Over $2 million was allocated to Swift Justice Project 
12. First District Traffic Court to be established 
13. Witness Protection Program to be expanded 
14. Coroner’s Court to be established 
15. Sheriff’s Office to be established 
16. Crime Prevention Office to be established in collaboration with SSDF 
17. Identification of available land for resettlement of some Vieux Fort residents
18. Broadband width at Bordelais to be increased 
19. Enactment of legislation to convert ‘proud’ into a statutory corporation
20. Construction of an Administrative Complex and Cultural Center for the people of Vieux Fort and the South 
21. Ministry of Health to establish Elderly Affairs Unit 
22. Ministry of Health to Establish Cancer Registry 
23. Plans to advance for construction of Soufriere Hospital 
24. Maternal and Child Health Care Program to be the first stage of Universal Health Care 
25. Food Safety Bill to be enacted 
26. Ministry of Health to launch golden 80 Plus Medical Package 
27. Ministry of Health to issue health cards to every citizen
28. Over 1000 low-cost lots and houses for Massacre Social Housing Program 
29. Ministry of Health and Millennium Heights Medical Complex to develop Castries Multipurpose Health Facility
30. The government has provided national sprinter Julien Alfred with a diplomatic passport to facilitate her travel 
31. $10 million for MSME Loan-Grant facility for this fiscal year
32. Ministry of Health to refurbish Soufriere Health Centre 
33. Semi-Professional Football League to commence this fiscal year 
34. Ministry of Health to renovate La Ressource Health Centre 
35. Works have started on the refurbishment of the Mindoo Philip Park 
36. Improvements to begin on Castries, Dennery and Vieux-Fort fishing facilities 
37. A contract has been signed for the Anse La Ra Ye bridge, and work will start during this quarter 
38. Government to sign port development agreement once terms and conditions have met long-term government objectives 
39. Plans to construct the Halls of Justice are underway and are expected to start in the second half of this year 
40. $4.2 million has been awarded for the conversion of the old police building to a holding facility (custody suites)
41. Repairs are expected to be completed at Vieux Fort Police Divisional Headquarters in 4 months