Deputy PM Ernest Hilaire marks budget that puts people of Saint Lucia First

Saint Lucian Deputy Prime Minister Ernest Hilaire marked the annual Finance budget of 2023-24 as a budget that served the people of Saint Lucia and worked to meet the needs of all Saint Lucians.

Deputy Prime Minister Ernest Hilaire, who is also the Minister for Tourism, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture and Information in Saint Lucia, recently reached out to his social media handle and marked the annual budget of 2023-24 proposed by the Prime Minister and Finance Minister of Saint Lucia Philip J Pierre on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, as a budget that would serve the people and prioritize the people of Saint Lucia first.

Deputy Prime Minister Ernest Hilaire marking the annual budget of 2023-24 on his social media handle, stated,” A budget that puts the people of Saint Lucia First, A budget with the needs of all Saint Lucians at its core, A budget that gives back to the people of Saint Lucia.”

Deputy Prime Minister Ernest also shared some of the transformative points from the presentation made by the Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Philip J Pierre, while addressing the budget session on Tuesday.

The main points that would be proposed in Saint Lucia with the budget of 2023-24 include the removal of 12.5 VAT on Plywood, Number, Steel, Cement and Galvanise for two years, allocation of $500, 000 for the scholarships to the students, Amnesty of Tax Amnesty Programme to be Extended for business individuals from May 1, 2024, Construction of Police Divisional Head Quarters in Gros Islet, which is already begun, Contribution of $25 for Public Assistance Program and granting the commission of New Drug building etc.

Further, The Deputy Prime Minister shared that the Saint Lucia government is committed to the success of all Saint Lucians. He also shared that this budget represents the core philosophy of Putting People First.