Doing Business in St Lucia
A short- or long-sleeved shirt and tie or a lightweight suit are suitable for most business visits.
Office Hours
Mon-Fri 0800-1700, Sat 0830-1230.
Economy
St Lucia's economy still relies heavily on agriculture but has broadened during the last 15 years. Light industry has been a key part of this process: the establishment of export processing zones and the successful attraction of foreign investment has created a healthy sector producing plastic, textiles and industrial gases and assembling electronic components. There is also a significant construction industry. The main agricultural exports are bananas, coconuts and cocoa.
The government is focusing its efforts on further diversification, principally directed towards the creation of a service sector based on tourism and financial services. It has also affected various deregulation measures and privatisation of a number of major state-owned enterprises.
St Lucia is a member of the regional trading bloc, CARICOM, and the region's principal political co-operative grouping, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States.
A number of hotels offer conference facilities, with seating for up to 200 persons. The St Lucia Tourist Board can provide details (see Important Addresses).
GDP
US$985 million (2010).
Main exports
Bananas, cocoa, vegetables, fruit, other agricultural products, oils and fats and manufactured goods.
Main imports
Food, fuel, manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, chemicals.
Main trading partners
Barbados, Spain, Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago, UK and USA.
Keeping in Touch in St Lucia
Telephone
The international dialling code for St Lucia is 1 758.
Mobile Phone
Coverage is good. Mobile phones are available to hire. Operators on St Lucia have not yet declared roaming agreements with international mobile phone companies.
Internet
Public access is available at the internet kiosk at Pointe Seraphine. Other internet cafés are also available across the island.
Media
St Lucia's newspapers and broadcasters are mainly privately owned. There are no daily newspapers. The government operates a radio network.
Post
Airmail to Western Europe takes up to one week.
Post Office hoursMon-Fri 0800-1630, Sat 0900-1330.
Images of St Lucia beaches
Hewanorra International Airport Hotels
St Lucia beaches Travel Guide
About Hewanorra International Airport (UVF)