A new Saint Lucia business community survey reflects a positive outlook for overall business performance.
The survey covered January to March and presented an outlook for April to June 2023.
The Executive Director of the Saint Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture, Brian Louisy, disclosed that 52 percent of respondents expected the cost of goods and services to increase during the next quarter.
But he explained that the figure was down from close to sixty-five percent in the previous survey.
“So fewer businesses are expecting prices to increase, and that suggests that they were hoping that inflation would sort of cool down,” Louisy stated.
He noted that the business outlook remains positive.
According to the Chamber Executive Director, most respondents had positive outlooks for overall business performance in 2023 compared to 2022.
Louisy said only 16 percent of respondents had a negative outlook on turnover.
He revealed that 65 percent see profits increasing, and 45 percent plan to increase investment in the next quarter.
Louisy said Chamber members pointed out that in addition to inflation and its causes, labour costs, the purchase price of goods, and electricity costs are the top issues driving price increases in their businesses.
“We think that the bounce back from COVID-19 continues to take place and 2023 would generally be a better year that 2022,” Louisy asserted.
Profits increasing for those in lodge and the planters class, while the sons of slaves are still working for pennies. Bravo
Brian Louisy, what are you scared of? Are you being threatened? Coco would have seen otherwise. What in your mind Mr. Louisy will ever cause a positive outlook? You will go to 4 businesses in Vieux Fort and they will all tell you that they are seeing a positive outlook when I know for sure these businesses are complaining. They are SLP supporters businesses. What tool have you use to make that forecast? Prices of goods and services have been on the increase for the past years. No increase in wages and salaries. We are being taxed heavily and the business sector has a positive outlook? Brian! Are you mad? You remind of a TV reporter in the south who goes to selected SLP supporters to question them on government issues.
I am starting to realise that the early election rumor is true.
Jan – March 65% said the prices will go up.
April – June 52% said it will be going up?
Where is the positive outlook. Over half do not have a positive outlook. Over half is still saying that they don’t have a positive outlook. What has created that positve outlook? Taking more money from the pockets of the public?
Are you playing your part Brian?