Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre has paid glowing tribute to the late pioneering Saint Lucia businessman Arnott Francois Valmont.
“Saint Lucia has lost a giant,” he noted.
In a statement during Monday’s regular pre-cabinet press briefing, Pierre stated that Valmont’s contribution to the society’s social and economic fabric was unparalleled.
“He helped pay civil servants’ salaries during a critical part of our nation’s history,” the Prime Minister recalled.
In addition, Pierre said the late businessman extended charity to schools and offered soft loans to aspiring entrepreneurs when traditional banking was inaccessible.
He observed that Valmont dedicated his life to empowering fellow citizens.
Pierre also spoke of the many successful business enterprises Valmont established, employing Saint Lucians and praised the late businessman’s commitment to advancing the nation.
He said Valmont’s leadership of the Saint Lucia Chamber of Commerce was ‘transformative’, setting the foundation for modernising business practices.
According to Pierre, Valmont’s selfless legacy will continue to inspire.
Valmont was awarded the Saint Lucia Cross (Gold) in 2007 and once cited simplicity, hard work, and integrity as his guiding principles.
In the 1940s, he became a nightclub owner and later established the retail department store chain A.F. Valmont and Co. Ltd.
At its peak, the chain sold haberdashery, clothing and accessories, cosmetics, books and school supplies, furniture, hardware, and building supplies.
Valmont had been a shareholder or director in other companies, including Windward Island Gases Limited, and was a founding member of several organisations, including the St. Lucia Yacht Club and the Rotary Club.
He died recently at 104.
104 Boss you have done better than most…….once you reach 80 you have to give thanks and praise because 90 percent of your life is behind you every day forward is just xtra . My mother’s preference she rather deal with him rather than the crows that runs S&S.
S & S been here for decades and never give back anything to the people of St.Lucia. Thanks Mr. valmont for your generous contributions
Well after all I never knew that the owner of valmont limited was a local after all condolences to the families and friends after all this business contributed a lot to the development of the island and continue to do so