Deputy Prime Minister Ernest Hilaire says the delays in setting up a local bank account for the Julien Alfred Foundation are not government-related and has reaffirmed the administration’s full support for the foundation’s initiatives in Saint Lucia.
In recent weeks, a press release allegedly issued by Alfred’s manager expressed frustration over the “unacceptable situation” in which no official account had been opened to receive deposits and contributions.
The foundation was launched in April last year, with its official registration process initiated in October through Brick Stone Law Firm. It aims to support the development of youth, sports, and mental health well-being on the island. However, delays in setting up a local bank account have hindered the acceptance of cheques from both local and international entities.
Addressing the government’s involvement, Dr Hilaire said the banking issues are not directly related to the Pierre administration but reaffirmed the government’s full support for any projects the foundation wishes to sponsor.
“The government has nothing to do with this, and we’ve not said anything officially before because we don’t think anything related to the Julien Alfred Foundation should be soiled or caught in public discontent or argument,” he stated. “Any endeavour she wants to pursue in Saint Lucia, we will support her and her foundation.”
He further explained: “The last time I inquired, they had not submitted all the necessary documents for the foundation’s registration, and without that, they cannot open a bank account. We will do whatever we can as a government, but the process of opening bank accounts and registering foundations follows specific procedures, and we are not directly involved in that. The statement issued was an expression of frustration over the local process. My appeal to the foundation’s members is that Julien is eager to begin her work in Saint Lucia, so they should expedite the registration process and the opening of a bank account.”
The delays surrounding the bank account have drawn attention, especially as proceeds from brand sponsorship deals are expected to fund the foundation’s initiatives.
Let’s be honest – any business interaction in St. Lucia is as slow as molasses in the winter time. My experience (St. Lucian residing abroad) after years of attempting to get a copy of my birth certificate – multiple calls, emailing docs over and over again, no one from the agency responded. The government website states if you have an issue with a specific agency – contact the agency. This does not make any sense – it just goes to show dysfunction. Ex: if I have an issue with my boss at work I should contact my boss – NO – I should take the issue to HR.
I literally had to obtain the services of an attorney for retrieval of a birth certificate. Therefore, I believe the representative statement of frustration with the foundation in St. Lucia. You all need to tell the truth and stop making excuses for incompetence – we are in 2025.
@anon… why did you 1st choose to leave st. lucia? this island is operating like a cat and dog concept. Great with narratives and horrendous with action.
Retrieving a birth certificate from a government dept while overseas, is in no way comparable to a foundation opening a bank account in SLU.
Try opening a regular savings account at a local bank as a national living here. You’ll find that you have to make an appointment at some banks.
You’ll have to have multiple forms of ID, at others. You need utility bills to prove your address, and what if you live there and the bills aren’t on your name??
In some cases, that’s just the beginning!!!!
I can’t imagine the requirements for a foundation comprising multiple directors, incorporation documents etc.
@Observer – “Let’s be honest – any business interaction in St. Lucia is as slow as molasses in the winter time” – the point I am trying to highlight is the manner in which business transactions are handled in St. Lucia period full stop. Nowhere in my post did I state the scenarios are the same. Trust me I know how processes work as I work in RFPs and credentialing.
I just saw a gentleman on the news who resides in St. Lucia desperately trying to get the birth date on his birth certificate corrected to no avail – even though he has already provided all pertinent/relevant documents, he has gone (leg work) to the various agencies to state his case and thus far no progress/resolution – just saying.
Opening any kind of business, foundation, organisation here in Fair Helen takes EONS to materialise. If a government minister seems not to have any kind of clout to crack the whip – far less!! As for @Anonymous trying to gain a birth certificate with endless, useless hurdles; I can relate! Even to open another bank account in the same bank, where you have banked for years, is quite an event!! And then the blame game begins. Julien Alfred’s management frustrations should not even BE!!! This saga says A LOT about doing business in St Lucia – this behaviour just should not HAPPEN!! Alas!! St Lucian civil servants have no clue how they affect their homeland’S business affairs with their slackness and don’t care-ishness. SHAME!!
@observer – what you are saying is so correct but here is the thing, the blaming tends to shift from position to position. You see when someone have a guaranteed salary such as bankers, politicians and certain utility companies, prepare yourself your goose cook!
@so sue me …I will not sue you …lol ….because your post is correct..✅