Residents of Grand Rivière, Dennery now have access to a digital workspace, following the official opening of the Grand Rivière Digital Development Centre. The facility was launched through a partnership between the Government of Saint Lucia’s Department of the Public Service and the Taiwan Technical Mission.
The centre is part of a broader push to improve Saint Lucia’s digital infrastructure, drawing on Taiwan’s expertise in information and communication technology (ICT).
“This digital development centre will be so much more than just a computer room,” said Taiwan’s Ambassador to Saint Lucia, Nicole Su. “There will be equipment and high-speed internet, a state-of-the-art computer lab, and a co-working space as well.”
Ambassador Su explained that the centre is also designed to serve as a hub for skills development, with planned workshops on topics such as cybersecurity, digital marketing, and business growth. The goal, she said, is to equip entrepreneurs and young professionals with the tools they need to succeed in an increasingly digital economy.
“This is not only about digital access. This is about building digital resilience,” Su added, encouraging the community to take full advantage of the new facility.
The centre is equipped with 20 computers, smart boards, and high-speed internet. It features a dedicated co-working space for freelancers, researchers, and professionals, as well as a “bring your own device” area for individuals working on personal laptops or tablets.
Other amenities include an internet café and a service bureau to assist the public with a range of DigiGov services—such as applying for birth and death certificates, renewing licences, registering vehicles, and conducting company name searches.
Parliamentary Representative for Dennery North and Minister of Education, Shawn Edward said the new centre complements traditional infrastructure investments in schools and community buildings.
“There is more to the development of a community than concrete and steel,” Edward said. “The refurbishment of schools and community buildings—those are very necessary in engendering a spirit of belonging and achievement in a community. But on their own, those projects cannot adequately meet the diverse needs of the community in its entirety.”
“In that department and in technology, the government has invested many millions of dollars,” he noted. “We have the Caribbean Digital Project and the digiGov Project”—one valued at $12 million, the other at $20 million.
She continued: “At the heart of this centre is the desire to bridge the digital divide, particularly in underserved communities. It’s about ensuring that every Saint Lucian, regardless of where they live, has access to knowledge, tools, and services that can transform their lives.”
The Grand Rivière facility is the second Digital Development Centre to open in Saint Lucia under this initiative. The first was launched in Laborie, with upcoming centres planned for Soufrière and Gros Islet.
