Delivering his contribution to the Budget Debate, Dr Hilaire said the administration is focused on building “a resilient, competitive and inclusive economy,” with the private sector positioned as the primary engine of growth.

“In 2021, our private sector was on its knees. Today, it’s back on its feet. Tomorrow…it will run,” Hilaire said.

Central to that strategy is a restructuring of government agencies that support businesses, including plans to reconfigure the Department of Commerce to better align with private sector needs.

According to him, the reforms are part of a broader effort to create synergy across agencies and improve service delivery to businesses.

The Minister also noted the importance of inclusivity, stressing that economic growth must benefit all Saint Lucians.

“The economy that we are building is for all of our people,” he said.

He added that global uncertainty, including supply chain disruptions and shifting trade dynamics, requires a more resilient economic model.

Hilaire who also serves as the island’s Investment Minister, pointed to consultation with private sector stakeholders as a key driver of policy decisions in the current budget.

“You spoke, we listened, and we are already acting,” he told business leaders.

This policy direction, he says, is a more coordinated, business friendly environment aimed at boosting competitiveness, strengthening resilience, and expanding economic participation.