 The COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect countries around the world on two fronts – health and economic. Lockdowns and job losses have had crippling effects in the global business community. Despite the woes, Saint Lucia has been able to sustain in the investment marketplace. Invest Saint Lucia is reporting that not only is the island maintaining foreign direct interests, local investment has been strong. Jesse Leos reports. In its 2020 review, Invest Saint Lucia, ISL, assures that the island remains a key investment destination. Chief Executive Officer Roderick Cherry says despite a 42% plummet in global foreign direct investment last year, Saint Lucia has maintained appeal with all its investors. ISL is currently facilitating a total pipeline worth EC$4.8 million. In its recent annual press conference, Cherry reported that the organization exceeded investment and job targets in 2019 and 2020. In 2020, even with the lockdown in the tourism sector because of COVID, there was a 32% increase in Invest Saint Lucia's pipeline for facilitation in the tourism industry. There remains a high interest from established brands such as Marriott, Hyatt and Hilton. ISL was able to facilitate one new investor that led to one new hotel opening during 2020. Another focus of Invest Saint Lucia is the business process outsourcing sector, which saw 20% growth from both new and incumbent investors under ISL facilitation. In 2020, the sector created 771 new jobs in the market and is projected to create an additional 1,025 jobs in 2021. Invest Saint Lucia also saw returns on its concerted effort to reach out to the local market. 20 proposals were vetted in the last six months, worth a projected $117 million and 1,025 jobs. ISL chairman is Pinkley Francis. Invest Saint Lucia is also steady on its mission to make 600 Saint Lucia's land owners by 2021. By the end of 2021, Invest Saint Lucia will also make available 1,055 landlots for sale under its land rationalization project. For the Government Information Service, I am Jesse Leance reporting.