 The government of St. Lucia in fulfilling its obligation on the chapter 8 of the Treaty of Chagoramas to establish the necessary mechanisms to pursue consumer protection and competition law and policy was very instrumental in the establishment of the National Consumers Association, the NCA, which came into being in 2002. The NCA is a non-governmental organization and its role is one of advocacy. The NCA serves as the mouthpiece of consumers and works in close collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce. The Consumer Protection Act commends in January 2022. One of the administrative structures in the Act, the Consumer Protection Council, which deliberates over complaints investigated by the Consumer Affairs Department, requires representation of the NCA. However, the membership and drive of the NCA have diminished at a crucial time when the consumers are impacted by the effect of COVID-19 and the war between Russia and Ukraine. Consequently, a more vibrant NCA is necessary to represent and lobby on behalf of all consumers. It is against this backdrop that I, not only in my capacity as Minister with Responsibility for Consumer Affairs, but as a former member of the NCA, learn support to the efforts of the NCA to hasten the growth of its membership. I invite all consumers to consider joining the National Consumers Association. I thank you.