 St. Lucia is drawing significant interest in the international marketplace as a result of participation in Expo 2020 Dubai. A highlight of St. Lucia's presence at the global event was the activities celebrating the island's 43rd anniversary of independence, as well as the St. Lucia Business Forum. St. Lucia's Business Forum at Expo 2020 Dubai showcased the island as an ideal choice for investment. The Business Forum engaged potential investors and heads of some of the country's leading investment agencies in discussion on the opportunities available in St. Lucia. Developers on island also provided insight into their experience. Leading the delegation was Honourable Dr. Ernest Hiller, Minister for Tourism, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture and Information, accompanied by Minister for Commerce, Manufacturing, Business Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs Honourable Emma Hippolett and Honourable Richard Frederick, Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister with Responsibility for Housing and the Local Government. Honourable Dr. Ernest Hiller expressed his satisfaction with the outcome of the forum. The developers actually came sat in on a panel, shared with the audience why they chose St. Lucia, why they went to St. Lucia and I thought that was fantastic. Some of the accounts that were given, some of the testimonials for St. Lucia. And then we had the CIP, which was for me one of the, you know, certainly the highlight of the day in terms of St. Lucia's citizens, explaining why they chose St. Lucia, what it has meant to them. We took the opportunity to also speak of some of the potential changes that would be made to the program. And I think that they went very well. It was quite exciting, the diverse, you know, groups of persons that were represented here today. And all in all, I believe it was truly worth it. I think we had quite a few developers there, quite a few investors there. And it certainly showed the level of interest that there is in St. Lucia. Minister for Commerce, Manufacturing, Business Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs Honourable Emma Hippolett highlighted the strides made in St. Lucia's manufacturing sector. In the area of manufacturing, our manufacturers continue to excel in the respective areas of business, winning international awards in rums, spices, sauces and foods. I'm hoping that you'll have an opportunity to taste some of these products. I am certain that after tasting, you would remain faithful clients and ambassadors for St. Lucia. Similarly, our sporting teams and famous athletes like Darren Summy in Cricket and Laverne Spencer in High Jump have put St. Lucia on the world map. Coming out of the business forum, housing Minister Honourable Richard Frederick Indigita that the country has attracted the interest of potential investors. I thank God I'm here because I've already met with a representative from the Raj Group of Companies. They specialize in a housing type that is relatively cheaply built but can resist all the natural elements and basically they're saying look they want to partner with St. Lucia to put down some houses that would reach the affordability index that we are looking at. So I'm quite happy to be here. All the technology will follow. He promises to let me have everything by tomorrow and as long as it is something that will bring relief to our people, I'm all in for it. The business forum was held on the 21st of February 2022. From the Government Information Service, the Mighty Mark reporting.