A recent study of Informatics commissioned by the World Bank and coordinated by the Eastern Caribbean Promotion Service (ECIPS), has concluded that the Eastern Caribbean may be an ideal location to set up information services related operations. Consistent with this study, the Government of St. Lucia, through the St. Lucia National Development Corporation (NDC) has accelerated promotional efforts to attract this type of industry. Our proximity to North America as well as our time zone affinity, and our sharing of the English language makes us a viable location for this industry.

The following are some recent infrastructural developments to attract investors in the Information Services Industry:

• Construction of a 20,000 sq. ft. facility specially designated as an information processing center. The facility is air conditioned and can be modified to your specification. The structure is divided into four sections, with telecommunication lines all the way up to the doorsteps.
• Negotiations with Cable & Wireless, our telecommunications carrier, to reduce telecommunications rates specific to this industry, resulting in an agreement that our rates will be consistent with the more competitive rates in the region.
• Identification of schools interested in training personnel in the applications needed for this industry. In addition, we have established a government subsidized training center and we maintain a database of potential employees so that they can be easily identified.
• New legislation to facilitate easy set up of Information Services related businesses.
• Identification of local individuals and companies interested in joint venture partnerships with potential investors.