Opposition leader Allen Chastanet to unveil UWP’s vision at St Lucia Chamber political forum
CASTRIES, St Lucia — The St Lucia Chamber of Commerce has announced that United Workers Party leader Allen Chastanet will headline its upcoming Political Forum, where he is expected to outline the party’s vision ahead of the next general election.
The members-only event is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 21, at 6 p.m. in the Pavilion Conference Room at Coco Palm Hotel in Rodney Bay. Chastanet, who currently serves as leader of the opposition, will present the UWP’s platform and policy priorities should the party return to office.
Business leaders to hear UWP plans at St Lucia Chamber political forum
In a statement, the Chamber reaffirmed its mandate to “foster sustainable business growth and development of our members through strong leadership, strategic advocacy and innovative services while enabling them to positively impact their communities.”
The organization said the forum underscores its commitment to ensuring the business community remains informed and engaged on matters of national significance. By creating opportunities for direct dialogue between political leaders and private-sector members, the St Lucia Chamber of Commerce aims to keep the business sector actively engaged on policies that could shape the nation’s economic landscape.
UWP’s message to the business community
Chastanet is expected to use the forum to make the case for the UWP’s approach to economic recovery, job creation, and investment growth, positioning the party as the best alternative to lead St Lucia through its next development phase.
The address comes at a time when the business sector has raised concerns about challenges ranging from inflation and competitiveness to labor shortages and crime. While the Chamber did not preview specific themes, past forums have featured discussions on taxation, infrastructure, and the investment climate, offering members a chance to question political leaders directly.
Thursday’s engagement is expected to follow a similar format, giving attendees the opportunity to probe Chastanet on the UWP’s governance and economic agenda.
Reserved seats for an anticipated dialogue
Participation is limited to Chamber members, who are encouraged to reserve their spots early. Organizers said strong attendance is anticipated, reflecting both heightened political interest and the business community’s desire for clarity on party positions before voters head to the polls.
The Chamber emphasized that forums of this nature are not endorsements but rather part of a series of engagements designed to give all political leaders an opportunity to address the private sector. By facilitating these dialogues, the Chamber seeks to strengthen democratic participation and ensure that the concerns of the business community remain central to national policy debates.
As the general election nears, Thursday’s forum will mark a key moment for Allen Chastanet and the UWP to directly engage with St Lucia’s private sector, a constituency widely viewed as pivotal to shaping the island’s economic direction.
Stay with Unitedpac St Lucia News for continuing coverage of St Lucia’s 2025 General Election and the latest political and business developments shaping the nation’s future.