The Deputy Prime Minister as well as the Member of Parliament for the Castries South, Ernest Hilaire, on Wednesday has shared the highlights of the Budget 2023-24. He shared the key highlights of the Budget 2023-24, that has been announced by the Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Phillip J Pierre.
It is to be specifically mentioned that the Deputy Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Dr Hilaire took it to his official social media handle to share the update among the general audience, along with the post that, “A budget that puts the people of Saint Lucia First. A budget with needs of all Saint Lucians at its core. A budget that gives back to the people of Saint Lucia. Our government is committed to the success of all Saint Lucians and this budget represents our core philosophy of Putting You First. Here are some of the main points from the presentation made by our Prime Minister!”
The key elements of the Budget 2023-24, includes several major points, which are as follows:
– Proposed removal of 12.5% VAT on plywood, lumber, steel, cement and galvanize for 2 years.
– Tax amnesty programme to be extended for businesses and individuals until May 1, 2024
– Excise tax on tobacco products will increase by 50% effective May 1, 2023. This will raise $33 million for the country.
– $500,000 allocated for scholarships
– Construction of police divisional headquarters in Gros Islet has begun
– $25 million for public assistance program (largest ever contribution to the vulnerable in the society)
– Work on southern police divisional headquarters (Vieux Fort) will commence
– New drug squad building to be commissioned
– Repairs underway at canaries, Micoud, richfond, and marchand police stations
– Contract for construction of custody suites will be signed this week
– Over $2 million for swift justice project
– First district court to be established
– Witness protection program to be expanded
– Coroner’s court to be established (to handle the matters relating to death deemed to be unnatural or in the exercise of law enforcement)
– Sheriff’s office to be established (to handle assets subject to writs)
– Crime prevention office to be established in the collaboration with SSDF.
