CARICAD’s assistance has been sought by the Department of Finance in Saint Lucia to develop a Strategic Plan.
The process is at an advanced stage and it is expected that a draft plan covering all units of the Department will be ready by November of this year.
The Department of Finance in Saint Lucia comprises nine (9) administrative units:
- Policy, Planning and Administration
- Office of the Budget
- Financial Administration
- Research & Policy
- National Competitiveness and Productivity Council
- Inland Revenue
- Accountant General’s Department
- Customs and Excise
- Post Office
The Department of Finance as currently configured does not have an overarching Strategic Plan. The Permanent Secretary Ms. Cointhia Thomas decided that this was an opportune time to develop such as Strategic Plan.
The St. Lucia Working Group has been led by Deputy Permanent Secretary Philomene Saint Clair.
Minister at the time with Responsibility for Finance Dr. Ubaldus Raymond gave his full endorsement. He stated publicly that, “I assure you that you have my full support, not only to develop a strategic plan, but to work assiduously and systematically to deliver service that brings greater convenience and benefits to our people. Our people deserve no less than that.”
Franklyn Michael, CARICAD’s Programme Specialist has been using the well-established CARICAD methodology for Strategic Planning to develop the Plan with significant input from a Working Group. The methodology relies on:
- Presentation and discussion of Strategic Planning concepts
- Sharing of information and experiences
- Small-group discussions to generate ideas quickly from a broad base of group-knowledge
- Discussion and collation of ideas and suggestions in plenary sessions
- Follow-up work to edit outputs and set them in context for an early draft of the Strategic Plan
The Working Group has been enthusiastic, competent, cooperative and supportive.
Department of Finance, St. Lucia Working Group.
