LIME executives with Chamber president Gerard Bergasse
Most Saint Lucians know and are justifiably proud of the fact that the island has been the top-ranked CARICOM country for ease of doing business for two years running. That’s according to the World Bank Doing Business rankings, which have Saint Lucia 53rd worldwide, out of 185 nations.
The rankings are based mainly on infrastructure, Government policy and the ability to get a business off the ground, but at least one provider is confident that it has helped Saint Lucia take the necessary steps to retain, if not improve its position through the provision of enabling technology.
LIME, Saint Lucia and the Caribbean’s leading telecommunications provider, says the introduction of 4G mobile data technology is a very positive signal for the local economy.
In recent weeks, LIME turned 4G on in the heaviest traffic areas in Castries, Vieux Fort and Gros Islet, and pledged to take the high-speed technology islandwide. The company also hosted a special luncheon for the Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture at Bay Gardens Beach Resort, and sponsored the 49th St Lucia Hotel & Tourism Association (SLHTA) Annual General Meeting at the Royal St Lucian Hotel.
LIME GM Chris Williams, Chamber president Gerard Bergasse and LIME executives
“We are opening up a world of possibilities to Saint Lucians on the LIME network,” gushed General Manager, Chris Williams. “This can mean so much for the economy, because now you are helping customers unlock the potential of their mobile devices, you can now do business anywhere, take meetings, have conference calls from your mobile phone, tablet or laptop, whether you’re sitting at Derek Walcott Square, at a restaurant or even on the beach!
“With 4G, customers can now do so much more, and of course that applies to corporate customers as well,” Chris goes on, “not to mention visitors to our shores, business persons and holidaymakers alike. Our customers really were demanding greater mobile speeds, and we are proud to have delivered. We look forward to seeing how our creative fellow Saint Lucians can apply this technology in commerce, tourism, education, media, health and so on.”
Following the launch of 4G, LIME has brought in a number of low-cost data-capable smartphones to give more customers the ability to get on the network. During the SLHTA AGM, the technology was also showcased as part of a tradeshow under the theme, “Linkages in the Tourism Sector.”