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people and economy
 
 

In the past, agriculture was the most important sector in St Lucia's economy, but the employment pattern on the island is changing.

to find out about the Employment Structure of St Lucia.

for two Excel spreadsheets showing the types of jobs men and women do in St Lucia, and some activities using the spreadsheets.

Banana Wars
Bananas are the most important crop in St Lucia's agricultural sector, earning about 40% of the country's export earnings. However, St Lucia's banana growers have had to adjust to changes in world trade in recent years. Click on the photo to find out more.
Bananas are often protected from insects by plastic bags. They also raise the temperatures and help the bananas grow.
Click here to find out more
©Garrett Nagle
Factory Work
The manufacturing sector in St Lucia comprises just over 170 firms, mostly specializing in textiles, handicrafts and furniture. In 1999, manufactured exports amounted to less than 5% of St Lucia's exports. St Lucia has severe shortages of appropriate technical skills, which makes it difficult for local manufacturers to compete on the world market.
Factory
©Jeremy Horner/Panos Pictures.
 More than half St Lucia's manufacturing firms employ less than ten people, like this factory making women's underwear.
A Growing Tourism Sector
Tourism has replaced agriculture as the most important part of the economy. A third of St Lucia's working population are now employed in tourism and tourism-related jobs. The government of St Lucia sees tourism as the way forward in St Lucia, and there have been attempts to extend St Lucia's tourism base so that more local people can benefit from tourism.
to find out more.
Marigot Bay, a popular spot for both tourists and local people. Many film producers have used Marigot Bay for movie sets, including "Dr. Doolittle".
Beach
©Garrett Nagle.
For good or bad, St Lucia's future economic success is closely connected with the success or otherwise of the tourism sector. However, in light of the attacks on the USA and the possibility of global recession, tourism might not be the cure that it once seemed.

For more information on tourism in St Lucia visit:
St Lucia Tourist Board - www.interknowledge.com/st-lucia/