FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
1. Q. What is the OPSR?
A. The Office of Private Sector Relations is a Unit within the Government of St. Lucia, geared towards fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors. OPSR was established in 1998 to stimulate and accelerate activity within the private Sector of Saint Lucia, by providing support to that sector.
2. Q. What are the roles of the OPSR?
A. a) To implement the Government of Saint Lucia’s Private sector Development
Programme (PSDP)
b) To strengthen Government’s relationship with the private sector by facilitating communication and cooperation between the public and the private sector;
b) To assist the private sector in becoming more productive and competitive both regionally and internationally; this will ultimately lead to improvement in prospects for investment
and growth in the medium term.
c) To assist the private sector in accessing business related fiscal incentives and trade concessions that have been made available by the government to stimulate business investment and growth..
3. Q. What is the Private Sector Development Programme (PSDP)?
A. The PSDP is the combination of policy initiatives, fiscal incentives, project interventions,
and technical assistance activities formulated by the government to help stimulate and accelerate the growth and development of the private sector.
4. Q. In what areas does the OPSR render assistance to the private businesses
under the PSDP?
A. The OPSR provides technical assistance in the following areas:
• product and market development
• product and market diversification
• market research
• human resource development and management
• systems development (with the use of Information Technology)
• international standards development and compliance
• management and organisation
5. Q. What are the different kinds of assistance available?
A. Assistance is provided at both firm and sector levels. At the firm level business receive direct assistance for their individual needs while at sector levels interventions are executed in order to enhance the general business environment.
1. Direct Support to Firms
a. Business Upgrading Programme Cycle (BUPC): This is a three-staged process.
Stage 1 – Diagnostic Study
Stage 2 – Design of Business Plan
Stage 3 – Implementation of Business Plan
b. SME – Cluster; Cluster linked Incubator Model for Business (CLIMB)
Under this method of assistance firms in designated geographic areas will be combined
in groups or “custers” to receive technical and professional assistance from the OPSR
c. Benchmarking.
Assistance will be provided to encourage and support firms to utilize benchmarking as a tool for business improvement.
2. Enhancement of the national business environment
a. Assistance to Business Associations
i. Capacity building/strengthening
ii. Improved services to members
b. Assistance to the Public Sector
i. Legislative improvements
ii. Policy formulation
iii. Research
6. Q. Does the OPSR give money directly to beneficiaries?
A. The programme does not allow OPSR to give money directly to beneficiaries. All assistance is delivered mainly by professional consultants and there are no direct cash transfers to the beneficiaries
7. Q. Which companies are eligible for OPSR assistance?
A. In general companies that registered or incorporated and have been in operation for at
least one year may apply. The OPSR will advise regarding which component of the PSDP is most relevant to the applicant’s needs
8. Q. How long does it take to get assistance from the OPSR?
A. The OPRS endeavours to handle applications in an expeditious manner. However implementation times of different interventions differ based on the level of expenditure and the approvals required
9. Q. Does a company have to go through all the stages?
A. No: An enterprise may enter the BUPC at any stage as long as the requirements of the previous stage(s) have been met.
10. Q. Who is the NAO?
A. The National Authorising Officer is responsible for the preparation and submission of projects/ programmes and examination and completion of tenders for approval by the Head of the EU Delegation. The NAO is also responsible for coordination, monitoring and assessment of projects and programmes funded through the European Development
Fund and ensure the proper execution of projects, programmes and disbursements of
funding in the country.
11. Q. Can the OPSR help me purchase a new building, a new car, equipment or furniture, etc?
A. No, the programme does not permit the purchase of major capital equipment
or buildings.
12. Q. Are there limits as to how much I can get from the OPSR and how often can
I source such assistance?
A. There is a limit to the amount of money which may be received from the OPSR. No more than EC$125, 000, which represents no more than 75% of the total cost of the project implementation budget, can be spent on any one company.
13. Q. Can the OPSR assist me in getting a loan from the bank for my business?
A. The OPSR does not operate in such a capacity
14. Q. How do I contact the OPSR?
A. The OPSR may be contacted at the following:
...........................................................................................................................................
5th Floor, Greaham Louisy Administrative Building
The Waterfront
Castries
General Phone # (758) 468 2145/2286
Direct Business Support Services Phone # (758) 468 2134/2008
Business Environment Enhancement Phone # (758) 468 2123/2144
Fax # (758) 452 4606
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