Castries, Saint Lucia: Ernest Hilaire- Deputy Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, announced that he will present a debate on the 2023-2024 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure in Parliament on Friday, March 31, 2023, from 10 AM.
On his Facebook, Ernest Hilaire invited the people to stay tuned in to the government of Saint Lucia through NTN and Rhythm FM 95.5. Prime Minister Philip J Pierre will also present his rebuttal and close the debate on the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure.
He stated, “Tune in to the Government of Saint Lucia, NTN and Rhythm FM 95.5 as the Leader of Government Business Dr Ernest Hilaire debates the 2023-2024 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure on Friday, March 31, 2023, from 10 AM. Philip J. Pierre, the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, will present his rebuttal and close the debate on the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure.”
Prime Minister of Saint Lucia Philip J. Pierre also emphasized to the Parliament the importance of respecting House conventions to preserve the integrity of Saint Lucia’s most august decision-making Chambers on the first day of the debate.
The Prime Minister and Minister for Finance also expressed his gratitude to all agencies for participating in the annual Budget process as well as the staff and Departments of Finance and Economic Development and the Office of the Budget and the Research Unit for their dedication and hard work in preparing and finalizing the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure.
The Debate on the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure commenced on Wednesday, March 29th – 30th, 2023, and was carried live on NTN/GIS and radio, Rhythm FM 95.5.
Earlier, PM Philip J Pierre also stated that government’s fiscal operations are expected to improve and a narrowing of the fiscal deficit is anticipated from a target of $394.6 million or 5.2 percent of GDP in the approved estimates to an estimated $150.2 million or 2.7 percent of GDP by year-end 2023.
