National Economic and Social Development Plan 2013-2025 of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Re-engineering economic growth 

To maintain strong macroeconomic fundamentals

• Increased national wealth.
• Investment base of the productive sectors is increased.
• Economic activity is increased as a result of a more equitable distribution of income and
wealth in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. 
• Jobs created.
• Poverty reduced, consistent with MDGs. 
• Increased annual rates of returns from productive sectors.
• Debt to GDP ratio not exceeding 60 percent.
• The attainment of near to full employment.
• Average real economic growth in excess of 6.0 percent, annually.
• Minimum Central Government savings of 3.0 percent of GDP.
• Average annual inflation rate not exceeding 3 percent.
• An external current account deficit not exceeding 2.5 percent of GDP.
• Current revenue to GDP ratio of 30 percent.

To revitalise the agricultural and fisheries sector

• Increased yields and earnings.
• Improved food security.
• Increased market access for agricultural produce.
• Sustainable use of land, forestry and marine resources.
• Increased contribution of agriculture to the domestic economy.

To stimulate growth in the toursim sector

• A flexible, reliable and responsive tourism industry.
• Increased awareness of the Vincentian cultural heritage.
• Increased tourism earnings.
• Increased employment opportunities for citizens.
• A competitive and viable tourism sector.

To develop the financial sector

• Tax revenues and foreign exchange inflows are increased.
• Increased ratio of domestic savings to GDP and investment.
• Substantial growth in the non-bank financial sector.
• A modern financial and capital market.
• Improvement in the range of financial services.
• Increased entrepreneurship.
• Boost employment opportunities.

To enhance the role of the private sector and manufacturing in economic and social development in conjunction with the State and co-operative sectors.

• A significant increase in the contribution of the private sector to the country’s economic and social development.
• A vibrant private sector.
• Increased efficiency and competitiveness in the productive sectors of the economy.
• Enhanced quality of goods manufactured in St. Vincent and the Grenadines for both domestic use and export.

To attain strong and sustainable external trade position

• Export strategy finalised and implemented by 2015.

To develop the information and telecommunications services sector

• Highly computer literate Vincentians.
• At least one computer in each household.
• Most adults engaged in adult education.
• An increase in the range of business enterprises utilising modern information and communication technology.
• Improved availability and dissemination of accurate and timely public data.
• Economic maturation of ICT by 2025.
• Improved incubators for ICT research and innovations.

To enhance productivity and competitiveness

• A significant increase in the number of new enterprises established and licensed.
• A substantial increase in St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ international price and quality
competitiveness.
• A productivity institute established by 2015.
• Improved organisational performance.
• An improved labour environment that facilitates increased productivity and satisfaction.

To maximise benefits through integration into the OECS Economic Union, CSME and global economy

• Improved capacity of St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ firms to compete.
• Global networks and strategic alliances established.
• Increased movement of skilled labour.

To boost economic activity in the construction sector

• Increased investment in construction.
• Increased employment for all Vincentians.
• Increased growth.
• Increased number of skilled artisans.

To optimise the economic contribution made by ocean resources

• Increased coordination of marine management among agencies.
• Enhanced economic contribution of existing marine-based activities.
• Increased trade and economic activity.

Enabling increased human and social developmet

To reduce poverty

• Improved standard of living and quality of life of the poor.
• Reduction in the levels of poverty.
• Reduction in inequality.

To create jobs and reduce the levels on unemployment 

• Reduction of levels of unemployment, particularly among young people.
• Higher rates of implementation of capital programmes.
• Increased market-specific skill sets among the working population.
• Re-creation of an agrarian culture and increased land usage for food production.
• Greater levels of innovation and creativity.
• Increased employment in “green economy” jobs.

To develop and adaptable, functional and literate population

• Adaptable curricula consistent with development needs.
• Improved academic performance at all levels of the education system.
• Improved skills set in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
• Increased use of ICT in the delivery of the curricula.
• Improved participation and achievement of males at all levels of the education system.
• Increased worker productivity.

To promote self-care interventions and healthy lifestyle practices

• Increased health and productivity of the working segment of the population.
• Increased life expectancy.
• Reduced infant mortality rate.
• Improved quality of geriatric services.
• Improved quality of mental health services.
• Reduced incidence of chronic noncommunicable and communicable diseases.
• Reduced incidence of HIV and the mortality rate of PLWHA.
• Increased wellness and physical fitness of the nation.

To facilitate social, cultural and economic development at the community level

• More resilient communities.
• Comprehensively developed, balanced and integrated communities.
• Enhanced community participation in national development.

To empower the youth to participate meaningfully in and contribute to national development

• Increased youth employment.
• Increased youth entrepreneurship.
• Increased youth contribution to growth.
• Increased youth involvement in community development.
• Increased marketability of youth.

To improve the housing and living conditions of the population

• Increased home ownership in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
• Decreased homelessness and sub-standard living conditions.
• Reduced number of squatter settlements.
• Homes which are more resilient to hurricanes and other natural disasters.

To facilitate the protection and inclusion of vulnerable and marginalised groups

• Equal rights and opportunities in place for vulnerable groups.
• Social security benefits and coverage increased for the elderly and underprivileged.
• Increased participation of marginalised groups in national development.

Promoting Good Governance and Increasing the Effectiveness of Public Administration

To enhance participatory democracy, accountability, transparency, effectiveness and efficiency in the provision of public goods and services

• Timely publication and dissemination of statistical and other public data.
• Increased confidence in the functions and undertakings of government.
• A highly productive and innovative public sector.
• Improved operational standards and procedures within the Public Service, including revised
procurement legislation.

To develop and maintain a peaceful, safe and secure environment

• Enhanced border security.
• Reduction in criminal activities.
• Improved relations between civilian population and security services.
• Improved security services to the population.

To lift the quality of the judicial and legal system and to enhance public confidence in it

• The public is educated about their legal rights and avenues for redress.
• The public is aware of the operations of the judicial and legal system.
• Greater access to legal services.
• An efficient and effective judicial system.
• Improved confidence in the legal and judicial system.

To enhance the role of civil society in the maintenance of democracy

• Wider participation of the civil society in decision-making and governance.
• Increased understanding by civil society of government policies.
• Increased policy dialogue within NESDC and the wider society.

To widen and deepen diplomatic relations

• Enhanced benefits emanating from diplomatic relations.

Improving Physical Infrastructure, Preserving the Environment and Building Resilience to Climate Change

To optimise the use of limited land space

• Better coordinated land-use policy.
• Increased use of arable land for agriculture.
• Modern land bank system in place.
• Increased agricultural production.
• Legislative framework in place to manage land use.

To upgrade the road network in St. Vincent and the Grenadines

• Increased economic activities in rural communities.
• Reduction in vehicular operating costs.
• Reduction in road accidents.
• Reduction in traffic congestion.
• Well maintained roads.
• The efficient movement of people, goods and services.

To improve air access to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, including the Construction of an international Airport

• Increased economic growth.
• Increased tourist arrivals.
• Increased exports.
• Increased access to non-traditional markets.
• Improved efficiency in the movement of people, goods and services.
• Higher levels of employment.

To modernise and expand seaport facilities

• Increased revenue.
• Improved border security.
• Increased trade and economic activity.
• Strengthened quarantine measures.
• Increased overall efficiency in seaport operations. 

To enhance the capability of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to prepare effectively for, respond to and mitigate disasters.

• Enhanced public health system that would adequately respond to major emergencies and
quarantine capabilities.
• Built environment better able to withstand disasters.
• Reduction in hazardous land occupancy.
• Reduction in maritime hazards.
• Communities better equipped to prepare,
respond to and mitigate disasters.
• Reduced casualties and damage to property consequent upon disaster.
• Strengthened search and rescue arrangements.

To ensure an adequate, safe, reliable and sustainable supply of water

• Access to potable water by all households.
• Cost-effective and efficient water provision.
• Improved potable water quality.
• Provision of a reliable water supply to the Grenadines.
• Improved national water management system.

To conserve the natural resources of the country through effective utilisation and management

• Reduced deforestation.
• Improved management of natural resources.
• Increased community awareness and involvement in protection and management of
resources.
• Environmental impact assessment integrated within the development process.
• Economic valuation of natural resources.
• Improved watershed and coastal management institutionalised.
• Enhanced and supportive legal and regulatory frameworks.
• Improved database for the preservation of biodiversity.

To ensure a clean, safe and healthy environment

• Reduction in the level of pollutants in the environment.
• A comprehensive and effective recycling programme established.
• Safe and sustainable use of natural resources.
• Waste to energy initiative developed.

To reduce the dependence on imported fuel

• Legislation in place to promote energy efficiency and alternative sources of energy.
• Increased energy efficiency of public and private buildings.
• Private enterprises established to complement the production of renewable energy.
• A modern, expanded and adaptable power grid to accommodate various energy inputs.
• Increased production and use of energy from renewable sources.
• Public utilities commission established.

To reduce the adverse impacts of climate change

• Increased awareness and responsiveness of the public in mitigating effects of climate change.
• Improved protection of the coastal and forested environment.
• Increased use of technology to minimise the effects of climate change on agriculture and
human health.
• A legislative framework in place to build climate resilience.

Building National Pride, Identity and Culture

To instil in the citizenry a sense of national pride and appreciation of the history of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

• A greater sense of appreciation and pride in being a Vincentian. 

To engender a greater sense of community and social responsibility

• Stronger, more integrated and vibrant communities.

To preserve, maintain and promote the cultural heritage of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

• Strengthened religious, moral, traditional and ethical values.
• Increased participation in and appreciation of Vincentian culture.

To maximise the contribution of cultural industries to economic growth

• An economically viable cultural industry.
• A more positive attitude to the value of culture.