Key consumer protection priorities, including the rising cost of living, product quality and safety, and market pricing, were the focus of the first stakeholder engagement meeting for the year between the Government of Saint Lucia and the National Consumers Association (NCA).

The engagement brought together Minister for Equity, Labour, Gender, Elderly Affairs, Social Justice and Consumer Welfare, Hon. Emma Hippolyte; Permanent Secretary in the Department of Labour and Consumer Welfare, Ms. Sheila Imbert; the Director of Consumer Affairs Wendy Frederick, members of the Consumer Affairs Department’s technical team and representatives of the NCA.

The meeting provided an opportunity for open dialogue on pressing issues currently affecting consumers. The NCA shared concerns raised by its membership and the wider public, while the Consumer Affairs Department outlined ongoing monitoring, enforcement, and policy initiatives aimed at protecting consumer interests and strengthening market oversight.

Discussions also focused on enhancing collaboration between the Consumer Affairs Department and the NCA, particularly in the areas of consumer education, advocacy, and information sharing. Both entities reaffirmed their shared mandate to uphold consumer rights and promote fair, transparent, and responsible market practices.

Minister Hippolyte emphasized the importance of continued engagement with consumer stakeholders, underscoring the Government’s commitment to ensuring that consumer interests remain central to policy development and market regulation.

Permanent Secretary Imbert highlighted the value of structured and sustained collaboration, noting that the existing cooperative framework between the Consumer Affairs Department and the NCA has proven effective and should be maintained.

The parties agreed to continue quarterly meetings to review emerging consumer issues, assess progress, and coordinate joint initiatives in the interest of consumers. Planning discussions were also held in preparation for the observance of World Consumer Rights Day on March 15, with a shared commitment to proactive and coordinated public engagement activities.

Both the Government of Saint Lucia and the National Consumers Association reaffirmed their commitment to ongoing collaboration to ensure consumer protection remains a national priority.