The National Competiveness and Productivity Council (NCPC) in collaboration with Compete Caribbean and IfM ECS (Cambridge University) has reported the successful completion of phase one of a two-phased online capacity building programme.

This training programme is geared towards to the formulation of a Science Technology and Innovation (STI) policy for Saint Lucia which forms part of the National Competitiveness Agenda.

Phase one spanned September 8th to 29th 2020 and covered topics such as: innovation and its ecosystems, STI policies, mega trends driving changes in global industries, sources of value capture, market and system failures amongst other discussion topics relevant to the Saint Lucian economy.

Director of the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council, Fiona Hinkson, noted that participation in the training programme was wide ranging and included participants from the NCPC, Invest St. Lucia, the Innovation Unit within the Department of Education, Sustainable Development, OECS, Compete Caribbean, the Departments of Commerce, Finance and the Public Service through the Public Sector Modernization Unit.

The STI training will introduce key concepts, frameworks and practices in the area of science, technology and innovation (STI) policy. It will provide an overview of the role of government in fostering innovation and offer insights into common policy options available to pursue this goal.  Facilitators from Cambridge University presented some of the latest policy developments in selected countries such as the evolution of Singapore’s Industrial and Innovation Policy. Most importantly the training programme will reflect on practical challenges for effective policy implementation in Saint Lucia and discuss best practices for overcoming them.

Phase two commenced Sep. 29, and is scheduled to conclude on Oct. 9, with a live virtual discussion and question and answer session.