reviewed by the Office of the Attorney General. These are the E‐Transaction Bill, the E‐Crimes Bill, the Data and Privacy Protection Bill, and the Freedom of Information Bill. In 2008, the output of the manufacturing sector in St. Lucia declined by 5.4 per cent to $84.1 million. Its weakened performance is attributed to the significant decline in exports to regional markets as demand from their tourism sectors waned. The problems experienced by the manufacturing sector were further compounded by rising costs of inputs including fuel and other raw materials. Elsewhere in the manufacturing sector, the production of paper, paperboard, electrical and metal items increased, while the output of food products and alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages fell. The construction sector, which has been a leading determinant of economic growth in the past, suffered its second year of decline in 2008, falling by an estimated 14.4 per cent. The lower expected than performance of the sector was attributable to the significant decline in public sector construction, coupled with a fall in private construction, linked to the reduction in external investment finance. “With time, our economy transformed from a single ‐ crop agricultural base to one which promoted a tripod of agriculture, manufacturing and tourism, and ultimately to the present, where the role of the services sector is highlighted within a modern diversified economy. During this fourth session of the ninth Parliament of Saint Lucia, Government will focus on the following priorities: • Stabilising the economy; • Protecting existing jobs and creating new job opportunities; • Continuing our investments in social infrastructure, particularly in • education and health; • Providing social safety nets particularly for more vulnerable groups; • Investing in our youth, • Preserving law and order, and • Fostering a social partnership among all segments of our population in order to confront the development challenges facing our country. Even in highly developed countries, the continuous need for investment in education appropriate to the needs of today’s knowledge‐based economy is seen as a priority. This applies even more so to us, where physical resources are few, but human resources are plentiful, and waiting to be harnessed. Parallel to this is the need to address issues of information and communications at a time when the use of electronic commerce is on the rise. Accordingly, the Government proposes to pass the Electronic Bill, the Electronic Transactions Bill, the Computer Misuse Act, the Data Protection and Privacy Bill, and the Freedom of Information Bill.” Her Excellency Dame Calliopa Pearlette Louisy, GOVERNOR‐GENERAL OF SAINT LUCIA On the occasion of the Formal Opening of the Fourth Session of the Ninth Parliament of Saint Lucia Friday, April 24, 2009 In the 2009 budget speech, the Prime Minister identified the theme for the budget as “Generating Growth, Securing Jobs, Promoting Competitiveness and Protecting Vulnerable Citizens in the Face of Global Recession”. He identified five economic guidelines that will [6]