The TaiwanICDF joined hands with ally Saint Lucia’s commerce ministry this year to celebrate the 46th anniversary of the Caribbean nation’s independence. On March 2, 2025, the Taiwan Technical Mission in Saint Lucia partnered with the country’s Ministry of Commerce, Manufacturing, Business Development, Cooperatives, and Consumer Affairs to co-host the inaugural Laborie Music Festival. The event was attended by Minister of Commerce Emma Hippolyte and Minister of Foreign Affairs Alva Baptiste, underscoring the ministers’ strong support for Taiwan-Saint Lucia cooperation.

Held at the Papèl Craft Centre in Laborie, the festival featured diverse cultural performances, including traditional music, stilt walkers, and live shows by well-known local musicians and bands, offering attendees an immersive musical experience. The event also hosted local vendors selling specialty foods, beverages, and handicrafts, showcasing the country’s vibrant local industries. Over 200 visitors attended the festival, purchasing numerous handcrafted souvenirs, while vendors saw their food and beverage stocks nearly sell out. The vendors reported a threefold increase in revenue compared with average daily revenues, boosting both the visibility of the Papèl Craft Centre and the brands of TaiwanICDF-supported entrepreneurs.

Minister Hippolyte emphasized the importance of highlighting Laborie’s unique identity and cultural heritage amid increasing global competition for tourism. She encouraged local businesses to continuously enhance their products and services to strengthen Laborie’s market position and ensure that the development of tourism benefits local residents.

Minister Baptiste expressed deep appreciation for the Taiwan Technical Mission’s longstanding support in developing the Laborie community, including its efforts in helping establish the soon-to-be-inaugurated Laborie Market. He said that the festival provided a platform for local talent, as well as serving to strengthen community identity and pride. He shared that he envisioned the Laborie Music Festival growing into a signature annual event, integrating local hospitality and tourism attractions to draw in more international visitors and boost the development of regional tourism.

Taiwan’s Ambassador to Saint Lucia, H.E. Lily Hsu, highlighted during the opening ceremony that Laborie boasts breathtaking natural scenery, exquisite craftsmanship, and a warm, welcoming community, making it an ideal destination for development. She emphasized that the Laborie Music Festival is a key initiative under the TaiwanICDF’s Community Business Revitalization Project, which previously achieved success in Fond St. Jacques, a community renowned as Saint Lucia’s “taro homeland.” The Fond St. Jacques Taro Festival served as a model for community revitalization, and Ambassador Hsu encouraged Laborie to follow suit, leveraging its unique strengths to attract visitors, immerse them in local culture, and drive economic growth.

TaiwanICDF Deputy Secretary General Pei-Fen Hsieh pointed out that the Papèl Craft Centre had suffered significant setbacks during the pandemic, with many businesses relocating, reducing the venue to merely a stopover for travelers. However, the Laborie Music Festival has revitalized the center, showcasing the community’s rich cultural heritage and stimulating local economic and tourism development. Hsieh reaffirmed the TaiwanICDF’s commitment to working closely with local communities to enhance their unique attractions and competitiveness, contributing to Saint Lucia’s sustainable economic development. This initiative aligns with Taiwan’s Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project, championed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Chia-lung Lin, which promotes sustainable tourism in Caribbean countries that are Taiwan’s allies while ensuring the responsible use of island resources.

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• Update: 2025/03/13
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