Minister for Sports and Youth Development, and Member of Parliament for Gros Islet, Hon. Kenson Casimir, has drawn public attention to government’s policy to bring significant and impactful relief to the sporting fraternity. Among incentives are the removal of  the Value Added Tax (VAT) on all sporting equipment entering the island.

Speaking at the April 25th Debate on Appropriations 2025/26, the Minister explained that it was becoming more and more costly for sporting equipment to be brought into the country under previous arrangements.

“We saw a period where the cost of sporting equipment continued to rise year after year. There was no reduction of VAT on sporting equipment until this current government felt the plight of young athletes and endeavored to do so. We removed VAT completely on sporting equipment. There were also associations that had been trying to set up their secretariats because there is need for a place to host executive meetings so that decisions can be made for young athletes. This government completely removed property taxes on sporting secretariats so that now, the Olympic Committee in La Clery has no concerns when it comes to property taxes,” Minister Casimir said. He further announced that the government has taken additional steps to ease financial pressures by eliminating property taxes for all sporting secretariats across Saint Lucia.

Opposition Minister Hon. Bradley Felix, added that the previous administration assisted national sporting efforts by amending the Finance Act to ensure that sporting and recreational imports were duty free at the ports.