Chocolate factory to open in St Lucia

(CNS): Sweetening the bonds of manufacturing, agriculture and tourism the Hotel Chocolat, a new boutique resort near Saint Lucia’s old colonial capital, Soufrière is breaking ground on a new Chocolate Factory to be located next door to the swish hotel the country’s tourism officials have said in a release. Director of Rabot Estate, Hotel Chocolat’s Phil Buckley reported more than 100 farmers will benefit from the new chocolate factory, and his company is hopeful that the project will help revitalize the once-profitable cocoa industry on the island. Tessa Mangal, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Consumer Affairs, predicted that, "Saint Lucian chocolate in the global marketplace will bolster the island’s brand as well as inspire new manufacturing projects to fuel economic growth."

The new chocolate factory is set to open next year officials said and Allen Chastanet, Saint Lucia’s Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation welcomed the plans. "The creative combination of three of Saint Lucia’s vital sectors is important for Saint Lucia and for Soufrière – home of a UNESCO World Heritage Site", he added. The project could also helps promote environmental sustainability and community partnerships, the senator stated.

"Farm to table, roots to restaurants, agritourism, whatever you want to call it, it is clear that this new project is another example of our government’s mission to integrate tourism and the agricultural sector as we help our farmers get back to business," Ezechiel Joseph, Saint Lucia’s Minister of Agriculture, Land, Fisheries and Forestry proclaimed.