(1) Notwithstanding any other law in force in Saint Lucia, the Minister shall, in relation to any key niche economic sector mentioned in section 5, have the same power and authority, as those of the relevant Minister to process an application made by an investor for —
(a) fiscal incentives under the Fiscal Incentives Act and to submit the recommendations to Cabinet;
(b) trade licences under the Trade Licences Act and to grant such licences;
(c) work permits under the Labour Act and to grant such work permits;
(d) tourism incentives under the Tourism Incentives Act and to submit the recommendations to Cabinet.
(2) An investor who desires to obtain —
(a) a fiscal incentive under the Fiscal Incentives Act;
(b) a trade licence under the Trade Licences Act;
(c) a work permit under the Labour Act;
(d) a tourism incentive under the Tourism Incentives Act,
in relation to a key niche economic sector mentioned in subsection (1) shall submit his or her application through Invest Saint Lucia to the Minister.
(3) The Minister may delegate his or her power to process an application under subsection (1) to the chairperson under such terms and conditions as the Minister determines and a copy of the application must be forwarded to the relevant Minister and the Prime Minister.
(4) Where an application is submitted by Invest Saint Lucia to the Development Control Authority and approval is required from the Development Control Authority under this Act, the Development Control Authority shall make every effort to approve or decline such an application within 30 days.
(5) Where further information is required by the Development Control Authority in accordance with subsection (4), the Development Control Authority shall inform Invest Saint Lucia of the information required within 15 days.