Revised Laws of Saint Lucia (2022)

56.   Investment

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    (1)     The Minister may, by affirmative Resolution of the House of Assembly, invest public monies forming part of the Consolidated Fund —

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      (a)     with a bank, whether at call or subject to notice not exceeding 12 months;

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      (b)     in a manner authorized for investments of property in the hands of trustees by law.

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    (2)     The Minister may, if he or she is satisfied that it is in the public interest and with the prior approval of the House of Assembly under subsection (1), invest public monies forming part of the Consolidated Fund in —

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      (a)     a bank;

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      (b)     the purchase of securities in a company;

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      (c)     deposits with the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank;

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      (d)     securities issued by another Government or agency of that other Government.

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    (3)     Where the Minister invests public monies under subsection (2), he or she shall immediately —

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      (a)     submit a report to the House of Assembly containing full details of the investment; and

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      (b)     lay before the House of Assembly a copy of the agreement made in relation to the purchase of securities and the most recent annual audited financial statements of the company.

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    (4)     The interest or dividends received from the investment under subsection (1) must be credited to the Consolidated Fund, the Contingencies Fund or a special fund from where the investment was made.

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    (5)     An investment held by or on behalf of the Government on the commencement of this Act is deemed to have been made out of public monies issued from the Consolidated Fund and may be retained notwithstanding that the investment is not made under subsection (1), except if the investment is not held on account of a special fund or trust fund.

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    (6)     The Director of Finance shall keep proper records of an investment under this section and submit to the Accountant General, for safe custody, all proper records in respect of all investments under this Act.