Sophia M. Alfay-Henry is the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce, Manufacturing, Business Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs. Mrs. Alfay-Henry is responsible for private sector growth and development, ensuring an enabling environment for trade and doing business and the education and protection of consumers. Main projects – Trade shows, development of an MSME loan/grant facility to offer financial relief to MSMEs and build their capacity, Business Fora to educate on the opportunities available to entrepreneurs. Previously worked at the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) for 24 1/2 years, the last 4 1/2 years she served as the Comptroller of the IRD and Competent Authority (delegate) with responsibility for Saint Lucia’s adherence to international tax transparency standards. Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA), UK, Chartered Director (C.Dir), Caribbean Governance Training Institute and Accredited Director (Acc. Dir.), Chartered Governance Institute of Canada.