A new factory for processing cocoa is being built in St Lucia by luxury chocolate retailer Hotel Chocolat.
The British-based company was founded by Angus Thirlwell and Peter Harris in 1993 and has bought a cocoa estate in St Lucia.
Once the facility is up and running the cocoa beans will be made into luxury chocolate bars and other items on site rather than in Europe.
The entrepreneurs are also trying to revive cocoa production generally on the island by giving farmers set prices above the market value for their crops and so encouraging the producers to take on more staff and develop their own businesses.
Ground was broken for the facility by Prince Charles last week on his visit to the island.
About Mark Lee
Mark Lee has been a long-time journalist writing, editing and producing in print, radio television and new media.