Inflation continues to pose significant challenges worldwide, but the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis, under the leadership of Prime Minister, the Honourable Dr. Terrance M. Drew, has taken decisive action to cushion the impact on its citizens and residents. With the announcement of the 2025 Budget Address, the administration has introduced innovative measures designed to support households, increase disposable income, and provide essential relief.

Minister of Sustainable Development, the Honourable Dr. Joyelle Clarke, said the ministry remains resolute in ensuring that land distribution and management practices are sustainable and can work to meet the country’s development needs, while still preserving the integrity and visibility of natural resources. Her comments were made at the National Assembly during the second day of the Budget Debate.

As the attention now shifts to Beyond the 90-Days, Minister of State, the Honourable Isalean Phillip, said that the government through its Citizen Security Secretariat, will continue the whole-of-society approach” that it has championed in addressing crime, and other key policy decisions.

Minister Duggins celebrated transformative achievements in 2024, including the deployment of additional Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs), which significantly enhanced catch potential and boosted incomes for coastal communities. The reopening of the Old Road Fish Depot underscored the government’s dedication to revitalising infrastructure that supports fishers’ livelihoods. Further, the COASTFISH project’s artificial reefs were recognised for their role in restoring marine ecosystems and strengthening fish stocks.

“We have gone to every single supermarket in this country and they are now buying more local produce,” said Minister Duggins. “RAMS is buying more local produce, Valu Mart is buying more local produce, Best Buy is buying more local produce, even some of the Chinese supermarkets we have here are buying more local produce.”

In support of the Appropriation (2025) Bill, 2024, Attorney General Wilkin emphasised the significant strides made by the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs and the Attorney General’s Office. With a proposed allocation of EC$12.4 million for recurrent expenditure and EC$2.7 million for capital projects in 2025, the Ministry is poised to strengthen legal and judicial systems.

Throughout the upcoming year 2025, the Department of Youth Empowerment will look to expand its mental health awareness campaign among the nation’s youth, building on the momentum of Youth Month 2024, that was observed under the theme “Mental Health Matters for Youth Development and Sustainability.”

St. Kitts and Nevis will increase its protection of persons with disabilities while strengthening empowerment opportunities with the review of the 2017 disabilities policy and drafting of a Disabilities Bill.

Prime Minister Dr. Drew revealed that a total of $320 million was invested in essential subsidies and social programmes over the past two years to protect citizens from the full impact of inflation, while providing a foundation for self-reliance and growth.

As part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen the country’s national security infrastructure and empower its people, the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis will soon introduce a new training programme for nationals in the area of cyber security.

A VAT Relief Holiday was announced by Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew, during his 2025 Budget Address delivered in the National Assembly on December 16, 2024. He noted that for the first six months of 2025, the VAT Rate, which is charged at 17 percent will be reduced to 13 percent.

On Monday, December 16, 2024, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew, announced a suite of economic relief measures as part of his government’s comprehensive strategy to cushion the financial impact caused by the “hurricane of global inflation”. Among the measures announced during the Budget Address in the National Assembly was the “Budget Boost Wallet” initiative.