After just two months in office, Prime Minister the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew has said that investor confidence is once again returning to St. Kitts and Nevis with legitimate investors already lining up to do business once again with the Federation.  

Speaking at his first press conference on Monday, October 17, Prime Minister Dr. Drew said this is in stark contrast to what happened over the past seven years.

“After the Government changed, a lot of these investors returned to the table, because remember, during the last seven years [under the Team Unity administration] there was no major investment that was done in St. Kitts and Nevis, and what would have been said to me is very disturbing—that their interaction with the last administration was very toxic for many of them…and so I am being bombarded every day by legitimate investment opportunities,” the Prime Minister said.

Prime Minister Dr. Drew reflected on his participation in the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum 2022 in early September where partnership agreements were signed between the Africa Export-Import Bank and a number of Caribbean countries, including St. Kitts and Nevis.

“That is a significant bank from out of Africa and they are seeking to establish relations here in the Caribbean. Part of the thrust or philosophy behind it is that there should be more south-south cooperation, but apart from that, we are actually seen as part of the African Union. I don’t know if we understand that, that they consider the diaspora here in the Caribbean to be a part of the African Union and therefore with these types of initiatives the Caribbean of course is viewed as a partner or potential partner to participate,” Dr. Drew said.

He added, “Through that initiative, a number of Caribbean countries are actually seeing the benefits, and we are actually exploring a possible investment that would take place here in St. Kitts and Nevis and that is to do with a fish processing facility. I know a representative from the bank and the investor will be here in short order to discuss that. We have also engaged about two investment firms that are interested in doing two major hotels at the Southeast Peninsula. Both of them are very viable and so critical decisions will be made in short order to see the fruition of these developments or at least one of them.”

The Prime Minister reiterated that the decision to remove all COVID-19 travel restrictions, based on the scientific evidence, was the Government’s way of signalling to the world that St. Kitts and Nevis is open for business.

“When I went to the UN (United Nations), I also said that the country is open to business and interestingly enough people have heard those words and they are approaching in significant numbers and the prospect for investments looks really good,” said Prime Minister Drew.

Apart from his own engagements, Prime Minister Drew said his Cabinet colleagues have used their recent participation in a number of international events including the United Nations General Assembly, the Joint CARIFORUM – EU Ministerial Meeting and the OAS General Assembly to meet with international partners and potential investors to gauge their interest in investing in St. Kitts and Nevis in areas such as healthcare, education and housing.

All inbound passengers to St. Kitts and Nevis, nationals and non-nationals alike, are required to complete the online Immigration and Customs Electronic Declaration Form to avoid lengthy processing delays upon arrival at the R. L. Bradshaw International Airport in St. Kitts and the V. W. Amory International Airport in Nevis.

Immigration officials report that international travellers spend less time transitioning through the local airports by using the online feature at www.knatravelform.kn. However, many incoming passengers do not take advantage of the modern system and often get frustrated having to fill out paper forms upon arrival at the airport.

The online entry form was introduced in 2021 to facilitate the paperless entry of arrivals during the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 entry protocols were waived in August this year by the government but the online immigration and customs form remains as it is a best practice in many countries internationally.

“It helps with efficiency,” said Honourable Marsha Henderson, Minister of Tourism, while addressing the media at the Prime Minister’s Press Conference with Cabinet members on Monday, October 17, 2022. “It’s being done in most jurisdictions. It helps with you getting through the airport [quickly] instead of having to fill out that small white paper that we all happen to lose.”

If you fill it [out] online, it is a lot easier, and I think it is a step in the right direction,” the Minister added.

The information can be uploaded at any time, even days or weeks in advance prior to the traveller’s return date, provided the ticket information does not change.

This is particularly important to prevent bottlenecks at the airport as airlines arriving in St. Kitts and Nevis are expected to increase significantly during the winter months.

Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew hosted his first press conference earlier today, Monday, October 17, 2022, where he updated citizens and residents on the tremendous strides made by his St. Kitts and Nevis Labour Party-led administration to deliver a new day and a better way for the people.
 
The honourable Prime Minister was supported at the press conference by the full slate of Cabinet Ministers including Deputy Prime Minister Honourable Dr. Geoffrey Hanley; the Right Honourable Dr. Denzil Douglas; Honourable Konris Maynard; Attorney General Honourable Garth Wilkin; the Honourable Marsha Henderson; the Honourable Samal Duggins; Senator the Honourable Dr. Joyelle Clarke and Senator the Honourable Isalean Phillip, all of whom gave updates on the undertakings within their respective ministries.
 
In his opening statement, the Prime Minister commented on a number of positive developments in areas such as healthcare delivery, education, social services and international relations since his Cabinet was sworn in just over two months ago. 
 
On the issue of healthcare, Prime Minister Dr. Drew, who also serves as Minister responsible for Health, indicated that the government has begun to make significant moves to overhaul the health sector in the Federation.
 
He said, “We promised an efficient system, a system that effectively attends to the needs and growing demands of our people; a system that is rewarding for all stakeholders – firstly the patients, who are you the people, the nurses, doctors, auxiliary staff including the cleaners…and all those who work on behalf of our healthcare system to deliver to you the people of St. Kitts and Nevis. As such, your government has approved financial assistance for children in need of medical assistance overseas. We had the first child benefiting from this initiative on Saturday, October 15, 2022, to travel to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Barbados to undergo 10 months of chemotherapy and additional medical treatment.”  
 
Shortly after assuming office, the Government purchased a new MRI machine for the JNF General Hospital, making the service affordable and more accessible to the people of St. Kitts and Nevis.
 
Prime Minister Dr. Drew also noted that the Government has also commenced work aimed at strengthening and improving the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programme.
 
“We have begun consultations with various stakeholders and the legislation provides for certain committees to be set up to supervise the process. Your government will implement strengthened legislative and administrative structures to prevent the downgrading of our system and to make sure that it remains strong, viable, open and transparent. This industry is critical to the development of St. Kitts and Nevis but we must make sure that we continue to strengthen it and that we get it right,” Dr. Drew said.
 
Prime Minister Dr. Drew assured the people of St. Kitts and Nevis that his Government will continue to function on the principles of transparency, integrity, openness and accountability.

Energy efficiency can play a crucial role in ensuring both long-and short-term energy security in a cost-effective manner. As such, the Ministries of Environment and Energy have partnered on a geothermal project aimed at pushing forward St. Kitts and Nevis’ energy security agenda.

“We are working together to create what we call energy security for St. Kitts and Nevis and also to confirm our renewable energy mix and I am very clear about that. We cannot transition to solar energy alone, we cannot transition to geothermal energy alone, but we must use a mix of renewable energy sources. So, we are partnering together to ensure that in the near future St. Kitts and Nevis can engage in its green transition away from fossil fuel,” said the Honourable Dr. Joyelle Clarke, Minister of Environment and Climate Action, during a Cabinet Press Conference on Monday, October 17, 2022, at NEMA. “St. Kitts and Nevis has to be seen as one space when it comes to geothermal and we are happy that we can partner with NEVLEC and SKELEC.”

The Honourable Dr. Clarke said that the government has engaged the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCC) and the Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE), who will be in the Federation shortly to meet with the Cabinet and relevant stakeholders to present on “the renewable energy mix for St. Kitts and Nevis, as well as Sustainable Island State Initiative, which is Prime Minister, the [Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew’s] main thrust.”

She noted that the geothermal project with Nevis is particularly important for various reasons.

“Whatever resources are available in Nevis will be part of our Federal resources. We have to ensure that that partnership remains steady, that St. Kitts and Nevis is seen as one Federal state, one nation when it comes to geothermal. It will benefit not just St. Kitts and Nevis, but the wider Caribbean and it is going to be a critical part of our renewable energy mix,” said Dr. Clarke.

The Honourable Konris Maynard, Minister of Energy, shared similar sentiments adding that the partnership will be fruitful.

“We are very pleased to be partnering in our thrust to bring a renewable energy sector to St. Kitts and Nevis and that includes exploring the vast possibilities with geothermal. At this point, the thinking is that Nevis’ geothermal wells will have enough energy in the first instance to support not only Nevis but Nevis and St. Kitts,” said Minister Maynard. “And so, they are collaborating with SKELEC on how we are going to integrate both grids such that we now create one grid for the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.”

Minister Maynard explained that when power is generated in Nevis it can reach as far as St. Paul’s in St. Kitts and similarly if St. Kitts generates power from solar or wind, it can reach Gingerland in Nevis, thus creating one grid.

The Minister with responsibility for Energy added that the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis is now in the “transitionary phase of moving from total dependence on fossil fuels to exploring all of the different mixes of renewable energy. We want to be the leader in the Caribbean and we have everything now at our doorsteps including the resources… to collaborate in a unified way.”

The Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) is currently assisting St. Kitts and Nevis with the completion of its National Integrated Plan for HIV/TB/STI/VH (viral hepatitis).
 
Once completed, the plan is expected to provide the Ministry of Health with a roadmap to guide the interventions required to effectively prevent and control these communicable diseases.
 
A team of consultants from PAHO is in the Federation and has begun meeting with various stakeholders critical to the completion and implementation of the strategic plan. The first event was a stakeholders meeting held at the Solid Waste Management Corporation conference room today, Monday, October 17, 2022.
 
Addressing that meeting, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Hazel Laws commented, “This stakeholder consultation provides the ideal forum for discussion of the draft situational analysis and the draft plan. We would like to ensure that this Strategic Plan meets the need of our population and it must be aligned to the UNAIDS Global AIDS Strategy 2021-2026 with its three strategic priority areas and ten priority actions.”
 
The Chief Medical Officer also outlined a number of deficiencies in the HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and viral hepatitis response that she hopes will be addressed under the strategic plan.
 
She said, “Some of these include, one, a few caps in the legal framework that hinder, for example, adolescents under sixteen from accessing services. We have some funding gaps and human resource for health challenges. We also need to forge closer partnerships with our key stakeholders to ensure that the services are accessible to all the key populations and vulnerable persons. Another challenge is how do we effectively reach the millennials – generation Y and generation Z – with regards to encouraging them to reduce or not engage in risky sexual behaviour.”
 
PAHO Consultant, Dr. Ayanna Alexander gave a review of the Strategic Plan before participants were split into working groups to look at the goals, objectives and activities of the Strategic Plan.
 
Over the next few days, the PAHO team will engage with other health and education stakeholders in St. Kitts and Nevis as well as with representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

General Secretary of the International Domestic Workers Federation (IDWF) Elizabeth Tang of Japan spoke highly about the experience at the recently concluded regional conference of domestic worker leaders in the Caribbean which was hosted in Jamaica. 

Speaking at a closing session held on Tuesday 11^th October 20, 2022, at a host venue- the Grand Bahia Principe hotel in St. Ann, she commented: “This is my first trip to the Caribbean and I have learnt so much from you and I want to thank you really because you are so committed that you have said many times over and over again that you will go back [to your respective countries] and organize; create domestic workers organisations [and] create domestic workers sections. I say thank you because when you grow, the IDWF grows because IDFW is what? IDWF is you, it’s domestic workers everywhere in the Caribbean …and just now you have said these beautiful things that will remain in my heart…” 

Notably, a domestic worker is described a person who works in the homes of others for pay. Furthermore, Jamaica is one of the first countries of the region to have ratified the International Labour Organisation (ILO) C189 which covers various areas on decent work for domestic workers. 

Tang referred to a remark from a participating domestic worker Nicole Williams of Jamaica who said “I now have a voice” coming out of the experience of the conference. 

According to IDWF official Tang “just imagine if each and every one of the domestic workers in the region is saying this ‘Now I have a voice’ then we are really powerful, then we really have the power. So, the IDWF will be with you so this the beginning of the journey and we will continue to be with you and we will see how we grow and we will provide the necessary support…” 

Tang explained that support includes helping to grow voice through other platforms. 

Meanwhile, Chairperson of the Caribbean Domestic Workers Network and well as IDWF Executive Member, Shirley Pryce (a former domestic worker) who is also the President of the Jamaican Household Workers Union (JHWU) shared her thoughts on the need for regional movement and coming together while speaking at the opening session held on Friday 7^th October at the Spanish Court Hotel in Kingston. 

She pointed out that conference was planned since 2019 but plans were thrown off due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenges in the following years. 

Commenting on the significance for a conference of that nature to be hosted, Pryce stated: “I know that we are fighting for the right reason [and that is] domestic workers’ rights and we are fighting for decent work because decent work is everybody’s business…it’s for me, it’s for you, it’s for all of us so we’re fighting for decent work.”  

She added: “We know we have a lot of work but we’ll be collaborating together, working together, fighting together and winning together!” 

In her presentation, she called for Caribbean togetherness on championing the cause for domestic workers. 

“Today, I just want to say to us as Caribbean, we’re here to organize and reenergize because we have started our Caribbean Domestic Workers Network in 2013…but now we’re here to pick up ourselves and start all over again and we have the support of WEIGO and the IDWF.” 

Pryce added: “Now we’re standing and we’re standing tall. We’re going to be showing up together we’re gonna stop whispering and start shouting for our rights so we just want us all to just rise up, stand up and to shake up…and this is what we’re doing now!…” 

“Shake up and start a fresh! We can do it right?!” she asked for which she got the crowd response “Yes!” 

“We can do it!” Pryce further admonished. Additionally, spoke about information sharing during the course of the conference saying “so we can learn from each other. We want to be strong like Latin America. We want to be strong like Africa!”  

General Secretary of the St.Kitts-Nevis Trades and Labour Union Precious Mills attended the conference.  

Other participating countries included Guyana, St.Lucia, Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago.  

Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada and Guyana are among countries that had ratified C189 by September 2022.

The five-day event was conducted from Friday 7th to Tuesday 11th October organised jointly by the IDWF and Women in Informal Employment Globalizing and Organizing (WIEGO) and was hosted by the JHWU. 

The event was observed under the banner: ‘Caribbean Conference: Investing in Decent Work for Domestic Workers, Ratification and Implementation of C189 and C190’. 

C190 addresses workplace violence and harassment.  

The Ministry of Health, under the guidance of Prime Minister and Minister of Health the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew, took quick actions today, Friday, October 14, 2022, to ensure that a challenge that affected the work being carried out at the Haemodialysis Unit at the Joseph N. France General Hospital was rectified. 

Prime Minister Dr. Drew, during a visit to the Haemodialysis Unit this evening, explained that the hospital was experiencing a challenge in acquiring bloodlines for the haemodialysis machines and that challenge affected the quality of care being delivered. 

“There was a challenge in getting the bloodlines for the dialysis machines and so I think the staff quickly had to improvise and make sure that they dealt with the situation [by changing] up the shift in which people are given dialysis, and I want to thank them for being innovative with respect to dealing with the challenge,” said Dr. Drew.

A haemodialysis bloodline system is a type of tubing system that connects a patient’s blood circulation to a dialyzer in the course of the dialysis treatment.

“We have been able to get in the bloodlines, which are the lines that are important to working the dialysis machine. That line we are talking about…is what allows the blood to go out, go through the machine and then come back into [the patient],” Prime Minister Drew added. “We have resolved that to this moment and we will ensure that the situation is continuously dealt with. So at this moment operations are back to normal, patients are receiving their treatment and I wish all the patients well.” 

Isalin Pitt, a Certified Dialysis Nurse at the Haemodialysis Unit, thanked the honourable prime minister and the Ministry of Health for their quick response and resolution to the challenge. 

Prime Minister Dr. Drew expressed his heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the nursing staff at the Haemodialysis Unit “for their tremendous work and continued sacrifice in making sure that this life-saving treatment is available here for the people of St. Kitts and Nevis.”

Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew noted his satisfaction with the improved working conditions that now exist at the Pogson Medical Center as a result of recent changes made at the facility that serves Sandy Point and the surrounding communities. 

Prime Minister Dr. Drew noted his satisfaction following a full tour of the medical facility earlier today, Friday, October 14, 2022. The honourable prime minister was accompanied on the tour by the Director of Health Institutions within the Ministry of Health, Dr. Jenson Morton and Press Secretary, Mrs. Adelcia Connor-Ferlance and Ambassador His Excellency Kenneth Douglas. 

The most impactful change made at the Pogson Medical Center was the assignment of a cadre of doctors there dedicated solely to patient care at the hospital. This move now ensures that a medical doctor is always physically present at the hospital. 

Prime Minister Drew, who is also the Minister of Health in the Federal Cabinet, said based on the feedback he received during his walkthrough of the facility, the positive impact of having a doctor available 24/7 at the hospital is being felt by the patients. 

“The patients who I saw appreciate that they don’t have to go to JNF because they can now be treated here, but they also appreciate that a doctor is actually there to monitor the situation and not by phone or anything like that, so I already see that. And even the doctors who are here, you can see they feel very motivated that they are making a significant impact with respect to healthcare delivery in St. Kitts and Nevis, and specifically in this area.”

A part of the change that took place at the Pogson Medical Center was to separate the role of the District Medical Officer.

“The idea that we came in with is to make sure that Pogson functions, and therefore, we have made sure that we separate the District Medical Officer from the hospital doctor so that we have a cadre of doctors here in the hospital, and all they do is to man the hospital and take care of patients in the hospital,” said Prime Minister Dr. Drew.  “The District Medical Officer would take care of the clinics associated with the area and that, we estimate, would increase satisfaction, as well as increase the level of service to the people in this area.” 

The Prime Minister indicated that these moves not only benefit the people of Sandy Point but will also significantly reduce the stress being placed on the Joseph N. France General Hospital.

Head Doctor of Emergency Services at the Pogson Medical Center, Dr. Duriel Pemberton agreed with the sentiments shared by Prime Minister Dr. Drew of having a 24/7 doctor presence at the hospital, noting that it is “the ideal setting to be working in.”

“No longer would the nurse have to be worrying about what to do or what to give a patient, or having to run down a doctor by a telephone call or having to wait until a doctor comes out to physically assess a patient. So it would ease that burden and that stress off the nurses,” Dr. Pemberton commented.

The cadre of doctors now assigned at the hospital all hail from or reside in Sandy Point or its environs. Dr. Pemberton noted that this is important as it creates a certain level of familiarity between doctors and patients and that too is having a positive impact on the delivery of healthcare at the facility. 

Mary Charles Hospital in Molineaux will also see improvement in the near future. 

Minister of the Creative Economy, the Honourable Samal Duggins said that the ministry was established with the sole purpose of ensuring that all creatives have the knowledge to succeed in the local and international markets.

The Honourable Minister made this statement during the Ministry of the Creative Economy and the Easter Caribbean Collective Organization for Music Rights (ECCO) pre-consultation press conference on October 13. 

Minister Duggins in speaking to the stakeholders said, “I want all creatives, entertainers and entrepreneurs to excel just as how I want all of our radio stations festivals and event promoters to excel but songwriters and publishers should also benefit and excel as well.  As we have heard today, the framework is in place for that to happen, however, we all have to do our best and do our part to make sure that the industry serves all stakeholders and not just some of us.”  

“The talent is most definitely here in St. Kitts and Nevis, so let us all recognize our roles and responsibilities when it comes to entertainment so that our creatives can reap the full benefits of their creativity and talent and acquire the resources that they need to develop their craft and keep producing material because we need our economy to diversify,” he added. 

He also invited the stakeholders to attend the free consultation at NEMA in St. Kitts on November 01 and at the NEPAC in Nevis on November 02.

The press conference aimed to bring awareness to copyright infringement laws and the role of ECCO in protecting music owners, songwriters and publishers.