Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 14, 2019 (SKNIS): Minister responsible for Co-operatives, the Honourable Eugene Hamilton has saluted the four affiliate members of St. Kitts and Nevis National Co-operative League for their continued role in enabling broad economic empowerment in the Federation.

The Co-operative League is the umbrella organization for the local credit unions. It includes the St. Kitts Co-operative Credit Union Ltd, Nevis Co-operative Credit Union, Police Co-operative Credit Union (St. Christopher and Nevis) Ltd, and First Federal Co-operative Credit Union Ltd (formerly FND Enterprise Cooperative Credit Union Ltd).

During a national radio and television address on Saturday, October 12, 2019, to commemorate International Credit Union Day on Thursday, October 17, 2019, Minister Hamilton said the local credit union movement is “strong and growing.”

“Together, they comprise a membership of more than 27,500 [clients] with assets amounting to EC $378.8 million, savings reflected by Shares & Deposits amounting to EC $313.3 million, and loans amounting to EC $258.3 million as at December 31, 2018,” he stated, during the broadcast.  
Honourable Hamilton added that, “This represents a growth in assets, savings and loans by more than 11 percent, more than 12 percent, and more than 9 percent, respectively, over the previous year.  The local credit union movement has also seen a more than 10 percent growth in membership – a remarkable accomplishment achieved in no small part due to its annual week of activities, which raises awareness of the good work that the affiliate members are doing.” 
Minister Hamilton highlighted a Youth Symposium scheduled for Thursday, October 24, 2019, at Garvey’s Estate, Palmetto Point. Over 70 public secondary school students are set to attend the symposium which will run from 8 am to 5 pm. Topics to be covered include: The Credit Union Movement, Building a Personal Brand, Managing Finances, Starting a Business, and Using Technology. The sessions will be moderated by young leaders, as well as leaders within the credit union industry.

The minister noted that the symposium is one of several engaging events that will “educate the public to be well-informed and responsible financial consumers.” He noted that it also is an excellent complement to Financial Information Month held annually in October.

Other engaging activities include the Melvin Edwards Excellence Awards Ceremony on October 16 that recognizes the top three students with the best Test of Standard results in Grade Six, as well as media appearances throughout Credit Union Week 2019. Credit Union officials worshipped at the Zion Moravian Church in St. Kitts and the Shiloh Baptist Church in Nevis yesterday, Sunday, to mark the opening of Credit Union Week.

Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 14, 2019 (SKNIS): Minister of State with responsibility for Health, the Honourable Senator Wendy Phipps has hailed the visit by the US Naval Ship Comfort to the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis from October 05-10, 2019 as significant, as it helped to strengthen the country’s longstanding diplomatic relations with the United States of America.

“It is a gesture that is well-received, a gesture that our people are appreciative of,” said Senator Phipps during the closing ceremony on Friday, October 11. “It is the first time we would have had such an extensive visit with medical interventions being offered as an effort to extend or to further concretize the bilateral relations that St. Kitts and Nevis continues to enjoy with the United States of America,” she added, noting that the Federation is grateful to be given the opportunity to build on the strong relationship.

Minister Phipps noted that it was an excellent exercise that highlighted the value of partnership.

“I think this demonstration that we have seen – whether it was through dental services, optometry, or the surgical interventions – says a lot, and it tells us that we all need each other, and the support systems and the mechanisms that would be in place to ensure that happening, are the key to making a difference in the lives of people,” Senator Phipps added.

She used the occasion to expressed thanks and appreciation to all those who played a pivotal role in ensuring that the initiative was a resounding success.  She especially thanked the crew of the USNS Comfort and by extension the Government of the United States of America.

The US Naval Ship Comfort is a floating medical treatment facility/hospital. This floating hospital and its staff have been deployed by the Government of the United States of America to offer medical care to the people of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis and in ten (10) other Latin American and Caribbean territories.

TAIPEI, Taiwan (Friday 11th October 2019)– A St.Kitts-Nevis folklore delegation featuring masqueraders and clowns were among participating countries who performed on the streets of Tapei in the Republic on China (Taiwan) on the occasion of the 108th National Day celebration ceremony held on the morning of Thursday 10th October.

This year has been dubbed the Double Tenth to highlight the anniversary on the tenth of the tenth month.

Scores of Taiwanese nationals attended; many wearing the patriotic colours of their country’s flag-red, blue and white.

President Tsai Ing-wen, who was seated among colleagues and other officials, looked at the ceremony from a plaza within the vicinity of the Presidential Office Building.

This media house has been able to provide first-hand coverage of the event  through the Acting Editor of this publication, Precious Mills, facilitated via Double Tenth International Press Tour (5th-11th October) organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taiwan. 

Russia, Colombia, Haiti, Singapore, Japan, Korea, South Africa and Swaziland are included on the list of the countries of media personnel.

Ahead of the ceremony that morning, the visiting press group was invited to the Office of the President whereby those media workers had the opportunity, along with diplomats and other guests, to have a handshake audience with President Tsai.

Notably, the countries, names and organisations of the media representatives were read before the meet and greet session conducted at President Hall which also saw Vice President Chen Chen-jen among the welcoming party.

To the St.Kitts-Nevis representative, President  Tsai said “welcome” to which Mills replied “Thank you.”

In addressing the outlook for the future of the Republic of China (Taiwan), -in her speech (translated from Madarin) entitled ‘Nation of Resilience, Forward Into the World’-  she (President Tsai) expressed: “Our future path is clear as are our goals.

She then went on to outline three focus areas.

“First, we must ensure that the people continue to remain United under the banner of freedom and democracy to defend our sovereignty. Second, we must continue to build a stronger Taiwan and bolster our economic capabilities to create a prosperous society and powerful country.Third, we must actively engage with the world and overcome challenges so that the Republic of China (Taiwan) can hold its head high on the  international stage with bravery and confidence.”

She pointed out that: “Last quarter, we reclaimed the top spot among the Four Asian Tigers for the GDP growth. The World Economic Forum ranked us as one of the world’s top four ‘superior innovators’ and our Hi-Tech and innovative industries are world-leading.”

In further talking about the country’s achievements, she told: “Taiwan’s athletes, skills, competitors and countless creative designers and artists are shining on the international stage and bringing honour and pride to Taiwan.”

She also disclosed that Taiwan’s self-developed FORMOSAT-5 and FORMOSAT-7 have both been launched into space, a testament to our prowess in aerospace technology noting that a team of scientists from Taiwan also contributed to capturing the world’s first images of a black hole. 

“If we can go into space and see a black hole 55 million light-years away, how could we not have the courage to face the challenges ahead? Our resilience has transformed history’s trials into the power to grow and evolve,” she commented.

According to President Tsai: “Our efforts have transformed natural disasters into opportunities for rebirth. Each day, our Homeland is made better thanks to the efforts of all who call this place home.”

At the start of her speech, she thanked “all of our friends from around the world who have come to commemorate this day with us.”

President Tsai recently visited St.Kitts-Nevis in July this year .

The Republic of China (Taiwan) was the first diplomatic friend of the Federation following the Independence attained on 19th September 1983.

Mills, in speaking about the ceremony event coverage, stated: “I have covered the National Day receptions put on by the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) back home but to have the opportunity to be here during the celebration was exciting to witness. When I saw the delegation from St.Kitts-Nevis, I got up  from my seat and drew closer to capture the moment. I got goosebumps; they performed well!”

She went on to say: “The visiting media group was treated special. It was a packed schedule but it was an enjoyable experience filled with educational presentations and discussions.”

Mills has extended gratitude to the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan)and by extension the government of Taiwan for the media tour invitation.

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Friday 4th October 2019) –Just one day after the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis observed its 36^th Independence Anniversary, a nurtured daughter of the soil, 24-year-old Alemia Thetel Tudy Caesar,graduated with her Masters and title of Bachelor of Science Technology Management Cum Laude on  Friday 20^th September 2019 from Herzing University.

Included on her futuristic wish list are dreams to become a methodologist and a business owner.

Born 17^th October 1994 on St. Croix in the Virgin Islands , she is the daughter of Winston Ebro Caesar and Verna Yvette Archibald of St.Kitts. Ceasar migrated to Cayon- the home community of her parents- in St.Kitts in 1996.

At age 11, she was awarded valedictorian at the Cayon Primary School and moved to the St. Christopher Preparatory where she achieved the highest marks and most subjects passed the age of 16.

She then migrated to St. Croix and attended the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) for the first year but was unable to continue because of financial challenges and unfortunately did not receive scholarship funding to address the issue at the time.

Driven by her determination and passion for academic progress, however, Ceasar then took courses online to finish her studies.

Commenting on her personality and attitude towards education, her mom (Verna Archibald) told during an interview with this media house: “She was a quiet baby. In preschool, she never talked plenty and then moving on to primary school and high school she applied the same attitude but she read plenty. If she went to the bathroom, she carried a book with her. She believes a lot in education. She always wants to know that she is helping somebody so she is very helpful when it comes to educational affairs.

She continued: “She is kind-hearted and she will put her whole heart out to help anybody. She always says ‘You never stop learning’ and ‘Don’t ever give up. If you fail now try again and try harder’.”

Additionally, Archibald informed that her daughter has helped and inspired individuals close to her- including a former classmate- to make a positive turn around with regard to their academic goals and career/ business interests.

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Friday 4th October 2019)-Come next week, The Republic of China (Taiwan) will observe its 108th National Day on the 10th of the tenth month, and as part of the grand celebration is a Double Tenth National Day Press Tour that will see reporters from around the globe visiting East Asia, including a representative from St.Kitts and Nevis.

 “I am grateful for the opportunity to provide such coverage for the special occasion and I look forward to writing and sharing the stories to follow ,” says well-known media professional Precious Mills who is slated to depart the Federation today (Friday).

As gathered, from the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) based in St.Kitts-Nevis: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) has been regularly organizing tours of different themes for media professionals across the world.  One of the main objectives is to introduce Taiwan to the world through the first-hand stories of the participating reporters and thus to promote the understanding between the peoples of their respective countries and the Republic of China (Taiwan).”

It was further shared that: “The main focus of the Double Tenth National Day Press Tour is of course the celebrations of our 108th National Day on Oct. 10.  The programme also aims to provide updates on current and overall developments in Taiwan.  Highlights of the programme include, for example, visits to the International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF), Taiwan External Trade Development Council, Central Taiwan Science Park, Council of Agriculture and also popular cultural venues and attractions in Taiwan.”

The Embassy is delighted to that St.Kitts-Nevis will be represented on the tour.

“St. Kitts and Nevis and the Republic of China (Taiwan) established diplomatic tie in 1983.  The Republic of China (Taiwan) was the first country that recognized St. Kitts and Nevis.  President Tsai was delighted with her first visit to St. Kitts and Nevis in July.  Her visit also successfully raised the profile of St. Kitts and Nevis among the general public in Taiwan.  We are glad St. Kitts and Nevis is represented in the Double Tenth National Day Press Tour programme this year.  We believe Ms. Mills’ first-hand stories about this tour will attract the interests of the readers of The Labour Spokesman [of which she is the Acting Editor] and further promote the understanding between the peoples of St. Kitts and Nevis and the Republic of China (Taiwan).”

Each media tour programme usually consist of 10-15 participants.  For the Double Tenth National Day Press Tour, it will be around 20 participants as this programme tends to attract more applicants from journalists around the world.

Earlier this year in May, St.Kitts and Nevis was part of a media tour, represented by well-known news presenter Chaïra Flanders of ZIZ.

Notably, the annual reception in celebration of the 108th National Day in St.Kitts and Nevis-to be hosted by resident Taiwanese Ambassador Tom Chih Chiang Lee- is slated to take on Wednesday 9th October at the Marriott Resort.