The Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew-led Administration recently introduced several economic measures to bring significant relief to consumers, as well as to relieve financial pressures on importers and businesses and promote greater economic activity in the Federation.

The measures include concessions on school supplies until September 30, 2023, the reduction of corporate income tax from 33% to 25% and unincorporated business tax from 4% to 2% until December 31, 2023. The Government has also capped freight charges for 20-foot and 40-foot, dry food and cold storage containers at the 2019 pre-COVID rates.

Speaking at Thursday’s (July 13) press conference with Cabinet Ministers, Prime Minister Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew said it is important that consumers feel the benefits of these significant relief measures at the stores.

“Customs [and Excise Department] is ready to put things in place to make sure that the savings are passed on to parents, guardians and so forth. That doesn’t happen overnight but in quick order … we will start to see that. And what we have said to [the Department of] Consumer Affairs as well, and Consumer Affairs is up to it, is that they are going to monitor the prices,” Prime Minister Dr. Drew said.

The prime minister also encouraged consumers to be vigilant by monitoring the prices of goods and to report to the Department of Consumer Affairs when prices appear to be out of range.

“We need that surveillance as well. We need to hear from you. Consumer Affairs is willing to hear from you so that we can properly surveil,” Dr. Drew said.

A task force, headed by Cabinet Secretary Dr. Marcus Natta, convened a meeting on Wednesday, July 12 at the Customs and Excise Department Conference Room to discuss matters pertaining to the cost of living in St. Kitts and Nevis. Representatives of major food suppliers and traders attended that meeting.

“Our traders, importers and business owners are on board because this is not something that would affect them negatively. As a matter of fact, it might impact them positively because more people might buy more things as the prices go down,” the prime minister said.

The Government has also extended the temporary reduction in the Excise Tax from $2.25 per gallon to $0.95 per gallon until December 31, 2023.

 As part of its holistic approach to maintaining the safety and security of citizens and residents, the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis is placing greater emphasis on enhancing human resources within the various security agencies.
 
Speaking at his monthly press conference with Cabinet Ministers today, Thursday, July 13, Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew stated that this includes the provision of training opportunities for law enforcement officers and continuing the recruitment drive.
 
“On July 17^th, we will resume police training where we would have at least thirty (30) new recruits who will begin intense and focused training in the general duties of a police officer— self-defence, evidence and procedure, weapons training, among other key areas, and of course, we are upgrading the curricula to make sure that it responds to our national security needs,” Prime Minister Dr. Drew said.
 
“There is need for the security forces to continue to focus on the established pillars of policing, which include fostering a community and police relationship, intelligence-led policing and predictive policing. To do this, manpower is necessary,” the prime minister added.
 
In addition to recruitment, the Ministry of National Security remains focused on improved collaborations with local, regional and international security agencies such as the St. Kitts and Nevis Defence Force (SKNDF), the Regional Security System (RSS) and the US-based Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
 
Moreover, the Ministry of National Security has enlisted the assistance of a highly trained national security specialist out of the United States of America in the person of Dr. Edwin Witt Powell.
 
“Dr. Powell is here as a special advisor to the national security, and he has been working tremendously hard with our security forces and together has been putting a number of initiatives in place to ensure that we continue to secure our nation,” Dr. Drew said.
 
With respect to border security, Prime Minister Dr. Drew said that the Government has now secured a new patrol vessel for use by the St. Kitts and Nevis Defence Force Coast Guard Unit.
 
The prime minister added, “We are also going to receive onshore radars in short order where we can detect any vessel that is coming into our waters here in St. Kitts and Nevis and that will help tremendously with the transshipment of drugs and guns across our region that are reaching St. Kitts and Nevis.
 
Prime Minister Dr. Drew assured that his administration “will do all we have to do to make sure that security here in St. Kitts and Nevis is dealt with by methods that are sustainable and can of course withstand whatever challenges we might have.”

The Ministry of Environment, Climate Action et al over the course of the next two days will host a Barrier Analysis and Enabling Framework (BAEF) Workshop from July 12-13, 2023 at the St Kitts Marriott Resort.

Participants at the workshop

This is a component of the Technology Needs Assessment (TNA) Phase IV Project for St. Kitts and Nevis.

The TNA is categorized as a national activity that helps countries to identify and analyze key technologies that can allow citizens to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the destructive impacts of climate change.  The TNA prioritization of technologies focuses mainly on water, energy, transport and agriculture which were determined through a stakeholder consultative process. 

The Ministry recognizes that identifying the technologies is one of the first steps that will help to advance national efforts to support the implementation of the Paris Agreement, an international agreement on climate change. The next phase includes identifying and analyzing any barriers that could hinder St Kitts and Nevis from transferring and/or spreading out these technologies. 

Barrier analysis focuses on analyzing market conditions for each selected technology and identifying barriers to enhanced deployment. 

In this regard, the workshop is intended to provide some insight, training and exposure.

The 2-day workshop is organized by UNEP-Climate Change Center in Denmark, and the Ministry of Environment, Climate Action and Constituency Empowerment of St. Kitts and Nevis, and delivered in collaboration with the University of the West Indies, Jamaica.

The project is funded by the Global Environment Facility.

The Ministry of Sports is preparing to embark on a multimillion-dollar upgrade plan to improve sporting facilities across St. Kitts.

Senior leadership from the ministry, headed by the Minister of Sports, the Honourable Samal Duggins, conducted a media tour of six of the facilities that have seen some upgrade work or are scheduled to undergo repairs in the coming weeks. The most extensive upgrade project will take place at the Kim Collins Athletic Stadium.

Engineer Jared Joseph at the Public Works Department (PWD) noted that the scope of works includes a complete overhaul of the electrical system and plumbing systems, the steel frame of the pavilion will be sandblasted and repainted and all the seating will be removed and replaced. Cracks in the structure will be repaired and two dry walls at the back of the pavilion replaced by concrete walls. The interior roof and tiles will also be overhauled as general aesthetic fixes to the bathrooms and gyms.

Minister Duggins lamented the state of disrepair at the stadium named after the national athletic icon Kim Collins. He added that the track will also be replaced.

Minister Duggins speaking at the Kim Collins Athletic Stadium

“This work has not been done since 2013. That’s a decade ago and how did we allow this as a country,” the minister stated. “And while I am only here now for some 11 months, I believe that we all must be held accountable for the conditions of our sporting facilities. The people of St. Kitts and Nevis have my assurance that this will not continue. We are about to change the dynamics and give the people the best because they deserve the best.”

The touring party, which also included Valencia Syder, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sports, and Jennifer Sirjue, Project Officer in the ministry, and media members also visited the Conaree Playing Field. On the cricket side of the facility, two sets of bathrooms for males and females were constructed. On the football section of the facility, construction of a new 8,000-square-foot pavilion is expected to start in two months. Incorporated into the design are bars, public access restrooms, an official lounge, disability seating and more.

Minister Duggins interacts with the Youth

The tour also included stops at the sporting facilities in St. Peter’s, Newtown, Halfway Tree, and Lamberts.

At the Atiba Harris Sporting Complex in St. Peter’s, bathrooms for the players and public access bathrooms were renovated. Future plans outlined include the installation of a roof on the seating area, painting, upgrades to the outdoor sports lighting, installation of bleachers and construction of a structure to host a gym, kitchen and laundry facilities.

Work at the Newtown Playing Field features repairing the pavilion roof, upgrading the official booth, replacing the bleachers and doors as well as painting. Similarly, at the Halfway Tree Playing Field, the bleachers will be replaced, the roof repaired, bathrooms renovated, and the structure painted, while the recently concluded scope of work at the Lamberts Playing Field included the installation of basketball hoops and the conversion of the netball area to host futsal matches. A section of the facility will be outfitted with park toys for a children’s play area and a retaining wall added.

Minister Duggins converses with PS Valencia Syder and  Project Officer Jennifer Sirjue

The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis is set to officially launch its new Department of the Creative Economy on the 28^th of July, 2023, to give opportunities to creatives to showcase and market their talent and industry thereby helping to bolster the orange economy within the Federation.
 
Minister of the Creative Economy, Honourable Samal Duggins made mention of this during the first press conference held by the new department on July 11, 2023, at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort.
 
“Last year when we started the concept of what this was to be, it was really envisioning how we move our creative sector forward and ensure that our people, especially the creative sector could benefit from their creativity and their art,” Minister Duggins said.  
 
“We recognize that it is not an easy feat simply because it is a cultural problem where people see the sector as just a hobbyist sector and I wanted something that changed the mindset and so the term creative economy was apt simply because we are considering the economic value of our art and creativity,” said the honourable minister.
 
The minister also expressed his satisfaction with the department, stating that one of the highlights within the department was the appointment of Roberitine Webbe as director.  
 
He said that Ms. Webbe has “a clear vision and understanding of where we want to go, and all the skill sets to take us there.”

The Cabinet Ministers met under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister, The Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew, on Monday, July 10^th, 2023, and made several important decisions to improve the welfare of our people.

The Cabinet received a comprehensive presentation from the Director of the Department of Constituency Empowerment, Mrs Colincia Levine. Director Levine shared that the main philosophy of the department seeks to impact the citizenry to:

1. Assist in the creation of a dynamic socio-economic environment
2. Provide an opportunity to improve the standard of living or quality of life
3. Facilitate community activism
4. Nurture resilient livelihoods, participatory local governance, representation and self-management; and
5. Aid in the formulation of evidence-driven policy in the areas of standard of living and quality of life.

Following several weeks of community observations, the Department is now in its engagement phase which Director Levine expressed will see a further enhanced presence of empowerment officers in the communities, connecting citizens and residents to avenues of assistance of their varied needs. In addition, the Department of Constituency Empowerment will embark on a major project for the cleaning of ghauts and removal of debris etc., as well as the improvement and enhancement of green spaces.

In a concerted effort to bring relief from the increased cost of food, fuel and other items, the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party Administration has instituted concessions on all school supplies until the end of September 2023, has lowered corporate income tax and unincorporated business tax, as well as reduced the excise tax on gasoline. Additionally, the Cabinet has approved the formulation of a taskforce to examine strategies and solutions for reducing the cost of living. The Honourable Prime Minister will be meeting with the major food suppliers and traders to find solutions to reduce the cost of food in the supermarkets.

The Cabinet approved Saint Kitts and Nevis’ accession to the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF). La Francophonie represents countries and regions where French is a customary language, where a significant proportion of the population are French speakers), or where there is a notable affiliation with French culture. With over 88 member countries, La Francophonie holds tremendous cultural, commercial, and political benefits opportunities for Saint Kitts and Nevis as we look to build strategic partnerships with Canada, France, and the countries of Africa, for development and resilience.

The Cabinet approved the calendar of activities to mark the nation’s Fortieth Anniversary of Independence. The Independence 40 Calendar will be officially revealed during an official launch event on Friday, July 14^th, 2023, at The Circus, Downtown Basseterre at 4:30 p.m.

https://fb.watch/lJvWcB70Pb/

A team, led by Prime Minister and Minister of Health, the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew, visited the proposed site for the construction of a modern state-of-the-art, climate-smart general hospital that will lead the transformation of the delivery of quality healthcare services in the Federation.

Joining the Honourable Prime Minister on the site visit today (Tuesday, July 11) at Camps were Deputy Prime Minister, the Honourable Dr. Geoffrey Hanley; Resident Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to St. Kitts and Nevis, His Excellency Michael Lin; His Excellency Ambassador Leon Natta-Nelson and representatives from Overseas Engineering and Construction Company (OECC) from Taiwan.

Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew (second from left) with representatives from Overseas Engineering and Construction Company from Taiwan

Prime Minister Dr. Drew said it has been clear for a long time that a new hospital is needed in St. Kitts that can withstand the growing impacts and adversities associated with climate change. 

“In this environment of climate change, we need a climate-smart hospital, one that is also technologically advanced and one that would satisfy the needs of our people as they have them in this new era of healthcare delivery. And so, I want the people of St. Kitts and Nevis to know that they deserve good, quality, modern healthcare and we are here to deliver it for you,” Dr. Drew said. 

The prime minister added, “I want to say to the people of St. Kitts and Nevis that this belongs to you and I encourage you that when this is completed that you own it, take care of it, make sure that it continues to deliver not just for us in this present generation but for those who would come after us, and this is something that I’m sure you would be proud of.”

The construction of the new hospital will be a cooperation project between the Governments of St. Kitts and Nevis and the Republic of China (Taiwan).

Ambassador His Excellency Michael Lin said in addition to financial assistance, the Taiwan Government will also be providing technical assistance to this project.

He said, “We are very happy to provide not only funding but also we are bringing in one of our most prestigious companies, Overseas Engineering and Construction Company (OECC) from Taiwan, to join hands with the St. Kitts and Nevis Government to complete this project.”

The OECC is owned by Overseas Investment & Development Corporation (OiDC), which was established in 1995 to assist the Taiwan government in enhancing its bilateral relationship with countries it has diplomatic relations with and to fulfill its international obligations.

The linear site at Camps covers between 12-15 acres of pristine land. In a short time, developers will conduct the necessary soil tests and carry out Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) to determine the suitability of the site.

Speaking earlier this year, Prime Minister Dr. Drew said it is his administration’s intention to commence work on the new hospital at least by the mid-term of the government’s first five years in office.

The GOSKN is seeking to contract a Business Coach to work with ELEVATE trainees for the effective delivery of an existing entrepreneurship curriculum. The Business Coach is a professionally trained individual with a background in business matters who will guide and oversee the young entrepreneur in developing, starting, and expanding their business.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop short-, medium- and long-term business and personal goals.
• Provide support to participants in determining the viability of their enterprises.
• Meet with young entrepreneurs on a regular basis (weekly, bi-weekly) either face to face or via the telephone to discuss matters relating to issues being experienced whether with the business or the personal life of the young entrepreneur.
• Keep proper records including journaling their business development journey.
• Record activities with entrepreneurs and maintain files for each entrepreneur assigned.
• Prepare monthly reports to be submitted to the project manager or designated representative.

Minimum Qualification and Experience:

• A minimum of an undergraduate degree in general management, business administration, or entrepreneurship.
• At least five (5) years experience in a similar capacity.
• Experience working with marginalized groups, in particular youth.
• Possess very good communication skills.
• Experience working in vulnerable communities.
• Should possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Should be able to work in a team environment.

Requirements:

• Have access to transportation to allow ease of visits to participants.
• Willing to travel and visit participants in vulnerable communities.
• Willings to work outside the traditional work hours.

Applications must be accompanied by:
·         Letter of Application
·         Curriculum Vitae
·         Police Record
·         Official academic certificates, transcripts, and other relevant documents (certified copies)
·         Two (2) references with telephone and e-mail addresses
·         Deadline is Tuesday 25 July 2023

and should be addressed to Director, ELEVATE

E-mail: elevate@gov.kn

The GOSKN is seeking to contract a Financial Literacy Coach to work with ELEVATE trainees for the effective delivery of an existing entrepreneurship curriculum. The Financial Literacy Coach will be assigned to work at one or more training sites and will report directly to the ELEVATE Coordinator.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Implement eight (10) hrs. of financial literacy training per group during/over the training cycle.
• Execute additional training sessions to assigned participants as required.
• Develop a detailed delivery and execution plan for the financial literacy training.
• Deliver quality training to participants to support their decision to explore entrepreneurship as a viable option for economic empowerment.
• Administer pre and post-test instruments to determine the effectiveness of content and method delivery.
• Ensure that all participants who complete the programme and desire to establish an enterprise can present a road map to starting an enterprise.

Minimum Qualification and Experience:

• A minimum of an undergraduate/associate degree in teaching certification in business or related field/extensive experience delivering business development workshops for clients through existing institutions.
• At least five years of demonstrated experience in delivering financial literacy and or entrepreneurship training, business development courses and workshops.
• Demonstrable experience with conceptual frameworks and basic academic theory for financial literacy.
• A proven track record of designing and implementing experiential training, on financial literacy skills for youth and vulnerable groups, including women and persons with disabilities.
• Ability to deliver training at the approved training centers at different locations.
• Familiarity with the financial and entrepreneurial landscape, the ability to draw on existing relations and networks to enrich the delivery of modules.

 Applications must be accompanied by:
·         Letter of Application
·         Curriculum Vitae
·         Police Record
·         Official academic certificates, transcripts, and other relevant documents (certified copies)
·         Two (2) references with telephone and e-mail addresses
·         Deadline is Tuesday 25 July 2023

and should be addressed to Director, ELEVATE

E-mail: elevate@gov.kn

The GOSKN is seeking to contract a Life Skills Career Coach to work with ELEVATE trainees for the effective delivery of an existing entrepreneurship curriculum. The Life Skills Career Coach will be assigned to work at one or more training sites and will report directly to the ELEVATE Coordinator.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Implement sixteen (15) hrs. of life skills training per group/over the training cycle.
• Execute additional training sessions to assigned participants as required.
• Assist in the preparation of resource materials to deliver the modules.
• Administer pre and post-test instruments to determine the effectiveness of content and method of delivery.
• Deliver training to participants in acquiring life skills using the provided curriculum.
• Prepare a summary report for each group of participants which would indicate any observations which would impact the coping capacity of participants.
• Work closely with the institutions and organizations involved in the implementation of the project or with the potential to add value to the learning experience of the participants.

Minimum Qualification and Experience:

• A minimum of an undergraduate degree teaching certification in Education, Social Work, Counsellor, or a related field.
• At least five years of demonstrated experience in delivering life skills training and proven experience with conceptual frameworks.
• At least three years experience working with vulnerable groups including youths and unemployed/underemployed adults in St. Kitts and Nevis.
• A proven track record of implementing experiential training, with demonstrated results in increasing employability skills for youth and vulnerable groups, including women and persons with disabilities.

Applications must be accompanied by:
·         Letter of Application
·         Curriculum Vitae
·         Police Record
·         Official academic certificates, transcripts, and other relevant documents (certified copies)
·         Two (2) references with telephone and e-mail addresses
·         Deadline is Tuesday 25 July 2023

and should be addressed to Director, ELEVATE

E-mail: elevate@gov.kn