BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, FEBRUARY 21ST 2007 (CUOPM)
St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas
said Tuesday the twin-island Federation values its relationship with Japan.
“Japan continues to be a very important development partner, not only in St.
Kitts and Nevis, but also in the region by your non-borrowing membership in
the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB),” Prime Minister Douglas told visiting
Japanese Ambassador to St. Kitts and Nevis, His Excellency Koichiro Seki.
Dr. Douglas, in welcoming the Trinidad-based diplomat, who is in the
Federation for Wednesday’s handing-over ceremony of the new fisheries
development project at Old Road, six miles west of Basseterre, noted that
Japan and St. Kitts and Nevis have had good relations over the past several
years.
“We want to thank you for the continued assistance for our economic
diversification programme as fisheries plays a major role in the transition
from the production of sugar to a non-sugar agricultural programme coupled
with an economy based on tourism, financial and information technology
services,” said Prime Minister Douglas.
The Japanese diplomat noted the current visit was his third, having
presented his credentials early last year and also attended the
International Whaling Conference at the Royal St. Kitts Marriott Resort.
“Japan thanks and appreciates the support of St. Kitts and Nevis in the
international arena and hopes the relationship will continue to prosper,”
said Ambassador Seki, who told Prime Minister Douglas, that he is inspired
by the efforts of the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis to diversify the
economy.
The Japanese diplomat promised to assist in other areas of agriculture.