Foreign Affairs Minister – Mark Brantley
Charlestown, Nevis
July 17, 2015
The following is a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in St. Kitts and Nevis.
Foreign Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, the Honourable Mark A.G. Brantley who arrived in London on Sunday, yesterday took part in a number of meetings with potential investors. These included discussions on investments in high-end tourism development, hospitality services and manufacturing.
Asked to outline the reasons behind his visit, Mr Brantley said, “firstly, as the new Foreign Minister, I thought it was important to come here to engage the High Commission, to clarify the agenda and priorities of the new Administration. It was important also to discuss and to rationalize going forward what we expect in terms of our efforts to build greater partnerships and relationships to benefit the citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis.
“London is an important capital city for a variety of reasons. I believe it deserves greater attention. I want to revitalize diplomatically, our relationship with the United Kingdom where St. Kitts and Nevis can have a strategic advantage if we properly engage the UK Government, multilateral agencies and the thriving, very international business community there.”
The Foreign Minister welcomed and thanked the respective business partners for their interest in St. Kitts Nevis. He assured them that he, like his other cabinet colleagues, “are quite eager to engage them further in St. Kitts and Nevis in order to move forward with the people’s work.
This Government, he stressed, “with the support of good partners, is ready to transform St. Kitts – Nevis in a way that ensures the country’s prosperity, promote respect for all citizens and bring about growth with dignity and integrity”.
On Tuesday, Foreign Minister Brantley leaves London for a two-day working visit to Florence, Italy, where he is expected to meet with members of Tuscan region business community and local officials.
“This working visit is part of the Team Unity Government’s vision and the Foreign Minister’s remit to expand St. Kitts and Nevis’ diplomatic footprint.
“I feel strongly that on a rapidly changing global landscape, it will be increasingly important for any foreign ministry to play a greater role in reaching out and to build the right types of relationships, partnerships and networks to help to realize greater benefits for its people in a variety of areas.”
The Honourable Foreign Minister is accompanied by St. Kitts and Nevis High Commissioner to the UK, His Excellency Dr. Kevin M. Isaac.