Charlestown,Nevis
April 23,2008
Premier of Nevis, the Hon Joseph Parry met with the Chief Minister of Anguilla, the Hon. Osborne Flemming to discuss matters relating to Tourism, the Economy and Immigration.
Premier Parry was accompanied by Deputy Premier-Hon. Hensley Daniel and Legal Adviser, the Hon. Patrice Nisbett, who initially attended a luncheon hosted by the Chief Minister at the Tenemos Resort Restaurant Zurra on Sunday, April 20th.
On Monday morning the talks continued when the entire Anguilla Island Administration Cabinet met with members of the Nevis Island Administration. This time the discussion was based on the development of Anguilla and Nevis,Tourism and the progress the islands have made over the years. The Chief Minister was very interested in the geothermal project and placed on record his excitement over the idea of seeing electricity being offered at a considerably less expensive rate.
The Chief Minister was also proud to inform the team that Anguillians have been investing large sums of money in their own country. As a matter of fact, when they took an island tour, he showed off an area of about 300 acres of land which, he said, is being developed by Anguillians to the tune of one hundred million dollars.
The Anguilla tax system is not modern and during talks the Chief Minister showed some interest in the revised Property Tax Bill, which has been recently introduced and implemented in Nevis.
During the discourse of the meeting, immigration was discussed and both leaders explored how they could handle the influx of non-national workers and their families.
Premier Parry articulated, “Some schools have become overcrowded on both islands due to the great number of overseas workers and we both stressed the need to come to a solution that can benefit us all.”
Finally, Premier Parry indicated that the hospitality he and his team received from the Anguilla government was exquisite. The discussions, he said, proved extremely productive and can only redound to greater benefits for citizens of both islands.
In an effort to demonstrate his willingness to further strenghen relationships, the Hon. Osborne Flemming extended a personal invitation to the Hon. Premier to attend the upcoming Anguilla Day Anniversary on May 30th 2008.