Nevis Island Police To Receive More Support

Charlestown, Nevis
February 12, 2008

The Nevis Island Administration (NIA) continued to show its support for the Nevis Division of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force when Premier of Nevis Hon. Joseph Parry handed over a Dell VOSTRO1000 laptop computer at his Bath Plain office to Head of the Nevis Division Superintendent Samuel Seabrookes on February 10, 2008.
 
In a brief but significant ceremony witnessed by Head of the Criminal Investigation Department Inspector Hilroy Brandy, Mr. Parry expressed gratitude to corporate citizen Office World who had donated the computer.
 
“I have to thank Office World for making this contribution to the Police Force here in Nevis. Mr. Curtis Liburd has indicated his commitment to law and order in Nevis and he was very willing and anxious to make this presentation.

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OECS Leaders Discuss Relations With Other Governments

Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
February 12, 2008 (CUOPM)

Eastern Caribbean leaders have expressed concern about the high cost of external representation for individual Member States and have commissioned the St. Lucia-based Secretariat to undertake a comprehensive review of the costs and locations for current external representation, Member State by Member State, for submission to the Authority at its next meeting, as a basis for consideration of the options for further joint representation for the OECS Member States.

On the Geneva Mission in Switzerland, the OECS Authority welcomed and expressed thanks to the European Commission and to CARIFORUM for the approval of additional financing for the OECS Geneva Mission, within the framework of the CARIFORUM Institutional Strengthening Project (CISP) as a part of the 9th EDF Caribbean Regional Indicative Programme.

Heads of Government at their 46th Meeting in Dominica, accepted the plans by the Secretariat to significantly enhance the staffing of the Technical Mission with this support. It is envisioned that this financial injection will enable the Secretariat, through the Technical Mission to play an even more significant role in assisting the OECS Member States in the ongoing WTO negotiations.

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OECS Leaders To Discuss Economic Union

Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
February 12, 2008 (CUOPM)

St. Kitts and Nevis‘ Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas is among OECS Heads of Government appointed to a sub-committee to refine the Economic Union work programme.

During the recent meeting of the 46th Meeting of the OECS Authority in Roseau, Dominica, sub-regional leaders were engaged in extensive discussions on the next steps towards the OECS Economic Union and stressed the urgent need to begin the proposed consultations on the draft Economic Union Treaty, beginning with engagements with governments, ruling and opposition parties, non-governmental organisations and other interest groups with a view towards mobilising the widest possible support for the objectives and goals of the Economic Union.

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Soft Landing Forecast For ECCU Economy In 2008

Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
February 12, 2008 (CUOPM)

The number two man at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is pleased with the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU)  governments’ commitment to fiscal consolidation, with important reforms to place fiscal balances on a firmer footing underway in many countries-including through the introduction of value-added taxes and efforts to overhaul government expenditures, focused on enhancing efficiency of capital spending and civil service reform.

“These efforts will be key to lowering debt levels and strengthening the currency union,” said Deputy Managing Director at the Washington-based financial institution, Murilo Portugal.

Portugal, who was on his first visit to the Eastern Caribbean region as Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund attended the 61st Meeting of the ECCB Monetary Council met with Prime Ministers, Finance Ministers, and the Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank.

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St. Kitts And Nevis Economy Growing According To IMF

Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
February 12, 2008 (CUOPM)

Deputy Managing Director at the Washington-based International Monetary Fund (IMF), Murilo Portugal says macroeconomic outcomes in St. Kitts and Nevis have strengthened markedly in recent years.

The IMF official, who was in St. Kitts to attend last week’s meeting of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank Monetary Council held talks with St. Kitts and Nevis Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Sam Condor and Premier of Nevis, Hon. Joseph Parry.

In a statement on his discussions with the local authorities, the IMF official noted that “growth has rebounded, foreign direct investment accelerated, and fiscal balances improved” in St. Kitts and Nevis.

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