BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, FEBRUARY 15TH 2007 (CUOPM)
The economy of St. Kitts and Nevis and other borrowing member countries of the Barbados-based
Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) showed strong economic growth among its
borrowing member countries last year and improved performances is expected
in 2007.

The CDB said that the tourism industry is expected to benefit significantly
from the 2007 Cricket World Cup that will be held in St. Kitts and Nevis and
seven other nations in the region from March 5th  to April 28th  this year.

“While construction activity is projected to slow somewhat as a number of
related cricket investment projects are completed, other public and private
sector projects currently underway or about to commence will fill the slack
in the short to medium term and the expected marketing benefits should drive
visitor arrivals,” Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) president Dr. Compton
Bourne said.

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Charlestown Nevis (February 14, 2007)
Premier of Nevis and Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Joseph Parry has had a rather busy schedule this past week attending a number of engagements off and on island.

The Department of Information spoke with Mr. Parry and found out how Nevis stood to benefit from his Florida meeting with the Cruise lines.

“It was the first opportunity I have gotten as Minister of Tourism to actually go to the head offices of the Cruise lines and meet with CEO’s.  It was very interesting and useful trip.  We were able to touch base with these cruise lines.  They indicated to us that St. Kitts and Nevis are good destinations and Nevis has a very good up-market image.  The understood the difficulties in coming to Nevis but consideration will be given for next year, the new tourism season” he said.

He added that he will stay in touch with the Cruise liners to ensure that some benefits can be derived from the trip.

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Charlestown, Nevis (February 14, 2007)
A total of 21 participants, including two police officers received passing grades in the just concluded maritime security training course.  The training was conducted from February 8 ““ 13 at the Red Cross Conference Center in Charlestown.

In an interview with General Manager of the Nevis Air and Sea Ports Authority (NASPA), Mr Spencer Hanley on Wednesday February 14, 2007, said part of the training process was theory where at the end of the session, participants were tested.

“We are proud to say we had 100% pass with grades ranging from 70-92%. It was a workshop to develop and train our personnel, our maritime security personnel to meet the international standards in accordance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code” he said.

Mr. Hanley explained that during the four day training the officers were exposed  a simulation exercise, which is one of the requirements under the ISPS Code whereby  ports are required to carry out drills and exercises every 3 months to familiarize officers of the critical procedures in the event of an emergency.

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