Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
January 22, 2008 (CUOPM)
Another step by the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis to develop the fishing industry to provide better food security, job creation and foreign exchange earnings.
Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Cedric Liburd has received Cabinet approval for his ministry to build two large 40-foot multi-purpose commercial fishing boats for the fishermen in the twin-island Federation and train local fishermen in the operation of the boats.
Cabinet during its meeting on Monday approved the construction of the first boat and a local company has been identified to build it.
The Federal Government has expressed its gratitude to the Government of the Republic of China on Taiwan for its financial assistance to this project which will empower local fishermen and boat builders. The boat will cost some EC$620,000.
Since taking office the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party Administration has constructed multi-million dollar fisheries complexes in Basseterre and Old Road financed by the Government of Japan, trained fishermen and provide financing to fishermen to upgrade their fishing equipment, which has resulted in increased landings of fish and lobster for the local and regional hotel industry.