Nevis

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

St. Kitts and Nevis Hosts Diplomatic Week 2008

St. Kitts – Nevis
February 08, 2008

Diplomatic Week 2008 embodies the very aspirations of the people of St. Kitts & Nevis and in fact the peoples of the world. It enables the Federation to engage the world in a tone of cooperation through dialogue and discussions with friends and allies. The climate of international affairs necessitates a proactive and vigorous foreign policy. With that reality, Diplomatic Week aims to realize, in fruitful terms, the urgency of emboldening our foreign policy by convening strategic partners to hear the positions of St. Kitts & Nevis and explore ways of maximizing benefits from international relations and building partnerships for mutual advantage.

To ensure that this Diplomatic Week records a resounding success that redounds to the citizenry of this beautiful land, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Trade has scheduled a program that comprehensively incorporates its mandate of advancing the national and international agenda of the Federation.

Read More

St. Kitts – Nevis Expands Water Chlorination

Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
February 07, 2008

Over the next 20 months, Government plans to quadruple the chlorination of ground water in St. Kitts.

Currently the water supply to the Basseterre area is chlorinated, which translates to twenty percent of the total water supply. This includes water coming from the Franklands and Springfield sources via Laguerite.

Dr. Halla Sahely, Assistant Water Engineer of the water department explained that a grant from the Government of Spain via CARICOM will facilitate the expansion.

Read More