Concept of Auberge's Whispering Head Resort on the South East Peninsula

He said that these developments will not only reap dramatic economic benefits for the people but will also permanently change the face of  St. Kitts and Nevis and it was now the time to fashion the development of the Federation in a manner that is consistent with the goals, aspirations and cultural sensitivities and avoid many of the mistakes made by other islands that have undergone similar development.

Dr. Douglas said that the decisions taken at the National Consultation is likely to exert long-term influence on the society.

"The decisions are likely to include those relating to the protection of the environment; education and human resource development; the response to the HIV/AIDS, Non-Communicable Diseases and other threats to the health of the people of St. Kitts and Nevis.

"The maintenance of Law and Order; the use, allocation and ownership of scare resources including the lands and other assets released from the production of sugar; the enhancement of the competitiveness of our enterprises; and the empowerment of  all groups in our society including our young people, our women, the elderly, the physically or mentally challenged and the poor people in our midst. It is clear to me that we are at a critical juncture in the development of our nation, and any policy errors that we make at this time will not only be irreversible but will reverberate down through the ages," said Dr. Douglas.

He said that the Federation's Caribbean neighbours understand and appreciate that St. Kitts and Nevis is the next investment hot spot in the region and are constantly being bombarded with requests to host regional and international conferences to give the participants and organisers of such conferences the opportunity to experience for themselves the rapid strides that we are making here in our distinctive twin-island Federation.

Dr. Douglas said that foreign investors also understand and appreciate that the Federation is at a stage of development where the economy is moving into top gear and in his 10 years in the Office of Prime Minister, he has not at any time before now,  experienced the massive upsurge in investment applications.

He pointed out that for years Port Zante remained idle and dormant, but today investors are falling over each other to get a piece of the action at Port Zante and  there is hardly a week in Cabinet "that we do not have to consider applications from investors interested in purchasing land at Port Zante."

Prime Minister Douglas, who is also the Minister of Tourism, said his St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Government was laughed to scorn to even think of the possibility of converting the White Gate area into a modern residential, commercial and tourist-oriented development.

"Today, we are eagerly awaiting the commencement of horse racing and other entertainment activities in modern facilities currently being constructed in the area. Moreover, massive hotel, residential and tourism-related projects are

Concept of Cable Bay Resort at Frigate Bay

He said that the golf course at La Vallee will be completed over the next few months, and the subsequent stages of the project, including at least one hotel, a marina, commercial developments and up-scale villas, will be commenced.

Dr. Douglas also pointed to the frustration with the slow pace of the development at the Southeast Peninsula.

"Many of our people referred to the Kennedy Simmonds Highway as a road to nowhere. Today, through our diligent investment promotion activities, a golf course, a Marina, a Dolphin Park and well over 1500 rooms in hotels, condominiums and villas are being planned for the Southeast Peninsula," said Dr. Douglas.

He said his Government has been able to attract some of the most distinguished names in the high-end hotel industry to the area and specially, mentioned the Auberge group, an internationally renowned exclusive resort developers and operators, which has entered into agreements to purchase substantial plots of land from private owners and is now pursuing plans to bring at least two five-star resorts to the southeast peninsula and to construct a wide range of modern up-scale tourism-related infrastructure and facilities.

"Even in Frigate Bay, which is now virtually built out, the Newfound Group out of Canada, in conjunction with National Bank, TDC and Rams, is pursuing a major hotel and condominium project; and the Frigate Bay Development Corporation is in the process of constructing a very impressive villa and commercial development project that will significantly enhance the tourism-related amenities in Potato Bay and the surrounding areas," said Prime Minister Douglas.

Concept of Kittitian Heights at Belmont, Whitegate.

The establishment of the Robert Ross International University of Nursing and a number of medical universities including the St. Theresa's Medical University, is also spurring the demand for housing and is significantly boosting activity in the construction industry.

The Government is providing generous concessions to encourage local entrepreneurs to build accommodation facilities for the students of the Robert Ross International University of Nursing and for the benefit of the thousands of visitors expected to grace our shores during the 2007 World Cup Cricket Games.

"We believe that sports tourism will be given a massive boost through our investment at Warner Park that will establish the cricket stadium being built there as an international cricket test venue and will not only host the 2007 World Cup Cricket Games but will also bring international cricket to St. Kitts and Nevis as early as next year," said Dr. Douglas.