BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – ECONOMIC turbulence has not hampered the Federation’s thriving export trade to the United States as the nation remains the largest exporter to the US within Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and Barbados.
During the period January to July of this year, the nation has exported more goods and services to the US than all the OECS independent nations combined, according to foreign trade statistics issued by the US Census Bureau.
Exports from St. Kitts-Nevis for this period were valued at US $28.7 million, while the combined exports of St. Lucia, Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines amounted to US$22.1 million. St. Kitts and Nevis amassed almost 30% more exports than all those five countries combined.
The dependent OECS states showed smaller export values. Exports to the US for the British Virgin Islands (BVI) totalled US$2.9 million; Anguilla, US$3.6 million and Montserrat, US$500 000. Barbados came in closer to St. Kitts-Nevis with some US $18.7 million in exports to the US.
Head of the Manufacturing Division in the St. Kitts-Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce (CIC) Carol Evelyn attributed the nation’s success in this area to a direct link with customers, the commitment of the industrial labour force and the proximity to the US.
He added that the nation benefited from the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI), which exempts manufacturers from being taxed if the goods are manufactured in the country from raw materials imported from the US.
“This tells us that this sector is one which we must build on and hold on to. We want to have the best employees and people with the willingness to work. We are very happy for the electronics sector and we are enthused when we see opportunities for trade, especially at this point in time,” Evelyn stated. “The thing is, we are not really selling cheap labour but we are selling quality.”
The CIC official said it is necessary for students to understand the importance of and opportunities within the manufacturing sector.
The local companies that export to the US include Harowe Servo (St. Kitts) Ltd., Lutron Liamuiga, Kajola-Kristada, CSR/DDL, Jaro Electronics and St. Kitts Brush Co.
