Good evening to citizens, residents and visitors of St. Kitts and Nevis. This evening I bring you the post cabinet briefing for cabinet meeting held today Monday 2nd July 2007.
Kiawah Group
Cabinet received an update on the St. Kitts Peninsula Resort project undertaken by the Kiawah group out of South Carolina on the southeast peninsula. As indicated earlier, the project will bring high-end development to the identified area, including a marina, three hotels, a golf course, high-end residential units and commercial buildings.
Earlier it was indicated that the government negotiating team was finalizing the agreement to facilitate the stated development. Cabinet is therefore pleased to report officially that the final agreement between the government and the Kiawah development group was signed on June 15, 2007. In its meeting earlier today, cabinet settled a number of house-keeping matters in relation to the development agreement. ~~Adz:Right~~
Cabinet took the opportunity to reaffirm its strong support for the project considering the enormous benefits it would bring for investment, employment and general economic activity.
Concessions
In keeping with its overall policy to empower small local entrepreneurs operating in a variety of sectors of the economy, Cabinet today approved the waiver of duty for small manufacturers as well as for service-oriented operators. The government is mindful that this decision will continue to lead to the creation of jobs, the strengthening of the local economy and enhancement of its general competitiveness having regard to the emerging CSME and its attendant effects.
Some of the matters on which there was general discussion or routine update are the government’s immigration policy, the low income housing programme, and national security. Discussion surrounding these issues was extensive and Cabinet has requested that formal follow-up be had on the issues raised.
The End
This brings to an end the post cabinet briefing for cabinet meeting held today Monday 2nd July 2007. I thank you.
