Post-Cabinet Statement for November 12th, 2007
~~Adz:Left~~Citizens and residents of St. Kitts and Nevis, good day; I bring to you the Post Cabinet Briefing for Cabinet meeting held today, Monday November 12, 2007.
Parking on Fort Street
As earlier promised, Cabinet has revisited the parking policy in relation to Fort Street in Basseterre. Earlier this year, parking on Fort Street became restricted and the Government had invited suggestions from the public about how to improve the use of the street.
Today, Cabinet examined the recommendations of the public and agreed the following:
- Between 7:00am and 7:00pm, that is, during the daytime, 30-minute parking will be permitted on the eastern side of Fort Street only. This is intended to facilitate persons doing business in Basseterre to find convenient short-term parking during the daytime period.
- Between 7:00am and 7:00pm, that is, during the daytime, there will be no parking on the western side of Fort Street
- Between 7:00pm and 7:00am, that is, during the nighttime, unlimited parking will be allowed on both sides of Fort Street.
The public is asked to take note that this new parking policy will take effect as soon as the Traffic Department is able to erect the appropriate signs to indicate the parking patterns on the street.
Once again, the government is grateful to the public for sharing useful suggestions on the Fort Street Parking Policy.
Investment Promotion Agency
Cabinet was updated by the Hon. Prime Minister on the progress of the implementation of the Investment Promotion Agency (IPA) that approved in early October. Recall that the Investment Promotion agency is geared towards the creation of a highly competitive business environment intended to increase investment inflows, and foster the creation, formalization and expansion of businesses - local businesses in particular.
The legislation to support the establishment of the IPA has been drafted and will have its first reading in Parliament around the end of November.
A public consultation to discuss the proposed legislation, the corporate plan, and the near term operational plan for the IPA will be conducted during the month of December.
The enactment of the legislation is to be completed in time for the New Year, 2008.
Foreign Affairs Consultative Committee~~Adz:Right~~
Cabinet today approved the establishment of a Foreign Affairs Consultative Committee that will assist in the formulation and articulation of the Government’s foreign policy, which policy is intended to guide the diplomatic actions and initiatives of the government. With the rapidity of the changes and the vastness of issues on the geo-political landscape, the Government believes that there is need for better organization of efforts that brings together skilled local specialists to sustain its diplomatic efforts and to maximize the benefits of our international engagements.
The Committee will include a number of persons who have specialist areas or experience in the area of Foreign Relations, and the mandate of the Committee will include:
- Advising the Minister of Foreign Affairs on International Affairs
- Advising the Government on how to diplomatically engage countries in Africa, Asia and Europe in particular
- Providing advice in relation to support for international bodies and agreements
- Reviewing the Foreign Policy document from time to time, among other things.
Cabinet reviewed a short list of potential candidates for membership on the Foreign Affairs Consultative Committee.
Duty Concessions
In keeping with Government’s policy to encourage and support the development of small locally owned businesses, Cabinet approved duty concessions for a number of local businesses. Services-related and manufacturing businesses were represented among those businesses receiving concessions.
In particular, note must be made of the concessions that have been given in respect of the importation of solar photovoltaic panels to be used for renewable energy generation. This is in line with Government’s new policy to facilitate investment in renewable energy and energy conservation technologies.
END
This brings us to an end the Post-Cabinet Briefing for Monday November 12, 2007. I thank you.
