BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – TRADE MINISTER the Hon. Richard Skerritt on Friday (Jun. 20) said that St. Kitts and Nevis has seen an increase in the importation of raw materials and cargo, as well as a significant increase of visitors to the federation over the first five months of this year.
The Minister was at the time delivering the feature address at the Business Trade Fair hosted by the Puerto Rico Trade Mission in collaboration with the St. Kitts and Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce at the St. Kitts Marriott Hotel.
Skerritt stated that he had seen data which has shown major increases in cargo and other importations for the Federation.
“In my capacity as Minister with responsibility for the Air and Sea Ports, I look at the data on a regular basis. And after a massive increase last year, cargo throughput through the Sea Port is again up 11 percent through the first five months of this year.”
The Minister revealed that the construction industry is one of the local sectors that is “booming” and has thus far seen the largest percentage increase for the first five month.
“Building materials are up to 7 264 tons, which is an increase of 90 percent overall for the same period last year. This suggests that construction is booming, to say the least, and cement is up 27 percent…and that’s another indicator.”
The local industry for motor vehicles was not to be left behind, as that too saw a major increase, as well as visitors to the Federation by air.
“Vehicles are up 46 percent this year. At the airport, cargo imports are also up 55 percent and the passengers into the RLB Airport is at 58 324…after five months is also up seven percent.
“ So all of the indicators suggest that though we are a small country of just over 50 000 residents, we know that the 700 000 cruise visitors and 120 000 air into St. Kitts and Nevis are driving consumption on a per capita basis that is worthy of your attention,” Minister Skerritt said.
