That was clearly expressed during an opening statement at his monthly press conference, at Government Headquarters this past Tuesday (October 13), at which Dr. Harris decried the governing philosophy and modus operandi of the Douglas administration. “Under the bygone administration ‘deals’ were the order of the day. As those from abroad were better at the poker game, they often won while sadly our country lost. The investors who ought to have helped us with foreign direct investment invariably got a disproportionate share of the resources that ought to have gone firstly to assist local people in St. Kitts and in Nevis and of course other local entities.”
The Prime Minister said that Team Unity shares public disquiet over the preferential treatment foreign investors received often at the expense of local businesses. “We are concerned in government that the former government was too occupied with foreign entities and preferred them for soft financing through the SIDF at the expense of the ordinary people of St Kitts and Nevis and our small businesses.” Dr. Harris said foreign investors are welcome to our country but more is expected of them. “Foreign Investors ought to bring more than an idea to St Kitts and Nevis. They ought to bring good money with them and they must have a real stake in the entities which they purport to set up.”
Prime Minister Harris said his administration will always provide an enabling environment for critically important foreign direct investment but none can blame the new government for giving higher priority and support to local entrepreneurs. “Team Unity for the record will always be supportive of foreign entities but foreign direct investment must add value to our country. We will provide the foreign investors with a conducive environment in which to do business, including strong banks in which to deposit their legitimate funds, but always our country and our people must have pride of place. None can blame us for putting our nationals first.”
