BASSETERRE ST. KITTS- St. Kitts and Nevis Federal Minister of Finance, International Trade, Industry, Commerce and Consumer Affairs, the Hon Dr Timothy Harris, on Friday June 26 met and held discussions with Australia’s High Commissioner, His Excellency Philip Kentwell.
In a post-meeting briefing, Dr Harris who is also the immediate past Foreign Affairs Minister said that matters discussed included the question of the global trade regime and Australia’s role in promoting the principle that small island states be given special and differential treatment in global trading engagement.
“We also discussed Australia’s support for St. Kitts and Nevis via capacity building measures in such areas as debt management, coastal preservation and development, tropical agriculture and fisheries,” outlined Dr Harris. “Scholarships awards in several areas in which Australia had a competitive advantage were also discussed.”
Other areas discussed were the global economic situation and the role of the Group of 20 Countries (G20) in reviving world growth and development, and this included government issues in relations to the IMF and other international financial institutions such as the World Bank.
Dr Harris told the High Commissioner that St. Kitts and Nevis welcomes the new outreach by Australia and would work hard to ensure a mutually beneficial relationship between the two countries, and at the multilateral level.
In reply, High Commissioner Kentwell who is based in Trinidad and also holds non-resident accreditation to thirteen other Caribbean countries (including St. Kitts and Nevis) expressed Australia’s interest in strengthening relationship between St. Kitts and Nevis and Australia, observing that Australia now views the Caribbean as an important area for its development outreach.
According to Dr Harris, the new Kevin Rudd government in Australia has a more comprehensive international agenda than its predecessor. “He went on to say Australia was prepared to share its resources with St. Kitts and Nevis in those areas in which Australia has a competitive advantage,” noted Minister Harris. “He outlined Australia’s policies within the context of its membership of the G20 and the priority Australia had accorded to global stability and economic growth.”
The visiting high commissioner was also due to have met the Prime Minister, the Hon Dr. Denzil Douglas on Friday but it was not possible as the Prime Minister was away on a travelling engagement. His Excellency Kentwell presented credentials to Prime Minister Douglas on February 20, 2008 during the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ second Diplomat Week.
Australia, according to the St. Kitts and Nevis Ministry of Foreign Affairs, remains a valuable ally to the Federation as it continues to play a key role in international relations. They are also responsible for the funding of several development projects in the Federation which are collaborated with the Ministry of Social Development.
These include the Conaree Self-Empowerment Group and the Business Centre for young men, a tailoring class for young boys at St. Peter’s, and the Behaviour Improvement through Empowerment (BITE) programme ongoing in St. Paul’s. All these programmes are funded by the Direct Aid Programme of Australia.
END
