BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, Feb. 19.2018 – NEVIS’ Premier, Hon. Mark Brantley believes that the time has come to diversify the local economy to be built around the Information Technology and Alternative Energy Sectors.
Brantley, while presenting Nevis’ Budget in the Nevis Island Assembly last week, stated that the usual pillars of the economy are no longer able to sufficiently propel the island forward.
Traditionally, the island has depended heavily on Tourism, Construction, Financial Services and the Retail Trades.
“The time has come for us to actively engage in the diversification of our economy and to guide our young entrepreneurs into developing creative and innovative business ideas to support this new economic agenda.”
That paradigm shift, he said, must be coupled with major enhancements of the Tourism Sector, while using technology to improve agricultural production geared towards food security and sustainability.
“We must continue to prepare ourselves to embrace change, to craft new directions and to face the future with renewed confidence. We should work towards repositioning ourselves even as we seek to capitalize on the tremendous opportunities while confronting the challenges that lie ahead of us.
“We will continue to pursue a structural reform agenda that focuses on economic diversification, improved business practices and to address the skills gap among our young people.”
According to Brantley, it is only through vision, policies and programs that they will be able to reposition the island’s economy over the medium to long-term.
“Mr. President, I am confident that this new era of government, which I am honored to lead, will present tremendous opportunities for growth through entrepreneurial development for our people, especially among our young people.”
