BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (SKNIS)-THE new meet and greet approach by the St. Kitts Investment Promotion Agency (SKIPA) has been encouraging as word of the friendly investor climate in St. Kitts has generated much interest.
On this week’s edition of Perspectives, Investment Promotion Officer, Stanley Jacobs told SKNIS that SKIPA is currently familiarizing foreign missions and embassies of St. Kitts and Nevis with the mandate of the agency in order to promote greater collaboration and to develop strategic linkages with overseas partners and investors.
A visit to the St. Kitts and Nevis Consulate in Toronto, Canada, in late October, was the first stop in this new campaign. The staff was introduced to SKIPA’s role in diversifying the economy through investment and how they can assist. A similar exercise took place in New York.
However, Mr. Jacobs explained that a Business Forum held in Canada and New York generated positive exchanges between the participants and SKIPA’s representatives.
“They were a tremendous success,” he explained, revealing that approximately 35 high net worth business individuals attended the Canada meeting while 25 participated in New York.
“They were quite enthusiastic and quite happy to hear about the positive investment climate in St. Kitts... . So much so that as a result of this trip, we may have at least two groups of investors coming down to St. Kitts to see firsthand the investment opportunities that are here.”
The local officials also received recommendations and contact information for a number of well connected individuals who could help to spread the message and attract the “right type of investor” that will positively contribute to the long term development of St. Kitts.
SKIPA is poised to ride the wave of momentum when it hosts a Business Forum in Washington D.C. on Thursday (November 12).
Mr. Jacobs noted that the feedback received from this approach has been encouraging.
“There’s a lot of suggestion … that this outreach, and engaging the Diaspora, might be a more valuable means of promotion because it puts us in direct contact with potential investors.”
Plans are currently being considered to continue the programme in 2010 which would include visits to other countries including the United Kingdom.
