Basseterre, St. Kitts - Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas, announced that the St. Kitts-Nevis economy contracted by  over five percent in 2009.

Consequently, the government is in the process of implementing several measures, including the introduction of Value-Added Tax, aimed at returning the economy to a position of growth.

Members of the general public are invited to a public forum on “The Economy – Fiscal and Development Issues” slated for 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 23, at the Methodist Church Hall (formerly Basseterre Boys School).

Panelists will include representatives from the Ministry of Finance, the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank and other finance-related sectors. In addition, representatives from the government and the diplomatic and consular corps, as well as grassroots community organisations, are expected to be present.

The evening promises to be one of lively and informed discourse on the key aspects of the economy. Listeners are expected to leave with a better appreciation of the dynamics of the St. Kitts-Nevis economy, its opportunities and challenges, and applicable solutions.

The forum is the first public event organized by vibrant new group “The CARE Initiative”, in response to several severe challenges facing St. Kitts-Nevis, of which the economy is one.

The goal of The CARE Initiative (Country Advancement through Responsible Expression ) is to create an environment for positive change in the social, economic, political and cultural development of the country through facilitating sound, reasoned and fair public debate on national issues.

For more information about Tuesday’s event, please contact The CARE Initiative at thecareinitiative@gmail.com