Basseterre, St. Kitts – THE cost and causes of crime are two areas that will take the spotlight at the upcoming second quarterly luncheon meeting of the St. Kitts-Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce (CIC), set for tomorrow (June 1).
Concentration at the meeting will be placed on the risk factors of and required national response to crime and violent acts, with a special presentation by Chief Medical Officer Dr. Patrick Martin addressing the annual financial cost of crime on medical services, personnel & infrastructure and the impact of crime on the family.
In an interview with SKNVibes, CIC President Michael Morton said he anticipates an in-depth and insightful presentation from Martin, introducing a different perspective on the crime discussion. Cognizant of the strains crime has on the nation’s health resources, Morton noted that it is important to partner in long-term solutions to the “chronic problem”.
“We recognize that it is a major issue and that the problems are going to have to be resolved through the collaborative effort of all stakeholders. The Chamber is of course lending its support tangibly to finding this long-term solution, hence we are speaking with all the experts and looking at possible ways and means of lending that support,” the Chamber President said.
The CIC has led many public discussions on topical issues and in recent times has focussed its energies on the introduction of a Value Added Tax and how it may affect its partners and membership. However, Morton stressed that until a marked reduction is realised, crime will remain top priority for local businesses.
“There are so many critical issues at hand at this particular time but certainly crime has not been, as it were, shifted as being our number one priority. Our very survival would depend on whether or not we in fact bring this crime situation under control, because if we don’t it has the potential to close us, to bankrupt us and bankrupt the nation. VAT and the other tax issues is our other issue and we are treating that as a priority,” he added.
Additionally, Morton revealed that the CIC will be updating its membership on its plans regarding the introduction of VAT and the way forward for the organization in dealing with matters of tax reform.
