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CIC outlines plans for first quarter
By VonDez Phipps
Reporter-SKNVibes.com
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Mark Wilkin, President of CIC
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BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – AFTER what was described as a “very productive year for the private sector”, the St. Kitts-Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce (CIC) has outlined its plans for 2009 focussing heavily on capacity building and strengthening existing partnerships.
President Mark Wilkin told SKNVibes that the Chamber intends to work closely with the public and private sectors to ensure that the country’s vulnerable sectors are able to weather the ongoing financial storm which may continue for the next few months.
He stressed the need for the institution to address human resource development as a means of ensuring that the economy remains in good footing.
“We will be hosting our annual LIME-sponsored CIC Excellence Awards Ceremony and Dinner to acknowledge students who have achieved academic success and had outstanding performances in the 2008 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and the Caribbean Advance Proficiency Education (CAPE) Examinations. We must acknowledge and also appreciate our hard-working students and highlight the positive strides that youth are making.
“In the early part of this year, we will also focus on the Junior Achievement Programme in the secondary schools on both islands. This programme cultivates a sense of leadership and entrepreneurship, two elements necessary to ensure that our youth are positively involved to make an impact on their communities and nation at large. Out of this programme, we have seen many small businesses emerge, and this is the objective that we wish to achieve in the near future. ~~Adz:Right~~
“We will also be working very closely with our Manufacturing Division as we envisage possible struggles resulting from the international economic downturn. We must keep abreast with the economic changes and be quick to act in order to safeguard the viability of this sector. At the same time, we plan to pay closer attention to our Nevis Division which may also face some turbulence in the early parts of this year. We therefore have to work closely with them as the temporary closure of the Four Seasons may have an unfavourable impact on the island’s economy.”
Wilkin said the Chamber will be targeting new and existing businesses to join the CIC as the benefits of assistance and representation are necessary for productive survival. He informed that the first quarter should see the CIC’s Annual General Meeting in which accounts will be presented and new directors elected so as to fill all executive vacancies.
Wilkin mentioned the Chamber’s intention to “follow up closely on the budget to clarify all the unclear areas and to ensure that the government keeps its promises especially with regards to the introduction of Value Added Tax (VAT)”. He added that he is looking forward to meeting with representatives of the recently launched St. Kitts-Nevis Coalition of Services Industries (CSI) to outline how the two entities could work together.
Wilkin thanked all the service providers and businesses that partnered with the CIC during 2008 and wished them success for the new year.
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