BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE Federation of St. Christopher and Nevis is being featured in the first issue of the OECS Business Focus Magazine, a document which highlights economic/business-related activities and sectors across the region, which was officially launched today (Aug. 6).
The launch took place in St. Lucia but was observed by media operatives and other individuals in the different territories via teleconference.
The magazine, which represents a partnership among the OECS Commission, the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, the OECS Business Council and AMS Publishing, was birthed in less than three months and has website and social media extensions.
Director-General of the OECS Dr. Didacus Jules said the intention is to make the magazine “a central mechanism for the dissemination of business intelligence on and for the OECS”.
Articles in the first edition include an interview with the Prime Minister of St. Christopher and Nevis, the Hon. Dr. Timothy Harris, one on St. Kitts and Nevis’ Citizenship by Investment Programme and tourism within the Federation.
The Magazine will be published on a quarterly basis and is expected to have geographic focus – on respective territories – and thematic focus, highlighting various economic sectors across the member states.
“We have focused on the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis because it was the birth place of our integration project, the location for the signing of both the treaty and the Revised Treaty of Basseterre and because of the historical performance of the its economy,” Dr. Jules explained.
The OECS Director-General indicated that the website component of the magazine is expected to be a “real time source of business intelligence” and would perform as a comprehensive and more detailed version of the magazine.
“Ultimately, it will offer, through paid subscription, a deeper layer of access to business statistics data and information that will be invaluable to making sensible business decisions…”
Lokesh Singh of AMS Publishing said the company, which has operated as a regional business for the past 15 years, also publishes the Business Focus St. Lucia Magazine and the Business Focus Antigua Magazine.
He said the Government of Antigua and Barbuda has agreed to handle the special feature for the second issue and the third would have special emphasis on the tourism industry.
Singh said the Magazine is a mechanism through which the OECS could sell its ideas.
“It is a vehicle as well by which the OECS can sell its message of the good work that you are doing as an organization and you will see in the magazine articles from the OECS. There are some outstanding elements from the OECS which have not necessarily gained the recognition they should and we believe this vehicle will allow you to showcase some of those efforts…”
As an act of symbolism, Singh presented a copy of the magazine to Dr. Jules and President of the OECS Business Council Gordon Charles.
The magazine can be accessed via www.oecsbusinessfocus.com
