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St. Kitts and Nevis

Quick Facts

Population:	45,000
Land area:	269 square Km
Capital:	Basseterre
Language(s):	English
Local Currency:	East Caribbean dollar (XCD)
Exchange:	US$1.00 = EC$2.70
UNDP Human Development Rank:	49 of 177
Life Expectancy:	70.0
Adult Literacy rate:	97.8
Official Government website:	http://www.gov.kn/default.asp?SKGovNews=%22200701%22

Government

Governor General - Cuthbert Montraville SEBASTIAN
Prime Minister - Denzil DOUGLAS, Dr.
Dep. Prime Min. - Sam CONDOR
Min. of Agriculture, Fisheries, & Consumer Affairs -Cedric Roy LIBURD
Min. of Education - Sam CONDOR
Min of Finance - Denzil DOUGLAS, Dr.
Min. of Foreign Affairs & International Trade - Timothy HARRIS
Min. of Health, Social and Community Development & Gender Affairs - Rupert Emmanuel HERBERT
Min. of Housing - Cedric Roy LIBURD
Min. of Immigration & Labor -Gerald Anthony Dwyer ASTAPHAN
Min. of Industry & Commerce -Timothy HARRIS
Min. of Justice -Gerald Anthony Dwyer ASTAPHAN
Min. of Legal Affairs -Delano Frank BART
Min. of National Security - Gerald Anthony Dwyer ASTAPHAN
Min. of Public Works, Utilities, Transport, & Posts - Earl Asim MARTIN
Min. of Sustainable Development - Denzil DOUGLAS, Dr.
Min. of Technology - Denzil DOUGLAS, Dr.
Min. of Tourism & Culture - Denzil DOUGLAS, Dr.
Min. of Youth, Social, & Community Development - Sam CONDOR
Min. of State in the Office of the Prime Minister With the Responsibility for Finance, Technology, & Sustainable Development -Nigel Alexis CARTY
Min. of State in the Office of the Prime Minister With the Responsibility for Tourism, Sports, & Culture - Richard SKERRIT
Attorney General - Delano Frank BART
Ambassador to the US - Izben Cordinal WILLIAMS
Permanent Representative to the UN, New York - Joseph CHRISTMAS

Public Holidays: New Year's Day (01 January); Carnival Day (02 January); Good Friday; Easter Monday; Labour Day (05 May); August Monday (first Monday in August); Independence Day (19 September); Christmas Day (25 December); Boxing Day (26 December)

Economic Development

Economic Survey of the Caribbean 2007-2008

According to the survey the economies of the ECCU continued to show positive growth for the sixth consecutive year. In 2007, preliminary data indicated that growth slowed to 5.2% from 6.3% in 2006 as many public and private construction activities geared towards the CWC were completed. In addition there was a significant contraction in the tourism sector, which actually declined by 0.6% in 2007 compared to 6% in 2006. Fuelled by hikes in oil and food prices, especially in the last quarter of 2007, the rate of inflation increased to 6.1% from 1.3% in 2006 and is expected to continue on an upward trend in 2008. Economic growth will continue to slow but remain positive in 2008, projected at 3.8%, mainly influenced by the slowdown in the United States economy and rising international oil, food and other commodity prices.

In 2007 growth was strongest in Anguilla (21%), St Vincent and the Grenadines (6.9%) and Antigua and Barbuda (6.9%) while Hurricane Dean, which struck in August 2007, negatively impacted on the growth rates of Saint Lucia (1.7% compared to 4.9% in 2006) and Dominica (1.8% compared to 3.8% in 2006). Despite the challenge of continuous volcanic activity in Montserrat, the economy grew by 2.8% compared to negative growth of 3.8% in 2006. Intermediate growth of 3% was recorded in both St Kitts and Nevis while growth in Grenada was 4.4%. The main impetus of growth continued to be the construction sector with spill over effects into mining and quarrying, transportation and communication, electricity and water and banks and insurance. Construction activity will remain robust in 2008 driven by the private sector and the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP).

The Economic Performance for 2006

Sourced from The St.Kitts 2007 Budget, The ECCB 2006 Economic Review, Eastern Caribbean Currency Union: Selected Issues

St. Kitts and Nevis deceased sugar-cane production in 2005, their once long-time mainstay contributor to the economy’s development, became too uncontainable due to high operational costs. Despite this recent event, the country has been able to maintain a good standing in terms of development. Estimates from the 2007 Budget indicate that real GDP expanded by 4.6% in 2006. Manufacturing, Construction, and Tourism were the leading sectors of relevance to GDP contribution, as the country initiated their diversification process.

The construction sector, like most CWC 2007 venue countries, experienced highlighted expansion by 5.7%, where the Warner Park Stadium, Homes, Private and Public Sector projects have been on the rise. This high-level construction activity had a positive impact on other sectors of domestic output, such as the manufacturing sector. Due to construction activities, there was an increase in the production of blocks and pre-mixed concrete. The advancement of beverage and electronic component output was based on higher external demands.

The facilitation for sugar-crop workers was one of the government’s main priorities for 2006, as the Prime Minister ensured the availability and accessibility to non-sugar agriculture was present. The current strategy for agricultural development is to focus on the growth of commercial farms for both crop and livestock production. The Prime Minister declared in his 2007 budget speech, “The Agricultural Sector has the potential to assist with job creation and income generation particularly for those former sugar industry workers…”

Having picked up from the first half of the year, tourism receipts to the current account grew by 7% to $296.6 million dollars. This sector is expected to expand in response to increased accommodation infrastructure, additional airlift and marketing.

The economy must be further recognized for their resilience in 2006, especially in the wake of increasing international oil prices, and the number of capital projects implemented in the year. The aim for 2007 is therefore to reduce the reliance of fossil fuels by formulating different ways to exploit abundant renewable sources such as biomass, ocean, wind, geothermal sources, solar radiation and domestic waste.

Social Development

2005 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices (Western Hemisphere)

All men and women desire and deserve to live in dignity and liberty. As President Bush said: "The advance of freedom is the great story of our time." Promoting human rights and democracy is a worldwide phenomenon and there is a growing global discussion of democracy and the universal values protected by democratic governance.

By defending and advancing human rights and democratic principles, we keep faith with our country’s most cherished values and lay the foundation for lasting peace. Fulfilling the promise of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and building vibrant democracies worldwide will take generations, but it is work of the utmost urgency that cannot be delayed.
Source:US Dept. of State

Education

Another Medical University to open in St Kitts

Another medical school will officially open in St. Kitts later this month. Saint Theresa’s Medical University, which opens on August 27, will bring to five the number of medical institutions operating on St. Kitts and to six the total number providing services in the twin island Federation.
Source: Caribbean Net News 2005

Environment