St.Kitts & Nevis Politics (May 2005 to July 2005)


	*Informing The Uninformed....*

ST. KITT'S & NEVIS POLITICS

(May 2005 to JULY 2005)

UK General Elections 2005 Dominica 2005 General Elections

THE POPE

West Indies vs South Africa Series 2005

West Indies vs Pakistan 2005 Series

Dis and Dat wins 2005 Culturama Calypso Monarch title

On Sunday night July 31^st at the Cultural Complex, Dis and Dat won the 2005 Culturama Calypso Competition, beating his closes competitor, last years winner King Meeko by one point. He sang "When You Time Come" and "De Clarion Call" and managed to accumulate a total of 489 points to take home the crown.

Meeko the defending king came in first place with 488 points singing "Ship of Fools" and "Calypsonian's Wish. The 2^nd place winner was Binghi with 486 points he sang "Imagine" and "Abomelononmia".

Kasanova was the house band of the night with brass and Mc Tommy Joseph out of Trinidad.The public came out in numbers to support the calypsonians, and everyone seemed satisfied at the end.

CURRENT ACCOUNT SURPLUS ON TARGET IN 2005

BASSETERRE , ST. KITTS, JULY 31^ST 2005 (CUOPM) - St. Kitts and Nevis achieved current account surplus of just over EC$5 million during the first six months of this year, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Dr. the Hon. Denzil L. Douglas told the Federation on Friday.

Speaking in the St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly, Dr. Douglas noted that when he delivered his Budget Address earlier this year, he projected that in 2005, a current account surplus of $13.9 million would be achieved.

“I am pleased to advise that by end of June this year, we had already achieved a current account surplus of over $5 million and we are confident that over the rest of the year we will continue to build on this surplus to reach the budgeted current account surplus of $13.9 million,” said the Prime Minister.

He said that with the continued enhancement of the growth rate, the implementation of the privatisation strategy and the reduction of deficits, the debt to GDP ratio would fall for the first in over a decade.

Prime Minister Douglas said that the period of consultation has also given the opportunity to strengthen the Government’s fiscal position that had been dealt some severe blows by a series of hurricanes.

Over the past three years, Government has been implementing a fiscal stabilisation programme that has been helping to contain expenditure and boost revenues.

“Indeed, in 2003, we underwent a massive fiscal adjustment of some 8.9% of GDP, which brought us much closer to our goal of eliminating current account deficits. We are confident that in 2005 we will consolidate on this achievement and move the current account to a surplus position,” Prime Minister Douglas told Parliament

MAJOR PROJECTS TO BOOST ECONOMY, FEDERATION COULD BENEFIT FROM US$20 MILLION ASSISTANCE FROM EUROPEAN UNION

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, JULY 31^ST 2005 (CUOPM) St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Denzil L. Douglas said planning for the closure of the sugar industry has converted a potentially devastating problem into a massive opportunity for nationals to build a new and more prosperous life for themselves.

Speaking in the National Assembly last Friday, Dr. Douglas also highlighted several on going and upcoming projects that will assist in the transition of the economy and provide employment for some of the sugar workers displaced by the closure of the sugar industry.

He said that his Government by its careful and consultative approach has also enlisted the support of the entire regional and international community.

“We have not being sitting idle, we have been working. This Government is not a part time Government; this Government is a full time Government,” said Prime Minister Douglas.

He said that at a meeting of donors spearheaded by the European Union in Basseterre , a range of international and regional donors undertook to provide assistance to St. Kitts and Nevis in the implementation of several projects with total estimated cost of over US$20 million.

Dr. Douglas said that his St. Kitts and Nevis Labour Government is in the process of negotiating a substantial support package with the European Union as part of the accompanying measures for Sugar Protocol countries affected by the proposed changes in the sugar protocol.

“ St. Kitts and Nevis has taken the lead in moving out of sugar and has mobilised considerable support in its quest to obtain EU assistance,” said the St. Kitts and Nevis leader.

“We had an arrangement with them to supply them with sugar at a specified price when things were good and they cannot just tell us that we must go out of sugar production and do not properly give us some assistance that is absolutely necessary to do that. They have an obligation and we hold them to that obligation,” said the Prime Minister, who said that the “United Kingdom has been making some strong representation to the European Union” on the country’s behalf.

“Hence, it seems very likely that we will benefit considerably from a European financial package aimed at assisting us to accelerate the economic transition and transformation process,” Dr. Douglas told Parliament.

“My recent visit abroad, my discussions with the President of the Republic of China in Taiwan last month, my discussions with the President of Brazil, my discussions with the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand earlier this month, my discussions with the Government of Japan and the Government of India, have all borne fruit that specifically will assist the sugar workers of this country and the people of St. Kitts and Nevis in general,” said Dr. Douglas, who added: “When I go away, I go to work, to work for you. This is no part time Government. This is full time work.”

He said Port Zante is developing at a rapid rate and there is a range of hotels and other tourism-related facilities scheduled for implementation over the next twelve months.

“These include the luxurious Auberge hotel project that will convert the South East Peninsula into a world-class environmentally sensitive luxury resort facility, the La Vallee Golf Course Villa and Commercial Development, the Cable Bay Hotel and Villa Resort Development, Kittitian Heights, and at least three other major hotel projects at Whitegate,” said Dr. Douglas.

He said that the Federation’s tourism product will also be enhanced by the construction of a world class Water Theme Park at the Marriott Hotel, a Dolphin Park and hotel at South Friars Bay with better bathing facilities and a Horse and Greyhound Racing and Entertainment facility at White Gate.

“Indeed over the next few years, the entire economic landscape of St. Kitts and Nevis will be dramatically transformed and all of our people including our sugar workers will reap great benefits from this unprecedented level of economic growth and expansion. That is why I say do not be afraid,” Prime Minister Douglas told Parliament and the Nation in a two hour address. The debate will continue on Wednesday.

“We feel that we have reached the stage where are now well prepared to cope with the challenges of the transition from a sugar production. Indeed we are convinced that, with the programme I have outlined here today, the future for sugar workers and for people of this country as a whole is brighter than ever before,” said Dr. Douglas.

PM DOUGLAS PROCLAIMS END OF SUGAR

AND A NEW CHAPTER THAT IS BRIGHTER

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, JULY 31^ST 2005 (CUOPM) Concluding a two hour address in the St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly on the closure of the 350 year old sugar industry, Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Denzil L. Douglas said just like how the spirit of the African ancestors survived the terrible journey in the smelly holes of the slaves ships across the Atlantic, those same spirits today remain among the sugar workers, their families and the people of the twin island Federation.

He noted that the closure on July 30^th, prior to celebrations to mark the emancipation of the African forebears from the hardship and horrors of slavery, is yet another milestone in the long and arduous struggle to make emancipation and freedom truly meaningful.

“I believe that back in 1834, after the bells and drums of emancipation had eventually petered out and the celebrations had ended, our forebears must have faced many anxious and depressing moments when they thought of returning to the cane fields and to sugar factories, knowing in particular that they still lived in the trash huts, knowing in particular that the planters were being compensated and they the workers were being given nothing,” said Prime Minster Douglas.

“Moreover, when they did return to the sordid working conditions of the sugar estates, they must have wondered what freedom really meant. It must have been truly shocking when they came face to face with the reality that, for most of them, emancipation was essentially the freedom to choose between their demise outside the estates and their continued trauma and travail inside the estates,” said Prime Minister Douglas, who proudly declared: “Today, our sugar workers can decide to walk away from the cane fields or the sugar factory, and at the same time, secure a happy and progressive future for themselves and for their families. This is possible because the St. Kitts Nevis Labour Party has prepared the way for life after sugar here in St. Kitts and Nevis .”

The St. Kitts and Nevis leader noted that on taking office in July 1995, his Government was determined that the sugar workers would not be forced out of employment in the sugar industry until the economy had been sufficiently transformed to provide alternative work for them and to cater to their social and economic needs.

“We were also determined that a decision of such monumental proportions as the closure of an industry that had dominated the economic life of our islands, must be based on extensive consultations with our own people. Hence, while the opposition People’s Action Movement (PAM) continued to sing their chorus and to clamour for a hasty end to the production of the sugar, we were actively listening to our people and preparing the foundation for the transition from sugar through the creation of a truly diversified service-oriented economy,” said Prime Minister Douglas.

He noted after several studies and widespread consultations with local, regional and international agencies and the establishment of various Committees and Sub Committees, the period of consultation provided time to implement a programme of economic transformation and to build the capacity of the Government to carry out its responsibilities to the displaced sugar workers.

Dr. Douglas said that in 2004, the economy recorded an impressive rate of real economic growth of 6.41%, the highest rate of increase in economic activity since 2000.

“We are on our way back. We are now on solid foundation. And so we can afford now to embrace the challenge of the sugar industry and deal with it head on. Mr. Speaker, what is even more remarkable is that we have achieved this level of growth in a year when the output of the sugar as a percentage of GDP has fallen. In fact, over the period that my Government has been in office the contribution of sugar to GDP in constant prices, have fallen from 4.01 percent in 1995 to a mere 2.49 percent in 2004. We are not receiving any significant contribution from sugar. The economy is doing well in other sectors. Over the same period, our sectors such Hotels and Restaurants, Construction, Manufacturing and Banking & Insurance, have increased their own share of GDP. While other sectors are growing, sugar continues to decline and that is why today, we have to take the decisions that we are taking. In other words, my Government’s strategy for diversifying our economy and reducing our reliance on sugar has been bearing fruit. Consequently the impact of the loss of the sugar industry at this time is far less than it would have been if we had succumbed to the pressure of PAM and closed the industry in an earlier year,” he told the gallery packed with sugar workers and the Nation in the statement carried on National Radio and Television and several of the privately owned radio stations.

In charting the way forward, Prime Minister Douglas said that considerable emphasis will be placed on ensuring that the sugar workers join the mainstream of economic activity, growth and expansion and that the Transition Office has procured technical assistance to implement a Change Management Project aimed at helping sugar workers cope with any stress that may rise from the need to change the way of life that many of them have known since they entered the workforce or even since birth.

The Ministry of Social and Community Development, along with the Basic Needs Trust Fund, Advanced Vocational Educational Centre and the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College, are implementing a Post-Sugar Social Reconstruction Project estimated to cost US$6 million that will support, re-skill and prepare SSMC employees for employment in the new growth sectors of the economy including tourism, telecommunications and information technology. The project will, among other things, deliver skills training, provide financial subsidies for persons involved in retraining, provide counseling in savings and investment, prepare sugar workers to take up entrepreneurial opportunities and conduct a labour market survey to help in fashioning strategies for re-incorporating sugar workers into the work force.

Besides the EC$44 million severance package that the sugar workers will share, the Government has ensured that sugar workers continue to thrive and prosper and that they are not pushed below the poverty line.

“Medical care will be provided to the sugar workers by the National Health Programme after they have been severed. A housing scheme will be implemented for workers who do not own a home but have served the industry for more than 20 years and whose income levels place them below the poverty line. The SSMC pensioners will be transferred to the Social Security Scheme with the guarantee that they will be no worse off in regards the amount of current pension receipts,” said Prime Minister Douglas.

He said that a programme of training and re-orientation will be held for the severed workers and during the course of such programme a weekly stipend will be provided to the trainees.

The Ministry of Agriculture shall accommodate interested severed workers in the pursuit of non-sugar agriculture by making agricultural lands and extension support available to them. The Ministry of Agriculture will also provide land preparation services and other inputs to farmers for one year.

The Government will expand the pool of Bus and Taxi operators and waive or soften the existing requirements such as time and experience to allow new entrants to enjoy duty and tax concessions and Banks and other Financial Institutions will be encouraged to create special packages for sugar workers who are interested in farming, fishing and small business.

Duty-free concessions will be provided in respect of farming tools, equipment, and materials for sugar workers who move into farming and Corporation tax and trader’s tax will be reprieved for a period of five years for businesses established by sugar workers.

“Water for irrigation and irrigation equipment will be provided free of cost to sugar workers who enter into agriculture. Exemption from consumption tax will be added to the existing exemption from duty enjoyed by fishers and farmers for a period of five years,” said Prime Minister Douglas.

He said that from the extent of the reconstruction programme outlined, the problems relating to the transition from sugar did not sneak up on his Government like a thief in the night. “We were wide awake. We carefully laid the groundwork over many years to secure the livelihood of our people. The utterances of the past PAM Administration suggest that they viewed the closure of the sugar industry as a simple process that could have been achieved by the stroke of a pen. I can say confidently that there was no thought given to the hundreds of workers who stood to lose everything they had worked for over their entire lives,” said Prime Minister Douglas, who added that a Labour Party that was formed by the people for the people, “the welfare of the people of our country had to be paramount, and we were prepared to wait as long as it was necessary to ensure that appropriate mechanisms were put in place to protect all of our workers.”

He said that like the ancient generals of classical times, the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Government has done its homework, it has done its assessment and it has already determined the outcome.

“The Labour government, which I have the honour and privilege to lead at this time in our ever-evolving socio-economic and political development, has been able to decide on the way, because it has treated the sugar workers, the citizens of this country with humaneness and with social justice. One great ancient philosopher said: “Humaneness and Justice are the means by which to govern properly. When government is carried out properly, people feel close to the leadership and think little of dying for it.” Time and time, again I have asked the sugar workers and fellow citizens to walk with me, march with me, and let us face the brighter future together unafraid,” said Prime Minister Douglas.

“Mr. Speaker, we have already decided on the season, we have already decided on the weather, and this is the right season to close the industry. We cannot wait one more second. We must not wait one more minute. We must not wait one more hour or one more week or even one more month. No, we cannot wait one more year. We must close it now. Now is the Time! The Time is Now!,” he said.

“Mr. Speaker, we boldly declare today the end of one chapter and one era in our development as a people, and proudly declare today the beginning of a new chapter that is brighter than the one of yesterday, a new era because we know that we have the Discipline to survive the Transition and to succeed in our national economic transformation plan. Mr. Speaker, I call on all our citizens to become focused. Let those of our youths and our people generally who are misguided, turn from their paths of lawlessness and crime, to those of peace and enhancing life styles that will generate respectable and respected citizens with their attention fixed on things good, honest, noble and just,” said the St. Kitts and Nevis leader.

St. Kitt's & Nevis contestant was most friendly among Jaycees Queen participants

Saturday July 30, 2005: The Barbados contestant is the 2005 Jaycees Caribbean Queen. Princess Best was crowned early this morning at Carnival City. The show, which had a late start last evening, was plagued by the threat of intermittent showers, which was evident from the presence of a tropical wave that was passing through the islands. The organisers, who were adamant that the “the show must go on”, had to make alternative seating arrangements at the eleventh hour. The transfer of the reserved section from the front of the stage to the smaller Sydney Walling Stand had also forced the organisers to curtail the sale of tickets. Following Princess Best of Barbados, who won “Best Evening Wear” based on modelling skills, was Jenna Mari Andre of Trinidad & Tobago, who also won the “Best Swimwear” segment, Makela Williams of Antigua & Barbuda, placing 2^nd runner-up as well as the winner of the “Best Performing Talent” and Marsha Barnett of Jamaica in the 3^rd runner-up slot, who was adjudged the “Best Interview”. Other notable achievers in segments that were not points-related included Johan Kelly of St. Kitts & Nevis, for the “Most Photogenic”, while Dacia Blackmoore of Guyana won the “Most Congenial” title. ><>

Slain Police Officer Delvin Nisbett Remembered

Saturday July 30 2005: (Basseteere, St. Kitt’s) - A police officer who was gunned down only one year ago was being remembered. The friends and family of the late Constable Delvin Nisbett gathered at the Caines Funeral Home on Wednesday, to commemorate the celebration of life. Also in attendance were the Minister of National Security G. A. Dwyer Astaphan, Deputy Commissioner of Police Mederith Charles and other well-wishers. Charles, who also paid tribute in respect of the slain officer, commended the resilience of the constable branch board and also vowed to bring murderers to justice. He has also beckoned to those leading unproductive lives to make a right about turn and turn in their weapons. Others paid their respects and offered tributes in the form of poems and songs.

PRIME MINISTER DOUGLAS TO SHED LIGHT ON THE ROAD AHEAD FOR FOR ST. KITTS AND NEVIS AFTER SUGAR

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, JULY 28^TH 2005 (CUOPM) – The transformation of the St. Kitts and Nevis economy following the official closure of the sugar industry, will be outlined by St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Dr. the Hon. Denzil L. Douglas, during Friday’s debate in the National Assembly.

Prime Minister Douglas will also speak on the restructuring of the debt of the St. Kitts Sugar Manufacturing Corporation (SSMC), the associated and transitional projects during the debate on the resolution, which will be moved by the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. Cedric Liburd.

Minister Liburd in moving the motion, will also give an historical overview of the Sugar Industry and State of Affairs.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education and Social Development, the Hon. Sam Condor will speak on the training, re-orientation and the Social Safety Net Programmes and Issues.

The severance package, agreed to between the St. Kitts-Nevis Trades and Labour Union and the St. Kitts Sugar Manufacturing Corporation (SSMC) and accepted by the Cabinet, will be discussed by Minister of National Security and Labour, the Hon. Dwyer Astaphan, who will also give an assessment of the job market and speak on security issues.

Health care for the sugar workers, the South-South Programme for Optical Care for the population in general will be presented by Minister of Health, the Hon. Rupert Herbert.

Minister of Public Works, Dr. the Hon. Earl Asim Martin will make a presentation on the post-closure soil conservation and the continued maintenance of agricultural roadways and other related infrastructure, while Minister of State for Information and Technology, Sen. the Hon. Nigel Carty will speak on information technology on education, training and re-orientation for sugar workers, IT initiatives and poverty alleviation.

The prospects for the Tourism Industry in St. Kitts and Nevis and the opportunities in the tourism sector for former sugar workers will be outlined by Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism, Sport and Culture, Sen. the Hon. Ricky Skerritt.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, the Hon. Delano Bart, will speak about SSMC’s contractual arrangements including the St. Kitts Scenic Railway and obligations as well as their long-term implications.

ST. KITTS SUGAR WORKERS TO SHARE EC$44 MILLION IN SEVERANCE PAYOUT

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, JULY 28^TH 2005 (CUOPM) – Sugar workers who will be severed when the sugar industry closes on July 30^th will share a total payout of EC$44 million, thanks to a 1961 Agreement between the St. Kitts-Nevis Trades and Labour Union and the then Sugar Producers Association, forerunner of the St. Kitts Sugar Manufacturing Corporation (SSMC).

St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Denzil L. Douglas in outlining the benefits that will come to the workers as a result of the closure of the industry, told hundreds of sugar workers during a meeting at the Factory Social Centre, that his St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party Administration has accepted the 1961 Agreement, which calls for long service workers in the field and factory to be paid severance of 104 weeks instead of the 52 weeks called for in the 1986 Protection of Employment Act passed by the former People’s Action Movement Administration.

Prime Minister Douglas said that come August 5^th, sugar workers will be paid their wages for the last working week, holiday pay and all bonuses including Dull Season bonus, End of Crop bonus, Incentive Easter bonus and Christmas bonus in one pay packet.

He said in the 104 weeks severance payment will be paid in two installments. The first payment will meet the requirement of 52 weeks in compliance with the 1986 Protection of Employment Act and will be paid during the second week of September.

“But although the Act says it must be paid in 12 weeks or three months, we as a Labour Government will not wait that long and will pay it in 6 weeks,” Prime Minister Douglas said.

He said that the additional 52 weeks payment which will meet in full the 104 weeks severance in compliance with the 1961 Agreement will be paid in before December or in December as the St. Kitts-Nevis Anguilla National Bank will not be able to pay the full EC$44 million in six weeks.

“The Bank is saying that it cannot afford to pay more than EC$22 million in six weeks time. The Bank says it does not have it to pay one time, the SSMC has gone bankrupt and cannot pay it, so this Government will because the SSMC cannot pay it has to go to the Bank to borrow it and the Bank has told us that it cannot afford to lend more than US$22 million in six weeks time and will need some more time to get the additional EC$22 million,” said Prime Minister Douglas.

Dr. Douglas gave an example of what workers will get as a result of his Labour Government’s acceptance of the1961 Agreement, which gave 104 weeks severance compared to the 52 weeks under the 1986 Protection of Employment Act passed by the former Kennedy Simmonds People’s Action Movement Administration.

“An ordinary person from Belmont Estate, an ordinary worker or laborer who has worked for more that 30 years in the industry, if we were to follow the PAM Government Act of 1986, would only give you EC$8,000. Today, that person can get EC$26,000 as a result of the 1961 Agreement. Somebody 68 years old and who worked for 36 years also in Belmont, they would have received under the 1986 PAM Act, EC$16,000, but by the Labour Government honouring the Agreement with your Union, that same person, the ordinary worker, will go home with EC$36,000,” said Prime Minister Douglas.

He said the People’s Action Movement came to office in 1980 and in 1986 passed a law to make sugar workers worse off. “Labour came back in office since 1995 and today it is making you better off by accepting the 1961 Agreement.”

Prime Minister Douglas noted that when sugar workers retired from the industry after forty and 50 years, “they were sent home with nothing.”

“Not even a little thank you, and that has really penetrated our hearts, because we know that you work hard and you worked for little money before Labour took over the industry in 1995. And so we have a lot of people who are still alive who between 1975 and today 2005, have been sent home under retirement without any benefits whatsoever, and we say that now we closing the industry we are going to look after them,” said Prime Minister Douglas.

He said all former sugar workers, who retired since 1975 and who went home without any gratuity or pension, will now give get a gratuity when the monies are paid within six weeks time.

“They will also benefit from an industry that they toiled to build and which gave them very little over a period of time,” said Prime Minister Douglas, who noted that Seasonal workers, those who were only employed during the reaping or harvesting will also be paid..

“Just like the Guyanese and the Santo Domingo workers, they are seasonal and contract workers and they come here only for a period of time, but they are workers too and they are going to get their money. All workers in the Sugar Industry will benefit from this package,” said Prime Minister Douglas.

Dr. Douglas said that sugar workers who do not have a home will get the opportunity to purchase one. “All of you who do not yet have your home, we give a commitment that you will be provided with those homes. Those of you who have an NHC house and are in the industry, a lot of you don’t know, but the land on which the house is, you got the land completely free when we build those houses for you,” remarked Dr. Douglas.

He noted that since coming to office in 1995, some 400 sugar industry workers or their families have benefited from the “Village Lands Freehold Act,” which states that if you or your family have been living on village lands since 1967, you are entitled to get that land free.

ST. KITTS AND NEVIS PARLIAMENT TO DEBATE

RESOLUTION ON CLOSING THE SUGAR INDUSTRY

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, JULY 27^TH 2005 (CUOPM) – Friday’s Sitting of the National Assembly of St. Kitts and Nevis will debate a Resolution to officially close the Federation’s 300-year-old Sugar Industry.

The Resolution to be tabled by St. Kitts and Nevis Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. Cedric Liburd calls for the lifting of the ceiling or cap on bus and taxi operations to allow those in the former sugar workers, who are drivers to be absorbed into the taxi or bus industry.

It will call on the Banks and other financial institutions be encouraged to create special packages for sugar workers with an interest in farming, fishing, and small business and that duty-free concessions be given on the importation of farming tools, equipment, and materials for former sugar workers who take up occupation in the areas of farming and small business related to farming.

The Resolution will also call for relief to be granted from corporation tax and traders tax for a period of five years for small businesses established by former sugar workers.

Relief from consumption tax will also be granted to all fishermen and farmers to stimulate growth and employment in the Agricultural and Fisheries Sectors.

The Resolution will also declare that the artifacts of the Sugar Industry become part of the protected heritage of St. Christopher and Nevis and it shall be an offence to remover without a licence from the Minister, any of these artifacts or to otherwise alienate them from their use as part of the national heritage.

LOCAL VENDORS AT SOUTH FRIARS BAY GET ASSISTANCE

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, JULY 25^TH (CUOPM) – Three local vendors have been given permission by the owners of land on South Friars Bay, to provide temporary vendoring services on their private property.

South Friars Bay Development has begun blasting the nearby hills for the construction of condominiums and villas on the hillside and seaside of the area and for the establishment of a Dolphin Park and all vendors were moved from the immediate area of blasting for their own safety and that of their clients.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism, Sports and Culture, Sen. the Hon. Ricky Skerritt indicated that following a meeting with the vendors, the Frigate Bay Development Corporation, through the assistance of the Ministry, rented booths to three vendors, Keithly Hanley, Ivan Weeks and Sheila Casey.

Manager of Product Development in the St. Kitts Tourism Authority, Mr Randolph Hamilton said the Authority’s five-year tourism strategic marketing plan calls for a more aesthetically-looking booths on all of beaches including Frigate Bay.

During a visit to Frigate Bay it was disclosed that existing booths would be relocated to provide additional beach space that will allow locals and visitors to enjoy the island’s natural resource.

Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Denzil L. Douglas, other Ministers and officials visited the area last Thursday, as part of a tour of several tourism development sites at Whitegate, South Friars Bay and Frigate Bay.

150 DELEGATES TO ATTEND CARICLEC ENGINEERS CONFERENCE

AND SUPPLY CHAIN SEMINAR AT ST. KITTS MARRIOTT

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, JULY 23RD (CUOPM) – St. Kitts and Nevis is the venue for the 2005 Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation (CARILEC) Engineers Conference and Supply Chain Seminar which opens here on Monday.

The Conference, co-hosted by the St. Kitts Electricity Department and the Nevis Electricity Company Ltd., is being held at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort and Royal Beach Casino under the theme: “Leveraging Technologies to Create Value.”

Conference Coordinator, Mr. Lawrence Benjamin said 150 delegates are to attend the July 25^th to 27^th Conference.

He said the keynote address will be delivered by St. Kitts and Nevis’ Minister of Public Works, Utilities, Transport and Posts, Dr. the Hon. Earl Asim Martin during the Opening Ceremony, which will include remarks by Manager/Engineer of the St. Kitts Electricity Department, Mr. John Channer; Manager of ABB, Bruce Beauman and CARILEC Executive Director, Mr. Victor Poyotte. Mr. Lawrence will deliver the Vote of Thanks.

During the sessions, Engineer at the St. Kitts Needsmust Power Station, Mr. Bertil Browne will give an “Overview of the Transmission and Distribution System in St. Kitts” and Manager of the Nevis Electricity Company, Dr. Fred Isaac, will deliver a paper on “Value-based Distribution Reliability Planning.”

Mr. Lawrence told the Communications Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister that delegates will discuss “Successful Metering Automation,” “Marine fuel legislation and the impact on Caribbean utilities,” “Fuel Management in rising energy costs,” “How fixed networks can meet meter reading needs and beyond,” “Solar water heater – a profit centre for utilities” and “Integration of oil test results and economic scheduling.”

He said delegates will take time off away from the conference centre to visit the Needsmust Power Plant on St. Kitts and the facility in Nevis .

Other topics for discussion also include “Options for mitigating the impact of fuel price increase,” “Online Professional Development,” “Improving Island Management with Better Asset Management,” “Improving existing diesel power plant efficiency,” “How Geographic Information Systems (GIS) influenced the recovery efforts after Hurricane Ivan in Grenada ” and “Transformer Asset Management.”

CARILEC – an Association of Electric Utilities – has a membership of 30 full members of Electricity Departments and Companies from the English, French and Dutch-speaking Caribbean and 37 Associate Members.

The St. Lucia-based CARILEC Secretariat strives to enhance communication among its members and to serves as the focal point for general and technical information. The Secretariat takes the lead in advocating for change in the electric utility industry in the Caribbean and in this regard produces a number of information products and provides a range of services.

It delivers a programme of high-quality training to upgrade the skills of member utility and electricity industry personnel in the areas of engineering, technical, administration and management; organises the annual or occasional regional conferences which allows for interaction among electricity stakeholders and utility professionals operating in the fields of Public Relations & Corporate Communications, Executive Management, Engineers & Purchasing, Information Systems, Finance, Customer Service, Human Resource and Renewable Energy and routinely collects information about a wide range of industry activities, maintains databases and disseminates information to members through regular electronic mail, general publications, a website and telecommunication.

The CARILEC Hurricane Assistance Plan assists members in disaster planning and hurricane restoration activities and gave assistance to the Federation in the aftermath of Hurricanes Georges and Lenny.

HARRIS, AMORY ATTEND GOVERNANCE WORKSHOP IN TRINIDAD

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, JULY 23^RD 2005 (CUOPM) – Chairman of the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party, Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris and Political Leader of the Concerned Citizens, the Hon. Vance Amory will be among three Prime Ministers, Premiers, Chief Ministers, Leaders of the Opposition, and other political party and civil society leaders from twelve Commonwealth countries in the Caribbean meeting in Trinidad next week.

The July 25th to 27th meeting will discuss how governments and opposition parties can work together to strengthen the democratic process in their countries and the region.

The theme of the Conference is “Government and Opposition – Roles, Rights and Responsibilities.”

“It is hoped that through an exchange of information, views and expert knowledge, participants will be able to distill current thinking on the subject, highlight examples of good practice and after consideration of past and present experience, make practical proposals for future action,” said Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Florence Mugasha.

The First Session deals with “How should Governments govern.” The Second Session is on “How should Oppositions oppose.” The Third Session is on “Reforming Parliament: and the Electoral System,” while Session Four will be on “Accountability: Oversight Institutions, the Media and Civil Society.”

“Political Parties: strengthening the key link in the chain” will be discussed at Session Six and Session Seven will deal with “The Broader Context – gender and human rights.”

At the meeting, which will be opened by Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister, the Hon. Patrick Manning, the leaders will highlight best practice and make proposals for future action.

Commonwealth Secretary-General The Right Hon. Don McKinnon will be visiting Trinidad and Tobago during the workshop and will address the gathering on 26 July.

The Opening Session of the workshop, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Monday, 25 July, will take place in the Chamber of the House of Representatives.

Speaking at the Session also will be the Parliamentary Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Basdeo Panday; Speaker of the House of Representatives in Trinidad & Tobago, the Hon. Barenda Sinanan; Director, Political Affairs Division, Commonwealth Secretariat, representing the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Mr Matthew Neuhaus; Programme Manager, Foreign Policy and Community Relations, CARICOM, representing the CARICOM Secretary-General, Ms. Charmaine Atkinson-Jordan; Director of Programmes, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Mr. Niall Johnston and Co-ordinator, Citizens' Agenda Network, Trinidad & Tobago, Mrs. Sheilah Solomon.

The workshop has been organised by the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, in co-operation with the Citizens' Agenda Network, a Trinidad and Tobago non-governmental organisation.

A similar meeting between government and opposition leaders was held in Maputo, Mozambique, in January 2004 for the thirteen Commonwealth countries which are members of the South African Development Community (SADC).

This was organised by the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) in conjunction with the SADC Parliamentary Forum. The Commonwealth Secretariat and CPA plan to have a similar workshop for Commonwealth Pacific countries later this year.

As life returns to Pond, area to be developed for recreational fishing, kayaking, and canoeing

MAJOR PLANS DISCUSSED TO MAKE FRIGATE

BAY A COMMUNITY ENTERTAINMENT PARK

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, JULY 23^RD 2005 (CUOPM) - Major plans for converting the land around the Salt Pond at Frigate Bay into a community entertainment park and improving the beach so that economic activity can be generated for the local vendors have been outlined by Minister of State for Tourism, Sports and Culture, Sen. the Hon. Ricky Skerritt.

He told St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Denzil L. Douglas and other officials who were on a tour of Frigate Bay, that the proposed plans will generate the kind of economic and customer flows to justify having the local vendors on the beach so that they can benefit from the spin off, not only from citizens and residents patronising the area, but also cruise ship passengers and stay over visitors.

“We are also discussing the installation of buoys that will allow yachts and other pleasure craft to moor in Frigate Bay . We intend to construct a tender pier that will service the dinghies from those yachts and pleasure craft. It gives them the means to come ashore and patronise the local vendors all year round and especially during the high season,” said Mr. Skerritt, who praised the workers of the Frigate Bay Development Corporation.

“The beach has to be kept clean. The vendors booths have to be in an orderly manner, proper parking will be in designated in areas, the boating enhanced and the economic activity properly lay out and regularised,” said Skerritt.

He said that as part of the enhancement of Frigate Bay , the existing booths will be relocated to provide additional beach space that will allow locals and visitors to enjoy the island’s natural resource.

Minister Skerritt disclosed also that use of the road nearest to the beach will be discontinued and traffic will now flow on the main dirt road which now becomes a one way route allowing vehicles to flow in one direction. Cars will now enter just outside of Timothy Beach Hotel and exit on the other end at the road leading from Dolce Cabana.

Chief Physical Planning Officer, Mr. Ellis Hazel said that as life was slowly returning to the 17-acre Salt Pond, plans are also being discussed to develop the area into a recreational fishing ground as well as for non motorised boating such as kayaking and canoeing.

He said the intention is to put in the basic infrastructure that would influence a recreational theme park with space for picnicking, kite flying and separate jogging, pedal biking and walking trails.

Mr. Hazel said a project, being undertaken by the Frigate Bay Development Corporation and All Dive and Marine Company Ltd, has led to the installation of a mechanism to flush the Salt Pond to ensure its continued rehabilitation.

“There is immediate evidence that the pond is now cleaner and this has led to more birds and an abundance of fish. This could now generate income from activities such as bird watching and pleasure fishing, providing additional income for local vendors,” said All Dive and Marine Company, Russell Rousseau, who added that tarpon, mullet and snook - three recognised game fish - that have begun to breed again in the ponds.

Skerritt pointed out that since the effort has begun, more and more local persons have been using the shaded areas for family outdoor activities.

“We need to create more public green space. Our own people need that, Sir,” Minister Skerritt told Prime Minister Douglas.

PM DOUGLAS AND CABINET MINISTERS VISIT

BEAUMONT PARK RACE TRACK AT WHITEGATE

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, JULY 22^ND 2005 (CUOPM) – St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Denzil L. Douglas led his Cabinet colleagues on a world-wind visit to several tourism-related construction sites in the Whitegate, South Friars Bay and Frigate Bay areas on Thursday.

The first stop was at the US$17 million Beaumont Park Track for thoroughbred horse and horse greyhound races in the Whitegate area of Dieppe Bay, where a racing facility is under currently under construction.

Beaumont Park Horse Track spokesman, Mr. Arthur Sharpe said stalls are being built to hold 100 horses.

“A six furlough or three-quarters of a mile track is here. A five-furlough chute and a seven and a half furlough chute, which will enable us to run any distances is being laid,” said Beaumont Park Horse Track spokesman, Mr. Arthur Sharpe.

He said the design for the Grand Stand is substantially complete and construction is to start within 45 days upon approval.

“We will have 120 greyhounds and any local person, who wants to have a dog, we will give that person a dog free of cost, so that he can race against us to encourage the whole product,” said Sharpe, who said that horse races and greyhound races will be taking place on the same day.

“We will probably run a horse race, then a dog race, then a horse race, then a dog race, which will keep the spectators entertained during their down time,” said Sharpe.

He said the straight track is going to be well lit, which will enable the staging of greyhound races at night and for broadcast overseas.

Mr. Sharpe said the Beaumont Park company will soon be publishing advertisements shortly seeking local persons in becoming trainers, jockeys or horse attendants.

“We have linked up with a jockey school in the United States and any youngster who want to be a jockey, we will send him away on scholarship to learn to ride. We will also have trainers and professional grooms, who will be able to teach persons how to look after horses,” said Mr. Sharpe.

He disclosed that the Beaumont Park Horse Track company is already attracting operations from Nevis, Antigua and St. Croix.

Prime Minister Douglas was accompanied by Minister of Health, the Hon. Rupert Herbert; Minister of Housing, Agriculture, Fisheries and Consumer Affairs, the Hon. Cedric Liburd; Minister of State with responsibility for Finance, Sustainable Development, Information and Technology, Sen. the Hon. Nigel Carty and Minister of State with responsibility for Tourism, Sports and Culture, Sen. the Hon. Richard Skerritt and Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, the Hon. Delano Bart.

Beaumont’s Park’s vision is for St. Kitts to have the premier horse and greyhound racing track in the Caribbean.

SUGAR FACTORY RECEIVED

LAST CANES AT 1:15 PM ON FRIDAY 22ND JULY 2005

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, JULY 22^ND 2005 (CUOPM) – It is a day that will go down in the historic annals of the history of St. Kitts and Nevis, when at 1:15 P.M. on Friday 22^nd July 2005, flower-decorated locomotives with their sirens and horns blaring, brought the last the tonnes of cane to sugar factory for grinding from the fields.

Several sugar workers from field and factory witnessed two locomotives – one travelling from the West and the other from the North - crisscrossed each other in the presence of several Ministers of Government, officials and news media representatives, just outside the Communications Office in the factory yard.

Loco # 15 which came from the North with 15 full carts was driven by Leroy Taylor with Dennis Arthurton and Keith Garnett as switchers. Loco # 1 with 17 full carts, had Keith Powell as the driver and E. Smith and Cleon Carty as switchers and came from the West.

Among the many persons witnessing the historic moment were Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth, Social and Community Development and Gender Affairs, the Hon. Sam Condor; Minister of National Security, Justice, Immigration and Labour, the Hon. Dwyer Astaphan and Minister of State with responsibility for Finance, Sustainable Development, Information and Technology, Sen. the Hon. Nigel Carty and National Emergency Management Agency official, Mrs. Telca Wallace.

In brief remarks during a short ceremony presided over by Press Secretary to the Prime Minister, Mr. Erasmus Williams; Minister of Housing, Agriculture, Fisheries and Consumer Affairs, the Hon. Cedric Liburd, said the debt of the St. Kitts Sugar Manufacturing Corporation is now at a staggering EC$350 million.

“We have done all that we can to save the sugar industry, but because of the high cost of production in relation to monies received and the pending 39 percent reduction for sugar bought from the ACP countries including St. Kitts and Nevis, we had to take that decision,” said Minister Liburd.

He noted that since the official announcement was made in the Speech from The Throne by the Governor General His Excellency Dr. Sir Cuthbert Sebastian that 2005 would be the last year for harvesting of sugar canes, there has been widespread discussions on the imminent closure of the loss making industry.

Minister Liburd said following discussions with the Ministry of Agriculture and the SSMC, a Transition Office was established with the assistance of the International Institute for Co-operation in Agriculture (IICA), which is financing the Team Leader in the person of Mr. Gordon Alert of Jamaica.

He said the plans that were drawn up for closure of the industry also included plans for the future of a sugar cane industry.

“It has been said that we need to look at using the sugar cane plant for a rum industry, animal feed, the co-generation of electricity and the production of ethanol,” said Minister Liburd. He said the Transition Team has been mandated to carry out feasibility studies to ascertain the viability of those projects.

Non-sugar agriculture will play an important role in the diversification of this sector and over 1,500 acres of land has been distributed to farmers for food crop and livestock production aimed at providing more fruits, vegetables and meat for local and overseas consumption.

He said a Marketing Study, presented by the Caribbean Agricultural Development Institute (CARDI) has outlined the steps to be taken to achieve these goals.

The SSMC Transition Team has been holding meetings with sugar workers in island wide town hall meetings over the past several months.

Following the completion of negotiations on the redundancy of the sugar workers between the St. Kitts-Nevis Trades and Labour Union and the St. Kitts Sugar Manufacturing Corporation (SSMC), union officials held meetings with workers on the field side of the sugar industry at Tabernacle and the Verchilds High School at 8:30 A.M. and 10:00 A.M. respectively on Friday.

Field workers from St. Peters and factory employees will meet with the officials of the Union at 9:00 A.M. on Saturday 23^rd July at the Factory Social Centre.

St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Denzil L. Douglas and other Cabinet Ministers will meet all sugar workers at 3:00 P.M. at the Factory Social Centre on Tuesday 26^th July. Minister Liburd, along with other officials of the Union and the SSMC, are expected to attend the meeting.

The St. Kitts Sugar Industry began losing money in 1980. Since the mid-1980's, the industry has been importing overseas cane cutters to harvest the sugar crop. This year some 232 cane cutters from Guyana and 75 from the Dominican Republic have been recruited. Only 60 locals are cane cutters are on the pay roll.

A SSMC Sugar Transition Team has been installed and has been holding discussions with the St. Kitts-Nevis Trades and Labour Union on severance and other benefits for the workers. Team members as well as officials from the Ministry of Social Development and the Department of Labour have had extensive discussions island-wide with workers on the exit strategy from sugar. Highest priority is being given to the re-training and re-orientation and assistance to the workers.

A Ministerial Committee of the Cabinet also liaise with the Transition Team and provides a weekly update to the Cabinet.

UNION AND SSMC REACH AGREEMENT ON

REDUNDANCY OF SUGAR WORKERS

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, JULY 22^ND 2005 (CUOPM) - With the imminent closure of the sugar industry, the St. Kitts-Nevis Trades and Labour Union, the bargaining body for sugar workers and the management of the St. Kitts Sugar Manufacturing Corporation (SSMC) has reached agreement on the redundancy of the employees.

According to the Agreement signed by President of the St. Kitts-Nevis Trades and Labour Union, His Excellency Ambassador Walford Gumbs and the General Manager of the St. Kitts Sugar Manufacturing Corporation (SSMC), Mr. Joseph Alfred, agreement was reached with respect to proposals forwarded to the management of the industry by the Union.

“Agreement in particular has been reached in respect to severance pay, based

on the 1961 Agreement with the Union, with additional graduated payment based on years of service between 36 years and above,” said the signed Joint Release.

The Release also said that agreement has been reached in respect to payments to overseas seasonal workers and the granting of an ex-gratia payment to workers retired since 1975 with a minimum of 20 years of service to the industry.

“The Agreement also includes provisions for previous and continued medical services; retraining and reorientation, with several employees in training receiving a weekly stipend during attendance at training; the implementation of a housing scheme for workers of certain categories who do not own a home, and the pursuit of non–sugar (operations) utilising agricultural lands and extension support available to interested served employees,” said the one-page Agreement.

The St. Kitts-Nevis Trades and Labour Union was expected to meet over the next two days with the workers in the industry to discuss the full details of the Agreement.

Under the Agreement reached in 1961, when National Heroes, the Right Excellencies Sir Robert L. Bradshaw, Sir C.A. Paul Southwell and Sir Joseph N. France, were President, First Vice President and General Secretary respectively of the St. Kitts-Nevis Trades and Labour Union, long service employees are entitled to 104 weeks severance pay.

Under The Protection of Employment Act passed by the People’s Action Movement in 1986, long service employees are entitled to no more than 52 weeks severance payment.

Government will close the loss making sugar industry at the end of the reaping of the last crop this month. Some 1500 workers are to be affected.

Since the mid-1980's, the industry has been importing overseas cane cutters to harvest the sugar crop. This year some 232 cane cutters from Guyana and 75 from the Dominican Republic have been recruited. Only 60 locals are cane cutters are on the pay roll.

A SSMC Sugar Transition Team has been installed and has been holding discussions with the St. Kitts-Nevis Trades and Labour Union on severance and other benefits for the workers. Team members as well as officials from the Ministry of Social Development and the Department of Labour have had extensive discussions island-wide with workers on the exit strategy from sugar. Highest priority is being given to the re-training and re-orientation and assistance to the workers.

A Ministerial Committee of the Cabinet also liase with the Transition Team and provides a weekly update to the Cabinet.

The European Union has announced a 39% reduction for sugar bought from ACP countries. The action, which has been strongly condemned by the Caribbean Heads of Government devastate the most important agricultural enterprise in the Region and a profound blow would be dealt to the small, vulnerable developing economies involved like St. Kitts and Nevis.

EU CONVENES MEETING OF DONOR PARTNERS TO DISCUSS ASSISTING TRANSFORMATION OF ST. KITTS AND NEVIS ECONOMY

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, JULY 21^ST 2005 (CUOPM) – The European Union (EU) is convening a meeting with its donor partners aimed at a assisting in the transformation of the St. Kitts and Nevis economy in light of the closure of the sugar industry.

According to the Ministry of Finance, regional and international agencies are sending representatives to meeting at which the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis is expected to present a post-sugar Plan of Action to the regional and international donor community.

The Plan is expected to encompass not only the agricultural sector, but all sectors of the economy that would be affected by the transition.

The meeting on Friday 22^nd July at the Ocean Terrace Inn (OTI) Conference Room will be attended by representatives from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the Delegation of the European Commission in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID), the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (UNECLAC), the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), the International Institute for Co-operation in Agriculture (IICA), the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), the Organisation of American States (OAS), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the US-Jamaica/Caribbean Group and the CARICOM Secretariat.

Officials from the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in Washington , D.C. will participate via telephone and video conference.

Local officials attending the meeting will be drawn from the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Social Development, Community and Gender Affairs, the Ministry of International Trade, the Ministry of Social Development, the St. Kitts Sugar Manufacturing Corporation (SSMC), the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministerial Sub- Committee of the Cabinet, the Sugar Transition Office and the St. Kitts-Nevis Trades & Labour Union.

Head of the European Delegation in the Eastern Caribbean His Excellency, Amos Tincani, who organised the meeting, said the European Commission has made a pledge to assist St. Kitts and Nevis in the short-term in view of the closure of the sugar industry. Ambassador Tincani has also pledged the long-term cooperation of the EU with ACP sugar protocol countries to help them in adapting to a less-subsidised sugar market and has proposed an 8-yerar partnership from 2006 to 2013.

In recent discussions with the Head of Delegation of the European Commission in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Ambassador Tincani, Prime Minister Douglas recommended that the European Commission put in place an adjustment programme as part of the Federation’s sugar transition strategy.

He said the nation has been forced to exit from sugar production as a result of the economic realities and the international trading practices today that do not allow us to continue to produce sugar for the export market.

The Barbados-based U.S. Ambassador to St. Kitts and Nevis , Her Excellency Mrs. Mary Kramer has also given an undertaking to the Federation’s Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Denzil L. Douglas to meet with key agricultural stakeholders in St. Kitts and Nevis to sensitise them to various techniques and opportunities based on the (State of) Iowa model.

Government will close the loss making sugar industry at the end of the reaping of the last crop this month. Some 1500 workers are to be affected.

A Ministerial Committee of the Cabinet also liase with the Transition Team and provides a weekly update to the Cabinet.

PM DOUGLAS PROUD OF FIRSTCARIBBEAN

INTERNATIONAL BANK’S LISTING ON THE ECSE

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, JULY 21^ST 2005 (CUOPM) – St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Denzil L. Douglas has congratulated the Board of Directors and local management of FirstCaribbean International Bank on its historic listing on the Basseterre-based Eastern Caribbean Securities Exchange (ECSE).

Speaking at a reception to mark the occasion at Tigers, St. Kitts Marriott Resort on Wednesday night, Prime Minister Douglas said he was proud that the Monetary Council of which he was the outgoing Chairman, had taken the right decision two years ago to create the Eastern Caribbean Securities Exchange (ECSE).

He said the listing demonstrates confidence in the Eastern Caribbean Securities Exchange, not only as a development partner in the ECCU area, but also as the first truly regional financial institution, with branches in 16 Caribbean countries and a vast global outreach and corporate partnership.

Dr. Douglas referred to the decision to close the sugar industry in St. Kitts and Nevis in a few weeks and that as the workers will be paid their severance payment with the assistance of the Federal Government, the Banking Institutions and the Government had an obligation to ensure that monies are put to the best use.

FirstCaribbean International is the second foreign or non-OECS Company to list on the ECSE. The listing gives shareholders in the region yet another investment opportunity by trading in the Bank's shares.

The company, whose trading symbol on the ECSE will be FCI (FirstCaribbean International Bank) is the largest regionally-listed bank in the English-speaking Caribbean, with assets of US$10 billion and a market capitalisation of US$3 billion.

With over 3,300 staff; 100 retail branches, corporate and international banking centres in 16 countries, the Bank serves over 750,000 active accounts from Belize to The Bahamas to Trinidad & Tobago.

From inception, the Bank has been rated as “A-Stable” by Standard & Poor's – the highest rating of any commercial bank in the English-speaking Caribbean .

The Bank was formed in 2002 from the combination of the Caribbean operations of CIBC and Barclays Bank. In 2004 and 2005, FirstCaribbean was named “Best Emerging Market Bank” in the Region by Global Finance magazine of New York and “Bank of the Year” in the Region in 2004, by The Banker magazine of London.

The Eastern Caribbean Securities Exchange (ECSE) is a regional securities market established by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank and licensed under the Securities Act of 2001 - a uniform regional body of legislation governing securities market activities.

The ECSE is designed to facilitate the buying and selling of financial products - including corporate stocks and bonds and government securities - for the eight member territories of Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. It is the first regional securities market in the Western Hemisphere.

PM DOUGLAS TO HAND OVER MONETARY COUNCIL CHAIRMANSHIP

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, JULY 21^ST 2005 (CUOPM) - St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Denzil L. Douglas left here Thursday afternoon for St. Lucia to attend Friday’s 53^rd Meeting of the Monetary Council of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB).

Prime Minister Douglas, who is also Minister of Finance, Information, Technology and Sustainable Development, Tourism, Sports and Culture will hand over the Chairmanship of the Authority on Friday morning to St. Lucia ’s Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Economic Affairs, Financial and Information Services, Dr. the Honourable Kenny Anthony.

The handing over takes place during a brief ceremony at the Bay Gardens Hotel in St. Lucia at 8:30 with deliberations starting at 9:00 a.m.

Ministers of Finance from Anguilla , Antigua and Barbuda , Dominica , Grenada , Montserrat , St. Lucia , St. Kitts & Nevis and St. Vincent and the Grenadines will receive the Governor's Report from Sir K. Dwight Venner on prevailing monetary and credit conditions and chart the way forward for the ECCB in light of the current regional and international environment, and the challenges facing the sub-region.

The Monetary Council will also provide the sub-regional financial institution with strategic directives and guidelines with respect to monetary and credit policy.

The Monetary Council will receive the Governor's report on monetary and credit conditions, and will provide directives and guidelines to the Bank, as mandated by the ECCB Agreement 1983, which governs the operations of the Central Bank.

The Monetary Council, which is the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank's highest decision-making body, meets three times a year. Chairmanship of the Council is rotated among the members annually.

EU CONVENES MEETING OF DONOR PARTNERS TO DISCUSS ASSISTING TRANSFORMATION OF ST. KITTS AND NEVIS ECONOMY

The Plan is expected to encompass not only the agricultural sector, but all sectors of the economy that would be affected by the transition.

Officials from the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in Washington , D.C. will participate via telephone and video conference.

Government will close the loss making sugar industry at the end of the reaping of the last crop this month. Some 1500 workers are to be affected.

A Ministerial Committee of the Cabinet also liase with the Transition Team and provides a weekly update to the Cabinet.

PM DOUGLAS PROUD OF FIRSTCARIBBEAN

INTERNATIONAL BANK’S LISTING ON THE ECSE

With over 3,300 staff; 100 retail branches, corporate and international banking centres in 16 countries, the Bank serves over 750,000 active accounts from Belize to The Bahamas to Trinidad & Tobago.

From inception, the Bank has been rated as “A-Stable” by Standard & Poor's – the highest rating of any commercial bank in the English-speaking Caribbean .

PM DOUGLAS TO HAND OVER MONETARY COUNCIL CHAIRMANSHIP

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