Nevis, West Indies. ?A Non-Tourist-Trap? Blog About Nevis.

St. Kitts – Nevis’ PM – Dr. Denzil Douglas
Photo By Erasmus Williams

Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
September 03, 2010 (CUOPM)

The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis has outlined a number of reforms being implemented in key sectors of the local economy to address the several challenges brought about by the current international economic and financial crisis.

In his address at the one-day pre-Budget National Consultation on the Economy on Thursday , St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas said it must be borne in mind that the reforms are intended to have a fiscal impact in the form of savings.

“We also intend to introduce reforms that would allow us to use our limited resources to achieve maximum benefits.  This is why we are also going to be identifying wastage and looking at ways for increasing productivity,” said the Prime Minister.

He disclosed that in the Ministry of Health’s tool which guides its strategic reform process is the document “Health St Kitts and Nevis – Strategic Plan for Health 2008-2012.”

The Ministry has taken up the challenge to become more responsive through the reconfiguration of its management to function as four (4) semi-autonomous but integrated programmes namely:
1. Office of Policy Development and Information Management

2. Institution Based Health services

3. Community Health Services

4. Parks and Beaches Unit
This strategic arrangement into discreet yet integrated units will allow the Ministry to enhance service delivery. This is a critical factor in evaluating the performance of the health sector.  The capacity of the Ministry to plan, monitor and evaluate its programmes has been improved tremendously as evidenced by development of the HIV Strategic Plan, the National Dietary Guidelines, the renewal of Primary Health Care Initiative and the Human resource planning undertaking.

“The Ministry is cognizant that partnership between state and non-state partners is critical to the success of its mission to ensure a healthy population.  To this end several areas for investment partnership have been identified and you our partners are encouraged to give your fullest support to this worthy cause which will directly and indirectly impact the state of our nation now and in the future,” said Dr. Douglas.

Education reform is mainly driven by the Ministry’s White Paper on Education Development and policy 2009-2019.  The strengthening of leadership and management has been identified as an area for concentration.  As a result a number of activities have been planned over the short to medium term. These include the development of a proper system of documentation and data collection, improvement and facilitation of teachers’ professional development and the establishment of clear guidelines and procedures to govern all activities undertaken by the Ministry of Education.

Facilitating intergenerational interaction has been cited in the White Paper as a desirable outcome.  In order to facilitate this activity a number of school clubs and after-school programmes in both Primary and Secondary schools are being developed.

“The incidence of violence in schools has also been highlighted as an area that needs special attention and the Ministry has employed a research psychologist to lead the Ministry’s drive to implement a school violence prevention programme,” said the Prime Minister.

Dr. Douglas disclosed that the Ministry of Education continues to monitor and evaluate reading ability in primary school students as well as the identification of other learning disabilities and to institute remedial action.

“At the secondary level the CXC-CSEC examinations pass rate continues to improve and now stands at 82.11 percent with the number of students being offered the opportunity to take these exams continuing to increase. The latter criteria is one that my Government pays particular attention to in evaluating the success of our education system. As we are all aware universal secondary education is available to all in St Kitts and Nevis, but it is the number of students that are able to graduate from the system and begin to contribute to the society that measures its success,” said the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance.

He informed that the Tourism Sector has been dealing with the challenges brought about by the global financial meltdown and the ensuing economic crisis with its usual resoluteness.

“Government has been supporting the sector by way of concession on taxes to full service stand alone restaurants and small hotels. We have been trying to assist these entities as important components of the sector to remain competitive during these trying economic times,” said the Prime Minister.

He alluded to the fact that even though there has been a fall off in Foreign Direct Investment, certain critical development projects continue without major obstacles. These include the Silver Reef Development, Ocean’s Edge, the Hyatt Resort and Spa and Christophe Harbour.

“I wish to urge all stakeholders in the sector to be proactive in dealing with the challenges which they face and to continue to build a positive reputation for themselves and our country,” said Dr. Douglas.

The Prime Minister said that the Ministry of International Trade, Industry, Commerce and Consumer Affairs continues to carry out its mandate to manage the country’s trade policy for the achievement of maximum benefits from participation in regional and international organizations.

Dr. Douglas added that the capacity of the Ministry has been greatly enhanced to perform its core functions and provide advice to the private sector through its participation in training opportunities offered by its counterparts.

The Ministry continues to evaluate the benefits being derived from participation in these organizations and to provide feedback to Government as to the nature and extent of its future relations.

It also works very closely with the manufacturing sector which despite the challenges brought on by the global events has continued to be a very important pillar in the economy.  Government continues to provide the necessary framework in which the sector can develop and expand.

The Prime Ministr also indicated that the Ministry of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Constituency Empowerment has established a Policy and Planning Unit to lead in agricultural planning and reform that would improve the nation’s food security.

The Ministry’s policy focus is to engage in activities which will lead to sustainable food production post sugar.  The Ministry continues to provide increased access to agricultural lands through the vesting of large tracts of land in the Ministry which are then be leased or rented to farmers joint venture with private enterprise is an area that needs to be further explored as we move forward with the transformation of the agricultural sector.

Dr. Douglas said that his administration works towards the development of the nation the maintenance of law and order remains a priority.

“The deviant behavior of our citizens of whatever age group is of paramount concern to us and therefore we are not only looking at the symptoms but we also endeavor to unearth the root causes form an early age so that we may prevent rather than just try to cure.  To this end the Government has been seeking expert assistance in the area of Gang Analysis from regional and international organizations.  The Government also continues to upgrade physical facilities occupied by the law enforcement bodies, provide the necessary training and development for officers and improve strategic planning and management of the resources available to us,” said the Prime Minister.

With respect to information technology, the ICT Development Unit is fully engaged in the process of strengthening the infrastructure to facilitate more ICT leveraging of which one of the major components is the implementation of a government Wide Area Network (GWAN).

Over the last three years a number of eGovernment services have been rolled out through the establishment of a Government Portal and Hospital Information System.  These have been achieved with the assistance of the Republic of China on Taiwan.

Prime Minister Douglas noted that during last year’s National Consultation, the way in which the Government was prioritizing activities related to youth was outlined.

He said that the Department of Youth continues to mobilize youths for positive action through volunteerism and community service.

The After School programme of the department is in its pilot stage and targets students from ages twelve to sixteen to meet over a twelve week period to be empowered with survival skills.

“The youth media programme has gained significant commendations and plans are in place to increase such activities. We understand that sports can be an important avenue for the channeling of youth energies and for training and development in the principles and values that should guide our youths,” said Prime Minister Douglas, who gave the assurance that his St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Government remains committed to the sports programme.

“We have been seeing the fruits of this investment in the form of success locally, regionally and internationally,” said Dr. Douglas.

He said that the Ministry responsible for Sports works very closely with the Ministry of Education and National Sporting Organizations to facilitate physical education instruction. The intention is also to have coaches work more intensely with potential athletes not only during school time but after school and on weekends.

“We believe that continued face to face engagement with our youths is one of the means by which they can be steered towards the right path of productive, meaningful lives,” said Prime Minister Douglas to the 200 participants from government ministries and departments, the private sector, non-governmental organisations and political groups.

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2. PM Douglas Outlines Hallmarks of New Mandate
3. St. Kitts – Nevis National Economic Meeting 2008
4. St. Kitts – Nevis Seeks Economic Help From Taiwan
5. PAM Outlines Vision for Economic Fairness, Justice and Opportunity

St. Kitts – Nevis To Add Valued Added Tax

Charlestown, Nevis
August 24, 2010

The residents of Nevis and St. Kitts and Nevis stand to benefit from a drop in prices on select consumer goods, when the Value Added Tax (VAT) Bill takes effect from November 1st, 2010. That view was expressed by Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs and Justice in St. Kitts and Nevis Hon. Patrice Nisbett in a recent interview with the Department of Information on Nevis.

In an effort to compliment the efforts of the Tax Reform Unit to help the public better understand the workings of VAT, Mr. Nisbett addressed the matter while on Nevis.

“What I would want the general public of Nevis to take note of, is that VAT is not really a new tax, I want to emphasise that. VAT in itself is a consumption tax and we were all along paying consumption taxes which were as high as 22.5%. What you would be moving from in most situations is a rate of 22.5% to a rate of 17%. When you go to the supermarket now, you are in fact paying consumption taxes on the items that you buy it is already built in the cost of the item.

“In some situations goods should become cheaper because you would be paying less taxes in relation to some items that you purchase. Some may become more expensive but a whole host of items will in fact become cheaper because the rate of the tax to be applied will in fact be less than the rate that is currently applied and I want the general public of Nevis to be aware of that,” he said.

Mr. Nisbett further added that the introduction of VAT would also benefit business owners since they would be in a position to conduct their business cheaper, it would improve their cash flow and therefore allow them to operate at cheaper costs.

He explained that they would be able to reclaim VAT when their monthly returns were filed with the Island Revenue Department after they had paid to acquire goods and services that they sold to the public.

Notwithstanding, Mr. Nisbett said there would be select goods and services exempted from VAT which would ease any undue pressure on those in the community who were less fortunate than others.

The Federal Parliamentarian said it was originally felt that electricity would have been one of the services that residents would have been paying VAT on but after much discussion electricity was exempted.

“This exemption applies both to both domestic and commercial supplies. So the business houses and your residential properties, those who have a supply of electricity would not be charged VAT on top of their bill at present,” he said.

In relation to water, Mr. Nisbett said there would be no VAT charged on the domestic water supply and therefore residential consumers should not expect VAT charges on their monthly bills for water consumption.

However, though he did not list the other items that would be exempted from the application of VAT, Mr. Nisbett explained that there was a set structure with regard to the VAT rates.

“There is a standard rate of 17%, there is a special or reduced rate of 10% and this rate will apply in the tourism and restaurant sectors and those who are involved in tours related to the tourism sector. They would be charged a rate of 10% on the services that they provide.

“The third rate is what we call zero rated. There are a number of items under the legislation which are zero rated and this is in an effort generally to have the VAT, some view as a regressive tax, operate in a progressive manner in that the items would be zero rated,” he said.

The Minister further explained that there was a food basket and a number of items were included and would be purchased at a VAT rate of zero%.

“We believe that this will bring tremendous relief to those who are poor and vulnerable in our society. It is in an effort to assist them in terms of their general purchasing power of these particular basic food items,” he said.

The VAT received safe passage in the National Assembly almost two weeks ago but the public awareness drive to enlighten residents of the tax continues on both Nevis and St. Kitts.

Mr. Nisbett said the tax was believed to be a fairer and much more efficient system of taxation and as the economy was transitioning into a services oriented economy, the necessary tax structure was essential in order to compliment the move and to ensure that St. Kitts and Nevis remained competitive in the global environment.

For his contribution to the ongoing awareness programme, Mr. Nisbett will host a Town Hall meeting for his constituents and other interested members of the public on Tuesday at the Brick Kiln Church of God from 7:30pm. Officials from the Tax Reform Unit will also be on hand to address any questions fielded by persons in attendance.

Related posts:

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2. St. Kitts – Nevis Government On Value Added Tax
3. Attorney General To Speak About Nevis’ Valued Added Tax
4. St. Kitts – Nevis To Implement A Value Added Tax VAT
5. St. Kitts – Nevis Government Reviews VAT Rate Proposals

Is Big Brother Listening To You?

Charlestown, Nevis
August 21, 2010

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs on St. Kitts and Nevis Hon. Patrice Nisbett said law abiding persons in the Federation need not fear the proposed Communications Interception Bill headed for debate in the Federal Assembly later this year.

Mr. Nisbett’s statement came in an interview with the Department of Information while on Nevis on Thursday. He explained that once the Bill became law, it would be used as a tool to enhance the crime fighting capabilities of the law enforcement agency in the Federation.

“This piece of legislation would be used as a tool in the crime fighting initiatives of the law enforcement agency in the country. All over the world in every democracy that you know about, there exists legislation of this nature and we have heard about the successes of the use of this particular legislation in order to assist in the detection and the prevention of criminal activity.

“We seriously believe that if this legislation is utilised in the way it ought to be utilised, we will be able to be more successful at our efforts to investigate and also gather the required evidence in order to bring perpetrators of crime to justice. So it’s all about improving our crime fighting capability so as to ensure that we deal with the criminal elements in our society,” he said.

The Attorney General noted that the relevant authorities had been aware that the technology was used for criminal activity and the Government was only responding with the legislation, to ensure that the Federation’s law enforcement agency had the requisite tools to deal with those who used the communications system to perpetrate criminal activity.

Mr. Nisbett said the legislation would establish a single legal framework, within which communications which came through public or private networks could be intercepted. Based on the provisions in the legislation, interception would be done in a very controlled manner, one in which the public would have the utmost confidence.

He used the opportunity to outline the circumstances under which the Court would grant authorisation to intercept communications.

“We have designed provisions of the legislation in such a manner that only the High Court Judge can issue an Order which deals with the interception of communication. So the Application is made and the evidence that is adduced in relation to the Application would be assessed by the High Court Judge and he would make the Order as to whether or not the application would be granted.

“The legislation also has certain safeguards built in it, in that, it outlines the grounds upon which an application can be made. Those grounds are generally – if it is a matter that one considers is in the national security interest of the country then one is authorised to make the application. Also, if one wants information in order to detect or prevent the commission of a crime, one can then approach the Court with the necessary affidavit evidence. Then the Court will consider the merits of the application and a determination would be made as to whether the Order, in those circumstances, would in fact be granted,” he said.

However, Mr. Nisbett noted that in situations where an offence was being committed or about to be committed and the information was required but the only way one could get the evidence was through interception of communication, under the legislation, the Court would be authorised to make an Order which would give the Authorised Officer the necessary permission to intercept that particular communication.

According to Mr. Nisbett, the Judge would also stipulate the duration for which the communication should be intercepted.

“It would be directed to a particular officer and it also would indicate what use can be made of that particular communication that is intercepted. There are also provisions which deal specifically with the storage of the communication all in an effort to protect the ordinary citizens so as to ensure that their freedoms that are guaranteed by the Constitution are indeed protected,” the Attorney General explained.

The Minister of Legal Affairs also sought to calm fears and concerns of phone users and advised that they need not be apprehensive.

“Phone users will not be affected because it is not by mere caprice that one would get an Order authorising interception of communication.” The way how the legislation is drafted there is an innterplay between the law enforcement agents and the judiciary. So if it’s not a national security matter, it is not a matter in relation to the commission of a particular offence or in order to detect the commission of an offence, there would be no need to approach the Court to make an order in respect of a particular individual.

“The ordinary man using his cell phone texting he will not be affected. He will be able to continue to use his cell phone or whatever means of communication it is without any interference from the relevant authorities. He will continue to use his phones like you and I use our phones on a daily basis and don’t have to worry about this particular piece of legislation being used so as to intercept their communications. It is only in those narrow categories outlined in the legislation the law enforcement agency and the Director of Public Prosecution can apply to the Court and get the Order,” he said.

Mr. Nisbett also added that the legislation is drafted in such a manner that the judiciary played an important role, unlike some jurisdictions namely Jamaica, where one did not need a Court Order to intercept communications for seven days without an actual Court Order authorising the interception.

However, he said in the case of St. Kitts and Nevis, the Government was mindful of the rights of the individuals and had crafted the legislation in such a way that it balanced the right to intercept the communication and the right to protect the individual rights to privacy.

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2. St. Kitts – Nevis Citizens Urged To Join Crime Fight
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