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

Nevis Island Premier – Joseph Parry

Charlestown, Nevis
May 11, 2010

Three Resolutions were unanimously passed in the Nevis Island Assembly on Thursday that will allow the Nevis Island Administration to obtain funds for the smooth running of Government.  Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon. Joseph Parry who tabled the resolutions, said they would assist Government to meet its commitments between May 2010 and 2011.

Resolution No. 2 of 2010 sought authorisation under section 49 of the Administration Act No. 13 of 2007, it will enable the Minister of Finance to borrow from commercial banks by means of advances in the form of fluctuating overdrafts with sums not exceeding $65 million.

Resolution No.3 of 2010 under the same legislation, requested a new overdraft facility in the sum of EC$50 million.  The third Resolution, No. 4 of 2010 sought authorization from the Assembly under section 54 of the same Act to change the form of the public debt.

According to the Premier, the Administration acting through its Ministry of Finance was desirous of converting its existing overdraft facility at the St. Kitts and Nevis Anguilla National Bank Ltd. in the amount of EC$64 million, into a long term loan facility to be repaid over a period of 15 years.

The loan facility would be extended based on a deposit of a Certificate of Title for 238.82 acres of land at Stockpen Estate registered in the name of the Nevis Housing and Land Development Corporation.  The use of the Title as security was authorised by a resolution from the Corporation through a resolution and a Caveat.

“The circumstances which led to the request for the resolutions, stemmed from the recession experienced in the Caribbean since 2007 that had negatively affected Nevis,” said Mr. Parry.

During the Assembly sitting the Premier said, the downturn of the Tourism industry in Nevis, like many other islands, had affected revenue.  He also said that the situation was compounded by the closure of the Four Seasons Resort in 2008, which he said had placed both the public and private sector in a disadvantageous position and had made it difficult for the government to meet its commitments.

Prior to tabling the Resolutions, negotiations were held between the National Bank and the Ministry of Finance led by Finance Minister, Hon. Joseph Parry.

Related posts:

1. First Sitting Of Nevis Island Assembly 2009
2. Nevis Island Assembly To Sit On Monday
3. Nevis Island Government Passes Six Bills
4. Nevis Island Assembly To Hold First Sitting For 2010
5. Nevis National Assembly To Meet On February 28, 2008

The Beach at Four Seasons Resort Nevis..After Omar

Charlestown, Nevis
February 09, 2010

Premier of Nevis Hon. Joseph Parry said the role of the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) in the successful reopening of the Four Seasons Resort, Nevis was proactive and not passive.

Mr. Parry made the NIA’s position clear in an interview with the Department of Information, on the heels of a number of meetings with bankers, Four Season’s representatives and other stakeholders on Thursday.

“The government’s role cannot be passive, we have to be very proactive [and] try to come up with creative ways to help them to move forward in the interest of all so that the hotel can be opened before the end of the year,” he said.

The Premier said the NIA had gone beyond the stage of offering concessions and had to become an active partner in the interest of Nevisians.

Four Seasons General Manager and Regional Vice President Mr. Andrew Humphries described the discussions as positive. He said in the end emerged a spirit of cooperation which brought the timely opening of the resort closer with the requisite standards.

“We all agree that a teamwork approach to resolving some of the issues is the way to go forward. I have to say that everyone has indicated they are very willing and open minded as to how we can achieve that goal and willing to step up to the plate.

“So I think it’s a testament to the government and to the banks that we have managed to move that far so quickly,” he explained.

Mr. Humphries also noted that the Homeowners Association were also involved in the deliberations since the homeowners on the estate were very critical to the discussion.

The Resort’s General Manager said during the meetings, there were also several consultants who presented various plans for several matters including reinstatement of the coastal protection and reinstatement of the landscaping. Others presented ideas on how the feel of the resort could be modernised, all with the aim of completing renovation work in a fairly short time period.

Related posts:

1. Four Seasons Resort Nevis Remains Closed…Still
2. Four Seasons Resort Nevis Closed Until April 30, 2009!
3. Four Seasons Resort Nevis Remains Closed
4. Open Letter To Four Seasons Resort Employees
5. Nevis Premier Reports On Four Seasons Resort Closing

Sea Bridge 2 Ferry In Nevis

Charlestown, Nevis
January 04, 2010

The Nevis Island Administration (NIA) was commended by a local entrepreneur and businessman for what he described as its key support to the development of small businesses on Nevis.

Mr. Rawlinson Isaac Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Sea Bridge (SKN) Inc, a ferry service which provides a 15 minute route to St. Kitts for vehicle owners and passengers, praised the Administration’s efforts in a recent interview with the Department of Information.

“I could never thank Premier Parry… for allowing us the opportunity to develop the thoughht and the idea of the Sea Bridge. The Nevis Island Administration as far as I am concerned, is the Administration for small business development and I can say that without any water in any corner of my mouth.

“Praises to the Hon. Joseph Parry and his cabinet, they continue to look out for small business and for small business opportunities,” he said.

The Sea Bridge commenced its ferry service in August 2007 via Cades Bay in Nevis to Majors Bay on the South East Peninsular in St. Kitts. Mr. Isaac described the venture as one which had exceeded expectations so far and had proved to be rewarding.

“That was always a pet project which came to fruition and it has exceeded expectations. When we did that project it was in response to the Christophe Harbour Development the government developmental strategy for the South East Peninsular and we said if that is going to happen, Nevis people must benefit.

“We had no intention of having this traffic that we see emerge as a result of the undertaking. It was really to encourage the Lefcos and the Chivertons and so on, to move material both aggregate and building material across to the Peninsular, so that we [Nevisians] got our fair share and if per chance anybody wants to go across, we will provide some human and vehicular accommodations that was it,” he explained.

Mr. Isaac said the project was an instant success from the first day of operations and a decision was taken very early to continue the investment, expand the fleet for greater service and provide employment.

To date the company has invested in excess of $12million in the undertaking notwithstanding the challenges that have been encountered.

“We have acquired the land there and we have done some work on the St. Kitts end. You must have heard that there are some challenges on the St. Kitts end…People are saying that they have to move us from there but I am saying that it may be the Sea Bridge who may have to move them from there.

“I think that the more people understand that that is the way forward the better it is for all of us. We are not going anywhere. We either work together or none of us get anywhere and that is going to be the mantra. We work together or we go nowhere together,” he said.

The Businessman thanked the people of Nevis and St. Kitts for their support which he described as “tremendous” and noted that the venture would have failed was it not for the unwavering support from individuals who use the service and the commercial sector.

With regard to the future of the Sea Bridge ferry service, Mr. Isaac predicted that it would get stronger.

“My view is one of these days because of the affordability, safety and the short distance that you have to traverse, one of these days, Sea Bridge is going to be the way to St. Kitts.

“When the development takes place over there, everybody is going to want to go through there in order to go to St. Kitts you are not going to go 11 miles… it is thee future gateway to St. Kitts and from St. Kitts to Nevis,” he said.

Plans include expansion that would enhance the Nevis tourism product with the addition of a restaurant and a shuttle service from St. Kitts to Nevis for tourist who visit the Federation on cruise ships.

Mr. Isaac pointed to the contribution the Sea Bridge had made to assist workers who had been displaced due to the closure of the Four Seasons Resort. He explained that some of these workers were able to commute to St. Kitts daily at reduced prices to take up employment at the Spice Mill restaurant in St. Kitts.

Continued expansion at the landing sites had also provided employment to heavy equipment operators, truckers and construction workers plus a total of eight persons who had full time employment as crew members.

“So what we are saying there is a benefit for everybody. Can you imagine when the peninsular gets developed there are a number of persons from Nevis who will be able to go across so I think it’s one of the hottest things we are going to see around for a long time.

For me my pride in it as we have as our slogan “Bridging the Gap” is that I can slip across to St. Kitts in 10-15 minutes, do what I have to do in St. Kitts and come back into Nevis almost unnoticed. It is a seamless movement that is what is critical,” he said.

Related posts:

1. Nevis Premier Welcomes Sea Bridge Ferry
2. Nevis Moves Forward With Business Development
3. Sea Bridge Car Ferry On Nevis Shores
4. Nevis Commended For Marine Tourism Awareness Efforts
5. St.Kitts – Nevis $600 Million Tourism Development