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

Caribelle Batik - St. Kitts - Nevis

Basseterre, St. Kitts - Nevis
January 17, 2010 (CUOPM)

St. Kitts and Nevis maintains its lead as the major exporter of goods and services to the United States among the OECS countries and Barbados for the 11th consecutive month in 2009.

Figures for the month of November released this weekend by the U.S. Census Bureau, Foreign Trade Division indicated that St. Kitts and Nevis exported goods and services to the United States worth US$3.7 million. Total exports to the United States for the first 11 months of 2009 totalled US$45 million.

While St. Kitts and Nevis exports to the United States were valued US$3.7 million in November, Antigua and Barbuda, exports were valued at US$700,000; Barbados, US3.2 million; Dominica, US$100,000; Anguilla, US$400,000; the British Virgin Islands, US$400,000; Grenada, US$200,000; Montserrat, US$300,000; St. Lucia, US$1.4 million and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, US$100,000.

Combined the OECS countries exported US$3.6 million compared to St. Kitts and Nevis’ US$3.7 million.

For the 11 months of 2009, St. Kitts and Nevis’ exports to the United States totaled US$45 million compared to Antigua and Barbuda (US$8.9 million); Barbados, (US$29.3 million); Dominica (US$2.6 million); Anguilla (US$5.6 million); British Virgin Islands (US$5.2 million); Grenada (US$5.6 million); Montserrat (US$900,000); St. Lucia (US$16.2 million) and St. Vincent and the Grenadines (US$1.1 million)

St. Kitts and Nevis companies exporting to the United States and their products are Lutron Liamuiga (dimmer switches and fan speed controls); Harowe Servo (St. Kitts) Ltd (small motors, PC Board Assemblies, Rotor Assemblies and resolvers); Kajola-Kristada (connectors, filters, trap and surface mounts; for the Cable TV and Communications Industry); CSR/DDL (CSR rum/brandy and Brinley flavoured rum products); Jaro Electronics (industrial motors and transformers) and St. Kitts Brush Co. (semi-finish products for polishing dentures and jewelry).

Although Caribelle Batik does not directly ship its products in boxes to the United States, Americans accounted for sixty percent of the company’s sales of US$1.5 million between April 2007 and May 2008.

Related posts:

1. St. Kitts - Nevis Exports To The USA Increase
2. St. Kitts - Nevis Leads OECS In Exports To The United States
3. Federation Is Biggest Exporter To The US In The OECS
4. St. Kitts - Nevis Shows Gains In Imports & Exports
5. St. Kitts - Nevis Leads Barbados and OECS In Investment Outlook

Audience At OECS Economic Union Treaty Signing
Photo By Erasmus Williams

Basseterre, St. Kitts - Nevis
January 06, 2010 (CUOPM)

Representatives of several regional and international institutions and governments were among the large number of persons witnessing the recent signing of the new Treaty of Basseterre to establish the OECS Economic Union.

Among the various ambassadors of the signatory islands were Premier of Nevis, the Hon. Joseph Parry; Acting Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, the Hon. Janice George-Creque;  Secretary General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), His Excellency Dr. Edwin Carrington; British High Commisioner, His Excellency Mr. Paul Brummell; OAS Assistant Secretary General, His Excellency Albert Ramdin; France’s Ambassador-designate, His Excellency Mr. Michael Prom; Former OECS Director General, His Excellency Dr. Vaughn Lewis; Vice President of the Regional Council of Guadeloupe, Mrs. Fely Kacy-Bambuck; and Regional Cooperation Officer, Ms. Laurence Marianne; Executive Director of Caribbean Centre for Development Administration (CARICAD), Ms. Jennifer Astaphan and Executive Director of CARICOM Impacs, Ms. Lynne Anne Williams.

Also present were Head of Regional Integration for the European Union, Ms. Elsa Fenet; Economic Affairs Officer at the Economic  Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Dr. Dillon Alleyne; Mr. Richard Switzer of the United Embassy in Barbados and OECS Country Officer at the World Bank, Ms. Rolande Pryce.

In his feature address, St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister and current Chairman of the Authority of the OECS Heads of Government, Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas described the day as one of profound historical import for the Governments and peoples that constitute the OECS.

Related posts:

1. St. Kitts - Nevis To Host OECS Economic Union Treaty signing
2. Montserrat Will Not Sign OECS Economic Union Treaty
3. Launch Of Public Consultation On Economic Union
4. OECS Leaders To Discuss Economic Union
5. Nevis Premier To Attend OECS Treaty Signing

Former Jamaican Prime Minister - P.J. Patterson

Basseterre, St. Kitts - Nevis
January 05, 2010 (CUOPM)

Former Jamaica Prime Minister, the Most Honourable P.J. Patterson, has endorsed a move by the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) to form an Economic Union by June this year.

“If we are to overcome the many obstacles we face in the region and confront the formidable challenges which confront us we cannot retreat into the confines of isolation or be parochial in our thinking,” the Jamaican-born Caribbean statesman told over 600 persons at the annual Prime Minister New Year’s Gala hosted by the St. Kitts and Nevis leader, Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas over the weekend.

“We cannot depend on others to rescue us. Our best and only hope for success lies in the pursuit of shared goals, strategic coordination and a pooling of the resources we share, natural and even more importantly, our human capital,” said the former Jamaica leader who pointed to the role that Prime Minister Douglas played in that regard.

The OECS groups the islands of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands (BVI).

These islands, except the BVI, already share a number of institutions including a Central bank and a common judiciary.

Montserrat, a British Overseas Territory and a founding member of the sub-regional grouping, did not sign the accord.

The new treaty is an upgrade on the original Treaty of Basseterre that led to the establishment of the OECS 28 years ago. It allows for the delegation of certain legislative authority in certain areas to the heads of government and for the formation of a Regional Assembly of Parliamentarians comprising members of the parliaments of the individual islands.

In addition, the new treaty gives a “much more defined role” to the OECS Commission in getting the interlocking arrangements between the countries and the OECS.

OECS technocrats said that the changes would lead to a more efficient implementation of policy in the sub-region.

Patterson said that the region needed at this time is a greater sense of a shared destiny “and a necessity for all members of our Caribbean family to be fully involved in shaping it.

“It needs wise, experience, dedicated and visionary leadership. It is through enlightened leadership and a creative spirit that we will realize our dreams and fulfill our visions.

“I wish the entire family of the federation of St Kitts and Nevis, a truly happy New Year and may the wish of every citizen of faith and sober judgment come true,” he told the Gala Event.

The one-day event, which also included performances by Jamaican and Trinidad and Tobago artistes, was be held under the theme “One Family” that Prime Minister Douglas said underscored “the stark reality that we are in this together and that our best chances of survival rest in unity.

Previous speakers at the Gala included Barbados Prime Minister David Thompson, United States Congresswoman, Maxine Waters; the Nation of Islam Leader, Louis Farrakhan and the Founder and President of TransAfrica, Randall Robinson.

Related posts:

1. St. Kitts - Nevis To Host OECS Economic Union Treaty signing
2. Montserrat Will Not Sign OECS Economic Union Treaty
3. OECS Economic Union Treaty Signing Well Represented
4. OECS Leaders To Discuss Economic Union
5. CSME And OECS Economic Union Is Good For The Economy