Author: SKNISEditor

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, December 22, 2020 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – In wrapping up the debate on the 2021 Budget, Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris refuted the mischief and misinformation purported by Leader of the Opposition, Dr. Denzil Douglas, particularly as it relates to his failed attempt to paint the highly successful Peace Initiative in a bad light. Sinceits inception, the Peace Initiative has provided at-risk young men with the necessary assistance to start their own entrepreneurial ventures and have steered others towards employment opportunities. Forthe upcoming financial year, the Government of St. Kitts…

The general public is hereby advised that SCASPA in collaboration with the St. Kitts Customs & Excise Dept will continue to be opened and operational to efficiently serve the general public during this busy season, as per the following schedule; Monday 21st – Thursdays 24th December 2020, 8:00 A.M. – 6:00P.M. Friday 25th & Saturday 26th December 2020, CLOSED. Please be reminded that strict practices for social distancing and the wearing of protective face masks or any form of covering that must cover the nose and mouth while conducting business at SCASPA is enforced and adhered to. Failure to comply…

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, December 21, 2020 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – Five days of meaningful debates and presentations on the 2021 Budget came to a close this evening, when The Appropriation (2021) Bill, 2020 was read a third time and passed in the National Assembly late into the evening of Monday, December 21, 2020. TheAppropriation (2021) Bill, 2020 provides for $867,919,842 million dollars for the provision of services for the financial year commencing 1st January, 2021 and ending on 31st December, 2021. PrimeMinister and Minister of Finance, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, in wrapping up the…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, December 22, 2020 (SKNIS): After a 38-year absence, a Law Library will be re-established in Basseterre, St. Kitts, following the dedication of the Annex at the Sir Lee L. Moore Judicial and Legal Complex. The Annex is housed, in a newly constructed two-storey building on East Independence Square Street. It will feature a third Magistrate’s Chamber for District A, a Mediation Centre, and the aforementioned Law Library. Attorney General and Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs, the Honourable Vincent Byron Jr. welcomed the new service, which was lost, during a fire on September 01, 1982. The fire destroyed the historic building,…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, December 21, 2020 (SKNIS): The widespread transmission of the novel coronavirus has devastated economies around the world including that of St. Kitts and Nevis. Despite a shortfall of projected growth for 2020, Minister the Honourable Eugene Hamilton said the government remains focused on introducing a key health programme.“We are not going to lose sight of implementing Universal Health Insurance,” Minister Hamilton stated on Monday (December 21, 2020) during the ongoing Budget Debate.He recounted the steps already taken since 2015, which included the creation of a national commission to explore varying details including costs, benefits and other matters. The…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, December 21, 2020 (SKNIS): Minister of Environment and Cooperatives, the Honourable Eric Evelyn, said that the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis will continue to promote stronger collaboration among cooperatives as cooperatives are recognized as important partners that promote democracy, enhance income, foster social inclusion and care for the environment.“We want to continue to promote more collaboration among the cooperatives. I can see a good collaboration so far… the synergies are there, the collaboration is there, and we want to push that,” said Minister Evelyn on Friday, December 18, day four of the Budget Debate. “We want to…

CARICOM Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque has hailed the strength of the Caribbean Community’s unity in the face of adversity brought by the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. “We reaped the benefits of a CARICOM-wide public health approach which was adopted from the very outbreak of the virus, even before a pandemic was declared,” the Secretary-General said in his End of Year Message for 2020. “Thanks to the hard work of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), our lead Institution in the sector, other Regional Institutions, the CARICOM Secretariat and health officials across the Community, all under the guidance…

St Kitts and Nevis has received a boost from the European Union as the government forges ahead with its goal of advancing towards energy self-sufficiency from local renewable energy sources. The European Union has disbursed EC $11.23 million (EUR €3.444 M) to St. Kitts and Nevis. to promote the integration of renewable energy and energy efficient technology in public facilities. The assistance will also continue to support the implementation of theNational Energy Policy. In addition, the programme also supports the Government to build resilience within the energy and water sectors, to ensure that the population has access to the basic…

21 December 2020, Basseterre, St Kitts and Nevis – The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) has recognised three commercial banks operating within the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) for demonstrating outstanding banking service and social responsibility. The second Annual ECCU Bank of the Year Awards were held virtually on 17 December with live streaming on the ECCB Facebook page and YouTube channel. Of the 12 banks that participated, three banks were presented with awards for their commitment and service excellence to the people they serve through their business practices and policies in four categories: ECCU Bank of the Year Award…

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, December 21, 2020 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – The final edition of the hugely popular virtual forum, Leadership Matters, with Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris will be held on Tuesday, December 22 at 8:00pm. Thefinal programme will provide an opportunity for the ordinary citizens and residents of St. Kitts and Nevis to zero in on the 2021 Budget – presented by Prime Minister Harris last Tuesday (December 15) – with its people-centered focus, and measures to take the country out of the recession caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. TheFederation of St.…