Basseterre, St. Kitts, July 27, 2018 (SKNIS): The Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Commerce launched its interactive and informative new website while simultaneously relaunching the SKN Shoppers app at a ceremony held at the National ICT Center on July 26.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of International Trade, Industry, Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Jasmine Weekes said that redesign of the website is intended to make it easier to navigate for better interaction with the public. She also said that the relaunch of the SKN Shoppers app was necessary to provide more awareness of the benefits of the app for consumers to generate a renewed and increased awareness in the public.
“In an increasingly virtual age, a web portal represents the public face of an organization or institution as well as a forum for interaction with partners, colleagues and consumers. In the case of the Ministry of International Trade, this web page is intended to provide viewers with current and valuable information on the work of the Ministry of International Trade et al as we seek to function effectively and efficiently in the interest of the public,” she said.
Enterprise Architect in the Department of Information Technology, Sancho Duncan, gave a walkthrough of the website, which features up to date information for the various divisions of the Ministry and their respective services, latest news updates and video portal. It also shows a list of accomplishments and various statistics on certifications the ministry would have achieved.
The mobile app, which was redeveloped by Open Interactive, provides up to date information on current prices of goods at various supermarkets in the Federation. It also allows shoppers to search products and compare prices from different zones throughout the Federation.
“It is our hope therefore that you find this new web page with a fresh look easy to access, reliable, and with current information. Today’s webpage launch is twinned with the SKN Shoppers App relaunch, which falls under the mandate of this very ministry specifically within the purview of the consumer affairs division,” Mrs. Weekes said.
Permanent Secretary Weekes noted that the majority of the public may not be aware of the scope of services the ministry has and the website will now be a viable avenue for them to have access to valuable and accurate information about the ministry’s operations.
She thanked her staff at the ministry as well as the Department of Technology in collaboration with Open Interactive for their hard work that made the event possible and urged the general public to stay current with the operations of the ministry over the next few months.
“We encourage you to delve and learn more about the role of bureau in maintaining healthy living standards, the consumer affairs division in providing you with important shopping tips, the Department of Industry and Commerce, and NEDD and its role in empowering our entrepreneurs,” she said.