Manhattan, New York, September 23, 2024 (SKNIS): Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew, held a significant meeting with Dr. Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, at the St. Kitts and Nevis Permanent Mission in New York on Monday, 23 September 2024. The discussions focused on key projects that have the potential to transform sectors within St. Kitts and Nevis and the wider Caribbean.
A prominent item on the meeting’s agenda was the Evergreen Aquaculture Project, an initiative poised to significantly boost the nation’s seafood production and exports. Both Prime Minister Dr. Drew and President Oramah underscored the urgency of advancing the project, particularly in light of its potential economic and environmental benefits for the region.
Another topic of high importance was the Creative Industries Proposal, which seeks to harness the talents and cultural assets of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). The initiative aligns with Afreximbank’s support for creative economies, aiming to establish the OECS as a recognised creative hub on the global stage. It also aligns with ongoing efforts to foster skills development, innovation, and economic growth across the creative sectors.
Additionally, discussions touched on the upcoming AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF) 2025, which will be hosted by Grenada. This forum solidifies the commitment to deepening trade ties and fostering stronger economic partnerships between Africa and the Caribbean.
Prime Minister Dr. Drew was accompanied to the meeting by Her Excellency Dr. Mutryce Williams, St. Kitts and Nevis’ Permanent Representative to the United Nations, and Naeemah Hazelle, Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office, while President Oramah was joined by Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President of the Intra-African Trade Bank (IATB) at Afreximbank.
In December 2022, Afreximbank’s Board approved US$1.5 billion to support CARICOM countries that ratify the agreement, offering them access to the bank’s financial resources. In April 2023, Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew successfully moved the Caribbean Community and Africa Export-Import Bank (Partnership Agreement) Bill, 2023, through the National Assembly. The Bill formalised the partnership between CARICOM Member States and Afreximbank, following the agreement introduced during the inaugural Africa-Caribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF) in September 2022.
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