GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO PROVIDE ONGOING SUPPORT TO THE AGRICULTURE SECTOR AND SMALL BUSINESSES  

Basseterre, St. Kitts, July 9, 2021 (SKNIS): Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. The Honourable Timothy Harris said that his Team-Unity administration continues to provide ongoing support to the agriculture sector and small businesses.
 
He said this during his opening presentation at the July 8 Press Conference at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Conference Room.  
 
Prime Minister Harris said that the support will come in the form of an “Injection of 15 million dollars to boost production and ensure food security; allocation of additional lands for farming and a temporary waiver of water payments by farmers.”
 
He stated that the investment in agriculture has returned its dividends as the dollar value of crop and livestock production rose by 44 percent during the period January to May 2021.
 
The prime minister added that the Department of Agriculture has attributed this success to the stimulus package as the overall crop output increased by 27 percent and the livestock output rose by 90 percent over the January to May 2021 period.
 
In addressing the support to small businesses, he said, “I note in particular the
injection of $3 million for the continuation of the Fresh Start Programme administered by the Development Bank to provide small and medium-sized businesses with low-cost financing.”
 
He also stated that his administration has extended bond facilities for small businesses unable to
cover Customs duties on the importation of vehicles and commercial goods.