Author: SKNISEditor

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, January 20, 2023 (SKNIS) –Speaking at the Launch of ECCB’s (Eastern Caribbean Central Bank) at the ECCB Sir Cecil Jacob Auditorium on January 19, Governor of the ECCB, Timothy N. J. Antoine said that the EC dollar remains strong with a foreign reserves backing of 91 percent. “Forty years on our foreign reserves have grown from under EC$150 million to over EC$5 billion. Bank deposits have risen from EC$1 billion to over EC$24 billion; and our staff complement has increased from 55 to 272 with representation from every member country,” Governor Antoine said. “This evening, I confirm…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, January 20, 2023 (SKNIS): Hundreds of children and proud parents from the Basseterre area, as well as track and field lovers, filled the Kim Collins Athletic Stadium on Thursday, January 19, 2023, for the return of the Department of Sports Public Primary Schools Zonal Championships. It was the first time the event was staged since the COVID-19 pandemic. Thursday’s meet, sponsored by the Bank of Nevis Ltd, was contested by student-athletes from the Beach Allen, Irishtown, Tucker Clarke and Dr. William Connor primary schools. Minister of Sports, the Honourable Samal Duggins, attended the event and commented on the…

The President of Panama, Laurentino Cortizo (center), ratified the new State Agrifood Policy Act in the rural area of San Sebastián de Ocú. Among the attendees was IICA Director General Manuel Otero (standing, to the right). San Sebastián de Ocú, Herrera, Panama, 20 January 2023 (IICA) – Panama’s State Agrifood Policy Act, aimed at guaranteeing the human right to food and protecting the production sector, is now in force in the country.President Laurentino Cortizo Cohen ratified the law at a ceremony attended by hundreds of farmers from different regions of Panama. Manuel Otero, Director General of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture…

Washington, DC, 20 January 2023 (PAHO) – Local Jamaican artist, Greg Bailey, unveiled his portrait of outgoing Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Director, Dr. Carissa F. Etienne, today at a ceremony at the Embassy of Sweden in Washington D.C. Bailey, an award-winning fine artist who specializes in depicting persons of colour in the context of postcolonialism, was selected by the PAHO Director following an extensive search of Caribbean portrait artists. The portrait took a total of seven months to produce.Thanking the artist for his good eye and his sensitive representation of her homeland in Dominica, Dr. Etienne said “I am happy that I…

The socioeconomic panorama of Latin America and the Caribbean is not encouraging. The most affected population groups are children under five and women, who suffer a higher prevalence of food insecurity than men. The Regional Panorama of Food and Nutrition Security 2022 is a joint publication of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO); the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD); the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO); the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations World Food Program (WFP). The number of hungry people in the region continues to rise Between 2019 and…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, January 20, 2023 (RSCNPF): The Police have found that several of the offenders caught using illegal motorised bicycles are juveniles. The Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force issued a community notice on January 18, 2023, advising the public that it had observed a sudden increase in the number of bicycles that have been modified, fitted with engines and used on public roads. On a recent edition of “Policing With You”, which airs live on ZIZ weekly, Divisional Commander for District ‘A’, Cromwell Henry, made a special appeal to parents. “I just want to make this appeal to…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, January 20, 2023 (SKNIS): Minister of Public Infrastructure and Utilities et al, the Honourable Konris Maynard said the Government has committed to fixing the water problem that the country has been faced with. Responding to a question about the water issue at the Prime Minister’s Press Conference on January 18, Minister Maynard said that the Government is putting its money where its mouth is since it assumed office on the 5th August, 2022.   “In the last Budget that was passed, we increased the Budget for water by 260 percent.  In 2022, before we took office, the Budget was 8.7 million…

London, United Kingdom, January 20, 2023 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs): Foreign Minister, the Right Honourable Dr. Denzil Douglas left London earlier today after a productive 4-day working visit to the United Kingdom. Dr. Douglas described this visit as “constructive and eye-opening”. “There is work ahead of us, but I am beyond excited by the opportunities and the vibrant interest I witnessed in London. I look forward to working with our partners across Government and new partners in business to ensure that the sustainable development ambitions of our peoples are realised.”Foreign Minister Douglas held intensive meetings with several high-net-worth individuals who…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, January 20, 2023 (SKNIS): Staff of the Ministries of Public Infrastructure, Energy and Utilities, Domestic Transport, Information and Communication and Technology, and Post held a thanksgiving service at the People’s Evangelistic Centre on the 17th of January to show appreciation to their staff for their dedication and hard work during the year 2022. The Honourable Konris Maynard under whose portfolio the ministries fall said he honoured all staff members and showed appreciation for their efforts in continuing to prop up, sustain and maintain the efficacy of the ministries. The Minister highlighted this year’s Budget, stating, “As a Ministry, this year’s…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, January 20, 2023 (SKNIS): Prime Minister the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew led the Members of Cabinet, as well as the Speaker and the Clerk of the Federal National Assembly to Nevis, for the Opening of the New Session of the Nevis Island Assembly. This occurrence is undoubtedly the first time in history, as it is in keeping with Prime Minister Dr. Drew’s mandate to bridge the divide between both islands. Prime Minister Dr. Drew described the Federal Cabinet’s presence as significant. “It is important that the Cabinet would have come and shown its support to the democracy here in the island of Nevis. It…