Author: SKNISEditor

Washington, DC – February 12, 2021:The COVID-19 pandemic has hit the ECCU economy hard, and until it is brought under control, tourism activity will remain subdued and will, in turn, limit the strength of economic recovery. The near-term policy imperative is to protect lives and livelihoods and limit potential scarring, while ensuring medium-term debt sustainability with strengthened fiscal frameworks and maintaining financial system stability, with a view to safeguarding the quasi-currency board system. Once the post-pandemic recovery takes hold, policies should focus on resuming fiscal consolidation, further strengthening the financial system, and accelerating other structural reforms to make the economy…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 19, 2021 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs): The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform the general public that the Government of Romania is inviting applications to fill scholarships to study at universities in the State of Romania. These scholarships are opened to citizens of Saint Kitts and Nevis through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral levels. The language of instruction for Bachelor’s and Master’s levels is Romanian, for which the Government of Romania will include in the scholarship, one (1) year of study. Doctoral programme students will have the option to study in…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 19, 2021 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs): – Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Foreign Ministers today (February 19) met with their Canadian counterpart, the Hon. Marc Garneau, in the first virtual CARICOM-Canada Meeting of Foreign Ministers. The Foreign Ministers dialogue focused on the Covid-19 pandemic and equitable access to vaccines, economic recovery and inclusive growth, and climate resilience and sustainability – all key elements in the region’s efforts to build back better.In leading the discussion on COVID-19: Building Back Better, Foreign Minister Brantley thanked the government of Canada for its assistance in helping to strengthen the region’s ability to respond…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 19, 2021 (SKNIS): Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Marine Resources, Ron Collins, said that the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis has delivered well to farmers and fisherfolk, and will continue to support them under the Farmers and Fisherfolk Assistance Programme. “Farmers and Fishers have benefited greatly from the stimulus package provided by the government in 2020,” said Mr. Collins during remarks on the development of the agricultural and fisheries sectors on February 19.Mr. Collins said that the 2020 stimulus package aided farmers and fishers by greatly reducing prices on seeds, feed, and seedlings.…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 19, 2021 (SKNIS): The effects of COVID-19 are felt globally, and many persons are seeking ways to minimize these effects on themselves and their families. Through a collaborative initiative – the backyard garden competition – between the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Agriculture in St. Kitts is well on its way to helping with the fight against the negative effects of the Novel Coronavirus through gardening. The backyard garden initiative seeks to mitigate the effects felt by nationals through several means as highlighted on the government’s weekly radio and television programme “Working for You” on…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 19, 2021 (SKNIS): Minister with responsibility for Social Security, the Honourable Eugene Hamilton, laid the Financial Statements of St. Christopher and Nevis Social Security Board for the period ending December 31, 2019, before the Federal Parliament on Thursday, February 18, which showed that the institution continues to see positive growth. “I should Mr. Speaker, point out to the listening public… that the assets of the Social Security Board have grown from one billion, six hundred and thirty-seven million, five hundred and forty-one thousand and fifty-nine dollars ($1,637,541,059) to one billion, six hundred and seventy-four million, one hundred and…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 19, 2021 (SKNIS): A Bill to provide for the regulation of an electronic communication network and an electronic communications service and for related matters, otherwise known as the Electronic Communications Bill, 2021, was successfully passed in the Federal Parliament on Thursday, February 18, 2021. The Honourable Minister of Health, ICT, Entertainment, Entrepreneurship, and Talent Development, Akilah Byron-Nisbett, Mover of the Bill, laid out a synopsis of its objectives.“Mr. Speaker, the enactment of the EC Bill in the Federation of St. Christopher and Nevis will ensure a broader scope of regulations from telecommunications to ‘electronic communications’ and will…

San Jose, 18 February 2021 (IICA) – Bringing the latest technology to the countryside, providing rural dwellers with training in the use of tools, guaranteeing quality Internet connection, ensuring equitable Internet access and making technological equipment affordable are the main challenges Latin America and the Caribbean will need to overcome in order to bridge the digital divide. This was the conclusion reached by international experts during the first session of the virtual hemispheric forum “Bridging the digital divide in rural areas of Latin America and the Caribbean: Towards a digital agricultural revolution”, organized by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA),…

Friday, February 19, 2021 — The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) supports Member States engagement in WTO negotiations to end harmful fisheries subsidies. With the support of the Pew Charitable Trusts (Pew) and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), the OECS Commission will be convening a High-Level Workshop on the ongoing World Trade Organization (WTO) Fisheries Subsidies Negotiations on 24-25 February 2021. This Workshop is being targeted at Senior Trade, Foreign Affairs, Fisheries, Maritime Affairs and other relevant officials in Member States. WTO members are under a mandate to reach an agreement to end harmful fisheries subsidies by the next…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 19, 2021 (SKNIS): The Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis was recently placed on a temporary list for anti-doping by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said Minister of Sports, the Honourable Jonel Powell on Tuesday’s (February 16) edition of ‘Leadership Matters’, a virtual forum on ZIZ TV. Anti-doping comprises a range of activities aimed at eliminating doping in sports, as well as protecting clean athletes and the integrity and values of sport. “I think what the Department of Sport can boast of is the fact that just this week we have received notice from WADA to inform us that after…