BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, AUGUST 13TH 2009 (CUOPM) - St. Kitts and Nevis is working despite the challenges posed by the global international financial and economic crisis. St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas during his weekly radio programme on Tuesday pointed to opportunities in the manufacturing, tourism, real estate and cruise ship sectors. Dr. Douglas reiterated the decision of his government in 2005 to transition from the sugar economy to one based on tourism and hospitality services, financial services and information technology services. He said that although the global economic situation has had a negative impact in some areas, the prospect looks positive in St Kitts and Nevis.Prime Minister Douglas noted that despite a reduction in the workforce at Electrofab on the C.A. Paul Southwell Industrial Park, employment opportunities continue with expansion at Harowe Servo Control at the Bourkes Industrial Park. “I had the opportunity to meet with some investors, who have an interest in Electrofab. I believe that there are very positive signs that employment opportunities will continue in the manufacturing sector, mainly because investors are complimenting the high quality of work that comes out of St. Kitts compared to other parts of the world like Haiti, Asia and Latin America,” said Prime Minister Douglas.

He said development of the tourism sector continues on the South East Peninsula and at Frigate Bay. “We continue to see the development at the Christophe Harbour on the South East Peninsula. We must not take for granted the continuing work that is taking place on the Silver Reef Hotel Development on Frigate Bay. Again on Saturday, I saw men working feverishly to complete the project. The same thing is happening at Ocean Edge and at Half Moon Bay where residential homes are being pursued,” said Dr. Douglas, adding: “It’s working in St. Kitts and Nevis."

Prime Minister Douglas, who is also the Minister of Tourism, used the opportunity to commend several persons engaged in the tourism sector. “I don’t mean the Minister of State for Tourism, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, the CEO of the Tourism Authority and the members of the Board of the Tourism Authority. I speak of the men and women who are on the ground to drive this important sector for the benefit of St.Kitts and Nevis. I speak of the vendors, the craft vendors, I speak of those who are getting more involved in the entertainment and the restaurant business that provide very important adequate services that support the growth and development of the Tourism sector. I speak of the taxi operators, those who from time to time make it their business to speak positively to their passengers and visitors and give them a positive feeling and am sure those who are doing it in a positive way far outnumber those who are doing it in negative way for only selfish political reasons,” said Dr. Douglas.He referred to recent statistics which showed a 10 percent increase in cruise ship passengers for the first half of this year and a near 30 percent increase in June this year compared to the same month in 2008.“This is taking place in the year when there is severe global economic and financial crisis in the major capitals of the world and naturally which really should be affecting us in a negative way, yet here in St. Kitts and Nevis we are seeing growth and development despite the challenges globally,” said Dr. Douglas.