Basseterre, St. Kitts (SKNIS) — Prominent diplomats from across the world continue to pay courtesy calls on the Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris.
On Thursday March 12, His Excellency Ross William Tysoe, AO, High Commissioner of the Commonwealth of Australia visited the Office of the Prime Minister to discuss pertinent matters relating to the Federation.
As agriculture is a thrust of both of the Governments of St. Kitts and Nevis and Australia, the possibility of agricultural cooperation was discussed with a goal to improve productivity in the sector, increase rural livelihood and improve community resilience as put forward by the Australian aid policy.
Of major interest for the Federation is the graduation status implications, which moves countries to higher income status. This can have negative effects on the developmental landscape of the region with regards to concessional aid.
St. Kitts and Nevis and Australia currently has an Australian Government Direct Aid Programme (DAP) in place, which many locals have benefited from. The aid program is specifically for Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and community groups.
In 2013, the Police Junior Drum Corps, a community youth group, benefited from the DAP with the provision of drums and accessories. In 2014, the Project Strong (Wood Work Skills Training) and the Angelisa Davis Newton Ground Initiative (Mama Earth Caribbean Taste) were also beneficiaries of the programme.