PM highlights importance of Manufacturing Sector

Basseterre, St. Kitts, (SKNIS) — The important role the manufacturing sector plays in St. Kitts and Nevis was highlighted on (July 18) by Prime Minister the Right Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas as he addressed workers of Sun Island Clothes Ltd.

“We (St. Kitts and Nevis) continue to be the country in the Eastern Caribbean that exports the most to America,” he said. “In fact, when you look at what we export to America, it is more than what all the other islands in the Eastern Caribbean put together, exports to the U.S.”

Prime Minister Douglas underscored a number of programs that Government has instituted over the years to enhance the quality of life for ordinary citizens.

“Your children are being educated at the best level,” he stressed. “Housing is made available, land is being distributed and we (the Government) are making sure that the healthcare you are receiving continues to be improved.”

The Prime Minister used the opportunity to highlight the National Health Insurance scheme and explained how uninsured workers at the factory will benefit.

“We are going to start with those who are unable to help themselves, those who can’t work because they have no means of earning a livelihood,” he stated. “Then we are going to scale up to those who are working but who cannot afford because they are at minimum wage.”

“So you would find that those of you therefore, who are on minimum wage, you will be in the first batch that will be covered by the National Health Insurance scheme that we (the Government) are putting into place.”

The workers were grateful to dialogue with the Prime Minister, as he continues his out and about series.