PM Douglas says hotel-related projects planned for 2013 will add some 1,000 upper-end rooms; list jobs and economic growth among priorities

PM Douglas

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, JANUARY 8TH 2013 (CUOPM) – Jobs and economic growth top the list of priorities during 2013, St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas reiterated on Tuesday.

Appearing on his weekly radio programme “Ask the Prime Minister,” the St. Kitts and Nevis leader said 2013 will also see the enhanced provision of the infrastructure to those lands, all across the island, that were set aside under the Special Land Initiative, for nationals wishing to own their own homes.

“And the same thing applies to those lands in Lime Kiln, Cayon, Conaree, Fig Tree, St. Paul’s, Sandy Point, and St. Peter’s that we specially set aside for commercial development. If I have said it once, I have said it a million times: Basseterre must no longer be the only site of broad-based commercial development in St. Kitts, and the commercial development of Lime Kiln and the other areas will help to transform that clear policy position into reality,” Prime Minister Douglas told listeners.

Half Moon Bay

He said as the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, he is very confident and very optimistic regarding the prospects of St. Kitts and Nevis in 2013.

“I see what is happening in other countries; I see what, by contrast, is happening here; I have an in-depth knowledge of the projects and investments that are underway; and we do, indeed, have very good reason to be optimistic,” said Prime Minister Douglas, adding:

“Jobs and growth are, of course, the number one priorities of my Government for 2013, since this is what will enable Kittitians and Nevisians to effectively pursue – and securely attain – the goals that they and their families have set for themselves. We know that everywhere in the world, construction is a key engine of growth. And if we look at the 2013 priority projects of St. Kitts and Nevis, we will see that construction and construction-related activities will figure very prominently in the economic momentum that we have worked to generate.”

South East Peninsula

Prime Minister Douglas made reference to several planned construction projects including the Beach and Golf Residences at Half Moon Bay, the expansion and upgrading of the rooms at The Marriott – including the new facilities for the Marriott Residences and the new Marriott Towers; the construction of the Park Hyatt Hotel at Banana Bay on the South East Peninsula; the expansion of Ross University Veterinary School in the West Farm area; the construction of the Koi Resort and the re-building of the Southeast Peninsula Road.

In addition, there will be a new roundabout in the vicinity of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, and there will also be new work undertaken on the Bay Road from Port Zante eastwards.

“The hotel-related projects I mention will result in our adding some 1,000 upper-end hotel rooms to our island’s overall guest accommodations, thereby creating a significant boost to our economy. And this boost will be two-fold: first, there will be the boost during the construction phase, and then, once that has been completed, there will be the on-going boost associated with the dramatically expanded number of visitors that our island will be able to accommodate,” Prime Minister Douglas said.