Developing a Manufacturing Strategy

ZIZ News…23rd May 2013 — Private and public manufacturing stakeholders in St Kitts and Nevis came together today to discuss a draft national manufacturing strategy presented by the Manufacturing Division of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

As ZIZ Channel 5’s Kilony Johnson reports, this manufacturing strategy seeks to develop a sustainable way forward for the continued development of the federation’s manufacturing sector.

The Manufacturing Division of the Chamber is hoping that this national manufacturing strategy can become an official roadmap for manufacturing in the federation.

The first step towards realizing this vision was to have a national consultation on the draft manufacturing strategy which was basically held to help build a case as to why St Kitts and Nevis needs a serious manufacturing strategy.

Stakeholders looked a couple of questions: Where they are now? And does St Kitts and Nevis really needs a manufacturing industry for the future?

President of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce David Lake says this strategy will only work if everyone involved work together.

Chairman of the Chamber’s Manufacturing Division Jose Rosa says the manufacturing sector plays an important role in the development of the Federation’s economy.

He says plans must be put in place to ensure this continued development.

And the minister of international trade, Hon Richard Skerritt says his government continues its work to protect this industry and all its workers — ninety percent of which is female.

The next steps in ensuring this national manufacturing strategy becomes the official roadmap for manufacturing are the cabinet submission on the completed strategy with inputs from the national consultation and finally parliamentary approval.

St Kitts and Nevis is the first OECS territory to draft a national manufacturing strategy which can in turn be used as a model for the rest of sub-region.