Development Bank and IICA collaborate to enhance agricultural sector’s competitiveness

Mr Lenworth Harris, General Manager, Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis

Basseterre St. Kitts (November 21, 2011) — The Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis is collaborating with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) in an effort to enhance the competitiveness and the modernisation of the agricultural sector.

Development Bank’s General Manager, Mr Lenworth Harris, is advising that both organisations would be hosting a two-day workshop on ‘Cost of Production Model’ on Wednesday and Thursday, the 23rd and 24th November from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, at the Conference Room of the University of the West Indies, Basseterre, St. Kitts.

“The workshop will be facilitated by Mr Edric Harry, IICA Policy Analysis and Policy Specialist of Trinidad and Tobago,” said Mr Harris. “The ‘Cost of Production Model’ is an interactive tool which can be used for providing real time information which will prove beneficial to the agricultural sector as well as all the sectors.”

Approximately 50 participants from both St. Kitts and Nevis, who include farmers and agriculture extension officers, have been invited to attend the two-day workshop, which will be officially opened by the Federal Senior Minister and Minister of Agriculture Hon Dr Timothy Harris. The workshop opens at 9:00 am on Wednesday November 23.

Giving remarks at the opening ceremony will be IICA’s country representative, Mr Augustine Merchant, Organisation of American States (OAS) country representative, Mr Starret Greene, and General Manager of the Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis, Mr Lenworth Harris. A farmer, Mr Esmond Henderson will deliver the vote of thanks.