Government Drives New Model of Development

Scene of Bayfront St. Kitts

St. Kitts, August 28, 2010 (SKNIS): St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Honourable Dr. Denzil Douglas has invited the private sector to play a more active role in the model of modern development in the twin-island Federation.

In an exclusive interview for SKNIS Perspectives, Prime Minister Douglas said that his Administration is continuing the paradigm shift away from the decades long practice, where the public sector attempted to do it alone.

The comments were made after the recent signing ceremony between the St. Christopher Air and Sea Ports Authority and Veling Ltd. – a Mauritius based company – to construct an upscale private fixed based operations terminal at the R. L. B. International Airport.

The project is estimated to cost between US$15 – 20 million and will be constructed in three phases over the next five to ten years. The first phase begins in February 2011 and will be finished by the end of 2012. Local companies, tradesmen and craftsmen will be engaged in the entire construction process.

Prime Minister Douglas noted that the continuing engagement between the public and private sector will be of great benefit to the public. He noted the efficiency and dynamism associated globally within the private sector, and explained that as the Minister responsible for Human Resource, he is diligently working to transform the civil service.