Nevis Island Administration receives grant funding from SIDF

Basseterre, St. Kitts – July 6, 2012 (SIDF) — Chief Executive Officer of the Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation (SIDF), Mr. Terrence Crossman, presented cheques totaling US$434,595.97 to the Honourable Joseph Parry, Premier of Nevis, on Thursday, July 5, 2012. The grants are to assist the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) in implementing the Bath House and Stream Rehabilitation Project and the Saddle Hill and Surrounds Protection and Preservation Project.

The handing-over ceremonies, held at the Bath House in Bath Plains and at Saddle Hill, were chaired by Mr. Carl Williams, Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism in the NIA. In making remarks, Dr. Hermia Morton-Anthony, Chairman of the SIDF, indicated that by funding the projects the SIDF was carrying out its mandate of assisting to diversify the economy and create employment opportunities. Remarks at the Bath House ceremony were also made by Ms Keesha Jones, Chairman of the Nevis Tourism Authority; and Ms Evelyn Henville, Executive Director of the Nevis Historical and Conservation Society. Mr. Alastair Yearwood, Advisor to Tourism in the NIA, and Ms. Delcia Bradley-King, Corporate Affairs Manager at SIDF, were present at the ceremonies.

In handing over the cheques, Crossman stated that the SIDF was happy to partner with the NIA to stimulate economic activity, and pointed out that tourism was one of the sectors in which the SIDF had invested to facilitate the transition to a service economy. Crossman said that the rehabilitation of the Bath House and Stream would expand the tourism product and could lead to the creation of a niche market. He described the Saddle Hill Fortress as one of Nevis’ “hidden treasures” which the SIDF was pleased to help develop and preserve as an attraction for both nationals and tourists.

Premier Parry accepted the cheques in the amounts of US$315,000.00 for the Bath House Rehabilitation Project and US$119,595.97 for the Saddle Hill Project, and thanked the SIDF for the support in the form of grants. He stressed the importance of growing the tourism industry to make Nevis more competitive and create jobs for residents.

The Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation (SIDF) was established on September 16, 2006 under the Foundations Act 2003. Its primary purpose is to provide support to Government in its efforts to diversify the national economy and maintain economic stability, and to support, finance or undertake the development of new and existing industries, projects or enterprises. The Foundation may also provide grants, loans, budget support, debt forgiveness or assistance of any kind to the Government or to persons or institutions that qualify for such assistance under its policies.