PM Douglas meets Senior Government Official and business leaders in UAE

St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas (left) and United Arab Emirates Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, NOVEMBER 2ND 2011 (CUOPM) – St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas is on a three-day official visit to the United Arab Emirates aimed at promoting plans by his Government to diversify the economy of the twin-island Federation.

Since his arrival in Abu Dhabi, after attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit in Perth, Australia, the St. Kitts and Nevis leader has been holding high level talks with that country’s Foreign Minister, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. During the meeting, both officials discussed the opening by St. Kitts and Nevis, later this year, of a Consulate General in Dubai and agreed to work together to continue to strengthen relations between both St. Kitts and Nevis and the United Arab Emirates.

His Highness thanked Prime Minister Douglas for supporting the efforts of the UAE on sustainable development. Prime Minister Douglas extended an invitation to His Highness to visit the Federation as part of the improving relations and to further cement the bonds of friendship and the emerging strategic partnership between the UAE and St. Kitts and Nevis.

As part of government’s plan to diversify, modernize and make the economy more competitive, Prime Minister Douglas held a series of meetings with top company executives and other business leaders in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

In addressing business leaders Prime Minister Douglas thanked them for their interest in St. Kitts and Nevis and provided them with information on investment opportunities in the twin-island Federation. Several business leaders not only disclosed the areas in which they are interested in pursuing investment opportunities, but promised to visit St. Kitts and Nevis in the coming months to have further discussions.

Like His Highness Sheikh Abdullah, business leaders also welcomed the opening next month of the St. Kitts and Nevis Consulate General. Prime Minister Douglas who leaves Dubai on Thursday is accompanied by the Federation’s High Commissioner in London, His Excellency Mr. Kevin M. Isaac and Senior Assistant Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, Ms. Beverly Knight.