Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
Septemeber 24th, 2007 (CUOPM)
The St. Kitts and Nevis economy is moving in the right direction with more cruise passengers expected in 2008, the construction of 1500 more hotel rooms and the introduction of direct flights into the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport flights from New York and Atlanta.
Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas noting that a strong economy is a necessary prerequisite to the success of people empowerment and wealth creation programmes disclosed that “most of the major indicators in respect of economic performance points in the right direction.” “The Ministry of Finance projects that the fiscal position which, according to the IMF, improved significantly last year, will improve even further this fiscal year. Moreover the prospects for economic growth seem quite good,” said Dr. Douglas in his 13th Independence Message as Prime Minister.
Dr. Douglas, who is also Minister of Finance and Tourism, pointed out that the tourism sector in particular, is expected to contribute meaningfully to economic growth and it is anticipated that in the upcoming tourism season a record number of cruise passengers will visit the twin-island Federation.
“Consequently, in 2008 we expect cruise ship passenger arrivals to exceed 400,000 for the first time in the history of our nation. In addition, we expect that American Airlines will introduce a new direct service between New York and St. Kitts in November of this year, and that Delta Airlines will introduce a direct service between Atlanta and St. Kitts in February of next year,” said Prime Minister Douglas, who also disclosed that more than 1500 hotel rooms will be under construction during the course of next year.
