Your Jobs & Economy

Achievements up to August 2025

1. Presentation of tax-free budgets (2023, 2024). 

a. One-time payment of EC$1000 to contributors to the Social Security Fund.

b. Electricity Arrears Reset – Immediate reconnection for all residential SKELEC customers.

c. Water Services Reset – Immediate reconnection for residential Water Services Department customers.

d. Housing Arrears Reset – Elimination of penalties on arrears from the National Housing Corporation (NHC).

e. L.A.N.D Reset – Reduction of interest rates on residential lands, interest waivers, and grace periods for outstanding balances.

f. Building Materials Reset (Build and Thrive Incentive) – No import duty, no Customs service charge, and reduced VAT for first-time homeowners and home renovators.

8. 8% salary increase for all civil servants and pensioners effective January 2024 

9.Christmas bonus in month’s salary to all civil servants, GAEs, Pensioners and STEP workers (2023) 

10.Introduction of “Whole of Government Digital Transformation Strategy.”  

11.National increase in minimum wage to $430 weekly (Jan 2024)

12. Introduction of new airlines to airlift (Inter-Caribbean, Caribbean Airlines, JetBlue Airlines).

13. First visit of the Seabourn Venture Cruise line to St. Kitts and Nevis.

14. Inaugural visit of the world’s largest cruise liners, the Wonder of the Sea and Icon of the Seas 

15. Launch of “Venture Deeper” Tourism Brand Campaign internationally to restore domestic and foreign investor confidence and stimulate consumer enthusiasm. 

16. Successful hosting of 25th Annual Music Festival. 

17. St. Kitts and Nevis became the prestigious first stop for the world’s largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas 

18. 5 weeks Car Swarm (New York) 2024, taxi cabs are wrapped in eye-catching designs to promote the peak season winter promotion. 

19. Removal of all COVID-19 Health and Travel Restrictions. 

20. Extension of the CBI Private Home Option. 

21.Launch of the New itizenship by Investment Evolution Program. 

22. Extension of the CBI Private Home Option. 

23. Launch of the new Citizenship by Investment Evolution Program. 

24. Official Launch of the Creative Economy. 

25. Transition of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) from the Ministry of International Trade et. al. to the Ministry of Small Business and Entrepreneurship. 

26. Ministry of Small business and Entrepreneurship launched its 40/40 booster grant ($5000 to 40 small business owners). 

27. The Small Business Development (Amendment) Bill, 2022. 

28.Launch of 40/40 booster grant for small business owners ($5000 to 40 small business owners) 

29.Reinstatement of gratuity payments to retired Government Auxiliary Employees. 

30.Pension for all Government Auxiliary Employees (GAE) and other monthly paid workers employed by the Government on or after 18th May 2012 will be eligible to receive a pension. 

31. Christmas bonus in month’s salary to all civil servants, GAEs, Pensioners and STEP workers (2023). 

32. 10% increase in salaries for National Housing Corporation (NHC). 

33. Reduction of VAT for the first 6 months of 2025 from 17% to 13%.

34. Utility Subsides: Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and Fuel Exercise Tax.

35. Two newly acquired plants at the Quarry Division of the Public Works Department, A brand-new Rokbak Truck.  The POWERSCREEN Secondary Crushing Plant and the POWERSCREEN Screening Plant will ensure a steady supply of aggregates to meet the increasing demand in the country’s growing construction sector.

36. New concrete road construction completed or in progress include: 

• Stone Fort 

• Palmetto Point 

• Boyds View 

• Race Course – Newton Ground 

• Rawlins – St. Pauls 

• White House – St. Peters 

37. Resurfacing roads projects: 

• Warner Park 

• Bay Road East 

• Boyds Village – Bronte Welsh Primary 

• Market Street 

• Sprott Street 

• Lower Monkey Hill 

• Fort lands – CARDI Building 

• Wigley Avenue 

• Trafalagar 

• Ottley’s Village 

• Harris’ 

• Lime Kiln Housing Development 

• New Road East 

• Southwell Drive 

 38. Installation of a new alternator on a 6MW generator.

39. Introduction of the Water Services Department of 24/7 Customer Service WATER Hotline and Emergency Crew.

40. Discovery of potable water in Cayon.

41. Electricity Arrears Reset – Immediate reconnection for all residential SKELEC customers.

42. Water Services Reset – Immediate reconnection for residential Water Services Department customers.

43. St. Kitts Electricity Company Ltd (SKELEC) Amended Power Purchase (PPA) with SOLEC for the largest solar PV and battery project in the Caribbean.

44. Groundbreaking for the first Solar Powered Desalination Plant donated to the Federation by the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

45. Commissioning of new well in Cayon 

 46. Introduction of “Whole of Government Digital Transformation Strategy.”

47 Presentation of the Sustainable Development Goals Agenda 2030.

48. Hosting of ITC Conference

49. The launch of a comprehensive cybersecurity certification program aimed at equipping 100 nationals with high-demand skills. 

50. Strategic and innovative approach to Tourism: (2025) 

a. In the USA Out-of-Home Advertising in key locations like major airports in New York, New Jersey, Atlanta and Miami and Time Square- New York  

b. In the UK 70 branded buses circulating throughout London and expansive Out-of-Home placements in high traffic train stations 

c. NBC Takeover feature- Kittian Chefs on NBC Live in South Florida to feature Kittitian food and culture