Speeches/Documents
Throne Speech
H.E. Sir S.W. Tapley Seaton
G.C.M.G., C.V.O., Q.C., J.P.
Mr.Speaker and Honourable Members of the National Assembly
Team Unity was born out of the reality that St.Kitts and Nevis had become a Nation divided by politics.This sad reality of political tribalism failed to create better conditions for our people. Instead,over the past 30 years since Independence,we have seen the steady withdrawal from a unified approach to democracy and development that we promised each other upon gaining Independence in 1983.
Mr. Speaker:
Team Unity on February 16, 2015 received a resounding mandate to change the direction that our Federation was headed and put us on the road to prosperity for all.
Mr. Speaker:Team Unity Is –
Concerned about the social,economic,political and cultural challenges that we face as a country, and the threats to the well-being and advancement of our people and,therefore determined to resolve these permanently.
Mr. Speaker: Team Unity Is –
Acknowledging the sacrifices made by our forbears in the fight against colonialism,slavery,and racial discrimination and determined to accept,cherish,and recognize the significance of their struggle as the foundation of our sovereign Independence, freedoms human rights. This is the ethos that drives our resolve to be better.
Mr. Speaker:Team Unity Is –
Recognizing, accepting and acknowledging that the values of justice, fairness, openness, tolerance, equality, non-discrimination, and respect for all persons without regard to race,class, gender, ethnicity, language, religion, political opinion, place of our birth are the bed rock of our democracy and good governance.
Mr. Speaker:
Team Unity has listened to the people. The laws, policies, and initiatives the Government of National Unity promotes during the new legislative year and beyond will put the people of St. Kitts and Nevis first.
Our Government Ministers, Permanent Secretaries,Heads of Departments, Boards have been directed that in all their decision-making, and whatever they do,to remember that we are working for the People. This Government is for the people and by the people. This must be our focus and will be what defines us.
Mr. Speaker:
Our mandate is to ensure that all have a fair share of this national prosperity.
What is a prosperous nation?
Mr. Speaker: a prosperous nation has a strong vibrant economy where people who want to find a good paying job can find a good paying job.Where someone with an idea can get financing to start a business, where industry small and large is thriving and where access to technology can level the playing field
Mr. Speaker:
With the fact that tomorrow begins today we are faced with the urgency of now.
An economic overhaul is needed now to ensure we are on the road where all can have access to this Nation’s prosperity.
The average citizen does not have to be told that times are hard. The people of St.Kitts and Nevis have faced severe adversity over the past five years. Our Team Unity Government understands that the cost of living is too high. The general standard of living for most citizens has dropped dramatically.While our minimum wage is relatively higher than those of the other OECS territories,unemployment is still too high and the wages of the underemployed are low, resulting in a growing population of the working poor.Our people deserve better.
Local businesses are often overlooked and often undervalued.
The road from poor to middle class was filled with potholes of despair and discouragement.The road was filled with bumps.The road led to disappointment.
Mr.Speaker:
We must put our people to work.We must make the cost of living affordable. We must become energy efficient.We must create the environment where government can be the catalyst for job creation in the private sector through innovation, regulatory processes, technology and incentives. We cannot be satisfied with the past. We must launch St. Kitts and Nevis in to the future. This is the foundation of a strong economy.
Team Unity, Mr.Speaker, removed VAT from Food, medicine and funeral expenses effective April 7,2015-a compassionate move which has put more money in the pockets of all our people. Many economists agree that tax breaks can jump start any sluggish economy because people have more money in their pockets.
Team Unity is committed to (a)providing an amnesty on qualified electricity arrears that pre-date the establishment of SKELEC; (b) eliminating the fuel surcharge and there by reducing the electricity rates for both residents and businesses; (c) reviewing the environmental levy on vehicles; and(d) providing an amnesty on qualified housing arrears and reducing mortgage payments on NHC houses.
Team Unity will increase and expand employment opportunities by partnering with the manufacturing sector to add an additional 150 jobs by the end of 2015, and another 500 by 2020.
Creating incentives for foreign industries to relocate to St.Kitts and Nevis will be a priority for this Government. The attractiveness of our jurisdiction to such corporate relocations includes, but is certainly not limited to, competitive tax holidays,waiver of import duties on the importation of plant and machinery; a highly skilled, trainable and productive labour force; a stable investment climate; rewards for exemplary Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR); and the urgent adoption, by Government, of a pro-business agenda for growth.
Team Unity, Mr. Speaker, has announced new innovative policies aimed at restoring the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programme. This programme has been one of the pillars of our economy and we have already begun taking steps to ensure its long term sustainability. The first of these measures has been the decision to take on board the 20 recommended reforms which the US-based risk management firm, IPSA International Incorporated, presented to Government in 2014. In addition to these recommended reforms, our Team Unity Government has adopted three additional policies which will further enhance the transformation and long term sustainability of our CBI programme.
Mr.Speaker:
Even as our Team Unity Government sets about the business of restructuring our CBI programme, our Administration is ever mindful of the need to make significant investment in economic repositioning-to guarantee sustainability and diversification in the medium to long term. As such,there is a growing need to seek out those investments that are not dependent on citizenship by investment and far less vulnerable to external shocks. Such investments include more emphasis in research and development; the establishment of centres of excellence for trade, business development, medical and sports tourism, and the arts; and joint ventures with private sector entities engaged in the business of harnessing and marketing intellectual capital.
EC $16 million dollars, Mr.Speaker, has been allocated as past-due gratuities to former sugar workers with out it costing our Federation one cent. This was made possible by a generous grant from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, in an effort to settle with our displaced SSMC workers the arrears that was due them since 2005.
Team Unity has already given Nevis EC $10 million dollars as a jump start to the local economy. Nevis is not an after thought for our Team Unity Administration, Mr. Speaker. Nevis is a priority.
This Government will create two additional industrial parks on St.Kitts and one on Nevis to accommodate new manufacturing enterprises and expansion of existing plants.
This Government Mr. Speaker will create cyber communities in neighbourhoods within St Kitts and Nevis so small business can have access to the global market place– right from their small shop space in tiny St.Kitts and Nevis.
This Government intends to make energy more affordable through investment in alternative energy sources.This will be done in a number of ways, not limited to the provision of incentives for renewable energy companies to do business in St.Kitts and Nevis. Such companies include those focused on wind, solar and geothermal energy production.In so doing, we will be doing our part saving our planet and restricting our traditional reliance of energy generated by fossil fuels. Mr.Speaker, just this past weekend the Prime Minster, Dr. the Honourble Timothy Harris attended the Caraïbe Climat conference with other Caribbean Heads of State hosted by the President of the French Republic. This conference focused on the effects of climate change on the Caribbean.The Prime Minister at the conference stated, and I quote: “We must ensure that the Caribbean Islands, places where people live, work, visit and conduct business everyday, are here for generations to come”.
Team Unity will enable and facilitate the ownership of 2000 houses and 3000 lots of land for our residents. This will be one of the catalysts of our building industry which creates jobs and opportunity as well.
It is imperative that we grow our Tourism product on and off peak seasons. Team Unity understands that we need a national brand. There must be a fresh start and approach in telling our story–the story of a Federation at the dawn of a new era of opportunity, prosperity and upward trajectory!
Mr. Speaker:
We know that when people visit our Country they often do not want to leave. We also know that Tourism is one of the pillars of our economy. We will look at new innovative tourism products that will bring people into our destination, so much so that they will become return visitors.
By extension, Mr. Speaker, Team Unity intends to make a fresh start in the areas of Medical Tourism and Sports Tourism– two areas that we consider to be growth sub-sectors.
Team Unity will build capacity by attracting professionals to work for government, and provide to capable businesses government contracts that promote innovation and state-of-the-art services for the people of our Federation.
Team Unity will implement a 30% percent procurement policy that is set aside for Micro,Small and Medium-sized(MSMEs)on Government contracts. This will guarantee the intended goal of levelling the playing field. The establishment of a Tenders Board will also lend transparency and full accountability to this process.
Mr. Speaker:
What is intended is the creation of a new private sector where our people are considered Number #1 at all times.
Team Unity understands that Agricultural Reform is a key face to four legislative agenda. The Government must establish a bona fide registry for farmers, so they can register and access the fullest incentives and concessions available to them. Government will also expand subsidies and other concessions to farmers and fishers.
Our goal will be business friendly both to local and foreign businesses. Many individuals have ideas that could create jobs right here in St.Kitts and Nevis. Mr. Speaker: Some of the ideas never get out of the mind unless that person receives a helping hand. Sometimes all that is needed is a hand up.
This Government is prepared to initiate a venture capital fund that will give businesses access to start-up monies needed to fund an idea. There would have been no Bill Gates without someone believing in his concept of developing software for computers. This is a new role for our Development Bank to fill, in order to help create a new cadre of budding,promising entrepreneurs.
Mr. Speaker:
These are some of the initiatives designed to turn this economy around, and grow jobs. Our simple approach is to be“ people first and business friendly”. It will be one of the cornerstones of this new Government.
Capital projects are central to our economic turn around. Our Team Unity Government will focus on urban revitalization for Basseterre and Charlestown, including the renovation and rehabilitation of Government buildings; and delivering on our promised Sugar Museum.
Mr.Speaker:
Part of Team Unity’s vision for a revived private sector is the creation of a new generation of millionaires who would have invested in tourism culture, the performing and culinary arts, craft production, agro-processing, and other related fields.
Mr. Speaker:
A prosperous Nation is a safe Nation.
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