Douglas highlights foreign direct investment attracted to St Kitts and Nevis under his leadership
Former Prime Minister and leader of the St. Kitts Nevis Labour Party, Dr. Denzil Douglas says his administration made the foundational provisions for a strong local economy.
His remarks came in response to apparent attempts by the present government led by Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris to take all credit for the twin island state’s economic growth.
“During my tenure as Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, I used it as a benchmark to make pragmatic but sustainable decisions on how best to grow our economy in terms of increasing wealth for all, leveraging the human resources of our Federation and expanding or improving various sectors of our economy for vibrancy and quality of life improvements of the people,” said Dr Douglas.
“Our economy in 2010 to 2015 under my leadership became the leading economy in the OCES and our people flourished,” he said .
The St Kitts and Nevis economy grew over 6 percent in 2013 and 2014 after challenging years brought on by the international economic and financial crisis.
“We created jobs for our young people. We expanded the green energy sector and attracted billions worth in foreign investments,” said Dr Douglas.
These included the Park Hyatt St Kitts, the St Kitts Ramada (under construction), the T-Lofts (under construction), the St Kitts Marriott and Royal Beach Casino, Christophe Harbour Marina, Saltplage, The Pavilion, Silver Reef Resort and Residences, Imperial Bay Golf and Beach Residences, Koi Resort, Ocean Edge, Manor by the Sea, The Castle, Koi Sales Office, Rendezvous (incomplete), Kittitian Hill (Belle Mont), YU Lounge at the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport, the St. Kitts Scenic Railway and the St. Kitts Eco-Park, Embassy Suites (Incomplete), Golden Rock Commercial Park (Incomplete) and Montebello (Incomplete) among many other projects private and public.
“We built over 5,000 affordable homes for families and we increased Social Security from EC$300 million when we went into office to EC$1.2 billion when we left,” Dr Douglas said.
Douglas, the political leader of the St Kitts-Nevis Labour Party said his party is ready for the upcoming general elections.
“Under the Next Gen SKN leadership, I plan to position the Federation as the cutting edge of several emerging medical, environmental, cryptocurrency, fantasy sport and energy industries so that our people can create wealth for themselves under our prosperity agenda.
Dr. Douglas also suggested that lack sound financial and economic data, made available by reputable financial and economic institutions, under the present administration, can hamper further growth.
