Last Updated on September 7, 2021, 8:12 AM AST by Anthony Morris
Basseterre: Minister for Tourism and Ports, Lindsay Grant, said all signs point to a positive recovery of the economy in St Kitts and Nevis as global business begins to grow.
The minister’s comments were made at the Antioch Baptist Church on Sunday (September 5, 2021) as he, along with the leadership, board members, management and staff of the St Christopher Air and Sea Ports Authority (SCASPA), worshiped the organizations 28th four anniversary.
In the heartfelt greetings to Chief Pastor Lincoln D. Connor and the congregation, Minister Grant shared the developments in Port Zante, the Deep Water Port and the R. L. Bradshaw International Airport that highlighted the path to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels.
“As for the resumption of international flights, American Airlines has increased the frequency of flights, Delta [Airlines] has resumed operations, British Airways started in October and Air Canada in November,” he said.
Minister Grant then turned his attention to the sea.
“At the port, cargo imports are on the rise, which is really a clear indication that the economy is slowly returning to the 2019 level. Cruise operations resumed with the Seaborne Odyssey on the [Southeast] Peninsula. However, I am pleased to announce that on 14 September, just a few days before, we will have our first vessel at Port Zante – the Celebrity Equinox – with more than 1000 passengers,” Minister Grant added.
He noted that the work to start the tourism industry in the country has been carefully handled and implemented at an appropriate level to balance lives and livelihoods.
“Brothers and sisters, better days lie ahead,” said Grant. “The challenges seem insurmountable, but we need to be resilient. In the future, it is SCASPA’s intention to modernize the ports by streamlining its operations, making full use of technology that allows all agencies and key stakeholders to use a single window system.
The new system will enable trade and transport stakeholders to submit standardized information and documents via a single access point to meet the necessary regulatory requirements for import, export and transport.
SCASPA’s 28th anniversary is celebrated under the theme: Overcoming Challenges, Building Resilience. ”
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
