Empowering Communities, Inspiring Sustainable Growth: A Year of Progress and Impact 

Basseterre, St. Kitts (December 2, 2024) – The recently concluded press conference, held on Friday, November 29, 2024, at the NEMA Conference Room, highlighted the theme “Empowering Communities, Inspiring Sustainable Growth: A Year of Progress and Impact.” 

This landmark event, hosted under the leadership of Hon. Samal Duggins, marked a significant milestone in public engagement. It brought together for the first time the Ministries of Sports and the Creative Economy, Small Business, Entrepreneurship and Cooperatives, and Agriculture, Fisheries, and Marine Resources. The platform fostered open dialogue on innovation, achievements, and forward-looking initiatives aimed at advancing St. Kitts and Nevis. The overarching aim: to ensure that the voice of the people matters more than ever. 

The Minister, alongside permanent secretaries and directors, delivered insightful presentations highlighting key accomplishments and plans within their respective portfolios. These discussions reflected innovation and a shared commitment to national development, underscoring the government’s dedication to transparency, growth, and citizen-focused initiatives. 

Hon. Samal Duggins, in his remarks, shared his vision for holistic progress, stating: 

“When we invest in sports, arts, culture, agriculture, and entrepreneurship, we are empowering communities and inspiring sustainable growth that benefits everyone.” 

Key Highlights included but not limited to: 

• Sports: Facility upgrades, Sports Tourism, School Sports Programs, Forging solid partnerships and Exposure and training. 

• Creative Economy: Launch of the Creative Arts Fund, Grassroots Arts Initiatives, Creative Arts Center, Creative Power Arts Convention and Career Development for Professional Creatives 

• Culture: We Village Dat, De Cookup and Living Heritage, ICH Core Knowledge Transfer Camp, SWANK Creative Cultural music competition and the Creative Community Mural Project. 

• Carnival: Establishment of Sugar Mas Awards, increased visibility of Sugar Mas by over 20%, forged solid partnerships with government ministries, new initiatives catering to a greater cross section of stakeholders and increased prize monies and participation funds for various national events 

• Agriculture: The launch of the Tabasco Hot Pepper Project, Improvements in Land Preparation, Hundreds of thousands of high-quality slips, the Launch of the Hatchery Facility at Bayfords and Improved Storage 

• Fisheries and Marine Resources: Commissioning of the Enforcement boat Prosperity, Improved Regulations and Collaborations, Facility Upgrades, Evaluation of the St. Kitts-Nevis marine Management Area and Equipping fisherfolk with the tools for sustainability 

• Cannabis: Full structuring of the Cannabis Board, Ongoing Review of Cannabis legislation and policy and the Medicinal Cannabis Authority of St. Kitts and Nevis selected Chair of the Caribbean Cannabis Forum 

• Entrepreneurship: Transforming MSMEs into thriving businesses, Empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs, celebrating excellence in entrepreneurship, displaying local brands on the regional stage and Turning entrepreneurs into bankable businesses 

• Small Business: Equipping entrepreneurs with essential business skills, 3-month workshop series for growing businesses, helping businesses save with import duty concessions, supporting business growth with expert guidance, reforming policies to support small business growth 

• Cooperatives: Training, Education and Awareness and Increased engagement 

The press conference embodied the essence of its theme, emphasizing the government’s unwavering commitment to empowering communities and driving sustainable growth. By aligning efforts and resources, the administration has laid a solid foundation for continued impact and success in 2025 and beyond. 

This event’s success lies in its dedication to engaging the public, fostering collaboration, and highlighting the tangible progress being made across these vital and people-centered sectors. By strengthening the connection between leadership and citizens, the government continues to demonstrate its commitment to creating a brighter, more inclusive, and prosperous future for St. Kitts and Nevis. 

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