2026 BUDGET DESIGNED TO PROPEL SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE ISLAND STATE, SAYS PRIME MINISTER DREW

Basseterre, Saint Kitts, October 29, 2025 (SKNIS) – The Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis continues to advance its vision of becoming a Sustainable Island State, with the formulation of the 2026 National Budget positioned as a key step in achieving that goal.

Speaking today, October 29, 2025, during a “Fireside Chat” as part of the Budget 2026 National Forum, held at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort under the theme “Turning Conversations into Action: Building Our Sustainable Island State Together”, Prime Minister, the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew, underscored that the upcoming budget must serve as a practical instrument to drive national transformation.

“The vision is for us to become a sustainable island state,” said Prime Minister Drew. “So the budget has to be such that the allocations that are made would drive the activities that would get us there.”

The prime minister explained that the allocations within the 2026 Budget must align with the seven pillars of the Sustainable Island State Agenda (SISA). 

“For example, if you look at the seven pillars and it says energy, the budget has to have an allocation so that we can get to renewable energy. We say water, the budget has to have allocation for us to become water sufficient and to have water 24/7,” Dr. Drew stated.

Highlighting the importance of climate-resilient infrastructure, Prime Minister Drew referenced the need for stronger healthcare facilities that can endure severe weather events.

“If we are talking about healthcare infrastructure that can withstand category five hurricanes, which ours cannot withstand at this moment, it would be a real disaster after a disaster if the hospital roof is gone or is destroyed,” he noted. “The budget must respond to that — get us an infrastructure, a hospital that can deal with the scourge of climate change.”

Acting Financial Secretary, Mr. Carlton Pogson, who sat on the panel with Prime Minister Drew, highlighted the positive performance of the national economy as a solid foundation for advancing the SISA vision.

“When you look at our economy’s performance, our economy has grown by 1.1 percent year over year,” Mr. Pogson stated. “We’ve seen big reductions in inflation and, based on the last numbers we had up to August 2025, we’ve seen inflation of 0.6 percent. It says to us that we are heading in the right direction.”

Mr. Pogson emphasised that achieving the government’s long-term goals will require consistency in policy implementation and strategic budgetary planning. He noted that while progress will not happen overnight, laying strong foundations and adhering to the framework set out under the Sustainable Island State Agenda and the planned budget will steadily move the nation toward its ultimate objective of becoming a sustainable island state.

The Budget 2026 National Forum brought together representatives from the private sector, civil service, non-governmental organisations, students, and community groups to engage in dialogue that will inform the government’s fiscal priorities and ensure alignment with the Sustainable Island State Agenda.

-30-