PRIME MINISTER DREW HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF MINISTERIAL OVERSEAS ENGAGEMENTS TO NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Basseterre, Saint Kitts, November 27, 2025 (SKNIS) – Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis, the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew, has reaffirmed the critical importance of overseas travel and international engagement by Cabinet members as a key driver in advancing the Federation’s sustainable development agenda.

Dr Drew explained that such visits are not symbolic, but strategic opportunities to secure real, measurable benefits for the people of Saint Kitts and Nevis — in key sectors such as health, education, food security, infrastructure, and renewable energy.

“When I went to Taiwan, as you saw, I visited a farm because we are now going to strengthen our collaboration with Taiwan in terms of our food security,” said Prime Minister Drew. “So I discussed with them how we can collaborate to establish a fund and seed monies in that fund so that we can have the inputs for agriculture.”

The prime minister noted other tangible results of these engagements, including negotiating two new electric buses for the education sector and arranging a technical mission from Taiwan’s International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) to help strengthen the Federation’s electricity grid.

Speaking during the November 25 edition of the Roundtable, Dr. Drew noted that many of his recent trips, including official visits to Africa and Asia, were sponsored by the host countries, ensuring minimal cost to the Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis while maximising developmental returns.

“A lot of these trips I go on … they cost the government nothing,” he explained. “All of my trips to Africa cost the government nothing. When I went to Ethiopia, it was sponsored. When I went to Nigeria, it was sponsored, and when I went to Taiwan, it was sponsored.”

He also pointed to other outcomes from international travel, such as agreements and progress on the new hospital project, the desalination plant, and a forthcoming Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Government of Colombia to enhance healthcare collaboration.

“That is what traveling does. I couldn’t stay here, or we couldn’t stay here and get things like that,” Dr. Drew affirmed. “When I travel to the United Nations, there’s no other space that allows you to meet other world leaders, like the United Nations, to discuss very important and pertinent matters.”

The prime minister underscored that such travel is an essential part of his government’s mission to build a sustainable island state, strengthen international partnerships, and open new opportunities for citizens.

“So they’re not just trips for trip’s sake. And usually when I travel, the schedule is hectic. But it’s to make sure that all of these benefits would be derived for the benefit of our people,” he emphasised.

Prime Minister Drew further reiterated his commitment to transparency and accountability, noting that he consistently provides comprehensive updates to the nation upon his return from official engagements abroad, often during his widely viewed Roundtable programme, which features a robust question-and-answer segment with the press.

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