BASSETERRE, St. Kitts — Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Foreign Ministers met virtually on February 19 with their Canadian counterpart, the Hon. Marc Garneau, in the first virtual CARICOM-Canada Meeting of Foreign Ministers. St. Kitts and Nevis was represented by Foreign Minister, the Honourable Mark Brantley.

Their dialogue focused on the COVID-19 pandemic and equitable access to vaccines, economic recovery and inclusive growth, and climate resilience and sustainability – all key elements in the region’s efforts to build back better.

In leading the discussion on COVID-19: “Building Back Better,” Foreign Minister Brantley thanked the government of Canada for its assistance in helping to strengthen the region’s ability to respond to the range of challenges posed by COVID-19 by the provision of Personal Protection Equipment.

Ongoing support was offered by the Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO) and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA). Hon. Brantley stressed that “if ever there was a time for real dialogue to jointly address pressing issues in ways that will bring concrete benefit to our citizens, that time is clearly now.” He highlighted three critical and actionable areas for cooperation including health systems, vaccine access, and economic impact.

Noting that the “COVID damage is deep, the recovery will be long, and the vision must be bold,” Brantley sought to bring a sense of purposeful urgency for cooperation in addressing the global pandemic. He championed the idea of moving beyond old development paradigms to more “substantive cooperation for sustainable development” including in green investments, renewable energy, and the blue economy.

Given the profound impact of the pandemic on the travel and tourism industry in St. Kitts and Nevis, Minister Brantley seized on the opportunity to call for “the resumption of flights from Canada at the earliest possible opportunity,” and the continuation of the technical dialogue that began last year between Canada and CARICOM on safe travel and tourism.

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BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – St. Kitts and Nevis has delivered well to farmers and fisherfolk, and will continue to support them under the Farmers and Fisherfolk Assistance Programme, according to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Marine Resources, Ron Collins.

“Farmers and Fishers have benefited greatly from the stimulus package provided by the government in 2020,” said Collins during remarks on the development of the agricultural and fisheries sectors. “The 2020 stimulus package aided farmers and fishers by greatly reducing prices on seeds, feed, and seedlings. He said the government also made land, wire, and other building materials available.

“The government has provided support by assigning STEP workers to farmers and fishers to enhance their operations, land preparations, provision of chemical and fertilizers—repair of paddocks has also been contributed,” he said.

The permanent secretary highlighted the work of the Livestock Unit at the Department of Agriculture, saying that the unit provided free treatment and Bayticol to control and arrest the Dermatophilosis that decimated the livestock in the Federation.

“Our Assistance Programme, made possible by the Federal Government, has made available funds to support the activities in helping farmers overcome some of the challenges they face,” said Collins. “The Federal Government made a further injection of an additional $3 million for 2021 that will serve to ensure that the target of increased production and decreased import bill is achieved.”

“The opportunities in agriculture have increased because of the assistance provided,” he said. “Many of our farmers and fishers can speak to our commitment to helping them in their various farming and fishing endeavours.”

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