introduction

1.                   Although St. Kitts and Nevis faces several challenges as a small vulnerable economy it is still committed to participation in the multilateral trading system of the World Trade Organization.  St. Kitts and Nevis is aware however that the development agenda of the Doha Round is incomplete but hopes that the promise of development given in that Round would yet be achieved.  The constraints of size, lack of resources, vulnerability and openness of the economy determine its dependence on the articulation and development of special and differential treatment to enable its desired full participation in the global trading system and its ability to benefit from trade liberalization.

2.                   Trade liberalization however has affected the economy of St. Kitts and Nevis as the WTO dispute settlement ruling has impacted its sugar industry and led to the closure of the most significant manufacturing enterprise and agricultural production.  The resulting loss of foreign exchange earnings and mass unemployment in a small population has necessitated an effort to restructure the agricultural sector and to seek other opportunities for export earnings.

3.                   St Kitts and Nevis clearly supports a NAMA negotiation which would take into account its reliance on trade taxes for revenue.  Within the agricultural negotiations the special products proposal would assist the country in its restructure of its agricultural sector.  St. Kitts and Nevis welcomes the Aid for Trade initiative.  Such an initiative should address the supply side constraints of St. Kitts and Nevis and assistance should move beyond training sessions.

SECTORS

Agriculture

4.                   Agriculture’s contribution to GDP has declined falling to 3% of GDP in 2005, mainly as a result of decreasing sugar cane production.  The government’s decision to close the sugar industry in 2005 means a restructuring of the agriculture sector.  The sector is expected to ensure the food security of the country, reduce its net food importing status, provide rural employment and contribute to foreign exchange earnings and sustainable development.  The government plans to increase the production of its non-sugar agriculture, to add value to primary products and seek export markets. Areas of niche production will be explored and new products added to the current production.

5.                   The small physical size of St. Kitts and Nevis rules out the possibilities of economies of scale in agricultural production.  Agricultural production takes place on small holdings of fruits, vegetables and livestock.  However the linkages with the tourism sector are expected to assist that sector.  Trade in agricultural products will benefit from the reduction of agricultural subsidies given to farmers by developed countries.  The sector is beginning to provide initial optimism.  Agricultural production has grown by 67.1% for the first quarter of 2007 compared to the previous year.  The government intends to make more land available to farmers and to continue to provide extension and advisory services.

6.                   St. Kitts and Nevis expects that the special products initiative in the WTO would assist its agricultural development policy.

Services

7.                   The services sector is a major focus of the readjustment of the post-sugar economy.  Investment in tourism is encouraged with infrastructural investment on air and seaport facilities.  Although tourism is the major service industry the government has indicated that financial services and information technology services are targets for diversification objectives.

Tourism

8.                   Over the period of the review the tourism sector has remained steady.  Tourism growth fell in 2005 after extremely high growth in the previous year.  Tourism continues to contribute significantly to Gross Domestic Product and is the main foreign exchange earning industry.

9.                   Tax and duty concessions are offered to the tourism industry through the Hotel Aids Act.  St Kitts and Nevis considers that these concessions have assisted in attracting investment to the industry.  During the period under review new investment in the sector contributed to overall growth in the economy.  Most of the foreign direct investment that St. Kitts and Nevis receives is in the tourism industry. The tourism industry is a major employer.

10.               St. Kitts and Nevis promotes sustainable tourism and is especially determined that development takes into consideration environmental and social impacts.

11.               With the decline and eventual closure of the sugar industry during the period under review St. Kitts and Nevis expects to continue to need such incentives to further develop the sector to provide employment for a large portion of the population including the workers made redundant from the sugar industry.

Financial services

12.               The financial services sector has been identified as an area for development.  To offset some setbacks in the sector several pieces of legislation were introduced to improve the regulation in the industry.  A Financial Services Intelligence Unit was also created.

Telecommunications

13.               The liberalization of the telecommunications industry has introduced a competitive market for the provision of such services.  Licences were issued in both the fixed line and mobile markets.  The mobile market is very buoyant with three providers.  There is high penetration of internet service and broadband subscription has increased to 75% of subscribers.  The resulting infrastructure and investment has provided a platform which will encourage investment in information technology based service industries.  Reductions in telecommunication costs to subscribers have resulted from liberalization and increased competition in the industry.  The government considers that such cost reduction would be an important consideration in attracting new investment in services to make this industry a route for diversification.

Manufacturing

14.               The contribution of manufacturing to the economy declined during the period under review mainly as a result of decreasing production in sugar manufacturing and the eventual closure of the sugar industry.  Production in manufacturing consists of beverages including beer and malt, and electronic components such as switches, filter traps and capacitors.

15.               The manufacturing sector is the largest exporter of goods contributing 9.5% to GDP in 2005.  Investment and diversification into manufacturing is assisted by tax incentives under the Fiscal Incentives Act.  The government recognises the need to assist the manufacturing sector in order to provide employment opportunities, increase export trade and earn foreign exchange.

16.               Many of the manufactured exports are marketed in the United States under the CBI plan as well as to Canada under the CARIBCAN programme.  St. Kitts and Nevis considers the sector as a major part of its participation in international trade, an important component of economic diversification and crucial for employment generation.

TRADE RELATIONS

17.               St. Kitts and Nevis, along with the rest of CARICOM, is currently engaged in the ACP-EU negotiations to create a free trade arrangement called an Economic Partnership Agreement.  Participation in these negotiations shows the commitment of St. Kitts and Nevis to trade liberalization.  The expectations are that the EPA will provide more opportunities for exports to the European Union.  It will however result in more competition for domestic industries and service providers.

CSME

18.               St. Kitts and Nevis is committed to the Caricom Single Market and Economy.  As a small country with a small population, St. Kitts and Nevis is provided through the CSME with a larger market for intra regional trade as well as an opportunity to address some of the human resource constraints in the economy because of the freedom of movement of labour.

19.               The government is of the view that the CSME can stimulate trade and help to improve the competitiveness of domestic producers.

CBI/CBERA/CARIBCAN

20.               The Caribbean Basin Initiative of the USA has provided export opportunities in manufactures for St. Kitts and Nevis.  A specified group of products can be exported duty free into the United States under this initiative.  Although these exports declined slightly after the September 11^th attacks in the United States, there has been steady recovery since.  These products constitute the major share of exports to the United States.  Exports to Canada also benefit from the arrangements available under CARIBCAN.

TRADE POLICY AND IMPLEMENTATION

21.               With the closure of the sugar industry St. Kitts and Nevis is further committed to its objectives of achieving economic diversification, improving competitiveness in the various sectors, attracting investment as avenues for economic growth and development.

22.               The government has decided on a policy of diversification through the development of service industries.  The infrastructure for the provision of information technology services is available through the opportunities provided by the liberalized telecommunications industry and the regulatory oversight of ECTEL.  The government intends to attract investment in this industry with the provision of an infrastructure ready technology park.  Other services for diversification include tourism and financial services.  Widening the market for tourism from traditional countries of origin and creating a tourism brand are some of the goals of the tourism sector.

23.               To achieve some of its goals the government intends to create an Investment Promotion Agency to provide information and advice to both domestic and foreign investors.  A One Stop Shop investment facility will be established to make the investment process more timely and effective.

24.               St. Kitts and Nevis is still concerned about the difficulty of meeting implementation obligations under the various agreements of the multilateral trading system.  Human resource constraints in the Ministry responsible for international trade persist.  Three members of staff deal with all trade matters including subregional, regional, and international trade matters as well as for ongoing negotiations and consulting and advising the private sector.  These officials are also responsible for the implementation of the CSME.

25.               Capacity constraints also exist in other related public sector departments and are compounded by financial constraints for the proper implementation especially of TRIPS, SPS and TBT Agreements.  St. Kitts and Nevis continues to need technical assistance for implementation of its WTO obligations.  The Aid for trade initiative can be used to provide equipment in some of these areas.

Technical Standards

26.               The government recognizes the importance of internationally accepted standards in the trading process.  The government has established a Bureau of /standards with empowering legislation and the oversight of the Standards Council.  A multi purpose lab serves the Standards Bureau.  The Bureau of Standards has the responsibility of creating technical regulations to protect consumer health and safety from goods unsuitable for consumption.  It is also expected to advise producers of standards in foreign markets that are targets for exports.  The Standards council has begun work on food labeling standards and conducts training for domestic producers on labeling requirements and food safety standards.

Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures

27.               St. Kitts and Nevis implements sanitary and phytosanitary measures for the protection of agriculture and for the safety of human and animal life.  Capacity constraints exist in the modernization of legislation and for risk analysis.

28.               Technical assistance would be required for both TBT and SPS measures to be effective to promote trade.  Laboratory accreditation and a certification system would greatly facilitate trade.

FISCAL POLICY

29.               The fiscal position of St. Kitts and Nevis is showing some improvement after initial weakening in the earlier years of the review period.  Improvements in revenue collection, some economic growth from construction activity may have contributed to the stronger fiscal position.

30.               The fiscal position remains vulnerable however as increased government expenditure on fuel imports will begin to affect the balance of payments.  The fiscal revenue continues to depend on trade taxes.  This source is under threat from proposed reduction in tariffs in the multilateral negotiations.  St. Kitts and Nevis will also experience reduced revenues upon the implementation of the final phase of the CARICOM Common External Tariff.

31.               Government has not yet made a decision to change its tax system.

MONETARY POLICY

32.               The monetary council of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank is responsible for the monetary policy of St. Kitts and Nevis and the other OECS countries.  The Eastern Caribbean dollar is pegged to the U.S. dollar at the rate of EC$2.71.  The rate remains stable.

CONCLUSION

33.               St Kitts and Nevis is committed to the process of trade liberalization.  It is however confronted by the challenges that such liberalization entails.  St. Kitts and Nevis will support the premise that small vulnerable economies like its own, require special and differential treatment to participate in the international trading system.  The benefits of market liberalization require the cooperation and assistance of developed countries within the WTO.  St. Kitts and Nevis has a difficult task to restructure its economy after its dependence on sugar production.  The present negotiations should consider the special circumstances of small, open vulnerable economies.

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