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BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, (OCTOBER 27^TH, 2016)  — Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris said at his press conference yesterday, Wednesday, October 26^th that “significant milestones are being achieved” in St. Kitts and Nevis.  The Honourable Prime Minister said that this is evident by the strong growth rate, which distinguishes the Federation as a performance leader in the region and further afield.

“For 2016, we continue to put in above average performance,” Dr. Harris, the Minister of Finance, said yesterday, adding that, “We in St. Kitts and Nevis are expecting to record a growth rate of just about 3 percent.  Our projected growth rate can be compared more favourably to that of the UK, which is growing at 1.8 percent, the USA at 1.6 percent, Canada at 1.2 percent, and the Eurozone [the 19 countries that use the euro] at 1.7 percent.  The IMF [International Monetary Fund] in a recent report released just a few days ago tells us that St. Kitts and Nevis will lead the region in 2017, with a projected growth rate of 3.5 percent.  The international reports about our economic performance paint a picture of St. Kitts and Nevis with a robust economy and above average performance globally.”

The IMF’s World Economic Outlook published in October 2016 projects real GDP growth for Latin America and the Caribbean to be -0.6 percent in 2016 and 1.6 percent in 2017.  For the eight-member Eastern Caribbean Currency Union, the IMF projects real GDP growth at 2.2 percent in 2016 and 2.6 percent in 2017.  The World Economic Outlook (October 2016) puts St. Kitts and Nevis’ real GDP growth at 3.5 percent in 2016 and 3.5 percent again in 2017.

During the annual National Consultation on the Economy held on Wednesday, September 28^th, 2016, Mrs. Hilary Hazel, the Financial Secretary in the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis, said the local construction sector is projected to experience growth of 5.9 percent this year, and tourism 4 percent growth.

Construction is going apace in the parking lot of the Royal St. Kitts Hotel (the former Jack Tar) in Frigate Bay, where an 11-unit commercial development will provide business tenants with more than 17,000 square feet of indoor space.  The Royal Shopping Plaza will have seven outdoor patios ranging from 500 to 1,000 square feet, allowing for al fresco (outdoor) dining. The shopping plaza is scheduled to open on November 1^st, 2017 and will result in the employment of approximately 120 construction workers.  It broke ground on Tuesday, July 12^th.

At Kittitian Hill, which is being developed by Belmont Resorts Ltd., the contractor Belmont Construction Ltd. has employed 48 local subcontractors so far this year to work on the 400-acre site in St. Paul’s.

Acting Head of Construction at Belmont Construction Ltd., Mr. Everton Dore, said today, Thursday, October 27^th, that, “Seventeen or 18 local subcontractors, such as plumbers, carpenters, heavy equipment companies and small building contractors, have been on the monthly payroll since the start of the year, and since August the numbers have been increasing.”  Mr. Dore added that Kittitian Hill is still in the first phase of construction, with 30 percent of the development having “been touched.”

Back in June, Mr. Richard Havercroft, Kier Construction Ltd.’s Project Manager for the Park Hyatt St. Kitts told the Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister that, “We are looking for approximately 150 workers to complete the project.”

The Park Hyatt St. Kitts, which is being developed by Range Developments, is scheduled to open at Banana Bay on the Southeast Peninsula on March 1^st, 2017.  This afternoon, a Kier office worker told the Press Unit that, “More than 200 persons have been hired since June, including roughly 50 this month.  The vast majority of the construction workers are local.”

The tourism sector, too, is replete with employment opportunities.

For instance, the Park Hyatt St. Kitts is seeking “local candidates only” for the following positions as of “the week of October 21^st, 2016”: Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Administrative Assistant – Engineering, Assistant Executive Housekeeper, Assistant Manager – Front Office, Assistant Outlet Manager, Assistant PBX Manager, Assistant Spa Manager, Bartenders, Bell Attendants, Chef de Partie, Concierge, Cook Intermediate Line, Cook Lead Line, Door Attendant, Driver, Event Sales Manager, Event Services Manager, Event Services Supervisor, Executive Steward, Food Runner, Front Office Agent, Front Office Supervisor, General Cashier/Paymaster, General Maintenance Engineer, Greeter/Host, Guest Services Supervisor, Housekeeper/Room Attendant, Housekeeping Office Coordinator, Housekeeping Supervisor, Houseperson – Housekeeping, Human Resources Coordinator, Laundry Attendant, Laundry Supervisor, Mechanic, PBX – Telephone Operator, PBX – Telephone Supervisor, Prep Cook, Public Areas Attendant, Receiving Clerk, Recreation Attendant, Recreation Manager, Recreation Supervisor, Restaurant Supervisor, Security Officer, Security Supervisor, Server – Events, Server – In-room Dining, Server – Restaurants, Sous Chef, Spa Attendant, Spa Reception Agent, Steward/Dishwasher, Stewarding Supervisor, Storeroom Attendant, Turndown Attendant, and Uniform Attendant.  Applications are preferred through the www.hyatt.jobs website, which has information on all job specifications and qualification requirements.

Overlooking The Narrows strait that separates St. Kitts from Nevis, the luxury 5-star Park Hyatt St. Kitts will have 126 guestrooms, with many suites appointed with individual rooftop pools.  Amenities are to include outdoor infinity pools, a fitness centre, a signature spa, three world-class food and beverage outlets, and 7,000 square feet of meeting and banquet space.

Christophe Harbour also hosted a Marina Job Fair yesterday, Wednesday, October 26^th.  Available positions at the marina include Maintenance Engineer, Fuel Attendants, Guest Services Coordinator (Concierge), and Dockhands.  For further information on how to apply, please call 466-4557.