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Basseterre, St. Kitts, May 30, 2018 (SKNIS): In just a few weeks, St. Kitts and Nevis will be hosting its inaugural Diaspora Conference from June 26-28 to promote sustainable development through building partnerships between the Federation and its nationals living abroad.

Chair of the Planning Committee for the Diaspora Conference and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Kaye Bass, while appearing on “Working for You”, on May 30, explained the importance of having the conference to foster collaboration with nationals living abroad and also to tap into the invaluable resources that exist in the Diaspora.

“I think countries more and more are realizing that the Diaspora has value. They give back to their countries of destinations and they give back to their countries of origin,” said Ms. Bass, while explaining that remittances make up over 1% of GDP in the Federation and further stating that persons in the Diaspora can contribute to the country by way of investment or innovation.  

She also said that the diasporic community can assist in the transfer of knowledge, best practices and help boost human capital.

 

“We believe that engaging the Diaspora should be more strategic. It should not be sporadic but regular,” said Ms. Bass, as she outlined that some of the goals that are expected from the conference are the development of a Diaspora Policy and building and maintaining strong partnerships with the Diaspora through overseas missions.

The Diaspora Conference will target priority areas such as agriculture, the development of small and medium enterprises, energy, engineering, information and communication technologies (ICTs) and tourism. An Opening Ceremony and Cultural Extravaganza will be held under the patronage of the Governor-General, His Excellency Sir S.W. Tapley Seaton, on June 26.

The June conference will be held at the St. Kitts Marriot Resort under the theme, “Building Partnership Towards Sustainable Development.” Registration for the conference is currently open at www.diaspora.gov.kn. The conference is free of charge but attendees are encouraged to register prior attending.

 

The Diaspora Committee is also collaborating with the Anguilla Nevis and St. Kitts Association Reunion (ANSAR), which is having its 18^th reunion just before the conference from June 22-24, 2018.

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