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BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, May 2, 2018 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – The Governments of St. Kitts and Nevis and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) continue to explore ways in which the two countries can further strengthen existing bilateral relations through deepened cooperation in areas of renewable energy development, climate change adaptation and tourism.

 

This was done when St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, met with a delegation from the UAE at his Government Headquarters office. The visiting delegation was led by Minister of State for International Cooperation, Her Excellency Reem Ebrahim Al Hashimy.

 

Her Excellency Hashimy noted that there are several areas of cooperation in which both countries have achieved together, including the recent signing of a historic Air Services Agreement. That agreement was signed between Prime Minister Harris and Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, when the prime minister toured the UAE and Hong Kong in April to promote the St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Programme.  

 

Her Excellency Al Hashimy stated that while in St. Kitts, they visited the St. Kitts Investment Promotion Agency (SKIPA) “to get an understanding of the different areas of investment into your beautiful country. We also understand some of the very strong hoteliers that have either set up in your country or are in the process of setting up and that is truly very impressive.”

 

Minister Al Hashimy further revealed her government’s interest in assisting the twin island Federation in adapting stronger climate change resilient measures, particularly as it relates to infrastructure.

 

With the start of the Atlantic Hurricane Season less than a month away, Prime Minister Harris said that “The predictions are for this year the hurricane season will be quite active and so we are praying and hoping for the best.”

 

He added, “Ultimately, it’s how we are better able to adapt, how we are going to be resilient in what we do, applying new technologies and science to help keep us safe from the forces of nature. The United Arab Emirates has created several wonderful buildings and has shown a knack to develop and construct structures that can last and structures that are durable, structures that can be resilient and perhaps that can be one area going forward we might be able to share experience with a few to better understand the challenges in those areas.”

 

The St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister also briefed the visiting minister on the growth and strength of the country’s Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme, the growing tourism and hospitality sector in the Federation, as well as desire for the establishment of visa-free arrangements between St. Kitts and Nevis and the United Arab Emirates.

 

Her Excellency Al Hashimy reaffirmed that her government will continue to give the concerns of the St. Kitts and Nevis government highest considerations, adding, “We are working very actively to close some of those matters.”