BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, JUNE 30TH 2014 (CUOPM) – The Federation’s Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas says locally investment and funding agencies will continue under a St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party Administration, to have a positive impact on the establishment of small businesses.
Addressing the official opening of Chester Chicken Outlet in the Caribbean Cinema Complex at Buckley’s, Prime Minister Douglas noted that it was his Labour Government that established life altering accomplishments entities like the St. Kitts Investment Promotion Agency (SKIP) and others specifically to encourage, facilitate, and equip the people of this country to assume solid, independent roles within this country’s business community.
“And that is why this afternoon, despite all the naysayers sayings, SKIPA, the Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation (SIDF) and the Small Enterprise Assistance Fund (SEAF)will continue to impact positively on the lives of the people of this country, especially small businessmen who are benefiting from what this government has to offer through these various agencies,” said Prime Minister Douglas to invited guests including Minister of Health, Social and Community Development, Hon. Marcella Liburd; Parliamentary Representative, the Hon. Sam Condor and local business persons.
Prime Minister Douglas spoke of the important role that the St. Kitts and Nevis Development Bank has been playing in helping Mr. White o transform his plan, for this project, into a reality.
“This new business means new revenue streams for our local farmers: today, next month, and next year as Chester’s Chicken will be purchasing large quantities of local tomatoes, large quantities of sweet pepper, large quantities of local cabbage, large quantities of local carrots, and so on, in order to help to feed our people nutritiously here from Chester’s Chicken,” said Prime Minister Douglas, who noted that in addition, the local supermarkets, as well, will generate higher levels of sales as a result of the patronage that they will see week, after month, after year, from this establishment.
“I understand that twelve persons are now employed here. And twelve persons are employed here because Shervin White understood and continues to understand the value of planning, hard work, discipline, and sacrifice,” said Dr. Douglas.
He said his St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party administration wants the twin-island Federation to be a nation of entrepreneurs.
“The Public Sector cannot do it alone and so to the young people of our Federation, I say – Look around you. And more so I say this afternoon look around you at those businessmen who are sitting with us under this very tent,” said the St. Kitts and Nevis leader.
He identified the businessmen in the audience as persons involved in banking, in broadcasting, in Internet News casting, in construction and in the retail trades.
“Businessmen who have started out small as local businesses, but who have despite starting out small, have grown into fledging support businesses with the full commendation and support of our local populations so that they can today consider themselves to be successful. I ask our young people to think about your particular skills and interests. Assess whether there are ways to use those skills and interests – legally and honourably – to generate revenue for yourselves. I ask our small businesses that are just starting out to think big, start small and work hard to become successful,” said Prime Minister Douglas.
He advised: “And you can do that through practice, disciplines, and the guidance of individuals and institutions that were used to help you get established to put you on your own journey to financial independence. I advise you that the work will be hard. I am not where I am today because I am lazy, it is hard work. No less than 18 hours per day. The hours therefore will be long, but nothing worth having comes easy. And the rewards will be yours forever.”
Prime Minister Douglas congratulated Mr. White and wished The White Corporation, Inc., – the business established to oversee operations, “every success as you put in place yet another brick in this wall of business ventures that you long ago set out to build for yourself.
Congratulations, it is with great pleasure and honour that I now declare open, Shervin White’s Chester’s Chicken here in Basseterre St. Kitts. It is our local business, let us support it and we wish you the very best Shervin.”