Significant growth in new business in St Kitts-Nevis seen over last four years
PM Harris also referenced "all the wonderful things we as a team have accomplished and will accomplish in the future with God's help and the support of the people."

Prime Minister Dr the Honourable Timothy Harris has pledged to do all that he can to make St. Kitts and Nevis "a much better place." He did this while delivering welcome remarks during his highly successful 4th Annual Gala Event on Saturday, January 5th, 2019 at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort.
Prime Minister Harris also referenced "all the wonderful things we as a team have accomplished and will accomplish in the future with God's help and the support of the people." One of the wonderful things is that, over the last four years, the growth in new businesses entering the formal economy has been phenomenal.
Net business formation has been at its highest level under Team Unity. For the first time in history, the number of business licences issued by the Inland Revenue Department exceeds the 400 mark. Additionally, the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis has witnessed the largest numbers of jobs, workers and social security contributors in the first four years of Prime Minister Harris' Team Unity administration.
In each year – 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 – business licences exceeded the 400 mark; in 2016, the number of business licences issued peaked at 490, the best record to date.
In 2016, the top three new businesses formed fell into the following categories: taxi operator, passenger bus service, and snackette. In 2017, the top three new businesses formed fell into the following categories: retail shops and stores (except liquor), passenger bus service, and construction contractor. In 2018, the top three new businesses formed were retail shops and stores (except liquor), snackette, and taxi operator.
Local taxi operators are indubitably sharing in the fruits of growth, as they have witnessed a whopping 77 percent increase in total cruise passenger spend in 2017/2018 (US $133.02 million) over 2014/2015 (US $75.30 million). Source: 2018 Business Research & Economic Advisors (BREA) Report.
Since the early days of the Team Unity Government, small businesses in St. Kitts and Nevis got a boost from its Fresh Start Programme, which was launched in September 2015. Under Fresh Start, hundreds of applicants were successful in attaining concessionary loans and technical assistance from the Development Bank to either start or expand their micro, small and medium-sized businesses.
The Honourable Prime Minister, who was listened to with rapt attention and appreciation by a large audience of well-wishers on Saturday night, commended the support of his Cabinet colleagues and affirmed that his administration will continue to govern the country well on behalf of the people.
Prime Minister Harris also thanked the people of St. Kitts and Nevis, saying, "The support of a government by its people plays a big part in its ability to make the deliverables possible for this wonderful Federation. We were pleased by the outcome of a scientific poll conducted by CADRES, which showed that the vast majority of people in St. Kitts and Nevis preferred the leadership of Team Unity. The majority of persons indicated that we deserve another term."
Author Profile
Monika Walker is a senior journalist specializing in regional and international politics, offering in-depth analysis on governance, diplomacy, and key global developments. With a degree in International Journalism, she is dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices through factual reporting. She also covers world news across every genre, providing readers with balanced and timely insights that connect the Caribbean to global conversations.
Latest
- Israel-Qatar Tensions Escalate: Doha hosts emergency Arab-Is...
-
Trinidad: Newborn baby dies 2 days after birth, police launc... -
Arima North Secondary fight caught on camera, parents raise... -
St. Vincent and the Grenadines records 26th homicide of 2025... -
Delta flight makes emergency landing in Belize after engine...