St. Kitts offers tremendous opportunities for investments under defined priority sectors. Our priority sectors include Tourism, Information Technology, Agriculture, Financial Services, Renewable Energy, International Education and Light Manufacturing. The Government has succeeded in creating an attractive investment climate through legislative reform, sound policies and careful planning. As a result, the country continues to experience strong annual growth in local and Foreign Direct Investments. Stable political environment One of the highest literacy rates in the region at 98%  (Easily trainable labour force) 

Modern infrastructure: 

• Roads, Air and Sea Ports, 
• Water and Electricity Advance Telecommunication Infrastructure 
• A stable currency fixed at 1 USD to 2.70 ECD 
• No personal income tax 
• Direct air access from key 
• North American markets and the United Kingdom 

• The financial capital of the Eastern Caribbean – home to the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, the Eastern Caribbean Securities Exchange, The Eastern Caribbean Regulatory Commission 
• A well regulated financial services sector Investor friendly government English is the official language spoken by our citizens 
• St. Kitts is located within the same time zone as USA East Coast (daylight savings not observed).

The Government of St. Kitts has a favourable attitude towards investments that have had a positive impact on the citizens. In an effort to encourage such investments the government provides generous incentive packages. Corporate Tax Incentives  Under the Fiscal Incentives Act, four types of enterprise qualify for tax holidays. The length of the tax holiday for the first three depends on the amount of value added in St. Kitts & Nevis. The fourth type, known as enclave industry, must produce goods exclusively for export outside the CARICOM region.

Priority Sectors

Tourism – Many investors, who choose St. Kitts, do so because of its mostly undiscovered and unspoiled landscape, abounding with scenic natural beauty and a vibrant blend of flora and fauna. Investors seeking to court the rich and famous would find St. Kitts to be the ideal utopia. Our people are world-renown for their warm hospitality, having played host to international events such as, ICC Cricket World Cup in 2007. More so, over the years, our people have catered to the needs of thousands of visitors who stop by our shores each year to explore our rich cultural heritage, hike the rainforest, dive on historic wrecks, or just to enjoy our magnificent golden beaches.  St. Kitts receives American Airlines non-stop flights from New York and Miami, Delta Airlines non-stop from Atlanta, US Airways from Charlotte and British Airways from Gatwick, London. The island also receives daily connecting service via Puerto Rico on American Eagle and regular daily flights from any Caribbean destination.  

Agriculture – The agriculture sector holds great potential for the creation of wealth for potential investors. The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis has set in place an Agricultural Development Strategy in response global threats to food security. The increasing demand for food staples spurred on by the increasing world population and the adverse effects on the price of food by factors such as oil prices, the occurrence of extreme weather conditions in key export markets and others, make investment in the agricultural sector a worthwhile venture. The road map to development in the agricultural sector is intended to reduce the country’s food importation bill through local production. According to the Ministry of Agriculture tremendous opportunities are available for commercial farming as local demands continue to outpace local supply.

Financial Services – St. Kitts is considered by many to be the financial capital of the Eastern Caribbean; home of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, The Eastern Caribbean Securities Exchange, the Eastern Caribbean Regulatory Commission, The Eastern Caribbean Central Securities Registry, the Eastern Caribbean Central Securities Depository, the Eastern Caribbean Institute of Bankers and the Eastern Caribbean Home Mortgage Bank. Our Finance Business is comprised of deposit taking, investment, insurance, trust and corporate business which are regulated by licencing criterion and clear legislation which meet international standards.

IT – The Ministry of Information and Technology has set in place a strategic roadmap to ensure that St. Kitts is well positioned in this rapidly evolving marketplace. A new state of the art National Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre is now in operation, equipped with training rooms, video conferencing facilities and technical experts to nurture an e-knowledge society.

Energy – The transition to a more sustainable energy sector is currently driven by high electricity rates, high transportation fuel prices and global climate change awareness and concerns. The aforementioned factors impacts businesses and citizens alike and as such the need for energy efficiency and conservation along with increase investments in renewable energy technologies. The National Energy Policy has created the framework that allows St. Kitts to transition from a primarily fossil fuel source of energy to alternative renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, geothermal, hydro and waste to energy (WTE).  

Competitive Advantages

  Renewable energy sources in the form of solar, wind, hydro and geothermal are deemed the most appropriate mid to long-term alternative sources to replace imported petroleum product for electricity generation. Potential for electricity interconnection between St. Kitts and Nevis for geothermal The National Energy Policy encourages public-private partnership in the development, financing and management of renewable energy projects. Increasingly high cost for imported fuel for energy production.

International Education – The St. Kitts and Nevis Accreditation Board is also tasked to accredit tertiary-level education institutions and programmes that lead to MB.BS/M.D. degrees. It is essential that schools located in the Federation that offer these programs adhere to international and national standards of educational quality. By judging compliance to the Federation accreditation regulations, the public and enrolled students would be assured of the institution’s credibility and reliability.  To achieve and maintain accreditation, medical education programmes must meet the standards listed on this website. 

Light Manufacturing – The manufacturing sector is a major pillar of the St. Kitts economy. It has been a consistent contributor to the domestic economy and the overall development of St. Kitts and Nevi over the last 30 years. The sector contributes approximately 8 -10 % of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and sustains over 2000 jobs or 8.54 % of the country’s workforce. St. Kitts is the leading exporter in the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)

Shipping Registry – Since the closure of the sugar industry in 2005, attempts by government to transform the economy of St. Kitts and Nevis to a more service base economy has resulted in creation of several economic sub-sectors. Among such sector, is the creation and establishment of the St. Kitts and Nevis International Ship Registry.  Established under the Department of Maritime Affairs primarily to provide ship owners around the globe with a high quality service, the ship registry of St. Kitts and Nevis is holding its own and forging ahead especially when compared to other registries such Panama, Liberia and the Bahamas ship registry. In fact, through the ship registry, St. Kitts and Nevis is rapidly becoming one of leading flags under which ship owners can be assured that all their administrative and shipping needs will be fulfilled.  The St. Kitts and Nevis ship registry has no restrictions on ownership of St. Kitts and Nevis ships. It is available and accessible to local and foreign corporations and individuals and any type of ship, including yachts, non-propelled barges, rigs and ships under bareboat charter. 

St Kitts Investment Promotion agency 

office@investstkitts.kn

info@investstkitts.kn