CDB ST. KITTS AND NEVIS COUNTRY STRATEGY APPROVED 

The Board of Directors of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has approved a Country Strategy for St. Kitts and Nevis covering the period 2013-16.  The document articulates the Bank’s strategic focus and planned interventions to support the country’s development over this period.

The strategy was developed in consultation with senior officials in St. Kitts and Nevis, as well as with principal development partners.  It incorporates a Management for Development framework, so that the impact of the strategy can be measured.

CDB’s St. Kitts and Nevis Country Strategy focuses on two strategic objectives, namely establishing an enabling environment for sustained inclusive growth and poverty reduction; and strengthening resilience by securing social stability and improving environmental sustainability.

Sustained growth would result from improved competitiveness through the targeted attention to macroeconomic stability and strengthened governance, and improving the business environment through reducing infrastructure-related bottlenecks and investments that develop the productive sectors and human capital.

Economic resilience would be strengthened by enhancing social stability and improving environmental stability.

CDB estimates the amount of financing it would commit over the period of the strategy at USD42.70 million.

ST. VINCENT ROAD REHABILITATION PROJECT TO GET CDB FINANCING

A section of the South Leeward Highway in St. Vincent is to rehabilitated under a project to be financed by which the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

CDB’s Board of Directors has approved a loan equivalent to USD13.628 million to the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines for this purpose.  Under the project, 11.4 kilometres of roadway – from Kingstown to Layou – is to be upgraded.  Associated drainage structures are also to be upgraded.

The Board of Directors also approved a grant equivalent to USD51,000 to finance the technical assistance component of the project.  These funds are to assist with financing a Vehicle Weight Control consultancy.

Significant development has occurred adjacent to the road.  Structures and paved parking areas have been built, with sometimes inadequate or inaccessible pipe culverts replacing the natural watercourses.  There is an urgent need to upgrade and rationalise the existing drainage system, since substandard roadside drains and compromised drainage structures are among the main contributors to the present road conditions and frequent flooding.

The South Leeward Highway is the single continuous leeward route from the north of St. Vincent to the capital, Kingstown, and serves the important container port and industrial area at Campden Park, as well as the majority of the island’s tourism sites and attractions.

The project is expected to result in increased efficiency and safety of road transportation along the section of road from Kingstown to the town of Layou.