PREMIER BRANTLEY GIVES FULL SUPPORT TO THE EC$952 MILLION 2022 NATIONAL BUDGET

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, December 17, 2021 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – Premier of Nevis and Member of Parliament for Nevis 9, the Honourable Mark Brantley has given his fullest support of the $952.2 million Budget presented for the 2022 financial year, as outlined in The Appropriation (2022) Bill, 2021.

“This Budget delivered as it was under the theme, “Investing in our People: Putting St. Kitts and Nevis Back on Track”, has my fullest support,” the honourable minister said during his contribution to the Budget Debate in the National Assembly on Thursday, December 16.

Minister Brantley continued, “Cognizant of the times in which we live, the 2022 Budget has been prepared with due care, ensuring that our people are not unduly burdened—indeed you would recall that the honourable mover said that it was tax free—and that the Government continues to manage the tax dollars of its citizens with diligence and prudence. Mr. Speaker, let me therefore commend the honourable mover of the Bill, our Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and the representative of the proud people of #7. Let me also commend the financial secretary and the members of her staff who have, with the approval of this Cabinet, produced a Budget which is ambitious and yet practical and truly fit for purpose.”

The Nevis Premier further noted that the theme of “Investing in our People: Putting St. Kitts and Nevis Back on Track” under which the 2022 Budget was presented is quite instructive “as it captures the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic that put St. Kitts and Nevis off track over the past nigh two years. However, as our vaccination rates increase and as our technical teams working with our population fight back against this disease, we are seeing a bright light at the end of this long, dark COVID tunnel and are now pivoting to putting our country back on track even as we continue to invest in our people.”

Citizens and residents should not be surprised by the financial prudence of the Team Unity administration that is demonstrated in the 2022 Budget. Minister Brantley said this form of fiscal management was exercised during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Mr. Speaker, if there was ever a time that demanded agility and financial wizardry in the management of our fiscal affairs, that time is now. It is no secret that COVID-19 has severely impacted the world economies, including that of our Federation. Yet, during the throes of the pandemic, the Government announced a $120-million dollar stimulus package, and since that time it has continued to provide well needed support to sectors, families and individuals to assist in their recovery from this unprecedented phenomenon.”

The National Assembly is expected to reconvene on Monday, December 20, 2021at which time the 2022 Budget Debate will resume.