• DELISLE WALWYN

Liverpool Row, Box 44 P.O. Box 21 10

Basseterre, St. Kitts Jacksonville, FL 32203

809/465-2631/2213/6962 904/727-2200

Telex: 6833 DE LA LAC

Fax: 465-1125

Service is provided weekly. The rates are negotiable and highly depend upon the commodity.

• GEEST LINE

S L HORSFORD & CO. LTD. GEESTLINE

Box 45 Box 20

Basseterre, St. Kitts CF68XE Wales, England

Tel: 809/465-2616 Tel: 446-700-333

Fax: 465-1042

Rates are negotiable.

• BARKER & KELLY

Adlam Street, Box 296

Basseterre, St. Kitts

Tel: 465-2075

Fax: 465-1064

• COASTAL SHIPPING & BROKERAGE AGENCY

Central & lower Market Street

Basseterre, St. Kitts

Tel: 465-5798/1880

Fax: 465-1523

Regular Routes: Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Maarten and Puerto Rico.

• TDC LTD.

Shipping Dept.

Box 142

St. Kitts

Tel: 465-2511

Fax: 465-1099

• WOODSRITE ENTERPRISES LTD.

Bird Rock Industrial Park

Box 92, Basseterre

St. Kitts

Tel: 465-2532/8631

Fax: 465-32230

• NEVIS MULTI-LINE SERVICES (NEMUS)

Ramsbury Site

Charlestown, Nevis

Tel: 469-0073/5051

DELISLE WALWYN & CO. LTD., Liverpool Row, Basseterre, St. Kitts: 465-2631

I). TMT Trailer Marin Transport Corp.)

9487 Regency Square Blvd

Jacksonville, FL 32225

Contact: Peter Boci; Tel: 904/727-2503

2). WISCO (West Indian Shipping Co.)

8249 NW 36th Street

Miami, FL 33166

Tel: 305/477-3791

3). Harrison Lines (Thos & Jas Harrison Ltd.)

Marcey Chambers

Convent Gardens

Liverpool, England L28UF

Tel: 051-236-5611

1). Geest Lines

P O Box 20

South Glamorgan CF68XE, Wales

Contact: David Fawcett: Tel: 446/700-333

2). Ned Lloyd Lines BV Corp

P O Box 342057

Coral Gables, FL 33114-2057

Contact: Oxley Quammie: Tel: 305/441/9140

1). Bernuth Agencies

3163 NW South River Drive

Miami, FL 33142

Contact: Jordon Monocandilos; Tel: 305/633-7711

1). Tropical Shipping Ltd.

821 Avenue E

Riviera Beach, FL 33404

Contact: Hud Warren; Tel: 407/844-0281

1). CGM Interline (French)

P O Box 680

Marigot, St. Martin

Contact: Jacques Sevin or Marc Swerdel; Tel: 877-310

Contact: Tony Hull

National Supply Co.

Box 467

Basseterre, St. Kitts

Tel: 465-1313/6755

St. Kitts to Puerto Rico

Less than 1000 lbs US .36 CTS per lb.

1000-2000 lbs .30 CTS per lb.

over 2000 lbs .25 CTS per lb.

Travel schedule : Wednesday and Thursday every week to Puerto Rico.

There are two (2) flights per week: Monday and Thursday.

Rates - Miami / St. Kitts

Under 100 Ibs .84 CTS per Ib.

100-1100 Ibs .63 CTS per lb.

over 1100 Ibs Negotiable

FOUR STAR AIR CARGO SERVICE may be Charted by contacting Glenroy Matthew.

LIAT Air Services

Robert Llewlyn Bradshaw (RLB) Int'l Airport

St. Kitts

Tel: 465-8449

Travels to most Caribbean countries.

• Accounting & Computer Services, Church St., Basseterre, St. Kitts

• Arthur Anderson & Co. Ltd./Pannel Kerr Foster, Fort St., St. Kitts

• Audain & Assoc., Rosemary Lane, Basseterre, St. Kitts

• Irvin Boncamper & Co. Ltd., 22 Cayon St., Basseterre, St. Kitts

• J S Pereira & Co. Ltd., Box 535, Bay Rd., Basseterre, St. Kitts

• Simmonds & Assoc., New St., Basseterre, St. Kitts

• Delisle Walwyn & Co. Ltd., Liverpool Row, St. Kitts

• DACO Ltd., Main St, Charlestown, Nevis

• S L Horsford & Co. Ltd., West Independence Square St., St. Kitts

• E. A. Laws Auto Products & Service Ltd., Ponds Industrial Site, St. Kitts

• Lesmike Car Sales, Frigate Bay Road, St. Kitts

• Reliable Motors, Main St., Charlestown, Nevis

A & T Car Retals, East Park Range, Basseterre, St. Kitts

Avis Rent-a-Car, South Independence Square St., Basseterre, St. Kitts

Caines Auto Services, Princess St., Basseterre, St. Kitts

Choice Car Rentals, Cayon St., Basseterre, St. Kitts

Delisle Walwyn Rentals, Box 44, Basseterre, St. Kitts

Huggins Auto Services & Car Rentals, Ponds Industrial Site, St. Kitts

Island Car Rentals, 12 Independence Square, Basseterre, St. Kitts

TDC Rentals, Box 142, Basseterre, St. Kitts

Stanley's Services, Church Ground, Charlestown, Nevis

Noel's Auto Service Centre, Farms Estate, Nevis

ST. KITTS NEVIS

Bank of Nova Scotia Bank of Nova Scotia

Fort Street, Box 433 Main Street

Basseterre, St. Kitts Charlestown, Nevis

Tel: 465-4141/466-6710 469-5411

Fax: 465-8600 469-0231

Barclays Bank PLC Barclays Bank PLC

The Circus, Box 42 Main & Prince Charles St.

Basseterre, St. Kitts Nevis

Tel: 465-2519/2449/1081 Tel: 469-5467/5309

Fax: 465-1041/1618 469-5106

National Bank National Bank

Central St. West Square St.

Basseterre, St. Kitts Nevis

Tel: 465-2204 469-5123

Fax: 465-1050 469-0194

Development Bank of St. Kitts/Nevis Development Bank of St.

Kitts/Nevis

Church St., Basseterre, St. Kitts Main St., Nevis

Tel: 465-2288/2964 469-5416/1443

Fax: 465-4016 469-1262

Royal Bank of Canada

Cnr. Bay Road & Fort St.

Basseterre. St. Kitts

Tel: 465-2259/2409/2389

Fax: 465-1040

Nevis Co-op Bank

Chapel St., Box 60

Charlestown, Nevis

Tel: 469-5277/0113/4

Fax: 469-1493

The Bank of Nevis Ltd.

Main Street, Charlestown

Nevis

Tel: 469-5564/5796

Fax: 469-5798

• B C Audain & A-ssoc., New Street, Basseterre, St. Kitts.

• Boonies Construction, Liverpool Row & lower Market St., Basseterre, St. Kitts

• Byron & Sons, New St., Basseterre, St. Kitts

• C E Jenkins Co. Ltd., Cnr. Cayon & Sprott St., Basseterre, St. Kitts

• Evelyn's Construction Co. Ltd., Ponds Industrial Site, St. Kitts

• Hyliger & Hyliger Construction, Romney Ground, Sandy Point, St. Kitts

• John Riley Construction, George Street, Basseterre, St. Kitts

• Liburd & Sons, Ponds Industrial Site, Basseterre, St. Kitts

• Stephen & Assoc., Delisle Street, Basseterre, St, Kitts

• Vincent Morton & Assoc., 16 Newtown Bay Road, Basseterre. St. Kitts

• Warner Construction Co. Lid. 14 West Independence Square St., St. Kitts

• Skeete Assoc. Ltd., New Road Housing Devt. St. Kitts

• Chiverton Construction, Stoney Ground, Nevis

• Hunkins & Sons Ltd., Goverment Road, Charlestown, Nevis

• Noral Lescott Construction, Ramsbury Site, Nevis

• McAlastair Ltd., Oualie Bay, Nevis

• Co. Melcla Engineering & Construction Ltd., Bos 91, Nevis

• James Williams Construction, Cotton Ground, Nevis

• Wedge Construction Co. Ltd. Stoney Grove, Nevis

• Mr. Hesketh Benjamin, Amory's Plaza, Central St., Basseterre, St. Kitts

• Dr. Henry Browne, central St., Basseterre, St. Kitts

• Mr. Fitzroy Bryant, Upper Shear Lane, Basseterre, St. Kitts

• Butler, Butler and Butler. Central Market St., Basseterre, St. Kitts

• Dr. Bertram Charles, Millard St., SandyPoint, St. Kitts

• Mr. Glenford Hamilton, Lozack Road. Basseterre, St. Kitts

• Innis & Innis, Cayon St., Basseterre, St. Kitts

• Mr Terence V Byron, Fort & Central Street, Basseterre, St. Kitts

• Ms. Claudette Jenkins, Cayon & Sprott St., Basseterre, St. Kitts

• Kelsick, wilkin - & Ferdinand, South Independence Square St., St. Kitts

• Josephine Mallalieu, Bay Road, Basseterre, St. Kitts

• Mithcham & Benjamin, New Street, Basseterre, St. Kitts

• Mr. Lee Moore QC & Assoc., College St., Basseterre, St. Kitts

• Mr. David Rawlins, Central ST., Basseterre, St. Kitts

• Viera Grant & Assoc., Church St., Basseterre, St. Kitts

• Byron & Byron, Main Street, Nevis

• Mr. Simeon Daniel, Main Street, Nevis

• Mr. Theodore Hobson, Main St., Nevis

• Mr. Herman Liburd, Main St., Nevis

• Mr. Jeffrey Nisbett, Main St., Charlestown, Nevis

• Joyah J Sutton, Main St., Charlestown, Nevis

• Ms. Myrna Walwyn, Lower Prince William St., Nevis

• Leonora Walwyn-Bowrin, Main St., Charlestown, Nevis

Western Union Transfer, C/O British American Insurance Co.Ltd., Fort St.,St.

• Bentley Assoc., 4 Cayon Street, Box 384, Basseterre, St. Kitts

• Carleon Ltd., Cnr. Frigate Bay & Bird Rock, St. Kiitts

• Cooper Kauffman Ltd., Liverpool Row, Box 877, Basseterre, St. Kitts

• Norman Cramer & Assoc., Box 622, Basseterre. St. Kitts.

• Elmes Assoc., Church St., Basseterre, St. Kitts

• Frigate Bay Development Corp., Box 315,1 Frigate Bay, St. Kitts

• Hyliger & Hyliger Ltd., Romney Ground, Sandy Point, St. Kitts

The government of St. Kitts and Nevis offers highly attractive and competitive incentives and they are:

Minister of National Security, Foreign Affairs, Work Permits, Citizenship

Finance, Planning and Information Land Subdivision approval

Contact person: Mr. Joseph Edmeade, Chief Secretary

Ministry of Trade, Industry and Caricom Affairs Proposal, Fiscal Incentives

Fax no.: 809-465-1778

Contact person: Mr. Horatio Versailles

Ministry of Education, Labour and Social Security Social Security

Contact person: Mr. James Williams

Ministry of Lands, Housing and Agriculture Aliens Land Holding

Contact person: Mr. Raphael Archibald License, Sale of government

Registry of Corporate Affairs Registration of business or

Pelican Mall, Basseterre company

St. Kitts

Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis Lease of land at the

Church Street, Basseterre Industrial Site

St. Kitts

Contact person: Mr. Hector, Manager

Central Housing Authority Budding Permit

East Park Range

Basseterre, St. Kitts

The address for Government Headquarters is:

The minimum wage applies to domestic workers, shop employees, hotels, security guards and the manufacturing sector.

The Wage Rates are as follows:

Full-time 56.60

Part-time (19-30 hours) 37.73

(11-19 hours: 1. 76/hour)

(1 - 10 hours: 2.22/hour)

Supervisors 74.07

Cashiers 68.52

Counter clerks 55.56

Shop Assistants 55.56

Store Boy 44.44

Temporary Worker 44.44

Probationary Clerk 44.44

Industry US$/hour

Garments Entry level 1.11

Electronics Entry level 1.11

The minimum wage in the manufacturing sector is US$ 1.1 1/hour.

Other US$/hour

Mason 2.78 - 4.44

Carpenter 2.60 - 4.44

Painter 2.22 - 3.33

Electrician 2.78 - 4.44

Plumber 2.69 - 4.44

Hotel Receptionist 1.85

Waiter 1.85

Labourer 1.85 - 2.78

Steel Bender 2.22 - 3.33

Foreman 3.70 - 5.56

Auto Mechanic 92.60

Clerk/Typist 74.07 - 129.63

The Minimum Wages in the Hotel and Casino Industry:

House Keeper Gardener Dishwasher

Bus Person Stewards Laundry Person

Cook Maintenance Grounds Keeper

Driver Wait Staff Bartender

Receptionist Secretary Office Clerk

Casino Workers - US$55.66 per week.

Security Guards - Minimum wage entry level is US$2.22 per hour.

Time and half (1 1/2) for work in excess of 40 hours per week. Double time on Sundays and Public Holidays.

A worker is entitled to an annual paid holiday of not less than 14 days, excluding Sundays and Public Holidays, on the completion of each year of employment.

Social Security Employer 5%

Employee 5%

Social Services Levy Employer 3%

Worker's Injury Benefit Employer 1%

Severance Payment Fund Employer 1%

Work Permits must be obtained by persons who would like to work in St. Kitts and Nevis. The employer has to apply to the Ministry of National Security on behalf of the employee(s). The application process takes approximately three (3) weeks and the applicants must complete a standard application form and submit :

1. (A) A Police Record
2. (B) A Birth Certificate/Affidavit

(O An HIV test

The work permit fee is US$592.59 per year.

TRANSPORTATION provided by the Caribe Queen and the Spirit of Mount Nevis. They offer frequent and timely schedules for travel between the two (2) islands. If you do not enjoy sailing then there exists the option of traveling biplane. Liat provides daily flights between St. Kitts and Nevis and, there is also Nevis Express which may be chartered. Nevis Express has about twelve(I2) flights per day.

Presently there is a BASSETERRE TOWN EXPANSION AND CRUISE SHIP PIER project being completed. This was estimated to be finished in May 1996, however as a result of Hurricane Luis it should now be completed in December 1996.

Upon completion some of the facilities would be as follows:

This 26 acre site project should further enhance the cruise product and cruise tourism as a whole.

There is also a Pier Expansion project in operation in Nevis.

The country is serviced by two TV stations, one cable station offering 36 channels, and one local station.

The Golden Rock International Airport is now called The Robert Llewlyn Bradshaw Airport.

In 1983, the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis gained independence as a two island nation within the British Commonwealth Today, certain British traditions are still apparent in the community. English is the language spoken among the 42,000-strong population. Driving is on the left. Cricket is a national passion. But, without doubt this a country that is now shaping its own identity, and destiny. Since independence, the country has been confidently and successfully determining new directions and meeting new challenges. Under the leadership of a stable, peaceful and cooperative democratic government, increased private sector investment has become a priority. This publication explores the many opportunities and incentives currently available to prospective investors.

For centuries, the outstanding scenery and abundant natural vegetation of St. Kitts and Nevis have captured the imagination of international travellers and entrepreneurs. Today those same attributes remain the core of the Federation's appeal.

Located in the northern section of the Eastern Caribbean, St. Kitts and Nevis are approximately 1,250 miles southeast of Miami, and 1,500 miles southeast of New York. St. Kitts is the larger of the two islands at 65 square miles, while Nevis, just two miles away, totals 36 square miles. The country's capital, Basseterre which reputedly has some of the best Caribbean architecture in the region is situated on the southern shores of St. Kitts.

Often referred to as "the secret Caribbean", both St. Kitts and Nevis feature some of the region's most spectacular panoramas, and offer visitors the chance to experience traditional hospitality in historic inns and hotels' many of which are restored plantation houses.

Understandably, the charms of the islands have helped to lure visitors from all over the world, positioning tourism as a leading local industry. Agriculture also makes an important contribution to the economy, particularly in St. Kitts. But the country is equally capable of embracing progressive industries. In recent years, the electronics manufacturing sector has expanded to the extent that the country has won recognition as "The Silicon Valley of the Eastern Caribbean".

There remains, however, the potential to build on these existing enterprises. The areas of tourism, manufacturing, agro-industries, and offshore financial and other services, offer investors the scope to create new business activities which harness indigenous resources and skills.

As a center for business investment and development, the islands offer a wide spectrum of opportunities that will contribute to the economic and social growth of the Federation. Together the Government, people and business community of St. Kitts and Nevis are charting a course for a prosperous future.

St. Kitts, or St. Christopher to give it the name that it is also identified on maps, was sighted by Columbus during his second voyage of 1493. Whether the great explorer called the island after himself or the patron saint of travellers is a matter of opinion. He called Nevis, Las Nieves, Spanish for the snow, not because of a fluke snowstorm, but because of a white cloud surrounding the island's single peak as he sailed past.

St. Kitts became Britain's first colony in the West Indies with the founding of a settlement in 1623. Two years later a company of French seamen sought refuge on the island after a battle with a Spanish warship. Joining forces, the British and French eliminated the island's original inhabitants the Carib Indians, divided the island between themselves, and repelled a later attack by the Spanish.

Over the course of the next decade both countries used the island as their base to intensify their colonization of neighboring islands, earning St. Kitts the title, "The Cradle of the Caribbean". The harmony between the two powers was broken in 1664 when the French mounted an attack on the British and chased them off the island.

In 1689 the British regained possession of St. Kitts and held on to it for almost a hundred years, until the French returned and gained possession of the island’s fortress strategically located on Brimstone Hill, known as "the Gibraltar of the West Indies". But the French victory was short lived. The following year, 1783, both the fort and the island were restored to the British under the terms of the Treaty of Versailles.

Nevis too is rich history. It was the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton in 1757. Considered one of the founding fathers of the United States, his distinguished career in government included the distinction of being the first Secretary of the Treasury.

The most famous visitor to Nevis during the 18^th century the British Admiral Horatio Nelson, who as a humble captain during the 1780's was stationed in nearby Antigua. During the course of securing supplies of fresh water for his ship, Nelson won the hand of Frances Herbert Nisbet, a young widow who lived on one of the island’s estates. The record of their marriage in 1787 remains on view in a local church.

Traditionally the economy of St. Kitts and Nevis has been heavily dependent upon sugar production which, over the course of time, has been declining. However, sugar still remains an important industry, accounting for 23.7% of domestic exports and employing approximately 11.4% of the labor force.

In recent years, tourism has played an increasingly important role in the development of the economy. Manufacturing, though small and consisting mainly of electronics and garment plants, also contributes significantly.

The country's economic growth in real terms has averaged 5% since the beginning of the 1980's. It is projected to remain at this level over the next five years mainly due to the anticipated high level of earnings from the tourism sector and associated construction activities.

GDP (Factor cost in current prices)

(1993) Provisional

167.1 million

Per Capita GDP US$3,427 (1991)

Main exports

US$ million 1992 Value

Sugar 11.9

Electronic

Equipment 5.0

Beverages 1.6

Garments 1.5

As keen supporters of expanding the economy by increasing the level of private sector investment, the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis welcomes proposals for establishing new business ventures. Encouraging such investment has been given the highest priority and support by introducing a broad-based selection of fiscal incentives and concessions.

Investors in the tourism industry qualify for tax holidays and duty-free imports. A hotel consisting of 200 rooms or more may apply for a casino license. Tax holidays, available to certain manufacturing enterprises, range from 10 to 15 years. The operation of foreign currency accounts and the repatriation of profits are permitted. Funding is available for training programs.

A special concession has been granted by the Government which allows non-residents to buy and sell property on St. Kitts South East Peninsula without the usual legal formalities and licensing procedures. Development of this area has opened up a part of the island which was previously inaccessible to the rest of St. Kitts, and provided access to another 25% of the coastline.

These are just some examples of the Government's commitment to attracting investment. Full details of incentives and concessions are outlined in the files inserted at the back of this publication.

Increasing popularity as a vacation destination has contributed to the steady growth of the St. Kitts and Nevis tourism industry over the past five years. As a result, a variety of investment opportunities, including hotel and resort development, water sports facilities, entertainment, gourmet restaurants, and others have been created.

The appeal of the sister islands is easily appreciated. The outstanding natural beauty casts a magnetic spell. The country's historical sights are many and varied. For sporting and outdoor enthusiasts, the wide range of options covers both land and sea, including golf, tennis, horseback riding, windsurfing and sailing. Evening entertainment’s include gaming, cultural shows and night clubs.

The Golden Rock International Airport and the deep water harbor, both situated on St. Kitts, are key elements in the development of the tourism industry. The airport offers a number of direct airline connections to New York, Miami and Toronto, while the harbor plays a vital role in servicing the ever expanding cruise ship industry.

Meeting the demands of a growing market has led to the expansion of tourism facilities within two highly appealing areas of St. Kitts.

Frigate Bay, just 2.5 miles from the capital Basseterre, is strategically located to provide easy access to both the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, and now boasts a professionally managed 18-hole golf course which is surrounded by hotels, villas and condominiums. The Frigate Bay Development Corporation remains actively engaged in supervising the planning and development of the number of investment opportunities which still exist within the area.

The country's newest development area is the South East Peninsula. Located three miles from Basseterre, the Peninsula is now fully accessible due to the completion of the island's main highway. Constructed with the support of USAID funds, this six mile long stretch of road now allows access to some of the best beaches on the island and provides one of the most scenic drives in the Caribbean. The area, which falls under the control of the South East Peninsula Board, offers excellent potential for establishing a variety of superior hotel and tourism developments. Several major hotel chains have already started construction.

There has been a growing interest and increased participation in the country's manufacturing sector in recent years. The emphasis in industrial development, previously directed at sugar refining, is now geared towards light manufacturing. Technical skills acquired in the sugar industry have been successfully transferred and adapted to the needs of the new industries.

Several companies are now engaged in differing manufacturing activities. The items produced include electronic components, women's apparel, plastic utensils, metal working, electrical appliances assembly, beer, ale, soft drinks and furniture. According to statistics compiled by the USDC, the electronics industry in St. Kitts and Nevis is one of the largest producers of transformers, transducers and other electronic components, per capita in the world.

Bamboo is available on both islands and there is considerable potential for manufacturing bamboo and rattan furniture and related products.

Other locally available resources which could be utilized in manufacturing and industrial production include kaolin clay deposits and activated carbon.

The country's international airport and deep-water port both feature modern passenger and cargo handling facilities which have greatly enhanced the transportation and shipping of goods to export markets.

St. Kitts and Nevis is currently promoting investment in export-oriented, and where possible, domestic-based resource manufacturing industries. These include:

Electronic components Wind power generating sets

Electrical fixtures & appliances Solar power

Precision instruments Screen printing - textiles, paper

Apparel and related products Sporting goods

Plastic products Footwear

PVC lounge furniture Packaging

Boat building Cosmetics

Moped assembly Jewelry

Investments in manufacturing industries may qualify for development and tax concessions under the Fiscal Incentives Act.

The country's rich land and abundant water supply offer a diverse range of investment opportunities in the agro-industrial sector. The composition of the soil is mainly of a sandy loam derived from deep deposits of volcanic ash, making it ideal for producing most tropical crops. Rainfall increases with altitude, but the annual average is about 58 inches. There is also an adequate supply of groundwater available for irrigation.

For centuries, Sugar has been the country's main export crop and major revenue earner. However, increasing production costs within the industry coupled with low world market prices has led to greater emphasis on diversification within the agricultural sector.

An ongoing program of crop diversification will be greatly strengthened by the recently commenced UNDP funded Agricultural Diversification Project assisted by the World Bank Agricultural Support Project. Under the program, the production of selected crops will be boosted to meet increasing local demand and for the purpose of export. These include white potatoes, onions, cabbage, melons, tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, sweet peppers, asparagus, pineapples and papayas.

The livestock sector is also being revitalized, and a newly constructed abattoir is expected to meet the country's needs for the foreseeable future.

Feeder roads have been constructed to aid the development of the small farm sub-sector by improving the transportation of agricultural inputs and the marketing of produce.

Fishing continues to operate primarily at a traditional level with some fishermen investing in larger boats and modern equipment. The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis is currently promoting investment in a diverse selection of agro-based industries, including:

Beef cattle production

Fruit and vegetable preservation & processing

Small ruminant production

Floriculture

Aquaculture and mariculture

Production of fruits and vegetables for export

Deep sea fishing and fish processing

Under the Fiscal Incentives Act generous incentives are available to agro-based industries.

Agricultural credit is available through the St. Kitts and Nevis Development Bank under its Farm Improvement Credit Program. With funds borrowed from the Caribbean Development Bank, it provides loans to the farming and fishing community for new capital investment in farm and fishery improvement.

Air Services -- The Golden Rock International Airport at Basseterre features an 8,000 feet long paved runway and night landing facilities, and can accommodate large aircraft. The runway at Nevis Newcastle Airport is 2,500 feet long, has night landing facilities and accommodates light aircraft.

St. Kitts has direct air service from Miami, New York and Toronto via BWIA, and there are convenient air connections on a daily basis between St. Kitts and Puerto Rico and other neighboring islands via American Eagle, LIAT and WINAIR. Charter air services are also available between St. Kitts and major U.S. and Canadian cities, and neighboring islands. Cargo transportation services are scheduled on a regular basis.

Infrastructure -- There are 186 miles (300 kilometers) of roads throughout the country, of which 94.5 miles (126 kilometers) are paved. The national infrastructure has been further enchanced by the completion of a major road resurfacing project under the auspices of the European Development Fund.

The deep water port, located in Basseterre, St. Kitts, can accommodate ships with a draught of up to 30 feet. The modern features of the port include a 400 feet sheet piled marginal wharf, a roll-on/roll-off facility, an administration building, transit shed, high mast lighting, and a mooring buoy to facilitate berthing vessels between 400 to 750 feet long.

The pier in Nevis measures 415 feet long by 26 feet 3 inches wide, and has maximum water depth of 16 feet.

The Federation is served regularly by major regional and international shipping lines which normally operate combination container and general cargo vessels. A roll-on/roll-off service to and from Miami is available every two weeks.

The 35 mile (57 kilometer) narrow gauge railroad on St. Kitts is used solely by the sugar industry.

Industrial Estates - At present, there are three industrial estates on St. Kitts and one in Nevis which provide modern facilities and essential utilities to commercial and industrial companies. All the estates are owned, serviced and managed by the St. Kitts and Nevis Development Bank.

Bird Rock and Ponds Pasture Industrial Estate are closely located in Basseterre, St. Kitts, the country's capital, and are within easy reach of Golden Rock Airport and the deep water port. Bird Rock Estate extends over 22.5 acres of land, while Ponds Pasture Estate totals 89 acres of flat land. The Sandy Point Estate comprises 3.5 acres of land and is situated approximately 10 miles from Basseterre.

The Prospect Industrial Estate in Nevis consists of 14 acres and is located on the outskirts of the island's principal town, Charleston.

On-site factory shells, constructed and owned by the St. Kitts and Nevis Development Bank, are available on a lease or lease-purchase basis. Rent, payable monthly in advance, is LIS$2.69 per square foot per year. Minimum leases are from three to five years duration.

Alternatively, investors may construct their own factory. band costs approximately US$0.01 per square foot per year, while construction costs US$37.04 per square foot.

Telecommunications - There are an estimated 12,450 telephones in St. Kitts and Nevis servicing the country's 42,000 population with capacity for further expansion of the system. The advanced telecommunications network is fully digital and includes direct dialing to worldwide destinations, telex and fax services.

The country is serviced by two TV stations, one cable station offering 22 channels, and three AM radio stations.

A number of regional organizations share a common goal to promote, under the terms of their individual remits, the economic development of Caribbean states.

The Organization of Eastern Caribbean States -- The OECS is an economic grouping among the Windward and Leeward Islands of Antigua, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent & the Grenadines. Its primary objective is the allocation of regional industries among the seven member states.

Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) -- The CDB is the principal regional development financing institution in the Caribbean. The major channel for funds from international institutional and market sources, it is staffed by specialists in the areas of economics, project analysis, engineering and technology. The Bank places high priority on long-term capital investment in new productive enterprises, and lends funds to projects operating in both private and public sectors of the economy.

Able to lend funds to the private sector through national development finance institutions, the Bank is keenly interested in stepping up this area of investment.

Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) -- The ECCB is the central monetary authority for Antigua, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent & the Grenadines. The purposes of the Bank are: To regulate the availability of money and credit. To promote and maintain monetary stability.

To promote credit and exchange conditions and a sound financial structure conducive to the balanced growth and development of the territories of the participating governments.

To actively promote, through means consistent with its other objectives, the economic development of the territories of the participating governments.

There is no personal income tax in St. Kitts and Nevis.

Qualified companies enjoy full exemption from taxes on corporate profits for up to 15 years (See Investment Incentives File.)

Persons or companies remitting payments to persons or companies outside of the country must deduct 10% withholding tax from the following:

* This tax does not apply to the profits of an approved enterprise which is enjoying benefits under the Fiscal Incentives Act.

There is no capital gains tax on profits or gains derived from a transaction relating to assets which are disposed of after one year of the date of acquisition. However, there is a capital gains tax of 20% on assets disposed of within one year of the date of acquisition, (Act No. 5, 1972).

Cultivated land St. Kitts US$1.48 per acre

Cultivated land Nevis US$0.37 per acre

Land on both with no

potential for cultivation US$0.37 per acre

St. Kitts

0 - 10 acres US$1.85 per acre

10 - 20 acres US$2.59 per acre

20 - 40 acres US$3.33 per acre

40 or more US$4.44 per acre

Nevis

Per acre US$1.11

Equivalent to 5% of the annual gross rental value for residences in St. Kitts or Nevis. There is a minimum annual rental value of US$222.22 in St. Kitts. In a Special Development Area, such as the South East Peninsula, there is a tax exemption of 0.5% of the assessed market value of the land, or land and improvements.

St. Kitts and Nevis has a labor force of approximately 22,000 which is adaptable, trainable and possesses a high degree of manual dexterity. The literary rate is 98%. The country's technical and training needs are met largely by the St. Kitts Technical College which offers courses in plumbing, electrical engineering, air conditioning and refrigeration, masonry, carpentry, mechanical engineering, motor mechanics, shorthand and typing, and basic hotel skills.

A program jointly funded by the Organization of American States (OAS), the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis, exists to provide funding for the training of workers in a variety of sectors. Under this program individual firms can consult with OAS staff to identify skill needs and design appropriate training schemes. The program will then fund the cost of a trainer and pay trainees a modest stipend to cover transportation and lunch costs. In addition, vocational and technical training programs have been established at the Federation's Technical College. Some programs currently offered include secretarial skills, auto mechanics, electricity and electronics, and hotel trades.

Full time (30 hours or more) 0.93 per hour

Part time (Less than 30 hours) 1.02 per hour

Shop Employees US$

Supervisor 61.11 per week

Cashier 50.00 per week

Counter Clerk 37.03 per week

Shop Assistant 37.03 per week

Storeboy/Messenger 24.07 per week

Seasonal Temporary Workers 18.52 per week

Probationary Clerk 29.63 per week

Assembly Line Operators US$

Garments Trainee 0.69 per hour

Trained 0.83 per hour

Electronics Trainee 0.72 per hour

Trained 1.03 per hour

Other US$

Mason/Carpenter 125.00 - 208 per week

Automobile Mechanic 70.00 - 111 per week

Painter 102.00 - 130 per week

Plumber 70.00 - 120 per week

Electrician 74.00 - 139 per week

Shorthand/Typist 133.00 - 166 per week

Clerk/Typist 77.00 - 126 per week

Hotel receptionist 102.00 - 148 per week

Waiter 44.00 - 74 per week

Labourer (construction) 2.59 - 3.33 per hour

Labourer (farm male) 2.22 - perhour

Labourer (farm female) 1.58 - perhour

Time and a half for work undertaken outside normal working hours. Double time for work undertaken on Sundays and Public Holidays.

A worker is entitled to an annual paid holiday of not less than 14 days, excluding Sundays and Public Holidays, on the completion of each year of employment.

Social Security Employer 5%

Social Services Levy Employer 2%

Employee 2%

Worker's Injury Benefit Employer 1%

Services Payment Fund Employer 1%

St. Kitts and Nevis Trades & Labor Union

Waterfront, Airport & General Workers Union

United Workers Union

National Workers Union

St. Kitts and Nevis Teachers Union

The average duration of wage contracts is two years. During contract negotiation, the union with 51% of the workers in that particular industry is recognized by the employer as the workers' representative. The St. Kitts and Nevis Employers Federation is available to advise management in labor negotiations. Every worker must be insured, and their insurance registered with the Labor Commissioner.

Executive and technical personnel may be recruited from outside the Federation after obtaining a work permit from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

St. Kitts and Nevis operate on Atlantic Standard Time throughout the year.

The climate is tropical. Temperatures average 81 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Centigrade) with steady, cooling breezes throughout most of the year. There is no rainy season as such. The average annual rainfall in St. Kitts and Nevis is 58 inches.

The currency of St. Kitts and Nevis is the Eastern Caribbean dollar, currently valued at EC$2.70 to US$1.00.

The following Banks operate in St. Kitts and Nevis:

Barclays Bank PLC

The Royal Bank of Canada

The Bank of Nova Scotia

The St. Kitts-Nevis National Bank

The Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis

Nevis Co-operative Bank

The Bank of Nevis

The water in St. Kitts and Nevis is of good quality and is suitable for drinking. The cost for industrial or commercial use is US$0.07 per 100 gallons or part thereof used each month.

Applicable for all services and temporary supplies.

Served by a 230 volt single phase supply.

Energy charge of 18 cents per unit with minimum total of US$2.22.

For the first 50 units, 11.8 cents per unit.

For the next 75 units, 11.1 cents per unit.

All units exceeding 125 to be charged at 10.3 cents per unit.

For the first 15 Amps of fuse rating or part thereof of fuse protecting service, US$2.22

For the next 15 Amps of fuse rating or part thereof of fuse protecting service, US$1.48

For additional fuse rating exceeding 30 Amps of fuse protecting service, US$1.85.

Applicable for all manufacturing and commercial premises.

For the first 50 KWH/KVA, 12.5 cents per unit.

For the next 75 KWHJKVA, 1.8 cents per unit.

For the next 125 KWH/KVA, 11.1 cents per unit.

For all units exceeding 250 KWH/KVA, 9.6 cents per unit.

Every KVA of demand or part thereof, US$4.07 per KVA.

The rates for energy consumption shall be increased or decreased, by one cent per unit for each 12 cents increase or decrease, as the case may be, on US$1.25 per gallon of fuel to adjust the energy cost for electricity generation in St. Kitts and Nevis.

N.B.: One unit is equivalent to one KWH (kilowatt hour).

In the preparation of this publication, The Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Eastern Caribbean Investment Promotion Service (ECIPS), assisted in gathering research, providing investment information and other data, identifying investment opportunities, and- arranging on-site consultations.

Investment inquiries and information regarding land availability and prices, technical expertise, provision of infrastructure requirements, and approval of factory plans may be obtained from the following:

Permanent Secretary

Ministry of Trade & Industry

P.O. Box 186

Church Street

Basseterre, St. Kitts

West Indies

Telephone: (809) 465 2521/4106

Fax: (809) 465 1778

Permanent Secretary

Ministry of Tourism

PO. Box 132

Pelican Mall, Bay Road

Basseterre, St. Kitts

West Indies

Mission of St. Kitts and Nevis

414 E. 75th Street

New York, N.Y. 10021

Telephone: (212) 535 1234

Fax: (212) 734 6511

Embassy of St. Kitts and Nevis

2100 M Street, NW, Suite 608

Washington, D.C. 20037

Telephone: (202) 833 3550

Fax: (202) 833 3533

Eastern Caribbean Investment Promotion Services

3216 New Mexico Avenue NW

Washington, D.C. 20016

Telephone: (202) 363 0229

Fax: (202) 363 4328

High Commission for Organisation of Eastern Caribbean

States

112 Kent Street, Suite 1610

Ottawa, Ontario KIP SP2

Canada

Telephone: (613) 236 8952

Fax: (613) 236 3042

High Commission for Organization of Eastern Caribbean

States

10 Kensington Court

London W8 SDL

United Kingdom

Telephone: 01 1 4471 937 9522

Fax: 011 4471 937 5514

The government of St. Kits and Nevis has a favorable attitude towards investment and provides generous incentives, including:

Under the Fiscal Incentives Act, four types of enterprises qualify for a tax holiday. The length of the tax holiday for the first three depends on the amount of value added in St. Kitts and Nevis. The fourth type, known as enclave industry, must produce goods exclusively for export outside the CARICOM region.

Enterprise Value Added Maximum Tax Holiday

Group 1 50% or more 15 years

Group 11 25% - 50% 12 years

Group 111 10% - 25% 10 years

Group IV Enclave 15 years

St. Kitts and Nevis provides companies with a further tax concession effective at the end of the tax holiday period. In effect, it is a rebate of a portion of income tax paid based on export profits as a percentage of total profits. The schedule is as follows:

Export Profits as Rebate of Income Tax as

Percentage of Percentage of tax on

Total Profits Export Profits

10 - 20% 25%

21 - 40% 35%

41 - 60% 45%

more than 60% 50%

Full exemption from import duties on parts, raw materials and production machinery.

The Government is developing a plan to establish an export processing zone near Golden Rock Airport.

The Hotel Aids Ordinance provides relief from customs duties and pier duties on items brought into the country for use in the construction, extension and equipping of a hotel of not less than 10 bedrooms. In addition, the Income Tax Ordinance provides special tax relief benefits for a hotel proprietor who has been granted a license under the Hotel Aids Ordinance. This stipulates that the gains or profits of a hotel of more than 30 bedrooms are exempt from income tax for 10 years. If the hotel contains less than 30 bedrooms, gains or profits would be exempt from income tax for 5 years.

Companies registered with the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis can repatriate all profits, dividends and imported capital.

The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis and the United States have entered into an Investment Guarantee Agreement.

Tariff Item 806.3 applies to articles of metal manufactured in the United States, exported for further processing and then imported back to the U.S. for still further processing. Import duty is levied only on the amount of value added during processing outside the U.S. Operations which qualify as "processing" include melting, machining, grinding, drilling, tapping, threading, cutting, punching, rolling, forming, plating and galvanizing. Examples of qualifying products are listed below:

Aluminum sheets processed from ingots of U.S. origin and returned to the U.S. to be cut to size and shape.

Lead ingots produced from lead scrap of U.S. origin and returned for further processing.

Metal screws made abroad from domestic wire and returned for plating.

Tungsten carbide power sent abroad for centering and returned for further processing.

Electronic circuits printed on silicon wafers exported for splitting and returned.

Tariff Item 807.0 applies to U.S. fabricated components that:

Were exported in a condition ready for assembly without further processing.

Have not lost their physical identity by any change in form, shape or otherwise.

Have not been advanced in value or improved in condition abroad except by being assembled and except by operations incidental to the assembly process such as cleaning, lubricating and painting.

The duty levied is equal to the full value of the imported articles, less the cost or value of such products of the United States.

Operations which qualify as assembly include: Assembly of cut parts of wearing apparel by sewing, hemming or stitching.

Installation of U.S. products on articles of foreign manufacture such as U.S. engines and equipment on foreign made commercial aircraft.

Assembly of baseball and softball covers and their cores by sewing or stitching.

Assembly of U.S. electrical components by soldering and other operations.

This grants duty-free access to manufactured and semi-manufactured goods from eligible countries. To qualify, a product or country must fulfill the following requirements:

The product and the country must appear on the list of eligible beneficiaries. Negotiations for the GSP are on a product-by-product basis. To be eligible, a country must be a member of the General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs (GATT) and must have most favored nation (MFN) status.

The product must be imported directly into the United States from the beneficiary country without any intermediate pressing or trading.

The product must have had 35% of its appraised value added in the beneficiary country.

Importers should request GSP treatment.

Imports from the beneficiary country should not exceed $69.5 million (adjusted annually in relation to the U.S. GNP) and must not exceed 50% of U.S. imports of the product.

There are about 3,000 products currently eligible for GSP treatment. St. Kitts and Nevis is an eligible country and has MFN status.

OPIC is a self-sustaining U.S. Government agency which provides a variety of services to encourage private sector investment in the growing markets of the developing world. These services include:

Funding for Feasibility Studies - up to 75% of the study cost, to a maximum of $100,000.00.

Direct Investment Fund - loans up to $4 million.

Loan Guarantees - up to $50 million on loans by U.S. financial institutions to U.S. sponsored projects.

Insurance - for conversion of investment and earnings, and loss due to expropriation and damage caused by war, revolution or insurrection.

Letter of Credit Insurance - many countries require exporters and contractors doing business with them to post bid, performance and advance payment guarantees. OPIC will insure these guarantees against arbitrary drawings.

Business Education and Training - funding for up to 75% of the cost of management training, with a $100,000.00 limit per project.

Investment Mission Program - an opportunity to learn about the investment climate, and economic and political outlook of developing countries through meetings with host country officials, the U.S. ambassador and embassy staff, and local business leaders.

OPIC has an agreement with the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis to permit the operation of its insurance and finance programs.

As a member of CARICOM, St. Kitts and Nevis has duty-free access to the other CARICOM countries. CARICOM produced goods enter member countries duty-free provided:

Value added in the country of origin is at least 40% for goods produced in the less developed countries (LDC's) of Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Lucia, St. Kitts & Nevis, and St. Vincent & the Grenadines.

Value added in the country of origin is at least 50% for goods produced in the more developed countries (MDC's) of Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago.

St. Kitts and Nevis is one of 68 parties contracting to the Lom6 Convention between the members of the European Economic Community (EEC) and former colonies known as the African, Caribbean and Pacific States (ACP). This convention comprises a set of provisions in trade and other economic co-operation. The main trade benefit is privileged access to EEC countries for goods produced in ACP member states.

BAS was created under the auspices of the United Nations Development Program to help identify promising new medium-sized investment projects, and to assist firms and business people in Caribbean countries in preparing such projects for financing. BAS does not finance projects. However, it maintains close relations with national and international lending and investing institutions, and because of its familiarity with the requirements of these institutions, is able to assist project sponsors design projects which are bankable. The Facility is funded by grants from development agencies and international organizations.

The CBI is a program of trade, economic assistance and tax measures to generate economic growth in the Caribbean Basin through increased private sector investment and trade. The main provision of the CBI eliminates duties on all products, with certain exclusions, entering the United States from any beneficiary country in the Caribbean Basin for an indefinite period. To be eligible for duty-free treatment the article must meet the following requirements:

Be imported directly from a beneficiary country.

The cost or value of the article must consist of at least 35% direct cost of processing in one or more beneficiary countries (U.S. made components may comprise 15% of the 35%, leaving 20% value-added in beneficiary countries).

Any product made with foreign materials must constitute a new and different article of commerce as compared to the original materials, as defined by the U.S. Customs Service.

Articles not eligible for duty-free treatment are: textiles and apparel subject to the Multifiber Agreement; canned tuna; petroleum and petroleum products; footwear, but not footwear uppers; certain leathers; rubber and plastic gloves; luggage; handbags and flat goods; and certain leather apparel.

The CBI also allows U.S. tax deductions for expenses of business conventions held in eligible Caribbean Basin countries.

St. Kitts and Nevis is a beneficiary of CARIBCAN, a Canadian economic and trade development assistance program, instituted to help Caribbean Countries increase trade and expand their economics. The main feature of CARIBCAN is the extension of preferential, one-way duty free access of most products into the Canadian market.

Section 936 of the Internal Revenue Code provides a special credit for certain income of qualifying corporations operating in Puerto Rico, and possessions of the United States other than the Virgin Islands. The Government of Puerto Rico has complemented Section 936 by granting tax exemptions of up to 90% for income of certain approved enterprises for specific periods of time, generally 10 to 25 years. The combination of Section 936 credit and the incentives, renders corporations essentially exempt from tax on their Puerto Rican source income. As a result of these tax credits, Puerto Rico has amassed a pool of approximately U.S. $7 billion in its banking system. The U.S. Congress has legislated that section 936 funds will be made available to finance twin plant development or production sharing ventures between Puerto Rico and CBI beneficiary countries.

In an effort to make Puerto Rico and the Caribbean competitive in the world market, the Department of State Caribbean Development Program of Puerto Rico will help interested parties obtain financing at concessionary rates, as well as aid in the promotion of local industry and the recruitment of industry from abroad. CDP also encourages production sharing which covers other areas of development such as light manufacturing, services, agro-industrial projects and others: Further information regarding this initiative can be obtained from:

Investment attraction is coordinated by the respective tourism offices of the two islands.

The recent weak record -excepting Four Seasons- in attracting investment into the accommodation sector has already been noted. Studies carried out elsewhere in the region have indicated that the main factor influencing such investment decisions is the perceived ability of the projects to generate profits, and the risk factors associated. Given a satisfactory risk /reward assessment, the details of the actual incentive package offered have not been found to be -vital factors, although the pack-age needs to be competitive, and investors will always seek to negotiate the best terms possible.

The incentive package in St Kitts and Nevis (codified in the Hotel Aids Ordinance) is an attractive one. It provides for

• a sliding scale of tax holidays on profits rising to 15 years for larger investments (e.g. Jack Tar and Four Seasons hotels)
• relief on import duty for construction materials and equipment
• for larger properties (Jack Tar and Four Seasons) additional benefits have been negotiated, in particular relief from import duties on operating supplies, including imported food, a benefit not available to any smaller hotels.

The present incentives extend only to properties of 10 or more rooms, and it is the intention of Government to reduce this to 5 rooms in order to encourage local investment in guest houses. In addition, as a measure to promote linkages, Government has proposed duty free concessions on boats, engines and agricultural implements used by bona fide farmers and fishermen.

The main tax paid by hotels is the 7% hotel tax, which is waived for smaller properties during the low season, and which is collected by the Federal Government in St Kitts, and by the Island Administration in Nevis. Other sources of revenue include:

• airport departure tax
• tax on car rentals
• head tax on cruise passengers

The OECS has also been active in promoting regional investment, and to this effect produced a brochure detailing tourism investment opportunities in member countries, as well as placing advertisements in Corporate Location magazine. A planned investment symposium to be held in the Caribbean was abandoned, apparently through a lack of support from potential investors. These may have preferred to deal direct with the countries rather than through third parties.

Of the incentive packages available in neighboring countries, one of the most attractive is that applicable in the French DOM territories, including St Martin, known as Defiscalisation, and covered by two laws, the loi Pons, and the loi Malraux. These give generous tax write offs in the range 40% to 100% to Metropolitan French investors in projects which are deemed to produce jobs and to aid in economic development. Benefiting projects have included hotel, apartment and charter boat investments, as well as inner city renovation schemes: participating investors can exit after a minimum 5 years. So attractive were the incentives that many investors failed to study baseline financial viability’s, with overbuilding resulting, leaving a rash today of empty buildings around Marigot.

The wider investment climate for hotels in the Caribbean is not very favorable at present, with much of the activity focused on conversions rather than new building, and terms of loans tougher than in the past

• enthusiasm for hotel and commercial property development, investment throughout the world in the 1980s has given way to a more negative attitude in the 1990s
• as a result, tourism development as a portfolio investment preference has declined markedly since 1990
• because of weakness in the commercial property market, debt/equity ratios have moved to 40-50% equity from the 10-20% level of the late 1980s. Loan periods have also shortened with 2 years grace and 8 years to repay now common, compared with 3 years grace and 12 to repay before.
• these changed criteria in addition to the surplus of unsold hotels and resorts in the US market makes it extremely difficult for proposed new developments to compete with existing price discounted properties in terms of yield

There is no reason to amend the existing incentive scheme, although it is noted that the OAS Master Plan argued strongly for a unification of incentives, in particular an extension of the waiver on import duties on operating supplies to smaller hotels. While in terms of equitability this is desirable, there are considerable advantages in Government being able to negotiate special terms for approved larger projects which meet their policy objectives, and furthermore the present situation reflects the reality that to extend such terms more widely would create considerable enforcement difficulties.

There remains a need to create a climate in which investment can be attracted, and once

established can flourish.

• attracting investors in the first place, and helping to get their project off the ground
• continuing to assist them when they start operating, where such assistance is required or requested, so that they can achieve their investment objectives

The investment climate is not created by the investment incentives package alone, but by a much wider range of essentially subjective judgments about the country, looking beyond the stated policy of Governments to examine how things work out in practice for existing investors. To encourage investment, Government, with the assistance of the private sector, has to seek to positively influence investment attitudes and to respond effectively to objections. The sort of factors people look at include asking such questions as

• will we be able to get work- permits for key staff?
• how long will it take to get these work permits ?
• will Government be pro-actively concerned to assist us, or merely passively observe administrative formalities ?
• if we have a problem is there someone, or a specific office, we can turn to, and how useful is that person/office likely to be ?
• what will happen if there is a change of Government ?
• are public services up to scratch (utilities, crime prevention, public order, airport services and facilitation) ?
• legal and arbitration procedures: are they fairly administered?
• are the unions reasonable, or will they tighten the screw once our investment is set in concrete ?
• will we experience Government interference in how we run our business, and on who we employ ?
• does the country have a long term policy for tourism, is it realistic, and does Government have the will and the resources to make it work ?

Policy has to be directed to creating an environment responding positively to such concerns.