Prime Minster of St. Kitts and Nevis Denzil Douglas at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Malta View photo »

St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas has called for developed countries to work towards implementing Millennium Goal 8 which promotes closer partnerships for development..

During discussions on Global Developments at the Executive Session of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Malta, Prime Minister Douglas said that developed countries must recognize that they have a duty to assist small states as they are severely affected by new trade policies.

He made mention of the closure of the St. Kitts and Nevis Sugar Industry (because of international trade practices) which has operated for over 350 years producing sugar for Europe and other countries.

"The closure means that over 2000 persons are out of work affecting over 6000 dependents. These are rural people and woman with no less than five dependents in many cases. Because we are ranked as a middle income country we are not eligible for concessions or grants," he said.

Mention was also made of the $150 million dollar debt that his government has from the sugar industry and outlined that because it has lost to competition, his government had no choice but to close the industry and is now trying to cope with the severe pain.

"I hope that this meeting will realize that the situation for St. Kitts and Nevis and other small states is critical and there is the need for developed nations to lend assistance. Our situation calls for Millennium Goal 8 to be fully implemented," he said.

Millennium Development Goal 8 calls for developed nations to address the least developed countries' special needs to include tariff and quota free access for exports; enhanced debt relief for heavily indebted poor countries; cancellation of official bilateral debt; and more generous official development assistance for countries committed to poverty reduction.

Digital photos by Maurice F. Merchant