The leading private sector body, on Friday morning, (1st February, 2013), dispatched correspondence to the Prime Minister, urging the administration to take priority action to facilitate the debate and the vote on the Motion of No confidence that was tabled by the opposition members of parliament since late last year.
President of the Chamber of Industry & Commerce, (CIC), Mr. David Lake, reminded the Prime Minister in the letter, dated 1st February, 2013, that in his address to the Christmas luncheon meeting of their organization, which was held on 18th December, 2012, he recognized that pending parliamentary matters, including the motion of no confidence, could erode investor confidence in the country.
“You pledged to do all that you could, to avoid such damage to the investment climate and the economy. You said that the motion of no confidence should be heard expeditiously,” stated the CIC in its correspondence.
“We note also, and agree with, the very recent statement of Sir Dwight Venner, (Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank) that OECS economies are at a “tipping point”. That categorization certainly applies to the St. Kitts and Nevis economy”, continued the Chamber in its letter to the government.
The private sector body, indicated to the Prime Minister that many of its members, both national and non- national, are expressing to the Board of the Chamber, great concern that the delay in the consideration by the National Assembly of the motion of no confidence, for the full month of January, has already affected the investment climate and that further delay could cause long lasting damage.
“The Board unanimously supports that view. I therefore call on you to do all within your power to ensure that the motion of no confidence in your Government is brought before the National Assembly without further delay,” stated the Chamber President, on behalf of the Chamber of Industry & Commerce.