St Kitts and Nevis (WINN): The opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) of St. Vincent and the Grenadines launched its 76-page manifesto on Saturday (October 24) promising jobs for young people, a reduction of Value Added Tax (VAT) from 16 to 13 percent, and other measures to boost that country’s fortunes.
NDP Leader Godwin Friday decried the migration of young people looking for greener pastures and promised to stem the flow
“Not a single one of us should ever underestimate the importance of the choice that faces us on November 5th. There is a clear choice for us to make on that fateful day. For too long, the lack of economic opportunities, of jobs, opportunities for our local businesses to grow. I’ve seen our young people, in particular, leave our shores because they don’t see any bright prospects here in our country. They go too far off places. Not just in the developed countries that Canada and the United Kingdom and the United States. They also go to the other Caribbean countries, our neighbors in St Lucia and Antigua and St Kitts, because things are better there than they are here.”
The NDP is challenging the Dr. Ralph Gonsalves-lead United Labour Party (ULP) which is seeking a fifth term in office.
Dr. Friday framed the choice facing the electorate when the vote in the general election on November 5.
“Our plan is to create new jobs and to grow our economy and to accomplish this, these important objectives we have identified five priority areas. We must provide skills and employment for Vincentians. We must invest in our small and medium enterprises. We must grow our agriculture and Fisheries industries. We must deliver the infrastructure necessary to help our businesses. We must also fund research in crucial areas, critical aspects of our economy, and technical education and Technology. But only you can deliver the change our country needs. You can do this by voting for the New Democratic Party.”
The NDP has also pledged to launch a Citizenship by Investment program in SVG if it wins at the polls.
