NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (June 07, 2023) – The positive business and investment climate created by the Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM)-led Nevis Island Administration (NIA) is bearing fruit as Nevis is seeing an uptick in public and private sector investment.

Premier Hon. Mark Brantley, Minister of Finance, Economic Planning, Industry, and Trade in the NIA, welcomed the opening of several new business on Nevis, including the 869 Bar and Grill.

He was particularly proud that persons from Nevis are driving investment on the island, noting that the territory should not rely solely on foreigners to create economic opportunities.

“Let me congratulate Sean Rawlins. He is the main investor of a new sports bar and grill, 869 Sports Bar and Grill, that has opened in the heart of Gingerland along the island main road, just across from the Gingerland Secondary School. Mr. Rawlins is from right there in St. Johns and he’s lived abroad for some time. He’s now come back and he is investing significantly in this the land of his birth.

“I’ve heard it often said that investors are out to sea, well I can say now that they are coming ashore and I continue to encourage especially our local investors, to invest and to invest significantly. Every new business that opens is an indication of the confidence that persons have in the Nevis economy and I wish Mr. Rawlins and all the other new businesses all the very best and much success, and I encourage others to be like Mr. Rawlins and to invest in this the island of their birth,” he said.

Deputy Premier, Hon. Eric Evelyn, parliamentary representative for Gingerland, attended the recent opening of the bar along with Premier Brantley. He too welcomed the establishment of a new business in the parish of St. George, providing employment for a number of individuals.

“I certainly welcome the 869 Bar and Grill to the heart of Gingerland. The grand opening was a hit. He had a full weekend of activities; the mood was exciting and the vibe was good. I want to commend the local investor- and let me stress local- Mr. Sean Rawlins. It shows that he has confidence in the local economy why he has invested so much resources into the 869 Bar and Grill, which is a top-notch entertainment spot.”

Premier Brantley said his administration continues to craft public policy that create an enabling environment which stimulates entrepreneurship and encourages a vibrant domestic business sector. He also highlighted some of the significant investments by the government intended to expand the economic and social infrastructures on Nevis.

These include the island-wide rehabilitation of the road network, multi-million-dollar expansion of the Alexandra Hospital, employing of several medical specialists, acquisition of state-of-the art medical equipment, commissioning of a new 3.8MW Wärtsilä generator at NEVLEC, housing developments, water treatment facility at Hamilton, new Technical and Vocational Educational Training (TVET) wing at the Gingerland Secondary School, multi-purpose Athletics Stadium (Mondo Track), industrial-sized water storage tanks in several communities, and the pursuit of geothermal energy.

“We have systematically invested to the point where…the island has now progressed and developed, to a point where our people are accustomed to things working and working properly. That’s progress, and we have brought that to this island…and our people are the beneficiaries,” Premier Brantley stated.