St. Kitts, one of the more recent international financial centers to emerge in the world, can offer every investor what he or she is looking for. This small tropical island in the heart of the Caribbean is the home of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank and the Eastern Caribbean Securities Exchange, two important pillars of the Regional Financial Sector.
St. Kitts is located in the Eastern Caribbean at 17 20 North, 62 45 West, roughly 1,200 miles from Miami, 1600 miles from New York, 4,000 miles from London and about 45 minutes by plane from Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.
The island is 69 square miles with a population of 44,000 in the Federation. Basseterre is the capital.
Time:
Atlantic Standard Time throughout the year. 4 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (-4 GMT). Daylight Saving Time is not observed.
Economy:
Agriculture, tourism, light manufacturing.
Language Description:
English.
Currency:
Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD$). U.S. bills are accepted by most stores and businesses and change is given in E.C. currency. U.S. coins are not accepted.
Exchange Rate: $1.00 USD = $2.70 XCD.
Travel Documents and Entry/Departure Requirements:
Kindly click here for information regarding recent changes to the entry/re-entry requirements. Citizens of some countries are required to have visas in order to enter St. Kitts-Nevis. Cruise ship visitors staying less than twenty-four (24) hours are never required to have visas. If you are not exempt and therefore need a visa you can also click here to apply for one online. Please note, once your online visa is issued you must print it and carry it with you for entry into St. Kitts & Nevis. Upon presentation of the electronic visa you will also need to pay 100.00 EC or it's equivalent in USD, which is $37.00.
Emergency Numbers:
Police / Ambulance - 911
Fire - 333
Air Ambulance - (869) 465-2801
JNF General Hospital - (869) 465-2551
Internet Service:
Internet services are available at all of the hotels, as well as from Internet Cafes across the city. Broadband connections (DSL & Cable) are also available, as are Web developing and hosting services.
The Cable system provides at least 53 Cable TV Channels, including the local broadcasters ZIZ, CNN, ESPN and BBC.
Electricity:
The domestic market is served by a 230 volt single phase supply. However, a 117 volt supply is available in most hotels.
Water:
The water is of good quality and suitable for drinking. It is collected from direct precipitation, mountain springs and wells, and is chemically treated for purification. Locally bottled water is also available.
Health:
There are no particular health concerns associated with St. Kitts. Therefore, special vaccines are usually not required. Modern ambulatory services are available and there are specialists in most fields of medicine. A brand new state of the art hospital was opened in 2003, and emergency 911 services are available.
What to Wear:
Light summer clothing may be worn all year. Dress is informal, even at elegant hotels and plantation inns, though you may want to dress up a bit for a nice dinner. Nudity is not permitted at any beach. Swimwear or scant clothing should never be worn in towns or villages.
Tipping Overview:
A 10% service charge is normally included in hotel bills. In restaurants, 10%-15% is customary.
Educated Workforce:
St. Kitts has a labour force of about 22, 000. Unemployment in St. Kitts- Nevis is among the lowest in the Caribbean. According to a survey of the labour force conducted jointly by the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Government, the rate was confirmed at 4.3%. The country also enjoys a literacy rate of over 98%.
Religion:
There are a number of different churches on St.Kitts. The predominant religion is the Christian faith. However, there are small Rastafarian, Orthodox and other communities.
Legal System:
The legal system is based on English Common Law served by a high court of justice, a Court of Appeal and her Majesty's Privy Council in London. St. Kitts has agreed to be included in the Caribbean Court of Appeals Circuit.