BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, CMC – The St. Kitts and Nevis government has established an ad hoc Advisory Committee to review the Special Sustainability Zones Authorisation Act, 2025 (SSZA Act).
Last month, Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew assured citizens that an independent, representative body would be created to carefully examine the legislation, address public concerns, and ensure its implementation in a transparent and accountable manner.
The Government said that the Advisory Committee is tasked with reviewing the provisions of the SSZA Act, considering its practical implementation, and making recommendations to the Government on any proposed amendments, procedural improvements, or safeguards needed to strengthen public confidence.
It said that regional and international best practices, along with the principles of the Sustainable Island State Agenda, will also guide its work.
Prime Minister Drew said that the SSZ Act does not, in itself, create or approve any special sustainability zones, nor is it tied to any specific private development.
He said that the Act establishes a transparent legal process for evaluating, disclosing, and approving any future proposals, including parliamentary oversight and constitutional safeguards.
The Advisory Committee brings together a broad cross-section of civil society, professional bodies, and stakeholder organisations, reflecting the Government’s commitment to inclusive and participatory governance.
The government statement said that organisations invited to nominate representatives to serve on the Advisory Committee include the Saint Kitts Christian Council; the Saint Kitts Evangelical Association; the Saint Kitts-Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce; the Saint Kitts-Nevis Trades and Labour Union; the Bankers and Financial Services Association; as well as the Caribbean Confederation of Credit Unions; the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank; the Organisation of Rastafari in Unity; and the Saint Kitts and Nevis Medical and Dental Association.
The Saint Kitts and Nevis Bar Association, the local branch of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of the Eastern Caribbean, the Saint Kitts-Nevis Institute of Architects, the Saint Kitts and Nevis Building Contractors Association, and the Saint Christopher National Trust.
The statement said that, recognising the regional implications of the legislation and the value of comparative expertise, the Government has invited written opinions from several regional institutions, including the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), the OECS Bar Association, and the Caribbean Development Bank.
Prime Minister Drew said that the committee’s work will be conducted openly and that its findings and recommendations will be submitted to the cabinet for consideration.
He reiterated that the process is intended to strengthen governance, protect national sovereignty, and ensure that any future development under the SSZ framework delivers long-term benefits for the people of the twin-island federation.
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