Basseterre, St. Kitts — One year after its official swearing-in, the National Productivity Council (NPC) is reporting significant progress in laying the foundation for a long-term strategy aimed at improving productivity, competitiveness, and sustainable economic growth across St. Kitts and Nevis.
Established under the National Productivity Council Act, 2024 (No. 3 of 2024), the Council commemorated its first anniversary on July 8 by outlining the work completed during its inaugural year while providing an overview of the priorities that will guide its next phase of development.
Created in response to recommendations emerging from the national minimum wage review, the Council was tasked with addressing a broader national challenge—ensuring that improvements in wages, business competitiveness, worker welfare and economic growth are supported by stronger productivity, innovation and institutional efficiency.
Rather than functioning as a ceremonial body, the Council says it was designed to serve as a driving force behind national efforts to improve both public and private sector performance through evidence-based policies and collaboration among key stakeholders. Its membership brings together representatives from Government, the private sector, organized labour and the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB).
Throughout its first year, the Council focused primarily on building the institutional framework needed to support its long-term mandate. Since its establishment, members have convened 11 full Council meetings, while specialized working groups held an additional 27 sessions dedicated to legislative development, research, institutional strengthening and strategic partnerships.
The Council also expanded its regional and international engagement, forging relationships with organizations including the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). It has likewise strengthened collaboration with productivity institutions in Trinidad and Tobago and Saint Lucia, aligning its work with the ECCB’s regional “Big Push” economic transformation agenda.
Among its most significant accomplishments has been the review of legislative gaps and the drafting of regulations necessary to establish the Council’s Secretariat, which will function as its executive arm. The proposed regulatory changes would also formally transfer responsibilities once held by the former National Competitiveness Council, which has remained inactive since 2012.
According to the Council, bringing productivity and competitiveness under a single institution represents an important milestone for national development. Officials believe the move will allow issues such as business performance, workforce development, investment, innovation and public-sector efficiency to be addressed through one coordinated strategy rather than fragmented initiatives.
Behind the scenes, considerable effort has also gone into examining previous local and regional studies on labour markets, competitiveness and economic development while identifying technical assistance best suited to the Federation’s needs.
Although much of this work has taken place outside of public view, the Council maintains that the preparatory stage was essential to establishing a credible and sustainable productivity agenda.
Central to that effort is the development of a national productivity benchmarking survey, which is being designed with technical support from ECLAC. Once implemented, the survey will provide comprehensive data on labour productivity, workforce skills, business performance, management practices, technology adoption, operating costs and other factors influencing national competitiveness.
Council officials believe the information gathered will strengthen future policymaking by providing reliable data to guide decisions involving wages, education, workforce development, business support, investment planning and public-sector reform.
Work is also continuing with UNIDO on a proposed regional productivity framework intended to strengthen cooperation among Caribbean productivity institutions while attracting additional technical support for regional economic transformation initiatives.
With much of the foundational work nearing completion, the Council expects to transition into a more public-facing phase beginning in the fourth quarter of 2026.
That stage will focus on four key priorities: strengthening the Council’s institutional capacity through the establishment of its Secretariat; completing nationwide research and data collection; conducting broad public consultations with employers, workers, trade unions, educational institutions, civil society organizations and development partners; and using the findings to develop a comprehensive National Productivity Policy for St. Kitts and Nevis.
The proposed policy is expected to provide a coordinated national framework aimed at improving productivity across businesses, government institutions, workforce training, management practices, technological innovation and service delivery.
As consultations begin, businesses will be encouraged to provide practical information on the challenges affecting productivity, including workforce skills, operating costs, access to finance, regulation, logistics and technology adoption. Workers and trade unions will likewise play a critical role by offering perspectives on workplace conditions, training needs, skills development and the relationship between productivity and sustainable wage growth.
The Council emphasized that improving productivity extends beyond the private sector. Public institutions, it noted, have an equally important role through efficient service delivery, effective regulation, stronger inter-agency coordination and modern administrative systems.
Officials argue that the Federation must continue adapting to an increasingly complex global economy characterized by technological change, climate vulnerability, supply chain disruptions, rising costs and shifting investment patterns. Against that backdrop, improving productivity is viewed as essential to maintaining competitiveness and raising living standards.
Looking ahead, the Council plans to provide quarterly public updates as its work progresses and public consultations commence. Stakeholders interested in contributing to the national productivity agenda may contact the Council via email at npc@gov.kn. Its Secretariat will operate from Building 16, Port Zante, Basseterre, with additional contact information expected to be released in the near future.
Reflecting on its first anniversary, the National Productivity Council said its inaugural year was dedicated to establishing the structures necessary for long-term success. The next chapter, it added, will focus on public engagement, evidence-based policymaking and practical initiatives aimed at strengthening productivity, competitiveness and sustainable economic development throughout St. Kitts and Nevis.
