POPULAR BUSINESSMAN, VISIONARY AND ENTERTAINER Samal Duggins, who is on the St Kitts Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) ticket for Constituency Four, has promised bracing the small business an entertainment sectors when his party in back government following the August 5th polls.
In the quest, a ministry of small business will be established to ensure entrepreneurs and those willing to start their own businesses will receive the relevant assistance. The new ministry, he explained, would facilitate giving loans and grants making it much easier for applicants to access the support within two to three working days.
This is critically important in reviving business activities in the federation and helping return the twin-island state to its former glory years when it stood at the top of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) in terms of economic growth.
“I am a businessman and I am here to develop small businesses of today turning it into big businesses of tomorrow. (I want) to see our people grow from strength to strength and create significant wealth. Why can’t we do that? We can. This will happen under a St. Kitts Nevis Labour Party. We can deliver that,” Duggins declared.
The multi-gifted entrepreneur is also committed to the arts and his dedication finally bore fruit when his immensely popular Island ‘Xpressions’ Poetry and Open Mic Night opened doors for ‘freshmen’ performers to share their work and, in some cases, “launch their careers in the performing arts,” according to the party manifesto.
It said, buoyed by the overwhelming response, Duggins later spurred him to produce his own television programme, ‘Xpress Yourself’, “which showcased video clips of the most inspirational and thought-provoking poets, musicians, and dancers on local and regional television.”
Duggins made it clear that the government he will represent has significant plans for entertainers.
“You know me as an entertainer and a businessman for many, many years and I am willing to add my knowledge, expertise and experience in this area so again I am saying put me to work as I am ready to work.”
“I am ready to deliver a brand new creative and performing arts theatre to St Kitts and Nevis, so that our performers can have a home and a place to perform freely at will,” Duggins promised.
He continued, “Put me to work so our home-grown artistes can experience touring the world and promoting our country just like Bob Marley did for Jamaica, Allison Hinds for Barbados, Macheal Montano for Trinidad and Tobago and many others.”
“Put me to work and you will see this,” he assured.
And he has the credentials to deliver.
In 2006 his creative genius for entrepreneurship, marketing and the creative arts bourgeoned giving birth to ‘Island Xpressions’, a strategic brand development and marketing firm.
“As a result, Samal has been the creative mind behind some of the most innovative brand campaigns as well as video and audio advertisements on the local and regional market,” the manifesto document disclosed.
The poet, song writer, rapper, TV programme personality and music producer was consistently productive over the years, and in 2017, he added the title farmer/food hero to his impressive resume when he founded the award-winning ‘Montraville Farms’ which grows fresh produce using sustainable agro-technology including hydroponics.
“As such, he was recruited by the Ministry of Agriculture to serve on its Agricultural Advisory Committee with a view to advancing the food and nutrition agenda in St. Kitts-Nevis,” the Manifesto said.
The Ministry of Gender Affairs named Duggins ‘Man of the Year’ in the area of agriculture last year.
Duty free concessions for vital equipment are promised to the entertainment industry to help them “live and survive from their skills” because, like other sectors, it also contributes to economic growth of St Kitts-Nevis.
“I want our artistes to go out and tell the world that indeed St. Kitts sweet and Nevis nice. Our entertainers will take advantage of duty-free concessions so that they can develop all of their art forms and trade properly. Our entertainers deserve better and the best choice to deliver this new day and better way is the St. Kitts Nevis Labour Party,” Duggins emphasised.
More Stories
Continuous delay of elections fraud trial does not align with principles of justice – AG Nandlall
10,000 Little Diamond residents to gain access to water
Baracara students to be accommodated at new N/A Amerindian hostel