2009: Caring and sharing

23.DEC.09

Christmas Message from Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Ralph E. Gonsalves

Fellow-Vincentians and Residents, the year 2009 has not been a walk in the park. Since the international financial meltdown, which commenced in September 2008, the economic circumstances of our nation and our Caribbean region have become most challenging: Economic growth has slowed markedly and has gone negative; tourism receipts and government’s revenues have fallen; the trading regime in bananas has become more problematic; remittances from abroad have declined; the indigenous banking and insurance businesses have been placed under enormous strain; the ratio of public debt to Gross Domestic Product has risen; and job opportunities have become more restricted.{{more}}

Despite all these challenges and difficulties, which have come to us from outside and are not of our own making, we in St. Vincent and the Grenadines have been able to hold things together, to arrest the slide, to strengthen the safety nets for the most vulnerable, and, in many respects, to fortify our foundation for recovery. We have kept things stable and on the progressive path because of our creativity, good sense, and hard work in solidarity with one another, with our OECS and CARICOM partners, and with our friends and allies overseas. It has not been an easy ride but there is light emerging in the economic tunnel internationally which ought to facilitate a rebound early next year nationally and regionally. We are optimistic of our immediate and longer-term future. There is good reason to be optimistic despite the on-going challenges.

In the year 2009, we celebrated magnificently our 30th Anniversary of Independence and our Homecoming. Our sense of cultural and historical reclamation has been strengthened. It is unfortunate that the Government was unable to persuade a majority of our people to vote in the referendum for a new Constitution, a home-grown Constitution of the highest quality in democracy and freedom. In time, a greater popular understanding and appreciation of the virtues of the proposed Constitution would arise. Still, a substantial proportion of our people voted for constitutional change; and a large number abstained from voting.

In January 2010, God’s willing, I shall present the Budget for 2010 and further define the contours of our nation’s progressive march forward. So, I shall refrain from any mention of that on this occasion. At this the time of the commemoration of the Birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, we reaffirm our commitment to the Kingdom values of Peace and Love, Justice and Unity. At this Blessed Season, I urge that each of us be more caring and loving to our neighbours and each other. The warring and senseless bickering do none of us any good. Criminal violence is to be avoided; tolerance and restraint should be our watchwords; and moderation in all things be our way.

I wish every Vincentian at home and abroad a wonderful Christmas 2009. The poor, the marginalised, the sick, and the dispossessed are especially in our prayers. Let us share and care this Christmas.

I shall be about the land and seas in St. Vincent and the Grenadines visiting people of all walks of life. I do enjoy it. And I look forward to the ginger beer and sorrel, the Christmas carols and the lighting-up.

May Almighty God continue to bless us all at this time and in the months and years ahead!