–Â Prime Minister reaffirms commitment to national progression.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Monday, commemorated 35 years of political independence after 260 years of French occupation that was later left to British rule. Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves gave reaffirmation to his commitment to uphold and defend the “freedoms, principles and ideals” of democracy of the people in a statement honouring the national event.
From 2010 to 2014, the islands of St. Vincent and the Grenadines have been hit by five natural disasters: Hurricane Tomas in 2010; floods in April 2011 and December 2013; and prolonged droughts in 2010 and 2014, Gonsalves said. “These natural disasters have caused loss and damage amounting to 600 million Eastern Caribbean dollars ($222 million), or almost a third of the country’s gross domestic product, and despite all the challenges and difficulties, the economy of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has been recovering, slowly but surely,” the prime minister added.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines became independent from Britain in 1979, but Queen Elizabeth II remains the Caribbean nation’s head of state. The country’s economy is based on agriculture, tourism and services.
Extracted and modified from Fox New Latino
