Port Zante gears up for retail openings

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The retail and cruiseship facility Port Zante in Basseterre, managed by the St Kitts Urban Development Corp, has reported it is in the final construction phase and preparing for the first shops to open this September. A restaurant has already opened for trading and five buildings in the central area of the complex, just west of the cruiseship harbour, are ready to receive stores, in time for the start of the tourist season. Each of the Colonial-styled buildings houses several shop units.

Port Zante general manager Jason Kelsick told TRW: "We are in final negotiations with some retailers and have had interest from an array of different regional and local businesses."

The first phase of operators is expected to include duty-free, jewellery, watches, electronics and souvenir retailers. Each Caribbean island has a distinct definition of duty-free. According to the Development Corporation two methods can be operated on St Kitts, either full in-bond duty-free (not necessarily at the cruiseship pier) or a system of reduced duty. Under this system the rate of duty falls from 45% to approximately 10%.

Over a seven to ten year period the Port Zante development is scheduled to open 42 individual retail units and a 120-room luxury hotel, casino and yacht marina. More than ten cruiselines already call at Port Zante and in the coming year 256,000 cruiseship day visitors are forecast. "We aim to become the leading and best-organised cruise destination in the region," said Kelsick.