Three-day national workshop advances digital trade, online business, and legislative reform
Basseterre, St. Kitts, March 25, 2026
The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis has taken a significant step toward strengthening its
e-commerce laws and digital trade framework with the successful hosting of a National E-
Commerce Legislative Gap Analysis Validation Workshop, held from March 23 to March 25,
2026, across St. Kitts and Nevis.
This initiative supports the Federation’s efforts to modernize legislation for online business,
electronic transactions, and digital services, making it easier, safer, and more efficient for
individuals and businesses to participate in the growing digital economy.
The workshop builds on the National Stakeholder Consultation conducted in November
2025 and represents a critical phase in developing a secure, inclusive, and globally
competitive digital economy.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Advanced reforms to strengthen e-commerce laws and digital trade
- Improved legal frameworks for online business and investment
- Supported MSMEs in accessing regional and international markets
- Strengthened trust, security, and ease of doing business
“This workshop is not merely a review of legislation,” said Hon. Konris Maynard, Minister
responsible for Information, Communications and Technology. “It is a structured national
effort to strengthen the legal certainty of electronic transactions, enable secure and trusted
e-commerce, enhance data protection and privacy, support interoperability and digital
identity, and position St. Kitts and Nevis to compete effectively in regional and international
markets.”
The Minister further emphasized that in an increasingly complex global environment shaped
by rapid technological change and evolving economic conditions, St. Kitts and Nevis has a
unique opportunity to emerge as a leader in innovation and resilience through digital transformation. He noted that modern, forward-looking legislation is essential to unlocking
opportunities across key sectors, including tourism, agriculture, financial services, the
creative economy, and MSMEs.
The three-day engagement brought together a broad cross-section of stakeholders,
including government agencies, legal and regulatory institutions, private sector
representatives, MSMEs, and members of the ICT community, alongside regional and
international partners such as the Commonwealth Secretariat.
Mr. Nigel Carty, Advisor and Chief Digital Transformation Officer of the Digital
Transformation Unit, delivered welcome remarks, while Dr. Ruth Kattumuri of the
Commonwealth Secretariat highlighted the importance of modern legislative frameworks in
supporting entrepreneurs and enabling small businesses to thrive in a rapidly evolving
global digital economy.
A central presentation by Ms. Vashti Maharaj, Adviser on Digital Trade Policy, outlined the
objectives of the validation exercise, noting that it aims to strengthen the legal foundations
required to improve ease of doing business, attract investment, and enable local enterprises
to fully participate in the global digital economy.
“This exercise is about creating a future-ready legislative environment,” Maharaj stated, “one
that supports online business growth, fosters trust, and enables small businesses to access
wider markets beyond our shores.”
Focus Areas
Discussions throughout the workshop addressed key pillars essential to a modern digital
economy, including:
- Electronic transactions and trust services
- Digital identity and data protection
- Cybersecurity and cybercrime
- Consumer protection and telecommunications
- Digital payments and fintech
- Intellectual property and online taxation
National Impact
The outcomes of this validation workshop are expected to inform the development of a
robust, future-ready legislative and policy framework that enhances trust in online
transactions, improves competitiveness, and creates new opportunities for businesses,
entrepreneurs, and citizens.
By strengthening e-commerce laws and enabling digital trade, St. Kitts and Nevis is
positioning itself to attract investment, support innovation, and expand opportunities for
economic growth in the digital age.
As the Federation continues to advance its digital transformation agenda, the Government
remains committed to building a digital ecosystem that is inclusive, secure, and enabling,
one that empowers its people and positions St. Kitts and Nevis as a leader in digital
transformation within the Caribbean region.
About the Digital Transformation Unit
The Digital Transformation Unit drives government modernization through people, process,
and technology transformation, building capacity, improving public services, and supporting
a smarter, more connected public sector.