National ICT Strategic Plan Government of St Kitts and Nevis 9. Ambiance: An excellent tropical climate, clean white, golden and black beaches, blue water, developed coral reefs and a friendly population make St Kitts and Nevis particularly attractive to tourists. Opportunities 1. New export opportunities through increased access to global markets: Trade liberalisation provides St Kitts and Nevis with new market opportunities in a wide range of services and products for which we have a competitive advantage, particularly in the Americas and within CARICOM. 2. Increased access to investment resources: Globalisation and liberalisation of trade and finance provide new and increased access to both portfolio and foreign direct investment. 3. Strengthening of intersectoral linkages: Domestic sectors can strengthen their productive capacities through intersectoral linkages. 4. Agricultural diversification: Opportunities lie in the production of high-valued products, such as white potatoes, peppers and tomatoes. 5. Benefits from market unification: Market unification offers opportunities for economies of scale and scope, thereby facilitating greater efficiency, growth and profitability to Kittitian and Nevisian businesses, lower prices to its consumers and increased consumer welfare. The unification of regional capital markets provides the opportunity for increased market capitalisation thereby allowing the Eastern Caribbean Stock Exchange to realise significant expansion. This would enhance capital market efficiency by channeling investment to the areas of greatest return. 6. Reduced transaction cost of business: Globalisation, which has led to the enhancement of Ministry of Finance, Sustainable Development, Information and Technology November, 2006 10