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Developing the Yachting Sector

Yachting Sector

The Eastern Caribbean Institute of Tourism: Developing the Yachting Sector.

Many territories in the OECS have intensified efforts to develop their maritime sector given the enormous economic potential of the expanding luxury yachting sector. At the regional level, the OECS Commission has also spared no effort in making the yachting sector a priority on the Tourism Work Programme with the establishment of a Yachting Committee, about five years ago, and the coordination of joint promotion of the yachting sector at International Boat Shows.

At the national level, there has also been, in recent years, considerable marine infrastructural improvements. One of the most recent developments in this regard is the Christophe Harbour Marina in St. Kitts and Nevis which officially opened in 2015.
Christophe Harbour promotes its facility as providing elite luxury yachting services and world class amenities. The Marina, which was developed by a super yacht owner, represents a $100 million infrastructure investment that establishes St. Kitts and Nevis as a major super yacht home port. The first phase of the Marina includes 24 alongside 45 metre to 67 metre berths that offer freehold berth ownership opportunities and can accommodate for 25.9 metre to 91.4 metre yachts. When completed, the luxury marina development will include a shore side marina village with hotels, restaurants and boutiques.
Last year, super yacht traffic increased by 60% in St. Kitts and Nevis.  The twin island state also accommodated 134 yachts of more than 100ft in length. These numbers were consistent with the anticipated 20 percent year-over-year growth of the super yacht industry in the Federation.
As investment in the Maritime Sector expands, the need for more skilled personnel to service the sector also increases. On October 26th, Christophe Harbour held a job fair, in an effort to recruit persons for employment in the maritime sector. Available positions included Marina Dockhands; Marina Maintenance Engineers; and Marina Guest Services. Such specialized skills are deemed to be lacking in our region.
The OECS Eastern Caribbean Institute of Tourism (ECIT) is designed to address these skill-gaps in the region. ECIT is conceptualised as an integrated system, characterised by centres of specialisation that operate in Hospitality Training Institutes in each of the OECS Member States.
“Each Member State of the OECS will specialise in a niche area in Tourism that reflects the respective comparative advantage of each destination,” OECS Tourism Programme Officer, Lorraine Nicholas, said.
“The British Virgin Islands deemed to be the ‘sailing capital of the world’ will specialize in Marine Management, Boat Repairs and Maintenance whilst St. Vincent & the Grenadines, another of the region’s well-known sailing destinations will offer the specialisation of Marine and Coastal Tourism. The ECIT is definitely well-poised to enhance the availability of skills in the region’s maritime sector.”

Dominican diaspora to speak well of Dominica

diaspora forum

Hon Prime Minister, Dr. Roosevelt Skerrit has called on Dominicans living abroad to speak well of Dominica and Dominicans.

The Hon Prime Minister made these comments at the diaspora forum at the State House Conference Room on Tuesday, November 1.
The Labour Party Administration, over the years, has made meeting with Dominicans living overseas an integral part of the independence celebrations.
“We need Dominicans selling Dominica; we need Dominicans selling Dominicans,” he said.  “We need to speak of our friendliness, of our brilliance, of our kind and loving nature as a people. We need to speak of our mature system of government and respect for the rule of law.  I have always contended that given the number of Dominicans resident in Europe, North, South and Latin America and the Caribbean no one should in this day and age should be confusing Dominica with the Dominican Republic.”
Hon Skerrit also expressed deep gratitude for the support of the diaspora after Tropical Storm Erika in August 2015.  He spoke highly of the island’s ability to bounce back after the disaster.  More importantly he stressed on the aim of Government to build back better and stronger.
“Tropical Storm Erika taught us the valuable lesson of the need for constant retooling.  Clearly, after such a horrific experience, we have to be mindful of the potential impact of natural disasters on Dominica and we must plan for and build around this.  That is why Government has embraced the theme of ‘building back better’ for we are determined to ensure that our infrastructure is rebuilt and reshaped to withstand all to which we are susceptible,” he said.
The Dominica leader explained further that several places damaged by the storm have been marked for reconstruction.  However, he says, Government has not rushed in the process of replacement.
“We are bent on benefitting from the best available technical advice in the redesign and rebuilding of our roadways.”
Hon Skerrit also outlined the country’s progress in education, agriculture, housing and post Erika reconstruction efforts.
This year’s meeting focused on encouraging Dominicans living overseas to make an even larger contribution to Dominica’s economy through investment. The meeting was aptly themed ‘strengthening our commitment through investment’.
The Hon Minister for Small Business Development, Roselyn Paul addressed the gathering saying, “Traditionally the Dominican Diaspora has been seen as a support system for families particularly in terms of remittances and sending home barrels of groceries…a very important role and has also facilitated out- migration so that persons can [use] families as a means of finding gainful employment.  Increasingly though the Government and agencies such as the Investment Development Authority (IDA) and community-based organizations perceive the diaspora in a much broader development light.”
The diaspora, she said, can be used as “an asset to turn around the negative consequences of migration into long-term development benefits.”
The opportunity for investment also exists within the geothermal sector.  The Hon Minister for Employment, Ian Douglas explained that Government’s pursuits in developing Dominica’s geothermal resource have been satisfactory.
He told the audience that Government’s vision is to encourage business in Dominica with a cheaper and more reliable source of energy.
“Our goal is to be able to provide a cheaper, more reliable source of energy to our people in keeping with our theme of being the ‘nature island of the world.’ Remember everything that we do falls under the brand so the geothermal energy positions us as the leading nature island, not only of the Caribbean but of the world…more companies will be able to move to Dominica and set up their businesses in manufacturing and other processes because geothermal energy eventually and ultimately will allow us to have a cheaper, more reliable source of energy,” he explained.
The Hon Minister for Health, Dr Kenneth Darroux also took the opportunity to speak of the country’s progress in the health sector. He spoke extensively on Government’s plans for the new national hospital.
The event was attended by hundreds of Dominicans living overseas and several had the opportunity to ask questions, make suggestions and give comments.
The overall impression was that of great pride in the progress of the country and commendation for the work of the Labour Party Administration.

VAT Amendment Bill

VAT

Additional incentives are being given to Vincentians with the passage of the Value Added Tax (VAT) Amendment Bill in Parliament on 28th October.

The Bill was tabled by Prime Minister, Hon. Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, who said that it seeks to amend the third and fourth schedules of the principal Act.
Prime Minister Gonsalves stated that the third schedule addresses zero-rated supplies. He said that the bill seeks to remove the VAT payable on water supplied by a private entity to residential premises for domestic use, so this would bring these entities on equal footing with the CWSA. It would make it more economically advantageous for domestic consumers to purchase water from private suppliers.
The Prime Minister also said that the fourth schedule deals with the exemption of the tax for repair work on aircraft and ships engaged in local transport. Under the present arrangement the exemption is only for international transport, but this amendment seeks to extend this exemption to aircraft and ships engaged local trade. Thus, to reduce the incentive for local ships to seek services in neighboring islands.

SLBWA to launch diabetic retinopathy screening program

SLBWA

The Saint Lucia Blind Welfare Association (SLBWA) will commemorate the observance of Diabetes Awareness Month by launching a public awareness campaign for the National Diabetic Retinopathy Screening and Treatment Program in Saint Lucia.

The screening and treatment program will be promoted via various media platforms, and promotional paraphernalia all intended to raise public awareness about diabetic retinopathy.
Diabetic retinopathy is a serious condition which affects the eyes of people suffering with diabetes. It could potentially result in blindness. This condition affects many globally and is widely regarded as a form of preventable blindness. With early screening and treatment, diabetic retinopathy can be detected and treated appropriately, thus averting the loss of vision.
The primary mandate of the Saint Lucia Blind Welfare Association is to provide support to those with visual impairment and offer clinical eye care services that will screen, treat, and in some cases prevent blindness. One of these services is a walk in clinic where persons with diabetes can access professional eye examinations, diagnosis and treatment.
The screening and treatment program is funded by the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust, the tenets of which are to eliminate “avoidable blindness.”
Technical support and oversight is provided by collaborating agencies and associated partners such as the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the Saint Lucia Diabetic Hypertensive Association (SLDHA), the Caribbean Council for the Blind, and Sight Savers.
Diabetes Awareness Month is observed annually in November.

Beltraide and the Nature Conservancy sign MOU

Sign MOU
From-left,-Debbie-Alfaro,-Beltraide-Project-Officer,-Shahera-McKoy,-Manager,-EXPORTBelize,-and-Alejandro-Martinez-and-Julianne-Robinson-from-Nature-Conservancy

The Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE), through its EXPORTBelize Unit, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with The Nature Conservancy, a non-profit organization based in the USA, which seeks closer collaboration in encouraging a sustainable seaweed aquaculture industry in Belize, among others, that provide products for the local and international market.

Under the MOU, BELTRAIDE and The Nature Conservancy will establish a working committee, which in addition to sharing data and information, will work with fishermen, the Coral Caye Ltd. and the Placencia Co-op Society to develop a comprehensive business plan for a sustainable seaweed aquaculture business.
This business plan will include a curriculum that provides information on best practices that highlight conservation values, facilitates replication, ensures quality assurance and control of seaweed production, as well as provide a long-term system to retain know-how and share lessons across the country and the region.  Best practices will also target maximizing benefits to wild conch and lobster populations and coral reefs. This includes spatial mapping of priority sites to capture resilient reefs and incorporation of nursery habitats within replenishment zones.
The MOU also aims to promote the development of a Centre of Excellence to deliver the curriculum through local and international partnerships with fishers, academia, private sector, government and /or non-government organizations among other things.
Furthermore, as part of the MOU both organizations will jointly pursue a loan/grant scheme with credit unions and other local financial institutions to increase access to financing for fisher folks. It will also identify international markets for products developed under this joint initiative.
The MOU was signed by Ms. Lejia Melanie Gideon, General Manager, Enterprise and
Innovation, Beltraide and Mr. Alejandro Martinez, Country Representative of The Nature Conservancy.  The signing was witnessed by Ms. Shahera McKoy, Manager EXPORTBelize and Ms. Julianne Robinson from The Nature Conservancy.
Sign MOU

UNWTO and CTO team up for regional worksop in Saint Lucia

UNWTO

The United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable tourism is partnering with the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) to deliver a regional workshop on sustainable destination management and marketing next month.

The 5-9 December workshop, which takes place in Saint Lucia, is being delivered by experts selected by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and will explore issues related to competitiveness, quality assurance and sustainable destination criteria, with a strong emphasis on trends, best practices and success stories aimed at helping destinations compete globally,  according to Bonita Morgan, the CTO’s director of resource mobilization and development.
“We have the advantage of having the UNWTO bring to us expertise with international experiences, models and success stories as we expose the participants to what the possibilities are out there to help them develop a better product, or deliver a better service so their overall strategy for destination management and marketing can be successful,” Mrs. Morgan said.
Among the key areas being explored are innovation in marketing, destination competitiveness, developing sustainable tourism experiences and successful models in destination management and marketing.
The first day is being billed as a forum and will be open to a broad spectrum of stakeholders in Saint Lucia so that they can benefit from the experiences and expertise of the UNWTO facilitators, as well as allowing as many residents as possible to share their views and experiences with a local and region audience.  Topics to be covered will include global and regional tourism performance and trends, consumer trends and effective marketing and pillars of sustainable and competitive destinations.
A number of site visits have been included in the programme, during which participants will use the information they garnered to critique the local destinations and use the experience to help enhance their own products and tourism services.
The executive training workshop organized by the CTO and the UNWTO through its Themis Foundation, is being held in collaboration with the Saint Lucia Tourist Board. It is open to high-level decision makers in the national, regional and local tourism administrations and organizations, as well as senior tourism practitioners from tourism associations and industry groups and travel and tourism practitioners from the Caribbean and the Americas.
For further information, including how to register and participate, visit www.onecaribbean.org or email msealy@caribtourism.com. For further insights regarding the forum and workshop please view a video interview with Mrs. Morgan at: http://bit.ly/2eQHM2W.

Entrepreneurship Symposium 2016

UB and SBDCBelize

The University of Belize (UB), Belmopan Campus in collaboration with The Small Business Development Centre, Belize (SBDCBelize), a unit of Beltraide, will hold its third annual Entrepreneurship Symposium on November 14th 2016 at 1:30 pm.

The symposium is an annual event observed as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW).
Belize is one of the 162 members of the GEW Network and each year, during the 3rd week of November, joins the rest of the world in celebrating Global Entrepreneurship Week – a week when member countries organize several activities to inspire individuals to explore their potential to become entrepreneurs. The University of Belize, Belize’ national university, and Beltraide, therefore, see it fit to join in such endeavour to promote our young entrepreneurs.
This year the symposium will be held at the George Price Centre for Peace and Development, Belmopan, under the theme: “Entrepreneurship: The Foundation of a Nation”. It will include various presentations by young Belizean entrepreneurs, who will present a synopsis of their projects as well as success stories and challenges faced by them during the establishment of their business ventures.
The event aims at bringing together key players in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, with the purpose of sharing ideas, creating awareness of existing and new business and investment opportunities, promoting innovation and building an entrepreneurship culture.
A large number of UB students as well as distinguished members of the business community will attend the symposium.
The event will include addresses by Dr Walter-Dean, Faculty of Management & Social Sciences, University of Belize, Ms Shelly Usher, Owner and Manager of Builder’s Hardware, Ms Rebecca Stirm, Designer at Rebecca Stirm Clothing Line, representatives of St Martin’s Credit Union, the Development Finance Corporation, Mr Merwin Budram from TASBelize as well as officials from the Belmopan City Council and SBDCBelize among others.
There are several other events being held in Belize in connection with Global Entrepreneurship Week. These include the Green Tech Startup Boot camp from 11 – 13 November, the Business Hackathon, the Entrepreneurship Convention and the Launching of the Eco-system Work Plan all of these to be held on November 18.

ECTEL moving ahead with Net Neutrality policy

Net Neutrality policy

The Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority-ECTEL, is moving ahead with plans for new legislations which will guarantee the citizens of its Member States the unhindered access to the products and services on the Internet.

The new legislation includes provisions for supporting the policy of net neutrality, which is based on the principle that Internet service providers should treat all data on the Internet the same. Due to the increased number of over the top services and the growing trend for service providers to block these services, this principle has become very important to protect consumer’s ability to access all content on the Internet. The principles of Net Neutrality have been included in electronic communications legislation in the European Union countries, the United States of America, Chile and Canada.
ECTEL’s net neutrality journey commenced with a public consultation which was conducted in all Member States between September and November 2013. Submissions were received from Lime, Digicel and Columbus Communications. As a result of these consultations, ECTEL was able to conclude that the principle of an Open Internet should be preserved and maintained, and that the practice of blocking websites potentially inhibits economic development and interferes with customers’ privacy rights. Moreover, to do so is in breach of the terms of the current telecommunications legislation and licences terms and conditions. ECTEL will continue to pursue its policy position on net neutrality armed with the new Electronic Communications (EC) Bill which was recently approved by the ECTEL Council of Ministers. The Bill sets the framework for full public consultation on the development of regulations which will specifically address net neutrality.
According to ECTEL’s Managing Director Embert Charles: “The policy directive of the ECTEL Council of Ministers to support the principles of net neutrality was aimed at ensuring that there are no arbitrary impediments to accessing all types of information and services which are available on the Internet.”
He also stated that the mission is about increasing Internet penetration. “Any consideration on the management of the Internet must first be guided by the authority to do so. The task is best done by the regulator, armed with the relevant legislative tools. ECTEL will always as a matter of course 2 engage all stakeholders in public consultation on new laws and rules for the electronic communications sector.”
Given the importance of net neutrality for the consumer the ECTEL policy determination also “strongly urges providers to utilize information transparency as a means of treating with the privacy issues that may arise. Given that the objective of information transparency can be undermined if the information is presented in a manner that the average customer cannot comprehend, or published in a place where the customer may not have ready access to, it is recommended that all Internet service providers provide consumers with coherent and readily accessible information on the broadband services that they offer.
“Such information should speak to the terms and conditions for the provision of the service, the average speed that the provider intends to supply during normal and peak times, the type of traffic management practices employed, as well as the effect of these practices on the service and confidentiality of the consumer’s information.” The full text of the ECTEL determination of Net Neutrality is available on the website at www.ectel.int
In addition to ensuring information transparency the policy is also guiding ECTEL in its efforts at strengthening the rules for competition in the electronic communications sector and reforming quality of service rules. The new quality of service regulations which have been approved by ECTEL, further reinforces the obligation on service providers to provide accurate and timely information to consumers and regulators.
Over the past few years, policy makers and regulators from Europe, the USA and other countries such as Chile and India have implemented rules to ensure that there are no barriers to accessing the Internet. In some cases, there have been penalties imposed on operators and service providers who have breached the rules.
The ECTEL Managing Director further contends that: “We must ensure that individual content developers, private sector investors and civil society always have the opportunity to share their innovations and content with the entire society.
“After all our regime is designed to ensure free and open entry, liberalization and the development of the electronic communications sector. Caribbean nationals are beginning to develop internet content which is relevant to the realities of our region. Basically, we want this new content to receive equal treatment by the network operators and ISPs,” Charles added.
ECTEL’s policy on net neutrality has been discussed at many regional seminars including the 32nd conference of the Caribbean Association of National Telecommunications Organisation (CANTO), and the fourteenth conference of the Organisation of Caribbean Utility Regulators (OOCUR). Government Ministers and policy makers throughout the Caribbean region have signaled that there will be no compromising on their support and promotion of net neutrality principles which are expected to be of immense benefit to consumers in all Member States.

Mexico delivers on SJH hospital reconstruction

St. Jude Hospital

The Government of Mexico, last Thursday, delivered two of the three promised projects that are part of the reconstruction of the St. Jude Hospital—a morgue building, and a security monitoring and ambulance building.

In her address, Ambassador Socorra Flores Liera, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Mexico for Latin America and the Caribbean said the quality of the components completed so far, is commendable.
“These components have been gladly supported by Mexico based on the firm conviction of the benefit they represent for the people of Saint Lucia,” Minister Liera said. “We want to thank the government for all of its efforts to give the people a stronger and more efficient healthcare system. I also what to congratulate St. Jude Hospital personnel, as well as the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) for ensuring transparency during the process both in terms of budget and time. I have had the opportunity to look around the morgue component, and the quality of the project speaks of the good job they have done.”
Minister for Economic Development, Hon. Guy Joseph, said the projects cost a total of US$2.7 million. He also lauded the UNOPS for its professionalism, workmanship and efficient project management.
“Today we are here to mark the handing over of the ambulance facility and the morgue. The reality is, this is the component of the hospital that was not funded at the time when they were engaged, and we are happy that the Government of Mexico through UNOPS came on board in implementing this phase of the project. They may have been the last set of persons to come on board, but they have been the first to deliver.”
During his address, Prime Minister Hon. Allen Chastanet, thanked the government and people of Mexico for their generosity to Saint Lucia while providing the reassurance that the government is focused on delivering the St. Jude Hospital in the soonest possible time.
“I stand here today to acknowledge the progress of the St. Jude Hospital reconstruction project. It is no secret that this project has tested the extreme patience of our nation, and while I must beg for more tolerance from the good people of this country, I also have good news, thanks to the generosity of the people and Government of Mexico for taking on the construction of the ambulance and security, and the morgue buildings, and for facilitating the external area lighting. We understand and appreciate the importance of partners who continue to support our efforts to guarantee top class healthcare.”
Governor General of Saint Lucia, Dame Pearlette Louisy and Ambassador Socorro Flores Liera unveiled the plaques on the security monitoring and ambulance building, and the morgue. They were accompanied by the Prime Minister, other government ministers and specially invited guests.

Boyce: Concern About Binge Drinking

John Boyce
Health Minister John Boyce speaking at the Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic’s Health Fair last Friday. He expressed concern about the growing trend of binge drinking by young people at parties. (C.Pitt/BGIS)

Health authorities are concerned about the level of alcohol consumption by young people in Barbados.

Health Minister John Boyce said last Friday that there was concern in health services about binge drinking by young people at parties and he specified “fluorescent vodka” as the drink of choice.
Speaking at the opening of a health fair at the Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic, Mr. Boyce stressed the importance of intervening in these situations and the need for health professionals to go into the communities and parties where young people congregate to address this issue head-on.
He noted that during adolescence and early adulthood, young people were likely to take risks that might predispose them to health problems later on in life. It was at this stage that bad habits such as tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, risky sexual behavior and substance abuse became engrained, he submitted.
The Health Minister urged: “While students are investing in their future by pursuing a course of study, which will help to shape their future outcomes, I am asking them to also invest in a healthy future by practising those behaviours that will ensure that their health remains good throughout life.”
He suggested that the possession of good health should be seen as a valuable resource, which would enable young people to take advantage of opportunities for furthering their education and pursuing other life endeavours.
“In any progressive educational environment, students should not only be exposed to the rigours of academia, but should be provided with opportunities for extra-curricular activities, such as volunteerism, physical activity and sport.”
In addition, he said, it was vital for health care practitioners to recognise the need to reach adolescents and young people through new avenues such as social media and other information technology platforms.
“Our interaction with adolescents also needs to meet them where they congregate. If young people tend to meet at malls, such as Sheraton Centre, Sky Mall, sporting venues and other social facilities, the health care providers need to intervene in these settings in order to deliver health information in a manner which is acceptable to their generation,” Mr. Boyce advised.

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