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Minister Hosein takes the reins as Minister of Local Government

Kazim Hosein meets members of the senior management team
Newly appointed Minister of Rural Development, Senator the Honourable Kazim Hosein (centre), meets members of the senior management team of the Ministry at Kent House on November 2nd 2016. (Photo courtesy the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government)

Senator the Honourable Kazim Hosein, newly appointed Minister of Rural Development and Local Government, met with senior officials of the Ministry at Kent House to discuss the way forward.

During the regularly scheduled meeting of departmental heads, Minister Hosein, assured, “While I may be new to this job, I am well acquainted with issues pertaining to local government and I intend to be a Minister who is well connected with what is happening on the ground.”
Minister Hosein was briefed by senior officials about the critical challenges of the Ministry and the major initiatives budgeted for fiscal year 2017. In addition to the progressive implementation of Local Government Reform, the three major infrastructural projects of the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government are the construction of the Moruga Fishing Port and facilities, the rehabilitation of the main arterial road in Moruga known as Saunders Trace and the construction of two administrative complexes for the Penal/Debe and Diego Martin Regional Corporations respectively.
While all Ministries have been affected by budgetary cuts, senior officials all pledged their support to making optimal use of the available resources in order to deliver the required services to the public.  Minister Hosein gave his commitment to ensuring that Ministry staff have what they need to perform well even in lean times by cutting away any wastage, duplication and corruption which may exist in the system. He also shared his secret to success to date, “I am a simple person.  I have always made myself available and accessible to the people. Almighty God has placed me here and I believe I got this far in life by being simple so I’m not going to change my disposition.”
Other matters discussed included ongoing internal audits being conducted in selected Regional Corporations; pending legal matters including acquisition of lands; refurbishment of Kent House to ensure a safe and stimulating work environment for staff; induction of Councillors after the Local Government election and other matters of interest.
Currently, the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government employs more than 10,000 persons including permanent staff, daily paid staff and contract officers at the Ministry’s headquarters and Municipal Corporations combined.

Shifting Global Economic Outlook

Delegates at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) 2016 High Level Caribbean Forum
Delegates at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) 2016 High Level Caribbean Forum.

Caribbean leaders and IMF Discuss Challenges and Opportunities of Shifting Global Economic Outlook.

Caribbean Prime Ministers, Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors gathered today in Port of Spain, the capital of Trinidad and Tobago, for the fifth Caribbean Forum. The region’s leaders joined representatives from the private sector and international organizations to discuss how countries in the region can respond to a complex international economic outlook that involves lower commodity prices, a softer than expected recovery in the United States, Cuba’s opening on the region, and the threat of losing financial relations with global banks. The high level conference, “Shifting Tides: Challenges and Opportunities,” was co-organized by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago.

“Global economic developments, such as low oil prices, have major implications for the Caribbean,” said IMF Deputy Managing Director Tao Zhang, who delivered the conference’s opening speech. “Commodity exporting countries like Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago have been hit hard.” At the same time, lower prices have benefited many of the region’s oil importers. Jamaica has eliminated much of its double-digit current account deficit in just three years. And Guyana is experiencing its first external current account surplus in decades. The IMF, Mr. Zhang added, is “deeply committed to helping Caribbean countries navigate these challenges.”

“The Caribbean will not be able to achieve faster economic growth and sustainable development unless the problem of debt overhang is addressed in a comprehensive way,” Trinidad & Tobago Prime Minister Keith Rowley lamented in his welcome speech.
Growth, competitiveness and oil prices
Participants in the conference’s first panel discussed how to respond to a global outlook framed by low but stable commodity prices, which affects commodity importers and exporters differently, and a subdued recovery in advanced economies that remains a drag on the Caribbean tourism sector. On the plus side, low interest rates in advanced economies could help countries in the region to reduce their cost of financing. Jamaica, Grenada, and St. Kitts and Nevis have achieved important results reducing their fiscal and external vulnerabilities over the last few years. Other regional challenges include significant exposure to climate change and natural disasters, as evident from Hurricane Matthew most recently, and the need to improve financial soundness and ensure the resilience of domestic financial systems.
Spillovers from Cuba
The normalization of Cuba’s relations with the United States will significantly affect other Caribbean countries. Participants in the second panel noted that tourism-dependent countries that are heavily dependent on U.S. visitors could see a significant loss of arrivals, according to preliminary analysis by the IMF. The estimated loss is likely to be much smaller if the surge in U.S. visitors is accompanied by a significant increase in the cost of tourism in Cuba. Based on past experiences, however, such as the emergence of the Dominican Republic as a major tourist destination, the long-run impact could be muted. Exploring synergies and complementarities will help integrate Cuba into the broader Caribbean tourism industry.
How to address de-risking?
Addressing the loss of correspondent banking relationships (also often called de-risking) is an urgent issue for the Caribbean. As the Forum’s last panel highlighted, effective implementation of Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) remains a challenge in many countries, despite progress in adopting some international standards. As discussants noted, technology can help reduce compliance costs, seen as one of the key factors contributing to loss of correspondent banking relationships, especially in smaller jurisdictions. Banks have already invested significant resources into better technology to increase transparency, lower costs, and promote information sharing, while addressing AML/CFT concerns.
“We believe a solution to this issue requires dialogue between countries, regulators and banks, and increased information exchange,” Mr. Zhang said in his opening remarks. “This can help clarify regulatory expectations, build trust, facilitate capacity building, and highlight best practices.”

Ministry of Health addresses queries on public health violations

Belize Press Office

Ministry of Health addresses queries on public health violations at a Belmopan restaurant.

It has come to the attention of the Ministry of Health through various social media platforms that an eating establishment in the City of Belmopan has been called out for their unsanitary conditions and rodent infestation supported through personal testimony and photographs.
The reported conditions of this establishment were investigated by the Public Health Department in Belmopan with support from the Belmopan City Council over a two-day period on October 4th and 5th, 2016. The restaurant was found to be in violation of several public health infractions, namely unsanitary conditions and rodent infestation.  Immediately a closure was effected on the establishment ordering it to conduct thorough cleaning and sanitization of the restaurant and control of rodents.  After several checks over the course of the two days, the establishment had complied with the recommendations of Public Health and was reopened.  The owner was notified that follow-up monitoring would continue to ensure the problem was resolved.
The public is hereby notified that the case now being posted on social media is late posting of the event and not a new situation after our intervention. The Ministry of Health remains vigilant on this matter and has instructed a comprehensive inspection of all facilities in the neighborhood to include private premises.  To support this activity the Public Health laws are also being reviewed to including stronger penalties for those not in compliance.
The Ministry of Health takes this opportunity to encourage the public to officially report any public issues of concern to the Public Health Department in your district so we can take the necessary action and protect the public.

More children of LUCELEC employees benefit from scholarship programme

Scholarship Social

The St. Lucia Electricity Services Limited (LUCELEC) Scholarship Programme boasts twenty-six (26) members. Of those, four new students and one bursary recipient were added this year.

The new students were welcomed to the programme as part of the recently held annual LUCELEC Scholarship Social where top performers Abbie Pultie, Yolanda Ambrose and Chelsea Branford – were recognised for their achievements in the previous academic year.
Open to children of employees who are successful at the Common Entrance examinations, the LUCELEC Scholarship programme began in 1985 and has to date benefitted more than one hundred children. The programme pays for all school fees, uniforms, school books, school bags, notebooks, CSEC and CAPE exam fees throughout secondary school and the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College.
The Scholarship Social is held to induct new entrants into the programme, recognize the students’ achievements to date, and motivate the students for the new academic year. Chairperson of the Scholarship Committee Mrs. Miguelle James had high praise for the returning members of the scholarship programme whom she said performed better than the previous academic year.
“We started the year with 25 students and we unfortunately had to withdraw two students from our programme this year and one has been placed on probation going into this academic year. Although this is not the best news, I note this is an improvement over last year and I am hoping that next year I will be able to announce that no student has been withdrawn from the programme and no one is on probation. Overall and for the rest of the students we continue to be encouraged by your high performance. Please keep it up,” says Mrs James.
 For the first time, students attended the Scholarship Social in school uniform. LUCELEC Managing Director Trevor Louisy said this presented a unique opportunity for those in higher forms in the same school to mentor students in lower forms. Mr. Louisy also spoke of the “Late Bloomer” component of the company’s Scholarship Programme.
“Some of us, we develop at a later stage compared to others and so maybe when we get to Form Two that’s when everything begins to click in our minds and we begin to perform at a certain level and we accept kids coming into the Programme whether it’s at Form 2, 3, 4 or 5 once they exhibit that level of performance,” he says.
To maintain the scholarship each student must achieve a minimum 65% grade in each subject and an overall average of 70%.
The Scholarship Social was held at the LUCELEC Power Station in Cul-de-Sac under the theme, “Paving the way to higher education and better learning”.

OECS Businesses Exhibit in Cuba’s Largest Trade Fair FIHAV 2016

FIHAV 2016
(L to R): Translator Yanisber Reinosa Perez, Paula Calderon from Caribbean Awnings, Cathy Charles from Harris Paints, Ing. Jose R. Daniel Alonso, Director General of Development of the Cuban Ministry of Tourism and His Excellency, Ambassador Dr. Charles Isaac, Saint Lucia’s Ambassador to Cuba.

Tuesday, November 1, 2016 — Havana, Cuba – Businesses from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Saint Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis and Grenada are participating in Cuba’s largest annual multi-sector trade fair, the 34th Havana International Trade Fair, FIHAV 2016, running from the 31st October to the 4th November.

Director General of the OECS, His Excellency Dr. Didacus Jules said FIHAV was the principal venue in which OECS businesses could gain exposure to not only the growing domestic Cuban market but commercial linkages to more than seventy-five countries who were also participating in the global trade fair.
“Through OECS Member State Ambassadors to Cuba working in collaboration with the Competitive Business and Trade Policy Unit of the OECS Commission and with support from the European Union, we have been able to facilitate the participation and promotion of OECS businesses to the world.
“The OECS has historically enjoyed strong relations with Cuba across a number of functional areas of cooperation including health and education and now with the Cuban Government’s desire to diversify international economic relations, we are positioning to ensure OECS businesses are supported to successfully enter the Cuban market.
“We recognise that the non-state sector in Cuba is growing, as evidenced for example by plans to add before 2016, 3000 new hotel rooms to the flourishing tourism sector and the establishment of the ambitious Mariel Special Development Zone (ZEDM) intended to attract foreign direct investment.
“This growth will invariably drive increasing demand for products and services across a range of sectors including for example high end building products such as paint, blinds and awnings to manufactured food items for which the OECS is uniquely placed both competitively and geographically to service.
“We are confident with the passage of time and with the appropriate levels of support, OECS businesses can also replicate the success of Baron Foods Ltd. who will not only export to Cuba but will also be manufacturing there too” said Dr. Jules.
“Saint Lucia’s Ambassador to Cuba, His Excellency Ambassador Dr. Charles Isaac said Cuba in collaboration with OECS Heads of Mission had collaborated to facilitate the consolidation of the traditional relationship existent from one that has been traditionally based on political solidarity to the emergence of one based on trade.
“In this regard we have had a Caribbean Business Forum organised by the Cuban Government in 2015 attended by a number of businesses entities within the region including the OECS.
“Subsequent to this we had the participation of most of those entities in FIHAV 2015 and now 2016 supplemented by a continual dialogue and engagement between business entities of the OECS and their Cuban counterparts.
“Baron Foods as an example have just signed a contract for the first container shipment of condiments and sauces to Cuba.
“We have continued to engage the process for other companies who are at various stages of market access negotiations and expect in the not too distant future, a number of other companies will have access to the Cuban market.
“Cuban authorities have consistently emphasized their willingness to accommodate Caribbean business entities given the traditional good relations that have been maintained and supported over the years.
“This is important as we are now provided a window of opportunity by the Cuban authorities to enter the Cuban market” said Ambassador Dr. Isaac.
Participating OECS Firms at FIHAV 2016
St. Vincent and the Granadines

  • East Caribbean Metal Industries Ltd.
  • East Caribbean Group of Companies
  • Kendra’s Aluminum Products

Antigua and Barbuda

  • Henderson (2004) Ltd.

Commonwealth of Dominica 

  • Nature Island Paper Products Inc.

Saint Lucia 

  • Harris Paints (St. Lucia) Limited
  • Natmed Limited
  • Caribbean Awnings

Grenada 

  • Grenada Co-operative Nutmeg Association

St. Kitts and Nevis  

  • The Admirals (2008)
  • St. Kitts Bottling Co. Ltd.

About FIHAV
FIHAV is a well-established trade fair that has taken place annually since 1983. It is the most important general trade fair in Cuba and the Caribbean as well as one of the most representative from Latin America.
All sectors of the Cuban economy take part in FIHAV, which succeeds in putting together the most complete national and international trade exhibition in a space that enables exhibitors and visitors to establish commercial contacts, business operations, exchange experiences and be updated in new technological developments.
In its 34th issue FIHAV will have more than 20,000 m2 of net exhibition area and foreign exhibitors from over 75 countries.
Photo Caption: Director General of Development of the Cuban Ministry of Tourism, Ing. Jose R. Daniel Alonso and His Excellency, Ambassador Dr. Charles Isaac, Saint Lucia’s Ambassador to Cuba visit an OECS exhibition at FIHAV 2016.
(L to R): Translator Yanisber Reinosa Perez, Paula Calderon from Caribbean Awnings, Cathy Charles  from Harris Paints, Ing. Jose R. Daniel Alonso, Director General of Development of the Cuban Ministry of Tourism and His Excellency, Ambassador Dr. Charles Isaac, Saint Lucia’s Ambassador to Cuba.
 

Helping Agro-businesses in Suriname get ready for export

agro-businesses
Kokori, a cassava porridge made in Suriname, is displayed on a local supermarket shelf. Kokori, marketed as an infant formula, is one of the Surinamese products being targeted for export.

A project that could help agro-processers in Suriname break into markets in Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago is underway.

The Surinamese businesses—large and small enterprises that are owned by both men and women—are benefiting from training in a range of areas to improve the export-readiness of their products. These areas include market access, branding, labelling and packaging. The Suriname Business Forum, the largest business support organization in Suriname will also receive support in developing a new website that will provide information to Suriname businesses on trading in CARICOM and other markets.
The Surinamese agro-processers are directly benefiting from the CSME Standby Facility for Capacity Building, which focuses on strengthening business’ skills and competencies to access markets in CSME at the national level. This facility is made possible through a contribution agreement between the European Union and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). It complements a similar facility for CARIFORUM countries (CARICOM member states and the Dominican Republic) for the implementation of the EU-CARIFORUM Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). Both facilities are managed by CDB’s Technical Cooperation Division.
The project will develop supply relationships between Suriname-based agricultural exporters and importers and distributors in Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago. It will also take into account the market access requirements of, and competitive conditions in, the two CARICOM countries.
Through the project, participating companies could begin to export to Trinidad and Tobago, and Barbados as early as July 2017. It is being funded by a grant of USD274,000 from the CSME Standby Facility for Capacity Building, and is being implemented by the Suriname Business Forum.

A woman from Brokopondo village, Suriname, displays cassava flatbread.A woman in Brokopondo village, Suriname, displays freshly baked cassava flatbread. Women in the village have formed a cooperative to process cassava into several products with export potential.

To date, both facilities have funded 26 projects with a combined budget of EUR6.5 million. The facilities are set to close in March 2017 by which time all projects will have been completed.

Saint Lucia collaborates with CTO

CTO Roadshows

Saint Lucia participated in CTO’s Fall shows in New Haven, CT and Boston, MA last week. Featuring the “Year of Romance in the Caribbean”, the CTO roadshows sought to provide travel agents with real alternatives, choices and specials for destinations weddings and honeymoons in the Caribbean.

Each show started off with an intimate tradeshow where each destination held one-on-one meetings with each agent, followed by a brief presentation to all, dinner and prize giveaways.

Lorine Charles-St.Jules at Caribbean Tourism Organization
Lorine Charles-St.Jules at Caribbean Tourism Organization

An average of 20 suppliers including Hotels, Wholesalers and Airline partners attended each event. Specifically, member destinations who participated were Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Martinique, Saint Lucia, Tobago and Turks & Caicos. Agents were very engaging and showed a keen interest in learning more about the destination.
Several had visited Saint Lucia in the past two years. Many however, expressed interest in visiting the boutique resorts in Saint Lucia. SLTB partnered with SLHTA member Anse Chastanet in providing a 3-night stay for New Haven and Boston. Overall the CTO shows were very successful and additional series are being planned for next spring in several markets, including the West Coast, Midwest and Southern region.
 

GIS Dominica, National Focus

Prime Minister encourages diaspora to speak well of Dominica at Tuesday’s diaspora forum, Prime Minister Dr. Roosevelt Skerrit says benefits of geothermal resource are limitless and youth minister says commitment to Dominica’s youth is solid.

Invitation to Flag Raising Ceremony – 35th Independence of Antigua and Barbuda

OECS

We are pleased to invite you to a Flag Raising Ceremony in commemoration of the 35th Anniversary of Independence of Antigua and Barbuda.

The Ceremony will be held at the OECS Commission on Tuesday, November 1, 2016 from 8:30am to 9:00am.

Government and Public Sector sign agreement on outstanding increment payments

increment-signing

The Government of Grenada, represented by the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Energy, on Friday, October 28th, 2016, signed an Agreement with Public Sector Unions on the payment of outstanding increments (short payment) to Public Officers for the period 2014, 2015 and the six (6) months of 2016.

The Agreement commits Government to the pay all outstanding increments by February 15th, 2017.
It also commits Government to hold a meeting with the Unions in November of 2016 to discuss the fiscal position of Government in order to determine if Government can make at least one payment in December 2016.
If it is determined that Government is not a position to make such a payment, then increment payments will be made in January and February of 2017.
According to Mr. Mike Sylvester, Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Energy, “Government is committed to the process and its obligation to pay and has already demonstrated such commitment by adjusting the salaries of eligible Public Officers in July 2016 to bring their salaries up to the 2016 level.
Government has agreed to make a further adjustment in salary in January 2017 to keep salaries current in 2017.”
Mr. Sylvester went on to say that Government is happy that an amicable Agreement has been reached. He thanked the Unions for the maturity they demonstrated in the negotiations and pledged to continue working along with them in the best interest of the country.
The Union representatives expressed satisfaction on signing the Agreement and stated their willingness to continue working with Government to resolve other outstanding issues as amicably as possible, going forward.

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