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New acts to effect change in law enforcement

law

Parliamentarians in Dominica have revealed that two Bills passed on Monday, June 27thregarding money laundering and proceeds of crime will ensure that law enforcers experience fewer challenges when addressing incidents of illegal activities.

The Money Laundering Prevention Amendment Act No. 8 of 2016 and the proceeds of crime amendment act of 2016 were passed on Monday, 27th June.
Prior to this, money laundering would be categorized as either hybrid or indictable offences making the activity difficult to prosecute.
Hon. Attorney General, Levi Peter, explained that introducing the words ‘criminal conduct’ widens the scope making it easier for prosecutors.
With the current Act, once the activity has been identified as unlawful it can suffice in court therefore strengthening the arms of the Financial Intelligence Unit, FIU.
Meanwhile, Hon. Minister for National Security, Rayburn Blackmoore, stated that the Proceeds of Crime Amendment Act of 2016 empowers customs officers and police to carry out their duties more effectively.
“We are creating an environment wherein persons who have criminal intentions can be dealt with. One should not take lightly the need for these simple but very important amendments,” he said to GIS News.
Hon Blackmoore explained that the Proceeds of Crime Amendment Act of 2016 enhances the Money Laundering Act, which states that a person entering the island must declare any funds in excess of $10,000.
“If you were to make a false declaration, a customs or police officer can [confiscate] that cash and present it to a magistrate.
“The other measure which we took is also very simple but important and strengthens the ability of the police, customs officers and Financial Intelligence Unit. There are predicate offences for examples someone with ‘unlawful’ cash but unless that person is convicted of [this] offence, you cannot charge the person with the underlying money laundering offence. So that person would have had to be convicted first before proceeding to money laundering charges.”

Saint Lucia promotes Dive Fest

Dive Fest

The first of its kind in Saint Lucia, the event will be held from Sep. 10 – 17.

The Saint Lucia Tourist Board (SLTB) recently promoted Saint Lucia’s first ever Dive Fest at the annual Scuba Show in Long Beach, California.
The Scuba Show is one of the largest consumer scuba diving shows in the country, and the most anticipated diving event of the year. This is where vendors and diving experts from around the world come together to market to consumers the best adventure product it has to offer. Joined by many other exotic destinations, Saint Lucia stood apart by showcasing its diverse offerings and dramatic beauty above and below the sea.
The show also enabled the Tourist Board to promote Saint Lucia’s first ever Dive Fest, scheduled for September 10 – 17, while simultaneously strengthening the island’s position in the dive niche market.
Dive Fest seeks to celebrate the beauty the island has to offer below the surface, and to explore an abundance of coral reefs and colorful marine flora and fauna that flourish on the west coast of the island.
Saint Lucia has been recognized by neighboring islands as a model for marine management and conservation, due to its diligent efforts and good practices.
With over 20 dive sites easily accessible by boat and some by shore, the island can offer dive enthusiasts an array of dive sites to explore ranging from wreck dives, wall dives, drift and deep dives.

Jamaica’s PM launches CARICOM Review Commission

Review Commission
Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness (centre) is seen with (from left): Mr Bruce Golding, former Prime Minister and newly appointed Chairman of CARICOM Review Commission, Damien King, Economist, Professor Alvin Wint, and Andre Mariott-Blake, CARICOM Youth A. (Photo courtesy caricom.org)

June 29, 2016: Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Andrew Holness on Tuessday (June 28) launched the CARICOM Review Commission at Jamaica House. The Chairman of the Commission is Mr Bruce Golding, former Prime Minister.

In his address, Prime Minister Holness said, “We cannot preempt what the commission will say, but it was never the intention to lay any groundwork or chart any path out of CARICOM. This is about strengthening Jamaica’s position within the regional integration process, which is absolutely important for Jamaica’s economic growth and development for the next 50 years”.
The Commission will among other things, evaluate the effects that Jamaica’s participation in CARICOM has on its economic growth and development; analyze CARICOM’s performance against the goals and objectives outlined in the revised Treaty of Chaguaramas and to identify the causes of the shortcomings; assess the value of Jamaica’s membership in CARICOM on its influence in critical international fora and with third state trade and development partners; and  assess whether the CARICOM dispute settlement provisions provide realistic options for settlement of disputes for Jamaica.
Comprising members from a wide cross-section including the private sector, academia, business, finance and trade unions, the first meeting of the Commission will be held on Tuesday, July 5 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. The Commission is expected to carry out its work and submit a final report within six (6) months.

CARICOM 10k Race 2016

CARICOM 10k Race
(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana)      The twelfth Annual CARICOM 10K race will be on Sunday, 3 July 2016 at 6:00 am in Georgetown Guyana. The event will be held under the Theme ‘Promoting Healthy and Peaceful Societies’.  See Press Release.
The start line for the 10K Race will be outside the CARICOM Secretariat and the race will end at the Guyana National Park where a Presentation Ceremony will be held.  In addition to the main event, there are three supporting events: a 5K race  to encourage participation of local Athletic Clubs, a 1500m race for schools and a special race for athletes with disabilities.
The Media is invited to provide coverage of the race, as well as the Presentation Ceremony at the end, at the Guyana National Park.

Kindly see the details below:
Event:                 CARICOM 10k Race
Date:                    Sunday 03 July 2016
Time:                    6.00 AM
Venue:                CARICOM Headquarters, Turkeyen, Guyana.
Kindly make every effort to be present at least 15 minutes before the  Presentation begins
at 7:30 a.m.

CYFF Paving The Way For Film Tourism In St. Lucia?

CYFF

Festivals are nothing new to Saint Lucia but the Caribbean Youth Film Festival (CYFF) is definitely one with a difference.

Innovative in itself, it has been established through the Rise Film Festival and is unique to the Caribbean. Having employed as its mechanism a strategic module of teaching the film and television art form to youth, it seeks to build holistic and productive citizens.
Local filmmaker Colin Weekes, who has emerged from a background in video production, having produced audio/visual material for companies and organisations locally, regionally and internationally, is the coordinator of the festival. Weekes has been recognized in the past for his brilliant work by the M & C Fine Arts Awards as well as the Saint Lucia Media Association. His most recent achievement is having been the recipient of the BFI Film Festival Award in England.

Film Festival Director Colin Weekes.

Film Festival Director Colin Weekes.

This year’s workshop commences July 11th and runs until August 19th. It will aim to appeal to many youth groups and individuals. The festival will also target institutions like the Boys’ Training Centre, Upton Girls’ Centre and school children in general during the summer.
“We are hoping to engage them as part of a summer activity in which they can learn various skill sets, from production to basic life skills; time management, everything which pertains to film making,” shared Weekes.
He told the STAR, “Film is the one industry that encompasses a wide array of skills, from accounting to marketing, writing and things more creative in terms of acting and production.
“Since we live in a multi-media age, it all relates to how well you work with your computer and how well you work with those other instruments.”
The initiative is being undertaken through the Ministry of Education, alongside the Ministry of Transformation, Youth and Sports, in order to expedite the summer programme. In conclusion of the programme, an awards ceremony is scheduled for August 20th, 2016. The deadline to submit films is August 10th.
When asked about his ultimate goal in relation to this festival Weekes replied, “We wish to develop a film industry in Saint Lucia because we know there is a lot of potential for film to be part of a major economic boost. The other aspect of it, which I want to clarify in terms of the film industry, is that we are talking about Saint Lucia as a nation and not necessarily Saint Lucia in terms of creating film makers to produce material, where we can encourage outside film makers and productions to come to the island and use here as a destination. However, we need to put certain things in place: regulations. policies and licenses to accommodate this.”
Those interested in this year’s film festival are encouraged to contact the Ministry of Education or cweekes@dovprostlucia.com.

Calls for greater collaborationamong OECS member states

OECS

Minister of Agriculture calls for greater collaboration among OECS member states.

The Minister of Agriculture of St. Vincent and the Grenadines made a call in Parliament while congratulating the OECS on reaching its 35th Anniversary to remain united, organised and functional. This came mere hours before the United Kingdom made a quantum leap to exit the European Union.
The OECS would be 40 years old in 2021. The noted that the future shape of the OECS is dependent on the political will of its leaders and the voice of the people in the sub-region. That it had made significant advances as a sub-regional organisation within the cultural, social, economic, political and jurisprudential spheres, but there is a need to take a closer look at  strengthening the economic union.
According to Caesar, the Revised Treaty of Basseterre, establishing the OECS economic union, must be used as a practitioner’s handbook by our technical experts in the public service and investors in the private sector. The way forward must be marked by enhanced efforts, geared at the creation of synergies to address our common challenges.
“Any quest to deepen our integration must be grounded in the firm belief that economic growth relies on a consolidation of the factors of production in member states. This must become a burning desire in the minds and hearts of every citizen. There are still too many barriers which seek to subdivide us, that we allow to grow into seemingly unmovable obstacles,” the Vincentian agriculture Minister pointed out.
He added that, “the role of the Economic Affairs Council as a sub-regional synthesiser, geared at discovering possibilities and exploring opportunities for economic growth collectively must never be understated.” The OECS Secretariat, in collaboration, with the FAO and Ministries of Agriculture in member states, are currently attempting to facilitate an organised system of maritime transportation. This system will accommodate the movement of agricultural produce through the sub-region and has already received commendation.
Additionally, Minister Caesar suggested that citizens of the sub-region, over the next decade, may heighten discussion on issues concerning the medicinal use of marijuana, increasing intra-regional trade, climate change, youth engagement, agriculture and tourism diversification, hemispheric geopolitical alignment, and hopefully the stabilisation of our cricket.
Her concluded that, “as our policymakers and citizens strengthen the chords of integration, we must avoid insularity and move towards a system of genuine sustainable collectivism.”
 

Minister Of Tourism Highlights Increases To Visitor Arrival By Air And Sea

tourism

Minister of Tourism, Sports and Culture, Hon. Cecil McKie, held a news conference on Wednesday, 15th June to update the media on data received relating to Tourists arrivals in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Minister McKie said that arrivals for both, air and sea have increased; noting that stay over visitors by air went up by 8.2%; welcoming 22,000 persons to these shores for the first three months of the year. However, there was a decrease in same day arrivals by 21.3%.
For the first quarter, 514 persons arrived here, as compared to 653 last year for the same period.  According to Minister McKie there was an overall increase of 7.3% in arrivals, compared to 21.3% in the first quarter of last year.
The Minister also highlighted that arrivals by sea, yachts in particular, have increased by 7.1% for the first quarter of this year, compared to 20.3% for the same period last year. Cruise arrivals went up by 6.5%, as compared to 48.8% last year.
Arrivals by sea overall increased by 6.7% (73,000), for the first quarter this year, compared with 69.1% for the first quarter last year.  Over all there was an increase of 6.8% in arrivals.
Minister McKie said that his team is encouraged by the data seen for the first quarter of the year and highlighted that the Caribbean also welcomed more visitors to the region for the first quarter and last year in comparison to 2014.  The Tourism Minister also said that they are beginning to see an increase in the figures for persons travelling generally, and added that this increase in movement, runs parallel with the increases in the world economy.
Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of the Tourism Authority, Mr. Glen Beache, highlighted that the Caribbean Tourism Organisation Week, which was held recently, was attended by Minister McKie and himself. Mr. Beache said that a report on various countries’ tourism quality index for the Caribbean in different categories was done in an article, which was published in Residence Magazine.
Minister Of Tourism Highlights Increases To Visitor Arrival By Air And Sea 1
The CEO indicated that the article is completely independent of the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and ranked this country second with Anguilla for the overall tourist experience.  In culture, St. Vincent and the Grenadines came in third; for entertainment, seventh; first for sightseeing; third in sports and adventure; and also third for culinary.  This country also came in number one for lodging and twenty-third for connectivity, and safety was ranked at twenty-one.
Beache expressed his excitement with the high ranking of this country.  The CEO however said that access to St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a problem. He stressed that the Argyle International Airport will create greater access to this country and ultimately aid in boosting the tourism sector.

Energy Sector Poised For Growth

Energy Sector
Programme Officer in the HRDS Unit of the Ministry of Labour, Moreen Bowen, discussing the update of BARSOC with local consultants Shane Howell (centre) and Peter Downes of Profiles Caribbean Inc. (C.Pitt/BGIS)

The energy sector is poised for significant growth, which could increase avenues for employment in the future.

This was revealed recently by Chief Operations Officer (COO) of Profiles Caribbean Inc., Shane Howell, as he delivered the findings of a survey carried out by his agency on various sectors of Barbados’ economy, including tourism and hospitality, education, agribusiness and agricultural technology, manufacturing, medical technology and financial services.
The disclosure of the survey findings brought to an end a consultancy commissioned by the Ministry of Labour to update the Barbados Standard Occupational Classification System (BARSOC).
This system is a key tool through which young persons, human resources professionals and guidance counsellors, in particular, can gain valuable information to assist in career development. Over 130 public and private sector companies were surveyed in the process.
The overall objective of the consultancy was to enhance the ability of the Barbados Labour Market Information System to provide relevant, timely and accurate information that would inform decision making in a demand-driven education and training system; and contribute to the effective planning of a dynamic, efficient labour market.
The consultancy commenced in October 2015, and was undertaken by international consultants GFA Consulting Group, in collaboration with Profiles Caribbean Inc. It was funded by the European Union under the HRD Strategy Programme.
Addressing key stakeholders from the private and public sector, as well as representatives from non-governmental organisations, Mr. Howell explained that the energy sector was composed of oil and gas, traditional non-renewable and alternate sources of energy.
“A variety of positions in specialised areas of renewable energy, chemical engineering may add to the landscape of electrical and mechanical engineers who will continue to be needed,” he stated.
However, the COO noted that a number of support roles such as business development and economist resources trained in energy analysis would be required. Mr. Howell also pointed out that the agriculture sector presented “an interesting perspective”.
“There is definite agreement that opportunities exist within this sector for biologists, nutritionists, agronomists and various specialised resources who would add significant value to truly transitioning agriculture to a greater commercial scale. However, there is still a large subsistence type of approach to farming. Support has come from some of the associations and representative bodies but more has to be done to raise the profile of the industry to attract the types of resources that can not only sustain but catapult the industry,” he advised.
In terms of the tourism industry, the COO reported that as Barbados entered new markets in Latin America, Europe and the Asian Pan continent, persons who were skilled in Spanish, Mandarin, French and other languages would be desirable.
“This was also a major point made in the finance sector and especially among the offshore players, where expansion within these markets is ongoing. The reality is that at a time when relationship building is at the core of business, the cover from the ‘mental security blanket’ that English will remain the language of business is being removed, as the ability to speak in the native tongue of business partners better lends to relationship building,” Mr. Howell emphasised.
He added that financial organisations were still continuing to recruit persons with compliance, legal and risk management skills. “As the international climate continues to shape our local response and requirements from the Central Bank, these emerge as key areas for growth,” Mr. Howell said.
BARSOC provides a common classification reference for categorising data by occupations across all statistical sources in Barbados. The system is primarily used by the Barbados Statistical Service in the conduct of the Continuous Household Sample Survey to disaggregate the labour force into occupational categories.
However, it also provides comprehensive occupational profiles, which define the skills and qualifications required, tasks involved and related job titles. It has therefore become a valuable reference tool for a number of labour market information users.

Strengthening Port Operations in the Caribbean

OECS and PMAC sign MOU to strengthen Port operations in the Caribbean Strengthening.

OECS AND PMAC AGREEMENT 3 WEBBCastries, June 28th, 2015-In a joint effort to strategically address matters pertaining to the efficiency of port management and operations in the Caribbean, the OECS Commission and the Port Management Association of the Caribbean (PMAC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the PMAC’s 19th Annual General Meeting in Nevis.
The OECS Commission, through its recently established OECS Port Management Committee, has been working closely with the PMAC to develop an OECS strategy and action plan which will help to improve Port infrastructural capabilities, safety and security, transportation logistics, skills and competencies of Port personnel, and trade facilitation within the OECS Economic Union.
OECS AND PMAC AGREEMENT 2 WEBBThe Chairmen of the OECS Port Management Committee and the PMAC indicated that a collaborative approach towards achieving their shared goals and objectives should lead to greater results with lesser efforts and fewer scarce resources being expended. Additionally, both parties have pledged their commitment to establishing a feasible and sustainable mechanism for institutional strengthening, infrastructural development and port productivity.
A statement by Dr. Didacus Jules, OECS Director General declared the OECS Commission’s unwavering support towards facilitating meaningful engagements between the OECS Port Management Committee and the PMAC in order to address port management and operational issues associated with goods and people moving in and out of the region: “The time is right for both parties to solidify their relationship in an efficient, predictable and transparent manner.”
The signing ceremony, which took place on Thursday, June 23, 2016, was witnessed by the Honourable Vance Amory, Premier of Nevis, and Dr. Fritz Pinnock, the Executive Director of the Caribbean Maritime Institute (CMI) who has been working closely with the OECS and the PMAC to develop this functional cooperation arrangement. Also in attendance were the CEOs and Directors of Caribbean Port Authorities as well as representatives from the Caribbean Shipping Association, International Maritime Organization, American Association of Port Authorities, Gulf Port Associations of the Americas, SOGET (global leaders in Port Community Systems) and the Caribbean Development Bank.
The OECS Port Management Committee and the PMAC have already initiated this joint cooperation in areas geared toward enhancing the capacity and competitiveness of Caribbean Ports to the benefit of governments, traders and consumers within the OECS Economic Union and wider Caribbean.

Trade Minister hosts visiting delegation from China

delegation from China
Trade Minister (front centre) flanked by members of the eTecK Board, eTecK and invesTT management teams and members of the visiting delegation

June 28, 2016:- A team of thirty-two (32) business men and women from China’s Building Materials Federation are currently in Trinidad and Tobago, being hosted by the national investment promotion agency, InvesTT Limited.

Addressing the visiting delegation Senator the Honourable Paula Gopee-Scoon, Minister of Trade and Industry noted that ‘early on I set out to share the plans of the Ministry on the Government’s trade agenda.  I met with your ambassador, His Excellency Huang Xingyuan.  Our agreed imperative, coming out of that meeting, was to improve our relationship through increased investments.  His Excellency expressed his commitment and China’s willingness to assist Trinidad and Tobago in the areas of agriculture, financial services, manufacturing and tourism. During that meeting, I invited the Ambassador to lead a delegation to explore the many available opportunities in Trinidad and Tobago, particularly the Tamana InTech Park.  What started with a conversation between your Ambassador and myself, a few short months ago, has culminated in your visit here today.  I thank the Ambassador and the China Building Materials Federation for their efforts in putting this delegation together’.
Referencing the PwC’s Global Construction 2030 forecast, the Trade Minister stated that ‘the global construction industry is known to be crucial to the evolution of prosperity [and moreso it is anticipated that there will be] an 85% growth in construction output; … with three countries expected to lead the way – China, US and India.  The growth rate of 3.9% per annum in the construction industry is expected to outpace global GDP growth by more than a percent per year.  This growth is projected to be driven both by developed countries in economic recovery and further industrialization in emerging economies’.  All of this translates into tremendous opportunities for cooperation between Trinidad and Tobago and China’s building materials manufacturers.
The Trade Minister also touted the attractive benefits of Tamana InTech Park, saying that the ‘Park is the largest Science and Technology Park in the region. This 1,100 acre park is an ideal location for high value manufacturing.  There are 21 market ready lots available in this eco-friendly environment’.
She concluded with the words ‘working together we have the ability to develop new linkages and business relationships for the betterment of both of economies and our people’.
Also at the brief Welcome Ceremony held on Tuesday 28 June, 2016, were Mr. Imtiaz Ahamad, Chairman, eTecK; Mr. Robert Salandy, President, eTecK; and Mrs. Racquel Moses, President, InvesTT Limited.
The visit included tours of the City of Port of Spain, Chaguaramas, the Caroni Bird Sanctuary; and site visits to Frederick settlement, Tamana InTech Park and Cove Estate, Tobago.

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