Urban Areas Should Be Seen As Investment

Barbados

May 3, 2016

BARBADOS: Housing Minister Denis Kellman has challenged Barbadians to see urban areas as a means of investment, capable of creating and generating wealth.

Speaking at the Real Estate Expo, held at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre over the weekend, Mr. Kellman said that while research showed that the majority of the world’s population now lived in urban areas, within Barbados there was an exodus from these areas.
This may be attributed, he said, to how these areas were designed and managed, as well as the influence or impact of negatives such as congestion, the creation of slums and crime. Additionally, he said, rural areas were now being seen as offering better opportunities.
However, the Minister submitted that the situation could be turned around through the introduction of creative and sustainable ideas and solutions… “from investing and beautifying our cities, to the incorporation of tourism that is developed and managed in such a way that it benefits the resident population and does not contribute to the worsening of the urban environment, but rather to its enhancement”.
An important area of investment, he suggested, was the conversion of derelict or unused properties to commercial usage to help with growing tourism demands; or alternatively as housing solutions. Mr. Kellman told the real estate professionals attending the expo that he was interested in hearing their ideas about the future of urban Barbados.
This input, he said, would help shape the Ministry’s Plan of Action which will introduce specific programmes leading to policies and strategies for Barbados’ urban areas over the next 20 years. This Plan of Action is among documents Barbados will be taking to the HABITAT III Conference in Quito, Ecuador, in October.
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Board of Directors of invesTT Limited appointed

May 2, 2016

TRINIDAD:

May 2, 2016: Members of the Board of Directors of invesTT Limited were presented with their instruments of appointment by Senator the Honourable Paula Gopee-Scoon, Minister of Trade and Industry on Monday 2nd May, 2016 at the Ministry’s Port of Spain Head Office.

In her welcome remarks to the newly appointed Board, Senator Gopee-Scoon thanked the Directors for their willingness to serve.
Newly appointed Chairman, Moonilal Lalchan is the Vice-President-Finance and Administration at Atlantic LNG Company of Trinidad and Tobago, and the Immediate Past President of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

The Board of Directors include:

Mr. Moonilal Lalchan – Chairman
Ms. Janelle Penny Commissiong
Ms. Sharon Christopher
Ms. Amalia Maharaj
Ms. Petal-Ann Roberts
Mr. Gary Hunt

Gopee-Scoon, Moonilal Lalchan — Minister Gopee-Scoon presents the instrument of appointment to invesTT Limited Chairman, Mr. Moonilal Lalchan

Sport Ministry sponsors students for GYLC 2016

May 2, 2016

GYLC Students — Five of the nine students who were sponsored by the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs to attend the Global Young Leaders Conference 2016. (Photo courtesy the Ministry of Sport)

TRINIDAD: May 2, 2016: The Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs was pleased to support the participation of nine students to attend the 2016 Global Young Leaders Conference (GYLC). Students from Holy Name Convent, St Joseph Covent, Trinity College East, Holy Faith Covent, and St. Stephen’s College received funding from the Ministry on Friday 29^th April, 2016 at the Ministry’s Head Office.
The Ministry has been sponsoring students to attend this international programme for over the past 12 years. This is in keeping with the mandate of the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, to encourage youth leadership by facilitating and developing young leaders and to ultimately establish a Youth Leadership Development Institution that would provide training and interactive seminars to youth in leadership development.
The GYLC is a ten day leadership programme, which caters to young people between the ages of 15- 19 years. It offers an opportunity to explore cultural differences, gain first-hand exposure to the challenges of international diplomacy, build confidence, and enhance decision-making skills in an atmosphere of mutual respect.
Students participating in this programme will be expected on their return to submit individual reports on their experience. They will also be required to make a presentation to a group of young people, at which time they would get the opportunity to share what they have learnt from the entire experience.
Minister Smith advised the students to take mental pictures of their experiences and to use this opportunity to observe and learn best practices, which can be implemented in Trinidad and Tobago.

Sport Minister speaks at the Golden Anniversary of the Eddie Hart League for Football

May 2, 2016

Darryl Smith, Edward Hart — Former Tunapuna MP, Edward Hart (right) presents the Minister of Sport, the Honourable Darryl Smith with a token of appreciation. At the podium - NCC Chairman, Kenny de Silva. (Photo courtesy the Min. of Sport and Youth Affairs)

TRINIDAD: May 2, 2016: The Honourable Minister Darryl Smith, delivered the feature address at the launch of the 2016 season of the Eddie Hart League for Football (EHLFF), on 29^th April 2016, 11:00 am, at the NCC VIP Lounge, Queens Park Savannah.

The League was established in 1967 and will be celebrating its 50^th anniversary in 2017. Over the years, the league has pursued a mission to engage youths from east Trinidad in competitive sport while advancing community, youth and sport development and professionalism. The EHLFF has produced quite notable players in its years of existence from cricket icons like Brian Lara to football greats like Russell Latapy. The league has brought about social solidarity in the community, nationally and regionally.

The Minister reiterated that the mandate of the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is to encourage youth in all aspects of sustainable development of this nation. For him, sport is a mechanism to bring people together and develop communities as a whole. He advocated the need for sponsorship of this type of programme and the development of the programme across Trinidad and Tobago. He commended pioneer, Edward Hart, for the heart of service to youth and the community through sport.

Food Safety Fisheries Initiative for the CARICOM

Caribbean

May 2, 2016

Trainees inspect various products from fish for the fashion, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.

Building the Caribbean’s muscle to ensure safe seafood and to protect and grow US$400 million in fisheries exports

The Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures Project is supported by the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) under the programme entitled “Support to the Caribbean Forum of the ACP States in the Implementation of the Commitments Undertaken under the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA): Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures”. The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) is executing the project in collaboration with the CRFM.

Business network leader tells trainees about approaches for innovation and creation of new products

Belize City, Monday, 2 May 2016 (CRFM)—Caribbean countries have a living bank of marine resources from which they collectively cash out hundreds of millions of dollars a year to support emerging national economies by providing good jobs, food and foreign exchange, among other benefits. However, in order to remain active and competitive in the global marketplace, countries have had to find ways to surmount the challenges posed by stringent international standards called sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures, for food safety and for protection against diseases carried animals and plants.
Under an EU-funded SPS Measures Project, the ability of Caribbean countries to effectively address those challenges is being strengthened through initiatives such as specialized training for those gatekeepers who help to ensure the safety of both imported and exported foods.

The project has reached a new milestone, as a group of professionals from CARIFORUM States—the countries which make up the Caribbean Community, as well as the Dominican Republic—has just concluded The Sanitary and Phytosanitary Management Course. The intensive two-week training, held at the United Nations University – Fisheries Training Programme (UNU-FTP) in Reykjavik, Iceland, was organized under the capacity building component of the project.

“I am very pleased that the 18 senior officials from our Member States were able to participate in this important training opportunity to strengthen public sector capacities to effectively manage sanitary and phytosanitary systems for fish and seafood,” said Milton Haughton, Executive Director of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), the agency coordinating the fisheries sub-component of the project.

CARIFORUM States are Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Kitts and Nevis, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago.
The Caribbean is looking at the Icelandic example to not just bolster its SPS regime, but also to expand the range of value added products from fish, and strengthen the value chain to maximize benefits across the spectrum, from fisher to processor to exporter. All along that chain, adherence to new SPS measures—which are taking shape with plans to establish harmonized legislation across CARIFORUM States—will be vital in helping to secure the region’s position on the global market.
There is a lot at stake. CARIFORUM countries exported nearly US$400 million worth of seafood and other marine products around the globe in 2015, with their biggest trading partners being the US and the EU, respectively.
Official trade data from those jurisdictions indicate that CARIFORUM States exported in excess of US$210 million worth of finfish, lobster and conch, as well as value added products such as fish sauces, to the USA in 2015. Additionally, they exported roughly US$75 million worth of marine products to the EU, the region’s second largest seafood trading partner, during the same time.

Minister Moses Highlights T&T's Strong Bilateral Relationship with the Netherlands

May 2, 2016

TRINIDAD: May 2, 2016: Senator the Honourable Dennis Moses, Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs highlighted the strong bilateral relationship between Trinidad and Tobago and the Netherlands at the reception hosted to commemorate Kings Day by His Excellency Jules Bijl, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Trinidad and Tobago on 27th April, 2016.

During his statement Minister Moses informed of the multifaceted bilateral relationship between both countries which involves cooperation in a number of areas, including trade and economic cooperation and meaningful collaboration in the fields of security, energy, education, sport, culture and technical assistance. He stated that it was his “expectation that this collaboration will only continue to deepen and expand.”
Focussing on the issue of Climate Change, Minister Moses highlighted that the transatlantic span of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, lying partly in Europe and partly in the Caribbean allows them to share with Trinidad and Tobago and the other small islands of the CARICOM region, a keen understanding of the issues of vulnerability and the effects of climate change, as it affect Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Minister Moses also noted the signature by the Netherlands along with Trinidad and Tobago and 172 other countries, of the Paris Climate Change Agreement recently at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, which he pointed out was a watershed moment for humanity today and for generations to come.

New Petroleum Prices From Midnight May 1

Barbados

May 1, 2016

BARBADOS: Consumers will pay more for gasoline, diesel, kerosene and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from midnight, Sunday, May 1.

The retail price of gasoline will move from Bds$2.63 to Bds$2.79, an increase of 16 cents per litre.
The price of diesel will rise from Bds$1.83 per litre to Bds$1.88, an increase of five cents. Kerosene will now retail at 84 cents per litre, an increase of one cent.
In addition, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) will retail at Bds$152.99 per 100 lbs cylinder, an increase of $2.43 cents.
The 25 lbs cylinder will now cost $43.35, an increase of 61 cents, while the 22 lbs cylinder will now be retailed at $38.31, up by 53 cents. The new price of a 20 lbs cylinder is $34.83, an increase of 49 cents.
These adjustments in retail prices are due solely to changes in the CIF (cost, insurance and freight) of these refined products.

JHTA and JTB drive tourism development through JAPEX

Jamaica

May 1, 2016

JAMAICA: MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA, May 1 – Officials from the Jamaica Tourist and Hotel Association (JHTA) and Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) counted on “the Expo effect” to bring a windfall of hundreds of millions that trickled through all areas of the Jamaican economy at the Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX) held over the weekend at the Montego Bay Convention Centre.

Event organisers called on the industry to help build on the momentum gained from the event. The JHTA said they’re looking to forge partnerships with other elements of the private sector to meet the ambitious targets for investment and job creation in the next few years.
More than 160 travel agents, hoteliers, allied members and small and medium sized enterprises in the industry attended the event.
Camille Needham, Executive Director of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association highlighted the importance of JAPEX in generating ideas and said that new business projects will be implemented in the sector the in coming months after JAPEX to ensure sustained activity in the industry. Needham said that the challenges that trouble the region, including water scarcity, a need for education and more jobs, could be met through a combined effort.
“To confront these issues there must be partnerships at every level to foster innovation, ensure the right kind of education, mentor our poorest or weakest citizens and in so doing build sustainable businesses that can work with us, in collaboration, to create the future we envision,” she said. The event will help in strengthening the positioning of the tourism offerings to the summer and winter tourist seasons.
“Overall JAPEX has always left behind a strong transformative social and economic legacy across the island,” according to the President of the JHTA, Nicola Madden-Greig.
The event’s success hinges on attracting an estimated 500 people who operate within the Caribbean, Latin America (LATAM), North American and European tourism markets organisers said.
The country’s growing transport links, boosted by the building of highways and the newly opened Kingston to Ocho Rios leg, the development of airports will help boost trade and attract more businesses and investment from these regions.

Capacity Building for Ministry’ Staff with use of Assessment Tool

St. Kitts & Nevis

April 30, 2016

ST. KITTS: Basseterre, St. Kitts – April 26th 2016 Members of staff in the Ministry of Community Development, Gender Affairs and Social Services in both St. Kitts and Nevis will engage in a four-day training made possible by the OECS Juvenile Justice Reform Project, from Tuesday, April 26th to Friday, April 29th, 2016.

The training which is being facilitated by Master Trainer, Ms. Jemma Alexander from St. Vincent will help the respective staff of the Ministry to strengthen competencies in the use of assessment tools.
Two assessment tools will be introduced to the staff during the training with emphasis on the SAVRY tool. SAVRY is the Structured Assessment of Violence Risk in Youth. The SAVRY is an evidence-based assessment designed to assist professionals in making judgments about a youth’s risk for future general re-offending and violence and for identifying a youth’s need for case planning. The other tool is the MAYSI-2 , the Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument-2nd Version is used to assess metal wellbeing of young persons.
With the challenges that our youths face, strengthening personnel and building capacity must be at the forefront of addressing these challenges. These risk assessment provide an avenue to minimize the risk factors and strengthen the protective factors in the young person’s immediate environment. This cadre of professionals which include, counselors, case managers, gender officers, probation officers and child protection officers will be evaluated on their ability to administer the assessment tool efficiently and expected to use the assessment tools to guide in the planning of interventions for the young person.
This training will place the Federation’s direct and clinical intervention team at an advantage in serving our young persons at risk and those in conflict with the law.

Energy Efficiency Project Saves Government $100 Million

Jamaica

April 30, 2016

Project Manager of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Programme (EECP) in the Ministry of Energy, Science and Technology, Wayne Williams (centre), addresses JIS ‘Think Tank’, on April 29. Others (from left) are: Project Technical Officer, EECP, Mr. Lincoln Dean and Project Administrative Coordinator, EECP, Mr. Tenny Daley.

JAMAICA: Since implementation of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Programme (EECP), two and half years ago, the project has saved the Government some $100 million.

The programme, which addresses energy efficiency and conservation within the Government sector, has seen the reduction in usage of electricity in government institutions from 410 GWH at the beginning of the programme to less than 400 GWH in 2015.
Manager for the EECP in the Ministry of Energy, Science and Technology, Wayne Williams, told a JIS ‘Think Tank’, today (April 29), that they have been able to implement investments in energy efficiency and energy conservation.
He cited the installation solar control films on windows of various government buildings, cool roof applications to the roof of the buildings, as well as retrofitting, removing and replacing old inefficient air conditioning units.
The Project Manager explained that for the programme, they have sectorised the government agencies, inclusive of Health; Education; Defence; Security; Public Agencies; National Water Commission and the Irrigation Commission.
Mr. Williams pointed out that the focus so far has been on the health, education and public agencies.
Since 2015, the project has completed the solar control film application at the Ministry of Education head office as well as completed 98 per cent of seven other educational institutions, and one organisation in Security.
The programme is now in the monitoring and verification stages for these organisations, in order to determine the level of savings realised.
Additionally, Mr. Williams said they have coordinated meetings with staff from the organisations where the cost saving measures have been implemented.
They also facilitate training sessions for the Managers of the facilities, as well as the technical staff at the various institutions.
These meetings have assisted with educating staff about the government guidelines in energy conservation.
In the meantime, Mr. Williams said other Government ministries, departments and agencies have been contacting the EECP team to conduct energy audits that will assist in giving them ideas on how to reduce their energy consumption.
The EECP has been extended for another two years to 2018.

Caribbean Press Release

Urban Areas Should Be Seen As Investment

BARBADOS: Housing Minister Denis Kellman has challenged Barbadians to see urban areas as a means of investment, capable of creating and generating wealth.

Board of Directors of invesTT Limited appointed

May 2, 2016: Members of the Board of Directors of invesTT Limited were presented with their instruments of appointment by Senator the Honourable Paula Gopee-Scoon, Minister of Trade and Industry on Monday 2nd May, 2016 at the Ministry’s Port of Spain Head Office.

Sport Ministry sponsors students for GYLC 2016

Sport Minister speaks at the Golden Anniversary of the Eddie Hart League for Football

Food Safety Fisheries Initiative for the CARICOM

Building the Caribbean’s muscle to ensure safe seafood and to protect and grow US$400 million in fisheries exports

Minister Moses Highlights T&T's Strong Bilateral Relationship with the Netherlands

New Petroleum Prices From Midnight May 1

BARBADOS: Consumers will pay more for gasoline, diesel, kerosene and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from midnight, Sunday, May 1.

JHTA and JTB drive tourism development through JAPEX

Capacity Building for Ministry’ Staff with use of Assessment Tool

Energy Efficiency Project Saves Government $100 Million

JAMAICA: Since implementation of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Programme (EECP), two and half years ago, the project has saved the Government some $100 million.

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