BELIZE: Belmopan. April 26, 2016. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment and Sustainable Development through the Agriculture Department announces this year’s Farmers of the Year winners.
This year, the Farmers of the Year reign from the Cayo and Toledo Districts. The male farmer is Ever Blandon of Valley of Peace, Cayo District; the female farmer is Maria Lara of Trio Village, Toledo District; and the junior farmer is Eric Can Jr. of Succotz Village, Cayo District.
The National Agriculture and Trade show is an event which has been celebrated since the 1960’s. The first one was held in El Cayo which is today known as San Ignacio. Later in 1972, the show moved to the National Agriculture and Trade Show Grounds in Belmopan and one of the most important highlights over the years has been the recognition of the Farmer of the Year.
Initially, there was only one farmer of the year, but as time progressed the categories for Female and Junior Farmer of the Year was included. This prestigious recognition is given to the selected farmers from the various districts in accordance with a set of criteria which are pre-established by the Ministry. The farmer is judged based on his adequate and exemplary farming practices, as well as his or her ability to demonstrate a good understanding of agriculture and its role as a means of income generation and sector development. Judges are required to visit the farms and the winners are selected based on the highest scores. The nomination starts as early as September and the actual announcement of the winners is done nearing the dates of the show.
Whilst faced with hard challenges as a result of climate change and high production costs, these farmers have been able to support themselves, their families and their communities by extension through the application of good agricultural practices. Some of the most significant practices have been the use of irrigation, fertigation, protective structures, cover crops, agroecological principles and good pesticides management.
The Ministry and its partners commit to continue to identify and work with farmers who are interested and willing to work under a participatory approach which is expected to contribute to national agricultural development in Belize.
Farmers of the Year 2016
New 20 lb LPG on the Local Market
ST. GEORGE’S, GRENADA, April 28, 2016- GIS: Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell says the sale of 20 lb LPG cooking gas by Petro Caribe will be a major boost for Grenada’s energy sector.
Prime Minister Mitchell was speaking during a ceremony on Tuesday signalling the start of sales.
The new 20 pound LPG Cylinders being introduced by the Petro Caribe Plant, is as a result of collaboration by the Governments of Venezuela and Grenada.
“We know that energy is a fundamental variable in economic development. It is also a major factor in the social development of our country,” said Prime Minister Mitchell.
“Therefore we believe that every opportunity that we get to reduce the cost of energy materials to our population must be taken”.
The cylinders which are said to be safe, convenient, light-weight and durable have been the topic of discussion, as many are anxious to take advantage.
“We look forward to a consistent supply of liquefied gas, a consistent supply of cheaper energy. More development,” Dr.Mitchell said.
As Government continues to negotiate for cheaper energy cost, a series of consultation are taking place regarding the ‘New Electricity Supply Act’.
JHTA welcomes C&W Business for JAPEX 2016 – Company to power leading tradeshow
KINGSTON, JAMAICA, April 28, 2016 – The annual Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX) tradeshow slated for April 29 – May 1 at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, will be powered by lead corporate sponsor and exclusive telecoms partner, C&W Business. The announcement by the Jamaica Hotel and Tourism Association (JHTA) comes as the organization finalizes its preparation for the leading event of its kind in the region.
“Every year we have seen sustained growth in the number of participants for JAPEX and as a result of this, it requires robust network and technical infrastructure that provides attendees with dependable and world-class wireless connectivity. C&W Business has been our trusted partner for many years and we are happy to have them on board once again to provide this service,” said Nicola Madden-Greig, President of the JHTA.
C&W Business has been providing internet connectivity and technical support for the annual event for a number of years. As the provider of choice for business solutions, the company has an extensive suite of services that include data centre hosting, domestic and international managed network services, and customised IT service solutions, utilising cloud technology to serve business and government customers. C&W Business also operates a state-of-the-art subsea fibre optic cable network that spans more than 48,000 km – the most extensive in the region.
“We are pleased to come on board as the exclusive telecoms provider for JAPEX 2016. We applaud the JHTA and the JTB for their continued efforts in hosting this event and showcasing the best of Jamaica to the world. Over the years we have participated in this event because it brings incredible value to the Jamaican economy both from an economic and marketing perspective,” said Andrew Fazio, Sales Director – BPO and Hospitality, C&W Business. “We will be powering JAPEX with both our mobile and fixed networks, high-speed mobile data, broadband and video services,” he shared.
Hundreds of local and international participants are expected to arrive on the island over the next few days for the staple event.
Prime Minister fulfills promise to music professionals
DOMINICA: A promise made by the Honourable Prime Minister Dr Roosevelt Skerrit to advance the music industry is already being realized by the Association of Music Professional (AMP) of Dominica.
In July 2015, the Honourable Prime Minister made that commitment while also announcing an allocation of $500k towards that industry.
Earlier this month, Hon Dr Skerrit identified training as one of the key aspects of developing the industry which has the ability to contribute to the national economy if done professionally.
On Tuesday, April 26th, a training workshop called, “The craft of song writing” began at the Dominica State College; this is being facilitated by Swedish national and renowned international song writer, Aleena Gibson. The training will end on Friday.
At the opening ceremony of the workshop, President of the Association of Music Professionals, Mc Carthy Marie said, “From the point of view that Dominica is moving forward in the music business, we at AMP thought that we should start at the beginning. In the music business everybody knows that the foundation rests on the song writer and if you want to get involved in selling music to the region and beyond, the craft of song writing is something we ought to learn to do.”
A workshop on record production and studio engineering will begin on May 15th at the Dominica State College. This training will be facilitated by recording engineer and record producer Stuart Young of Canada.
The training programs will cost approximately $54k.
Citizenship by Investment Programme finances West Bridge
DOMINICA: The construction of the new West Bridge under phase one of the Roseau Enhancement Project will be financed not through the imposition of new taxes but through the Citizenship by Investment Programme.
The Hon Prime Minister Dr Roosevelt Skerrit revealed this at the ground breaking ceremony for the reconstruction of the bridge last Friday.
“Ladies and gentlemen we cannot under estimate the significance of such an achievement. Eighteen million dollars is a lot of money for a country like Dominica, particularly post tropical storm Erika. A few weeks ago, I visited and addressed several new citizens of Dominica in Europe, Asia, and particularly Dubai and the Arab Emirates. I impressed upon them the importance of their contributions for the development and modernization of our country. I am sure that they will all be proud, when news of this project to be financed 100% by proceeds from their contributions and made known.”
The Prime Minister said Dominica has so far benefitted significantly from the Programme. He indicated that a few are currently planning their visit to the island.
“Indeed, some of our agents abroad are in the process of assembling a group of professionals who are also new citizens, to visit Dominica to identify and appreciate areas of need where they can assist and lend of their many years of collective training and experience. They will be coming to Dominica at their own expense, for a few days to determine how as doctors, engineers, architects, scientists, educators, horticulturist and environmentalists they can help in fast forwarding the development of our country.”
The Hon Prime Minister has recurrently assured the nation that its Citizenship by Investment Programme is an effective and well-managed means of revenue-generation.
Clean up campaign in Rodney Bay
ST. LUCIA: YSD, Jus’ Sail, SLHTA and Greening the Caribbean collaborate on a litter clean up activity in commemoration of Earth Day.
The Youth Skills Development (YSD) Program of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Unit in Ministry of Education, in collaboration with Jus’ Sail, recently held a litter clean up activity in commemoration of Earth Day.The idea for the activity came while the YSD crew were undertaking a training session on board Jus’ Sail’s vessel, Good Expectation, when a large quantity of litter washed into the Rodney Bay lagoon after heavy rains. The plastic bottles, styrofoam containers, nylon bags and other discarded debris struck an ugly chord with the crew and highlighted the island’s litter problem. During the clean up activity, litter was collected from various points in the lagoon and brought back to the recycling facility at the IGY Rodney Bay Marina for sorting.
Greening the Caribbean’s Wayne Neale was on hand to explain the separation and recycling process, and the practical aspects of developing a sustainable solid waste management strategy.
The activity served to inform and educate the students, and is timely as it coincides with the national campaign against Zika that stresses proper disposal of used food and drink containers.
YSD and Jus’ Sail collaborated with the IGY Rodney Bay Marina, the Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association (SLHTA) and the recycling company Greening the Caribbean for the April 22 activity.
Jus’ Sail is training students as part of the Youth Skills Development Program with the TVET Unit over three cohorts, with fifty students receiving an introduction to the marine sector. As part of the program it is hoped that students will gain a greater respect for the natural environment and learn about the impact of careless human activity on our island.
No bidders for dam rehabilitation project
ST. LUCIA:
Negotiations fall through with shortlisted contractor.
Managing Director Vincent Hippolyte said that after about a month of negotiations, there was no meaningful outcome.
“Throughout the process we were trying to ensure that the negotiations would have resulted in a price, a bid, that would be considered acceptable in keeping with the estimates that we had from our consultant and in keeping with our own understanding of the work to be done. We had just one bidder. By April 16 the negotiations failed because there was no meaningful result. So the failure of negotiations meant that we had no bidder and there was no process to continue with respect to engaging a contractor to undertake the work.”
WASCO has now revised the timeline for work on the project.
“We are hoping that around mid May invitations will be out again so that by August we should be in a position to enter negotiations again.”
The setback, Hippolyte said, will in no way affect WASCO’s services to the public.
Positive outlook for Caribbean tourism
ST. LUCIA:
A CHTA study revealed increased occupancies and arrivals, increased employment, and that capital expenditures and investments in hotel properties were up.
The study aimed to help the CHTA gain a better understanding of the tourism economy, its outlook, and the degree to which factors impact or may affect the industry.
The research found that more than half of the hotels reported strong to moderate performance in 2015, increased occupancies and arrivals, increased employment rolls, while capital expenditures and investments in hotel properties were up.
Despite improved performance, the profit picture was unsettling; nevertheless, the outlook for 2016 remained positive.
“The good news is that hotel occupancies and average daily rates increased in 2015 for the majority of hotels, and employment has grown along with it,” Frank Comito, CHTA Chief Executive Officer and Director General, said. “On the flip side, hotels identified high operating and air travel costs as major growth deterrents, as the industry struggles to compete for markets that are unwilling to bear significant rate increases.”
The study also found that a more positive cash flow resulted in greater investments, with more than 68 percent of hoteliers reporting an increase in capital expenditure.
“These investments have broader economic reach, as hotel expenditures for construction, supplies and materials stimulate greater local spending, positively impacting local businesses, employment and tax revenue,” the CHTA said.
Approximately 67 percent of hotels reported a net profit in 2015, and 33 percent a net loss.
The industry performance and outlook study was conducted in January.
SLTB partners up
ST. LUCIA
The Saint Lucia Tourist Board aims to increase visibility via collaborations with British Airways, JetBlue and Sandals.
An advertisement has been developed as part of their Caribbean Campaign to promote the various islands of the Caribbean and what makes each of them unique. The television ad will be promoted online and in-flight.
Meanwhile, to coincide with the recently-announced JetBlue Mint service to Saint Lucia this November, the Saint Lucia Tourist Board (SLTB) led a luxury tour targeting the top luxury producers in New York and southern Connecticut. With a combination of hosted lunches and dinners, the luxury elements of Saint Lucia were highlighted along with the announcement. The SLTB outreach yielded 35 agencies and 125 agents. Partners supporting the tour included Anse Chastanet, Jade Mountain, Windjammer Landing, Sugar Beach, Ladera, Cap Maison, Calabash, Sunswept and Sandals Resorts. Supporting wholesale partners were Travel Impressions, Classic Vacations and Island Destinations.
The SLTB also supported Sandals Resorts as they hosted the month’s meeting of the NY ASTA Chapter in Manhattan New York. Sixty agents were present. Sandals highlighted their specials and new destination events portal. The SLTB supported the brand with a destination update presentation to ASTA members.
THA taking positives from JSC meeting
TRINIDAD: April 28, 2016: The Joint Select Committee public meeting held in Tobago on April 27 provided a great opportunity for growth in the administration of the island.
This according to Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Chief Administrator, Raye Sandy, who said there were benefits to having the meeting held in Tobago.
The Joint Select Committee on Local Authorities, Service Commissions and Statutory Authorities inquired into several areas of the THA’s operation, including financial allocation, tourism, transportation and agriculture.
Sandy believes the hearing provided insight for the THA and its employees that will serve them well going forward. This includes highlighting the need to increase the island’s productivity, identifying areas for improvement and placing emphasis on greater efficiency in its processes.
“Of course, there is always room for improvement, and an exercise like this will be very useful in helping us identify areas where more can be done,” Sandy said. “We continue to focus on creating an environment for employees to be more productive.
“As an Assembly, we’ve also implemented a new procurement policy, which will ensure greater transparency in the process. So we are making some progress.”
The Chief Administrator said in the last year, the THA has made strides in improving its internal processes, including efforts to upgrade its accounting and internal audit systems.
Sandy said it was also good to have the Tobago public involved in the process, where they were invited to the meeting, and also had a forum to have their questions addressed.
