ST. LUCIA: The musical and cultural alliance with the Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival continues.
Saint Lucia electricity Services Ltd. (LUCELEC) has continued its support of the Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival, this year as a Gold sponsor, contributing cash and electrical infrastructure to a number of events.
Along with main stage events, LUCELEC also sponsored the Jazz Sampler held on April 9 and will do the same for Tea Time Jazz, Soufriere Creole Jazz, Marigot Jazz and the Vieux-Fort Mouvement Ansam Jazz finale. In addition, the company will team up for the first time with the Rainforest Hideaway Jazz Week as well as the Jon Odlum Secondary School in its hosting of Jazz on the Grass and The Landings Saint Lucia’s “Saxx on the Beach.”
The Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival combines economic promise with artistic expression (particularly that of Saint Lucian artistes) and the growth in capacity of technical personnel on island who work with the various shows. LUCELEC Corporate Communications Manager Roger Joseph said these are just some of the reasons the company continues to support the festival.
“The nature of LUCELEC’s business is to make long term investments, and we’ve always seen the Jazz festival in that light,” he said. “We believe that investment has paid off for Saint Lucia in terms of meeting the tourism and destination marketing objectives, and critically, our capacity to put on world class events.”
The relationship between LUCELEC and the Jazz Festival began in 1992 when the very first event was held at the Pigeon Island National Landmark. Back then, LUCELEC provided temporary lighting to Pigeon Island, then not on the LUCELEC grid – to facilitate the hosting of the event.
The St Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival will be held from April 29 – May 8.
LUCELEC sponsors Jazz festival
National Identification System on Track for 2020
JAMIACA: The National Identification System (NIDS) project remains on track for full implementation by 2020, Project Director in the Office of the Prime Minister Denzil Plummer has noted.
The NIDS will allow for the identification of Jamaican nationals and persons ordinarily resident in Jamaica, and will provide a comprehensive and secure structure to collect and store personal identity information.
Mr. Plummer has indicated that: “The project which began in 2011 is on scheduled to meet its original completion date of 2020. Phase one of the project was completed in 2015 within budget, following a 17-month extension.”
He further added that phase one, the preparatory segment, was completed with grant funding of US$670,000 from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and counterpart financing of US$120,000 from the Government of Jamaica. This phase involved developing the legislative and institutional framework; designing the NIDS ICT architecture; conducting an economic and cost/benefit analysis; carrying out a baseline survey, and developing a communication and behaviour change plan.
Phase two which is set to begin this financial year, is estimated to cost some US$500,000. Activities under this segment, among other things, will include submission and approval of the NIDS policy; promulgation of the related legislation, and the establishment of the institutional framework.
The third phase will ensure the completion of the NIDS hardware and software system roll-out and the activation of the National Registration Commission, among other activities.
The NIDS is expected to become the primary source for identity verification and authentication in Jamaica, and will enable citizens and residents to benefit from more efficient access to government services.
Long awaited launch for AMPP SLU is here!
ST. LUCIA: April 20, 2016 – Castries, Saint Lucia – The Association of Musicians, Producers and Performers of Saint Lucia (AMPP SLU) launched today at the Auberge Seraphine Hotel. This event served as a Media Launch to sensitize the Media and in turn the public of this long awaited momentous occasion.
AMPP SLU has been registered as a non-profit association in The Ministry of Social Transformation, Local Government and Community Empowerment on January 5th 2016. The association is being run by an interim executive committee headed by Interim Chairman Martin James and Vice Chairman Ian Sanchez. The executive committee is in the process of incorporating the entity as to ensure its legal standing and credibility.
This organization has been trying to come off the ground since 1985 with a number of well known musicians and personalities in Saint Lucia at the forefront, but nothing concrete ever came of this effort.
It was not until October 2005 were the members of an interim committee which was an amalgamation of various organizations e.g. Hewannora Musical Society, CDF, Managers and Producers, were able to start the registration process of the entity known as Saint Lucia Association of Musicians and Performers (STAMP) at the Registry of Companies and Intellectual Property.
In early 2006 the interim committee then applied for non-profit status through the Attorney General’s office. When a new regime came into government in 2006 it was deemed unfit for STAMP to be called by that name as Saint Lucia was not permitted to be used preceding the name of any association. The thinking from the 2006 Cabinet was that entities with Saint Lucia preceding its name, implied that they would be supported and funded by the Government of Saint Lucia.
Following this, the movement went dormant as there was a loss of interest with most of the members. A few of the members continued the struggle to retain the name STAMP through letters and meetings with persons in authority, as a logo had already been designed and the committee had already started to engage various Ministries and Associations and had also participated in certain events as STAMP.
After a few years of seeking advice from legal experts it was advised that they form a new entity and register it with a new name which will still have the name Saint Lucia at the end, henceforth, the name AMPP SLU. There is also the realisation that the name is in keeping with two other entities of the same nature that has been formed in Saint Vincent and Dominica – AMP SVG and AMP DOM respectively..
The new executive committee are extremely hopeful and optimistic as it has put in place a constitution and goals and objectives of AMPP SLU and have formed a road map and action plan for 2016.
This sector in the arts has been known to have many concerns but persons have been approaching these issues on an individual basis with very poor results. As an association, AMPP SLU will be able to lobby and advocate for members concerns as a body and therefore in a more organized and unified manner.
AMPP SLU will help to promote the further growth and development of the performing arts in Saint Lucia by undertaking a number of activities. The association seeks to forge alliances and partnerships with Government Ministries especially the Ministry of Tourism, Heritage and Creative Industries and entities such as SLCSI, CDF, ECCO, TEPA and others to foster the development of our members through education.
Musicians, Music and Video Producers, Performers including DJs should look out for the grand launch later in the year where they will be introduced formally to AMPP SLU and invited to become members so as to contribute to the change and growth of the performing arts sector in the Creative Industries of Saint Lucia.
Dominica joins Venezuela in celebrating 206 years of independence
DOMINICA: Dominica has joined Venezuela in celebrating 206 years of political independence.
To mark the event, an official ceremony was held at the Simón Bolivar Square in Goodwill on Tuesday April 19th. Government officials, members of the Diplomatic Corps, well-wishers and friends of the Republic of Venezuela, laid wreaths at the feet of the statue of one of Venezuela’s greatest men, Simón Bolivar.
Simón Bolivar was a South American soldier who was instrumental in the continent’s revolutions against the Spanish empire.
Venezuela’s Ambassador to Dominica, His Excellency Hayden Pirela said “Today Venezuela is commemorating the 206th year of the declaration of our independence. I would like to say thank you to our liberator Simón Bolivar.”
The Ambassador also took time to highlight the work of former President of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez.
He also thanked Hon. Prime Minister, Dr. Roosevelt Skerrit for Dominica’s relationship with Venezuela.
The diplomatic relations between Dominica and the People’s Republic of Venezuela has yielded numerous benefits and can be seen with the ongoing Housing Revolution program, the Yes We Care program, the financing of the National Employment program among others.
Concern Over Banks Not Lending To Cricketers
BARBADOS: Concern has been raised over challenges faced by Barbadian cricketers who have applied to financial institutions for loans.
In a recent meeting with Minister of Sports, Stephen Lashley, at his office in Sky Mall, the Barbadian members of the Under-19, Men’s and Women’s West Indies teams who recently won the International Cricket Council (ICC) World T20 Championship tournament, said they were told by some banks “that they do not consider a professional cricketer as someone who has a job”.
Mr. Lashley expressed concern over the matter, and stated that if we as a people are serious about cricket, then “now is the time to concretise that in a way that makes sense”, and we must use “all of the avenues available” to bring some tangible benefit to our cricketers.
He continued: “I really believe that if we are serious about cricket, and we have spent quite a bit of time over the last couple of weeks celebrating our cricketers,…then our banks need to relook that approach and not only in relation to cricketers but to our athletes who are earning and who go out there and represent their countries.”
Emphasising that he was not encouraging banks to enter into loan arrangements knowing that applicants were unable to pay, the Sports Minister however stated that some type of “dispensation” must be carved out for the cricketers.
He noted that our cricketers of international repute are earning, and should not be discriminated against in our financial system purely because they happened to be cricketers or athletes.
“I would hope that our banks are sufficiently sophisticated enough to be able to devise ways and means to finding a suitable solution to that particular challenge,” he underscored.
Mr. Lashley further stated that he would be making representation to Government, as well as eliciting the support of the private sector, in identifying “in a tangible way” how the country felt about the outstanding achievements of the ICC Champions.
Acknowledging that the teams had worked exceedingly hard, the Minister assured them that they had his support, and that he would advance some of their recommendations through the efforts of Government and the private sector.
theresa.blackman@barbados.gov.bb
SVG Launches National Child Protection Policy
ST. VINCENT: The Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines through the Ministry of National Mobilization, Social Development, the Family, Gender and Youth Affairs has launched a National Child Protection Policy in collaboration with UNICEF.
The National Child Protection Policy which was launched Tuesday, 19th April at the NIS Conference Room has been hailed as a major step forward by UNICEF’s Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Klin Sandi Lwin. Lwin described SVG as a trailblazer as this country is the first in the Eastern Caribbean to adopt a National Child Protection Policy. The UNICEF Representative added that the policy is consistent with the convention on the rights of the child and by its adoption; SVG is sending forth the message that everyone is expected to be actively involved in safeguarding the rights of children. She also pledged UNICEF’s continued support in making the policy work in the best interest of the children of SVG.
Delivering the keynote address at the launch of the National Child Protection Policy, Minister of National Mobilisation, the Hon. Frederick Stephenson commended his government for the work it has been doing in relation to children, the elderly and the poor, noting that a society is judged by how it treats those vulnerable groups of people. Minister Stephenson pointed out that since 2010 with the passing of the Child Care and Adoption Act and subsequently in 2011, the Status of Children Act and the 2015 Domestic Violence Act, his government has demonstrated its commitment to the protection of its vulnerable citizens.
Minister Stephenson said that the Child Protection Policy launched on 19th April, is a macro-based legal and social protection strategy aimed at strengthening national protection systems, support social change, promote child protection, build evidence and knowledge, management and analyse agents of change.
Throughout the day, stakeholders were engaged in a one-day workshop to look at the policy, procedures and framework.
Source: API
Commencement Of Level 1 Training On Competition Law And Policy Under The European Union Funded 10th EDF Project
ST. VINCENT: The consulting firm Equinoccio has been contracted to execute the level 1 Training on Competition Law and Policy and has selected experts from CARICOM Competition Commission (CCC) to conduct Level 1 Training in Competition Law and Policy. The delivery of this Training is consistent with the function of the CCC under Article 173.2 (f) and (g) of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.
The objective of the training session is to:
- To raise knowledge and awareness of Competition Law and Policy in the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) and the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).
Competition Law and Policy as outline in Chapter 8 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas plays a critical role in the development and establishment of open and competitive markets for entrepreneurs and established businesses in the CSME. It is also an important component of the CARIFORUM-EU EPA from which CSME companies and professionals are seeking to benefit.
The participants targeted for this training include: the business community, Bar Association, Consumer NGO groups, sector regulators, the general public and public sector entities.
The one-day Level 1 Training Session is scheduled for 20th April, 20416 from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Conference Room.
OECS Member States reminded to make good and efficient use of the Global Fund for combatting HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis
ST. LUCIA: Castries, Saint Lucia, April 20th, 2016 – Saint Lucia’s Ministry of Health recently hosted the signing of a Grant Agreement between the Global Fund and the OECS Regional Coordinating Mechanism regarding the OECS response to HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis.
The OECS Commission as the Principal Recipient or PR will be overseeing disbursements to fund the various national programmes in the six independent OECS Member States guided by the Regional Coordinating mechanism (RCM).
Saint Lucia’s Health Minister Hon. Alvina Reynolds, in her capacity as Chair of the RCM presided over the signing ceremony.
Ms. Joan Didier, the Director of the OECS Regional Coordinating mechanism or RCM says for the past two years her organisation has been working with OECS countries in developing a proposal to the Global Fund to support government agencies and civil society organisations towards mitigating the spread HIV AIDS and Tuberculosis in the OECS. The RCM is advising the beneficiaries of the funds that the monies will be available once they ensure that their projects are completed in an efficient and timely manner.
The Head of the OECS Commission’s HIV Project Unit, Dr. James St. Catherine commended Saint Lucia’s Health Minister for her input in securing another contribution from the Global Fund towards mitigating the spread of HIV AIDS and Tuberculosis in the OECS.He projects that if the OECS can eliminate HIV and Tuberculosis, similar strategies can help the health sector in dealing with other diseases that impact the region.
In anticipating that Global Fund support will not always be accessible in the future, Dr. St. Catherine suggested that urgent attention be given to re-engineering and sustaining national programmes using domestic resources towards eliminating HIV and Tuberculosis in the OECS.
ECCB governor meets federal cabinet in first outreach in the region
ST. KITTS: BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, APRIL 19th, 2016 (PRESS SEC) – Mr. Timothy Antoine, who in February took the helm of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), met with Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris and Cabinet members yesterday, April 18th. The meeting was the first one in a series that will be held between the Cabinet and the new Central Bank Governor.
Governor Antoine told the Cabinet members that his meeting with them was the first leg of a road show he is embarking on throughout the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU).
The Central Bank Governor said that, in St. Kitts and Nevis, “I am going to be meeting with the Leader of Opposition, the Chamber of Industry & Commerce, and the social partners – the media, churches, etc.”
Governor Antoine’s presentation to Cabinet focused on the fiscal health of St. Kitts and Nevis in relation to the ECCU.
So how is the eight-member ECCU doing (and St. Kitts and Nevis specifically), with respect to the ECCB’s three key targets: Financial Stability, Fiscal and Debt Sustainability, and Growth and Competitiveness?
The Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis outshines other ECCU member countries
According to the Governor’s PowerPoint presentation, the key target pertaining to financial stability is having well-capitalized banks with a Currency Adequacy Ratio of at least 10%. CAR – capital to risk-weighted assets ratio – is a key measure that assesses a bank’s financial strength and risk of insolvency. The Governor disclosed that, as at December 2015, the CAR for banks in St. Kitts and Nevis averaged 22.46% compared to 14.8% for banks in the ECCU as a whole.
Growth in private sector credit rose to 3.17% in St. Kitts and Nevis, but registered a decline of 6.1% throughout the ECCU last year. “This probably explains partly why you are the fastest growing country in the OECS,” Mr. Antoine said.
The ECCB Governor added, “We are concerned as a Currency Union. We want to see private sector credit turn positive for the Currency Union. Until such time, we would be hesitant to say that we have fully turned the corner because, yes, the growth is up but you are not seeing enough private sector credit expansion. That is an important metric, so at every ECCB Monetary Council meeting we are going to be reporting on this.”
GDP growth as at December 2015 in St. Kitts and Nevis was 6.64% compared to 2.62% in the ECCU. The ECCB target for GDP growth is 5%.
(Press release courtesy of the Office of the Press Secretary)
– See more at: http://sknis.info/eccb-governor-meets-federal-cabinet-in-first-outreach-in-the-region/#sthash.ZRBaR8vz.dpuf
STATIN gets $10 Million for 2016 Household Expenditure Survey
JAMAICA: The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) has been allotted a sum of $10 million to undertake data collection/analysis to assist with activities relating to the 2016 Household Expenditure Survey.
A portion of the money will also be used to engage a consultant to analyse data and produce reports on the Programme of Advancement through Health and Education’s (PATH’s) educational outcomes.
The money has been provided in the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives.
The allotment falls under the ‘Understanding Social Effects of Financial Crisis’ project being implemented by the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), with funding from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
The project aims to strengthen capacity and generate knowledge for the Government of Jamaica that would form the basis to rationalise social spending and improve its effectiveness.
Among the studies that have been completed under the project up to December 2015 are: Definition of Informality (2013); Public Sector Expenditure Review (2012); Health Reform Assessment (2013); Strengthening School Feeding Programme’s Monitoring and Evaluation Capacity (2012); and Listing of Dwellings – Master Sampling Frame for Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) (2014).
Originally scheduled to run from June 2010 to January 2012, the project received further extensions and is slated to end in December 2016.
