BARBADOS: With the introduction of the Electronic Single Window (ESW) early next year, trade-related business transactions with Government will become easier and more efficient.
That is the word from Project Coordinator of the Barbados Competitiveness Programme, Terry Bascombe, who said the ESW would provide a single interface for the exchange of trade-related documents between the trading community and government agencies.
According to Mr. Bascombe, through the ESW, the trading community would be able to electronically determine, apply for, and obtain approval for the necessary licences, permits, certificates and other documents required to import or export.
Government and the Inter-American Development Bank entered into a loan contract in 2010 to cooperate in the execution of the Barbados Competitiveness Programme, in which the ESW is a major deliverable.
The Programme is designed to improve the island’s competitiveness by addressing the key blockages to the efficient movement of goods in Barbados, and supporting other trade and investment activities to promote export development and increase private investment.
sharon.austingill-moore@barbados.gov.bb
Easier Business Transactions With Government
Research continues to locate Black Capped Petrel
DOMINICA: The Forestry, Wildlife and Parks Division is on a mission to locate the Black Capped Petrel locally known as the ‘Diablotin’.
A team from Grupo Jaragua from the Dominican Republic led by Dr. George Wallace of the American Bird Conservancy is currently on island for two weeks to conduct the research.
The Forestry, Wildlife and Parks Division is hopeful that with extensive on the ground experience of this group, a nesting site or even a Black Capped Petrel will be found.
At a press conference on Friday April 15th, Assistant Forest Officer, Stephen Durand, gave some information about the Black Capped Petrel.
“The Black Capped Petrel is a bird that has been on Dominica for a very long time. The last recorded sightings are in Roseau near the Peebles Park in 1932 and the last time someone had a bird in hand was in 2007 in Trafalgar.”
Dr. Wallace says the sole purpose of the American Bird Conservancy organization is to conserve native birds and their habitats. He anticipates a good outcome after this research.
“We look particularly at those species which are most in trouble from a conservation stand point throughout this region. The Black Capped Petrel is specie of concern globally because it is considered endangered and has a population of about five thousand individuals and we know very little about it. That makes it difficult to know what may be threatening the bird and what we could do to overcome those threats.” Dr. Wallace said.
The Forestry, Wildlife and Parks Division will be hosting the 13th annual Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival from April 22nd to May 22nd.
DHTA launches signature events
DOMINICA: The Dominica Hotel and Tourism Association has launched two flagship events as part of Tourism Awareness Month in May.
The DHTA launched Hike Fest and the National Tourism Trade Show and Cocktail at the Fort Young hotel on Friday April 15th.
Dominica’s leading travel trade show, the NTTC, will take place on Saturday April 30that the Cabrits National Park.
Executive Vice President of DHTA, Stephanie Astaphan explained,“NTTC’s participation of all major local suppliers of products and services is geared towards improving tourism operations, and attracting tour operators [who serve] Dominica. NTTC also assembles top speakers and a variety of industry segments for a series of peer to peer sessions on air access, technology and investment.”
She said this year the trade show has garnered much support from the local business community.
This year, Hikefest is dubbed ‘Hikefest Origins’. Each Saturday in May, a different trail rooted in the island’s original people, will be hiked.
“Trace the footsteps of our ancestors with hike fest origins. We will hike four of Dominica’s most iconic hiking trails accompanied by knowledgeable certified guides and health and safety professionals.” she said.
For more information on these events visit the DHTA office on Castle Street or emailinfo@dhta.org or call 4403430.
Government housing loans board lowers interest rates
DOMINICA: The Government Housing Loans Board continues to make home ownership much easier for public officers.
In an interview with GIS news on Friday April 15th, Chairman of the Board, Felix Thomas, announced a further reduction in mortgage rates.
“We have been successful in contracting new loans at a cheaper rate, in the region of $34 million dollars. Some of that money $23 million dollars will go towards refinancing loans that public officers already have with us because we are going to reduce the interest rate across the board. We are hoping that about $11 million dollars would go into new construction.”
Thomas anticipates that the new rates will have a positive impact on a wide cross section of Dominica’s economy.
Post Cabinet Briefing for Monday, April 11, 2016
ST. KITTS: Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 18, 2016 (SKNIS): The formal meeting of the Cabinet took place on Monday, April 11, 2016. The meeting was chaired by the Prime Minister, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris.
- Cabinet approved the recommendations to the Ministry of Ecclesiastical Affairs for the appointment of two marriage officers under the St. Christopher and Nevis Marriage Act Chapter 12.09, Section 6. The two marriage officers are Mr. Vernon Connor and Dean Emeritus Reverend Rudolph Smithen.
- Cabinet received an extensive presentation from high level officials of SCASPA (St. Christopher Air and Sea Ports Authority). The discussions focused on SCASPA’s performance and the proposal for the construction of a second cruise pier at Port Zante to meet the growing demands of a thriving tourism industry.
- Cabinet received an update on a number of touristic ventures in the country and made special note of the rapid growth in cruise arrivals. For the 2015-2016 Cruise Season, there have been 288 cruise ship calls of which 19 were inaugural calls including the largest luxury liner in the world, Oasis of the Seas. To date there have been 655, 202 passengers to visit the federation.
- Cabinet congratulated the Honourable Mark Brantley and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the excellent hosting of Diplomatic Week 2016. Cabinet noted that the 3rd edition of Diplomatic Week had the largest showing of members of the diplomatic and consular corps since its inauguration in 2007 under the watch of Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and now Prime Minister, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris.
- Cabinet examined a number of entities in which Government has major financial investments and determined a way forward.
Ministry of Education receives another donation from the Scanellis
ST. KITTS: (EMU) – St. Kitts, April, 18, 2016: On Friday 15th April, ‘The Scanellis’, as the Ministry of Education has come to affectionately know them after years of consistent generosity, handed over a forty foot container, containing essential materials that would benefit all children at every level of Education.
The donation by John and Brenda Scanelli was done in collaboration with Bless the Children Foundation based in the United States and Tropical Shipping.
The Scanellis have a long history of community service within the Caribbean, particularly for the past (12) years in the Federation, where they initially assisted with renovating and refurnishing the Children’s Home. Since then, some of their donations have included, thousands of dollars in books, furniture, electronic equipment as well as science lab equipment.
Mr. Daryl Lloyd Deputy Chief Education Officer thanked the Scanellis for their donations and partnership, “The Ministry of Education needs partners if it is to succeed at its mission, in meeting the needs of all of our children as we transition into a new revised primary school curriculum. The Scanellis have not only joined the ministry in its pursuit but has (consistently) risen to the occasion in a tangible manner through the presentation of this noteworthy donation.”
While addressing the audience, Mrs. Scanelli vouched both herself and her husband’s continued support to the Education system and youths of St. Kitts and Nevis, “We want to assist the teachers in preparing students for meeting the challenges of the 21st century, by helping to create a learning environment where students are stimulated and encouraged to reach their highest and greatest potential.”
The educational materials donated by the Scanellis and their partners will enable students to master their educational performance particularly in the area of Mathematics. Islands such as Dominica, Antigua, Anguilla, Jamaica, Haiti and St. Kitts and Nevis have all benefitted from their generosity.
(Press release courtesy of the Ministry of Education Media and Communications Unit)
The GoSVG Continues To Invest In The Education Of Vincentians
ST. VINCENT: The Government of Saint Vincent and The Grenadines (GoSVG) is inviting local businesses to apply for training grants under the Caribbean Regional Communications Infrastructure Program (CARCIP) SVG project.
On Friday, 15th April, the Ministry of Economic Planning, Sustainable Development, Industry, Information and Labour (Ministry of Economic Planning) launched its second Call for Proposals under the Training Grants Programme of the CARCIP SVG ICT-Led Innovation component. Through this programme, local businesses and Non-Government Institutions seeking to enhance the skill set of their employees in the Information Communication Technology (ICT) field would have access to grant funding of up to EC $100,000 (US $37,200).
To be eligible, a business must be legally registered with the relevant authorities in SVG; be legally and financially autonomous; operate under Commercial law and not be dependent on the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. A business may partner with another business for purposes of the project and in which case the lead organization must be legally established in SVG. It must also provide counterpart funding of 35% of the cost of the project (35% can be inkind, an equivalent monetary amount or a combination of both) and accept the financial requirements of the program. The proposed training must be ICT related and offered to a minimum of 15 persons.
For more information, interested applicants can contact the Telecommunications Office located on the 4th Floor of the CLICO Building in Kingstown at telephone number 456-1223 or email carcipsvg@gov.vc . The Call for proposals will close on May 16th, 2016.
Meantime, the Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (GoSVG) is funding training for individuals seeking to develop their skills in ICT related areas. This initiative, is being implemented by the Ministry of Economic Planning, through CARCIP SVG in collaboration with the SVG National Centre of Technological Innovation (SVGNCTI).
Under this training programme, qualified applicants would receive a grant of up to 80% of the total cost of the course. The areas of training are:
- Computer Fundamentals
- Introduction to System Design
- Mobile Application Design and Development
- Computer Application for the Office
- Database Design
- Introduction to Programming
- Object Oriented Programming Basics
- Web Page Design
- CompTIA Network+
- CompTIA Security+
Interested applicants can contact the SVGNCTI office, located on Sharpe Street Kingstown (Upstairs the physical planning unit) between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM or call 456-2971. Information can also be obtained from SVGNCTI website, www.svgncti.org/carcip/.
CARCIP SVG is a regional initiative that involves St. Lucia, Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines and financed through a loan by the World Bank. This programme is estimated to cost EC$1.4 million (US$0.525 million) and to date over EC $ 223,000 (US$83,000) in grants have been awarded to local entrepreneurs.
Source: API
The GoSVG Offers Grant Funding To Local Businesses
ST. VINCENT: The Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on Friday, 15th April launched its second Call for grants proposals from local businesses as part of continued initiatives to provide access to funding to develop local enterprises utilizing modern Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
This activity, which is being implemented by the Ministry of Economic Planning, Sustainable Development, Industry, Information and Labour, falls under the Business Incubation programme of the ICT-Led Innovation component of the Caribbean Regional Communications Infrastructure Program (CARCIP) SVG project. It provides access to grant funding of up to EC $100,000 (US$37,200).
To be eligible, the business must be ICT or ICT-enabled in nature and be a client of the eligible incubator acceptable to CARCIP which is the St Vincent and the Grenadines National Centre of Technological Innovation (SVGNCTI). The business must be legally registered with the relevant authorities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, provide counterpart funding of 20% of the cost of the project (20% can be in-kind, an equivalent monetary amount or a combination of both) and accept the financial requirements of the program.
For more information, interested applicants can contact the Telecommunications Office located on the 4th Floor of the CLICO Building in Kingstown at telephone number 456-1223 or email carcipsvg@gov.vc . The Call for proposals will close on 16th May 2016.
CARCIP SVG is a regional initiative that involves St. Lucia, Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines and financed through a loan by the World Bank. This programme is estimated to cost EC $ 2.835 million (US $1.05 million) and to date over EC $1.144 (US $0.425) in grants have been awarded to local entrepreneurs.
Residents of Arouca, Maloney and environs get information on social services
TRINIDAD: April 18, 2016: Last Sunday, residents and visitors alike to Bon Air Gardens, Arouca, Maloney and environs were exposed to an outreach activity which was hosted by the MP for the area, the Honourable Camille Robinson-Regis, where the focus was on bringing social services to the residents of these parts of East Trinidad.
The Ministry of Social Development and Family Services was one of the targeted Ministries for this initiative. The Ministry, which is mandated to provide a range of services to help, empower and transform the lives of Trinidad & Tobago’s most vulnerable citizens was present to inform, educate and sensitize residents and visitors of the suite of programmes and services it provides.
Most of the residents visiting the Ministry’s booth were grateful for the information and took the opportunity to update their records with the Ministry. Persons were also able to have a one on one with the Officers to present their particular cases, issues and questions for which much advice was provided.
Among the programmes and services offered by the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services during the Fair were:
• Senior Citizens’ Pension
• Public Assistance and Disability Assistance Grants
• The Targeted Conditional Cash Transfer Programme (TT Card)
• Information on services provided for the elderly under the Division of Ageing and on assistance for minor house repairs, improved water supply and house wiring under the National Social Development Programme (NSDP) was also made available
Other participating Ministries and agencies included, the Ministry of Public Utilities, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, The Trinidad and Tobago Mortgage Finance Company and the National Commission for Self Help Limited (NCSHL). The Ministry of Social Development and Family Services was pleased to be part of this outreach initiative where information on services and accessing these was taken to those who need it the most.
Ministry of National Security makes gains in the fight against human trafficking and sexual offences
TRINIDAD: April 18, 2016: The Ministry of National Security advises that on Saturday April 16, 2016, the Ministry’s Counter Trafficking Unit (CTU) charged two more persons for human trafficking and human trafficking related offences following a report received from the San Fernando Police Station in February 2016. The charges were laid by Police Corporal Ricardo Sealey of the Counter Trafficking Unit.
The suspects, Nigel Ramai and his common-law wife Reanna Meetoo will appear in the Port of Spain Magistrates Court today. Ramai was charged under the Trafficking in Persons (TIPs) Act Chapter 12:10 for receiving a Venezuelan woman for the purpose of exploitation as stated under Section 4 A (1) of the Sexual Offences Act Chapter 11:28. Ramai and Meetoo were also charged for committing grievous sexual assault on the Venezuelan national.
The TIPs Act states that persons found guilty of Trafficking in Persons, are liable to a fine of not less than $500,000 and imprisonment of not less than 15 years.
The rescued Venezuelan woman brings the count of victims identified by the CTU to 30, since it was established in January 2013. To date, eighteen (18) Trinidad and Tobago nationals have been charged for human trafficking and human trafficking related offences.
If persons know of or suspect human trafficking activity, they are asked to call CTU’s toll-free Hotline at 800-4288 (4CTU).
