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Colombian Navy ship docks

St. Lucia
arc-gloria-colombian-navy-training-shipST. LUCIA:  The ship will be open to the general public on April 30.
The Ministry of External Affairs, International Trade and Civil Aviation wishes to inform of the visit to Saint Lucia of the Colombian navy training ship ARC Gloria, from April 29 to May 2.
The general purpose of the visit is to facilitate the training of the students of the Colombian Navy in their maritime abilities.
The Embassy of Colombia has extended an invitation to the general public to visit the vessel for a special display ceremony on April 29, from 9 – 11 a.m.; or for a general visit on April 30, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The ship will be docked at berth number 2 in Pointe Seraphine.

UWI principal pleased with Dominica open campus

University of the West Indies

Dominica Press Releases
University of the West IndiesDOMINICA:  Pro-vice Chancellor and Principal of the University of the West Indies Open Campus, Dr. Luz Longsworth, is pleased with the growth of the UWI Dominica open campus.
Prior to her current post, Dr. Longsworth served as Director of Open Campus Country Sites.
In an interview with GIS news on Tuesday, April 12th, Dr. Longsworth said she is particularly pleased with the increase in numbers at the open campus.
“I am very pleased with what the open campus in Dominica have been doing, in terms of building the student numbers, increasing the program that are available for Dominicans. I can say the campus is continuing to grow year after year.  We have seen over 70% increase in new students over the last three years in Dominica, one of the highest in the region. I am proud to say that Dominica is the second largest site in the open campus Eastern Caribbean family.”
The UWI Principal said she is elated that Dominicans are taking advantage of the opportunities for advanced education provided by the university.
Dr. Longsworth says there are plans for even further expansion of the Dominica open campus.

BADMC Launches New Carmeta’s Outlet

Barbados Press Releases
ab6678602f43de595497e8764e619cfaBARBADOS:  Barbadians will soon have a new destination for home-grown produce and agro-processed foods.
Divisional Head of Agribusiness at the Barbados Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (BADMC), Ann-Marie King, has revealed that the new Carmeta’s Farm & Factory Outlet will be opened on Friday, April 29.
The new Carmeta’s branded outlet will be located at BADMC’s headquarters at Fairy Valley Plantation, Christ Church.
The store will complement its sister stores, Carmeta’s Retail Shop, located at Princess Alice Highway, and Carmeta’s Liquor & Duty-Free, located at the Grantley Adams International Airport.
The new store will offer households and businesses the opportunity to purchase competitively-priced meats, poultry, and fresh vegetables, as well as preserves, beverages, shelf-stable condiments, and other items which are all sourced from local small and medium-sized enterprise farmers and agro-processors.
Ms. King stated that the ‘company store’ styled outlet aligned with the BADMC’s two key strategic objectives: to promote greater engagement, trial and adoption of local foods by Barbadian households; and to forge sustainable market linkages between farmers, agro-processors and consumers.
She continued: “Our wholesale and retail offerings at Fairy Valley will be anchored by the recently expanded Carmeta’s family of quality convenience foods, made exclusively with local produce as their main ingredients, which now includes gluten-free flours, flour mixes, baked goods and sorbets as well as seasoned and smoked beef, Blackbelly lamb, pork and poultry products.”
In addition to convenient, out-of-town shopping with ample customer parking, Carmeta’s Farm & Factory customers will be able to place and collect special orders of gluten-free baked goods, sorbets and prime cuts of beef and Blackbelly lamb from BADMC’s Food Production units by contacting the outlet at 428-7526.
A state-of-the-art point-of-sale system will also permit farmers and produce vendors to pay for their BADMC Farm Shop and Produce Room purchases in-store. Carmeta’s Farm & Factory will open Monday through Friday from 8:15 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Saturdays until 4:00 p m.
For more information on store offerings or to explore retail distribution opportunities, persons may contact BADMC’s Commercial Development Officer, Leandra Grant, at 427-5250.
aisha.reid@barbados.gov.bb

Training Fund Praises Successful Partnership

Junior Burgess, Dr. Sabine Rieble Aubourg, Richard Graham, K. Anderson Lowe
(From left to right) Programme Director, Ministry of Education, Junior Burgess; IDB Education Lead Specialist, Dr. Sabine Rieble Aubourg; Trainer, Asymmetrix Consulting, Dr. Richard Graham and CBTF Consultant Manager, K. Anderson Lowe speaking following their visit to Nature Care yesterday. (C.Pitt/BGIS)

Barbados Press Releases
BARBADOS:  The successful implementation of a training partnership between the Nature Care Group and Asymmetrix Consulting Inc. has pleased the Competency-Based Training Fund (CBTF).

Junior Burgess, Sabine Rieble Aubourg, Dr. Richard Graham, K. Anderson Lowe
(From left to right) Programme Director, Min. of Education, Junior Burgess; IDB Education Lead Specialist, Dr. Sabine Rieble Aubourg; Trainer, Asymmetrix Consulting, Dr. Richard Graham and CBTF Consultant Manager, K. Anderson Lowe. (C.Pitt/BGIS)

This was expressed recently by Consultant Manager of the CBTF, K. Anderson Lowe, as he congratulated the two entities at the home of Nature Care, Searles, Christ Church.
The visit there formed part of an Administrative Mission by Education Lead Specialist with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Dr. Sabine Rieble-Aubourg, and representatives of the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, to assess the status of the Skills For The Future Program (SFTF).
Giving an assessment of the relationship, Mr. Lowe said: “The Nature Care Group Partnership has so far trained, assessed and certified 110 trainees in Amenity Horticulture Level 1 Caribbean Vocational Qualifications. In fact, this training programme has been so successful that the partnership has suggested and the Fund has agreed to also offer a Level 2 programme in Amenity Horticulture and we expect that this second programme will be just as successful as their first one.”
The CBTF is a pilot project funded by the IDB to provide competency-based technical and vocational education and training to the Barbadian workforce. It falls under Component I of the SFTF, a US $20 million Government of Barbados/IDB initiative that seeks to improve the quality and relevance of secondary and post-secondary education by promoting a demand-driven system of education with greater cooperation between training institutions and private sector employers.
Of the CBTF’s success, Mr. Lowe said: “We have received over 100 applications in three funding cycles announced so far. Some 2,000 persons have already signed up for and received training to upgrade their skills and more importantly be assessed and certified as competent in their occupational areas, with the 25 partnerships now participating in the Fund. The Fund has committed BBD$14 million to train 4,000 persons.”
In association with the TVET Council, the Fund has also developed and/or validated upwards of 20 occupational standards and associated curricula, as well as trained a number of trainers, assessors, internal and external verifiers to facilitate the assessment and certification processes.
As he acknowledged the involvement and support of CBTF’s key stakeholders, including the IDB, the Ministry, TVET Council, training partnerships and the media, Mr. Lowe offered special praise to all trainees for recognising “the value of TVET education to their own development” and for giving of their time and effort to enhance and certify their skills.
Meanwhile, Dr. Richard Graham, trainer for the Nature Care Group/Asymmetrix Consulting Inc. partnership, in thanking the IDB and CBTF, hailed it as a dream fulfilled for both entities “to have persons trained in this area, recognising the need for persons who ordinarily would have left school with no certification and who would have come to work without the requisite skills to actually work properly”.
He added that what Asymmetrix was able to do was to have persons quite capable with the ability not only to work at Nature Care but to work at any horticulture centre throughout Barbados and the region. He said they looked forward to Level 2 and to training not only those from Level 1 but others who recognised the use that such a skill can have for them in furthering their careers, either as employees or in being self-employed.
joy-ann.gill@barbados.gov.bb

Jazz' Arts Village requests submissions

Saint Lucia Arts Village
St. Lucia
ST. LUCIA:  Artists, sculptors and photographers with an interest in being showcased at the Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival are asked to submit their work.
Saint Lucia Arts Village
A call has been issued to Saint Lucian artists, sculptors and photographers with an interest in being showcased at the Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival’s first ever Arts Village, to submit their work.
Pieces will be assessed based on specifications which can be downloaded from the Facebook pages of the Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival and the Arts Village.
The deadline for submission of pieces is April 22, and submissions should be delivered to the premises of one of the co-production entities, event company Options Ltd., at La Clery, Castries.
Entries should be accompanied by the artist’s bio, the title of the work, its size, year produced and medium. Each submission should also be accompanied by five digital images in jpeg format at no less than 300 dpi (dots per inch) sized approximately 4’’ x 6’’. These can be delivered on hard drive or sent via email.
The Arts Village reserves the right of selection or non-selection. Those submitting work on canvas are asked not to frame their pieces; however, artists will be present for the hanging of their work and therefore will be made aware of the selected mode of display.
No registration fee is required for participation in the Arts Village, and all works will be presented for sale, unless otherwise requested by the artists. Artists are therefore encouraged to submit only work which is available for sale.
St. Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival
The Arts Village is one of the exciting product innovations of the 25th edition of the Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival 2016, and has been gathering much attention as the site preparation and work plan to construct a uniquely Saint Lucian creative space at Massav Park, Choc, unfolds.
Interested artists can get additional information on the Arts Village and the requirements for participation by visiting https://www.facebook.com/saintluciaartsvillage.
The Arts Village complements the wider arts component which was introduced in 2013 when the Saint Lucia Jazz Festival rebranded to become the Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival. The Arts Village will run from May 2 – 4.

Immigration matters remain a priority for National Security Ministry

Trinidad & Tobago Press Releases
svppTRINIDAD:  April 15, 2016: The Ministry of National Security informs that the processing of applications for work permits, applications for work permit extensions and applications for permanent residence continues to actively engage the attention of Senator the Honourable Dennis Moses, Minister in the Ministry of National Security.
 

The current economic situation in Trinidad and Tobago calls for persons charged with safeguarding and securing work for nationals to be even more mindful of the national interest. Extension of work permits therefore are somewhat circumscribed as attempts are made to ensure that the essential skills required in the country are secured.

 

Work permits are processed in accordance with the Laws of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. All applications are tabled before a Cabinet-Appointed Committee which meets bi-weekly and the process is completed within three (3) weeks to one (1) month’s time, providing all relevant information is provided by the applicant.

 

Applicants are informed and reminded that requests for an extension of a work permit should be filed at least six (6) weeks before an existing work permit comes to an end as published in the media on several occasions in the past three years. It has been observed by the Ministry that requests for extension are often filed as late as two weeks before expiration and at times even after the current work permit period would have expired. This practice has perhaps created a false perception that applicants are “in limbo” for lengthy periods of time awaiting processing.

 

Minister Moses continues to promptly sign off on applications processed by the Committee for work permits and work permit extensions in the context that the requisite requirements would have been satisfactorily met.

 

Persons can visit the Immigration Division, Ministry of National Security website link http://www.immigration.gov.tt/ContactUs.aspx to obtain the contact information for immigration offices for further information with regard to applications for work permits, work permits extensions and permanent residence.

Government considers deepening relationship with CPL by signing MOU

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Sport, Honourable Shawn Richards
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Sport, Honourable Shawn Richards

St. Kitts and Nevis Press Releases

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Sport, Honourable Shawn Richards
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Sport, Honourable Shawn Richards

ST. KITTS:  Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 14, 2016 (SKNIS): Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Sport, Honourable Shawn Richards, has revealed that the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis is reviewing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) that would further strengthen the partnership that began in 2014 with the hosting of T20 matches in the Federation.
“That MOU seeks to form a partnership between CPL and the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis whereby quite a number of work would be undertaken at the cricket stadium, basically upgrading the cricket stadium,” Minister Richards said.  “We are hoping that for the upcoming CPL Games at the end of June, patrons would be able to see some of this work already in progress and completed.  So at this particular point in time, I would want to say on behalf of the Government, a very special thank you to the SKN (St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots).”
The SKN Patriots was further commended for helping St. Kitts and Nevis achieve its sports developments objectives including the refurbishment of sporting amenities.  The Minister of Sport made sure to outline that plans were also in place to upgrade areas in Nevis, including the construction of a cricket academy.
“Since the St. Kitts-Nevis Patriots became a part of the CPL Games, the Ministry of Sport has benefitted tremendously,” he said.  “Thus far, we have had contributions to various schools, and organisations, here in St. Kitts and Nevis from the St. Kitts-Nevis Patriots.”
Minister Richards outlined that CPL had provided the St. Kitts-Nevis Carnival with sponsorship as it also did for several community festivals.  He added that the Sports Department had received footballs and cricket gear, while the police force had benefitted from equipment.  The Minister did not miss the opportunity to note that one of the great benefits of hosting CPL is the marketing of the Federation.  He outlined that whereas previously hotel occupancy would have been low, CPL offers the opportunity for increased visitors to the Federation, at that time of the year.
Like last year, CPL matches at the Warner Park Cricket Stadium in St. Kitts took place the week following the St. Kitts Music Festival.  This year, the 20th Anniversary of the St. Kitts Music Festival takes place June 23 to 25, while the CPL T20 matches are scheduled for June 30 and July 2, 3 and 5.  Last year’s marketing slogan was “Come for Music and Stay for Cricket.”
– See more at: http://sknis.info/government-considers-deepening-relationship-with-cpl-by-signing-mou/#sthash.od1ku6tr.dpuf

PM calls on local musicians to be professionals

Dominica Press Releases
rsz_colourful-music-wallpapers
DOMINICA:  Government has made a firm commitment to advance the music industry in Dominica. In the 2015/2016 National Budget the Hon. Minister for Finance, Dr. Roosevelt Skerrit announced a $500K allocation to enhance the industry.
This commitment bore its first fruits last week when the Dominica Leader announced Government’s financial assistance to the Association of Music Professionals to hold training sessions for aspiring songwriters and sound engineers.
The need for training, among other things, was identified when the Hon. Prime Minister met with a group of local music professionals last year.
The Hon. Prime Minister believes music gives Dominica a better opportunity to effectively compete with other markets.
“When CARICOM negotiated with the European Union for the Economic Partnership Agreement, we spent several months fighting the European Union to include in the EPA the area of services. CARICOM recognized that it would be difficult to compete on matters of commodities. Music forms part of the services industry. This is why the Government created a specific unit within the Ministry of Trade dealing exclusively with the implementation of EPA.”
The Hon. Prime Minister says however that in order to compete effectively, local musicians must always exhibit professionalism in the art form.
“For us to be able to compete and gain attraction of the international promoters we have to be professional,” he said. “This is because you will never know where the scouts are. We have to ensure that every opportunity we get to perform we have to exhibit professionalism.”
Management and certification of local artistes were also cited as issues that need to be ironed out in the industry.
The Association of Music Professionals will be responsible for identifying the training required and source the facilitators for these training sessions.
Government has made a firm commitment to contribute to the financial aspect of their undertakings.
The Hon. Prime Minister says his Government’s aim is to bring greater focus to the industry and to allow music professionals to take full advantage of available opportunities.

First UDC Gardening Workshop April 30

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Barbados Press Releases
BARBADOS:  Persons participating in the Urban Development Commission’s (UDC) 2016 Garden Beautification Competition will get an opportunity to receive valuable tips which should help them show off their creativity.
The UDC will be hosting several workshops throughout the year. The first will be held on Saturday, April 30, at The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Demonstration Room, Department of Biological & Chemical Sciences, starting at 10:00 a.m.
Horticulturist, Jeff Chandler, will make a presentation on: The Art of Good Gardening: Understanding The Basics. Mr. Chandler was the co-producer of the gardening programme Green Fingers – the art of Good Gardening. Those interested in attending the workshop should call Sia Edwards at the UDC at 417-1420, by Wednesday, April 27.
sharon.austingill-moore@barbados.gov.bb

Gov’t to Focus on Safeguarding Citizens’ Rights

Jamaica Press Releases
human-rightsJAMAICA:  The Government will, this year, focus on piloting legislation and policies aimed at safeguarding the rights and welfare of citizens, in keeping with Jamaica’s commitment to international human rights agreements.
These include: the National Anti-Sexual Harassment Policy; enactment of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Legislation; and completing the parliamentary review of the Sexual Offences Act.
This was announced by Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, in his Throne Speech delivered during Thursday’s (April 14) Ceremonial Opening of Parliament, for the 2016/17 legislative year, at Gordon House.
The Governor-General said work to complete the development of a comprehensive plan to eliminate gender-based violence will also be undertaken. This, he indicated, will be advanced through a National Strategic Action Plan.
In underscoring the importance of this engagement, the Governor-General said it aims to create a safe and non-threatening environment that is free from all forms of gender-based violence.
The Governor-General said the Government is also cognisant of the pivotal role of boys and men males in maintaining a healthy society.
“It is to this end that there will be the establishment of a Service and Programme Desk within the Bureau of Gender Affairs to focus specifically on issues relating to men, especially young males,” he indicated.

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