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Norway’s PM and UN Secretary-General as Guest

Norway's PM and UN Secretary-General

CARICOM to welcome special guests, Prime Minister of Norway and UN Secretary-General

The Fortieth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) will be held in Saint Lucia from July 3rd to July 7th 2019, with 15 Regional Leaders, as well as various Ministers of Government and delegations from the region expected to attend. 

Saint Lucia has been in preparations for the meeting being held under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister the Honourable Allen M. Chastanet, who will serve as Chairman of CARICOM for the period 1st July to 31 December 2019.

Along with Government Heads of the region, Saint Lucia will also host Special Guests of CARICOM, Prime Minister of Norway the Honourable Erna Solberg and Secretary-General of the United Nations His Excellency António Guterres. 

Prime Minister of Norway - Hon. Erna Solberg
Prime Minister of Norway – Hon. Erna Solberg

Prime Minister Solberg, a strong advocate for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), is expected to discuss matters of mutual interest to Norway and the Caribbean among them Climate Change and the blue economy which refers to the “sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystem.” It is anticipated that the Norwegian Prime Minister will also have bilateral meetings with the Heads. 

UN Secretary-General - António Guterres
UN Secretary-General – António Guterres

As part of the agenda, the UN Secretary-General will pay a courtesy call on Chairman of CARICOM and Prime Minister of Saint Lucia Honourable Allen M. Chastanet. The Secretary-General will also address the Opening Ceremony of the CARICOM Meeting on Wednesday at 4:30pm. As a pre-cursor to the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in September, the Heads will also get an opportunity to discuss with the UN Secretary-General some of the plans for those meetings and issues that affect the Caribbean such as financing for resilience building. 

High on the agenda for CARICOM Heads is the implementation of measures to enhance the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), matters related to regional security, international financial requirements and increased advocacy efforts against the European Union’s publication of uncooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes.

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has 15 Member States – Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Guyana, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago, and five Associate Members – Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Belize International Jazz Festival

Belize International Jazz Festival

The Belize International Jazz Festival celebrated its 5th year of bringing the world of Jazz to Belize! The 2019 inauguration took place at the Mexican Institute in Belize City on June 5th with performances by well-known artists Dawn Drake, Omolewa Osain, Sincopa Jazz and Morena Son.

All events were geared at visiting tourists, encouraging citizens and a multitude of performers from Belize, Mexico, Cuba, and the United States. The BTL Park served as the location of the Closing Concert on Sunday, June 9th. If you missed the Festival.

Our Boys debuts August 12

The limited series ‘Our Boys’ debuts Aug. 12 on HBO LA

The ten-part limited drama series OUR BOYS debuts with two episodes back-to-back MONDAY, AUG. 12 at 21hrs AST*, followed by single episodes debuting subsequent Mondays, exclusively on HBO. The show will also be available on HBO GO.

In the summer of 2014, three Jewish teenagers are kidnapped and murdered by Hamas militants. Israel is shocked, shaken and furious. Two days later, the burned body of a Palestinian teenager from eastern Jerusalem is found in a forest on the western outskirts of the city. In the ensuing days, an agent from the internal terror division of the Shin Bet investigates the murder, while the parents of the slain teenager begin their long and anguished journey toward justice and consolation.

Filmed in Israel, OUR BOYS is based on the true events which led to the outbreak of war in Gaza. The series follows the investigation of Muhammad Abu Khdeir’s murder, and tells the story of all those involved, Jews and Arabs alike, whose lives were forever changed by these events.

OUR BOYS is a co-production of KI’s Keshet Studios and HBO; produced by Movie Plus; created by Hagai Levi, Joseph Cedar and Tawfik Abu-Wael; executive produced by Hagai Levi, Joseph Cedar, Avi Nir (Keshet Media Group), Alon Shtruzman (Keshet International), Karni Ziv (Keshet Broadcasting), Peter Traugott and Rachel Kaplan (Keshet Studios), Noah Stollman and Michael Lombardo; distributed internationally by KI.

CAACM Conference – Antigua 2019

CAACM Board of Directors

Corporate Governance in focus at CAACM Conference Antigua 2019

Audit committee directors and audit practitioners from across the Caribbean region gathered at the Royalton Antigua for the Caribbean Association of Audit Committee Members Inc. (CAACM) 13th Annual Conference and AGM. The two-day event (June 27-28, 2019) was attended by over 80 participants under the theme ‘Riding the Wave of Disruption – Practical Aids for the Impending Challenges.’ Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Corporate Governance, the Honorable Gaston Browne, delivered the feature address on Day 1. In his remarks, the prime minister applauded the organisation for its commitment to enhancing the Caribbean’s investment climate through the development of persons responsible for ensuring sound corporate governance practices. He also challenged delegates to lead the charge in their respective organisations to ensure sound business practices and efficient service delivery.

The conference presented a highly specialised program that included topics such as cloud computing, developing IT audit strategies, leveraging blockchain technologies, the General Data Privacy Regulation (GDPR), automation, and data analytics. In her opening remarks; Chairperson of the CAACM, Mrs. Melissa Simon noted that the conference was being held at a critical juncture for Caribbean entities who are being challenged to become proactively engaged on matters of corporate governance. “We recognise the imperative for the implementation of best practices and the implications for not meeting these standards. The globalised environment has also triggered the urgency for effective oversight, promotion of organisational hygiene and the enhancement of our global competitiveness. These factors underpin the significance and relevance of CAACM.”

Other presenters at the conference included Mr. Jeremy Stephen of the AMLFC Institute; Ms. Michelle Martin from Compliance Aid; Mr. Roland Kissoon, representing Checkpoint Software; Ms. Keiyia George, COO of RKG Consulting; Mr. Brendan Rooney and Mr. Matthew Dybas, of CyberBloc; Mr. Indar Ramcharan, from Ernst and Young; PKF’s Mr. Jamie Drummond; Ms. Lisa Maria Alexander of JMMB Trinidad and Tobago; and Messrs. Brett Ramirez and Chad Ramirez, from Diagon Consulting Inc. Common themes threading through the various presentations included the importance of compliance, agility and the need to remain viable through creativity and innovation.

Ms. Karlyn Percil speaking at CAACM Conference Antigua 2019
Ms. Karlyn Percil speaking at CAACM Conference Antigua 2019

The conference ended on a high note with a thought-provoking presentation by motivational speaker – Ms. Karlyn Percil-Mercieca. A former banker and now CEO & founder of the SisterTalk Leadership Academy & Group; Ms. Mercieca spoke to participants about cultivating positive thought processes in the workplace and training the brain for success.

The CAACM board of directors was re-elected and Mrs. Simon expressed her thanks on behalf of the board to sponsors, presenters, and delegates for making the 2019 conference a success.

CARICOM 10-K dominated by SVG

CARICOM 10-K

St. Vincent and the Grenadines swept the Male and Female categories in the 14th CARICOM 10-K road race in Saint Lucia, Sunday, with female runner Linda McDowald recording a hattrick of victories in the event.

Mc Dowald crossed the finish line in 40.40 to add to earlier victories in the 12th and 13th editions, held in Guyana and Jamaica respectively. She also placed second in the 11th edition in Barbados, behind Guyanese Andrea Foster.

The second and third placed runners were also a repeat of last year, with Grenada’s Kenisha Pascal crossing in 41.32 and Carlie Pipe of Barbados in 41.39.

In the male category, the Vincentian Junior Ashton moved up from third place in last year’s race to win in 34.22, ahead of Kalique St. Jean of Antigua and Barbuda in 35.05 and Justin Hodge on Anguilla in 35.09.

Dominica, Jamaica, Suriname, Anguilla and host Saint Lucia also competed.

In a supporting 5-K race for students, Tarrick Xavier of the Vieux Fort Comprehensive and Micol Popote of the Gros Islet Secondary took the top male positions, and Zadie St. Louis of Vieux Fort Comprehensive and Laurat-Lynn Limery of the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College the female.

The event was witnessed by CARICOM Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, who was joined for the presentation of prizes by his Assistant Secretary-General, Human and Social Development, Dr Douglas Slater, Saint Lucia’s Ambassador to CARICOM Elma-Gene Isaac, Sports Director Patrick Mathurin, and Saint Lucia’s CARICOM Youth Ambassadors (CYAs).

The CARICOM 10-K is held annually around the July Meetings of CARICOM Heads of Government, aimed at fostering people to people relations while also promoting healthy living.  Saint Lucia will host this year’s Heads of Government Meeting on the 4 – 5 July at the Sandals Grande Resort, with an Opening Ceremony scheduled for Wednesday 3 July at the Royalton Saint Lucia Resort.

The Righteous Gemstones 9-episode season

The Righteous Gemstones

The Righteous Gemstones starring Danny McBride, John Goodman, Edi Patterson and Adam Devine, kicks off its nine-episode season with an hour-long episode SUNDAY, AUG. 18 (22hrs AST*), followed by half-hour episodes on subsequent Sundays, exclusively on HBO. The comedy series tells the story of a world-famous televangelist family with a long tradition of deviance, greed and charitable work.

Executive producers, Danny McBride, David Gordon Green, Jody Hill, John Carcieri, Jeff Fradley and Brandon James.

*Atlantic standard time

Press Briefing on Upcoming Heads of Government

Sustainable Agriculture

Representatives of the Media are reminded that the CARICOM Secretary-General will host a Press Briefing at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday 2 July 2019, ahead of the 40th Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government, scheduled for Saint Lucia 3-5 July.

Media Representatives in Saint Lucia are invited to attend the Press Briefing at the Studios of the Government Information Services, GIS.

Media Representatives outside of Saint Lucia are invited to follow the Briefing on the CARICOM Face Book page –  https://www.facebook.com/caricom.org.  and submit your questions in the comments section.

What:   Press Briefing on the 40th Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government

Who:    CARICOM Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque

Where: Government Information Service Studios, Castries, Saint Lucia

When: 11:00 a.m. Tuesday 2nd July 2019

CATA conference theme: The Future of Tax

CATA

The Commonwealth Association of Tax Administrators (CATA) is currently holding a conference under the theme “The Future of Tax” which explores, among other issues, “what the tax policy environment will look like in 2025 and beyond.”

Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Economic Growth, Job Creation, External Affairs and the Public Service, Honourable Allen Michael Chastanet, is currently attending the two-day conference in London, along with Saint Lucia’s High Commissioner to the UK, H.E. Guy Mayers.

The conference began with opening remarks from The Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland, Secretary General of the Commonwealth and featured speakers in the areas of tax competition, the move towards a cashless society and the implications for tax as well as the issue of cooperation between tax, customs, and Financial Intelligence Units in counteracting illicit financial flows.

The CATA conference is being held in conjunction with EY and The University of Vienna. CATA, established in 1978 by a decision of the Commonwealth Finance Ministers, helps member countries through conferences, training programmes, publications and knowledge sharing to develop effective tax administrations that promote sustainable development and good governance. Forty-six Commonwealth countries are currently active members of CATA.

Commonwealth Association of Tax Administrators

While in London, the Prime Minister is also expected to hold several meetings with investors and Saint Lucians living in the UK.

In the Prime Minister’s absence Honourable Lenard Montoute, Minister for Equity, Social Justice, Local Government and Empowerment, serves as Acting Prime Minister.

Caribbean Grains commitment to Saint Lucia

Caribbean Grains

On Thursday 13th June 2019, the Minister for Commerce, Industry, Enterprise Development and Consumer Affairs, Hon. Bradley Felix visited the Caribbean Grains flour mill in Vieux Fort at the seaport. He was accompanied by the Deputy PS Mr. Emmanuel Gerald, the Director of Commerce Mr. Guillaume Simon, Mr. Jonathan Allain representing the Small Business Development Unit and Ms. Wendy Frederick, Chief Import Officer. The team took this opportunity to review the overall operations.

The site visit was undertaken during a busy milling day with all the machinery operational. The contingent observed the grains journey from the nearby seaport, to the large silos, onto the dampening chambers, roller-mills, and all the way to packaging. The team took the opportunity to view the testing lab where batches of flour are examined and tested on a daily basis to achieve the highest quality standards. The overall operations at the mill highlights the magnitude of such an investment in the Eastern Caribbean and places Saint Lucia on the map as an industrial country.

Minister Felix applauded the progress the milling company has made and had a chance to sit down for a roundtable discussion with key stakeholders in the baking industry, including members of the Bakers Steering Committee, to discuss development.

Caribbean Grains

Member of the Bakers’ Steering Committee, Mr. Cyril Saltibus who was part of the group of local bakers who made the trip to Puratos in Miami for advanced training, and diligently attends training sessions in the Caribbean Grains Bakers’ Academy in Vieux Fort, called the experience so far as ‘magical’. He added, “We need this type of engagement so we can further enhance the industry and produce the high quality baked goods which are currently imported, and for these opportunities to grow the industry, we thank Caribbean Grains”.

According to General Manager of Caribbean Grains, Mr. Arnaud de Moussac, “We must commend the work of the floor members of our company who work tirelessly to meet the growing demand and rectify any teething issues we initially faced. We are motivated by our staff and the relationship we have with the various stakeholders in the industry, seeking to grow in a positive and sustainable way.”

As stated by the Minister of Commerce, “Caribbean Grains is a cherished addition to our manufacturing sector and must be applauded for not only producing flour but creating the additional value by dealing with the end users through the various training initiatives and for its significant investment in Saint Lucia.”

As Caribbean Grains continues to reaffirm and redefine its commitment to Saint Lucia and the industry it operates in, it continues to bolster aid for the relevant parties responsible for its development and sustainability. The company is aware of the deep desire of the workers to further develop their skills and get to the next level while satisfying the demand of the market for a quality product that is readily available. The company continues to pledge its support for the industry while engaging the relevant parties in a bid to resolve any issues which may develop along the way.Caribbean Grains is currently seeking new bakers around the island to join the Bakers’ Training Academy. Email marketing@caribbeangrains.com to discuss with an agent.

Sargassum Task Force Progress Update

Sargassum

Over the last ten months, the Sargassum Task Force (STF), a public-private committee, has worked diligently to strategize possible mitigation and adaptation measures to address the impact of Sargassum on the top four impacted tourist destinations, namely, San Pedro, Caye Caulker, Hopkins and Placencia.
In late 2018, Cabinet approved a set of relief support mechanisms, including a hotel tax relief for 4 months for accommodation situated on the beach front, duty exemption facility for machinery and equipment imported to support clean-up efforts and containment of the Sargassum, as well as a BZ$1.5 million to support municipalities for beach clean-up. Based on the latter, the Task Force led the development of destination-level Sargassum management plans that focus on a four-prong strategy of collection, containment, disposal and awareness.
To date, and since the reinstallation of the Sargassum Task Force, over 299 properties have benefitted from the Hotel Tax Relief, with an additional 10 properties taking advantage of the Duty Exemption program for Sargassum Management Equipment. Additionally, the four hotspot areas have been integrated within a municipal relief mechanism being administered by the Belize Tourism Board. This relief support has seen the establishment of disposal sites within each area, and the designation of a municipal beach clean-up budget within each area, amounting to approximately BZ$500,000, collectively. The STF is also in the planning stage of a Boom Installation Pilot Test in San Pedro Town, to assess the effectiveness of these systems to protect beaches from Sargassum Influx. The technical team, led by the Department of Environment, Fisheries Department, and the Belize Port Authority, has been on the ground to assess critical environmental and logistical parameters.
A campaign will be shortly launched on social media to create awareness for stakeholders and tourists to be aware of what is being done and educate on best practices of how to collect, contain and dispose of the Sargassum.
Lastly, the Task Force has worked with support from the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MTCA), National Meteorological Service, the National Emergency Management Organization, and the Department of Civil Aviation in developing a Sargassum drift projection system, with intentions to evolve this system into a full Forecasting System in 2019. These reports are issued every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday along with local weather forecasts.  The team continues to improve on the accuracy of Sargassum detection and drift forecasting with support from international satellite-based tools, and with a ground truthing mechanism being developed with Maya Island Air. Belize is poised to be one of the first countries in the region with a local forecasting system for Sargassum. Learn more about the achievements of the STF

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