CariSECURE Crime Victimization Survey Launch Media Engagement Session scheduled to take place on 9th April at the Bay Gardens Resort, Dolphin Center. The media session convenes from 9:40 am – 9:50 am.
Inland Revenue Department is temporarily relocating its Offices
The Inland Revenue Department is temporarily relocating its Offices currently situated on the First and Third Floor of the Heraldine Rock Building, Waterfront to the 2nd and 3rd Floor, Blue Coral, Jeremie Street, Castries.
The move will allow for the undertaking of essential renovations and redesign of the office layout. Our goal is to ensure the health and safety of our team members, whilst improving our overall service delivery to our customers.
Our Offices at the Heraldine Rock Building will be closed from MONDAY APRIL 8 – THURSDAY APRIL 18, 2019. During this time, ALL QUERIES, CORRESPONDENCE inclusive of Income Tax Returns should be directed to our Large and Medium Section located on the Third Floor, ECFH Building, Bridge Street, Castries. Telephone number 468-2800/468-4730/468-4766 or email: customerservice@ird.gov.lc
ALL Payments with accompanying REMITTANCES should be made at the Ground Floor, Dayana Center, Accountant General’s Department (Treasury), Jeremie Street from Monday 8-12 April, 2019. Or via our EPlatform for registered E-Users. Subsequently, our Cash Unit will be moved to the 3rd Floor of the Dayana Center.
We apologise for the inconvenience this relocation may cause, however we will continue to provide you with excellent service during this period.
Unveiling of Student-Made Beach Bins
The National Conservation Authority and the Saint Lucia National Trust, I would like to invite you to the unveiling of our student-painted trash bins that will be placed on beaches in the north of the island. This is the culmination of the “Protecting Paradise: A Beach Education & Action Campaign” that has been going on for the past few months.
The unveiling will take place on Monday, April 8th from 10:00 am to 10:30 am at Vigie Beach near the restaurants across from the airport
Caribbean Creative Practitioners workshop
Caribbean Creative Practitioners being prepped to access export opportunities to the European Union
The event which occurred from March 27th – 28th, 2019 empowered Caribbean Creative Practitioners with the much-needed information to build their export capacity.
Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) in cooperation with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ) and T&T Coalition of services Industries hosted a Cultural and Creative Industries Workshop in Trinidad and Tobago.
Allyson Francis, Services Specialist of the Caribbean Export noted that not only are the cultural and creative industries a priority sector for regional governments but also for Caribbean Export which will focus on the fashion, music, animation and film sectors during 2019. She further stated that ‘…helping cultural practitioners to gain a better understanding of the opportunities under the EPA and … to facilitate an increasing number of services trading with Europe through the Agreement.’ was extremely important.
The cultural and creative industry globally generates more than US 2.2 billion in revenues and employs more than 29 million people. During the economic downturn which started in 2008, global exports of creative goods and services grew annually by 14%, while international trade decreased by 12%. The growth in this sector presents a tremendous opportunity for Caribbean professionals who are now more equipped, due to the two-day Workshop, to take advantage of this development engine.
The workshop discussed opportunities under the EPA and presented an in-depth approach to critical topics such as quality and standards, pricing strategy, intellectual property rights, marketing and branding and creating unique value propositions.
Seventy (70) creative professionals, in the music, fashion and animation sectors, from the region, welcomed the critical technical and practical information provided, fully aware that it would be essential in assisting them in bridging the gap to take full advantage of their export potential, particularly in the European market.
To ensure the success and longevity of this initiative Caribbean Export will engage the respective Coalition of Services Industries to follow-up and provide support to the participants.
Climate Resilience in Sandy Bay
CDB approves financing to improve climate resilience in Sandy Bay, St. Vincent and the Grenadines
The Board of Directors of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has approved financing of USD13.4 million to the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to enhance resilience of the Sandy Bay and other North Windward communities to coastal hazards and the potential impacts of climate change.
The Sandy Bay Sea Defences Resilience Project aims to reduce the rate of coastal erosion, through the construction of sea defences in sections along the Sandy Bay coastline.
Daniel Best, Director of Projects, CDB notes, “This Project will reduce the vulnerability of the Sandy Bay and other North Windward communities to aggressive coastal erosion caused by wave action and storm surges associated with the passing of tropical storms and hurricanes.
The erosion of the Sandy Bay coastline threatens the Windward Highway and the social and economic activities of the surrounding community. The Windward Highway provides the community’s only access to key economic activities, including the geothermal site currently under development and to popular attractions in the north-eastern section of the coast.”
Key project components include:
- preparation of a feasibility study inclusive of an environmental and social monitoring plan;
- construction of sea defences along approximately 730 metres of shoreline, including stone revetment, retaining walls and river training, as well as auxiliary works such as green space and pavement construction;
- engineering and construction-related services; and
- project management, monitoring and evaluation.
The investment is consistent with the Bank’s Disaster Management Strategy and Operational Guidelines, and Climate Resilience Strategy. This initiative also supports the vision of the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to improve the quality of life for all of its citizen, as outlined in the National Economic and Social Development Plan (2013-2025). Goal 4 of the Plan stresses improving physical infrastructure, preserving the environment and building resilience to climate change.
Health And Safety = Equation For Wealth
St. Lucia Electricity Services Limited (LUCELEC) has one hundred and seventy-three (173) male team members. They are the overwhelming majority at the electric utility. It was to them Fr Ignatius Cetoute spoke, urging care of their emotional health. The Catholic priest was the featured speaker at the launch of the annual LUCELEC Health and Safety Month in March.
“Some of us men sometimes believe we can handle things and it is only the ladies who cry because they are soft and we must be macho and tough. Let me talk to you as a man. I have come to realize that crying and being vulnerable is OK. It does not make you less of a man. So I say to you, take care of your emotional health. Take care of your spiritual health. Take care of your social health. I’m sure you celebrate birthdays in the company. You’ll have Christmas parties or whatever. Engage in that, have some fun, have some laughter.”
This is the 23rd year LUCELEC will train staff in best health and safety practices. What began as a weeklong commitment is now one month long. The focus has also broadened from sessions on health and safety to emotional, mental and even spiritual wellness. The full gamut is summed up as, “Health, Safety, Environment and Fire Awareness” month.
LUCELEC broadened its scope as CARILEC, the regional utility organization the company is a founding member of – synonymously urged renewed safety commitment among its members. It is just one reason LUCELEC Managing Director Trevor Louisy challenged team members to constantly keep safety at the forefront of all work.
“I can clearly remember that when I addressed staff at our first quarterly meeting in April of last year 2018 we had already recorded 2 such incidents, and I encouraged you to take your safety and those around you more seriously because at that rate we were likely to drop our guard further and have a more serious incident occurring. I am happy that we took these concerns seriously as at the end of the second, third and fourth quarters the number remained at 2. That is there were no further incidents reported.”
Sessions for Health and Safety Month continue at all company locations throughout the month of March. The theme for this year’s observance is “Health + Safety + Wellness = Wealth. Is your Equation Balanced?”
Be the candidate recruiters want to hire!
Your resume functions as your initial introduction to your recruiter; your interview skills also play a fundamental role in landing your ideal job. Why not be the candidate recruiters want to hire!
This practical workshop will provide you with the information, guidelines, and techniques to get your resumes at the top of the pile and ace your next interview.
Who Should Attend?
Anyone who wishes to improve their opportunities for success and professional growth.
By the end of this workshop participants should understand:
The essential components of an effective cover letter and resume
· What employers are looking for when recruiting
· Dos and don’ts at interviews
· How to prepare for a successful interview
Contact us via email on: Info@HRWiseInc.com
Land Registry offices closed
The Department of Physical Planning wishes to inform the public that the Land Registry, which is located on the ground floor, Greaham Louisy Administrative Building, Waterfront, Castries will be closed for business from Wednesday, March 27 to Friday, March 29, 2019. Business will resume on Monday, April 01, 2019 at 8:00 a.m.
The Department apologies for any inconvenience caused.
Tropical Weather Outlook
There are no tropical cyclones in the Atlantic at this time.
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1st through November 30th.
Climate Change Projects support from CDB
Germany, CDB to build capacity for climate change projects in the Eastern Caribbean
The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) is supporting Member States of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) in their efforts to build capacity to develop robust climate change projects for financing.
Today, the Bank’s Board of Directors approved a grant from the German international development agency, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), in the amount of EUR249,860 for the initiative. CDB and the OECS Commission contributed EUR24,986 and EUR12,493, respectively to the venture.
“The grant from GIZ will help our Borrowing Member Countries in the OECS tackle the effects of climate change and make the transition to resilient, low-carbon economies,” said Monica La Bennett, CDB Vice-President of Operations.
Following the Paris Agreement, the historic international climate change deal made at the 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2015, the OECS countries outlined their intended climate actions after 2020 to meet their obligations under the Paris Agreement.
The grant aims to assist Eastern Caribbean countries in developing bankable, financially viable projects to tackle climate change.
The venture will help Eastern Caribbean countries advance project ideas to the concept note stage so that they can be considered for funding by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Adaption Fund (AF) or CDB. It is planned that project concepts will be developed for four pilot countries – Dominica, Saint Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Thirty technical staff throughout the sub-Region will also be trained to use SOURCE, an online tool for project preparation and management. In addition, the OECS Commission will hold a workshop on priority investment projects.
“Eastern Caribbean countries are in great need of technical assistance and concessionary financing from CDB, GCF, AF and other emerging finance streams to deal with the effects of climate change. This initiative will concretely support countries in the sub-Region so they can better meet their needs,” said La Bennett.
The activities of the venture will be completed by November 2019.
