Equity Officials Present Plans & Programs for 2023/24

St. Lucia

January 16, 2023

Equity Officials Present Plans & Programs for 2023/24 Fiscal Year with Heavy Focus on Children

For the second time, the Ministry of Equity, Social Justice and Empowerment, under the ministerial leadership of Hon. Joachim Henry, has presented its full slate of plans and programs for the upcoming fiscal year (2023/24).

The annual presentation, which forms part of the budgetary process, was well received by the finance team headed by the Minister for Finance and Prime Minister Hon. Phillip J. Pierre.

Ministry of Equity officials not only presented their vision for the 2023/24 fiscal year that includes many new and exciting social protection initiatives, but seized the opportunity to update the team on achievements of the past financial year 2022/23.

According to Permanent Secretary Velda Joseph, “We recognized that we have done tremendous work in terms of the enabling environment for social protection, in that we have done a lot as it relates to the development of policies and plans as we work on the social protection legislation and so we think we have really enhanced the policy and legislative framework for social protection here on Saint Lucia.”

For the ensuing 2023/24 financial year, the Ministry of Equity intends to place emphasis on strengthening its many social interventions scattered across the length and breadth of the island, that significantly touch the lives of thousands of citizens. Existing programs will be beefed up whilst new ones have been designed to address prevailing social issues like crime and violence, youth at risk, as well as unemployment.

Focus will also be placed on community resilience through empowerment of residents, with a special focus on children. Already, the Ministry has begun planning for a major observance of this year’s World Children’s Day on November 20.

“The idea of focusing on children is to do so as part of the Ministry’s comprehensive Anti-Crime campaign, but also the focus is aimed at critically helping to equip our children, this generation, with greater leadership skills as we help them to take lead roles in their schools and community as we seek to usher in a new set of leaders,” notes Minister Henry.

Some of the new social interventions include the establishment of a Juvenile Rehabilitation Centre, a Prisoner Re-integration Project and an initiative focusing on Safety Nets for Vulnerable Populations affected by the Coronavirus.

Mas Dominik “The Real Mas” Kicks off in Dominica

Dominica

January 12, 2023

Opening of Mas Dominik 2023

Carnival Celebrations are back in Dominica, with the Official Opening of Mas Dominik 2023 which takes place on Saturday, January 14, 2023, from 6 pm at the Stadium Forecourt preceded by the National Street Parade at 3 pm, under the theme, “Mas an Lawi”. After a two-year absence carnival in Dominica is back with color, excitement, music, cheerleaders, masquerades, costume bands, T-shirt bands, and troupes. A mix of traditional and contemporary flavors and highlights from Lapo Kabwit bands, Sensay, Black Devils, and Stilt Walkers, a taste of the cultural heritage. The display will also include the Calypso king and Carnival queen and the contestants of Miss Dominica and other pageants. The 2023 Carnival Calendar boasts two months of activities for every age group including jump-ups, fetes, parades, pageants, and calypso. Among the highlighted events are the Miss Dominica Carnival Queen Pageant scheduled for February 16th, 2023, SunRise on February 17th, 2023, and the grand Calypso Finals on February 18th, 2023. Calypso patrons can also look out for weekly calypso tents on Wednesdays and Fridays with the Stardom Tent being held at Petit Miami and Mas Camp at Jerk Hut both located at Castle Comfort. Miss Tarnia Latoya Eugene contestant number #4 of the Miss Dominica Pageant was officially sashed by her sponsor Republic Bank Ltd. Other notable sponsors who have come on board thus far are the National Bank of Dominica, sponsor for contestant #5 Sandrin Elizee, and Convenience Plus/De Construction Solutions Ltd, sponsor for contestant #1 Meeya Francis. Belfast Umbrella of Companies has also confirmed its sponsorship for the Carnival season with BB rum being the official rum for Carnival 2023. Mas Domnik, dubbed The Real Mas, is considered to be one of the most eventful seasons in Dominica portraying authentic masquerade in the Caribbean, and will run right through Carnival Monday on February 20th culminating on Tuesday, February 21st, 2023. A unique opportunity is open to all, and we welcome visitors to join in and experience the Caribbean’s Real Mas experience. Airline and ferry tickets are still available and people are encouraged to book early. Mas Domnik 2023 is presented by the Government of Dominica through the Ministry of Tourism and Discover Dominica Authority (DDA). Discover Dominica Authority encourages everyone to use the hashtags #TheRealMas, #MasAnLawi,#DiscoverDominica, #DominicaFestivalCommittee , #DominicaCarnival, and #MasDomnik in social media posts. For more information on Dominica, visit Dominica’s official website at www.discoverdominica.com, explore the destination’s YouTube Page and follow Dominica on Instagram and Facebook.

Gasoline, Diesel and LPG 100 lb Cylinder Price Change

Caribbean

January 9, 2023

Gasoline, Diesel and LPG 100 lb cylinder

The Public is hereby notified that in keeping with changes in international oil prices and Government’s application of the modified market pass-through petroleum pricing mechanism, the retail price of Gasoline, Diesel and LPG 100 lb cylinder has changed. The retail price of Kerosene, LPG 20 and 22 lb cylinder remains unchanged. The price change takes effect from Monday, January 9, 2023.

Gasoline decreased from $3.89 to $3.74 per litre or $17.70 to $17.00 per gallon
Kerosene remains unchanged at $3.14 per litre or $14.26 per gallon
Diesel decreased from $3.89 to $3.74 per litre or $17.70 to $17.00 per gallon
20 Pound Cylinder (9.07 kg) remains unchanged at $43.27 per cylinder
22 Pound Cylinder (9.98 kg) remains unchanged at $47.60 per cylinder
100 Pound Cylinder (45.36kg) decreased from $279.68 to $277.30 per cylinder

The 20 lb Cylinder (9.07kg) is being subsidized at $12.19 per cylinder and the 22 lb Cylinder (9.98kg) is being subsidized at $13.41 per cylinder.

The Public is informed that the next adjustment of the retail price of fuel products will be on Monday, January 30, 2023.

OKEU Hospital Staff Manage 13 Shooting Victims

St. Lucia

December 4, 2022

OKEU Hospital Staff Manage 13 Victims Following Shooting Incident in Babonneau

Thirteen gunshot wound victims were received at Owen King EU Hospital in the Accident & Emergency Department, between 9 and 10PM, last night, December 3, 2022. The clinical and clinical support teams at A&E responded expertly to admit twelve patients and address the critical cases that required emergency surgery.

Two emergency surgeries were performed for victims last night, one of which is now in the Intensive Care Unit and the other admitted at an acute general ward. The third critical case was still undergoing surgery as of this morning. Five patients will require orthopedic surgeries for open fractures over the next few days. At the time of dissemination of this release, there have been no deaths.

The Dr. Bernadette Joseph-Labadie, head of department at A&E, commends the staff on their quick and efficient response to these casualties, “They really did well. When they realized the number of people coming in, they sent out to ask for help and staff who were not on shift came to the hospital right away. They worked very hard so that all patients were cared for. That’s what teamwork is about and that’s what helps us to get things done.”

Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Dexter James, shares Dr. Joseph-Ladabie’s sentiments. He also emphasizes the statements made by Prime Minister Philip Pierre urging for an end to senseless crimes. He said, “These crimes consume an exceeding amount of resources in emergency medical care that should be used for other patients.”

Millennium Heights Medical Complex joins the Government of Saint Lucia in denouncing gun violence in the country.

Gimies – Saint Lucia Tourism Awards, Feb 25, 2023

St. Lucia

November 24, 2022

The Gimies – Inaugural Saint Lucia Tourism Awards Launched

On the backdrop of a slew of accolades rewarding the country for its excellence in the tourism sector, the Ministry of Tourism (MoT in collaboration with the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA) and the Saint Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association (SLHTA) are elated to announce the inaugural Saint Lucia Tourism Awards.
Earmarked for February 25th 2023 to be hosted at the Royalton Resort, the Awards or “Gimies”, will celebrate the contributions of all players in the development and servitude of the industry, under the theme ‘Rethinking Tourism”.

The Award’s name was specifically chosen to emphasize the value placed on the recipients of the awards.
According to the Minister of Tourism, Hon. Dr, Ernest Hilaire, “Mount Gimie stands tall, at over 3,000 ft, the highest peak on the island, that is why we saw it fitting to align our highest award in the tourism sector with the same name…the Gimie!”

He added, ‘Tourism is for all, not for some. Without the hard work and perseverance of our dedicated people, the Tourism Industry would not be where it is today.”

The Gimies will be presented in a red-carpet gala event, to celebrate the unsung heroes who worked assiduously to gain Saint Lucia notoriety worldwide. Thirty will be presented in organizational and individual categories, encompassing a myriad of sections within the industry. Additionally, to ensure the right people are championed in this process, the public will have a major part to play in nominating and voting for the People’s Choice.

Adding to this factor, the Chief Executive Officer of the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority with Lorine Charles-St. Jules stated, “As a leading tourist destination, Saint Lucia has been recognized on the international stage many times over. Now, the country is ready to give back in a formal way, to the organizations and people who made the Helen of the West, soar, to new heights!”

The Awards aim to reward organizations who continuously sustain high levels of excellence in customer service and recognise their staff who surpasses normal service delivery standards. It also seek to establish benchmarks for best practise overall.

In gratitude to the many agencies and people who work within the sector, Executive Director of the SLHTA, Mr. Noorani Azeez applauded the move by the tri-agency planning committee.
He added, “We are beaming at the incredulous levels of service which our people have afforded to the numerous guests who grace our shores every year. Their contributions are the reason why as a destination, Saint Lucia has been so successful in achieving accolade after accolade.”

Additionally, there are opportunities to sponsor the Awards. Be part of the largest awards ceremony in the island’s history.

Main Goals of the Gimies

Reward Organizations – Reward entities that continually achieve sustained levels of excellence in product execution and customer service delivery

Reward Employees – Recognize employees who continue to surpass normal
customer service delivery standards and excel in other aspects of their career;
including the coconut vendor etc

Establish Benchmarks – Award the best in service excellence in order to establish
internal benchmarks for all the categories of business in the sector

Business Practices – Encourage a certain type of organisational behaviour and work
ethic, which includes sustainable and resilient business practices

The Peoples Choice

The general public has an opportunity to choose one individual who has gone above
and beyond in his or her service. Nominations will be open from November 22nd to
November 30th 2022. The public will have an opportunity to vote for the shortlisted
candidates based on the entries. The top three candidates will be chosen based on engagement online, likes, shares and comments. This will make up 50% of the score,
the judging panel will have the opportunity to interview each candidate and provide the 50% balance. All three finalists accompanied by the first person to nominate them will be invited to the ceremony. Visit www.slutourism.govt.lc for more information on the People’s Choice.

The Logo

The actual Award design which depicts the Gimies was conceptualised by world
reknown scultor, designer and son of the soil, Jallim Eudovic.

For more information on The Gimies, visit www.slutourism.govt.lc, Facebook
@SaintluciaMinistryofTourism or email tourismawards@stlucia.org

CAB Conference Saint Lucia 2022

St. Lucia

October 21, 2022

CAB Conference Saint Lucia 2022

More than 200 bankers, financial services professionals, regulators, Government officials, and representatives of regional and international agencies from the Caribbean, North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa will meet in the coming days for CAB Conference Saint Lucia 2022. It will be the first time since 2019 that the foremost gathering of regional banks will be convened in person, and from all reports, the highly anticipated event will be crucial and transformative.

The 49th Annual General Meeting of the Caribbean Association of Banks (CAB) Inc. will be held at the Harbor Club – Curio Collection by Hilton on Wednesday 26 October 2022. During the AGM, members will deliberate on matters affecting the financial services industry. There will also be voting for vacant positions arising on the Board of Directors, including a new Chairperson to replace Mr. Dalton Lee, who has served two terms with distinction.

The AGM will be followed by two days of high-level discourse, presentations by inspirational speakers and industry leaders in technology and finance, under the theme: “Banking For The Future.” The opening plenary will speak to Sanctions, Supply Chain Resilience, Environmental, Social and Governance Compliance, Trade Finance, and Technology & Payments. The closing plenary will address South-South Co-operation, The Changing DNA of Caribbean Banks, Leadership, and De-risking.

Among the agencies represented will be the African Export Import Bank (Afreximbank), the Atlantic Council Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center, Avvant, the Central Bank of Barbados, Financial & International Business Association (FIBA), Pt. Lisas Industial Port Development Corporation (PLIPDECO), Shridath Ramphal Centre for International Trade Law, Policy and Services (SRC) of University of the West Indies, The Leadership Xperience, Ernst & Young Services Ltd., Hitachi Systems Security Inc., Alliance One Management Consulting, the International Finance Company (IFC), the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, and Republic Bank, inter alia.

CAB Conference 2022 will also feature a Training Day facilitated by IFC and FIBA, which will delve into Trade Finance and Correspondent Banking. This will be the first time that IFC will be offering training through CAB. The Atlantic Council will also take the opportunity to host a roundtable on de-risking and correspondent banking, a topic on which CAB, The Atlantic Council, and FIBA recently offered testimony before the House Committee on Financial Services in the United States of America.

Further to the business sessions, participants will also be eager to take advantage of networking opportunities during social events such as the Opening Ceremony, Poolside Cocktail, the Closing Party, and Surf & Turf Networking Day, where delegates will travel by catamaran to visit a working cocoa plantation, Fond Doux Eco Resort.

For the first time, the CAB Conference will have a Main Sponsor – UTC Global Balanced Fund Limited. CAB also welcomes the support of Diamond Sponsors, MasterCard, Howden Insurance Brokers, Euro Exim, Alliance One Management, Hitachi Systems Security Inc., Ernst & Young Services Limited, Republic Bank, and First Citizens Bank. Additionally, Grant Thornton, ERI Banking Software Ltd., Finastra, Temenos USA Inc, the International Finance Corporation, and Republic Financial Holdings Limited occupy the Platinum Sponsor positions.

CAB Conference Saint Lucia 2022 Gold Sponsors include Raymond James – The Americas Group, Crown Agents Bank Limited, Bangor University, IBIS Management Associates Inc., Jack Henry, ADVANTAQ Solutions, and 1st National Bank (St. Lucia) Limited. Further support has been furnished by Ascendancy Fund, Moody’s Analytics, HPS, Salesforce / Crescent Digital, and Ictual NV.

CAB has extended thanks to a number of local collaborators, who have helped ensure a great experience for delegates, including the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, the Saint Lucia Customs and Excise Department, the Immigration Department, Sea Island Cotton Shop, Harry Edwards Jewelers, and Barbay Limited.

CAB, the recognised voice of the industry in the region, is a community of Caribbean banks and other financial institutions, which proactively influences issues impacting the financial services sector through advocacy, education, and networking. The pan-regional body was founded in 1974, as an instrument of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

Cruise Tourism Season 2022/23 Officially Open

St. Lucia

October 21, 2022

2022-23 Cruise Tourism Season Officially Open

Cruise tourism season opened when Celebrity Millennium berthed at Port Castries on October 19^th, 2022

Tourism Officials applauded the opening of the 2022/23 cruise tourism season when Celebrity Millennium berthed at Port Castries on October 19^th. This signals the island’s continued progress toward a full recovery.

The berthing of Celebrity Millennium in Port Castries on October 19, 2022, marked the official opening of the 2022/23 cruise tourism season. The Ministry of Tourism, Saint Lucia Air & Sea Ports Authority, Agents Foster & Ince, Cox & Company, and the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority were on hand to welcome crewmembers, and 1,096 guests to the sights and sounds of stilt walkers and pulsating steel pan music. Guests were gifted with VIP packages and expressed excitement about their anticipated excursions.

Saint Lucia is the Caribbean’s Leading Adventure Tourism Destination and through the variety of experiences, many individuals and businesses will benefit from the cruise tourism season which promises to be impactful.

Celebrity Summit is expected to berth at Port Castries on October 20^th continuing the tone of the 2022/23 cruise season, followed by 5 additional cruise calls in October, 29 in November, and 69 calls in December with 4 projected for Christmas Day alone.

In ensuring the sustainability of the vital cruise product, Tourism Officials attended the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association Conference in Santo Domingo from October 11-14. The event featured a series of workshops, networking opportunities, and meetings, including one-on-one meetings, with over 100 high-level executives from FCCA Member Lines.

Temporary Closure of BOSL Soufriere Branch

Public Notices
St. Lucia

October 18, 2022

The Bank of Saint Lucia (BOSL) Soufriere Branch at Maurice Mason Street, Soufriere closed on Friday October 14, 2022 and will remain so until further notice. The closure is to facilitate further assessments and remedial work intended to address air quality issues in the building.

Medford Francis, Deputy Managing Director of Lending and Investments, indicated that while difficult, the decision to close the branch was out of an abundance of caution in the interest of customer and employee safety and comfort.

The remedial work at the BOSL Soufriere branch is expected to last approximately one week.

In the interim, arrangements have been made for the transporting of customers from Maurice Mason Street, in front of the BOSL Soufriere branch, to the Vieux Fort branch at 9:00 a.m. daily to facilitate transactions, with return trips thereafter.

The Bank encourages all affected customers to use its convenience banking services including online and mobile banking, debit and credit card service and ATMs where possible. Night deposit service remains available to business customers. All other bank branches remain open to serve customers from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Customers can also direct banking inquiries to BOSL Digital by dialing 758.456.6999 or via email bosldigital@bankofsaintlucia.com.

Bank of Saint Lucia deeply regrets the inconvenience caused to its valued customers and extends sincere thanks for their patience and understanding during this difficult time.

Fuel Price Adjustment – Oct 2022

St. Lucia

October 17, 2022

Fuel Price Adjustment – October, 2022

The Public is hereby notified that in keeping with changes in international oil prices and Government’s application of the modified market pass-through petroleum pricing mechanism, the retail price of LPG 100 lb cylinder has changed. The retail price of Gasoline, Kerosene, Diesel, LPG 20 and 22lb cylinders remains unchanged. The price change takes effect from Monday, October 17, 2022.

GASOLINE remains unchanged at $3.89 per litre or $17.70 per gallon
Kerosene remains unchanged at $3.91 per litre or $17.77 per gallon
Diesel remains unchanged at $3.89 per litre or $17.70 per gallon
20 Pound Cylinder (9.07 kg) remains unchanged at $45.27 per cylinder
22 Pound Cylinder (9.98 kg) remains unchanged at $49.79 per cylinder
100 Pound Cylinder (45.36kg) decreased from $318.64 to $313.07 per cylinder

The 20 lb Cylinder (9.07kg) is being subsidized at $17.35 per cylinder and the 22 lb Cylinder (9.98kg) is being subsidized at $19.08 per cylinder.

The Public is informed that the next adjustment of the retail price of fuel products will be on Monday, November 7, 2022.

Education setbacks from the COVID-19 pandemic

CARICOM

October 14, 2022

CARICOM Ministers of Education tackling packed agenda in Georgetown

Ministers of Education in CARICOM have been urged to devise comprehensive recommendations for quality education and to clearly articulate the immediate actions necessary to change how schools re-engage with learners and communities.

At the opening of the 44th Meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD-Education), on Thursday 13 October, CARICOM Assistant Secretary-General, Alison Drayton told the Ministers gathered at the Georgetown, Guyana Headquarters of the CARICOM Secretariat that she is heartened by their commitment to identifying solutions to respond to the setbacks on education from the COVID-19 pandemic.

She expressed optimism that strong and tangible outcomes would emanate from the two-day meeting to strengthen regional strategies to build resilience in the sector.

The Ministers are examining a range of issues including strategies for monitoring the implementation of the CARICOM Human Resource Development (C-HRD) 2030 Strategy, learning recovery and learning acceleration after COVID-19 and recommendations for designing a world-class education system in the Caribbean through a new Caribbean School Model. They are also considering matters related to the Basic Education Quality Management Framework, CARICOM Standards for the Teaching Profession, Technical and Vocational Education (TVET), and the CARICOM Vocational Qualifications (CQVs).

“In our commitment to act collectively, resilience and agility in education delivery, the theme that guides the thinking for our meeting, requires that we make fundamental paradigm shifts in how we speak of the purpose of education for human capital development, in how we look to resource education and how we re-prioritise strategies within the C-HRD 2030 Strategy for accelerated implementation”, ASG Drayton told the Ministers.

Emphasizing the need for education reform to become the Region’s recovery, adaptation, and resilience strategy,” she referenced research that found that students in grades 1-12 affected by school closures will earn 3% lower income over their lifetime, globally. Conversely, every additional year that a child stays in school, they have the potential to earn a 10% increase in income, Ms. Drayton added.

“Let’s do the Math! Our attention needs to be on strengthening the internal efficiencies of our education systems to enhance completion and survival rates, and learning outcomes, for all learners despite, gender, socio-economic class, race, or geography.”

Speaking on advocacy for greater efforts for achieving the goals of the C-HRD 2030 Strategy, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 for quality learning and lifelong education, ASG Drayton said,

“We are one-fifth of the way into the decade for action and eight years away from 2030, yet we know that we are a long way away from the development targets that we have set for ourselves regionally.”

In this context, she noted the importance of changing the ways the Region monitors, quality assures, governs, and finances Early Childhood Education, teacher recruitment, preparation, leadership development, as well as curriculum diversification reform for skills development.

Chair of the Meeting, Hon. Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education, Culture, Science, and Technology of Belize called on his colleagues to articulate the practical means through which regional, systemic, and local actions can be refocused to ensure that gaps in learning created by school closures will be addressed, and in the process, mitigate against reductions in national productivity and individual earning power over the next three to five years.

Guyana’s Chief Education Officer Dr. Marcel Hutson, in his remarks on behalf of his Minister, underscored the importance of COHSOD as pivotal to the transformation of the education sector in the Region.

As the Community addresses education access, quality, equity, inclusivity, and lifelong learning, he said evidence-based instruction, linking school and home, personalised learning, professional development, and improving governance and accountability of the education system must be brought sharply into focus.

“As we move forward, we must do so with the greatest degree of alacrity and commitment to serve our young people, who are the foundation of a bright and prosperous Caribbean,” Dr. Hutson said as he urged the Ministers to take “no shortcuts to the road to success.”

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Caribbean Press Release