Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Richard Sealy. (FP)
A new strategy aimed at further building out the cultural industries is in the making.
Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Richard Sealy, made this disclosure on the cultural industries as he addressed the National Independence Festival of Creative Arts (NIFCA) Gold Awards Ceremony at Ilaro Court, last Friday.
Mr. Sealy explained that the document was created by the Barbados Social Partners, and would serve as a “blueprint” for the development of the sector. Describing it as a “structured and methodical strategy”, he said that it was nearing completion and would be submitted to Cabinet for approval.
“Plans articulated by the Social Partners include: enhancing the attractiveness of Barbados for the hosting of cultural events; developing Barbados as a prime location for international film production; and further developing the UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site of Bridgetown and its Garrison,” he stated.
The Acting Prime Minister continued: “Through this strategy an immediate, short, medium and long-term agenda for the growth and development of Barbados’ economy and society will be framed. Furthermore, the role of the creative sector in contributing to Barbados’ economic recovery will be prominently positioned.”
He further underscored the critical role of the creative industries, stating that they could “make important contributions to our island’s gross domestic product” and serve as a springboard for the careers of many of Barbados’ budding artistes and artists.
Mr. Sealy said there was no doubt about the quality of the creative arts sector, as this was evident during the recently held NIFCA, Crop Over and CARIFESTA. He expressed the view that these events served as “critical tools” by which the Barbados brand could be introduced to the world.
It was against this background that he also re-emphasised Government’s commitment to approaching the cultural industries with a level of seriousness, stating: “Where feasible, we will continue to identify and formulate smart-partnerships with our comrades in the private sector and we will continue to seek out and negotiate favourable funding arrangements from our partners in international agencies, such as the European Union and the Inter-American Development Bank.”
Mr. Sealy added that inter-sectoral linkages, for example that of culture and tourism, could propel the creative sector even further.
The new Ambassador of The Bahamas to CARICOM HE Reuben Rahming (l) presents his credentials to CARICOM Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque
The Bahamas strengthens CARICOM ties with new Ambassador.
The Bahamas on Monday underscored the importance of maintaining strong relations within CARICOM with the accreditation of a new Ambassador. The Ceremony took place at the Headquarters of the CARICOM Secretariat in Georgetown, Guyana.
Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, in accepting the credentials of H.E. Reuben Rahming, noted
that The Bahamas has been a valued member of CARICOM, promoting the Region’s interests in tourism, for which the Prime Minister has lead responsibility within the CARICOM Quasi-Cabinet.
With respect to The Bahamas’ leadership of the tourism sector, the Secretary-General said he looked forward to working with Mr. Rahming to advance the work of the Interim Tourism Working Group, whose establishment was mandated by CARICOM Heads of Government in recognition of the primary role of tourism in the regional economy.
The Working Group has completed significant work with regard to the identification of strategies aimed at stimulating tourism, and maximizing the employment, entrepreneurial and revenue potential it can bring to the Region, Secretary-General LaRocque stated.
Mr Rahming, in his new position, is now a Member of the CARICOM Committee of Ambassadors, and in welcoming him the Secretary-General said his involvement will assist in keeping the Community’s institutions aligned with the goals and aspirations of the Strategic Plan.
“The Members of the Committee perform a critical role as the link between the national and regional agendas. As part of its remit, it facilitates and drives the Change Process at the national level. The Ambassadors also have the fundamental responsibility to identify challenges to the implementation of decisions taken by our various Organs and make recommendations to resolve them,” the Secretary-General noted.
He said the Region must enhance its resilience against the deleterious effects of climate change together. “It is that spirit of togetherness that builds our Community and maintains our unity that is strengthened by the work of you and your colleague Ambassadors to CARICOM.”
The new Bahamian Ambassador said he has taken note of the many successes his country has experienced as it remained engaged in all organs and institutions of CARICOM, by collaborating with other Member-States, and through the co-ordination of the Region’s foreign policy.
He said that this past hurricane season which devastated Dominica, Barbuda and other parts of the Leeward Islands, The Bahamas, Cuba, Dominica, Guadeloupe, Turks and Caicos Islands, Puerto Rico, St. Martin (and St Maarten), and the British and US Virgin Islands, “underscored how vulnerable we are as a region and the importance of maintaining strong relations within CARICOM.”
He expressed sympathy to all of those affected by the storms and conveyed his best wishes for the quick recovery of the affected islands. He also expressed appreciation to the Governments and peoples of CARICOM who assisted The Bahamas, in particular, following the passage of Hurricane Irma.
“I also take this opportunity once again to thank you and the Chair of the Conference, the Prime Minister of Grenada, for the solidarity and leadership you demonstrated in visiting the impacted countries, including The Bahamas, and in organising the recent Donor Conference at the United Nations that resulted in the commitment of some $2 billion of support,” the Ambassador Rahming added.
IMF staff concludes visit to Jamaica to discuss progress of Economic Program.
The unemployment rate is at 8-year low, with record high employment levels.
The tax revenues overperformance is being allocated, inter alia, to post-flooding repairs and national security initiatives under the supplementary budget.
The IMF team and the Jamaican authorities concurred on the urgent need to accelerate wage negotiations.
An International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff team led by Uma Ramakrishnan visited Kingston from December 4 to 8, 2017, to take stock of progress on Jamaica’s economic reform program supported by the IMF’s precautionary Stand-By Arrangement (SBA). This was an interim visit with no associated Board discussion; the third review under the SBA is planned for February 2018, in conjunction with the 2018 Article IV Consultation.
At the end of the visit, Ms. Ramakrishnan issued the following statement:
“Despite the toll of weather swings on growth, Jamaica’s unemployment rate is at 8-year low, with record high employment levels. Inflation is modest, and expectations are anchored in the medium-term target range of 4-6 percent. Non-borrowed net international reserves remain above the program target, supported by robust tourism inflows and a moderate current account deficit.
“The primary surplus exceeded the program target at end-September largely as a result of continued buoyant corporate income taxes. The tax revenues overperformance is being allocated, inter alia, to post-flooding repairs and national security initiatives under the supplementary budget.
“Delayed public sector wage negotiations pose significant budgetary risks. The IMF team and the Jamaican authorities concurred on the urgent need to accelerate these negotiations. The team reiterated that wage containment is critical to release resources for the much-needed social and growth-enhancing spending. More fundamentally, it is essential to make the public sector smaller, more agile and more efficient. The process for rolling out the early retirement program for public sector employees has begun, with an expected completion point of April, 2018. As agreed with the authorities, it is important to calibrate this program in such a way that long-term gains outweigh its short-term costs.
“The Bank of Jamaica (BoJ) Foreign Exchange Intervention and Trading Tool (B-FXITT) is supporting sustained foreign exchange (FX) market development. The central bank has also started reducing the FX surrender requirement and is contemplating the roll-out of buy FX auctions as a more transparent and market-based approach to build FX reserves.
“The envisaged revisions to the BOJ Act—including changes to the mandate, governance structure and BOJ balance sheet—are critical to the shift to full-fledged inflation targeting. The IMF team also discussed the financial sector resolution framework and the way forward on non-bank regulations.
“The IMF staff met with Prime Minister Andrew Holness, Finance Minister Audley Shaw, Bank of Jamaica Governor Brian Wynter, State Minister Fayval Williams, State Minister Rudyard Spencer, Ambassador Nigel Clarke, Acting Financial Secretary Darlene Morrison, Planning Institute Director General Wayne Henry, senior government officials, as well as members of the private sector, the three program monitoring committees, women leaders and academics, agricultural sector, labor unions, the opposition and civil society.
“The IMF staff team would like to thank the Jamaican authorities for their continued hospitality and collaboration.”
CARICOM Chairman demands flexibility from WTO Small States in post Disaster.
Caricom Chairman Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell is demanding flexibility from the World Trade Organisation in dealing with WTO small states attempting to rebuild after a disaster.
Prime Minister Mitchell says the Sixth Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Caribbean Community and Cuba in Antigua this week must send a clear signal to the WTO.
The Grenadian leader made his comments in an address in the Antiguan capital ahead of the 11th WTO Ministerial Conference to be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
“Falling on the eve of the 11th WTO Ministerial Conference to be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, it is prudent for us to send a political signal about the need for ‘WTO Flexibility’ for Small States, during the phase of reconstruction,” the Grenadian Prime Minister declared.
“Such flexibility would require that the WTO Rules and Disciplines must not stand in the way of reconstruction for affected WTO Small States and Small Vulnerable Economies, such as those of the Caribbean”.
Prime Minister Mitchell, who also chairs the world small states forum, has been leading the fight for countries’, donors and international lending agencies to be less stringent in their support for small states seeking to rebuild in the wake of natural disasters.
Earlier this year, a number of powerful hurricanes bulldozed several Caribbean islands claiming lives, causing massive destruction and turning back economies.
“Having grappled with the trauma of Post-Hurricane devastation and a Structural Adjustment Programme in Grenada, and having witnessed first-hand the scale and intensity of the Destruction in Dominica, Barbuda, and other Caribbean Sates, I’m clear that this “Demand” stands as the most significant outcome for Small States, from the upcoming WTO Ministerial,” Dr. Mitchell insisted.
“As Heads, we must all immediately instruct our Delegations to work towards this “Outcome” at the WTO Ministerial. We must use the platform of our meeting today, to clearly transmit this signal to the World”.
The 6th Cuba-Caricom Summit is expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on Science and Technology Cooperation as well as a Memorandum of Understanding on Disaster Risk Reduction, between the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency and the National Civil Defence General Staff of Cuba.
St Kitts and Nevis hosting CXC Governance Meetings 2017.
The Federation of St Kitts and Nevis will be the host of the 2017 governance meetings of the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC). The annual Council Meeting, CXC’s highest decision-making body will be held on Friday 15 December at the St Kitts Marriot Resort under the Chairmanship of Professor Sir Hilary Beckles.
The meeting of the School Examinations Committee (SEC) will be held on Thursday 14 December at the same venue. On the night of Thursday 14 December, CXC will present awards for outstanding performances in the May/June Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE), Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC), and the Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence (CCSLC). The CAPE and CSEC School of the Year will also be presented to principals of the two schools. Two new awards will be presented: The ACCA CAPE Business Studies Award and the RM Results CAPE Mathematics Award.
Honourable Shawn Richards, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture will deliver the feature address at the awards ceremony. Premier of Nevis, Honourable Vance Amory; Sir Hilary Beckles, CXC Chairman; Mr Glenroy Cumberbatch, CXC Registrar; and Most Outstanding CSEC Candidate Overall, Michael Bhopaul will also speak during the ceremony.
This year’s awardees are from Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, and Trinidad and Tobago.
A contingent comprising the regional top awardees and a CXC team will arrive in St Kitts and Nevis on Monday 11 December to pay courtesy calls on some of the Federation’s dignitaries. On Tuesday, the delegation will pay courtesy calls on Governor General, His Excellency Sir Tapley Seaton, and Dr, the Honourable Timothy Harris, Prime Minister. On Wednesday, the delegation will pay courtesy calls on Honourable Shawn Richards, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, and the Right Honourable Dr Denzil Douglas, Leader of the Opposition.
On the afternoon of Tuesday 12 December, the delegation will visit the sister island of Nevis during which Premier Vance Amory will host the delegation for lunch. The delegation will also visit the Charlestown Secondary School, the home of several former regional top awardee including the 2002 CSEC Overall Regional Top Award Hrishikesh Joshi.
St Kitts and Nevis last hosted the CXC governance meetings in December 2002.
The Inland Revenue Division (IRD) of the Ministry of Finance and Energy advises the public of the following taxes due and payable in the month of December, 2017.
7th Pay As You Earn (P.A.Y.E) and Withholding Tax Due and Payable
10th Gaming Tax Due and Payable
20th VAT Value Added Tax and Excise Tax Return Due and Payable
29th Income Tax Returns Due for Businesses with Fiscal Year ending 30th September, 2017
31st Income Tax and Annual Stamp Tax (AST) Installments for Businesses Due and Payable
NB: When the due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday or Public Holiday, the next working day will be the due date for payment.
Persons are encouraged to file and pay all taxes on time to avoid penalties and interest.
Payments can be made at the Ministry of Finance, any District Revenue Office or via eservices.gov.gd.
For further information, please contact Mrs. Kareen Morain-Alexander, Public Relations Officer- Inland Revenue Division, Ministry of Finance and Energy at 435-6945/6, 435-1905 or email us at gndird@ird.gd.
The IRD wishes the public a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous 2018. The IRD looks forward to continuing to improve the relationship with the public in the New Year.
Psychiatrist Dr. Julius Gillard is on a campaign to reduce the incidents of suicide on island.
Suicide, the act of intentionally causing one’s own death has many risk factors including substance abuse, alcoholism, schizophrenia, mental disorders such as depression among others.
The Saint Lucia National Mental Wellness Centre is the lead institution on island caring for persons exhibiting suicidal tendencies. Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr. Julius Gillard, believes that the public is not sufficiently aware of the help available or what they should do when persons express or exhibit suicidal behavior.
“I know persons may feel that the rate of suicide is beginning to get out of hand. What must be understood is that a lot of persons do not know about the helpline. So if you are with somebody and you cannot ensure their safety you need to at least pass them onto somebody who can do so. So if it’s a family member let the family member know what the person has expressed and that they should stay with that person, keep an eye on that person until they see a professional. You can as well call 203. Call 203 and get their assistance because they have procedures in place to handle situations like that with somebody who expresses suicide. So the objective here is to keep the person safe until they get to see a professional who can advise them on the best way forward from there, to make suicide a less attractive option for them.”
The 203 helpline has come under fire from some members of the public who question the effectiveness of having a helpline.
Dr. Gillard indicated that the helpline has been very effective.
“Without the helpline the suicide rate would probably be in the hundreds. Yes we still have suicide and yes our objective is zero but we are there the help and what persons need to do instead of bashing it is to let persons know about its existence. Because, many persons don’t know of its existence and when they go through that period of hopelessness they have nowhere to turn.”
The Consultant Psychiatrist added that there is still much stigma attached to psychiatry in Saint Lucia which may have been the result of what occurred in the past where persons with mental illness were treated very inhumanly as if they were the illness. Dr. Gillard aims to reduce this stigma.
“We’re in 2017 and there is a great shift in the field of psychiatry where the focus of treatment is not the alleviation of symptoms but rather improvement of functioning of persons with mental illnesses. So the stigma now must be tackled because that’s the main issue impeding the improvement of psychiatric services anywhere around the world.”
Dr. Gillard recently carried this message of hope to a mental wellness symposium at the Belle Vue Combined School where he spoke on the topic of mental wellness, suicide, and depression.
Health professionals discuss Integrated Vector Management.
Dr C James Hospedales, Executive Director of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), recently spoke at the opening ceremony of the Integrated Vector Management (IVM) coordinated by the agency.
The two-day meeting held from Dec. 5 – 6, at the Trinidad Hilton and Conference Centre, brought together participants from 27 English, French, Dutch and Spanish speaking countries in the region to review and discuss the adaptation of standardized protocols for improved vector surveillance, including insecticide resistance testing. The meeting engaged regional vector control managers in discussions related to the adaptation and use of a IVM toolkit in national vector control programs.
According to Dr Hospedales, the region will grow increasingly favorable to vectors.
“The increased severity of dengue and the occurrence of new viruses that have swept through the region tell us we have a gap in regional health security where vector borne diseases are concerned. This year we had storms that were unprecedented. We are expected to see more monster storms which will cause disruption including making the environment more favorable for vectors. Hence the need for integrated vector management and looking at some of the new tools that are available.”
The transmission of vector-borne diseases is strongly influenced by demographic, social and environmental factors, resulting in the emergence and re-emergence of yellow fever, malaria and dengue; and more recently, the emergence of chikungunya and zika in the region.
Dr. Edwin Bolastig, Advisor for Health Systems and Services at the PAHO/WHO Country Office in Trinidad and Tobago said diseases thrive in unplanned urban environments with a lack of proper waste management systems.
“Vector borne diseases claim more 700,000 lives every year. The burden is highest in tropical and sub-tropical areas such as the Caribbean. Unplanned urbanization and lack of a reliable pipe water supply or solid waste management can render large populations at risk of mosquito borne diseases,” he explained.
“Despite these challenges, most of these diseases can be prevented through vector control, if it is planned and implemented well and sustained,” he continued. “The success of response to the growing threat of VBD will depend on strong country leadership, enhanced advocacy, resources mobilization and coordination among partners. This workshop is very timely, and your discussions will be important in strengthening your national vector control programs, preventing and controlling vectors, and ultimately protecting the health of your populations against the vector borne diseases.”
Ms Monica Paul-McLean, Program Manager, European Union Delegation, also spoke at the opening of the workshop. She spoke about the collaboration between the EU and CARPHA geared towards contributing to efforts to improve the public health of the Caribbean people and outlined the EU’s support to CARPHA since 2013.
Integrated Vector Management
“CARPHA has been working to strengthen health systems across the region, to better monitor, prevent and control Zika and other mosquito borne diseases. The EU has pledged to continue to support health systems strengthening for prevention and control of epidemics and mosquito borne diseases in the Caribbean. It is our aim to continue to work hand in hand with Caribbean countries towards the achievement of healthy lives for people of all ages thus contributing to the attainment of SDG 3: good health and wellbeing – which we are all committed to achieve by 2030.”
Hon. Terrence Deyalsingh, Minister of Health Trinidad and Tobago, delivered the feature address.
“I am pleased to witness another significant step towards the reduction and eventual eradication of vector borne diseases in Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean region and eventually globally,” he stated, cautioning that discarded used tires become the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes.
“It is concerning to note that many of the vector borne diseases we currently struggle with today can be prevented through informed protective measures which can be undertaken by members of the public. He urged participants to collaborate further with agencies such as the European Union and CARPHA to get mosquito borne diseases under control. In closing the minister applauded CARPHA for their efforts and being proactive.”
During the workshop funded by the European Union, new tools and technologies for vector control will be highlighted and a plenary session on Opportunities for Strengthening Vector Control in the Caribbean will take place on the final day of the workshop. Participants will also discuss the progress of the Caribbean Vector-Borne Disease Network (CariVecNet) which was launched in Cuba this year.
CARPHA’s IVM Toolkit is designed to be used by vector control program managers as a guide in the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of an IVM approach. The Toolkit also provides information on common mosquito vectors and vector-borne diseases in the Caribbean and the tools for vector control operations within the IVM context.
Farmers, manufacturers and those engaged in the tourism sector can look forward to new conditions which will make existing soft loans at the Agricultural, Industrial and Development (AID) bank even more accessible.
This, as the Government of Dominica strategizes ways to assist the private sector to recover and grow after Hurricane Maria.
At Wednesday’s Office of the Prime Minister press briefing, the Hon Prime Minister, Dr. Roosevelt Skerrit revealed that after consultations with the relevant associations, Cabinet has reviewed the terms and conditions of funds totalling $35 million available at the AID bank to assist these sectors.
Part of the review includes a reduction of interest rate and an extension of the facility to include Ross University student landlords.
“Based on the proposals from the various stakeholders and on advice from the ministries of tourism, agriculture and commerce, the Cabinet took a decision yesterday to review these loans. One of the decisions we took is to review the interest rate from an all-time low of 3% to a further low of 2%,” Hon Skerrit announced.
He said the tourism facility will also be extended to property owners who house Ross Medical students to “help repair their apartments, to buy new mattresses – for those who had flooding – and appliances.”
Hon Skerrit further revealed that these and other amendments made to the facility will be available to the public as soon as next week.
He says Cabinet is expected to sign the amendments this Friday (December 8th) and the amended facility will available on December 11th.
“My public advice both to the private sector and the AID Bank is that, with respect to the private sector, ensure that you have all your documents before you submit to the bank and that the bank has to be a little bit [less] tardy with the disbursement strategy,” Hon Skerrit said as he implored the banks to be more “circumspect” and “robust” with the application process.
The nation’s leader also announced that additional funds will be made available to these facilities.
“We intend to provide additional funding to the private sector to help them rebuild their businesses and to help them to continue to provide jobs to the citizens of this country,” the Prime Minister said.
Statement from the Ministry of Finance in response to EU Blacklisting of countries
It has come to the attention of the Ministry of Finance, Government of Grenada, that Grenada has been one of 17 countries to be blacklisted by the EU Code of Conduct Group (Business Taxation).
On 5th December 2017, the Council approved and published conclusions containing an EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions in taxation matters.
The reason put forward for Grenada being included on the list is as follows:
Grenada has not signed and ratified the OECD Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance as amended and did not clearly commit to addressing these issues by 31 December 2018. Grenada’s commitment to comply with criteria 1.1, 2.1 and 3 will be monitored.
It is important to note that Grenada made high level commitments, complete with timelines, to the EU Code of Conduct group by way of letters on the 17th and 28th November 2017, to action concerns raised by the group regarding meeting all the criteria set up by the EU Council for Transparency and fairness in Taxation. And we are well on track to doing so.
Grenada has enacted and signed into force both the primary and secondary legislation which are required for implementing the OECD Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance (the MAC). In addition, Grenada has expended a significant amount of resources to put in place structures and processes to facilitate exchange of information on taxation with countries in the European Union.
Inadvertently, Grenada did not provide a timeline for signing the OECD Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance—given that a timeline was not in the Code of Conduct request. It must be noted though, that Grenada fully stated its commitment to sign in aforementioned correspondences.
Now that the Blacklisting for that reason has been brought to our attention, the Minister of Finance has written to the code of conduct group, specifying our commitment to sign the OECD Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance by 31st December, 2018.
Further in this regard, the Minister of Finance has requested that Grenada be de-listed soonest considering that we adequately and formally indicated our commitment to comply with all the stipulations of the code of conduct group going forward, and therefore should not have been included on the published blacklist.
