The Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), announced its National Information and Communication Technology Strategy and Action Plan (2010 to 2015) in 2010. The Plan includes a strategy to develop a digital government, aiming to improve the efficiency of government administration, achieve information transparency and improve the quality of decision-making. An emphasis was placed on reliability and information security in the operations of the digital government. Therefore, a plan to establish a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), was proposed, to ensure that documents exchanged between offices are secured with information integrity, identity verification and undeniable authentication.
In an effort to progress with e-Government as one of the primary development strategies, the Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has selected an Electronic Document and Records Management System (EDRMS), and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), as the next steps towards increased government efficiency, reduced costs, and minimized paper consumption.
Electronic Document and Records Management System ( EDRMS ) Project
Budget Presentation 2018
The Minister of Finance and Energy, Dr. the Rt. Hon. Keith Mitchell, will present the 2018 Budget on Monday 27th November, 2017, at the Grenada Trade Centre, St. George’s, commencing 10:00 am.
The theme for the 2018 Budget is: ““Safeguarding Our Gains and Continuing Our Progress”
The theme focuses on protecting the macro-economic gains made in the past few years. It also looks forward to continued progress on that solid foundation.
During his presentation, the Prime Minister will highlight the major achievements for 2017 and detail Government’s Plans and Programs for 2018 and beyond.
As part of the preparation process, the Ministry of Finance and Energy, held Consultations with all Ministries, Government Departments, and other stakeholders including Civil Society, the Labour Unions, the Business Community, selected interest groups including Farmers, Agro-processors, Fisher-folk and for the first time, a Youth Consultation was held to garner the views of the young people.
The Budget Presentation is a National Exercise; therefore the General Public is invited to be a part of the Audience at the Trade Centre on 27th November, 2017 beginning from 10:00 a.m. Persons should be seated by 9:30 a.m., dressed in formal/business attire.
2018 Heritage Festival to Focus on the Breadfruit
The October 2018 Heritage Festival will feature several varieties of the Jamaican breadfruit plant.
In an interview with JIS News at the recent 2017 Heritage Festival held at the offices of the Institute of Jamaica (IOJ) in downtown Kingston, Executive Director of the IOJ, Vivian Crawford, said the institute will be celebrating the fruit because of its historical significance.
“It is going to be a significant anniversary of the arrival of the breadfruit plant in Jamaica… . We are going to have a Breadfruit Fest, so get ready for fried, boiled and roasted breadfruit,” he said.
In a JIS publication, ‘Our Culinary Heritage’, reprinted in 2003, the book states that the first breadfruit procured from the South Pacific was brought to Jamaica in 1793 by Captain William Bligh on the HMS Providence.
The breadfruit was to form a cheap source of food for the large number of slaves who worked on the island’s plantations. This year’s festival highlighted the 145th anniversary of Kingston as Jamaica’s capital.
Now in its fourth year, Mr. Crawford said the festival has grown over the years.
This year’s event involved hundreds of children, who were taken on guided tours to various exhibitions at the National Gallery and the museums, and participated in activities such as a concert, cultural drumming, multicultural displays and the Kingston City Bus Tour. Visitors also enjoyed Jamaican cuisine and local herbs, and visited a farmers’ market and pop-up shops with craft items.
Mr. Crawford lauded the support received from private- and public-sector entities in hosting the festival and promoting the city of Kingston.
He said the event was facilitated by the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation, and police officers who worked on the streets near the institute.
Some of the main sponsors were the Jamaica Business Development Corporation, AIM Financial Corporation Limited, Cal’s, GraceKennedy, TVJ, JIS, CVM TV, Gleaner, NewsTalk 93, Linstead
Market, Jamaica Biscuit Company, LASCO, Shalk Electronic Security Limited and Pepsi-Cola Jamaica.
He praised the law firm Myers Fletcher & Gordon on East Street for offering their parking spaces during the event, and other services to the IOJ from time to time.
Heritage Festival is an annual event hosted by the IOJ, an agency of the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport.
Business Month to launch Nov 1st, 2017
The Department of Commerce, International Trade, Investment, Enterprise Development and Consumer Affairs works integrally with various affiliate agencies to provide a full spectrum of support services needed to foster the growth and development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) from incubation to export.
In an effort to generate a greater level of awareness and understanding of these support services, the department has designated November as Business Month under the theme “Promoting an Entrepreneurial Culture – Innovation and Creativity.”
Business Month aims to promote an entrepreneurial culture in Saint Lucia, while creating an enabling environment which allows MSMEs to become competitive, sustainable and profitable.
The core objectives of Business Month are to generate awareness of the functions of the Department of Commerce and its affiliate agencies and their approaches to fostering business development and sustainability; create a culture of innovation and creativity among MSMEs; showcase the products and services of MSMEs and celebrate their achievements; generate discussion on entrepreneurship in Saint Lucia, while highlighting the relationship between entrepreneurship and job creation; and highlight the support path of business development from start-up to export.
This year’s calendar of activities in observance of Business Month will include symposiums; seminars; workshops; panel discussions and trade shows among other events. This calendar of month-long activities will also serve as an advertorial piece, highlighting the overall mandate of each entity and how they collaborate to achieve the mission and vision of the Department of Commerce.
As part of activities to commemorate Business Month, a media and ceremonial launch will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 1, at the National Television Network (NTN) Studio, Hewanorra House, Pointe Seraphine at 10 a.m.
The Department of Commerce, International Trade, Investment, Enterprise Development, and Consumer Affairs encourages the participation and support of the business community and the general public in the various events in observance of Business Month.
For further information on this initiative, please contact Jonathan Allain, Business Development Officer at 468-4241 or 285-3761; or Lydia Dariah, Information Officer at 468-4219 or 484-1464.
NSDC partners with CompTIA
More Saint Lucians are on the path to attaining a rewarding career in the field of Information Technology, through the Computing Technology Industry Association, or CompTIA certification.
The CompTIA certification is an industry-recognized, entry-level credential, which prepares graduates for a career in the technology sector. The achievements of IT professionals, who successfully completed the CompTIA certification program, was celebrated as the National Skills Development Centre (NSDC) hosted a graduation ceremony recently.
General Manager of the NSDC, Selma St. Prix, said her organization was delighted and pleased to celebrate its partnership with CompTIA, considered as one of the IT industry’s top trade associations.
“We already have a number of them employed before their graduation, and the others there have potential employers looking at them already. So, we are saying that even before our trainees are certified, knowing that kind of international certification, the employers are already asking for these trainees. This is something we believe that all establishments going into training must do; to put them on apprenticeship, let them prove themselves and then the organizations keep them,” said the NSDC manager.
Senior Network Administrator of NSDC, Kurt Augustin, said it is important to recognize the success of the program as they continue to enhance the lives of Saint Lucians.
“This accomplishment is just a start for NSDC, as we continue to grow our nation and build our workforce. Everyone who has accomplished this certification, I urge them to continue on your journey to obtain more certifications and to grow the industry. It is with great pleasure that I trained you all under the partnership, and I will continue to look forward to training many more of our Saint Lucians in the future,” Mr. Augustin said.
Twenty-one students and four NSDC staff members participated in the program and received the CompTIA certification.
Queen’s College Student Dominates CSEC Regional Awards
Michael Bhopaul, a student of Queen’s College, Guyana has created history, becoming the first student to achieve 25 Grade I’s in a single sitting at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC).
Michael also becomes the first student to win four Regional Top Awards: the CSEC Overall, Business Studies, Natural Science, and Technical Vocational awards. He achieved Grade I in Additionally Mathematics, Agricultural Science (Double Award), Biology, Caribbean History, Chemistry, Economics, English A and English B, French, Geography, Information Technology, Integrated Science, Mathematics, Office Administration, Physics, Principles of Accounts, Principles of Business, Social Studies, Spanish, Electronic Document Preparation and Management, Human and Social Biology, Food and Nutrition, Family and Resources Management, Technical Drawing and Industrial Technology-Building.
Another student from Queen’s College, Rawletta Barrow wins the Humanities Award with 20 Grade I. Rawletta achieved Grade I in the following subjects: Additional Mathematics, Caribbean History, Economics, English A, English B, French, Geography, Information Technology, Integrated Science, Office Administration, Principles of Business, Religious Education, Social Studies, Spanish, Theatre Arts, Electronic Document Preparation and Management, Human and Social Biology, Food, Nutrition and Health, and Family and Resource Management.
The award for Best 3-Dimensional Visual Art pieces goes to Nerissa Niles of Grantley Adams Memorial School, Barbados. Nerissa’s piece is entitled “The Mask” from the Fibre and Decorative Arts expressive form. Commenting on Nerissa’s work, the Chief Examiner states, “The bold ancestral mask reminiscent of the Bushongo is an excellent creation using natural materials. In this creation, the candidate has demonstrated a superior level of craftsmanship in the manipulation of materials and in selection and placement exploiting colour and surface qualities in executing the design.
The Best 2-Dimensional Visual Art piece award goes to Kerron John of San Juan South Secondary School, Trinidad and Tobago. Kerron’s piece is entitled “Leaves, roots and branches” from the Painting and Mixed Media expressive form.
“The candidate’s expressive use form and colour with subtle references to the genres of surrealism and abstract expressionism are commendable. The manipulation of acrylic paint, pastels, and rolled paper are all effectively combined on paper to depict a tree that metamorphoses into human form,” the Chief Examiner explains.
Aasim Baksh of St Stanislaus College, Guyana is the winner of the Best Short Story prize. Aasim’s story is entitled “The Tremor.”
Queen’s College, Guyana will receive the CSEC School of the Year Award for 2017. The awards will be presented at the Regional Top Awards Ceremony in St Kitts on Thursday 14 December 2017.
Cybersecurity strategy on the cards for Barbados
With crime in Barbados becoming more organised and with greater threats to cybersecurity, efforts are under way to establish a National Cybersecurity Strategy to provide the island with “a robust cyber defence”.
This was disclosed by Attorney General, Adriel Brathwaite, as he delivered remarks during the first annual conference of the Department of Public Prosecutions under the theme: Strengthening our Capacity to Combat Cybercrimes and Other Organised Crimes, at the Accra Beach Hotel and Spa today.
The new framework, the Minister said, would include a revision and revamping of legislation to provide the required security.
It would involve work on the Computer Misuse Act, the Electronics Transactions Act, the Telecommunications Act and the Copyright Act.
And, the Attorney General has hinted at the possibility of new legislation being introduced, such as the Interception of Communications [Act], to strengthen efforts being undertaken.
“What we are faced with as a region, and as a country, is real. We have seen more cyber-related attacks on our government infrastructure and our private infrastructure. We must be on the cutting edge in terms of our defence,” he stated, noting that the Telecommunications Unit was presently working to ensure Barbados had a more secure cybersecurity platform.
Mr. Brathwaite said Barbados also needed to do additional work in the area of transnational organised crime, and gave the commitment that the Civil Asset Forfeiture legislation would be before Parliament by the end of November.
However, he stressed that there was a need for greater cooperation among stakeholders, a deficiency which is already being addressed.
“My call is for greater cooperation for us here in Barbados and across the region. None of us can do it alone. The threats that we are faced with in terms of cyber security and transnational organised crime require a wholistic approach nationally and a regional approach,” he maintained.
Meanwhile, Chief Justice of Barbados, Sir Marston Gibson, noted that crime in Barbados had become organised and today’s criminal now had not just weapons, but also money deposited in the bank.
And, he warned that such criminals would use the computer to their advantage.
“[One] of the ways in which you would prevent cybercrime is by making sure your system is as cyber secure as possible,” he said, warning that security patches for computers should be kept up to date.
Over the next three days of the conference, members of the judiciary will discuss Tackling Serious and Organised Crime in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean; Facilitating the Presentation of Evidence by Use of Technology in the Courtroom; A Case for Recording Police Interviews to Reduce False Evidence; Introduction to Cybercrime; Special Measures for Giving Evidence by Vulnerable Witnesses; and Internet Investigations.
Primary schools get new stock of reading books
Noting that this also happened with materials produced by Barbadian authors, teachers included, he said: “We are producing literature in Barbados and I appreciate that [but] there is a lot more to be produced in whatever form – hard copy or digital format – but the important thing is the production of literature.”
The Education Minister also stressed the importance of getting children to read prolifically to the extent that they begin to appreciate printed text despite their gender and the common place nature of e-books.
“I would like to encourage boys to read and to read more, and encourage our girls to read so that they [all] can have avid conversations based on themes, their views of the world and to give them the opportunity to expand their knowledge. Through reading the expansion of the mind occurs,” he maintained.
Chief Education Officer, Karen Best, in commending Education Officers, Dr. Pauline Millar and Janelle Little for sourcing the materials, said it represented part of the Ministry’s thrust to ensure that reading remained a part of the everyday lives of students in our schools.
As she expressed pleasure that among the books were some specific to boys that would encourage reading, she also spoke to the use of e-books. “I know also that there is a trend where we have e-books and persons are saying that the e-book will replace the book in your hand, the ‘live’ book, but I am hoping that that day will never come – that we will be able to have the books and feel to turn the pages and see all the pictures and have the discussions among your peers about how good this book is,” she remarked.
Education Officer with responsibility for Language Arts, Dr. Pauline Millar, stressed the books would promote and encourage reading for pleasure by building a bridge towards traditional reading material.
“These resources will form a part of traditional classroom libraries and will be used to encourage students to engage in self-selected reading,” she noted, adding that the students had earlier revealed to her their love for books with everyday problems and situations.
According to the Ministry, all primary schools will eventually receive a range of books, which include contemporary/popular adolescent material to stimulate interest including the immensely popular ‘Diary of A Wimpy Kid”, “Dork Diaries”, “Avengers” and appealing text on the World, Science, Oceans and the Human Body.
Fake Facebook profiles of the Governor General
The Office of the Governor-General (OGG) is aware that Facebook accounts and email under the name “Colville Young” and colville_young@yahoo.com have been created and are active. The OGG informs the public that any pages and email address colville_young@yahoo.com purporting to be the personal or official account of, or bearing photos or personal information of the Governor-General, His Excellency Sir Colville Young, are fake and unauthorized.
Users are advised to disregard any friend requests or communication from such pages and email and especially refrain from sharing any personal information with said accounts.
All communication from the Governor-General are shared by the Government of Belize Press Office on its official Facebook page.
Food Security: A Priority in Dominica
It has been just over a month since the Eastern Caribbean’s ‘food bowl’ was left bare following a direct hit from one of the strongest hurricanes to pass through the Caribbean basin – Hurricane Maria.
Agricultural stakeholders in the sub-region, both private and public, are actively supporting efforts to ensure the future of Dominica’s agriculture sector through the replanting of fast growing crops paired with dedicated supervision and the use of quality fertilizers.
“In spite of the devastation that is all around us, it is beautiful to see the first signs of regrowth.”
“Food security in the Commonwealth of Dominica is definitely a priority and, while the extent of the devastation is vast, our land is fertile and these seedlings are a representation of the country’s resilience.”
“I extend sincere gratitude to the donors that have worked with the OECS Commission to get this replanting initiative underway as we focus on rebuilding Dominica stronger and smarter than before,” Ambassador Gregoire said.
Over 100,000 seeds have been planted at four strategic sites in the Commonwealth: Roseau, the North-East Area, the South-East Area and Portsmouth, with the first harvest expected in the coming weeks.
Several donations have been made toward the longevity of the project, such as green houses; seedlings; water pumps and fertilizer.
