News : International : Caribbean News
St Lucia PM on the Leahy Law: I’ve done everything I can do - Aug 13, 2017 - 7:07:50 PM

In the third and final part of the Caribbean News Now exclusive interview with the prime minister of Saint Lucia, Allen Chastanet, he apparently admitted he can do no with regard to more Leahy Law sanctions on Saint Lucia.

The issues arising from Operation Restore Confidence (ORC), the Leahy Law sanctions and the subsequent IMPACS report have been dealt with in considerable detail in many columns and leading news reports from Caribbean News Now.

In brief, security force units in Saint Lucia have been denied assistance by the US under the Leahy Amendment to the Foreign Assistance Act, joining such illustrious company as Bangladesh, Bolivia, Colombia, Guatemala...

News : International : Caribbean News
Caribbean Export brings regional designers to CARIFESTA XIII - Aug 10, 2017 - 2:59:17 PM

At this year’s CARIFESTA XIII hosted in Barbados, the Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) will be facilitating the participation of designers and artisans from across CARIFORUM within their Design Caribbean and Caribbean Essence export promotion platforms.

The assistance, in the tune of €50,000 is funded by the European Union (EU) via the 11th EDF Regional Private Sector Development Programme (RPSDP), will allow seven fashion designers and four artisans to showcase their creations at the Grand Market & Buyers Shopping Mall from August 18-27 at the Lloyd Erskin Sandiford Centre, Barbados.   The Agency is further supporting the participation of 10 buyers from the EU to attend the event and discover the wealth of products available for the export market. ...

News : International : Caribbean News
Citing climate change prime minister outlines Immense significance of Japanese grant for bridges - Aug 10, 2017 - 9:46:33 AM

As the Prime Minister of Saint Lucia prepared to sign an agreement with the Japanese Government for a Grant for the reconstruction of bridges in the Cul De Sac basin he stressed that the policy and strategy of Government as it pertains to Climate Change and the impact it is having on the island’s infrastructure has been and will continue to be a top priority.

At the brief ceremony for the Exchange of Notes for the Japanese Grant Aid for the Ravine Poisson and Cul de Sac Bridges held at the Office of the Prime Minister on Wednesday August 9th 2017, Prime Minister Honourable Allen Chastanet took the audience through some of the challenges faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS) such as Saint Lucia...

News : International : Caribbean News
Kenyan elections “credible, fair and inclusive” – Chair of Commonwealth Observer Group - Aug 10, 2017 - 4:32:53 AM

John Mahama, Chair of the Commonwealth Observer Group in Kenya and former President of Ghana, has commended Kenyans for their patience in waiting for final election results.  In his interim statement, he asked for continued patience as results continue to be finalised.

“We have followed the whole process and wish to congratulate all on the process thus far. It is my fervent hope and expectation that the positive, peaceful and orderly atmosphere that we all experienced on 8 August 2017 will continue to prevail as we await the conclusion of this electoral process,” he stated....

News : International : Caribbean News
The reality of crime in St Lucia - Aug 9, 2017 - 1:28:04 PM

The second part of the Caribbean News Now exclusive interview with Allen Chastanet, prime minister of Saint Lucia, discussed the problem of increased crime, which is pertinent to the economic viability of his 100 percent tourism focus, as well as the ability to attract offshore financial services under the Headquarters Act.

On the subject of crime, first, let’s examine measure and perhaps obstacles to get past the status quo and the ingenuity required to create and implement new policies that advance the situation...

News : International : Caribbean News
Renewable energy, in contrast to tourism-led growth in St Lucia - Aug 8, 2017 - 11:38:27 PM

The prime minister of Saint Lucia, Allen Chastanet’s tourism-led strategy has come to the fore once again, as the economic centrality for the island, following the agreement between the government of Saint Lucia, Range Developments and Marriott International to establish and operate a luxury Ritz Carlton resort at Black Bay, and the first published part of a Caribbean News Now exclusive interview.
The prime minister had already made it clear in the budget speech that “the tourism sector will be reengineered in order to achieve its full potential and to be used as a catalyst for economic growth. We will work towards building a tourism product that

News : International : Caribbean News
Saint Lucia PM Offers Condolences to Dominica following Deadly Accident - Aug 7, 2017 - 4:54:06 PM

Prime Minister Honourable Allen M. Chastanet has sent condolences to the Government and People of Dominica following a vehicular accident in that island where five young men lost their lives. The incident occurred on the morning of Sunday August 06th 2017 in Vieille Case, in the northern part of Dominica, when the vehicle reportedly plunged off a cliff.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Dominica at this time. Dominica is our sister isle and we in Saint Lucia have gone through something very similar and we know how difficult this can be for a small country,” noted Prime Minister Chastanet.

“On behalf of the people of Saint Lucia

News : International : Caribbean News
St Lucia's quadratic equation, choking up the thinking - Aug 4, 2017 - 3:47:32 AM

  The economic expediency and political honeymoon of the government of Saint
Lucia, expected to work systematically to sort-out the underlying problems facing the country, is thus far impractical to offer a persuasive response to substantive matters.

Overwhelmed on matters of national concern is an understatement. The government is seemingly crippled and although “there are opportunities to be grasped, beginning with a reset agenda on socio-economic, security, governance, trade and international relations, on a bilateral and multilateral level” hindrances persist with hardball tactics...

News : International : Caribbean News
Caribbean Tourism Organization annouces Winners of Caribbean Primary Schools Tourism Writing Competition - Aug 2, 2017 - 4:41:12 PM

Four Caribbean primary school students ranging in age from 8-12, will be honoured for excellence in tourism writing at next month's Climate Smart Sustainable Tourism Forum in St. Kitts.

The four -  Kassie Haley-Shai of St. Augustine Roman Catholic School in Montserrat, Ariah Khobie Diamante Darroux of  Convent Preparatory School  in Dominica (both in the 8-10 category), Jhe'auti Belyca Craigg of Belmont Government School in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Gabriella Lewis   of Atwell's Educational Institute in Trinidad and Tobago (10-12 category) - emerged winners among 44 participants  from 26 schools who participated in the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO)'s Caribbean Primary Schools Tourism Writing Competition...

News : International : Caribbean News
Saint Lucia Showcase- North America, a resounding success - Aug 1, 2017 - 1:00:41 PM

This year’s Saint Lucia Showcase – North America held on Wednesday, July 26, was a very productive and successful event. Hosted by the Saint Lucia Tourist (SLTB) at the Sandals Grande Saint Lucian Spa & Beach Resort, the Showcase brought together hotels, destination management companies (DMCs) and tourism officials with North American-based tour operators that sell Saint Lucia as one of their primary destinations. The event attracted approximately 15 tour operators and over 30 hotels along with several DMCs attending.

Participants got the opportunity to network and build business relationships with each other in an effort to promote and sell Saint Lucia as a premier vacation destination. Additionally, they are able to reacquaint themselves with the island and strengthen their knowledge of the destination...      

News : International : Caribbean News
Caribbean leaders to stimulate travel in the region by removing travel barriers - Aug 1, 2017 - 12:43:11 PM

The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) are encouraged by the support of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders for initiatives to facilitate travel and stimulate economic growth through tourism.

The CTO, with the support of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association, presented a number of short, medium and long-term proposals to the regional leaders at their recent summit in Grenada, aimed at positioning the Caribbean as a thriving world-class tourism, and bolstering the region's economic strength and stability.

News : International : Caribbean News
New National Symbols of St. Martin published - Jul 31, 2017 - 10:59:54 AM

National Symbols of St. Martin – A Primer is now available at Van Dorp. The popular book about the island’s history and culture was out of stock for nearly 10 years, said Jacqueline Sample of House of Nehesi Publishers (HNP).

“Mrs. Carty and Mr. Chance of Van Dorp bookstore have been requesting orders of National Symbols of St. Martin for individual customers and schools for a number of years,” said Sample.

“HNP was unable to fill those orders because we had run out of copies from the second printing in 1997,” said Sample on Sunday...

News : International : Caribbean News
Saint Lucia Readies to Welcome Gold Winning Commonwealth Team Home! - Jul 24, 2017 - 3:25:23 PM

The Government of Saint Lucia has once again extended congratulations to Team Saint Lucia, following a second Gold Medal win at the Commonwealth Youth Games in The Bahamas.

Saint Lucia defeated Trinidad and Tobago 6-2 in the Beach Soccer final on July 22nd 2017 with Linus Clovis reportedly scoring four goals and Zaine Amedee and Dillon Fanis scoring the other two winning goals. On Thursday July 20th 2017, sprinter Julien Alfred won our country’s first Gold medal at the Commonwealth Youth Games in the girl’s 100m final by running a time of 11.56 seconds...

News : International : Caribbean News
Cayman Finance congratulates Bermuda on successful elections and looks forward to continued cooperation on shared priorities - Jul 24, 2017 - 3:07:59 PM

Cayman Finance congratulates Bermuda on its successful completion of free and fair elections and the continuation of its tradition of government that reflects the will of the people. The peaceful transition of power is a process that established democracies can too often take for granted, but one that is unfortunately still out of reach for many around the world – even in our own hemisphere. Like the Cayman Islands, Bermuda has demonstrated its commitment to representative government for a long time and should be applauded for doing so once again.

Our two jurisdictions share more than just a democratic tradition. We share a commitment to the highest levels of transparency and international standards for our leading business sectors such as financial services...

News : International : Caribbean News
Cayman Finance CEO Jude Scott spends 2 weeks in London promoting Cayman Islands financial services industry - Jul 23, 2017 - 6:23:45 PM

Cayman Finance CEO Jude Scott has completed a two week visit to London to promote the Cayman Islands financial services industry and its role within the global financial economy. This visit was the first international joint venture between Cayman Finance and the new Minister of Financial Services, the Hon. Tara Rivers.
 
“Cayman Finance, in conjunction with the Ministry of Financial Services, is constantly working to ensure we maintain strong and beneficial relationships with key international figures in the financial services industry,” said Mr Scott. “It is important for us to keep reminding these stakeholders of the Cayman Islands’ role as a premier global financial hub and the ways in which we benefit developed and developing

News : International : Caribbean News : Turks & Caicos Islands
Saint Lucia congratulates new Bermuda Premier & Government - Jul 20, 2017 - 8:26:17 AM

The Government of Saint Lucia extends congratulations to the new Premier of Bermuda, Honourable David Burt, who was officially sworn in yesterday, July 19th 2017.

At 38 years old, Mr. Burt is Bermuda’s youngest Premier, and took the Progressive Labour Party (PLP) to victory in Tuesday’s poll with a win of 24 seats in the 36-seat parliament, securing a majority.

“On behalf of the Prime Minister and the Government and People of Saint Lucia, we wish to send our best wishes to the new Bermuda Government and look...

News : International : Caribbean News
Saint Lucia signs Maritime Boundary Delimitation Agreements with Barbados and with Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - Jul 8, 2017 - 6:03:19 PM

On July 6, Saint Lucia signed agreements with Barbados and with Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to delimit our maritime boundaries with those two States.  The signing took place during the Thirty-eighth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM, held in St. George’s, Grenada, from July 4-6.

These agreements are the result of negotiations held between Saint Lucia and Barbados in March 2016 and between Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in May 2017, to determine the maritime boundaries between the States.  The Commonwealth Secretariat provided legal and technical advisory support to all negotiating parties...

News : International : Caribbean News
Outgoing CARICOM Chairman makes impassioned plea for closer unity - Jul 5, 2017 - 9:35:08 PM

“The Community, challenged by the constantly changing international situation, must redouble its efforts to ensure a more safe society for its citizens, more stable economies for its countries, deeper solidarity and a more secure hemisphere.”

This impassioned plea for closer unity within CARICOM was issued by outgoing Chairman, His Excellency David Granger, President of Guyana in his address to the opening of the 38th Regular Meeting of the Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government...

News : International : Caribbean News
Bahamian Minister Honourable Brent Symonette calls for more regional cooperation at JAMPRO’s Caribbean Market Mission - Jun 30, 2017 - 7:29:54 PM

Kingston, Jamaica - Bahamian Minister of Financial Services, Trade and Industry and Immigration, The Honourable Brent Symonette called for more regional cooperation on trade at the final leg of JAMPRO’s Caribbean Market Mission in The Bahamas, which ends today, June 30, 2017. Thirteen Jamaican companies promoted their products for export to The Bahamas on one of JAMPRO’s largest trade missions, which covered 3 key markets in the Caribbean region.

Minister Symonette said The Bahamas was the perfect market to partner with Jamaica on trade, as the islands are home to one of the largest group of Jamaicans in the Diaspora, over 10,000 persons...

News : International : Caribbean News
Caribbean Export Expands Regional Angel Investor Network to the Dominican Republic and Haiti - Jun 28, 2017 - 5:21:28 PM

The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) has commenced their expansion of the Angel investment footprint within the Dominican Republic and Haiti following the hosting of the first Bi-National Angel Investment workshop in collaboration with several partners, including the Centre for Innovation for Business Development and Entrepreneurship (CIDE) at the Iberoamerican University (UNIBE), the DR Ministry of Commerce, Industry, the Ministry of Commerce in Haiti, the Haitian Chamber of Commerce and two angel investor groups in the DR, namely ENLACES and NEXXUS. Key participants from Haiti also included Root Capital (an agricultural impact investor) and Yunis Social Business (a social impact investor).

“Promoting innovative ways of funding SME’s including supporting the development of the angel investment climate within the DR and Haiti is a key activity for the Agency...