ISSUE NO.96 February 2005
High Commissioner’s message
 Greetings!
The Disputes Panel of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) ruled
last year that U.S. financial regulations, preventing transactions
between U.S. financial institutions and Antiguan-based Internet
gambling companies, were in breach of obligations of the U.S. under
the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS).
Within 45 days, the Appellate Body of the WTO will again decide
whether Antigua and Barbuda can keep engaging in Internet gaming
legally or whether the United States would have to change its laws
to allow this method of gambling.
As a member of the delegation to the February 21-22 hearing by
the Appellate Body of the World Trade Organization regarding the
Internet Gaming case I must say that we are optimistic about the
outcome.
Finance Minister, Dr Errol Cort, who headed the delegation and
under whose Ministry the Directorate of Offshore Gaming falls said “If
the Panel rules in favour of Antigua and Barbuda it would set legal
precedence in a number of areas as it pertains to the future of
Internet gaming worldwide.”
Along with the European Union, Japan and Mexico, support has
also come from the CARICOM countries.
At the CARICOM Heads of Government Summit in Suriname on February
17 - 18 CARICOM Heads of Government supported Antigua and Barbuda
in its dispute with the United States at the World Trade Organisation
WTO on the matter of Internet Gaming.
Following an intervention by Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer, Heads issued a
resolution supporting the merits of the case outlining that it holds implications
for the provision of services across borders by CARICOM Member States, and
all members of the WTO.
During his intervention, Prime Minister Spencer stated that the laws the United
States passed were designed to stop the delivery of cross-border betting and
gambling services from Antigua and Barbuda into the USA, in violation of the
US commitment under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS).
He noted that it caused several betting companies in Antigua
and Barbuda to close, created unemployment among the country’s
highly-trained young people, and lost the economy tens of millions
of dollars per annum.
He also pointed out that following Antigua and Barbuda’s success in the
matter before the WTO, his government made efforts to settle the matter with
the USA amicably, but this was treated by the US very casually.
In its resolution, CARICOM Heads stated that the case was a pioneering one
and was instructive in many ways on how small states could defend their rights
in the WTO.
Dr Carl Roberts
High Commissioner
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Ministers negotiate additional 1% bonus for port workers
On the 3rd February, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of
Works, Communications and the Environment Wilmoth Daniel and Labour,
Public Administration and Empowerment Minister Dr. Jacqui Quinn-Leandro
resolved a long standing dispute between port workers and the Board
of Commissioners over an additional 1% incentive bonus.
The workers threatened to take industrial action if they were not paid the usual
5% incentive bonus. The Board of Commissioners over the Christmas holidays paid
the workers a 4% bonus, which it says was due to the financial constraints the
port was facing.
Both Ministers met the Board of Commissioners of the Port and issued the following
joint statement on the outcome of the meeting:
“Two Ministries have come together to reach an amicable
settlement of the dispute over the additional 1% incentive bonus
to be paid to Port workers. At a joint meeting with Minister responsible
for the Port, Wilmoth Daniel, Labour Minister, Dr. Jacqui Quinn-Leandro
and the Board of Commissioners of the Antigua and Barbuda Port
Authority, the concerns of the Government, the Board of Commissioners
and the Unions were considered.
At the meeting, the Board outlined certain anomalies and irregularities at
the Port which required their urgent attention and action. Chief of these is
that the Antigua and Barbuda Port Authority is presently undergoing serious
financial difficulties inherited from years of mal-administration of the Port
operations. These have led to the inability of the Port to pay the annual incentive
bonus. A number of pressing economic problems forced the Board of Commissioners
and Port Management to take the decision to pay 4% instead of the 5% demanded
by the Unions.
These include:
a) A large outlay of over $3.7 million for compliance with the ISPS Security
Code and related equipment replacement.
b) Indebtedness to the Port by shipping agents and other companies
as well as large outstanding collectibles;
c) An inherited indebtedness for the Port building and infrastructure
dating back to 23 years, which the previous government did not
pay.
d) Other pressing capital expenditures including the current
breakdown of the tugs.
It was agreed that the Board of Commissioners was not wrong in its interpretation
and application of the Unions’ collective agreements. Both the Ministers
were of the view that any industrial action by the workers would be illegal.
This, notwithstanding, the Ministers decided that they ought to yield to the
Unions’ request to pay the workers the additional 1%.
The Labour Minister indicated her willingness to continue the dialogue with
the Board, Port Management and the Unions to assess the manner in which incentive
bonuses are granted with a view towards basing future bonuses on the profitability
of the Port as articulated in a 2000 Industrial Court Award and the productivity
of workers.
Both Ministers expressed their pride, faith and confidence in the Board of
Commissioners of the Port and anticipated a continued cordial working relationship.
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Government moves to establish Integrated Financial Management Information Systems
 |
Minister Cort (right),
Mrs Eileen Murraine –
Manager of Royal Bank of Canada,
Financial Secretary Whitfield Harris
and Budget Direct David
Matthias (back)
with the new computers. |
The government is closer to enhancing its fiscal management with
the arrival of 150 computer systems to be used in the Integrated
Financial Management Information Systems (IFMIS).
In announcing the arrival of the computers, Finance Minister
Dr. Errol Cort said, “Indeed, any fiscally prudent government
must make an investment in the development of the governance
infrastructure, necessary to support fiscal
management.
“We must ensure accountability for the processing and reporting
of government's operational budget, and we must re-establish policy
credibility, as essential conditions for private sector led growth."
Dr. Cort said the computers were yet another milestone in the
development of a modern and transparent Financial Management System. “I
acknowledge the receipt of these 150 computer systems which will
be allocated to all ministries throughout the public sector in
an effort to facilitate the implementation of the FreeBalance Accounting
System."
The Finance Minister advised that the first phase of deployment
would be distributed within the accounts sections of the Prime
Minister's Office, the Ministry of Finance, Treasury Division,
Audit Department and the Public Works Department.
He said it was through a strong partnership with the Royal Bank
of Canada that the government was able to negotiate the pricing
and support relationship with Dell for the systems. “For
this, we extend our heartfelt and deepest gratitude to Eileen Murraine,
Manager, Royal Bank of Canada and Ross McDonald, Senior Vice President
of Royal Bank of Canada, Bahamas and the Caribbean.
“The success of this endeavour is what can be achieved
when both the Public and Private Sectors work together,” he
concluded.
Ms. Murraine said that her establishment was delighted to assist
the government in this venture and will be willing to come forward
once again to assist future beneficial causes that will facilitate
the effective functioning of government.
The computers were bought from Dell USA at a cost of $169,000.
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Minister leads delegation to the WTO hearing of the US appeal on Internet gaming case
Minister of Finance and the Economy, Dr. Errol
Cort, led Antigua and Barbuda’s delegation to the February
21-22 hearing by the Appellate Body of the World Trade Organization
of an appeal by the United States against the findings of the WTO
Panel, which ruled in favour of Antigua and Barbuda in the now
famous “Internet gaming case.”
On Monday 21st February, Minister Cort presented a 21-page document to the Appellate
Body outlining Antigua and Barbuda’s case.
Dr. Cort in reiterating Antigua and Barbuda’s position
in the Internet Gaming Dispute stressed that “Antigua has
not brought this case on behalf of the global Internet gambling
industry. Further, Antigua has always taken the position that gambling
services should be properly regulated”.
“We believe that any resolution to this dispute will see
our two countries developing a scheme reasonably acceptable to
both of us that allows Antiguan operators fair competitive access
to consumers in the United States. Although the United States is
not ready to negotiate with Antigua at this time, we are hopeful
that upon Antigua prevailing in this appeal, the United States
will consider constructive engagement with us to achieve a speedy
and comprehensive solution,” the Finance Minister said.
Opening statements were also presented by some of the third party
participants to include, the European Community, Japan and Mexico.
Following the opening statements, the Appellate Body proceeded
to ask the teams from Antigua and Barbuda and the US a series of
questions which continued on the 22nd February.
According to Dr. Cort, most of the questions centred around the countries’ interpretation
of the GATS rules particularly Articles 14 & 16.
The Panel has reserved ruling and will issue a written decision within 45 days
to Antigua and Barbuda and the United States.
Dr. Cort said he was satisfied with the level of argument presented
by the legal team which was headed by Attorney-at-Law Mr. Mark
Mendel. To this end, he says that he is cautiously optimistic since
there are a number of issues that the Appellate Body will have
to consider thus, making it a very complex case.
In addition to the Minister, the delegation to the oral hearing
included Antigua and Barbuda’s Permanent Representative to
the WTO, H.E. Dr. John W. Ashe; the Deputy Permanent Representative
to the WTO, H.E. Dr. Carl Roberts; Director of Gaming, Mrs Kaye
Mc Donald and a legal team headed by Attorney-at-Law, Mark Mendel.
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Former President of El Salvador visits Prime Minister Spencer
 |
Prime Minister Spencer (centre)
and
Former President pf El Salvador
with
Ambassador Colin Murdoch,
ambassador
Moran and Margarita Escobar,
Vice Minister of foreign
Affairs of
El Salvador |
On 10th February the former President of El Salvador and candidate
for the position of Secretary-General of the Organisation of American
States OAS Francisco Flores paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister
Baldwin Spencer.
President Flores was on a tour of the region seeking support for his candidacy.
During his discussion with Prime Minister Spencer he outlined his background
and the accomplishments of his administration while he was the President of
El Salvador. He said that if chosen for the position of Secretary-General of
the OAS he will bring the Organisation closer to the Heads of State of the
hemisphere and in service of their agenda.
President Flores also congratulated Prime Minister Spencer on the accomplishments
so far of his administration, outlining that his government has already projected
to the international community that the business of running government has
changed in the interest of the people.
Prime Minister Spencer laid out Antigua and Barbuda’s vision for the
OAS and the kind of support that CARICOM member states would be looking for
in any candidate for the leadership of the OAS.
President Flores is among three candidates seeking the position
of Secretary General of the OAS. His Excellency Jose Miguel Insulza,
Minister of the Interior of Chile and a former Minister of Foreign
Affairs and His Excellency Luis Ernesto Derbez, Minister of Foreign
Affairs of Mexico are the other two candidates.
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Increased cost of gasoline and diesel to be absorbed by Government
The Government of Antigua and Barbuda is to absorb
the increased cost of gasoline and diesel in the country.
This proposal resulted from the increase in gasoline purchased by West Indies
Oil Company, the sole provider of fuel in the country, by 99 cents per gallon
and diesel by 70 cents per gallon. If these increases were passed on to the consumer,
the retail price of gasoline would increase to $9.20 and diesel to $9.01. Currently
consumers pay $8.21 for gasoline and $8.31 for diesel per gallon at the pumps.
The absorbing of the increases is expected to cost the Government an estimated
sum of one million dollars over the one month period of the consumption of this
batch of products.
Although the initiative will put a strain on the Government, the Ministry of
Finance and Economy says they have reviewed the total economic situation and
decided to bear the loss of revenue and absorb the increase at this juncture.
However, the government said it will not be in a position to absorb further increases
should petroleum prices continue to rise in the immediate future.
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HEALTH
CAREC to assist in developing National Cervical Cancer Policy for Antigua and Barbuda.
The Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Caribbean Epidemiology
Centre (CAREC) has formed a Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control
Committee to develop a National Cervical Cancer Policy for Antigua
and Barbuda.
The policy will facilitate the coordination, standardization
and management of the Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control Programme
in Antigua and Barbuda. The main goal for such a programme is to
reduce morbidity and mortality from cervical cancer.
Coordinator of the programme, Superintendent of Public Health
Nurses, Mrs. Lindley Richardson disclosed that the Cervical Cancer
Prevention and Control Programme will target females 20-50 years
and 60 years and over.
Mrs. Richardson is encouraging women in Antigua and Barbuda to
get their Pap smear screening done to detect any abnormal cancer
cells, so that it can be treated in its early stages. Pap smear
screenings are presently being provided by the Clare Hall, All
Saints, Browne's Avenue and Gray's Farm Health Centres.
The mandate of CAREC is to have the National Cervical Cancer
Programme well organized and established by the year 2007
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Health care provision to be improved within Health Institutions
The Ministry of Health has established a flexi-work programme
for nurses interested in working sessions at Holberton Hospital,
Mental Hospital and Fiennes' Institute.
This initiative is in keeping with a series of actions taken by the Ministry
to alleviate the nursing shortage currently being experienced by the institutions.
Clients and patients who access services at the institutions are expected to
reap immediate benefits from this programme.
To facilitate the new programme, the Ministry of Health has invited locally registered
nurses in the private sector, clinics and nurses currently employed at Holberton
Hospital, Mental Hospital and Fiennes' Institute to register at the Nursing Administration
Office at Holberton Hospital, or with the Superintendent of Public Health Nurse
within the Central Board of Health.
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Government negotiates with Stanford Group on Mount St. John Medical Centre Project
 |
| Health Minister John Maginley |
On the 9th February, the Government of Antigua
and Barbuda commenced a series of meetings with the Stanford Group
to discuss issues relating to the Mount St. John’s Medical
Centre.
Health Minister John Maginley convened the meeting with a team from the Stanford
Financial Group lead by its Chief Financial Officer Mr. Jim Davis to discuss
the future development of the medical centre and establish new loan arrangements.
During the discussion three areas were identified for negotiations.
- The Stanford
Group will continue to work with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry
of Health to produce a project document to assist in finding
a partner
to operate Mount St John’s Medical Centre
- Debts owing to Medical Benefit Scheme for the
Mount St. John’s
Medical Centre.
- Finding a source of revenue to assist in the
redevelopment of Holberton Hospital.
The Health Minister said
that he will continue to hold discussions with the Stanford Financial
Group, health officials and the
Ministry of Finance regarding these three areas.
Earlier this year Prime Minister Spencer announced his intention
of authorizing the Minister of Health to commence discussions
with the Stanford Financial
group, in an effort to reduce the monies owed to the group so that the Mount
St. John’s Medical Centre can become operational.
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Holberton Hospital surroundings getting facelift
A project aimed at beautifying the surroundings of Holberton Hospital
has started.
Health officials along with the Hospital Administrator Gary Thomas and the Health
Minister's Advisor, Basil Stuart, toured the institution recently to observe
the commencement of the project.
Mr. Stuart said the project which includes the painting of the Causality Department,
trimming of the trees and repair work on the bathrooms will uplift the appearance
of the health institution.
In addition, a survey is being conducted on the property to update the drawings
of the Holberton Hospital and the Fiennes Institute. The survey will also assist
the design process for the complete rehabilitation of Holberton Hospital and
the Fiennes Institute.
The next project in the pipeline for Holberton Hospital will be the construction
of a new laundry room in the proximity of the maternity ward.
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Clinton Foundation continues support of Antigua and Barbuda's fight against HIV/AIDS
Antigua and Barbuda will continue to receive technical assistance
from the Clinton Foundation in collaboration with the Harvard Medical
School.
This was the indication given by the two-member team - Dr. Christina Kim and
Lisa Hirschhorn, who were recently in Antigua conducting an OECS Regional Coordinating
Mechanism Assessment on the HIV/AIDS Care, Support and Treatment Programme.
During the meeting with Health personnel which included the Clinical Care Team
and members of the AIDS Secretariat, a number of areas were highlighted, so as
to get a better understanding as to how the care, support and treatment programme
is being executed.
These included the needs of persons living with HIV/AIDS and their challenges,
pregnant women who are HIV positive, medication, counselling, home base visits
and the training of pharmacists, doctors and other health personnel who have
direct management with Persons Living With HIV/AIDS.
The main thrust of the Clinton Foundation is also to work in
collaboration with other agencies such as the University of the
West Indies CHART Programme, to offer affordable Anti-Retroviral
Drugs (ARV) to countries, so that they in turn can offer these
to persons living with HIV/AIDS.
At present there are 36 persons who are receiving the anti-retroviral drugs
from this control care, support and treatment programme in Antigua and Barbuda.
AIDS Programme Manager - Mrs. Janet Weston in her report announced that 23
new cases of HIV positives were recorded between January and September 2004.
Mrs. Weston also spoke of the HIV Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) Sites
that have been set up at several Health Centres. The centres offering the service
are All Saints, Clare Hall, Browne's Avenue, St. John's, and Johnson's Point
Health Centres. The Voluntary Counselling and Testing can also be done at the
AIDS Secretariat and the Antigua Planned Parenthood Association (APPA).
From 1985 to September 2004 there were 478 reported cases of HIV in Antigua
and Barbuda. Of this total 131 persons have since died of AIDS related illnesses.
There were 92 males and 39 females.
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Dialysis Unit at Holberton gets new equipment
The Medical Benefits Scheme has purchased a new Dialysis Machine
and a Reverse Osmosis Plant for the Dialysis Unit at the Holberton
Hospital in order to increase its capacity.
At present, there are four dialysis machines at the Unit. The first three machines
were donated by the Chairman of the Stanford Group Mr. R. Allen Stanford, when
the Unit was established in July, 1997. The other machine was donated by a well
known Antiguan businessman Mr. George John.
Dialysis treatment is for patients with end-stage renal disease/kidney failure,
which is mainly caused by uncontrolled hypertension and diabetes
The Dialysis Unit currently accommodates 22 patients three times per week with
each person receiving dialysis treatment for an average of three and a half hours
per session.
A Senior Health Official revealed that dialysis treatment is very costly. The
Health Official explained that for one person per year it costs EC$63,434.00
in consumables only. These include needles, dialysis fluids and other medication.
That amount does not include costs for the maintenance of the Unit's equipment,
machines, staffing and other expenditures.
In the meantime, the Dialysis Unit will be undergoing renovation
work shortly.
This was announced by the Hospital Administrator, Mr. Gary Thomas, who also
said that the estimated cost for the renovation work to be carried out by the
Holberton Restoration Committee, is EC$28,000.00.
Mr. Thomas said that so far EC$20,000.00 has been collected for
the project from two civic minded non-profit organisations.
He said the Antigua and Barbuda Renal Society has donated EC$10,000.00 towards
the improvement of the dialysis unit.
The other $10,000.00 was raised from guests' donations at Dr R. A Walwyn and
Mrs Myra Walwyn 50th Wedding Anniversary celebration and presented to the Society
of Friends of the Holberton Hospital which donated the funds to assist with
the upgrade of the Renal Dialysis Unit at the Hospital.
Hospital Administrator Gary Thomas lauded both organisations for their contributions
and encouraged the general public to fully support the Antigua and Barbuda
Renal Society and the Society of Friends of the Holberton Hospital in their
future fund-raising efforts.
The Society of Friends of the Holberton Hospital has been associated with Holberton
for many years and continues to make immeasurable contributions to the institution
from its fund raising efforts.
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Antigua and Barbuda strengthens ties with Mexico
 |
Prime Minister Spencer and
Ambassador
Bueno with Ambassador Joan Underwood and
Sr. Ambassador
Ramez Hadeed |
Relations between Antigua and Barbuda and Mexico were further
strengthened when Her Excellency Mrs. Luz Elena Bueno presented
her credentials
to Governor General
Sir James B. Carlisle on 14th February .
In presenting her credentials, Ambassador Bueno assured the Governor General
of the high regard in which her country holds Antigua and Barbuda and expressed
the desire to develop a formal mechanism for cooperation between the two countries.
Prior to her visit to Government House, Ambassador Bueno paid a courtesy call
on Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Baldwin Spencer. The Prime
Minister took the opportunity to express appreciation for Mexico’s recent
donation of twenty-six scholarships to the people of Antigua and Barbuda
PM Spencer also expressed his admiration for President Vicente Fox’s administration
and his accomplishments since coming to office in 2000. The Prime Minister alluded
to the similarities between the two countries in that – like his UPP administration – President
Fox came to office after waging a campaign against corruption and pledging to
dismantle the existing bureaucratic structure which he described as corrupt and
inefficient.
In response Ambassador Bueno acknowledged the accomplishments of the new UPP
administration and the challenges that it was encountering in executing the necessary
changes. She again invited the Prime Minister to call on her country for technical
assistance whenever and wherever necessary.
While in Antigua the Mexican Ambassador also met Senior Ambassador Sir Ramez
Hadeed and her counterpart Ambassador Joan H. Underwood. During that meeting
Ambassador Bueno presented an outline of Mexico’s programme of cooperation
for development and communicated her country’s commitment to fast tracking
a programme of assistance for Antigua. Ambassador Underwood has been tasked with
following through on this initiative.
Ambassador Bueno’s visit was followed closely by the arrival of a Mexican
technical team which collaborated with the Ministries of Education and Foreign
Affairs and selected the twenty-six students who will shortly take up the scholarships
in Mexico.
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EDUCATION
Government to establish Antigua and Barbuda Institute of Continuing Studies
The Government of Antigua and Barbuda, through the Ministry of
Education, will later this year establish the Antigua and Barbuda
Institute of Continuing Studies (ABICS).
Coordinator of Technical Studies in the Ministry of Education
Reginald Peterson said the initiative will allow interested persons
to attain the skills necessary to make themselves more marketable
throughout the world.
Mr. Peterson, who was at the time attending the Board of Education Exhibition
of Works at the Multi-Purpose Centre, made it clear that the Antigua and Barbuda
Institute of Continuing Studies (ABICS) will be established to facilitate the
ongoing education and training of nationals and other residents. This programme
is expected to commence in September and will offer a wide variety of courses.
Mr. Peterson said that ultimately the Antigua and Barbuda Institute
of Continuing Studies expects to move on to offering first degree
studies. BACK TO TOP
Minister of Education says Finance and General Purposes Committee meeting a success
At a recent Finance and General Purposes Committee meeting
in Jamaica, Minister of Education Bertrand Joseph said the most
important report was that of the UWI Task Force on the Liberalization
of Higher Education and its impact on the UWI and Tertiary Education
in the region.
The report which was prepared by Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Cave Hill
Campus in Barbados, Hilary Beckles, looks at the question of higher education
in the Caribbean, in the context of the General Agreement on Trade in Services
(GATS) and the World Trade Organization (WTO). The report also calls for the
harmonization of Governments approach in dealing with the delivery of educational
services by UWI.
Challenges were also looked at and the whole aspect of higher education institutions
invading the Caribbean or UWI’s space. Out of this, regional governments
were urged to not only agree on a regional approach like the WTO negotiations,
but also national strategies that will take the UWI into account as the regional
university, and a partner to national tertiary institutions.
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Antigua and Barbuda deposits CCJ Instruments with CARICOM Secretariat
 |
Prime Minister Spencer presenting
the
Instruments to President Venetiaan.
Ambassador Colin Murdoch
(left) and
Dr Edwin Carrington witnessed the event |
Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer has deposited Antigua and Barbuda’s
Instruments of Accession and Ratification of the Caribbean Court
of Justice with the CARICOM
Secretariat.
As part of the process towards the full implementation of the Caribbean Court
of Justice CCJ, countries within CARICOM must deposit various instruments pertaining
to the body passed in their respective Houses of Parliament, to bring the agreement
establishing the CCJ into force.
While in Suriname for the 16th Inter-Sessional Meeting of Heads of the Conference
of the Caribbean Community Prime Minister Spencer presented to the Chairman and
Secretary General of CARICOM President Runaldo Ronald Venetiaan and Dr. Edwin
Carrington, the following instruments of Accession and Ratification:
- Revised Agreement
establishing the CCJ Trust Fund
- Protocol on the status, privileges and immunities
of the CCJ and the Regional Judicial and Legal Service Commission
- Agreement Establishing the CCJ
- Protocol to the agreement establishing
the CCJ relating to the Juridical Personality and Legal Capacity
of the
court.
Antigua and Barbuda has only signed on to the CCJ in its
Original Jurisdiction, with a referendum and two-thirds majority
in
the House of Representatives needed
for the country to adopt the court in its Appellate Jurisdiction.
In the exercise of its original jurisdiction, the CCJ will be discharging
the functions of an international tribunal applying rules of international
law
in respect of the interpretation and application of the Treaty. In this
regard, the CCJ would be performing functions like the European Court of
Justice,
the European Court of First Instance, the Andean Court of Justice and the
International
Court of Justice. In short, the proposed CCJ is intended to be a hybrid
institution - a municipal court of last resort and an international court
with compulsory
and exclusive jurisdiction in respect of the interpretation and application
of the Treaty.
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BARBUDA
Barbuda gets Reverse Osmosis Plant
 |
Prime Minister Spencer cutting
the
ribbon to commission the plant. Barbuda
representative
Trevor Walker looks on |
On the 21st February Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer commissioned
a Reverse Osmosis Plant in Barbuda allowing the residents to have
pipe-borne water for the first time.
In addressing the gathering the Prime Minister said that it is incomprehensible
that to this day, in the sixth year of the 21st century, Barbuda, just 20 miles
away from Antigua, has been left without pipe-borne water. He noted that since
coming into office his administration has developed a new relationship with
the people of Barbuda and that relationship has so far produced benefits for
the people of the island.
“The Commonwealth Review team reported that Barbudans had confirmed a vastly
improved relationship between Barbuda and Antigua. There is an abundance of evidence
that insofar as Barbuda is concerned, my administration is manifestly living
up to the United Progressive Party’s Motto: People first. This water treatment
plant is a striking example. In our Agenda for Change we promised that this water
treatment plant would be a high priority. We made it a high priority. From today,
with the United Progressive Party less than a year in office, Barbudans have
their own water treatment plant,” the Prime Minister noted.
Prime Minster Spencer said that with the UPP Administration it
is a win-win situation for the people of Antigua and Barbuda. He
pointed out that in less than one year of his administration, it
has been proven that his government is about performance. “My
administration is all about performance. That is why the material
is here for the road construction programme which is about to begin
in Barbuda. The United Progressive Party Administration is all
about performance. That is why we have sourced funds for a new
Secondary School for Barbuda, which will open for the new school
year. My Administration is performance driven. That is why Cabinet
has approved the funds for a Barbuda Justice Complex. The Barbuda
Justice Complex will accommodate a Magistrate’s Court, a
Police Station and Police Quarters. We promised you a better Barbuda.
We are giving you what it takes to make Barbuda better,” he
concluded
The Reverse Osmosis Plant has the capacity to produce over 20,000
gallons of water per day.
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Fiennes Institute receives gifts from Antiguan national living in the UK
Mrs Debbie Matthias, in collaboration with Ms. Olivette Browne
and Rams’ Shipping, recently donated much needed gifts to
the Fiennes Institute in Antigua and Barbuda.
Mrs Matthias outlined that she was informed by Ms. Browne that
the Carlisle Home in Ricksmansworth was about to close and that
the beds and furniture would be discarded. Knowing that the Fiennes
Institute could make good use of these items, she and her husband
John journeyed to the Home to ascertain that the beds and furniture
were worth sending home. In all, she received nine zimmer frames,
ten single beds with base and a box of disposable commodes and
urinals. These were shipped, free of charge, to Antigua and Barbuda
by Rams’ Shipping.
In a letter dated 4th February, 2005 to Mrs Matthias, the Master
of the Fiennes Institute offered utmost thanks to her and all her
colleagues for the generous gift package. “Words” he
said, “will not be enough to express our appreciation but
can assure you that your efforts will not go in vain”. He
promised her that the items “will go a long way in caring
for the elderly.”
For her part, she is extremely grateful to Ms. Olivette Browne and family,
the Hornsey Moravian Church, her husband John and Rams’ Shipping for
all their assistance and hard work.
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Antigua and Barbuda and Chile move to closer cooperation
 |
Prime Minister Spencer and
Chilean
President Lagos during their discussions |
Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Baldwin Spencer and President
of Chile Ricardo Lagos Escobar have pledged to deepen bilateral
relations between both
countries.
Prime Minister Spencer and President Lagos while in Georgetown, Guyana for the
opening of the CARICOM Secretariat Headquarters, held high level discussions
on a number of areas of cooperation.
During the discussions, Prime Minister Spencer informed President Lagos that
it was very significant that he had journeyed to Guyana to participate in the
ceremonial launching of the CARICOM Secretariat, which was a symbol of Caribbean
unity.
President Lagos said that what CARICOM had accomplished was very significant
and extended an invitation to Prime Minister Spencer to make an official visit
to Chile.
On matters of cooperation, President Lagos indicated that the Chilean candidacy
for the Secretary General of the Organisation of American States OAS was a national
candidacy, supported by all political parties in Chile. Prime Minister Spencer
and his CARICOM colleagues addressed the issue during the Inter-sessional Meeting
last week in Suriname.
Antigua and Barbuda and Chile in January of this year commenced
discussions on ways of collaborating in the areas of Agriculture
and language training. Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer initiated
the discussion last June while attending the European Union-Latin
America and the Caribbean Summit in Mexico. Since then Antigua
and Barbuda has submitted five project proposals for consideration
by the Chileans. Based on the preliminary review of these proposals,
both countries are optimistic that a mutually beneficial system
of technical cooperation can be implemented within the short-term.
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Ministry of Tourism hosts Trade in Tourism Services Workshop
As the Caribbean States approach imminent deadlines in a number
of global trade negotiations including the World Trade Organisation/General
Agreement on Trade in Services (WTO/GATS), the African, Caribbean,
Pacific/European Union (ACP/EU) negotiations for Economic Partnership
Agreements (EPAs) and the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA),
it is critical that tourism stakeholders in both the private sector
and the Government are fully aware of the impact such economic
arrangements will have on the tourism industry.
The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation sought the assistance of the Caribbean
Tourism Organisation in conducting a two-day workshop to enlighten participants
on the implications for Caribbean tourism of these regional trade agreements.
On 14th February the workshop commenced with top Government officials in trade,
tourism and foreign affairs, as well as managers of major hotels and tourism
attractions at the Antigua and Barbuda Hospitality Training Institute.
Minister of Tourism, Harold Lovell, who spearheaded the effort to stage this
workshop in Antigua, said that the exercise helped to create an informed partnership
of public and private sector stakeholders with a sound knowledge of the language
and issues relating to trade in tourism services. “Of most importance is
that Antiguans and Barbudans are better equipped to function and do business
in the liberalised global economy.”
Lorraine Headley, Coordinator of the workshop indicated that interest in the
workshop had been immense. The seminar was facilitated by Mr. Lawrence Placide,
Director of the International Trade Negotiations Unit of the Trinidad & Tobago
Chamber of Industry and Commerce, and Jan Yves Remy, Services Analyst of the
Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery.
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Port Charge not responsible for recent state of Cruise Affairs!
The $2.50 port charge which was recently the focus of much debate
as it related to the future of Antigua and Barbuda’s Cruise
Tourism Industry, cannot be blamed for the present state of affairs,
when scrutinizing the “Summer Fall” Cruise phenomenon.
This was signaled by Tourism Minister Harold Lovell during a
recently held press conference to relay information on his most
recent mission to Miami, Florida to speak with officials of the
FCCA (Florida Caribbean Cruise Association). The Minister noted
that this suggestion has been “thrown out of the ring” of
possible initiatives geared towards boosting profits in the Cruise
Sector.
Minister Lovell backed by other partners within the Cruise Tourism
Sector revealed the details of the phenomenon, such as “an
ever increasing number of cruise liners are now departing from
US mainland ports instead of the more traditional San Juan departure
(this taking the vessels out of the region)”. As a result
of this trend during the summer months, cruise vessels are now
migrating to the Mediterranean area and even Alaska.
This could be attributed to a number of factors ranging from
the merger or “buy-out” of various cruise lines by
a single entity because of bankruptcy or other such economic trends,
to current market situations and the demand for specific destinations,
varying definitively from season to season.
As may have been recently implied, the $2.50 Port Charge IS NOT
a factor that contributes to this phenomenon.
According to Cameron Frazier, Director of Antigua Pier Group
Ltd, (another cruise sector partner), by the end of Sea-trade 2004
to be held in March, precise announcements will be made with regard
to the success of efforts to lobby more vessels to make the eastern
Caribbean their area of call during the summer months. Already
one vessel has been secured to make calls to Antigua during this
period.
Tourism Minister Lovell pointed out that “the Eastern Caribbean
has to address the problem collectively…the idea now is to
work with the Cruise lines to arrange long term agreements for
long term growth.”
Antigua and Barbuda’s Cruise Tourism Industry has recorded
extra-ordinary growth for the year 2004, with approximately 522,743
passengers arriving on island. This is the impetus for the major
efforts being embarked upon by the Tourism Ministry in negotiating
for additional cruise ship visits during peak periods and off-seasons
geared towards surpassing this mark in 2005.
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