Business Focus Antigua 60 by Regional Publications

The quarterly magazine for decision makers No.60 • May-July 2016

OBMI:

CELEBRATING 80 YEARS IN THE CARIBBEAN V i s i t U s O n l i n e - w w w. b u s i n e s s f o c u s a n t i g u a . c o m

No. 60

BF May - July 2016

CONTENTS FEATURE 17.

The Architecture of Imagination

REGULARS

63. Canada Funds Facility that Benifits Caribbean Countries

64. Carib'n Countries Not Fully Satisfied With EPA Accord

65. The Sustainable Development 67. 68.

04.

Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Focus

70.

06.

Business Briefs

72.

In The Know 08. The Board's Oversight Role In I.t. 51. 56. 57. 58.

Governance The Inevitable Journey to The Caribbean Court of Justice Local Police Officer Receives Regional Awards 10 Carib'n Countries Where Women are More Educated Than Men White Concrete

Business Tech 10. Taking A Closer Look At CANTO 12. Protect Yourself When Using The Internet

14. Speaking Frankly:

The Designer's Plight

38. 40.

Square One Ltd Basic Cents: The Secret of Failure

Money Matters 42. Fear That New Banking Regulations Could Affect Caricom Economies

44. A & B Calls for Harmonised Carib'n Position on New Int'l Banking Regulations 48. Repeal of Personal income Tax Postponed

50.

Business Focus Must Reads

Economy & Trade Focus 60. A & B's Manufacturing Sector 62. No Improvement Expected in A&B

Rankings in Ease of Doing Business

Goals and Caricom Carib'n Development Meeting Customers' Needs: Creating a Culture of Service Tips for Choosing the Best Fit for Your Company Protecting Your Intellectual Property ECLAC Predicts Carib'n Economies Will Contract This Year

Youth Focus 76. First Digital Version of OECS

Commission's Education Digest

77. Antigua, St. Kitts Students Win LIDC Debate

Environmental Focus 78. Environment Conservation and

Tourism Groups Endorse the Barbuda Blue Halo Initiative 79. A & B Walking the Talk on Climate Change Adaptation 83. Half Moon Bay Developers Acquires More Land

Tourism Focus 84. Tourism Attracts Multi-Billion

Dollar Iraqi Investment Project

85. Antigua Welcomes Trinidadian Investors in Tourism Sector 86. A & B Records Third Month of Double Digit Air Arrivals

Health & Wellness 89. The EU Releases 10 Million Euro For Zika Research

90. Stem Cell Research and Treatment

Centre to be Established in Antigua

91.

Major Moves

94.

Events

96.

New Company Registrations

100.

Advertiser's Index

GROW

Your Business Today

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BUSINESSFOCUS

A TIME FOR A CELEBRATION! It is our hope that we will continue to find a special place in the hearts and minds of our ever changing demographic of readers as we continue our efforts to deliver future editions of our Business Focus Antigua & Barbuda Magazine for many more years. In this Issue we are also pleased to be able to partner with OBM International – a company based in Miami and at home in Antigua & Barbuda and the islands of the Caribbean as they celebrate 80 years of being in business. This company has been operating in Antigua & Barbuda for several years and has made bold statements through their innovative, aesthetically pleasing, structurally sound and environmentally friendly architectural and engineering designs for the many residential and commercial properties which now take pride of place in the hills, valleys and bays across Antigua & Barbuda.

LOKESH SINGH

Publisher/Managing Editor

This is a time to celebrate and reflect for many reasons. At Regional Publications Ltd, we celebrate the publication of our 60th edition of Business Focus Antigua & Barbuda with this issue - making us the longest and most published Business Magazine in the Leeward Islands. Despite the many challenges and changes experienced over the years we have persevered and it has been a pleasure and a remarkable effort to be able to deliver this Magazine over the years capturing your imagination and chronicling the history of doing business and the people influencing business in Antigua & Barbuda. We wish to thank our advertisers, contributors and all who have helped in making this a colourful and rewarding journey. We also wish to recognize and thank our dedicated staff for their efforts in taking each issue from concept through to the finished printed product.

In the process OBMI have opened the doors for a new cadre of Antiguans to chart a professional life in this sector and grow with opportunity. In this regard we recognize the work and efforts of Carina Harney-Rogerson who has been recently named Managing Director of the OBMI’s Antigua based operations. We wish to congratulate Carina on her recent appointment and in the process breaking the proverbial glass ceiling for women in another economic sector. She is a true role model for our next generation and shows that with passion and application we can make our dreams become reality. We wish her and her team at OBMI Antigua every success as they continue to redesign the landscape of Antigua & Barbuda for the future. We also note the various Government and private sector initiatives which augur well for the future growth of our economy. Here’s to celebrating more good news in the months ahead. Happy Reading! •

BusinessFocus

May /July

Business Focus magazine is published quarterly by Regional Publications Ltd (RPL) in Antigua and Barbuda. Publisher / Managing Editor: Lokesh Singh Editor: Martina Johnson Graphic Designer: Melissa Sebastien Advertising Sales: Ann-Maria Marshall • Evol Desouza Shari Dickenson Cover Photography: Gemma Hazelwood Photography: Gemma Hazelwood • Martina Johnson online sources Editorial Contributors: Martina Johnson • OBMI • Koren Norton Yves Ephraim • Desmond Brown • CMC • Government of Antigua & Barbuda • Chris Bart Brian Ramsey • Melissa Sebastian E. Ann Henry • Samuel Rosenberg Lyndell Halliday Regional Publications Ltd Bryson’s Office Complex, Friars Hill Road, P.O. Box 180, Suite #5A,St.John’s, Antigua + 1 -268- 462- 7680 Email: sales@regionalpub.com Website: www.businessfocusantigua.com Business Focus welcomes contributions from professionals or writers in specialised fields or areas of interest. Reproduction of any material contained herein without written approval, constitutes a violation of copyright. Business Focus reserves the right to determine the content of the publication. On the Cover: OBMI

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BUSINESS BRIEFS

Barbuda

This was the report they gave at the end of April when their environmental and architectural engineer from Meridian Construction met with the Gaston Browne led Cabinet.

A I R WAY S

BARBUDA AIRWAYS READY TO SOAR More than a year after Cabinet approved the plans to set up Barbuda Airways, another Cabinet decision has been made to get the company operationalised at the start of May 2016. Chief of Staff Lionel “Max” Hurst said the government’s partnership with privately owned Caribbean Helicopters Limited will definitely be a welcome arrangement by the people who travel between Antigua, and Barbuda. Outside of airlift, the ferry is the only passenger carrier linking Barbuda and the mainland. Barbuda is the smaller of the two islands. It is home to just under 1,600 people and is a relatively closed society, and the economy there has struggled and depended heavily on the central government. He said under the arrangement, a return ticket to and from Barbuda for nationals and residents will cost US $50. The Cabinet agreed that this decision will not only reduce the cost to those Barbudans who must fly over to Antigua, but it will encourage travel by those who live on Antigua. That reduction in the cost of trips will result in greater co-mingling among residents of both islands, strengthen greater social cohesion, and increase the movement of people between both islands, he said. The project, which saw the government purchasing two twin-Otter aircraft, will also create a few jobs for locals.

GOLDEN EURO CASINO MOVES LICENSE TO ANTIGUA Golden Euro Casino, a popular online casino designed especially for European players, has moved its gaming license to Antigua, one of the most trusted gaming licensing jurisdictions in the world. "Antigua is well known as a reputable licensing jurisdiction," said Golden Euro Manager Robert Miller. "We want our customers to know that they are playing in a secure and trustworthy environment with a commitment to fair gaming. This license indicates the transparency in our operations and the security of our gaming software." Golden Euro Casino is now regulated by the Antigua Gaming Commission, an official licensing and regulating authority for gaming activity that has been operating since 1999. Last fall, Golden Euro Casino, which has been serving European online casino players for many years, got a well-deserved face lift. It's now more modern looking and it's easier to browse the huge selection of slots and table games that the casino offers.

Golden Euro Casino offers hundreds of slots and table games from RTG including the new rock 'n roll themed The Big Bopper slot game which is available in the download, instant play and mobile casino.

May /July

The group explained the decisions to be taken regarding the manner in which rain/water run off would be treated and assured they have been working with the experts from the environment division. The investors earlier reported that instead of two hotels with up to 150 rooms, along with luxury villas, there will be one hotel with 95-100 rooms and 40 villas. The project is expected to create hundreds of short term jobs during the construction phase, and hundreds for long term once the property is opened.

NO DECISION TAKEN TO RELOCATE LIAT The Prime Minister of Antigua & Barbuda, Gaston Browne said his administration will fiercely resist any effort to move LIAT’s headquarters from the twin island to Barbados, as he dismissed claims of such a decision being taken in recent times.

WORK TO COMMENCE ON NEW HOTEL PROJECT The investors of the proposed multi-million dollar Callaloo Cay, Morris Bay Development are to commence phase one of the project in June 2016.

BusinessFocus

The group, according to the government, explained that the delay in starting the project at the end of the first quarter of 2016 was due to this change which was the result of an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA).

Golden Euro Mobile Casino features some of the casino's most popular casino games in a format designed for the smaller screens of smartphones and tablets.

Meanwhile, Cabinet also agreed in April that a pier will be constructed that will stretch outwards into the sea from River Dock. The pier will allow for cargo vessels and passenger cruise liners to enter into Barbuda, increasing economic activity, expanding the economy, and providing many more jobs than the economy of Barbuda now generates. As such, the sister isle will be declared a port of entry.

The project which was initially expected to include the construction of two hotels on the 4.7 acres of land at Old Road, was revised to one hotel and a number of villas and will cost approximately US$200 million.

He said the Barbados Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Richard Sealy, may have been “misinformed or he spoke out of turn” when he indicated to Barbados Today that a decision had been taken on the matter. “Minister Sealy spoke out of turn. The headquarters of LIAT stays in Antigua and I’ve already signalled to them that any attempt by

BUSINESS BRIEFS any country to remove the headquarters out of Antigua & Barbuda will be heavily resisted by the government,” Browne said. “If you have to make changes to ensure the viability and increase the load factor we have no difficulty with that, we want LIAT to be viable...but they need to keep their eyes off the (headquarters),” he added. PM Browne also indicated that whenever the cash flow allows it, though it is not expected to be in the near future, the government of Antigua & Barbuda will make another equity injection into the regional airline. Antigua & Barbuda is the second largest shareholder in the company, with Barbados holding the majority of the shares. The other shareholders are Dominica and St Vincent & the Grenadines.

abnormally high rate of sickness among the pilots,” Weston elaborated. But the former chairman of the Leeward Islands Pilots Association, Captain Carl Burke challenged the position adopted by Weston saying it is unfair. “What would cause the sickness, for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction,” he said, noting that the pilots’ request for better shift management has fallen on deaf ears and they are spending more time at work than with their families. Burke also defended his own attendance record which he said was 100 per cent for the last year, while he said the authorities need to be careful about its suggestion that the pilots are lying about their health when they report sick.

turning basin will be widened and the mouth of the channel will also be widened and deepened. The Executive Director of the St John’s Development Corporation (SJDC) Neil Butler said a consultant had undertaken an extensive study on the economic value of the port extension. The number of visitors that will arrive by cruise ship will exceed 1 million by 2020. Presently, 600,000 cruise passengers arrive Antigua & Barbuda annually and 1,100 jobs are created by the cruise sector, with salaries and wages exceeding US$11 million dollars annually, and $44 million dollars expended by the visitors.

There has been speculation in the past that a shift in the airline’s headquarters to Barbados would make much more sense financially for the airline that has been grappling with its finances. GOV’T TO SPEND MILLIONS TO REBUILD HIGHWAYS MILLIONS TO BE SPENT ON NEW PIER FOR HERITAGE QUAY BEA Meridian Construction will be employing over 80 people from Antigua & Barbuda commencing May 2016 as it prepares to build a new pier valuing over US$5 million. LIAT BOARD MEMBER: SICK PILOTS COSTING LIAT MILLIONS One of the members of LIAT’s Board of Directors, Lennox Weston is blaming pilots for contributing to the company’s financial woes, as he lamented they have been reporting sick much too often. Weston, who is the Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance and a Senator in the parliament of Antigua & Barbuda, said this is unsatisfactory and he hopes the employees see the error in their ways. “Our pilots at LIAT get sick a lot more often than pilots of other airlines and so we have had a lot of cancellations and delays because of sickness,” he said. “In the airline industry if you wake up and mentally you are not in the mood to fly, you can’t fly… and so we have had a tremendous amount of cancellations because of the

At the end of April, the company sent two of its experts to report to Cabinet, along with members of the Pier Group and other officials. They plan to finish the new pier, capable of accommodating the quantum class vessels, by October 31, 2016, or in six months. The workforce to be hired is likely to be required to work both day and night, on weekdays and weekends, in order to finish that project on time, the government reported. It will cost more than US$5 million for the construction of the pier that will be 300 meters longer than the existing Heritage Quay pier. Government said more than 11 acres of new land will be created by the dredging, and the placing of dredged material behind wharf embankments that will eventually allow for the construction of a uniform seawall on the north shore of the inner harbour. It will become a berthing area for a cruise-liner that will dock here year-round, picking up and discharging passengers in Antigua. The

The government’s plan for spending the US$20 million of the British grant money by December 31, 2016, are progressing well as a number of equipment has already imported. A new cement plant, several cement mixer trucks, and two crushers are on their way to Antigua, having been purchased by the government. The highways to be reconstructed using the funds are: Anchorage Road, the Long Bay Highway, parts of Valley Road, Friars Hill Road and the new highway from Falmouth to Old Road. The spending of that money must take place by December 31, 2016, since Antigua and Barbuda will no longer be eligible for British assistance from January 1, 2017..

BusinessFocus

May /July

IN THE KNOW

THE BOARD'S OVERSIGHT ROLE IN I.T. GOVERNANCE By: Dr. Chris Bart, FCPA and Dr. Ofir Turel

NOT SO LONG AGO, IT WAS ACCEPTED THAT BOARDS OF DIRECTORS HAD LITTLE RESPONSIBILITY, IF ANY, IN TERMS OF PROVIDING ‘OVERSIGHT’ OF THE CORPORATION’S INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) OPERATIONS.

As a result, they tended to be only passive receivers of IT information and expressed little interest in their organization’s return on its IT investments. This ‘IT indifference’ on the part of boards was happening despite the fact that some firms (principally in the financial services sector) were spending half their capital budgets on IT. However, given the IT disasters at American retail giants Winners and TJMax, the married dating site Ashley Maddison, and global powerhouses like Sony, this indifference has also proven to be to be a financially and reputationally costly attitude. Accordingly, corporate boards today are being increasingly challenged to provide more and better “oversight” – or supervision - of their organizations’ IT function in order to reduce the risks facing their enterprises, such as the loss or embarrassment occurring from fraud, error, non-compliance or cyberterrorism. Additionally, around the world, more and more regulators of publicly listed companies are pushing boards of directors to plan, assess and monitor the quality of their organization’s IT systems which collect and disseminate financial information. BusinessFocus

May /July

It is therefore critical that directors now seek to better understand their organization’s IT operations. This includes: their IT’s current infrastructure relative to their particular industry; the sufficiency of the annual IT budget allocation; and IT’s relationship to any future business model. Indeed, without such understanding, boards may fail to adequately serve the interests of their corporations in general and their shareholders in particular. STRUCTURING THE BOARD FOR IT OVERSIGHT Interestingly, in response, the boards of some organizations (e.g. FedEx, HewlettPackard, Home Depot, American Airlines, Wal-Mart) have created a board-level IT governance committee (or mandated another board committee e.g., Audit or Risk) with the responsibility to supervise and appraise IT operations. Others have approved the creation of a Chief Information Officer position (to increase operational oversight of IT) and then regularly request his/her attendance at board meetings. There is also increased attention being paid regarding the selection of directors. The board’s nominating committee is now expected to seriously weigh and evaluate the experience and backgrounds of current directors to determine if they have the right skill set to oversee IT and, if not, what type of IT expertise needs to be added.

through the IT issues they probe and discuss in the boardroom. Our survey involved over 100 directors. We were also interested in determining whether the board-level oversight provided might depend on a firm’s particular IT needs and, additionally, whether it influenced performance. What we found was that the vast majority of boards routinely raised many questions about their firm’s IT. We counted 27 different types of questions in total. However, the average number of questions raised was only 12. This suggests (as might be expected) that not all board-level IT questions have the same weight, presence or importance in the minds of the directors. Some questions appeared to be more important (or perhaps just easier to deal with) than others. The most and least popular ones are listed in Table 1. We also found that, in line with the conventional wisdom, boards appear to employ a “contingency approach” when discussing their organization’s IT. Depending on their organizations’ magnitude of need for “innovative, stateof-the-art IT” and/or “reliable (no fail) IT”, boards adjust their IT governance

THE OVERSIGHT PROCESS Once the IT governance structure has been set up, the principle activity which the directors need to perform for discharging their specific IT oversight responsibilities is to ask pertinent, probing and thought-provoking questions of management. In so doing, directors can help senior managers drive changes in the right direction, generate new insights, and gain the assurances they need regarding the capability and competence of IT operations as well as the appropriateness of IT investments. Recently, my colleague Dr. Ofir Turel and myself set about trying to better understand the magnitude of IT oversight that board members provide

Dr. Chris Bart, FCPA is a recognized global governance authority, the author of two best sellers, and CoFounder of the Caribbean Governance Training Institute. The Institute is currently providing throughout the Caribbean an intensive 3 day corporate governance program leading to the prestigious, internationally recognized, Chartered Director (C.Dir.) designation. For more information visit CGTI’s website: www.caribbeangovernancetraininginstitute.com or phone Lisa at 758 451 2500

Dr. Ofir Turel

oversight accordingly. Companies with lower needs along these two dimensions therefore had boards that tended to raise, on average, less IT questions than those firms with higher needs. But is this practice advantageous? The surprising answer appears to be “no”. We found that regardless of the circumstances, the more IT questions the directors raised, the better their organizations performed. Thus, even companies with a low need for state-of-the-art and/or reliable IT could benefit from high levels of IT board oversight. Why? Because casting a wider net of IT board oversight appears to help companies mitigate IT risks better, use IT more efficiently, and generate greater strategic gains with IT, regardless of their IT situations. Therefore, the more that boards systematically inquire into their organization’s IT operations, the more they help contribute to the creation and sustainability of a competitive advantage through IT. In conclusion, effective board oversight of an organization’s IT can be an essential component in an organization’s success and continuity. Yet many boards either fail to address this need or do so poorly leaving their firms and themselves vulnerable. So here’s the big, uncomfortable question for Caribbean directors: to what extent does your board have the assurance it needs regarding your organization’s oversight of IT? If you think that there is room for improvement in the way your board carries out this important governance oversight function, you might want to consider sending them to one of the corporate governance training programs currently available in the region – like the unique 3 day Chartered Director Program currently being offered by The Caribbean Governance Training Institute. After all, it’s not education which is expensive, but rather ignorance. •

BUSINESS TECH

TA K I N G A CLOSER L O O K AT CANTO

Wilkins (JW) recently sat down with Business Focus (BF) to outline the importance of CANTO and the future of telecommunications in our region. BF: Many people may have heard about CANTO, but really have no idea what it is. What is CANTO? JW: CANTO is an important organisation as it is recognised in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector for shaping information and communication in the Caribbean. Founded in 1985 as a non-profit association of eight telephone operating companies, CANTO has now grown to 121 members in 34 countries. CANTO’s vision is to be the leading authority in shaping information, communication and technology in the Caribbean Region and the Americas. Our mission is to influence the innovation and development of ICT solutions for the benefit of members by developing, navigating and leveraging relationships with all stakeholders. To advocate for policies, legislation and rules which advance the creation of an environment which facilitates the deployment of services and technologies around the region. BF: How does CANTO execute its duties?

Julian Wilkins - CANTO Chairman

For the first time in the 31-year history in the life of the Caribbean Association of National Telecommunication Organisations (CANTO), an Antiguan & Barbudan is chairing the organisation. It’s also the first time that Digicel has occupied the Chairman’s position. Serving both CANTO and Digicel as Chairman, is Julian Wilkins who will be relocating from his office in Trinidad back to his homeland Antigua by June 1. In addition to Wilkins, Antigua & Barbuda is currently chairing three of eight positions of CANTO working Committees. They are Julian Wilkins, Digicel, Chairman of the Corporate Social Responsibility committee; Joseph Samuel, Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) Chairman of the Marketing Communications committee and Denelle Richards also from APUA, Chairman of the Finance committee.

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May /July

JW: CANTO has recently increased the number of working committees from five to eight working committees, thereby offering more value to its membership. The working Committees are as follows: Regulatory; Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR); Technology; Marketing Communications; Human Resource; Disaster Preparedness; Vendors/Suppliers and Finance. The working committees are focused on finding common positions for the Industry. The CSR, Technology and Vendor/Suppliers are the new committees. BF: CANTO is governed by a Board, how does that function and work with the respective committees you mentioned? JW: A Board of Directors appointed by the membership directs the policy of the Association. Those policies are implemented by the staff of a permanent Secretariat based in Trinidad and Tobago.

The Board is diverse with nine Directors from regional and independent network operators including Digicel Trinidad & Tobago and Digicel Jamaica; Cable & Wireless Grenada and Cable & Wireless Jamaica; Flow Jamaica; TSTT Trinidad & Tobago; UTS Curacao; TELEM St. Maarten and BTC in The Bahamas. Five of the nine Board members are women. CANTO Board Directors are elected every two years. The Vice Chairman is Leon Williams from The Bahamas and the Treasurer is Helma Etnel from St. Maarten. BF: Home here in the Eastern Caribbean, CANTO members within ECTEL recently expressed concerns with the work of ECTEL, how does CANTO intend to respond to these issues? JW: Recently CANTO members in The Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL) Countries have become very concerned with two issues; • ECTEL comes to the industry proposing an increase in the annual USF contribution from 1 per cent to 2 per cent over the next four years and the creation of a reserve fund. CANTO submitted on February 22, 2016, a response to the ECTEL Consultation on 'Proposed Changes to the Universal Service Fund in ECTEL Member States'. In summary, our response indicated that ECTEL had not demonstrated the effectiveness of the management of available funds nor has ECTEL demonstrated the need for additional funding. In fact, ECTEL has not identified the problem that this consultation is intended to resolve. This conclusion supported by the facts that after seven years of collections, Grenada has disbursed less than 1 per cent of funds; St. Lucia has disbursed 4 per cent; Commonwealth of Dominica 15 per cent; St. Kitts & Nevis 15.5% and St. Vincent and the Grenadines 76 per cent. The full CANTO response can be found on the CANTO website – www.canto.org • ECTEL are planning to introduce a Communications Bill where CANTO members have expressed concerns

regarding the expansive scope of the Bill and the broadening of the remit of ECTEL and the Regulators. CANTO sent a letter dated April 8, 2016 to the Chairman, ECTEL Council of Ministers requesting an audience with the Ministers to deliberate the draft Electronic Communications Bill. CANTO believes that it can offer advice and guidance to ECTEL to ensure that the new Communications Bill does not stymie investment in the region. Note: Antigua and Barbuda is considering becoming a member of ECTEL. As a solution CANTO is currently working on a voluntary code of practice entitled ‘CANTO Code of Practice on safeguarding the open Internet.’ which will address some of the concerns with the ECTEL draft Communications Bill. CANTO and it members recognise that the open Internet is an important enabler of economic and

societal growth. To ensure that customers and other stakeholders can have confidence that end users will be able to access content and applications that content providers wish to make available. CANTO and its members support the concept of the open Internet and the general principle that legal content, applications and services, should not be blocked. BF: CANTO is known for its major telecoms network event in the Caribbean; the CANTO conference and Trade Exhibition, tell us about the event planned for this year. JW: The exhibition is being held this year in Puerto Rico, San Juan from July 31 to August 5. It is our 32nd conference. This year the conference will have two Ministerial panels. In total, we can expect 14 ICT Ministers from around the region to participate in the panel discussions.

Our feature speaker this year is the Prime Minister of Grenada Honourable Dr. Keith Mitchell. The event plans to conduct regulatory workshops on Net Neutrality; Convergence; Universal Service Funds and Taxation. In total we are expecting over 700 delegates in Puerto Rico. All stakeholders will be attending including Ministers; Senior Government Officials; Regulators; Operators; Suppliers; Academia and the Media. We will be discussing the issues that we face in the ECTEL countries and other regulatory matters from around the region as well as demonstrating the latest technologies at the exhibition. We will also be hosting our 10th annual HR Forum; the 3rd Marketing forum and the 2nd annual CODE Hackathon. For further information on CANTO visit www.canto.org •

BUSINESS TECH

PROTECT YO U R S E L F WHEN US NG THE INTERNET By: Yves Ephraim

The Internet has made a great difference in the lives of many people all around world. Since it was introduced into Antigua & Barbuda in 1994/5, our lives have not been the same. Internet technology was responsible for Antigua & Barbuda’s past successes in the gaming industry. In the early days, it connected us to families and friends via email. It then offered the population the opportunity to “bypass” the high international telephone rates to call relatives and friends in the US, much to the chagrin of the Government, which eventually outlawed such use. The Internet today has expanded in its reach and range of applications. At one end of the spectrum, we see this technology transform “Psy” into a worldwide music wonder and at the other end it has been used by terrorist groups to recruit members and spread propaganda. There is no question that the Internet has served the greater good of humanity, but we cannot ignore the fact that it is also being used for destructive and criminal purposes. With the society relying more on the Internet and technology, here are precautions you should take to keep you safe online.

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May /July

ALWAYS SAFEGUARD YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION I find that too many people, particularly teenagers and young professionals, are very willing to post lots of personal information on their social networks. They innocently publicise their full names, personal interests, age, photographs, their associations, work place, schools/ colleges/universities that they attended or attend. Some even indicate their marital status and the names of their spouses. Unknowingly, you have provided all the details that a cybercriminal needs to steal your identity or money. I have looked at Facebook photographs and have determined where an individual lives or places s/he has visited. Many people are not aware that photos taken with mobile devices actually embed GPS details, making it possible to precisely know where on earth you have been when the picture was taken. Young ladies who love to constantly post their mobile pictures to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are unwittingly providing the means for potential stalkers to track their whereabouts. We are so preoccupied with taking pictures of ourselves that we sometimes do not recognise that we are parading the contents of our homes before wouldbe burglars.

DO NOT TRUST EMAIL Many publications and reports that I have read about cybersecurity have all shown that the number one means of cyberattack is via email. Attackers exploit our human tendency to trust what appears to be legitimate email. Through a technique known as Phishing, attackers are able to send emails masquerading as your bank, ISP or email service provider. The email you receive will have the company’s logo and even be signed by a known manager. The look and feel of this email will convince the unsuspecting person that it is legitimate. It will convince you to enter your username and password or financial details and accounts. If you were fooled by such email, then, you would have just given a cybercriminal all of the information he needs to either steal your identity or rip off your money. a) Never trust any email that requests any personal or financial information over the Internet unless you have verifiable proof that the email is legitimate; b) Delete all emails that you do not recognise, particularly if they have attachments or encourage you to click a link.

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE GOOD ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE

DO NOT PUT PERSONAL INFORMATION IN UNENCRYPTED WEBSITE

I am surprised at the number of people who still connect their PCs and devices to the Internet without antivirus software installed. Even though antivirus software will not guarantee that you will never suffer an attack, it is generally considered your first line of defence against potential attacks.

It amazes me that even after learning of high profile cybersecurity breaches and loss of personal information and credit card information, that some service providers still do not encrypt information that users input to their website.

Antivirus software is usually able to detect and alert you to malicious emails, programmes, websites or activities. A very good antivirus software is Eset NOD32, which is available locally from Pegasus Technologies. You may ask: Are all antivirus software created equal? Of course not! It is up to you to do the research. And beware of free antivirus software because cybercriminals have created bogus antivirus software to actually infect your machine and in many cases trick you into “upgrading” to their premium offering which is just a ruse for stealing your money and credit card details. I always encourage individuals to purchase an annual subscription rather than rely on free antivirus software. I often ask the question: If a company has a paid version and a free version, is it not fair to assume that the free version lacks something that is important?

Quite recently, I brought to the public’s awareness the fact that the Transport Board’s driver’s licence website was not secure. That claim was based on the fact that user input to the online registration form was not encrypted. By not encrypting the user’s inputs to the website means that a third party can intercept the communications and learn of your username and passwords to access the Transport Board system. In spite of the commendable effort of the government to offer the opportunity to renew a driver’s license online, the process is overshadowed by the lack of attention to security. CHANGE YOUR PASSWORDS OFTEN You should form the habit of changing your passwords often. Just in case an attacker captures your password or is able to guess it, then by changing it regularly you help to foil an attacker’s effort. Use a password that is at least eight characters in length. It must also include numbers, capital letters and special keyboard symbols. Try as much as possible not to use words in the dictionary because attackers have tools that can break such passwords rather quickly. The Internet is a great tool and source of interest. However, you will be well advised to be on your guard, knowing that danger is always a click way. •

Yves R Ephraim is the Managing Director of Pegasus Technologies, the foremost managed IT services provider, located on North Street, St John’s, Antigua.

BusinessFocus

May /July

BUSINESS TECH

SPEAKING F R A N K LY THE DESIGNER’S PLIGHT By: Melissa Sebastien

Graphic Design is a diverse, even complex (for those not familiar with it) industry. It is also very deliberate in practice. As such, every shape, colour, font and file serves a purpose. We as designers do not expect you to know the ins and outs of the industry. However, there are a few basic things that you – anyone who will at some point be involved in the marketing process – need to know. YES I’m speaking to you business owners, marketing managers, publicists, bloggers, social media managers… Let us first deal with file types. I’m going to be very frank here. The files that we receive from clients can either bring us great joy or leave us in a state of shock and bewilderment. We all want to avoid the later as it impedes the workflow. So as a Graphic Designer, I am going to help you to help us. Here are a few tips and cautions about files and their functions that you all NEED to know.

PDF This is a popular file type that most, if not all of you are familiar with. “PDF (Portable Document Format) is a file format that has captured all the elements of a printed document as an electronic image that you can view, navigate, print, or forward BusinessFocus

May /July

to someone else. Files can embed type fonts [and vector images] so that they're available at any viewing location.” You typically receive this file type as the final version of print ads, editorial layouts and logos. When we request PDFs of your logo, please do not send a JPEG inside of a PDF - it is not any different than simply sending a JPEG. It only serves to add salt to the proverbial wound. TIP: PDF files are especially handy when designers need vector graphics of your logo/ company branding.

EPS “EPS is a file extension for a graphics file format used in vector-based images in Adobe Illustrator. EPS stands for Encapsulated PostScript. An EPS file can contain text as well as graphics.” You may receive this file type when your designer submits the final artwork for your logo. TIP: When you receive this file type, please, I beg you… PLEASE DO NOT DELETE IT! I know how frustrating it can be to receive a file that no program on your computer can open but PLEASE save these files. EPS files are useful when designers request vector based graphics of your logo/ company branding.

JPEG Everyone, whether you are design savvy or not, knows this file type. It is a very standard format for images. JPEGs vary in size, dimension, and resolution. All three characteristics are determined by the purpose of the image. As such it is imperative that you take into consideration what the image is going to be used for. Small, low-resolution images are for web use ONLY. They aid in the quick loading of web pages. However, these images look HORRIFIC when printed and even more so when they are scaled up. Another big no-no is sending JPEGs in Word documents for use in print. It equates to sending a low resolution JPEG. TIP: Please do NOT send low-resolution photos for use in print. If you have the high-resolution image, send it apart from the Word document.

A GENERAL NOTE TO ALL When you are designing your brand, be sure to request a PDF or EPS, and a high resolution JPEG of your logo. With regard sending JPEGs, whether for web or print use, make a habit of sending high quality, high resolution JPEGs. Large images can always be adjusted for web use. •

BusinessFocus

May /July

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FEATURE

imagination THE ARCHITECTURE OF

Meet OBMI Antiguaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new Managing Director, Carina Harney-Rogerson. She's on a mission to build future history together with her colleagues and define the region's architectural and tourism landscape for generations.

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FEATURE

C A R I N A H A R N E Y- R O G E R S O N MANAGING DIRECTOR, OBMI ANTIGUA

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

Inspiration is contagious. When we can inspire those that inspire us we are in a pretty good position to build future history...together.

Discovering, learning, and understanding stories and experiences that truly inspire me are really a result of my curiosity. It has never been about scratching the surface. It is about discovering

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â&#x20AC;?

how far down the rabbit hole you can go with an idea. From there you can build a foundation around it and make it even more special.

OBMI is a leading architecture and master planning firm spearheading the local and global architectural conversation. OBMI believes that in order to build future history together, they must embrace the social narrative and heritage of a specific place. Carina Harney-Rogerson, the new Managing Director at OBMI Antigua, incorporates these fundamental values into her client relationships by honoring both the cultural integrity of Antigua and her clients’ visions, values, and expectations. By balancing inspiration with functionality, she and her team are able to create timeless, globally recognized designs that celebrate the island’s history and landscape. WHAT INSPIRES YOU? Inspiration is all around me. My most trusted go-to source of inspiration is the experience of living history. I am motivated by the breathtaking views of Shirley Heights, by beautiful manicured gardens, and by objects I discover in nature. When I walk through a historical site such as an old colonial town for example, its character makes an impression on me and gets the wheels turning. Wil Onions and Valmer Bouchard in Bermuda founded OBMI in 1936. They shared a vision of transforming dreams into living, breathing, enduring history. They also believed that successful architecture must have a “heart and soul.” This year marks our 80th anniversary. What I find most inspiring now are the personal relationships we develop with our clients. Everyone we work with shares his or her dreams with us. Our process requires us to be avid listeners. Listening to individuals share their dreams can be an emotional and spiritual experience. Deep down it is about establishing meaningful, trusting relationships from the beginning. Once we understand their stories, we are inspired to interpret them into successful architecture with a balance of creativity and functionality. There is no greater pleasure than seeing the joy on their faces when we exceed their expectations.

ABOVE Property Type Service Location Site Size

PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURAL Nonsuch Bay, Antigua 0.5 acres

ARTICLE COVER IMAGE HERMITAGE BAY HOTEL Antigua

The journey we take frames everything we see, read, experience, and sense. As Managing Director of OBMI Antigua, I encourage my team to never stop listening, questioning, and having an open mind to new ideas, technologies, and processes. Inspiration is contagious. When we can inspire those that inspire us we are in a pretty good position to build future history together.

WIL ONIONS Co-Founder OBMI circa 1936

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FEATURE

Left HERMITAGE BAY HOTEL, Antigua Right RESIDENCE, Antigua

HOW DO YOU APPROACH DESIGNING A RESIDENCE VERSUS A RESORT? Ask yourself, ‘When you walk into a room does it evoke an emotion within you?’ Every private residence, resort, or space that we design is unique. Unique not just in its practicality or functionality but also in how you interact, use, and experience the space. If a space cannot evoke an emotion, it ceases to be enjoyable. In a time when the lines of tourism, travel, and luxury are synonymous with each other, we have a responsibility to design transformational experiences for homeowners, travelers, and the work force. Our process is focused on providing value from day one and that requires us to never stop listening, learning, sharing, being creative, and managing and exceeding expectations. Even though we are based in Antigua, we do not feel limited by our shorelines. Instead we see it as an opportunity to question and explore what is really possible beyond our shores. When it comes to designing a residence or a resort, our approach is no different because we do not limit ourselves by the size or constraints of a space. Instead, we examine and question what can we do with it that will make it innovative, sustainable, and worthy of our clients' emotional and physical energy.

One of the design challenges that we are very conscience of in architecture is the use and behavior of light. When we consider materials, textures, scale, location, climate, and the purpose of each space, we take the matter of light very seriously. Light can alter the appearance of a private room or high-traffic area without physically changing it. Light directs our view, influences our perception, and draws our attention to specific details. Light can be used to divide and interpret spaces in order to emphasize areas or establish continuity between the interior and exterior. Light distribution and luminance have a decisive influence on how our architecture is enjoyed.

“

What impresses me about OBMI is their attention to detail and project management at every stage of the journey. From concept development, to approvals, to timelines, to design-to-cost objectives, they are very hands-on and collaborative. As an off-shore developer, you could not ask for a better partner. BILL GREEN Managing Director Replay Resorts

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“

OBMI has contributed to the development of Antigua tourism for decades. Their deep knowledge and understanding of architecture, master planning, financial investment, and the Antigua & Barbuda lifestyle makes them a trusted partner in the development of Half Moon Bay. HON. GASTON BROWNE Prime Minister Antigua & Barbuda

SENIOR MEMBERS OF RE:PLAY RESORTS, OBMI, JUNGLES LANDSCAPE, AND PRIME MINISTER BROWNE AT HALF MOON NAY ENVISIONING SESSION APRIL 2016

BUILDING FUTURE HISTORY...TOGETHER. DESTINATION CREATION • URBAN LIFESTYLE • ISLAND LIVING • INSIDE DESIGN • GREEN MATTERS 1ST FLOOR WOODS CENTER, FRIARS HILL ROAD, SUITE #15, ST. JOHN’S, ANTIGUA • INFO@OBMI.COM • +1 268 462 1047 • OBMI.COM

Property Location

HERMITAGE BAY HOTEL St. John's, Antigua

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Type Site Size

HOTEL & RESORT 120,000 sq ft

Service Client

ARCHITECTURE Andy Thesen

2016 MARKS THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF OBMI, WHAT IS NEXT? As the leading architectural and master planning company in the Caribbean, OBMI is not short on amazing opportunities. On the horizon is the revitalization and redevelopment of Half Moon Bay here in Antigua. Once a very popular destination for its world-renowned beach, we aim to capture lightening in a bottle and make something very spectacular and timeless. With our global experience and local presence, our design is indigenous but with a contemporary twist. The concept is inspired by history and draws influences from Antiguan vernacular that is informed by the climate, location, and the use of local materials. We are working with renowned resort developers, Replay Resorts, and together we are striving to find globally recognized solutions to reduce its footprint from an energy, water, and waste standpoint and assist Antigua in meeting its commitments in the Paris climate change agreement. Our shared vision it to create an internationally recognized luxury branded beach front hotel, oceanfront villas and lots, an intimate retail village, and ocean view cottages. It will be an active and interactive place, where the natural elements of land and ocean will appeal to the affluent active traveler. TELL US HOW YOU TRANSFORM YOUR CLIENTS' DREAMS INTO REALITY. Designing is such a personal experience. Successful projects require a clear understanding from the beginning. Every journey begins with either an elaborate story or a kernel of an idea and no matter what it takes to get there, we always arrive at a final product with a sense of meaning and purpose. ‘Building Future History…Together’ is an interactive commitment to our partners that we will create architecture worthy of the site it sits on. I believe we are more than just architects; we are listeners and designers of lifestyle experiences. Whether it is a private residence or resort, every project is measured by our listening skills. Managing expectations is very important in our working relationships. Sometimes clients are very strong-willed on issues that may not be possible due to the restrictions of the site or local code. While I believe that nothing is impossible, I believe it is important to do things the right way from the beginning. And because we are working with the dreams of others, it is with a great sense of respect, responsibility, and knowledge that we guide our clients to better outcomes. AS AN INTERNATIONAL FIRM, WHO ARE THE KEY LEADERS AT OBMI? One of the benefits of being a part of OBMI is our global experience and the diverse talents that I can tap into on behalf of clients. Outside of the Antigua office, OBMI is in Bermuda, The Cayman Islands, The British Virgin Islands, Miami, Florida, and Trinidad and Tobago. I’m very proud to be associated with a firm of OBMI’s stature and reputation. In total, we are 86 people strong and it is the leadership of a few key individuals that allow my team the opportunity to do what we do best.

Property ADOMS Type COMMERCIAL Service ARCHITECTURE INTERIOR DESIGN Location Factory Road Site Size 44,099 sq ft. Client Antigua Department of Merchant Marine and Maritime Services

“

We are very pleased with the tremendous work done by OBMI in designing such an iconic building to be the headquarters of the Antigua and Barbuda Department of Marine Services and Merchant Shipping (ADOMS). This building is demonstrative of the national, regional, and international profile of the Department and will optimize the quality and efficiency of the service delivery as ADOMS seeks to become the leading Maritime Administration in the wider Caribbean. MR. HENDERSON BASS Chairman Antigua & Barbuda Maritime Board Inc.

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FEATURE

OUR LEADERS

With Caribbean offices in Antigua, Bermuda, The British Virgin Islands, Grand Cayman, Miami, and Trinidad & Togabo, these are a few of the regional leaders who are leading the global direction of OBMI into the future.

TIM PECK

DOUG KULIG

MIKE WILSON

DENAYE HINDS

CHAIRMAN OBMI

CEO OBMI

COO OBMI

DIRECTOR OF SUSTAINABILITY OBMI

“

It is a passion for design that drives our profession, a passion that embraces technology, culture, and social responsibility.

Destination Creation sets the stage for the traveler’s experience to become truly transformational.

RECENT PROJECTS INCLUDE Scrub Island, BVI Nanny Cay, BVI

RECENT PROJECTS INCLUDE Le Royal Mansour, Marrakech, Oil Nut Bay, BVI

CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE Island Living

CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE Destination Creation

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“

We’re excited about the next chapter in OBMI’s long history in Antigua and Barbuda. We believe that in Carina we have a young leader who buys into the need for continuous innovation, who understands the value of collaboration and team work, and who has an ingrained desire to help her staff reach their full potential.

“

The principles for successful design apply to successful operations, sustainability, and innovation— they are shaping the future of our industry.

RECENT PROJECTS INCLUDE The Bermuda National Tourism Plan The St. Lucia Tourism Benchmark Study CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE Green Matters

Domus uPVC products have been specifically Designed, engineered & built to deliver superior value, elegant appearance & very importantly durability and long term maintenance free.

WINDOWS

DOORS

FENCING

HANDRAILS

DECKING

OTHER...

WHAT IS IT LIKE TO WORK WITH YOUR OFFICE? At OBMI Antigua, I love my staff. I consider all of them extended family and that not only makes me happy but extremely proud to come to work every morning. Together we work very hard to make sure our clients feel comfortable and stay on budget. As Managing Director my responsibilities also include overseeing regional projects outside of Antigua. Senior Architect Mitch Stuart is my right-hand when it comes to leading and developing our projects in Dominica, St. Kitts, and Nevis. Having Mitch responsible for such projects allows us to provide all our regional clients the level of service and attention to detail they expect when they hire us. It is very comforting to know there is nothing we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t handle within the global and local marketplace. When you have a network of trusted architects, planners, project managers, visionaries, and other experts at your disposal it can be a very powerful value proposition for off-shore investors and developers.

Former Regional Director, Brian D'Ornellas

When I first joined OBMI I worked for former regional director, Brian Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Ornellas. He taught me how to meet the needs of our clients while also working towards shaping the future. Now as managing director, I am in a position to not just see that happen but to make it happen. Personally, I would like to create a successful legacy and continue to shape the future of Antigua and the Caribbean with my team.

T 1 268 562 6285/6 | F 1 268 562 6287 E sales@domuswindows.com www.domuswindows.com

1. CARINA HARNEY ARCHITECT / MANAGING DIRECTOR Carina is focused on translating the business and functional strategies and plans into domain-specific capabilities and business solutions necessary to deliver the strategy and vision. One of the principle objectives of her job is to improve overall effectiveness, efficiency, and customer centricity. Her position also requires that she partner with business and technology leaders, program and project managers, process owners, and dedicated experts within and across organizational platforms. 2. MITCH STUART SR. ARCHITECT 3. DENISE GEORGE-LIMERICK ARCHITECT / PROJECT MANAGER 4. ALEXIS THOMAS ARCHITECT / PROJECT MANAGER Our Architects are responsible for managing all phases of a project from the bottom up. This includes concept, design, construction, occupancy, quality control, and staffing and budget management. We also require our team to have a superior and deep understanding of the practicalities, technical aspects, and management processes of the construction industry. 5. CEDRIC HOLDER SR. ARCHITECTURAL TECHNOLOGIST 6. RICHARD INCE SR. ARCHITECTURAL TECHNOLOGIST Our Sr. Architectural Technologists, similar to our architects, are tasked with managing all phases of project management such as design, construction, occupancy, quality control, and staffing and budget management. They are expected to carry out the contract administration of projects using existing procedures and assist in the development and enhancement of such procedures. 7. BRUCE ANDREWS ARCHITECTURAL TECHNOLOGIST 8. CURLIS MASON ARCHITECTURAL TECHNOLOGIST Our Architectural Technologists assist in the management of all phases of project development. This includes design, construction, occupancy, quality control, and staffing and budget management. Together with the Architects, they focus on the details. 9. NARISA A. FRANCIS OFFICE MANAGER Narisa is the backbone to the office. She manages a variety of general office activities by performing the duties personally or directing other employees. Her activities include the management of the Antigua office policies and procedures, office finances, and human resources. 10. ESTHER TEAGUE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Ester provides administrative, marketing, accounting, and human resources support and services to Carina, Mitch, Narisa, and the rest of the office staff as needed. Ester is also the voice that greets you when you call.

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Property Location

CARLISLE BAY HOTEL St. Mary's, Antigua

Type Site Size

“

OBMI brought to life the vision for Carlisle Bay: a luxury retreat with an unfussy, contemporary design that allowed its oceanfront setting to shine—a modern Caribbean classic. CARLISLE BAY Antigua

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HOTEL & SPA 20 Acres

Service Client

ARCHITECTURE Campbell Gray Hotels

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

Destinations, hotels and tourism-related businesses must think sustainably, as they seek to differentiate themselves and adapt to an ever-changing physical and natural environment. The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association has a long standing partnership with OBMI which has been a major player throughout the region and around the world on sustainability. As a strategic partner and key driver of our Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism, OBMI provides leadership to Governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, tourism-related organizations, developers and properties of all types on policies and the practical application of design to support sound, sustainable practices. FRANK J. COMITO CEO and Director General Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association

FEATURE

YOUR CLIENTS RANGE FROM GOVERNMENTS TO RESORTS TO PRIVATE RESIDENCES. HOW DO YOU COMMUNICATE AND MANAGE THE PERCEPTION OF PRICE AND SCALABILITY? It comes with the territory, unfortunately. When you are a part of an international company there is always a perception that price will be an issue. It is our responsibility to make the public aware that we are competitively priced and that their money is well spent. We spend a great deal of time focused on designto-cost education and the project management of our timelines. While there is no space too big or small that wouldn’t interest us, it is how we approach it and share our knowledge that makes a difference in the end. HOW HAS THE LANDSCAPE OF ARCHITECTURE EVOLVED IN ANTIGUA OVER THE YEARS? When I first joined OBMI, the architecture the office created was a lot simpler and on a smaller scale. This was an economic result of focusing exclusively on local projects and a sign of the times. Now, almost 20-years later, we have expanded our resources and capabilities not only in Antigua, but also in the region to reflect a more high-end and affluent lifestyle. What’s next? That would appear to be the million-dollar question. Because the economic landscape in the Caribbean is always shifting, the plan for my office is to keep doing what we are doing, keep an eye on the future and an ear on potential opportunities.

SUGAR RIDGE HOTEL AND VILLAS, Antigua

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HOW WILL YOU CREATE OPPORTUNITY? One of the themes we often face is the realization that our clients' dreams and bank accounts don’t always share the same vision. While there is nothing wrong with dreaming big, the reality is we have a responsibility to educate our clients on design-tocost. In the end, we always find a happy medium. Another theme is the education and importance of working with competent architects. It is a fact that people spend 80-90% of their time indoors so not only do we want our indoor solutions to function properly, we also want them to be aesthetically pleasing and sustainable. Coming from Antigua, there is definitely something appealing about the island living lifestyle yet we strive to protect our island's cultural characteristics with intelligent and sustainable architecture and interior design. WITH OBMI CELEBRATING 80-YEARS OF BUILDING FUTURE HISTORY…TOGETHER, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TO ANTIGUA? I am very proud to be a part of the OBMI family. As managing director, it is a privilege to carry on the same values and ideals as our founders, Wil Onions and Valmer Bouchard. Because we are one of the leading architectural and master planning firms

OBMI Antigua 2016

in the Caribbean, OBMI has a very prominent status in Antigua. I think it is phenomenal to be recognized as part of what is now 80-years of sustainable excellence. Our global resources and local sensitivity is a valuable commodity to the present and future people of Antigua as well as offshore developers interested in making a footprint here. As a native Antiguan, I have an extra sense of respect, responsibility, and commitment to my island neighbors to always create innovative, sustainable, and visually appealing architecture that we can all enjoy for the decades to come.

BUILDING FUTURE HISTORY...TOGETHER.

OUR LOCAL CLIENTS AND CONSULTANTS ADOMS Antigua Commercial Bank Aril Joseph Blue Waters Hotel C.O. Williams Caribbean Aqua Systems Caribbean Union Bank Carlisle Bay CDAL Challenger's Enterprises Limited Davis Engineering First Caribbean International Bank George & George Construction George L. Pigott Electrical Engineer Goddard Catering Half Moon Bay Hall Construction Hermitage Bay Indian Creek Island Living Ivor Jackson Lewis Simon & Partners Linton Mark Nonsuch Bay Resort Orange Limited Otto Kentish Sagicor Scotiabank St. John's Development Corporation State Insurance Sugar Ridge Terminx

OIL NUT BAY, British Virgin Islands

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FEATURE

S EI

CRE

T I M E L E S S A N D G L OB A L AT E LY

REC

VISION

The constant pursuit of excellence in collaboration

with our clients; resulting in design solutions: Experientially Memorable | Environmentally Responsible

Financially Successful

BRAND PROMISE

C O R E VA L U E S

Our Client’s trusted advisor

Excellence | Creativity | Responsibility

Global knowledge, local understanding & personal service | A legacy of more than

Collaboration | Integrety | Passion | Accountability

80 years of quality & professionalism A culture of creativity & innovation

LIV

S IP

IF EL

S T R AT E G I C P R I O R I T I E S

FU R

T ON

BUILD

IS FUTURE H

...

a commitment to R&D | Foster creativity & innovation | Deliver an excellent product, backet by strong personal service | Drive ongoing financial success

Invest in people and technology | Promote thought leadership through

ILD

RE ET

OUR CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE

OBMI has established five key Centres of Excellence which operate as specialised business units overlaying the geographic matrix of our offices. The units leverage key strategic strengths and skills to provide the optimum level of service for our clients wherever the project may be located across the globe.

DESTINATION CREATION Destination Creation is the architectural catalyst to transform our clients’ dreams into destinations of wonder, luxury, and unparalleled services. With a balanced approach towards excellence and integrity, creativity and passion, responsibility and accountability, and collaboration, we design and build innovative, breathtaking lifestyle experiences. Our approach begins with listening and then interpreting our clients' visions into a

physical context. Whether the backdrop is sun-drenched Caribbean canopy, majestic African coastline, or moonlit Middle Eastern desert sands, every destination has a story to share. During our 80-year history, we have designed countless boutiques, residences, golf and hotel resort communities, urban waterfronts and cruise ports, village and town centers, and agri-tourism estates.

“

TIM PECK Chairman OBMI

MITCH STUART Senior Architect OBMI

Creative design solutions that support our global experience and local sensitivity have offered us the privilege to create some of the most original and notable boutique resorts and homes across the globe.

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The key to successful design is capturing the spirit of our client, their vision, and the essence of the space. To transform dreams into reality our process is anchored in collaboration and understanding.

ISLAND LIVING Island Living is the heart and soul of OBMI. With projects in the Caribbean Islands, Africa, Europe, and The Middle East, we believe architecture must coexist in harmony with the local environment while offering an

authentic personal experience. Whether we are breaking the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living, drawing in and framing spectacular views, or capturing trade winds, our projects celebrate our environment.

URBAN LIFESTYLE Urban Lifestyle is expressed as diversity, complexity, mixed use, civic meaning, and social exchange. As architects and urban planners, we understand how creative design solutions support the infusion of vitality

to our urban realm. In an increasingly global world, we embrace the challenge of creating settings for urban lifestyles that are global, yet rooted in the very culture and heritage of each specific place.

INSIDE DESIGN The heartbeat of every successful interior is emotion. It takes a sensitive ear and an open mind to interpret emotion and transform it into a reality. With collaboration, understanding, and a fine attention to detail

we create inside design solutions with a spirit of enriched lifestyle that our clients experience in residential, corporate, hospitality, civic, or retail settings.

GREEN MATTERS We have the privilege to design in the most beautiful, sensitive, and vulnerable locations around the world. As the only constant is change, so too is our holistic approach to sustainability as we explore innovative

solutions for a socially responsible and successful future in tourism, planning, and landscape and design in an effort to achieve economically viable systems, and the preservation of cultural elements. BusinessFocus

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FEATURE 1

1 LE ROYAL MANSOUR, Marrakech, Morocco 2 NAVAEH RESIDENCE, Anguilla 3 CASTLE POINT, Bermuda

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FULL-SERVICE CONSTRUCTION AND WOODWORK COMPANY

•

DETAIL. INTEGRITY. SERVICE. QUALITY

Green Castle Estate, Bendals, St. Mary’s, Antigua | Tel: 1.268.562.6422 / 734.2514 Cell: 1 (268) 464-5199 info@challengersent.com | www.challengersent.com

Celebrating 52 years of service LINTON MARK CONTRACTORS (ANTIGUA) LTD. P.O. Box 400, Marble Hill Road, St. John’s, Antigua T: (268) 462-1525 F: (268) 462-0371 E: lintonmk@candw.ag W: www.lintonmark.com

SPECIALIZING IN: - Tank and Pressure Vessels to International Specification - Pipe Fabrication and Istallation - Plant Erection and Maintenance - General Steel Fabrication - Structural Steel Buildings - Sandblasting and Painting

ESTABLISHED JUNE 1964

DON’T BE LEFT IN THE DARK

CONGRATULATIONS OBMI ON YOUR 80TH ANNIVERSARY 1 268 462 EXEL (3935) | exeleng@gmail.com | www.exelengineering.com | Friars Hill Road, St. John’s, Antigua, W.I.

Co. Ltd.

The largest inventory of... Ceramic, Porcelain, Clay, Glass and Marble Wall & Floor tiles in Antigua & Barbuda SPECIAL ORDERS ON REQUEST. FREE ISLAND WIDE DELIVERY Cassada Gardens P.O. Box 780, St. John’s, Antigua E: westrading@candw.ag

Tel: 268 462 9425/6/7 Fax: 268 462 3189

Your Security is our Commitment

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WE CAN • Save you up to 75% on your lighting costs • Greatly reduce your maintenance fees • And increase the quality of your lighting CALL US FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT Sir George Walter Highway • Box 327 • St. Johns, Antigua 268.736.5337 • 268.736.5333 • cdeabreu015@ledsource.com

Electronic Security Solutions Fire Alarm design and installation Burglar alarm installation Surveillance System Installation & Monitoring

THE TEAM Hawkeye Security and Surveillance has over 30 years of experience across a wide variety of premises – from financial institutes, hotels and corporate enterprises, to student campuses and private residences.

WHY CHOOSE US The HawkEye Security & Surveillance team comprises a certified catalog of professionals, whom are all fully trained, and combined - have over 60 years of experience in the security industry.

www.hawkeyesecurityanu.com

CALL US NOW : +1 268.725.3000 Email: anthony_athill@yahoo.com Address: #3 West Indies Oil Commercial Complex, Box W1340, Friars Hill Rd, St.John’s ANTIGUA

SQUARE ON E LTD “SOLID FROM THE GROUND UP” C O N ST R U CT IO N DESIGN D E V E LO P M E N T Square One was founded by Peter Reitz who moved to the Caribbean from Germany 36 years ago (1980). His professional background at that time was in Dental Technology and fine mechanics. This attention to detail has been implemented into his Construction business which he started 15 years ago after he sold his Dental business. “I have always embraced new challenges and since I did quite a bit of property development in all my years in the Caribbean the next step evolved and Square One Ltd was established!” Peter has also worked in construction on Jumby Bay Island on various projects during the last 15 years. With a local and international clientele and projects that cover residential and commercial scope, Square One has also started to develop and design projects of their own such as “Bay Gardens” and “Le Jardin Creole” on the north coast of Antigua amongst other projects. The “Bay Gardens” residential project consists of eight individual lots where Square One has designed a concept for a modern contemporary style of “Island Living” and everything is done from design, planning and construction “custom build” with the input of the clients.

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Square One offers project management contracts to clients as well. Square One is also linked to their own plumbing contract services “H2One Ltd.” which is run by Peter’s son Robin who is born in Antigua and was educated and trained in Germany in up to date plumbing techniques using the latest materials in residential and commercial applications. Square One also has its own landscape division and operates its own nursery including a large inventory of various palm species. We are happy to look at any of your plans and discuss various options from Fixed Bid contracts and Cost – Labour – Plus applications for any project you may have in mind. Feel free to contact us anytime for further information. SQUARE ONE LTD. P.O. Box W1211, St. John’s, Antigua Tel (268) 561-1835 | Cell (268) 464 -7576 E-mail: squareone@candw.ag •

36 Y E A R S A N D C O U N T I N G

P.O. Box W1211 St. John’s Antigua T: (268) 561 1835 | C: (268) 464 7576

THE SECRET OF FAILURE By: Samuel Rosenberg

Thomas Edison invented the electric lightbulb as we know it today. He famously said “I have not failed, I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” He was dyslexic, mostly deaf and completed just three months of formal education before being forced out of school at the age of seven due to his demanding behaviour. He is not alone in finding success through failure. Almost every successful person will tell you the importance of a failed business idea, during their career. While some business people have been extremely lucky and never suffered a failure, they may not know why they are as successful as they appear. Many business people suggest that they learn more from their failures than their successes. When you make a mistake, you learn how to overcome it and certainly try never to repeat the mistake in the future. There is a human instinct within all of us to get up and move. When interviewed, business people can easily provide you with many secrets of failure. They will tell you it is impossible to remain positive all day long, with no particular reason in mind.

concentrate on success. Whatever happens in the past is there for you to analyse, but it is better for you to move on and leave the past behind you. Once you understand the successes of failure it is easier to grasp and manage the secrets of success. You can adapt to changes in your family, life and environment. It is how you adapt that is important. Sir Richard Branson, owner of airlines and record companies, flies balloons across the Atlantic and is set to be leading the first company to take commercial flights to the moon and back. Ask him about Virgin Cola and a dozen or so other companies that have failed for him and he will tell you that you have to go through the lessons of failures to succeed. Almost everyone would consider Sir Richard as an incredibly successful person. He is entitled to these words on the subject: “I’ve been failing for as long as I can remember. In fact, I’ve been failing even longer than that – I fell over many times as a baby before learning how to walk. The pattern has continued into adulthood and my life as an entrepreneur, and I have learned and loved every step of the way.” •

They will also suggest that if you continue to discuss your business and life’s objectives with negative people, friends and family, you may never start your life as an entrepreneur. Should you choose to accept advice from unsuccessful people, unless they are listing their mistakes, you will be better off learning more from successful individuals. You will almost certainly not achieve the success you demand if you stay in a business or personal relationship where you are almost always unhappy and completely stressed. When you ask other people for their opinion, it is better to choose from those whose opinion you respect. You may not always receive constructive suggestions, but you will reduce the amount of negativity around you, which will help you BusinessFocus

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Samuel Rosenberg is the founder and CEO of Axcel Finance Ltd., the leading regional microfinance institution. Share your thoughts and email your questions to srosenberg@axcelfinance.com

FEAR MONEY MATTERS

THAT NE W B A NK ING REGULATIONS COU L D AFFECT CARICOM ECONOMIES

Antigua & Barbuda is among seven CARICOM countries that have expressed concern that new banking regulations could negatively impact the region’s financial sector. They placed those concerns on the table at a special meeting of the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS). The other anxious governments are Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, St Kitts-Nevis, St Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines. Their representatives said there is an urgent need for action to be taken to ensure that banking regulations, designed to foster transparency and accountability and prevent money laundering and terrorism financing, do not result in financial exclusion and economic decline of small economies. The meeting was held under the theme “Finance and Banking Services Challenges to Development in the Americas”. The regional countries said they hope the OAS Permanent Council will adopt a resolution indicating that the “prevailing situation of the severing of correspondent banking relationships with commercial banks in some member states by global banks in other member states, poses a severe threat to the economic growth, social development and political stability especially of small economies by curtailing their ability to participate in standard international financial and economic transaction.” CARICOM leaders at their recent intersessional summit in Belize “deplored the progressive decline in correspondent banking relationships available to the banking sector in member states, as a result of the de-risking strategies employed by the global banks.”

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They said that the withdrawal, restricted access and/or created the higher cost of such services, allegedly in response to the heightened regulatory posture of regulatory authorities, would destabilize the financial sector in member states with deleterious effects on growth and economic progress, as well as national security. The leaders said they have complied with all global regulatory standards, including those established by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and the Global Forum, and have been scrutinised in every detail by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other multilateral institutions. The leaders also agreed to the appointment of a high-level advocacy group, led by the Prime Minister of Antigua & Barbuda, Gaston Browne, which will be charged with the responsibility to represent the interest of the region in addressing the issue, including an approach to the United Nations and the World Trade Organization, as well as the United States Congress,” to create greater international awareness of the challenge confronting the Community”. According to a draft resolution circulated at the OAS meeting, the regional countries say they recognise the ongoing work of the United Nations on the issues and the call made in the Monterrey Consensus of the International Conference on Financing for Development for greater coordination of the work of the concerned multilateral bodies and relevant organisations giving special attention to the needs of developing countries. They also recall the global commitments for transparent, reasonable and objective national regulation and limiting unnecessary barriers in trade in services, with the goal of strengthening economic integration. •

MONEY MATTERS

ANTIGUA & BARBUDA CALLS FOR

HARMONISED CARIBBEAN POSITION ON NEW INT'L BANKING R E G U L AT I O N S Former two-term prime minister of Antigua & Barbuda, Sir Lester Bird is strongly recommending that the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) adopt a harmonised approach as it deals with the issue of Corresponding Banking.

Bird told legislators that there were already several mechanisms in place to ensure that people do not get involved in tax evasion and questioned whether or not the twin island is “going to relinquish our right to assist people who want to avoid taxes”.

The senior minister in the Gaston Browne administration, told legislators at a recent sitting of Parliament that the region should unite to challenge the United States on the issue.

While, Tourism Minister Asot Michael said the new legislation handed down by the international community is key to the regulation for the international banking sector.

“We cannot unilaterally go forward and confront the Americans. We have the OECS (Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States) ... we have to get together and work out a common position on all of these things because what usually happens is that you have one-upmanship that goes on within the Caribbean and CARICOM, each one trying to outdo the other,” Bird said.

“This bill, this international banking bill provides … the harmonised regulatory and supervisory framework for the domestic and the international offshore sector.

In his contribution to the debate on the International Banking Act, he also said Antigua & Barbuda must not be afraid to confront Washington on the Corresponding Banking issue, recalling that some years ago St. John’s had to send a delegation to the US when Washington began implementing policies that affected the country’s socioeconomic development. “I get so impassioned with this thing because we’re allowing the Americans to trample on us once again and they don’t have no locus standi to do that,” he said, adding also he saw nothing wrong with tax avoidance.

“The introduction of a small tax, but a tax and that is to allay all of the fears the international community that we are not a tax haven,” he added. But Leader of the Opposition Baldwin Spencer said America’s insistence on stricter international banking regulations is troublesome but necessary. “I would not be surprised that in the next six months or so we may be required to come back (here) to do something else in relation to this. “But that’s the environment in which we have to operate and the fact is we are a small developing state operating and have to find our place and our niche in an international community that is not easy. It is not set to really satisfy us so we have to comply,” he told legislators. The bill was passed with minor changes at the committee stage in the Lower House. •

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MONEY MATTERS

T T

D O L L A R

DEPRECIATES The Trinidad and Tobago dollar exchange rate against the United States dollar depreciated by an estimated 3 per cent over the first three months of this year, the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago (CBTT) has announced. It said that based on historical patterns ‘pass through’ effects to domestic prices could take about two to three months. “Liquidity in the domestic banking system remained at relatively comfortable levels over the first three months of 2016. Commercial banks’ excess reserves at the Central Bank averaged TT$3.8 billion (One TT dollar =US $0.16 cents) daily during January and February 2016 rising to just over four billion dollars in the first half of March.” The Central Bank said it utilised its various instruments to manage banking sector liquidity and that over the period January to mid-March 2016, it withdrew roughly TT$1.5 billion via net open market operations, and rolled over a commercial bank fixed deposit valued at TT$1.5 billion on March 14, 2016. “Since the last Monetary Policy Announcement at the end of January 2016, TT-US interest rate differentials have been broadly favourable. The differential on the 91-day Treasury securities stood at 86 basis points as at March 15, 2016, from the 67 basis points at the end of January 2016.

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On the other hand, the differential on the 10-year Treasuries held steady at 197 basis points, from the 196 basis points over the same period.” The CBTT said that reflective of supply and demand conditions in the foreign exchange market, the Trinidad and Tobago dollar exchange rate against the US dollar depreciated by roughly 3 per cent over the three-month period January – March 21, 2016. The local dollar is being exchanged at US$0.15 cents) It said that the oil rich twin island republic continues to face the economic challenges posed by lower energy prices, operational issues and maintenance-related activities in the domestic energy sector. “Initial estimates suggest that the energy sector contracted by around 5 per cent (year-on-year) in the fourth quarter of 2015, while provisional information also allude to anaemic activity in the non-energy sector. Early indications for 2016, including a slowdown in new car sales and cement, are that the lull in economic activity may have continued into the New Year,” the CBTT added. It said that the latest official statistics from the Central Statistical Office (CSO) indicated that the unemployment rate increased to 3.4 per cent in the third quarter of 2015, up from 3.2 per cent recorded in the previous three-month period.

Subsequent evidence of job cuts in the energy-related and construction sectors could point to potential dips in overall employment in 2016 unless compensated by absorption of the displaced workers in other areas. Although an increase was registered in February 2016, headline inflation remained well contained by historical standards. According to the CSO’s Index of Retail Prices (RPI), on a year-on-year basis, headline inflation measured 3.4 per cent in February 2016 when compared to 2.4 per cent recorded in the previous month, and 6.2 per cent registered in February 2015. Despite the reduction in Value Added Tax (VAT) to 12.5 per cent from 15 per cent, the widening of the range of items subject to the sales tax effective February 1, 2016, may have contributed in part to an increase in food prices. On a year-on-year basis, food inflation measured 9.4 per cent when compared to 4.5 per cent in January 2016. On the other hand, core inflation was relatively unchanged, measuring 2.1 per cent in February 2016, when compared with 2.0 per cent in the previous month, the CBTT said. It said that against a backdrop of somewhat tepid domestic economic activity, low inflation and slow global growth, the CBTT has decided to maintain the “Repo” rate at 4.75 per cent at its March 2016 meeting.•

ECCB AND OECS S TR ENGTHE NING CO L L ABORATION

Officials from the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission have highlighted priority areas of collaboration to strengthen the working relationship between the two regional institutions. The Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), Timothy N J Antoine and the Director General of the OECS Commission, Dr Didacus Jules, along with their respective senior staff, met in March 2016 where discussions were held in pursuit of the implementation of the Single Economic and Financial Space as mandated in the Revised Treaty of Basseterre and, in particular, addressing Growth, Competitiveness and Employment in the OECS, a strategic priority of the new vision for the ECCB. Governor Antoine and Dr Jules agreed to jointly advance the Single Economic and Financial Space which would allow for the free movement of goods and services, people, capital and ideas throughout the sub-region.

Among the priority areas identified for collaboration were: the development and implementation of the OECS Development Strategy; improving the doing business and investment climate; private sector development and support for the OECS Business Council; implementing the strategic plan for the development of statistics; and undertaking joint research with regional and international institutions. The heads of the two institutions also emphasised the importance of communication with stakeholders and agreed to work together to synchronise their communication strategies. The ECCB and the OECS Commission said they remain committed to strengthening the mechanisms for collaboration and agree to establish focal points and a framework for accountability within each institution to facilitate their partnership â&#x20AC;˘

MONEY MATTERS

Residents who were hoping to feel a tax break from May 2016, the time when government had planned to remove Personal Income Tax (PIT), have to wait at least another two months.

F O L A E P E R L A N O S R E P X A T E M O C N I

The government said the delay is due to an inability to make the necessary legal amendments to facilitate a smooth flow once the PIT is repealed. For several months the government teased a reduction or break for those who pay that tax in Antigua & Barbuda. The new tentative timeline has been set for some time in July, but no fixed date has been disclosed. People who earn $3,500 and over per month pay PIT. The PIT, introduced in 2004, places an 8 per cent tax on persons earning an income above $3,500 and 15 per cent on persons earning an income above $25,000. “Abolishing Personal Income Tax is an important reform. Not only will it put more money in the pockets of the people, so that they can save or spend more for the benefit of the economy as whole, it will help to re-establish our country as one of the most competitive in the Caribbean and beyond. Abolishing the PIT will put over $30 million back into the pockets of people,” PM Browne said. The country’s leader said that, prior to 2004, the country was governed without the tax, and he also noted that the cost of collecting PIT, the difficulty of enforcement, and its unfairness, are among reasons why it is wise to remove the PIT from the books. “Antigua & Barbuda will become a competitive location to attract the headquarters of companies and for professionals to relocate, thereby creating more jobs. Retirees will choose Antigua & Barbuda as their retirement home; CIP Investors will invest and chose Antigua & Barbuda over our competitors,” Browne said. The loss of $37 million from the elimination of the PIT will be partially substituted by an increase in the Revenue Recovery Charge (RRC) from 10 per cent to 13 per cent, which is expected to yield an additional $20 million in revenue, the prime minister said. However, he said that all food items in the ABST basket of goods will be exempt from this increase. He concluded that his government expects a more buoyant and expanded economy to empower it, with increased revenues to fund the socioeconomic development of the masses. This year the government is projecting it will see 6 per cent growth in the economy. •

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MUST READS Volume 15

By: Lyndell Halliday

LEADING WITH EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE By: Lyndell Halliday BSc., MBA, CPA,CMA

Evolutionary theory suggests that human emotions are vital to the endurance and dominance of the human race. Learning how to harness and manage those emotions is a critical and underrated leadership skill. Psychology Today defines emotional intelligence as “the ability to identify and manage your own emotions and the emotions of others.” Its essential three elements are 1) emotional awareness, 2) the ability to harness emotions and 3) the ability to manage emotions. This issue of Must Reads delves into the topic of emotionally intelligent leadership featuring an “oldie and a goldie”: Primal Leadership by Daniel Goolman, Richard Boyatzis, and Annie McKee (Harvard Business Review Press, 2002) Primal Leadership by Daniel Goolman, Richard Boyatzis and Annie Mckee Daniel Goolman is a psychologist who has researched and written extensively on the topic of emotional intelligence. His first book aptly titled “Emotional Intelligence” was written in 1995 and is widely regarded as a pioneering work in the field. This book quickly became a bestseller and the material has been extensively used and quoted in many leadership development courses. Since then, he has written several other books on different areas of emotional intelligence. In another previous book, “ Working with Emotional Intelligence”, Goolman noted it is not enough to have expertise, experience and intelligence – what matters increasingly are personal qualities such as initiative, empathy, adaptability and persuasiveness. These are all components of emotional intelligence (EI). Unlike IQ, which changes little throughout adulthood, however, EI is largely learned and can thus be taught and developed. Specifically Goolman described five major components of emotional intelligence: Personal Competence (selfawareness, emotional awareness, accurate self-assessment and self-confidence); SelfBusinessFocus

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Regulation (self-control, trustworthiness, conscientiousness, adaptability and innovation); Motivation (achievement drive, commitment, initiative and optimism); Social Competence (understanding others, developing others, service orientation, leverage diversity, political awareness); and Social Skills (influence, communication,

self-management, social awareness, and relationship management. In explaining how to lead with emotional intelligence, the authors introduce the concept of resonance – which they define as driving emotions positively. This is contrasted with dissonant leadership, which is more rational and far less influential. Four resonant leadership styles are described: 1) Diplomatic, 2. Affiliative, 3. Coaching and 4. Visionary. The dissonant leadership styles are pacesetting and commanding. The authors use real life stories and examples to illustrate the various leadership styles and to show the difference between effective and ineffective leadership.

conflict management, leadership, change catalyst, building bonds, collaboration & cooperation, team capabilities). Some familiarity with Goolman’s previous books is helpful in setting the foundation for Primal Leadership. It however, can be read and understood on its own apart from Goolman’s previous works. In Primal Leadership, Goolman teams up with two other researchers: Annie McKee, a professor of education at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Business and Richard Boyatzis – a professor of organizational behaviour at Case Western Reserve University. The core premise of Primal Leadership is that emotions cannot be kept out of the work environment and that leaders who understand this and who learn how to harness their own emotions and the emotions of their followers are more effective. According to the authors, even if leaders manage to do every other thing right, if they “fail in this primal task of driving emotions in the right direction, nothing they do will work as well as it could or should.” They argue that the emotional task of the leader is the most critical role of the leader – i.e. emotional leadership is primal. The authors cite research extensively – including research from the fields of psychology and neurology- to explain the importance of leading emotionally. Goolman et al refine Goolman’s earlier expositions of emotional intelligence – distilling it down to identify four core elements: self-awareness,

In the second half of the book, Goolman et al outline how to go about becoming a more emotionally intelligent leader. They emphasize that becoming an emotionally intelligent leader is a process that will take time. The suggested plan evolves around setting a vision for oneself, self-reflection, building on strengths while minimizing weaknesses, experimenting and fostering relationships. Anyone who had worked with people already knows intuitively that emotions are a vital part of leadership. This book, however excels in explaining how best to understand and channel human emotions for maximum effectiveness as a leader. Leaders at all levels are likely to benefit significantly from a careful study of Primal Leadership.•

Lyndell Halliday is an avid reader, lifelong learner and business executive who has served in a range of leadership roles across the Caribbean. He is currently employed as the General Manager of Automotive Art (St Lucia) Ltd. Mr Halliday also lectures Leadership & Operations Management for the Australia Institute of Business MBA programme at the National Research and Development Foundation.

IN THE KNOW

T H E I N E V I TA B L E JOURNEY TO THE CARIBBEAN COURT OF JUSTICE By: Ms. E. Ann Henry QC - Attorney-at-Law and Notary Public

Ms. E. Ann Henry QC - Attorney-at-Law and Notary Public

Moving away from the London-based Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC) is something all 15 CARICOM member states will inevitably face, perhaps in the not too distance future. Antigua & Barbuda is currently preparing to make that move and the government is hoping the people will choose the home grown Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) over the Privy Council.

1 What is the Court and how does it work?

To get the people share its vision, the government has embarked on a sevenmonth education exercise on a US $2 million budget to sensitise the electorate ahead of the process tentatively set for some time late October.

b an Appellate jurisdiction, in which jurisdiction it is the Final Court of Appeal for the member States which have acceded to the Court as such.

The business community and residents all want to know the same thing: “How will this change benefit us?” Consultations, organised by the National Coordinating Committee (NCC) which is headed by Dr Clarence Henry, kicked off in March with officials from the CCJ, lawyers, government officials, electoral officers and the business community all participating in the discussion. Then in April, the Antigua & Barbuda Chamber of Commerce joined the NCC to explore how the CCJ will impact business in Antigua & Barbuda. A key presenter at the event, E Ann Henry QC, is of the view that the time is now for Antigua & Barbuda to make the move to the CCJ, as it has been 15 years since the CCJ was formed. She expands on the positive impact the move would have on the community. In her address below she actually focused on three main issues which she said should assist with this discourse in determining which judicial institution should be our apex court.

The Caribbean Court of Justice, uniquely, is two Courts in one. It exercises: a the Original and Exclusive jurisdiction to adjudicate upon disputes emanating from the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramus - which was revised in 2001

Perhaps the best known case heard by the Court was the case of Myrie v. the State of Barbados in which case the Court exercised its Original and Exclusive jurisdiction. The essence of the case was that Myrie claimed certain rights under the Revised Treaty 1 a right to free movement with the Caribbean Community 2 a right to non-discrimination on the ground of nationality only (Article 7), and 3 a right to treatment in and by a member state which was no less favourable than that accorded to nationals of other CARICOM states or other states (Article 8). The primary purpose for the revision of the Treaty of Chaguaramus was to incorporate a regime for dispute resolution among member states. This was in recognition that inter-regional trade and regional economic activity had to be encouraged and facilitated as means of strengthening and enlarging the economies of the region. CONT’D ON PAGE 53

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It was perceived, and, I think correctly so, that a critical and necessary element to achieve this objective was an accessible, reputable and consistent dispute resolution mechanism that would stand as the ultimate determinant of disputes which may arise as the regional economic players played across the regional stage. The Court was thus conceived and constituted. It was decided that it would be opportune to constitute the Court as the Final Appellate Court for the member states. The centrepiece institutions of the Court are a the Regional Judicial and Legal Service Commission, discuss the composition) and b the Caribbean Court of Justice Trust Fund which is managed by a Board of Trustees (discuss the composition) The primary role of the Commission is to recommend to the Heads of Government the appointee to the Presidency of the Court and to appoint all of the other Judges of the Court. This arrangement, as I am sure you are well aware, differs sharply to the normal practice in the rest of the world where it is the political directorate who usually select the judges. I know that you have been watching the games-playing in the United States of America which has been on-going since the death of Justice Scalia. Games-playing by politicians on both sides who are each quite determined to choose as Justice Scalia's replacement, a Judge who is predisposed to their social, economic, and legal philosophy. The primary role of the Board of Trustees is the investment and management of the Trust Fund of which funds the operation of the Court. These funds have already been paid by all of the CARICOM member states including those which have not yet acceded to the Appellate jurisdiction of the Court. As a side note, I would say that our contribution in Antigua and Barbuda was and I say 'was" because we have already paid our contribution - a long time ago.

So, we essentially have paid for a Court and we are only half-using the Court. There are two compelling statements embodied in the Trust Fund Agreement - namely that a The Parties are Conscious that the financial viability of the Court is essential for its efficiency, effectiveness and independence in the performance of its functions, and b The Parties are Determined to promote and safeguard the independence, integrity and credibility of the Court. I suggest strongly to you that so far as is reasonably possible, the arrangements for insulating the Court and rendering it independent of political or other influence are robust. It is in this context that I come back to the Myrie case. If ever there was a modern example of the epic: battle between David and Goliath, it has to be the Myrie case. An ordinary woman from Jamaica challenging the actions of the State of Barbados! In the grand scheme of things, Ms. Myrie was probably unknown even in Jamaica before the case happened. But she prevailed because the Court followed the facts and applied the law and concluded where both took them.

2 I now turn to the second issue which is what do business people, such as the members of the Chamber, need/want from a Court system? Litigation is not a business (or even social) activity. In fact, it is a disruption to the flow of business which introduces uncertainty and risk. So, a business person, faced with a dispute is anxious to have that dispute resolved in the most favourable way by recourse to a quick and cost-sensitive regime. I daresay that then when a dispute looms ahead it is a night-mare scenario for you to contemplate traversing the many layers of judicial decision-making and dispute resolution which may well be ahead. Because, if your dispute concerns labour relations, you may have to go through the Labour Department, then the Industrial Court, then the Court of Appeal and finally the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council as the law now stands or the CCJ if/when adopted. If it is not an Industrial relations matter, then you may have to go through the High Court, then the Court of Appeal and finally the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council as the law now stands or the Court (CCJ), before the judicial process has been exhausted.

They did not demur because it was the State of Barbados who was the Defendant. It seems to me that the Court heard and understood the evidence, considered the Treaty and applied the law fairly and fearlessly.

And by that time, you and your resources may also be exhausted.

And that is what Courts are there to do - make findings of fact and apply the law and reach conclusions.

Experience tells us that parties frequently stop their litigation at the Court of Appeal because going further is a formidable process.

The only benefit that we may have by this much delayed discussion is that there is now a body of case law coming out of the Court through which has established and continues to establish its track record. It is early days but I think that the Court's track record vindicates itself as a Court with competent jurists who perform their responsibilities properly - without fear or favour.

Hopefully, you will not find yourself in any Final Court before the resolution of your dispute. But some matters have to go the distance before they are concluded.

I will give some practical information. Court documents all have to be filed in the central registry for the Court. The filings of Court documents for High Court matters in Antigua, for example, are done in the Registry which is now located on Factory Road - Parliament Drive. Your Antiguan lawyer does the

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filing and communicates with the High Court Registry and the High Court Registry communicates with the Antiguan Lawyer in relation to these matters and in relation to hearing dates and other relevant matters. The filings of Court documents for Appeals to the Court of Appeal of the Eastern Caribbean are done at the same Registry. The documents, once filed, are transmitted by the Registry in Antigua to the Appeal Court Registry in St Lucia, which is where the headquarters for the Appeal Court is located. Your Antiguan Lawyer does the filing and communicates with the Court of Appeal Registry and the Court of Appeal Registry communicates with the Antiguan Lawyer in relation to these matters and in relation to hearing dates and other relevant matters. The filings of Court documents for Appeals to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council are done at the Registry of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council which is in London. To do those filings, you have to engage an Agent based in London. You have also to engage a Solicitor, based in London, to communicate with the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council and to receive communication from the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. The Agent and the Solicitor will then communicate with your Antiguan Lawyer relative to filings and other matters. For those countries for which the CCJ is the final Court of Appeal, the filings of Court documents for Appeals to the CCJ are done at the Registry on Factory Road. The documents, once filled, are transmitted by the Registry in Antigua to the CCJ Registry Trinidad, which is where the headquarters for the CCJ is located. Your Antiguan Lawyer does the filing and communicates directly with the CCJ Registry and the CCJ Registry communicates with the Antiguan lawyer in relation to these matters and in relation to hearing dates and other relevant matters. The cost and time implications should be obvious. The High Court trials and the hearings before the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal are held in Factory Road, St Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Antigua.

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Hearings before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council are held in London, England - eight hours away by British Airways or Virgin Atlantic with hotel and ground transportation as an added cost. The cost and time implications should be obvious. The litigant has to pay for that. I am aware that The Lord David Neuberger of Abbotsbury rather gratuitously stated the other day that the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council wants to continue to be the final Court for Antigua & Barbuda and would be prepared to sit outside of London so as to enhance accessibility. It is a fact that the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council has sat in The Commonwealth of The Bahamas on three occasions, of which I am aware 2006, 2007 and 2009. But I am told that the cost to the Government of The Commonwealth of the Bahamas to transport the five Privy Councillors (and their entourages) and all of the associated costs related to the sittings was so significant that they have not journeyed to The Bahamas since. I question the practicality of the suggestion made by the Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury that the Privy Council could sit in Antigua. By contrast, the CCJ is an itinerant Court and, without placing additional financial burden on the state or the litigant, will sit in the jurisdiction from which the Appeal emanates at the choice of the litigants. You will be aware that when the Myrie case was being heard, evidence was taken in Jamaica. I give you this information because, as business people, since litigation is not the main event for you, if you find yourself having to consider an appeal beyond the Court of Appeal, then cost, time and access are critical to your decision making. I am not able to measure it scientifically but judging from my experience in my office, I am satisfied that the cost and relative inaccessibility of the final Court has affected many persons' decision as to whether they should appeal the Court of Appeal's judgment. 3 My final talking point is that there comes a time in all our lives when

we have to take full responsibility for our lives, AND, importantly, be fully accountable for ourselves.

legislative (Parliament), the executive (Prime Minister and Cabinet) and the judiciary.

At some time, the hand-holding has to stop and we have to walk forward into our destiny under our own steam.

In 1967, Antigua was thrust into a sort of independence from Great Britain which was called Associated Statehood.

Sitting atop the judiciary, by Constitutional mandate, for the past 34, nearly 35 years, is the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council which does not deliver judgments but renders advice to the Queen, who is not accountable to anyone in Antigua & Barbuda and has no role in the Governance structure embodied in the Constitution.

In closing, let me respond to the yet un-asked question what criticisms do you have regarding the CCJ. My answer would be that there needs to be more diversity. I would like to appear before a Court which, in addition to sharing my life experiences by virtue of most of them coming from small islands like me, shares my experience as a woman growing up in this Caribbean.

You will remember that, after 1967, we had a Premier who had a Cabinet and between them they were responsible for certain matters. Notably finance and defence were held back and were the responsibility of the UK Government. I don't know if it was supposed to be a practice run to see if we could handle things but that is what it was. All I can say is that it was a most unsatisfactory and probably unhelpful arrangement. Then in 1981, after we had been practicing at self-government for 14 years, we attained what was then termed as "full independence". Under our Constitution was established a governance structure which contemplated three branches - the

That, to my way of thinking, has to be an anomaly, but more than that, maintaining that institution throws our governance structure out of alignment because neither the Queen nor the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council is accountable to the people of Antigua & Barbuda. All of the other constitutional institutions are accountable to the people of the region/Antigua & Barbuda.

We cannot hope to find a Judicial Committee of the Privy Council which looks like us, thinks like us and understands our aspirations for the future generations of Caribbean people. â&#x20AC;˘

IN THE KNOW

LOCAL POLICE OFFICER RECEIVES REGIONAL RECOGNITION

An Inspector of Police within the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda has copped the 1st Runner-Up title in the 2016 Amalgamated Security Services Ltd.- Regional Recognition Awards Programme. Inspector Ray John is the representative from Antigua & Barbuda who was, earlier this year, nominated for the ‘Top Caribbean Crime Fighter Award’. The ASSL Regional Recognition Awards Programme, in conjunction with the Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police (ACCP), is an annual programme which seeks to acknowledge and award the Top Law Enforcement Officers across the Caribbean region. The programme accepts nomination submissions from three categories; namely ‘Top Caribbean Crime Fighter’, ‘Top Career Move’ and ‘Top Community Police Officer’. The Police Administration, having nominated Inspector Ray John for the prestigious award, was required to prepare and forward a submission to the ACCP Headquarters in Barbados, in support of the nomination. A panel of independent adjudicators from the United States was then given the task to conclude on the winners within each category. This year, the adjudication process saw a number of nomination submissions from across the region. At the end however, the nominee from Antigua & Barbuda was ranked 1st Runner-Up in his category. Commissioner of Police, Wendel Robinson, Esq., said it is a proud moment for the Royal Police Force and Barbuda. While, Inspector John thanked his colleagues for the nomination and said he is humbled by his victory. He said he has his eyes set on the post of Deputy Commissioner of Police, as he urged his colleagues to aspire to improve the work of the RPFAB.

Inspector Ray John

The Inspector will be officially recognized at an Awards Ceremony, hosted by the ACCP which will be held in Suriname later this year. In addition to his regional recognition, Inspector Ray John has also been locally recognised by the Cabinet of Antigua & Barbuda, where he would be specially awarded a monetary honorarium and a meritorious plaque in recognition of his continuous and spirited services to crime fighting within our nation. •

BusinessFocus

May /July

1 0 C A R I B B E A N A N D L AT I N A M E R I C A N N AT I O N S W H E R E

WOMEN ARE MORE E D U C AT E D THAN MEN When it comes to education in the Americas – the Caribbean and Latin American – girls/women are doing far better than boys/men. Here are the top 10 nations in this region where women are more likely to go into tertiary education and are better educated than men according to the World Economic Forum’s latest Global Gender Gap index. Tertiary education is any kind of studies embarked on after high school and includes university, vocational training, and military service.

1: BARBADOS

6: VENEZUELA

In the eastern Caribbean island of Barbados, aka BIM, with a population of less than 300,000, a whopping 88 per cent of Barbadian women are in higher or further education, outnumbering men by nearly two and a-half times. This makes Barbados the number one country in the Americas where women are more educated than men.

While the South American nation of Venezuela struggles with dropping oil prices that has sent its economy into a rough patch, its female citizens are definitely moving on up the education ladder. A cumulative 99 per cent go into tertiary education compared to 58 per cent of men in this country of over 30 million.

2: JAMAICA

7: BELIZE

Taking the number two spot is the island that gave the world reggae, Bob Marley and Usain Bolt. In Jamaica, with a population of over 2.7 million, around 40 per cent of women go into tertiary education. That’s 2.29 times more than the number of men going to universities and colleges.

The Central American CARICOM nation of Belize takes the number seven spot for better educated women in the nation of over 311,000, who outnumber men by 1.68 times in tertiary education.

3: GUYANA The South American CARICOM nation of Guyana, with a population of under 800,000, has dropped from its heyday as the region’s education leader. It now has relatively low levels of education for both sexes. Only 18 per cent of females go into further or higher education, but that’s still more than twice the number of men continuing their education after school and enough to land it on the number three slot on the top 10 list.

8: CUBA Coming in at number eight is the Communist Caribbean island of Cuba. Here in this island of over 11 million people, which continues to struggle with a US trade embargo, 60 per cent of female Cubans continue their education past high school. 9: THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC In a country of over 10 million, more than 57 per cent of women in this Spanish Caribbean nation go into tertiary education. That’s compared to just 36 per cent of men.

4: URUGUAY

10: ARGENTINA

With a population of over 3.4 million, the South American nation of Uruguay has a significantly high percentage of educated women. Eighty per cent of all women in Uruguay go into further education, a ratio of 1.73.

Out of a population of over 41 million, a massive 98 per cent of Argentine women have some form of tertiary education. That’s more than one and a half times the number of men. •

5: SURINAME In the Dutch Caribbean country of Suriname, just 15 per cent of women go into higher education in this nation of over 500, 000 people. But this is way higher than the 9 per cent of men who do, landing Suriname in the fifth spot on our top 10 list.

BusinessFocus

May /July

IN THE KNOW

on a moonless night with very few stars visible and only the street lights for illumination and still the area was bright with excellent visibility. The cause of the brightness was definitely the new concrete. The fact that the concrete was new and so almost white in color caused the available light from the moon, the stars and the streetlights to be reflected back into the air thus improving visibility allowing me to easily see everything in the immediate vicinity.

WHITE CONCRETE By Brian Ramsey Recently when returning home at night I was struck by how bright the street appeared. This is an area with which I am intimately familiar because it is the street on which I live and yet that night it seemed so bright and I could see everything very clearly. The brightness of the area seemed so odd to me that after I had parked the car, I came back outside and began looking for the reason; was it the moon, was it the street lights, what was it. After looking for some time it dawned on me, it was the concrete. For the last few weeks the regional corporation had been doing work on the street and so the drains were new and the driveways were new. All were new with white concrete. The effect was so astounding that several weeks later after rain had fallen for several days and cars had been regularly entering the driveways, I went out into the street BusinessFocus

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There is often the view throughout the Caribbean that the cleaning of drains and driveways that are outside the immediate boundaries of one’s home is the responsibility of Government and so they must clean it and if they d not clean it then it will remain that way and the most that we will do is write letters to the editors of the newspapers and complain. Yet the persons who suffer from the unclean drains and driveways are the same homeowners and conversely the persons who benefit from the clean drains and driveways are the same homeowners. In the tropical climate that we live in it is inevitable that moss and grime will accumulate on driveways and drains. As I have sought to show at the start of this article having entryways that look like new greatly enhances the visibility in the area thus making it easier to see if there is an undesirable individual lurking in the vicinity. Consequently every homeowner should regularly clean the drains and driveways by scrubbing off the moss and grime buildup to give them that new white concrete look. There is an allied benefit to maintaining the outside of each person’s yard. A grimy appearance invites undesirable persons as they think no one cares about the area and they further think that people will lock themselves away in their house and so will not venture into the street at night thus they can attack a house and the others will stay in their castle. This thought process has been developed into a scientific criminological theory called the Broken Windows theory. The theory was introduced in 1982 and posits that creating an atmosphere of order and lawfulness, prevents more serious crimes from happening. In the original article published in March 1982 in Atlantic Monthly, two examples were given that

gave rise to the name of the theory and these were “Consider a building with a few broken windows. If the windows are not repaired, the tendency is for vandals to break a few more windows. Eventually, they may even break into the building, and if it’s unoccupied, perhaps become squatters or light fires inside” also “consider a pavement. Some litter accumulates. Soon, more litter accumulates. Eventually, people even start leaving bags of refuse from take-out restaurants there or even break into cars”. Since its first articulation the theory has been tested through both scientific observation and implementation by Police Forces in various places including Netherlands, Massachusetts, New Mexico and New York City. In each case it has been found that maintaining a clean orderly appearance aids in reducing crime. There is therefore an undoubted security benefit in maintaining the areas outside the immediate boundaries of our property and where possible we should always seek to make the concrete look like new white concrete. •

Brian Ramsey has a B.A. in Accounting & Management, along with an M.B.A. in Finance and over 29 years in the Caribbean security field. He is the Regional Development Director for Amalgamated Security Services Limited which operates in Grenada, Barbados, St Lucia, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago and is the parent company of Alternative Security Services (St. Lucia) Limited. He can be contacted at bramsey@assl.com.

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ECONOMY & TRADE FOCUS

ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S

M A N U FA C T U R I N G SECTOR TO BE R E V I TA L I S E D Brewtech has struck a joint venture deal with the government of Antigua & Barbuda to set up a modern brewery that will manufacture a range of products for domestic use and export. The government said this is geared at revistalisng the manufacturing sector, as Prime Minister Gaston Browne recently announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The new company, which will occupy the premises of the former Antigua Brewery Limited at Crabb’s Peninsula, will manufacture beer, stout, malt, sodas and other aerated beverages, juices and sports drinks. The government will hold up to 20 per cent equity in Brewtech, an arrangement that will provide direct benefits to the people of Antigua & Barbuda. The now defunct Antigua Brewery Limited – founded in 1993 – was the first project executed by Brewtech GmbH. The original plant consisted mostly of second hand equipment, which was generally overhauled before installation. Throughout its subsequent years of operation, the brewery was gradually equipped with new, modern technology. The annual production was not limited to alcoholic beverages, as in addition to 35,000 hl beer

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20,000 hl soft drinks were also produced. And, in addition to the local Wadadli Lager Beer, several licence beers were brewed, eg for Guinness, Red Stripe and Vita Malt, whereas Coca Cola, Ting and Cocktail de Fruit were a small selection of soft drinks produced under licence. Brewtech provided technical management until the end of 2009 and thereafter occasionally supplied spare parts and operating material for a few months until the operations closed entirely. Meantime, it was also disclosed that the Government of the People’s Republic of China donated equipment and trainers for the continuation of a Garment Manufacturing Workshop. Over 180 people participated in all aspects of a garment construction initiative, which was launched late last year. “Building on the success of this initiative, talks are well advanced for a joint venture initiative with a Chinese firm to establish a manufacturing plant to boost our export earnings,” the prime minister outlined. The government said it will also continue to diversify its energy mix into green energy, to reduce the cost of energy and to increase competiveness in the productive sectors, including manufacturing. •

ECONOMY & TRADE FOCUS

N O I M P R OV E M E N T E X P E C T E D IN A&B RANKINGS IN EASE OF DOING BUSINESS The five-year forecast by Trading Economics projects that the ease of doing business in the twin island will continue to trend downwards, if changes are not implemented soon. The Antigua & Barbuda Forecast 2016-2020 said that the first quarter ranking for 2016 was 104 out of over 180 nations, while it is projected the

ranking will drop three places to 107 by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts’ expectations. In the long-term, the Ease of Doing Business in Antigua & Barbuda is projected to trend around 106 in 2020, according to the organisation’s econometric models.

EXPORT DATA API ACCESS FORECAST

ACTUAL

Q2 / 16

Q3 / 16

Q4 / 16

Q1 / 17

2020

Ease of Doing Business

104

107

106

105

106

Ease of Doing Business in Antigua & Barbuda Forecasts are projected using an autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model calibrated using the analysts’ expectations. They model the past behaviour of Ease of Doing Business in Antigua & Barbuda using vast amounts of historical data and the coefficients of the econometric model are adjusted by taking into account analysts’ assessments and future expectations.

UNIT

The forecast for Ease of Doing Business in Antigua & Barbuda was last predicted on Wednesday, April 20, 2016. This page summarises Doing Business 2016 data for Antigua & Barbuda. The first section presents the Ease of Doing Business rank (out of 189 economies) and the distance to frontier (DTF)** measure, overall and by topic. The second section summarises the key indicators for each topic benchmarked against regional averages.

RANKINGS DISTANCE TO FRONTIER TOPICS

DB 2016 RANK

DB 2015 RANK

CHANGE IN RANK

Starting a Business Dealing with Construction Permits Getting Electricity Registering Property Getting Credit Protecting Minority Investors Paying Taxes Trading Across Borders Enforcing Contracts Resolving Insolvency

107 95 33 118 152 66 161 114 19 125

102 90 32 112 150 64 159 115 19 124

up -5 up -5 up -1 up -6 up -2 up -2 up -2 up 1 No change up -1

In 2015, the ease of doing business dropped 10 places to 99 from a position of 89 in 2014; while in the previous year the twin island ranked 71, which was later revised and lowered to 83. The country was also ranked low in the area of getting credit, at 152nd in the world, two places down from the last report. BusinessFocus

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As noted in the table above, it’s in the area of paying taxes that Antigua & Barbuda is ranked the lowest, coming in at 161, while the report indicates that getting credit and resolving insolvency also ranked on the lower end at 152 and 125, respectively.•

CANADA FUNDS FA C I L I T Y T H AT BENEFITS CARIBBEAN COUNTRIES " A F U N D O F C A D $ 2 0 M I L L I O N I S B E I N G E S TA B L I S H E D UNDER CANEF BY THE IDB TO HELP CARIBBEAN COUNTRIES I M P R O V E T H E M A N A G E M E N T O F N AT U R A L R E S O U R C E S . "

A fund of CAD$20 million is being established under the Canadian Extractive Sector Facility (CANEF) by the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) to help Caribbean countries improve the management of natural resources linked to extractive industries. According to the bank, the Canadian government is providing the funds for the facility that will support knowledge generation activities and technical assistance throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Specialists from the IDB will identify and implement best practices in the management of the resources such as oil, gas and mining, with particular attention to the implementation of environmental and social safeguards.

“Our country has long been a key partner of the IDB in its activities in the extractive sector in particular. Canada and countries in Latin America and the Caribbean share the conviction that natural resources can help boost inclusive economic growth in the long-term when the sector is handled with transparency, openness, and efficiency,” said Ambassador Guillermo Enrique Rishchynski, Executive Director for Canada at the IDB. The project will focus on generating regional public goods that promote longterm prospects, responsible investment, and good relations between actors in the sector. It seeks to address specific technical challenges and to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and technologies. In addition, CANEF will support technical assistance efforts in at least three countries to contribute to strengthening the governance of natural resources by improving regulatory and institutional frameworks and improving infrastructure information management. “This project reflects our commitment to finding innovative solutions that improve the investment climate and economic, social and environmental sustainability of the extractive sector in Latin America and the Caribbean. This sector is the backbone of the economy of many of our countries,” said Ramon Espinasa, IDB Project Team Leader. The Canadian facility will allow the execution of projects with a nonreimbursable technical cooperation grant within five years. The grant will finance projects to promote knowledge generation and improved governance in the extractive sector.•

ECONOMY & TRADE FOCUS

" C A R I F O RU M C O U N T R I E S S AY T H E Y A R E Y E T T O M E A N I N G F U L LY R E A P T H E P O T E N T I A L B E N E F I T S O F T H E E PA . "

CARIBBEAN COUNTRIES N O T F U L LY S AT I S F I E D W I T H E PA ACCORD

The statement noted that the ministers also expressed “their deep concern” that recent developments on taxation in the European Union EU have the potential to negatively impact the economies of a number of CARIFORUM states.

Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM) countries say they are yet to “meaningfully reap the potential benefits” of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) signed with Europe in 2008.

The ministers have since welcomed the agreement arrived at for the two regions to discuss a range of issues affecting the financial services sector, including taxation and correspondent banking, within the Joint CARIFORUM-EU Working Group on the Joint CARIFORUM-EU Partnership Strategy.

The issue was among matters discussed at the 23rd Meeting of the Council of CARIFORUM Ministers held in March, and according to a CARIFORUM statement a review of the EPA had concluded that the region “had as yet to meaningfully reap the potential benefits of the Agreement.” They underscored that, for CARIFORUM, the EPA is a source of mixed feelings. The commonly held view was that CARIFORUM committed itself and signed a comprehensive EPA, yet it has not “harvested the windfalls” which seemed to have been held out as reward for early signature of the Agreement. It said that in further reviewing the state-ofplay of EPA implementation, the ministers accorded high priority to wide-ranging technical work and tasked officials to follow up accordingly.

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The discussions were held in a Political Dialogue Meeting held in Guyana. At that meeting, the EU provided an update on the Commission of the European Union’s recent Communication on an External Strategy for Effective Taxation as Part of its Anti-Tax Avoidance Package.

CARIFORUM report that the EU “hailed the approach agreed to at the Political Dialogue Meeting to utilize the said Working Group as a forum to, in part, exchange information and explore what actions can be carried out on this matter to avoid negative repercussions in CARIFORUM States.” The statement said that the future of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) and ACP/EU relations also came up for detailed discussion with the meeting recalling that the ongoing assessment of the ACP has been precipitated by the impending expiration of the current legally-binding framework for the EU’s trade, political dialogue and development cooperation relations with the 78-member grouping.

“It was noted that the exercise is geared towards an examination of the renewal, transformation and strategic change of the ACP Group. In this regard, the ACP Group is giving consideration to its own future.” The final report of the Eminent Persons’ Group (EPG), which provides guidance on and concrete recommendations for the future of the ACP, will be considered at the eighth Summit of ACP Heads of State and Government to be held in Papua New Guinea from May 30 to June 1. Accordingly, the ministers reviewed the options for the future of the ACP which would be most advantageous to CARIFORUM and mandated the convening of a CARIFORUM Meeting on the Future of the ACP preparatory to the 8th Summit of ACP Heads of State and Government. They agreed that the summary document arising from the said Meeting would be utilized to assist CARIFORUM States in their preparation for and participation in the Summit,” the statement noted. The meeting had also discussed certain challenges in programme implementation of the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) Caribbean Regional Indicative Programme (CRIP) and the ministers are reported to have “endorsed the remedial action being taken”. The statement said that the status of the 11th EDF CRIP that was signed in June 2015 with the statement noting that the “meeting highlighted the successful conclusion of the agreement to the value of €346 million (One Euro=US $1.29 cents).” •

T H E S U S TA I N A B L E DEVELOPMENT GOALS AND CARICOM CARIBBEAN DEVELOPMENT

The aim of this opinion-piece is to encourage the leaders (including the opposition political parties), policymakers and the private sector in all CARICOM countries, to embrace the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as national priorities and to begin a process of national mobilisation and sensitisation on the benefits to, and roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which came into effect in January 2016, now define the development agenda for developing countries over the next 15 years. They present a good opportunity for CARICOM countries to transform their economies towards sustainable development. Despite this promise, the SDGs have not been elevated in these countries to the levels of national discourse and community awareness that their importance deserves. The 17 goals of the SDGs are ambitious and comprehensive, and cover social, economic development, and environmental outcomes. Inter alia, these outcomes include: ending poverty

and hunger; achieving food security and sustained agricultural development; promoting inclusive (pro-poor) economic growth, sustainable development, and full employment; building resilience against natural and external shocks; ensuring greater equity and fairness in education, and income distribution among women and girls; making cities and communities inclusive, safe, reliant and sustainable; combating the effects of climate change; protecting and conserving natural resources and ecosystems; ensuring access to essential services such as health, water, sanitation and energy; and revitalising and strengthening global partnerships for sustainable development. These are outcomes that all CARICOM countries have been seeking since independence. Moreover, the SDGs promise a truly transformative development agenda that is both universal and adaptable to countryspecific conditions. So programs to achieve the SDGs can be designed to address the root or structural causes that have constrained development in CARICOM countries.

CARICOM countries have made much social and economic progress since independence. But these countries still face several developmental challenges, including low economic growth; high unemployment, especially among youths; a national debt that is a drag on the economy; a high food import bill; high income inequality; significant threats to food security and traditional exportagriculture; and high rates of poverty. These are compelling reasons to embrace the SDGs. But most important, despite the economic progress, sustainable development (ie, good governance, inclusive economic growth, building a resilient environment, and promoting social inclusion), and economic transformation have eluded these countries in the post-independence era. The SDGs therefore present a timely opportunity for CARICOM countries to successfully advance along this sustainable and transformative developmental path, and to effectively address their current developmental challenges. But leaders, policymakers and the private sector in CARICOM countries will have to act now, and aggressively, if these countries are to reap the full benefits of the SDGs. They must envision a society that is prosperous, politically stable, and provides the citizenry with a sense of inclusiveness and ownership to the process and fruits of development. There should be no compelling reasons for poverty, high income inequality, food insecurity, high unemployment, and noninclusive economic growth, to be the enduring characteristics of this region. The SDGs were framed within the context of commitments by the international community to provide much needed resources for countries to achieve these goals. But significantly, 50-80 per cent of financing the SDGs will have to come from domestic resource mobilisation (DRM). The Addis Ababa Meeting in July 2015, on financing the SDGs, and subsequent work by the World Bank, the IMF and other Multilateral Development Banks, proposed several ways to achieve this massive financing needs of the SDGs. These include, inter alia: (a) Increase tax compliance (not tax increases), and strengthen tax administration; (b) More efficient ways of public expenditures; (c) Crowd-in private investmentsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;every BusinessFocus

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SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT CONT’D

dollar invested by the public sector should have a private-sector crowdin multiplier of four to 10 additional dollars in public investments (ie, publicprivate-partnerships); (d) Tap into the capital markets where large pools of funds can be raised and mobilised for long-term investments, eg, pension funds, and establishing bond markets, such as infrastructure bonds, diaspora bonds, thematic bonds on health, youth employment, etc); and, Cross-border financing, by establishing alliances with other CARICOM countries to integrate capital markets as is the case of the Pacific Alliance (Colombia with Mexico, Peru, and Chile).

engendered for the private sector to become engaged with the SDGs. Second, the creation of a dedicated Unit/Agency with a cadre of persons with the technical competences in public and private sector investment finance and management, and the ability to capture the financial and technical dispensations that would be available from the international community to support the SDGs at the national level.

Among other things, two pre-conditions are absolutely necessary to support investments for the SDGs. First, an economic, regulatory and predictable investment environment must be

But financing of the SDGs will require large and sustained amounts of investment funds (the literature refers to this as “from billions to trillions of dollars”!).

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In summary, the SDGs present a good opportunity for CARICOM countries to reactivate their economies along a development trajectory that will appreciably enhance the general living standards of their population.

Governments cannot, and should not do this alone. Much of this financing will have to be sourced from domestic resource mobilisation and public-privatepartnerships, in addition to traditional Overseas Development Assistance (ODAs), and Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs). Finally, leaders, policymakers and the private sector in CARICOM countries must act now, as a matter of urgency, to reap the full benefits which the SDGs promise. Ballayram, PhD, International Consultant. •

MEETING CUSTOMERS’ NEEDS:

C R E AT I N G A C U LT U R E O F S E RV I C E By Arlene Timber-Henry

Some time ago, I went into a store looking for a particular hair accessory. A young sales clerk came to my assistance and assured me that they carried the item and that it came in assorted colours. She showed me one of the colours which I did not particularly care for. When I asked if I could take a look at the other options, she looked at me incredulously and, in a very impertinent tone, responded, “You mean I have to take out all of them?” Or, consider the young man at another place of business who, after he had finished attending to the customer ahead of me, ‘indicated’ it was my turn by an upward toss of his head and the raising of his eyebrows, never actually uttering a word. Good thing I wasn’t visually impaired or I would have never realised he was ‘speaking’ to me. And no, he was not a mute! Once upon a time, not so long ago, businesses and organisations everywhere, including our local enterprises, were hyped up about customer service. Hotlines, counters and entire departments were created to address customers’ every need and solve a plethora of customer problems. Customer service agents and representatives were being hired in droves, all in an effort to dedicate a portion of the workforce to that oh-so-important aspect of doing business – the customer.

Unfortunately, unlike the fairy tales of old, it seems as if this one was a limited edition without a happily-ever-after ending. Horror stories abound about the poor service meted out to so many customers as they carry out their day to day transactions: rude receptionists, sulky and unhelpful or unknowledgeable sales personnel, haughty workers, absentee employees who are always ‘away from their desks’ or have ‘just stepped out’ and who rarely, if ever, return calls or reply to messages. In this story, no one wants to take responsibility and the customers are left feeling as if they have to figure it all out on their own. Sounds familiar? Many are asking, “Whatever happened to great customer service?” That idyllic place where consumers feel like they really matter and they’re treated with courtesy, dignity and respect rather than contempt or disdain? Where the person behind the counter actually makes eye contact as s/he hands you your change instead of pushing it at you with their back turned. Why does it appear as if great customer service - a warm greeting, a genuine smile, a sincere desire to please and a willingness to go a little beyond the required is reserved for a particular industry or for when the customer is of a certain hue or accent? Perhaps, if we took a closer look at what customer service really is, we’d find the clues to help us get back to making it do what it was intended to do in the first place. We know that a customer is that person who is the recipient of a good product or service provided by a seller, supplier or service provider and that service is the supplying of those commodities by the entities best positioned to do so. Now, this is where the equation gets a bit tricky because the sum of customer service, in our heightened understanding of its definition, is greater than its parts. Customer service is not as much about the ‘what’ that is being sold, offered or provided, as it is concerned with the ‘how’ this is done.

business with you, even if you didn’t have the shoes in their size or their refund check wasn’t ready as yet. Of course, we know that there are also plenty of service success stories out there; persons tracking down customers who left behind their ID card, a staff member who follows you down the street to offer a solution to the problem he overheard you discussing with his co-worker, an agent who actually returns your calls – after working hours. But research shows that a customer who has had a positive experience will likely tell only three to five people about it, whereas the average customer who has a problem with an organisation or business will share that experience with as many as nine or 10 people. This is negative word-ofmouth advertising you really don’t need. So, let’s get back to the business of truly putting the service back in customer service. Let’s focus not just on price or quantity or how good the product is but on delivery, on timeliness, on reliability, on friendly, caring service. Let’s treat all our customers the way we would want to be treated. They deserve no less. •

TimberHenry Consultancy Services offers training & development solutions (workshops, seminars, conferences, retreats) to individuals, organizations and groups in all areas of human resource development including customer service applications. Arlene is a Caribbean professional with over 20 years’ cumulative international experience and qualifications in Mass Communications (B.A.) HRD (Diploma) Adult Education (M.Ed.), a graduate certificate in Distance Education and is a Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE). Email:info@timberhenryconsultancy.com / timberhenry@hotmail.com

Service goes beyond merely supplying the product or carrying out the transaction; it involves giving the customer a feeling of satisfaction, essentially allowing that person to leave feeling happy to have done BusinessFocus

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ECONOMY & TRADE FOCUS

SHOW ME WHO YOU ARE:

TIPS FOR CHOOSING THE BEST FIT FOR YO U R C O M PA N Y By Koren Norton (Counsellor) Everyone wants the brightest, best and most suitable employees for their organisations; so hiring practices are one of the most important aspects of management. Advertise a vacancy and you get 40 applications for the job and maybe 20 of them are qualified on paper – they have the minimum number of subjects or the required degree. You quickly scan these 20 applications and notice poor grammar and spelling or just poor writing on five of the cover letters, so you are down to 15. Five of them are way too qualified, so you suspect they are applying out of desperation and are likely to leave as soon as something better comes along, and five of them never did anything except attend school or college; they never volunteered, never joined a club, never did an internship, nothing. This means they are way too one dimensional for your company, so you are left with five persons to interview. You have your secretary schedule them over a two-day period and they come in with their well-ironed outfits and their prepared answers. The more advanced ones would have learnt a little bit about your company before the interview, while the lazier ones might not have even bothered. To make the most of the interview, do away with those routine questions that interviewees come well prepared for, like “what is your five-year plan” and “what is your greatest strength”. They will all say they see themselves with the company in five years and their strength is what an awesome team-player they are … blah blah blah. Here are five considerations that help the interview process:

BusinessFocus

May /July

1 Ask your receptionist and security guard to observe the interviewees. While they will do everything in their power to impress you, they are likely to let their guard down around the other employees who they might deem as unimportant. You want an employee who knows that every person is important and all persons must be treated with respect and courtesy. You don’t want them creating levels with your customers and treating some with respect and others with disdain. Integrity is a valuable trait in employees who will do their best whether the boss is watching them or not. 2 Be clear about the requirements of the position you are hiring for. Have a job description and know beforehand what qualifications, experience and personality you need for the position. How much contact will the person have with the public, how detailoriented will they need to be? Is there room for upward mobility in such a position? It is essential to know these things so that your questions and their responses will tell you if they are a good fit. This is also important because the experienced candidate will have some questions of his or her own. 3 Investigate them well. Remember, one misstep from this person could cost you a $100,000 lawsuit, so the process is to be taken seriously. When you call their referees, don’t just listen to what is being said but also what they are not saying. Some referees don’t want to lie so they try avoidance. Ask direct questions about things they avoid mentioning. If it’s a financial institution, ask if the candidate was ever involved in anything dishonest. If it’s a service industry, find out how many complaints the company has received about the candidate. If it’s a former employer, ask if he or she would rehire the person and what his or her strengths and weaknesses are. It’s

also a good idea to check out their LinkedIn account to see what is posted and what they are recommended by others for. 4 Ask open-ended questions that require detailed answers. Ask about their past jobs and see if they complain about everything or take some responsibility if things did not work out. Give them scenarios to test their problem-solving and decision-making skills and depending on the type of job, they can even have short writing assignments. You want persons who are not only intelligent, but also creative and critical thinkers. 5 Consider testing. Since most HR managers are not able to see into the future, in addition to satisfactory interviewing, they rely on gut instincts on a word of mouth recommendation on interviewees. Psychometric testing takes the guesswork out of the equation and employees are rated based on their scores. While there is a cost attached, it works out far cheaper than having to train an unsuitable employee, paying compensation when letting them go, or the costs of having to advertise and go through the recruitment process over and over again. What I have discovered after years of working with employees is that you can teach them certain rudiments of the job like using equipment, learning software and even certain policies and procedures, but having the right attitude, being able to use initiative, being self-directed and having excellent people-skills are traits that are better if innate and such individuals would definitely be an asset to your organisation. â&#x20AC;˘

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ECONOMY & TRADE FOCUS

P R O T E C T I N G YO U R I N T E L L E C T UA L P RO P E RT Y:

When you hear the term’ intellectual property’, you tend to think of music, photographs and movies which more often than not are freely available on the Internet, legally or otherwise. While this is so, the term is far more wide reaching and can have significant impact on businesses, both small and large. This impact can be positive but may also be negative if used without the owner’s permission. Intellectual property also has the potential to be a driver of economic growth in the country. According to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), “intellectual property (IP) refers to creations of the mind, such as inventions; literary and artistic works; designs; and symbols, names and images used in commerce”. Intellectual property is protected through patents, trademarks, geographical indication, industrial design, trade secrets and copyrights. It impacts the branding, marketing, and product differentiation of businesses, as well as their ability to profit from innovation. Because of globalisation and trade liberalisation, even small businesses that only trade locally need to become internationally competitive. This can be achieved by investing in research and development, acquiring new technology, developing creative BusinessFocus

May /July

PAT E N T S , COPYRIGHTS, TRADEMARKS AND MORE

and appealing designs and effectively marketing products. However, without formally protecting their intellectual property, businesses run the risk that investments in research and development, product differentiation and marketing may be stolen and copied. Businesses should register their intellectual property at the Antigua & Barbuda Intellectual Property & Commerce Office. Intellectual property should also be registered in each of the countries in which the company intends to conduct trade in order to protect its interests there as well. For now, within CARICOM, businesses have to register their IP in each territory which can become an expensive undertaking. However, progress is now finally being made in implementing Article 66 of CARICOM’s Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, which refers to Protection of Intellectual Property Rights through “the simplification of registration procedures in the Member States” and “the establishment of a regional administration for intellectual property rights except copyright”. TYPES OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY: COPYRIGHT: “a legal term used to describe the rights that creators have over their literary

and artistic works. Works covered by copyright range from books, music, paintings, sculpture and films, to computer programmes, databases, advertisements, maps and technical drawings.” Copyrights do not require formal registration at an intellectual property rights office, although it is highly recommended. TRADEMARK: “A sign capable of distinguishing the goods or services of one enterprise from those of other enterprises.” Industrial design: “Constitutes the ornamental or aesthetic aspect of an article. A design may consist of threedimensional features, such as the shape or surface of an article, or of twodimensional features, such as patterns, lines or colour.” Geographical indications and appellations of origin: “are signs used on goods that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities, a reputation or characteristics that are essentially attributable to that place of origin. Most commonly, a geographical indication includes the name of the place of origin of the goods”. (Source: www.wipo.int) •

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ECONOMY & TRADE FOCUS

ECLAC PREDICTS CARIBBEAN ECONOMIES

WILL CONTRACT THIS YEAR

The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) has revised downward its growth projections for the region’s economic activity, forecasting an average contraction of -0.6 per cent in 2016. ECLAC said that this new estimate reflects that the contraction experienced by regional Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2015 (-0.5 per cent) will extend to the current year. In its report titled, “Economic Outlook 2016, TOWARDS A NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH CHINA, ECLAC said, “The new projections evidence the difficult global scenario in which low growth continues in developed countries, there is a significant deceleration in emerging economies (China in particular), increasing volatility and costs in financial markets, and low prices for commodities— especially hydrocarbons and minerals.” “In addition, there is greater weakness in internal demand in the region’s countries, with the decline in domestic investment accompanied by a deceleration of consumption,” it added. As in 2015, during 2016, ECLAC said the growth dynamic shows marked differences between countries and sub-regions. The economies of South America—which are specialised in the production of commodities, especially oil and minerals, and have a growing degree of trade integration with China—will record a contraction of -1.9 per cent, ECLAC said. Meanwhile, the growth rate for Central American economies is forecast at 3.9 percent, below the figure registered in 2015 (4.3 per cent). If Central America and Mexico are taken together, ECLAC said projections for 2016 are 2.6 percent, below the 2.9 per cent reached in 2015. For the English- or Dutch-speaking Caribbean, estimated growth will be around 0.9 per cent in 2016, ECLAC said. “This new scenario for the economies of northern Latin America and the Caribbean reflects a weaker-than-expected recovery in the United States and shows the effects official policy adjustments that have been adopted in some economies of this sub-region,” the United Nations agency said. According to ECLAC, ending this phase of deceleration and invigorating growth in the current situation entails a series of challenges for the region’s economies. On the one hand, ECLAC said it is essential to stimulate investment and increase productivity to resume a path of sustained and sustainable growth in the long term. Additionally, it said efforts should be made to protect the social gains achieved in recent years and avoid rollbacks in the face of a lower economic growth scenario. In this context, ECLAC said countries need policies that sustain social and productive investment in the framework of smart fiscal adjustments. ECLAC said it is necessary to attain sustainability in the region’s public finances, with policies that take into account the impact on growth capacity in the long term, as well as the social conditions of the region’s inhabitants. •

BusinessFocus

May /July

BusinessFocus

May /July

O E C S AU D I O VISUAL PROFESSIONALS ENDORSE PLANS FOR REGIONAL TV SERIES A group of OECS audio-visual professionals have just ended a three-day training exercise on Developing Strategies for Producing Content for Regional and International Media with a commitment to create a regional television series, for audiences in the Caribbean and beyond. The audio-visual producers recently met in Dominica to strategise on creating content that reflects the realities of the OECS and the people who live there. The producers applauded the efforts of the OECS Competitive Business Unit (CBU) in facilitating a stronger and more effective network to create a range of new products about the people of the OECS. In this regard, the workshop participants were introduced to a pilot for a television series that is being spearheaded by renowned Dominican writer Dr Alwin Bully. The group endorsed the proposed concept by Mr Bully and agreed that teams from the seminar would work on various areas such as script development, production and research, budgeting and marketing. The participants also agreed to work towards a draft outline for the TV series over the next three months. This will be followed by efforts at marketing the concept and creating a financing plan for a six-part series. The meeting was urged to maintain the flow communication to ensure that the desired goals are met. Television partners in Dominica including Digicel-Play and Marpin TV pledged to work on efforts to distribute content by local producers. A representative from Caribbean Tales Worldwide Distribution was also part of the event while regional producers, from Guadeloupe and Barbados will play leading roles in the creation of the new regional initiative. The OECS CBU pledged to work closely with the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Audio-Visual Producers on the new series. The 10th EDF Regional Integration for Trade in the OECS fund sponsored the workshop. The OECS CBU partnered with the Audio-visual Association of Dominica (AAD) in coordinating the event designed to further support the growth of professionals and businesses in the audiovisual sector. Additional contributions came from several local bodies including Discover Dominica Authority and the Ministries of Education and Culture. â&#x20AC;˘ BusinessFocus

May /July

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ECONOMY & TRADE FOCUS YOUTH FOCUS

F I R S T D I G I TA L VERSION OF

OECS COMMISSION’S E D U C AT I O N DIGEST TO FURTHER BENEFIT POLICYMAKERS Dr Wycliffe Otieno of UNICEF described the documentation of the OECS Education Digest as a shining example of low costhigh impact use of resources by the OECS Commission’s Education Development Management Unit. Director General of the OECS Commission Dr Didacus Jules said the document adds value as it makes vital information more easily available.

The first digital version of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Education Digest has been launched. The OECS Education Development Management Unit (EDMU) unveiled the digital version of the document which responds to the need for information to enhance planning, policy formulation and monitoring progress in education systems within the OECS. The OECS Education Digest is also vital in assisting with the development of policy and strategies for further improving the region’s education system as well as the calculating of indicators necessary to track progress towards targets and goals in the OECS Education Sector Strategy, Education for all and Millennium/ Strategic Development Goals. During a virtual ceremony, the United Nations Chief of Education for UNICEF commended statisticians, teachers, principals and other key players for putting the document together.

BusinessFocus

May /July

He added that there’s still more to achieve in making information more readily available for decision making. According to him, the digitised document could also help families in selecting a school of choice for their children; an option which is further facilitated through the free movement of people regime. Policymakers, investors, teachers, students, the public and journalists are among those who stand to gain significantly from the data in the OECS Commission’s Education Digest. The OECS EDMU anticipates frequent traffic to the new edition of the Education Digest because of the very useful data in areas such as financing education, student enrolment, repetition, pupilteacher ratios, drop outs, examination results, country demographics and the structure of education systems in the OECS. Marcellus Albertin who heads the OECS Education Development Management Unit said this achievement represents a deliberate effort to improve the use of data at a macro-level.

“This publication of a digital statistical digest signifies a further step at putting to rest the long-standing issue of the absence of data-driven decision in the education sector. While this is so, the region still has much work to do to entrench the use of data in decisionmaking at the national and school levels,” he said. The digitised OECS Education digest can be downloaded directly at http://joom. ag/xvUb or by scanning a QR code which can also be found on the hard print copy. UNICEF has applauded the initiative. •

A N T I G U A , S T. K I T T S STUDENTS WIN L I D C D E B AT E By Nelson A King

Students from community colleges in Antigua & Barbuda and St Kitts were adjudged winners in April’s much-spirited Evening Program debate in the Leeward Islands Debating Competition (LIDC) at Brooklyn’s Medgar Evers College. The opposition team of Kelsey Harris and Kamilah Parker (Antigua & Barbuda), and Philmon Roberts (St Kitts) eclipsed the proposition team of Dwayne Griffith and D’shnay Matthew York (St Maarten) and Zipporah Bannister (Anguilla) in the two-hour debate at the college’s Edison O Jackson Auditorium. The debate moot was: “The marginalisation of men has led to the breakdown of Caribbean society.” In the final leg of the debate, the opposition team decried the proponent’s claim that the marginalisation of men has led to the breakdown of Caribbean society, saying that it was “completely false.” “For men to be marginalised, they have to be not active in society,” the opposition contended, stating instead that women are the ones who are at “a disadvantage in the labour market.

“How are men more marginalised when they hold higher positions?” the team asked. “Every prime minister [in the Caribbean], at this point, is a male. Men have excelled and continue to excel.”

“We cannot only look at the men,” the proposition added. “We expect men to act in a macho way. If not, they will feel oppressed.”

The opposition team pointed to arguments that show that women are the ones who have been marginalized, stating that this has taken place since the 15th century.

Chief judge Dr Ken Irish-Bramble, a professor at Medgar Evers College and Dean Irish’s eldest son, said the judges were “particularly impressed with the creativity in putting together coherent arguments.

“Saying that men are marginalised is absurd,” the team declared. “We stand resolute in our claim that the marginalization of men has not led to the breakdown on Caribbean society.”

“You come with something fresh, different,” said Irish-Bramble, who, as a youth, had also participated in the annual LIDC in Montserrat. “We also saw the issue of humour and good, friendly jabs.”

The opposition noted that the breakdown in Caribbean values “stems from the breakdown of family values,” adding that the Caribbean has “long suffered from the illegal drug trade.”

Dr Sheilah M Paul, associate dean, School of Liberal Arts and Education at Medgar Evers College, said the debaters reminded her of “the power of developing and honing important skills in young people, as they prepare to take their places in our 21st century global work force.

But the proposition team maintained that the marginalisation of men is “most conspicuous in Caribbean society”, blaming slavery for leaving “a disgusting image”. “Men were indoctrinated, forced to be marginalised,” the team posited. “Control and condition are just the belief of women. Do not blame men for any marginalisation.

“Your being here, in this experience, provides another window to a deeper understanding of culturally responsive education, particularly in a widely diverse learning community, such as Central Brooklyn,” said the Tobago native. CRC said the LIDC involves extensive team research, critical thinking and public speaking skills. • BusinessFocus

May /July

ENVIRONMENTAL FOCUS

From what we have read, seen and heard, we wholeheartedly support the initiative’s attempt to improve management of the coastal waters around Barbuda (out to 3.5 miles from shore).

E N V I R O N M E N T, C O N S E R VAT I O N AND TOURISM GROUPS ENDORSE THE BARBUDA BLUE HALO I N I T I AT I V E Eli Fuller, Antigua Conservation Society Karron James-Scholl, Environmental Awareness Group Martha Watkins Gilkes, The Antigua Barbuda Independent Tourism Promotion Corp The marine ecosystem around Antigua & Barbuda is in very bad shape. The once colourful reefs are now covered with algae, which choke life from the coral. The fish population is a fraction of what it used to be – the big maca chub (parrotfish) and the big groupers are now extremely rare. Some fish are no longer seen in our waters. Turning this around is not an easy task but possible as many other Caribbean islands have demonstrated. Major management changes are needed if we are going to restore ecosystems and replenish fisheries. It is within this context that we, the Antigua Conservation Society, the Environmental Awareness Group and the Antigua Barbuda Independent Tourism Promotion Corp have been following the progress of the Barbuda Blue Halo Initiative with great interest and optimism. BusinessFocus

May /July

Here’s why: We support the goal of “sustainable, profitable, and enjoyable use of ocean resources for this and future generations”. It is important to find a way to balance environment, economy, and culture, and this initiative is addressing that challenge head-on in trying to find that balance. We support the approach of making policies based on the best available science after deeply engaging stakeholders. There is now enough information to make decisions – we cannot just study it forever. And while it is important to give stakeholders ample opportunities to weigh in, stakeholder meetings cannot continue indefinitely. We support the process. The steps that the initiative has taken make sense: (1) conduct an ecological assessment as a collaboration between marine biologists, fishermen, and local fisheries and park staffs, (2) interview local fishermen and stakeholders, (3) draft regulations in consultation with the ministries in Antigua, (4) conduct several rounds of consultation with the community, (5) create a plan for financing and enforcement, (6) finalise new laws, and (7) implement and, most importantly, enforce the laws The project is approaching its sixth phase, and now that it is getting closer to being finalised, some people seem to be getting nervous. So we are writing to encourage the people of Antigua & Barbuda to stand with us behind this project. Encourage your political representatives to do the right thing and lend support to this so that we can follow countries like St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Lucia, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, and many other islands up and down the Caribbean which have properly managed multi-use marine protected areas. Assistance is needed in order to get a robust new management programme in Barbuda up and running because Antigua & Barbuda doesn’t have the money to get the work done; we are receiving that assistance in the form of Blue Halo. It is not every day that an organisation comes around offering free scientific, mapping, legal, policy, and enforcement expertise, along with resources for training and implementation.

The Waitt Institute has provided all of these things with no strings attached. They have only asked that the information and resources they provide be used to put in place measures to support sustainable management that is appropriate for Barbuda. Antigua & Barbuda hasn’t had to spend a penny on all of this work, and a framework is being put in place to ensure that after the Waitt Institute ceases to be so heavily involved, there is a structure and funding for ongoing monitoring and enforcement. This is an excellent deal being offered by an organization funded by a billionaire environmentalist who is trying to help a marine ecosystem which was once one of the best in the Caribbean. However, if this initiative fails, alongside the many previous initiatives that have tried to work in Barbuda and left discouraged, sooner than later organisations will simply stop offering to help. We all know that additional measures need to be put in place to restore the reefs and replenish the fisheries, and the draft regulations designed through consultations with stakeholders which the Council has put forward will go a long way toward achieving that. These drafts, along with a wealth of other information about the project, are available online: www.barbuda.waittinstitute.org Serious steps must be taken in order to restore and continually replenish coastal ecosystems and fish population. Business as usual with slight changes wouldn’t be enough to bring fish and coral back. You do not have to take our word for it. Go snorkelling, go diving, take a look at the reef. Then go look at pictures of what a healthy and plentiful coral reef looks like. Remind yourself why this is needed and then look at this project as an opportunity to turn things around. We hope Barbuda will see this through and become a model for us in Antigua and for the rest of the Caribbean for how to seize opportunities, take environmental management seriously, follow through, and then reap the benefits. More fish and healthier reefs is not just an environmentalist’s dream, it’s also more dollars from fishing and tourism. So we support the Barbuda Blue Halo Initiative and hope to be celebrating its implementation and to be celebrating restored ecosystems and healthy fisheries in the years to come. •

ANTIGUA & BARBUDA WA L K I N G T H E TA L K O N C L I M AT E CHANGE A D A P TAT I O N By Desmond Brown

Antigua & Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne said the government he leads fully understands that climate change is a real issue, one of the greatest threats facing humankind and he is mobilising his fellow legislators and residents of the small island-nation to become climate ready by implementing national activities on climate change. Browne made the comment in New York where he and 170 world leaders declared an end to the fossil fuel era, using the signing ceremony of the landmark Paris agreement as an occasion to renew their vows to fight climate change. “Even before Paris and here in New York today, my government has been totally committed to the issue of climate change. In fact, in our 2014 election manifesto we actually committed to reducing emissions by 20 per cent by 2020,” he said. The country’s leader added, “So far, we have diversified our energy mix into alternate energy to include a 10 megawatt of solar voltaic application that we have actually introduced. Three megawatts have been installed so far and during the day time hours our VC Bird international Airport terminal is being powered exclusively by solar power.” The government is spending in excess of US $21 million for the solar voltaic facility.

In addition, Browne said another facility will be built later this year, funded under the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) programme that will make available an additional US $15 million. “Both of these combined will see at least US $37 million invested within the first two and a half years of our government in renewable applications. So that is demonstrative of the commitment that we have towards the issue of climate change and to build a climate resilient economy,” said Prime Minister Browne. The government used funds from its Citizenship by Investment Programme (US $22 million) to fund the first 10 megawatts of solar voltaic power and plans to continue using that facility to raise additional funds to diversify into other green energy applications. “So we have actually committed to ensure that every single year we will add 10, maybe US $20 million in order to diversify into solar application,” the Antiguan and Barbudan leader said. Browne reiterated that Antigua & Barbuda has made a number of tangible interventions to show its full commitment to the issue of climate change. “There are also some other interventions which have been made by my government, for example, the whole issue of the environment and environmental pollution, that issue has been addressed,” he explained. “We have actually strengthened the legal framework to include the introduction of an Environmental Management Act. In addition, we also introduced and Environmental Funding Act as well to facilitate the funding of Green Energy.” According to PM Browne, his government intends to, in the very near future, possibly by some time in 2017, engage in the creation of a waste to energy facility to better manage waste and at the same time create energy from the waste that is generated. “The Minister of the Environment who is here with me, (Molwyn Joseph) has done a great job. He has played a fundamental part in the negotiations that took place in Paris, representing Antigua & Barbuda,” he said.

“Our Environment Division has ensured that Antigua & Barbuda is not left behind and they have also ensured too that other interventions are made. So, for example one of the things that was done recently was the ban which was placed on plastic bags and that is also to protect the environment and to move individuals to utilise biodegradable bags,” he highlighted. “I know, too, that additional applications will be looked at in terms of dealing with the disposal or perhaps having renewable products from things like rubber tyres. So we have a comprehensive environmental plan, one that takes into account not only the protection of the environment, the natural environment, the mangroves, to ensure that there is no further deforestation, but one that look very seriously at carbon emissions as we seek to decarbonise the country’s environment. In their first 100 days in office, Prime Minister Browne’s Cabinet approved a number of private investment projects valued in excess of three billion dollars. The largest is the Yida Investment Group, Guiana Island Project which will see the development of the largest free trade zone in the country, an offshore financial centre, a five-star luxury resort, internationally branded villa communities, a casino and gaming complex, a multi-purpose conference centre, a 27-hole golf course, a marina and landing facilities, commercial, retail, sports and other auxillary facilities. Headquartered in western Beijing, Yida International Investment Group was founded in 2011. But Yida’s clearing of mangroves on Guiana Island to start the proposed development raised the ire of local environmentalists who launched an online petition calling on Prime Minister Browne not to allow the Chinese developers to break laws and to conserve the Marine Protected Areas. Guiana Island, located off the northeast coast of Antigua between the Parham Peninsula and Crump Island, is the fourth largest island of Antigua & Barbuda. It is a refuge for the Fallow Deer, Antigua’s national animal. •

BusinessFocus

May /July

ENVIRONMENTAL FOCUS

REGIONAL INTERNSHIP AND SMALL GRANTS PROGRAMMES FOR WORK IN DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT IN THE CARIBBEAN The Cayman Islands-based Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF) has launched its second annual Regional Internship and Small Grants Programme aimed at building capacity in disaster risk management in the Caribbean.

They must have completed a course of study in any one of the following key areas of study:

Applications closed on May 1 and those who make the cut, will participate in the initiative in the summer.

• Meteorology

The objective of the CCRIF Regional Internship Programme which was first conducted in 2015, is to provide careerrelated work experience for Caribbean citizens that enhances their academic training and provides a real world introduction in the areas of disaster risk management, climate change, meteorology, risk transfer and/or risk modelling. CCRIF partners with national disaster management and meteorological organizations as well as the Caribbean Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC), Caribbean Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH) and the University of the West Indies (UWI) and other regional organisations. In 2015 CCRIF placed 20 interns in 10 organisations across the Caribbean. Eligible candidates are people who are citizens of CARICOM and/or CCRIF member countries and must be graduates of a recognised university. BusinessFocus

May /July

• Disaster risk management • Environmental management • Climate studies • Civil engineering • Management studies with a focus on risk management • Environmental economics • Geography/geology • Actuarial science Generally, the CCRIF Regional Internship Programme has been designed to: Promote academic, career and/or personal development for the selected interns. Provide interns with the opportunity to integrate their academic knowledge with practical application and skill development in the workplace. • Provide experiential learning thereby ensuring that interns gain vital skills and experience that they will be able to use throughout their professional career. • Offer interns challenging assignments that benefit the regional organisation while providing tangible work experience for the intern

• Enable interns to sample potential areas of work specialisation and explore the workplace culture of the assigned regional organisation • Include an intentional “learning plan” for the intern that is structured into the work experience and includes learning objectives, observation, reflection, evaluation and assessment of interns • Balance the intern’s own learning goals with the specific work the organization needs completed • Be of a two-month to four-month duration, with a recommended internship of three months • Ensure that interns are provided with an opportunity to network with key professionals and stakeholders working in the various areas of disaster risk management • Be fulltime and may include work conducted onsite at the organization, remotely or both • Where possible, be part of a post-graduate degree programme of the University of the West Indies, the University of Guyana or other regional university. •

W O R L D AT L A S R E P O R T :

ANTIGUA & BARBUDA RANKS HIGH FOR G E N E R AT I N G T R A S H Despite pushes for recycling and responsible resource use globally, waste generated from human activities is still a major problem virtually everywhere, and island nations seem to have a proclivity towards generating trash. According to World Bank data used in a World Atlas report, island nations, including several in the Caribbean, top the list. Antigua & Barbuda ranks number three, generating about 5.50 kilograms per capita per day, coming in behind Kuwait which ranks number two for generating 5.72 kilograms per capita per day, and Trinidad which recorded 14.4kilograms of trash generated per capita per day. Chief Health Inspector Lionel Michael said while he doesn’t know the source of the information provided to World Atlas and questions the accuracy of the data, it is a fact the nation generates a lot of waste.

This he said “is mainly because we are a nation that imports” rather than produces, and there are hardly any industries that deal with the recycling of waste to convert the materials into useful items. Michael said because the nation relies heavily on imports, not much can be done to significantly reduce the trash generated, nonetheless an effort must be made to bring it down since there are consequences to this if the waste is not properly managed. Chairman of the Antigua & Barbuda Waste Recycling Corporation (ABWREC) Mario Bento said there’s a need for public education on recycling, and this is among the first steps of tackling waste generation. See table below showing waste generation data compiled by the National Solid Waste Management Authority in Antigua.

NSWMA - ANTIGUA & BARBUDA- COOKS SANITARY LANDFILL & CIVIC AMENITIES SITE WASTE TYPE YEAR

HOUSE HOLD

INDUS

COM

INSTIT

MEDICAL

C&D

CLEAN BULK

BULK WASTE

CRUISE SHIP

STREET SWEEP

SEWAGE

TYRES

TOTAL

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

20,518.94 20,790.74 22,964.02 22,682.52 24,272.30 22,331.86 20,918.78 20,964.21 20,909.04 21,422.01

152.46 261.88 244.36 181.28 276.20 211.94 131.02 195.06 351.15 238.19

11,707.70 11,784.68 11,033.88 8,268.24 7,963.06 8,378.66 8,670.56 8,726.34 9,115.45 8,831.77

827.12 972.70 970.98 1,028.16 946.70 450.08 420.86 399.46 448.59 354.15

86.26 51.76 100.86 52.96 23.06 157.22 7.94 7.16 13.62 16.56

9,811.18 17,823.90 10,637.28 7,917.90 4,939.44 3,614.56 4,759.80 4,023.17 3,957.81 5,898.42

2,055.92 2,770.28 4,091.10 1,242.40 6,737.12 722.74 2,167.04 2,540.41 5,866.67 2,414.73

31,754.40 39,553.92 54,166.44 80,756.28 79,377.66 72,171.36 69,597.46 79,250.71 79,508.45 38,288.61

544.38 429.14 316.74 286.04 457.08 237.02 310.50 396.49 283.15 379.38

1,179.22 348.46 139.52 142.50 292.66 969.76 1,648.96 1,761.41 1,711.47 796.70

12,177.96 16,908.18 16,551.00 13,312.44 10,746.34 11,387.32 13,300.78 13,862.65 15,312.93 16,616.02

190.12 222.16 462.80 511.22 528.30 570.36 542.34 609.57 533.17 623.12

91,005.66 111,917.80 121,678.98 136,381.94 136,559.92 121,202.88 122,476.04 132,736.64 138,011.50 95,879.66

217,774.42

2,243.54

94,480.34

6,818.80

517.40

73,383.46

30,608.41

624,425.29

3,639.92

8,990.66

140,175.62

4,793.16

1,207,851.02

Other Caribbean countries that made the top 14 are St Kitts and Nevis which sits right behind Antigua at number four, for generating 5.45 kilograms per capita per day; then there’s Guyana with a record of 5.33 kilograms per capita per day. Barbados, which generates 4.75 kilograms per capita per day is listed at number seven, while St Lucia ranks eight with 4.35 kilograms of garbage generated per capita per day. Finally, sitting at number 14 is The Bahamas with 3.25 kilograms per capita per day.

Many have pressing environmental concerns such as pervasive littering, which has caused rises in mosquito reproduction, as well as problems with rain water drainage. These in turn have contributed to conditions which have allowed for widespread flooding. Discarded plastic, which is especially harmful to a variety of sea life, including gulls, turtles, and fish, is also a major problem in most of the nations, especially in the waters surrounding Trinidad and Tobago. •

In many of these countries, a lack of recycling facilities has contributed to the dire waste management issues.

BusinessFocus

May /July

ENVIRONMENTAL FOCUS

D O E S YO U R B U S I N E S S H AV E A N

EMERGENCY P R E PA R E D N E S S MANAGEMENT PLAN? "Disaster preparedness does not solely refer to the preparation for hurr icanes..." As we head into the annual hurricane season, which starts on June 1 and ends on November 30, we must all be considering disaster preparedness in Antigua & Barbuda and the sub region. But, disaster preparedness does not solely refer to the preparation for hurricanes, a risk that Antiguans and Barbudans have grown to anticipate and prepare for. Though the occurrences are rare, preparation must be made for other natural disasters, such as earthquakes and tsunamis, in addition to the more likely building fire or hazardous chemical spill. Disaster preparedness refers not just to “batten down”. Businesses must consider the safety and welfare of the property, employees, customers, physical files and electronic data. For this, a business emergency management plan should be created. The overall plan should result from consultations between management, workers, engineers and disaster authorities. It must take into account the staff size, number of customers present in the workplace on a daily basis and in extraordinary circumstances. BusinessFocus

May /July

Once created, all plans should include a debriefing period and a time-frame should be clearly stated in which this debriefing should be carried out. Managers/supervisors and co-workers should make it a point to identify within their immediate working circles natural team leaders on each department/floor, who react well to high stress situations as these would likely be the persons to take charge in such panicked situations. All new staff must be trained in the company’s Emergency/Disaster Management Plan procedures as part of their orientation. Designated assembly areas must be determined for individuals who have left the building. This will facilitate authorities making an attendance roll call of persons present and inform responding agency personnel if anyone is missing and may be trapped in the building. It will also ensure persons do not linger around close to the site and become victim to falling or exploding debris. Workers should also be aware of the various responsibilities of their coworkers. This is to facilitate a multiple

tier depth as they may be able to act in place of incapacitated or missing staff to effect the execution of the plan or to help remind those in charge of any points missed in these highly stressful situations. Each employee should be encouraged to develop their own personal family plan. This will facilitate a measure of safety and stability in their personal life. This is critical as workers who are worrying about the status of their family members cannot effectively carry out their duties of securing company assets or help in the evacuation of patrons and staff. Each employee’s family should have a sudden impact plan which should determine that – in the event of a disaster occurring without warning and the usual modes of communication unavailable or if it occurs during the work day when the children are at school or the parents cannot be reached -- then a designated rendezvous point, such as a relative’s house, is identified. (National Office of Disaster Services Antigua & Barbuda and the Chamber of Commerce) •

TOURISM FOCUS

HALF MOON B AY DEVELOPERS ACQUIRE MORE LAND FOR IMPRESSIVE RESORT

In recent weeks, Replay Resorts announced the acquisition of an additional 24 acres of land at Half Moon Bay, Antigua. This announcement follows Replay’s January 13, 2016 press release reporting an initial acquisition of 108 acres from the Government of Antigua & Barbuda. Replay Resorts has now assembled all the developable land fronting Half Moon Bay -- 132 acres with more than 8,000 feet of oceanfront. “This acquisition was necessary to fulfil our vision for the design and development of Half Moon Bay, Antigua,” said Michael Coyle, CEO of Replay Resorts. “We felt it was absolutely critical that the developable land fronting Half Moon Bay be controlled by one owner for the planning and design to be completed in a thoughtful and cohesive manner.”

“OBMI’s philosophy and approach of embracing the culture, history and heritage of a place, and combining those fundamentals with our vision and the market’s needs, is completely aligned with Replay’s approach. The landscape experience at Half Moon Bay will be unlike anything else in the Caribbean, revolving around stewardship of the land and native plantings to create amazing natural environments that entice participation and emotional engagement.” Meanwhile, Doug Kulig CEO of OBMI, said, “We have worked with the principals at Replay on numerous projects over the years and in Antigua & Barbuda for four years. Our teams are very aligned in what it takes to create a great destination which will allow us to build something very special together at Half Moon Bay.”

Coyle added, “With the acquisitions now complete, we are accelerating design and development with our lead architect to create a destination with incomparable experiences for travellers and real estate buyers alike.” The final 24 acres fronting Half Moon Bay was acquired from the estate of Rachel (Bunny) Mellon. Over six decades, Mellon was a well-known part time resident and landowner in Antigua. Recognised for her interior design style, Mellon’s home is at the historic Mill Reef Club overlooking Half Moon Bay. Replay also announced that OBM International (OBMI) is serving as lead architect for the project, designing the master plan and building architecture for Half Moon Bay. OBMI is one of the most venerable firms in the Caribbean and will lead the coordination of consultants in the design and engineering of the destination. “We could not be more pleased to be working with OBMI on the envisioning, design and execution of our plan for Half Moon Bay,” said Managing Director of Replay Resorts, Bill Green.

Doug Kulig CEO of OBMI

Half Moon Bay will be a fully integrated destination resort on 132 acres and 8,000 feet of oceanfront, consisting of a five star internationally branded hotel, branded villas, oceanfront lots and ocean view cottages. Replay plans to announce its hotel brand partner in the spring of 2016, and construction of the resort is estimated to begin late in 2016. The former Half Moon Bay Hotel was established in the 1950s, and for decades was a sought-after vacation destination and resort playground for international travellers and celebrities. Replay’s expertise in envisioning, designing, marketing, building and operating resort destinations will re-establish Half Moon Bay as one of the most idyllic destinations in the Caribbean. •

BusinessFocus

May /July

TOURISM FOCUS

ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S

TOURISM AT T R A C T S M U LT I - B I L L I O N DOLLAR IRAQI INVESTMENT PROJECT The country’s tourism product offering stands to benefit significantly as a result of a newly formed alliance between the Government of Antigua and Barbuda and Ambassador Ahmed Abbas Alewi.

Asot Michael and Ambassador Alewi

Ambassador Alewi, who was recently appointed as the nation’s Ambassador to Iraq, revealed his investment intentions, chief among which is the proposed project for the development of approximately 93 acres of land at Pensioners Beach. This development will boast a hotel, luxury housing, a water park, and an indoor mall with a contained movie theatre and will employ thousands of Antiguans and Barbudans. Within days of the announcement, Ambassador Alwei gave the government US $5 million as a show of good faith, and an additional US $10 million as advance payment on 50 Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP) applications. The entire $15 million has already been earmarked for the Cruise Port Development Project in St John’s. The project will be completed in phases; however there will be a total investment of some US $1.5 billion over the next several years, the government said. Talks have also commenced surrounding the arrival of twice weekly flights from Baghdad, Iraq via a major European gateway, to Antigua & Barbuda’s VC Bird International Airport. Ambassador Alewi has proposed this as a result of his BusinessFocus

May /July

ownership of two Boeing 737 aircraft which can accommodate up to 197 passengers. This service, once negotiations successful, will operate as a charter.

are

Tourism and Investment Minister Asot Michael said he welcomes these developments and sees the opening of the Embassy of Antigua & Barbuda in Iraq, which will encompass the Tourism and Promotions Office, as a huge step towards increasing tourist arrivals from the Middle East and extending the twin island’s global reach. Ambassador Ahmed Abbas Alewi was a major influence in removing Iraq from the CIP blacklist. His Excellency is a highly accomplished business mogul who has engaged over US $1.2 billion worth of contracts in the Middle East. He owns 76,000 housing units in Iraq and 14,000 in Morocco, among numerous others. The newly appointed ambassador is very well respected in his homeland, as he has worked in many Iraqi Government Offices, with one of his top positions being a governor who is well known for his integrity and manners. His Excellency is an expert in the field of governmental administration. His private enterprise has taken him through the field of contracting, investment and general trading where he has been immensely successful and this led him to establish the Al-Moked company for general contracting, real estate and industrial investment. •

LABAHIA Groundbreaking

A resort that will boast 120 one- and two-bedroom, fully furnished self-contained luxury condominiums and several penthouse suites, a 24,000 square-foot futuristic conference facility, and an Olympic size swimming pool among other attractions is to be developed in Antigua & Barbuda for an investment totalling US $52 million. The project, to be undertaken by Trinidad and Tobago investors and developers, has received praise from the government, which thanked the group for making “the bold decision to make a tangible investment in our country”. Tourism, Economic Development, Investment and Energy Minister, Asot Michael said the project by investors and project developers, Imtiyaz Adam and Farman Ramjohn, is part of the Gaston Browne administration’s plan to make the country an economic powerhouse in the Caribbean. “We congratulate you and commend you for your vision in partnering with us in our own vision to develop and transform our beautiful country into an economic powerhouse in this region. Thank you for helping to position Antigua & Barbuda on a path to experience meaningful economic development for all our people. “I am confident that what has been started on these 10 beautiful acres, is only the first step in the start of a mutually rewarding partnership with the Government and People of Antigua * Barbuda,” Michael said. He said the LABAHIA Hotel Resort & Condominiums project between the Adams Investment Management (Antigua) Ltd and the government will provide jobs, safety in housing, “and the international acclaim that we in this country strive for as a tourist destination second to none”. The minister said Adams Investment’s mission, wherever it has gone, has demonstrated a track record of providing awardwinning innovative designs, outstanding craftsmanship, stateof-the-art finishes, while bringing the functionality and unique living to work spaces for every lifestyle. Michael said that this “impressive development will be built at Friars Hill”. •

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ANTIGUA & BARBUDA RECORDS

THIRD MONTH OF DOUBLE DIGIT A I R A R R I VA L S Projections that Antigua & Barbuda would end the first quarter of 2016 with a double-digit increase in visitor arrivals by air, have materialised, with the latest announcement of a strong increase in the air arrivals. The 2016 visitor air arrivals reported for the first two months of the year, showed double-digit growth month on month. The newly revealed March figures boost the already strong numbers with 30,321 passengers recorded as having visited the destination in the month, an increase of 16.4 per cent from the previous year. Visitor arrivals for the year-to-March now stand at 84,566, an overall increase of 13.5 per cent.

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Tourism in Antigua & Barbuda has been reinvigorated over the past months, with a series of heavy-hitting sales and marketing initiatives along with over eight announcements of new multi-million dollar properties or improvements to established resorts in the last four months. Reacting to the news, Tourism Minister Asot A Michael said, “The renewed focus and direction of the government’s tourism marketing and airlift polices are now reaping huge dividends. I would like to congratulate my entire team within the Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority and Ministry of Tourism whose hard work and dedication has been pivotal in achieving the success that we are now seeing.”

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Feedback on forward bookings from local hoteliers also confirmed the optimism within the industry. They expressed confidence in forward booking and had predicted that March’s growth figures would continue on the upward trend started at the beginning of the season in November of last year. In the month of March 2016, the United States Market expanded by 28 per cent, the United Kingdom 9 per cent, Italy 25 per cent and the Caribbean 41 per cent compared to March of last year. The Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority, which has responsibility for destination marketing has activated a series of campaigns throughout the source markets meant to bolster the softer shoulder periods and to counteract the seasonal drop-off typically experienced during the slower summer months. Campaigns, highlighting affordable hotel deals and low fares to the destination, are due to be launched in mere days in the US and UK markets to capture consumers during the summer booking period. New destination images also being unveiled as part of these marketing campaigns, are meant to refresh the brand and showcase the destination in a new, and more attractive light. •

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THE EU RELEASES 10 MILLION EURO FOR ZIKA RESEARCH As the Zika virus continues to spread across the region, the European Commission has released €10 million for research on the mosquito-borne virus. The country most affected is Brazil, where the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared that the recent cluster of severe brain malformations in newborns may be linked to the virus. There is currently no treatment or vaccine against the virus and diagnostic tests for infections are not widely available. The funding, which comes from the Horizon 2020 EU research and innovation funding programme, will go into projects that will first have to prove the link between the virus and severe brain malformations reported in newborn children. If proven, researchers could then move on to combatting the Zika virus, including developing diagnostics and testing potential treatments or vaccines. Carlos Moedas, European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, said, “This funding will enable urgently needed research on the emerging global threat of the Zika virus. This shows once again that we are ready to face new epidemics like Zika with fast and effective research.” Vytenis Andriukaitis, commissioner for Health and Food Safety, added, “A number of EU citizens have returned from the affected areas with the Zika virus. The Commission is carefully monitoring the situation and, as the summer approaches, is working closely with the European Centre for Disease

Prevention and Control, the WHO and Member States to put in place all necessary measures to ensure that the response to the virus is coherent and well-coordinated.” At the same time, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation of Brazil, Celso Pansera said, “The partnership with the European Union in research on the virus Zika will be very important to help Brazilian researchers in combating epidemic diseases that affect our country. In addition, the initiative will stimulate research and technology on a global scale for the benefit of the population throughout the world.” The funding will complement a number of other research initiatives currently funded under Horizon 2020 that can aid in the fight against Zika. One is a €40 million call for research on vaccine development for malaria and neglected infectious diseases, which includes the Zika virus. A further €10 million topic on research infrastructures for the control of vector-borne diseases could go a long way to combatting the mosquitos that spread Zika and a number of other prevalent diseases. Finally, the EU is co-funding research on the prevention of infectious diseases in Latin America and the Caribbean under the ERANET programme. The Zika virus disease is spread by the aedes aegypti mosquito. The virus is similar to dengue, yellow fever and West Nile. Until recently, it wasn’t believed to cause severe symptoms.

However, the recent rapid spread of the virus has suggested a link with an upsurge in brain malformations in newborns. Cases of Guillain–Barré syndrome, a form of paralysis, have also recently been reported in adults and it is believed that there may be a link with the virus. This EU-funded research will examine the potential link between the Zika virus and the brain malformations in new-borns and other neurological complications observed across Latin America and French Polynesia. It will fund the development of diagnostics and the testing of potential treatments and vaccines. This research would help public health authorities prevent further spreading and reduce the risks to pregnant women. A total of 41 countries over the past nine months have reported native cases of Zika virus infection. The countries are mainly in Latin America, where the virus had never previously been reported, with Brazil being the most affected country so far. Some Zika cases have been imported to Europe in recent weeks and reports have circulated of sexually transmitted cases of the disease. The Commission has been working on preparedness and coordination of risk management together with Member States and with the support of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) since the outbreak began. •

BusinessFocus

May /July

HEALTH & WELLNESS

STEM CELL RESEARCH AND TREATMENT CENTRE TO BE ESTABLISHED IN ANTIGUA Cabinet has given its approval for the establishment of a Stem Cell Research and Treatment Center to be located here in Antigua. According to the Government’s Chief of Staff Lionel “Max” Hurst, a group of three from the United States, including two doctors and an entrepreneur, provided the Cabinet with information on the proposed project.

He said that the group has committed to investing more than US $5 million to establish the treatment centre and a laboratory on the island.

of stem cell therapy, pointing out that the technology can cure cancers effectively, and also be used to rejuvenate the body,” Hurst detailed.

“The group sought to persuade the Cabinet that it would invest more than US $5 million to establish a treatment centre and a laboratory here, and that they would hire and train at least 40 Antiguan and Barbudan young men and women to work in both the laboratory and the treatment centre,” he revealed.

Stem cells are the body’s raw materials or cells from which all other cells with specialised functions are generated. Hurst said that these stem cells are extremely valuable as they can eliminate some cancers within the body.

“They would enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with the government to utilise an existing building on government’s land, and to expand it to fit their needs; they would also mobilise additional resources and expertise in order to ensure the success of the project. The two men, each 87 years old, attest to the benefits

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The current fuss in the USA over stem cell research is primarily over the harvesting of cells from embryos. In this instance though, Hurst assured, the cells would come from blood that is withdrawn in the normal way. “Their approach is harmless and does not expose anyone to pain or danger. The Cabinet gave its approval following 50 minutes of lecture and questioning.” •

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MAJOR MOVES The new CAB Board of Directors comprises: Chairperson – East Caribbean Financial Holding Co, Joanna Charles Vice Chairperson – Republic Bank Ltd, Farid Antar Secretary – Mary Popo Director – First Citizens Investments Services Ltd, Carol Eleuthere-Jn Marie Antigua & Barbuda has a new Ambassador to Iraq who will head a new Embassy to be opened in Baghdad, Iraq.

Director – CARICOM, Enid Bissember

He’s Ahmed Abbas Alewi, who replaced Antigua and Barbuda's former Ambassador to Iraq, Walid Taha.

Director – St Kitts Nevis Anguilla National Bank Ltd, Donald Thompson

Alewi was issued his instrument of appointment in March during a brief ceremony officiated by Governor General Sir Rodney Williams at Government House.

Antigua & Barbuda’s CIP Unit gets new CEO Chisanga Chekwe, a Canadian who served as Deputy Minister, Ontario Ministry of Citizenship, Immigration and International Trade is the new Chief Executive Officer of the Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU). Originating from Zambia, Chekwe is a Rhodes Scholar. He earned entry as a Solicitor to the Supreme Court of Judicature in England following his graduation, earning both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at the University of Oxford; he also earned a Bachelor of Laws Degree (LLB) at the University of Birmingham and an LLM at the University of London.

In the discussions following the ceremony, Ambassador Alewi acknowledged the Governor General's congratulatory remarks and gave his commitment to represent Antigua & Barbuda to the best of his ability. He stated that it was his intention to officially open the Embassy of Antigua & Barbuda in Iraq soon after his return. The ambassador is an entrepreneur who has signed a memorandum of agreement to for a major hotel/resort project in Antigua & Barbuda, as well as to introduce charter flights between the middle eastern nation and the twin island.

After Myatt departed, Thomas Anthony acted as CEO.

Director – Republic Bank (Guyana) Ltd, Richard S Sammy Director – Consolidated Finance Co Ltd, Rolf Phillips Director – First Global Bank Ltd, Mark Anderson The CAB is a community of banks and other financial institutions in the Caribbean region, which proactively influences issues impacting the financial services sector through advocacy, education and networking. The CAB represents 51 banks and financial institutions in the Caribbean with an asset base in excess of US $31 billion as at December 31, 2015, in addition to 12 service members comprising regional and international technological and professional institutions and three honorary members. The Chairperson, Joanna Charles, highlights that “considering the slow growth of Caribbean economies, the high cost of compliance with multi-faceted regulatory standards and the continued loss of key correspondent banking relationships, it is important now, more than ever, for the industry and all stakeholders to work together to ensure the viability of the region’s financial services sector.”

He served for more than five years as Deputy Minister with responsibility for more than 300 staff. He also held responsibility for three Assistant Deputy Ministers and an Executive Assistant. He successfully increased the number of immigrants that Ontario could nominate for permanent residency and, ultimately, citizenship. He also co-chaired the Federal Provincial and Territorial Immigration Table that permitted skilled immigrants to enter Canada. Following intense questioning and very intelligent responses, the Cabinet decided to employ Chekwe as Chief Executive Officer of the CIP Unit, effective May 16, 2016. He will become the second Canadian to hold this post. The first was Don Myatt, also an official within the Canadian Immigration service, who was brought on by the previous administration. He returned to Canada more than one year ago on the insistence of his family.

Director – JMMB Merchant Bank Ltd, Moya Leiba-Barnes

The Caribbean Association of Banks Inc (CAB) is pleased to announce its new Board of Directors for 2016. The Board is responsible for policy decisions and oversight of the CAB’s operations. BusinessFocus

May /July

MAJOR MOVES industry by gaining experience working with MetLife Insurance Company and TD Bank (“America’s Most Convenient Bank”) in New York before making his decision to return home. Personally, Burton has a keen focus on working with and empowering the youth. While living in the US, he worked with a non-profit organisation, which targeted a cross section of persons, specifically college students and taught them the valuable lessons of financial literacy.

Governance Committee and is a member of the Human Resource Committee.Mr. Mc Namara replaces Dr. Trevor Byer who retired from the LUCELEC Board of Directors after serving the company since December 2008 when he was appointed to represent minority shareholders

Upon his return to Antigua, he saw the need to give back to his community. In conjunction with his brother and three like minded individuals, they formed the Nolan Hue Foundation. The Foundation seeks to provide guidance to prepare young people for the professional environment. The Foundation routinely holds seminars and events which attract notable persons from the business community to build professional relationships that will help to advancement of Antigua & Barbuda.

Meet Ragi G Burton, Caribbean Union Bank, Manager, Retail & Commercial Bank Ragi Burton joined the Caribbean Union Bank team in 2016 as the Manager of Retail & Commercial Banking. With over 10 years of experience in financial services both internationally and locally, he provides an already dynamic team with a view of how to continue the growth of one of the remaining indigenous Banks on the island. Burton joins an Executive Management Team focused on the rebranding of CUB, which seeks to maximise customer reach by engaging with new and existing customers. With his strong belief in relationship banking, he encourages his staff to utilise innovative solutions to create exceptional service experience for customers and also assist with making CUB a premier engagement bank within the Caribbean. Prior to joining the CUB family, Burton worked and studied in New York City where he first obtained a BS Degree in Finance from the SUNY College at Old Westbury before moving on to receive an MBA(honours) in General Management from the Metropolitan College of New York. He also extended his international studies in Germany with research at Deutche Bank which helped to increase his understanding of the operational structure of international banks. With qualifications in hand, Burton continued to immerse himself in the financial services BusinessFocus

May /July

Severin Moncherry Appointed St Lucia’s New Commissioner of Police The St Lucia Government confirmed that Mr Severin Moncherry has been appointed as the New Police Commissioner to head the Royal St Lucia Police Force with the retirement of the former Commissioner Errol Alexander. The new Commissioner has since hosted a Town Hall meeting to address several current issues of national concern and committed to put plans in place to take corrective action.

Stephen Mc Namara is the new Chairman of LUCELEC’s Board Attorney-at-law Stephen Mc Namara has been appointed the new Chairman of the St. Lucia Electricity Services Limited (LUCELEC) Board of Directors. A Senior Partner with the law firm of Mc Namara & Company, the incoming Chairman has been a member of the LUCELEC Board since October 2005. He chairs the Board’s

He revealed that he will be meet¬ing with representatives of the Department of Human Services, the Saint Lucia Crisis Centre, Red Cross, the Christian Council and other nongovernment organiza¬tions to discuss his initiatives. He was joined at the Town Hall meeting by other police officials, including his immediate prede¬cessor, former Police Commis¬sioner Errol Alexander. Mr Moncherry is a veteran police officer with more than 30 years of service in the Police Force working his way up the ladder over the years before finally assuming the position of St Lucia Top Cop.

MAJOR MOVES

Nigel Baptiste is the new President and CEO of Republic Financial Holdings and Managing Director of Republic Bank CAREER banker Nigel Baptiste took over as President and Chief Executive Officer at Republic Financial Holdings, the parent company of Republic Bank in February. He will also take over as Managing Director of Republic Bank and replaces David DulalWhiteway who is retiring after more than 25 years with the bank. Baptiste, Dulal-Whiteway and other Republic Bank directors recently hosted a luncheon at the banking group’s head office at Park Street in Port of Spain for the departing DulalWhiteway and to introduce Nigel Baptiste. The Republic Bank Group is a significant shareholder in the St Lucia based ECFH Group.

Dr. June Soomer is the new Secretary General of the Association of Caribbean States St. Lucian diplomat, Dr. June Soomer has been appointed as the new Secretary General of the Trinidad based regional body – the Association of Caribbean States (ACS). Dr Soomer, who was selected by the Ministerial Council for a four-year term on the basis of rotation, replaces Secretary General Alfonso Múnera Cavadía. The St. Lucian diplomat, who will be the first woman to head the regional body, currently serves as St. Lucia’s Ambassador to CARICOM and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and has responsibility for Diaspora issues. She received her Ph.D. in History from the University of the West Indies in 1994 and since then has lectured at the University of the West Indies, the University of North Carolina (Wilmington), the University of North Carolina Central and was a visiting lecturer at the University of San Francisco. Dr Soomer also served at the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank from 1996 – 2006 in the area of Human Resource Development and Strategic Planning and served as Advisor, Organisation Development and Strategic Planning.

Dr. Reginald Darius Appointed Director of Economic Policy at Commonwealth Secretariat Permanent Secretary in the Department of Finance in Saint Lucia, Dr. Reginald Darius has been appointed as Director of the Economic Policy Division at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London, UK. In this position, Dr. Darius will be responsible for providing strategic advice to the Commonwealth Secretary-General on issues of sustainable economic development, particularly in international finance, international and regional economic co-operation, small States, and economic management. Dr. Darius will bring to this position a firsthand understanding and appreciation of the development challenges of Small Island Developing States. Dr. Darius assumed the position of Permanent Secretary in St Lucia’s Department of Finance in August 2012. He brought to the position extensive knowledge and experience in macroeconomic and fiscal policy. Prior to assuming the position of Permanent Secretary, Dr. Darius held the position of Senior Economist at the International Monetary Fund. Dr. Darius holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Warwick, and a Masters Degree in Economics from the University of Cambridge and he has published papers in a number of international journals in the areas of fiscal and monetary policy, exchange rate regimes and unemployment.

BusinessFocus

May /July

EVENTS 2016 REGIONAL ENTERTAINMENT, TRADE SHOWS AND CONFERENCES

ANTIGUA REGIONAL RUNWAY SAFETY SEMINAR ST. JOHN’S, ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA – MAY 27 - 29, 2016 In Collaboration with ICAO's Runway Safety Programme Partners

ANTIGUA CARNIVAL 2016 ANTIGUA – JULY 22 - AUGUST 2, 2016 Antiguan Carnival, dubbed the greatest summer festival, is a celebration of Music, Dance, Costume (Mas) and a revelry of activities (Parties and Shows), held annually.

CARIBBEAN FASHION WEEK NATIONAL INDOOR SPORTS CENTRE, KINGSTON, JAMAICA – JUNE 4 - 13, 2016 Established by Pulse Investments Ltd. 2001, Caribbean Fashion Week is the region’s largest, best produced, most recognized and internationally respected fashion event. The event features the Caribbean’s best designers, world famous supermodels & celebrities, important fashion press from around the world as well as local, regional and international fashion buyers. For further info: http://caribbeanfashionweek.com

TRADE & INVESTMENT CONVENTION (TIC) PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD – JULY 6 - 9, 2016 Hosted by the Trinidad & Tobago Manufacture’s Association, (TTMA), the Trade and Investment Convention has a mandate to foster intra and extra regional trade for regional businesses. TIC takes place at the crossroads of the Americas, in Trinidad and Tobago, the region’s financial capital and the largest economy in the Caribbean, with strong links to Central and South American companies and businesses from around the globe! So when you take part in TIC, you’ll do business with more than 35 countries! Our multi-sectoral tradeshow brings together local, regional and international businesses. Exhibitors with thousands of products meet hundreds of buyers seeking new suppliers, goods and services. With structured networking events, a cutting-edge business education programme and assistance from an experienced team on hand to provide expert guidance and matchmaking services, you’re sure to succeed at TIC! For further info: www.tic-tt.com

BusinessFocus

May /July

EVENTS 2016 REGIONAL ENTERTAINMENT, TRADE SHOWS AND CONFERENCES

CARILEC CEOS AND FINANCE CONFERENCE MARRIOTT BEACH RESORT, GRAND CAYMAN, CAYMAN ISLANDS MAY 15 - 18, 2016 The CARILEC Chief Executive Officer’s & Finance Conference will be held under the theme "Power. People. Partnership” in Grand Cayman. It is the only Conference in the Caribbean where all Utility CEO’s & CFO’s gather to discuss opportunities, challenges, cutting-edge methodologies and best practices that will empower participants to better serve the countries in which we conduct business. This year’s Conference will be one with a difference as we prepare to celebrate our Co-host “Caribbean Utilities Company” (CUC), auspicious 50th Anniversary. The company began operations in May, 1966, and remains Cayman’s only electric utility company. The conference will showcase the uniqueness of merging CEOs with Finance thereby highlighting topics on leadership, financial management, energy law & policy reform, and change management. It will provide insights into contemporary issues relating to the energy sector and approaches to leading the Caribbean energy sector with a renewed vision. For further info: www.carilec.com

TASTE OF THE CARIBBEAN HYATT REGENCY, MIAMI, FLORIDA – JUNE 6 - 10, 2016 Organised by the CHTA - Taste of the Caribbean provides a forum for gathering practical information, developing skills, sampling, purchasing, strengthening established supplier relationships and meeting new vendors, all on hand to help Taste of the Caribbean registrants build food and beverage business – and yield benefits on the bottom line. Taste of the Caribbean will bring innovative and exciting educational sessions for food and beverage professionals that promise to enhance individual skills. Since 1993, the best chefs and culinary teams unite to learn, compete and demonstrate their skills and provide the general public a scintillating exhibition of the most savory and delectable treats of the islands. Taste of the Caribbean is the region’s premier culinary competition and cultural showcase. For further info: www.caribbeanhotelandtourism.com

BusinessFocus

May /July

NEW COMPANY REGISTRATIONS COMPANY NAME

DIRECTORS

KUNMUNG PROPERTIES LTD

MARCELLO GAMINARA

REAL ESTATE

WADADLI ANIMAL NATURE PARK INC (NONPROFIT)

RANDOLPH ALEXANDER TENSON JOSEPH OWEN ROACH

EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL TO INTERESTED IN NATURE, ANIMALS AND PLANTS

ESAL INC

A & T INVESTMENTS LIMITED CENTRAL SERVICE STATION INC. JANIK PARTNERS BEACH FRONT LIMITED

WALTER CHRISTOPHER ADRIEL THIBOU ANN MARIE WILLIAMS MIGUELLE CHRISTOPHER THERESA BURNADETTR DIAZCERTOSIMO ARTHUR CERTOSIMO WILBUR HARRIGAN EMIL THIBIOU JASON TAYLOR

NATURE

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSSULTANCY INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT SERVICE STATION OWINING AND DEVELOPMENT TOURIST RELATED ACTIVITIES SUCH AS TOURS

TIFFINO LIMITED

NEIL KEELING

TRAFFIC CONTROL SOLUTIONS INC

IAHEM MANSOR

SAL E OF GOODS

NOLAN HUE FOUNDATION INC

REGIS G BURTON PETER ABRAHAM JR DANIEL MCCOY Ragi Burton DON JOHNSON

ASSISTING MEN IN THE COMMUNITY

UNITED CARIBBEAN DEVELOPERS & ASSOCIATES LTD

LAUCHLAND PETERS EHRET BURTON

MARKETING CONSULTANCE

G & E AUTO SUPPLIES LIMITED

ST. JOHN’S CAR RENTAL LIMITED

BusinessFocus

May /July

GARY RICHARDS ELLIES RICHARDS IROY RICHARDS STEFFI RICHARDS GARY RICHARDS ELLIES RICHARDS DANUELLE RICHARDS IROY RICHARDS TAYON RICHARDS

SALE OF AUTOMOTIVE PARTS

CAR RENTAL

NEW COMPANY REGISTRATIONS COMPANY NAME ST. MAY’S SOUTH DEVELOPMENT GROUP INC (N-P)

DIRECTORS TAYON RICHARDS SAMANTHA MARSHALL CASWORTH ARON EARL WALDRON GEORGE GOODWIN GAGATON GOOCH

NATURE DEVELOPING SOCIAL PROGRAMS THAT WILL BENEEFIT THE COMMUNITY

RICHARD BROOK TILLOTSON

PAINTING AND REFURBISHING OF YACHTS

NORRIS SCHOLLAR WILLIAM EKERE MELVILLE RICHARDSON

CHURCH AND SCHOOL

HAROLD LOVEL

LEGAL SERVICES

EMERGE MEDIA LTD

KERI-ANN JOSEPH SHERWIN GADNER

MEDIAN GRAPHICS

VAMA LTD

VELENTINA RONDONINS

KILLAWATT PROMOTION (ANTIGUA) LTD

ROMEO JACOBS LESTON JACOBS DOYLE CARTER MICHAEL FREELAND GENE JONES ADAM DENNIS JACQUELINE JAMES ANNE HENRY TERRENCE NUNES PATRICK RYAN CLEMENT BIRD DION SIMMONS DAVID CRUM LUCETTE JAMES MONIQUE BARROW

2K SUPERYACHT PAINTING LTD ST. JOHN’S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL INC (N-P) HAROLD LOVELL AND COMPANY INC

NORTH SIDE SPORTS CLUB INC N-P

NATIONAL COALITION OF NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH INC (N-P)

TO PROVIDE A BED AND BREAKFAST MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT AND PROMOTIONS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT THROUGH SPORTS

COMMUNITY WATCH

ANTIGUA PRO RACING LTD

CARLO FALCONE

PROMOTION AND DECELOPMENT OF PROFESSIONAL RACING

PARADISE MOTORS LTD

PAUL RYAN FRANCINE RYAN

SALE OF CARS

JIE TRADING LIMITED

JIE XU

SALE OF GENERAL MERCHANDISE

ANTHONY JOHNSON JILL DAVIS JACWUELINE BUTTER JILLIA BIRD KOREN NORTON CORINA EDWARDS

CARE AND WELL BEING OF THE DISABLED CHILDREN IN ANTIGUA

THE JOHN BODEN MEMEORIAL FUND INC (N-P)

NEW COMPANY REGISTRATIONS COMPANY NAME

DIRECTORS CORINA EDWARDS

WATER SOUTIONS INC

CRAIG WHYTR

DDK VENDING LTD

DEREK LLOYD

ISLAND DIAGNOSTOC LTD KALABURAGI PROPERTIS LTD ASTANA PROPERTIES LTD NIKURSINI PROPERTIES LTD

GEORGE LAKE DR. DWAYNE THWAITES

SIVAKASI PROPERTIES

MRCELLO GAMINARA

CDCE CARIBBEAN ENTERPRISES LTF

DONALD HILL EDGAR CEDENO CARLOS ERMOSON CHARGA BEFTA

VIENTIANE PROPERTIES LTD

MARCELLO GAMINARA

AMAAYA RESL EATATE HOLDINGS LTD

NANIK RAMCHANDANI

OTTO CAR RENTAL LTD

KEVIN GOMEZ

DOGS AND CATS OF ANTIGUA INC (N.P)

ANNABEL FULLER JOY FARRELL CATHERIND BURNELL NANCY HADEED

MARCELLO GAMINARA MARCELLO GAMINARA MARCELLO GAMINARA

MARINE ECO SYSYEMS Ruth spencer PROTECTED AREA TRUST Diann black-layne INC Aneka Nicholas (N-p) ASHER OTTO ENTERTAINMENT LTD

ASHER OTTO PATRICK PRENDERGAST

IN HOUSE CONTINENTAL LTD

WAYNE DANCE ASHLEY GLENDINNING

H2 ONE LTD

PETER REITZ

WEXBRO LIMITED SONRA LIMITED TAINO MANAGEMENT SERVICES LTD

LA-VERNE PERRY CARLOS BENITEZ

NATURE PRODUCE DISTILLED WATER TO PROVIDE VENDING SERVICES,SNACKS AND BEVERAGES MEDICAL SERVICES TO PURCHASE REAL ESTATE TO PURCHASE REAL ESTATE TO PURCHASE REAL ESTATE TO PURCHASE REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS, AND INMPRT/EXPORT TO PURCHASE REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT CAR RENTAL CHARITABLE EDUCATIONAL ANSD SOCIAL WORK TO ASSIST IN STRAY DOGS AND CATS CONSERVATION PRODUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY WORLD WIDE ENTERTAINMENT AND MUSIC INDUSTRY REAL ESTATE CONSTRUCTION AND PLUMBING FAMILY TRUST CORP RESTAURANT AIR CHARTER MANAGEMENT

NEW COMPANY REGISTRATIONS COMPANY NAME SERVICES LTD PAR EXCELLENCE INC

DIRECTORS KAREEM LEE

NATURE MANAGEMENT TRAVEL AND VACTAION PLANNING

BLUFIN CONSTRUCTION LIMITED

ROLAND BARNES ALEX BARNES LARISSA BARNES NICOLE ARTHURTONDENNIS ADAN MANSFIELD DENNIS PETER HALLAM JUE HALLAM

WADADLI PARADISE A2B LTD

MCALISTER ABBOTT GREGORY DEGANNES

TO HOLD TITLE TO REAL ESTTE PROPERTY ON TRANQUILITY BAY

TOTAL FITNESS CENTRE INC

MARK CARILISLE

FIRNESS GYM

AL & B ENTERPRISE LTD

NICHOLES’S TABLE LTD

HOLDING COMPANY

CHEF AND COOKING CLASSES CONSTRUCTION

BusinessFocus

May /July

ADVERTISERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S INDEX COMPANY COMPANY 2M Heavy Enterprises/Mark Mansoor 3 - D Engineering & Construction A & R PlumbElectric Ltd A B I Realty Antigua Commercial Bank Antigua Masonry Products APUA APUA INET APUA INET Automotive Art/LED Source Axel Finance B Healthy Wellness & Weight Management Center Inc Bargain Centre Building & Hardware Big L Construction & Maintenance Bones & Joints Orthopaedic Centre Brysons GEO W Bennet Bryson & Co Ltd Challengers Enterprises Ltd Community First Co-operative Credit Union Cool & Smooth Crab Hole Liquors Deluxium Solutions Dews Domus Inc Eastern Caribbean Amalgamated Bank (ECAB) Exel Engineering Generator Specialists Eyeland Optical FADI Building Suppies & Hardware FDICIC - First Domestic Industry & Commerce Insurance Co Ltd Francis Trading GiGi Furniture H & G Paints Harney Motors Hawkeye Security & Surveillance Ltd Henderson (2004) Limited Kennedy's Enterprises LAM Maintenance Solutions

BusinessFocus

May /July

100

PAGE Page IFC 88 90 86 29 11 IBC 49 61 37 5 16 71 52 85 43 35 74 73 15 69 59 26 87 36 9 75 OBC 66 55 73 25 37 87 69 86 41

ADVERTISERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S INDEX 86 Page 41 73 35 52 45 73 52 17-34 47 90 1 5 38-39 88 75 71 87 36

LAM Maintenance Solutions COMPANY Leeward Islands Hurricane Protection Lingies Lights & Windoors Linton Mark Contractors (Antigua) Lipstick Living Spaces Complex Majestic Realty Mi Casa Imports Limited OBM International Paint Plus Peter's Electric RUBIS Scotiabank Square One Ltd St John's Cooperative Credit Union State Insurance Corporation Townhouse Mega Store Tropical Landscaping Westrading Co. Ltd.

BusinessFocus

May /July

101