The quarterly magazine for decision makers No.56 • May/July 2015
MEDICAL SURGICAL ASSOCIATES takes aim at obesity Visit Us Online - www.businessfocusantigua.com
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No. 56
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CONTENTS FEATURE
Multi-million Dollar Resort Project
MEDICAL SURGICAL ASSOCIATES:
27.
58. Antigua and Barbuda’s Citizenship
Introduces Bariatric Surgery
REGULARS 04.
Editor’s Focus
06.
Business Briefs
Business Tech 08. Batteling the Amazon Effect 10. Antigua & Barbuda To Partner With Microsoft On E3 Solution Platform Initiative 12. OECS Calls for Removal of Roaming Rates 14. CWC/ Columbus Merger Finalised 16. Digicel calls for VoIP control
Money Matters 18. The Lower House Passes Controversial Banking Act in Antigua
20. ScotiaBank Records Slight Growth
in First Quarter 22. Republic Bank Records $297.3m first quarter profit 24. ECCB Agrees to Lower the Minimum Savings Deposit Rate
Vanashing Sand
48. CDB Steps Up Renewable Energy Drive
50. Grenada Gets $1.6 Million Grant
from Germany for Green Energy
Economy & Trade Focus 56 Barbudans Approve DeNiro’s
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Youth in Focus 72. Aircraft Maintenance Training at ASC Gets Top Class Approval Rating
73. Commonwealth Youth Issues
in Spotlight at Antigua Confab
In the Know 74. Intellectual Property Management 76. Trinidad and Tobago’s Sacha
Cosmetics named Caribbean Exporter of the Year
94.
Major Moves
96. Events 2014 98. New Company Registrations
Book Reviews
06
Business Spotlight
LED Source Platinum Accounting Services Williams & Associates Dental Ltd
Tourism Focus 86. CHTA Names New Management Team 88. More Cruise Calls For Barbuda
Environmental Focus 46. Antigua Draws a Line in
42.
by Investment Programme Ranks First in the Region 60. Antigua & Barbuda PM Calls for an Impact Study Before a Shift of LIAT Fleet 62 US$6 Million Capacity-Building Project to Provide Support for CARIFORUM-EU EPA 64. Growth projected for the ECCU 66. Martinique Joins OECS as Associate Member 76. Japan Offers Technical, Financial Assistance To Caribbean
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BUSINESSFOCUS
Live a Healthy, Happy and Productive Life!
Business Focus magazine is published every two months by Regional Publications Ltd (RPL) in Antigua and Barbuda. Publisher / Managing Editor: Lokesh Singh
A Healthy Nation is a Happy, Productive and Progressive Nation!
Editor: Martina Johnson
How nice it would be if we can live and enjoy this world to the fullest, where we have a great job, earn good money, enjoy life’s finer offerings and grow old gracefully!
Advertising Sales: Gilda Alexander • Ann-Maria Marshall Evol Desouza • Shari Dickenson
Sadly, this will not be the story for all of us. But, it can be for most of us, if we work hard, play hard, eat well and exercise regularly. Hence, we can live to a ripe old age without any major medical challenges and can then enjoy retirement.
Lokesh Singh Publisher/Managing Editor
Health statistics in recent years across the region has raised major concerns among our societies and the medical profession. Diabetes, Heart Disease and Cancer continue to be the leading causes of death in the region with a spike in a number of new illnesses such as Stress and Obesity caused by lifestyle and/or genetics. With specialized training and new technology, our medical professionals have lifted the quality of medical care available in the region and many of the traditional diseases and the new ones can be managed and cured with professional help. In this issue we Feature Dr Joey John – Antigua’s Pioneering Surgeon Specialist and his Team at Medical Surgical Associates who have been delivering quality medical care to the people of Antigua and the wider region. Dr John and his team have retrained their sights and have taken aim at Obesity – a disease which is now on the rise amongst our people. To date they have been receiving wide acclaim for their success in helping many of our people to beat this disease and win back their lives.
Graphic Designer: Deri Benjamin
Cover Photography: Gemma Hazlewood Photography: Photogenesis & Johnny Jno-Baptise Editorial Contributors: Martina Johnson (editor) Caribbean 360 Ipsnews.com Antiguaobserver.com CANAnews.com Caribbean Journal Eturbonews jamaicaobserver Regional Publications Ltd Bryson’s Office Complex, Friars Hill Road, P.O. Box 180, Suite #5A,St.John’s, Antigua
+ 1 -268- 462- 7680
mail: sales@regionalpub.com E 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: Medical Surgical Associates
We hope that the content in the pages of our Special Feature will help you to get a better understanding of the difficulties of living with Obesity and the cutting edge technology available locally to treat the disease and allow you to live a normal life.
No.56 • May/July 2015
In addition we urge you to take stock of your personal lifestyle to ensure that you can achieve the dream of enjoying life, staying healthy and aging gracefully. We also hope that you will enjoy reading the rest of the interesting content in the Magazine and become well informed about the developments in business in Antigua and beyond to help you make the most of the opportunities and services available to grow your personal skills and business. MEDICAL SURGICAL ASSOCIATES
Happy Reading!
takes aim at obesity Visit Us Online - www.businessfocusantigua.com
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Business Briefs Cancer Centre to be Opened in June
The Cancer Centre Eastern Caribbean now under construction at the foot of the Mount St John’s Medical Centre Antigua (OBSERVER media) A United States-based radiation company will be working over the next few weeks to install equipment needed for the oncology side of the Cancer Centre of the Eastern Caribbean which is expected to be opened in less than two months. Chairman of the centre, Dr Conville Browne said, workmen will be working over the next few weeks to complete the installation and commissioning. While the equipment is being installed, other contractors at the site will be working to complete the facility ahead of a planned grand opening ceremony on June 26. Prime Minister Gaston Browne, Health Minister Molwyn Joseph, Bahamas Prime Minister Perry Christy, Chief Medical Officers from the OECS will be among the many dignitaries attending the official ceremony. The centre, which is the brainchild of former Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer, is a joint venture between Global Health Partners, Ltd, the government of Antigua & Barbuda, the governments of the OECS and the MEOI Healthcare Corporation. The facility will provide medical, radiation and surgical oncology services, with discounts for government-supported patients.
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Experts Call for Removal of Aviation Taxes to Promote Intra-Regional Travel
The removal of all taxes on air travel within the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) is among recommendations presented by aviation experts, tourism stakeholders and government representatives from throughout the sub-grouping when they met recently. The recommendation follows a study commissioned by the OECS Authority last December and conducted by Trinidadbased El Perial Management Services headed by Aviation Consultant Ian Bertrand. Bertrand listed among the recommendations that national tourism authorities should place more emphasis on attracting OECS visitors. The consultant also recommended that, “private airlines registered in the Eastern Caribbean be allowed to fly freely within the OECS.” Head of Economic Development Policy Unit of the OECS Rodinald Soomer said it ought not to be “just another meeting on intra-regional travel with the high cost of airfares hitting small hotels hard. Meantime, using recent data, Antigua’s Minister of Tourism, Hon Asot Michael, painted a gloomy image of intra-regional travel. He said in the case of Antigua & Barbuda, arrivals from the OECS have slipped from 18,740 in 2008 to 10,022 in 2014 – an almost 50 per cent decline.
LIAT Adds New Caribbean Routes for Summer Season
Regional air carrier LIAT has added a series of new routes for the 2015 summer season. “From Antigua, customers will now be able to connect with a new daily service from Tortola to San Juan each evening,” said LIAT CEO David Evans. “This is in addition to the existing morning service from Antigua to San Juan, via Dominica which operates daily.” The new routes include nonstop flights between Barbados and St Kitts every Monday, Wednesday and Friday; Barbados to St Maarten and back every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday, among others. There will also be new flights between Barbados and Trinidad on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. The latter flights will operate from Barbados to Trinidad via Guyana in the morning, and in the evening, the flights operate nonstop from Barbados to Trinidad and on to Guyana before returning to Barbados. The company also announced that it had taken delivery of its ninth ATR aircraft. The new services and nonstop routes will launch July 15 and 16, although they are already on sale.
Business Briefs
No. 40
Cabinet Approves Lease Of 900 Plus Acres Of Barbuda Land
The once stalled Stanhope Shepherd project in Barbuda is to be revived as Cabinet has approved the US$100 million proposal to build a five-star hotel and restaurant on lease of 987 acres of land on the sister isle. The project was held back for some time after the former administration rejected it at the Cabinet level over concerns about funding, even though Barbudans had voted to give consent in 2013. Barbuda Affairs Minister Arthur Nibbs said, with approval from the Barbuda Council and the people, Cabinet has begun the process to give the final nod of approval required. Stanhope Shepherd International Limited is proposing to build a five-star hotel and restaurant, two marinas and an 18-hole golf course at Gravenor Bay. Nibbs, the former chairman of the Barbuda Council, said British businessman Peter Virdee has now partnered with Adam Barrett so the financial concerns have been eliminated. Virdee claims to run a property empire worth £4 billion. The Stanhope Shepherd Gravenor Bay project was being negotiated since 2011. When it was rejected, a competing US$135 million project, by John Turbidi, was proposed last year and the investor wanted 500 acres in the area. He had offered US$5 million upfront to prove his ability to deliver but that too was rejected.
JetBlue to Fly Antigua to New York Route
American low cost carrier JetBlue has announced flights from John F Kennedy International Airport to Antigua starting 5 November 2015. Jet Blue Airways’ Executive Vice President Marty St George said the country’s push for new tourist arrivals and JetBlue’s partnership with Sandals Resorts were major factors in the company’s decision to come to Antigua. Also, the announcement of more hotel/ resort developments coming was a very important factor. Pearns Point developers Orange Ltd announced a partnership with Satai Miami for the development of a five star resort here. Recently, ground was broken on Guiana Island and Yida Developers announced Hard Rock International will be developing a five – star hotel as part of the project. The expansion of the Pineapple Resort by Sandals is also earmarked to begin next year. St George said JetBlue places heavy consideration on the availability of hotel rooms and condominiums, therefore expansions in real estate is a good signal that a new carrier is needed. The company announced it will be operating flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays using a 150-seat Airbus A320 aircraft.
IPCO Says Tougher Copyright Laws Coming
The once stalled Stanhope Shepherd project in Barbuda is to be revived as Cabinet has approved the US$100 million proposal to build a five-star hotel and restaurant on lease of 987 acres of land on the sister isle. The latest development of the project, which has been on the cards since 2011, came in February when Cabinet approved the acreage of land needed for the development. The project was held back for some time after the former administration rejected it at the Cabinet level over concerns about funding, even though Barbudans had voted to give consent in 2013. Barbuda Affairs Minister Arthur Nibbs said, with approval from the Barbuda Council and the people, Cabinet has begun the process to give the final nod of approval required. Stanhope Shepherd International Limited is proposing to build a five-star hotel and restaurant, two marinas and an 18-hole golf course at Gravenor Bay. Nibbs, the former chairman of the Barbuda Council, said British businessman Peter Virdee has now partnered with Adam Barrett so the financial concerns have been eliminated. Virdee claims to run a property empire worth £4 billion.
Meantime, Minister of Tourism Asot Michael said the new flights will help to increase the number of visitors coming to the island.
Dr. Didacus Jules Director-General OECS
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BUSINESS TECH
Battling the Amazon Effect 7 Tactics to Attract Customers to Your Store and Away from Online Competitors
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by Bevil Wooding
If there's something you've bought offline that you weren't able to buy online, we're probably thinking about that.” — Sebastian Gunningham, Amazon Sr. VP of Seller Services Online shopping, whether retailers like it or not, is here to stay. In fact, as more people get access to Internet on faster connections, online shopping is only going to increase. As Internet access on mobile devices becomes more affordable, local retailers can also expect to see another trend - the rise in the number of people coming into stores and using their smartphones to compare prices and buy elsewhere. Understanding the Allure With online retailers, customers can use any Internet-connected device, anytime, from any place with a decent Internet connection, to do their shopping. The convenience of being able to use a simple web search to put scores or even hundreds of product options, at your fingertips is most empowering. With a few more clicks consumers can easily get detailed product info; expert or enduser reviews; user guides and even price comparisons. Add to that flexible shipping and delivery options, efficient customer service and hassle-free return policies and it's easy to see why online retailers pose such a serious threat to local retailers. E-commerce is big business and getting bigger every day. Growth estimates from eMarketer report that businessto-consumer (B2C) e-commerce sales worldwide will reach $1.5 trillion in 2014, increasing nearly 20% over 2013. Interestingly, mobile phones are catching
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up in developing regions, including the Caribbean, as the favored online shopping device. “The lightning-fast pace of change in the digital landscape has ushered in a consumer mindset that is both adventurous and exploratory when it comes to online shopping,” said John Burbank, President of Strategic Initiatives, Nielsen. “Consumers everywhere want a good product at a good price, and the seemingly limitless options available in a virtual environment provide new opportunities for both merchants and consumers.” So what’s a local “brick and mortar” retailer to do in the digital age to compete against the likes of online retail giants like Amazon, BestBuy and eBay? Fight Ecommerce with Ecommerce First, accept the fact that ecommerce is here to stay. Consumers will be using their Internet-connected devices from the convenience of their home and even in your stores purchase the products they want. The good news is brick and mortar retailers can use ecommerce trends to their advantage. Here are a seven tactics that offline retailers can use to battle the “amazon-effect” and keep customers loyal and satisfied. 1. Create a Digitally Enabled Store To better serve their digitally savvy customers, more retailers are now investing in creating digital shopping 'experiences' which bring digital technology into stores. For example, Burberry's flagship London store contains and impressive array
of digital gadgetry to provide a better shopping experience for customers. This includes iPads by the dozen, lots of video screens, including full-length screens which convert into mirrors, as well as clothing which has been chipped to trigger catwalk videos when in near a mirror. While this level of gadgetry may be beyond the budgets of many offline retailers, in-store tech tailored to your business and to your customers’ needs don't have to cost a fortune. 2. Offer An Excellent Customer Experience An excellent customer experience is always a key differentiator in attracting
Bevil Wooding is the Chief Knowledge Office at Congress WBN (C-WBN) an international non-profit organization and Executive Director at BrightPath Foundation, responsible for C-WBN’s technology education and outreach initiatives. Follow on Twitter: @ bevilwooding
and retaining customers. It can even trump price in some circumstances. Consider loyalty programs, gift cards and a reasonable return policy (to match those of your online competitors). In addition to your technology investments, be sure to invest in customer service training for your staff. Your customers will always value great service. 3. Provide free WiFi Let mobile users access the Internet with ease in your stores. In-store WiFi access, in conjunction with your own app and mobile site, can be a powerful tool for encouraging greater customer engagement. NinthDecimal, a mobile intelligence research firm, found that 44%
of all age groups say that the availability of in-store WiFi influences where they shop. Free In-store wifi offers the additional benefit of finding out more about your customers. You can prompt customers to register and provide a few details in return for the free Internet access. Be reasonable though. Don’t ask for too much. An email address and a few details such as town and gender are all you should need. Armed with this data you can implement location-based targeting of promotions while users are in store. 4. Launch an App or Mobile Site Do not underestimate the threat posed by comparison apps and websites, and those offered by retailers like Amazon. Chances are, if you have a product that Amazon also stocks, it will likely be cheaper with the online retail giant. However, if you invest in your own mobile app or ecommerce website where your customers can see product details and local reviews and have the added benefit of a local store with local delivery then
the inclination to look elsewhere may be tempered and the “Amazon effect” reduced. 5. Use Social Media As more people enter your stores using their smartphones, find ways of turning this to your advantage, and getting them to help promote your store. Major social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest have strong appeal, particularly amongst the younger demographics. You can create promotions to encourage shoppers to upload and share their images and experiences at your store and with your products on social media.
6. Promote Your Presence If you already have an app or mobile site, promote it. Incentivize people to download and use your app and sites with in-store discounts and other promotional offers. Look for ways to use the technology to encourage your customers to spend more time in your store, increasing the likelihood of them making a purchase. Of course, make sure your app works well, is easy to use, and has the functionality they have come to expect from the online retailers. What you don’t want is a mobile app or website that creates a new point of frustration for your customers. 7. Maximize the Benefit of Presence While local retailers can't always match the likes of Amazon for price, there are other factors of having a local presence that should be used to offer consumers an advantage. These include:
online but prefer the convenience of in-store collection. This allows retailers the opportunity to drive customers into stores, where they may make other purchases, as well as saving them from the hassles sometimes associated with delivery. In-store returns. Online retailer often offer free and convenient returns, but most offline retailers don't. Customers will often prefer to return items to a store where they can exchange them or receive a refund faster than they could via postal returns. Get it Now. Sometimes, customers don't want to wait. An offline retailers with an item in stock will always have an
advantage over online rivals. Retailers can make the most of this by offering customers the ability to check stock availability online. Local Work to be Done Of course this list is by no means exhaustive. Retailers also have to do a far better job of lobbying law makers and banks to enact legislation and policies to support local ecommerce. Government and the banking sector also have to play their part in helping the private sector take business into the digital age. Your efforts to support local ecommerce and create a digitally friendly shopping experience for customers can yield profitable rewards. After all, a vibrant local ecommerce ecosystem benefits retailers, consumers and the wider economy. ¤
Reserve and collect. This appeals to customers who like to do their research BusinessFocus May /| Jul11| 9 BusinessFocus Mar / Apr
BUSINESS TECH
Antigua & Barbuda To Partner With Microsoft On E3 Solution Platform Initiative
The Ministry of Information, Broadcasting, Telecommunications and Information Technology has entered into what it calls a milestone agreement with Microsoft Trinidad and Tobago which would enable greater transparency, improved collaboration and the ease of doing business with the government. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed in early March when officials from Trinidad & Tobago came to Antigua to discuss the particulars of the partnership with Minister of Information Melford Nicholas. The implementation of the programme for which a cost is yet to be disclosed, is expected to run over the next six months. The partnership will allow for the transformation of how government conducts business through the use of the “Microsoft Office 365” platform, which is being contracted through a Licensing Solutions Partner (LSP), SoftwareOne. This programme is expected to create a portal for citizens to have better engagement with the government and also make more persons accountable for their work, through collaboration and inter office communication. Developers said the platform will increase the country’s ease of doing business and will also facilitate the reduction of cost through more efficient document management. BusinessFocus May /Jul
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“We at Microsoft are grateful that the government of Antigua and Barbuda is giving us the opportunity to collaborate with them to modernise the management of the government through technology. This modernisation will ultimately transform the way employees work, improve transparency, and enhance the services provided to citizens,” said Guillermo Almada, Public Sector lead for Microsoft Latin America Emerging Markets. The official added, “In addition to our joint efforts to help modernise the way the government operates, this partnership also allows us to help impact positively the development of society in key areas, including education.” Representatives from SoftwareOne said they are looking forward to making the transition a seamless and successful one. It is envisioned that ministries and government agencies will move ahead through the use of this full-office programme and a wide range of integrated collaboration services, which are coupled with advanced compliance features and full IT power. Antigua and Barbuda’s Information Minister Nicholas said the platform will further assist in the development of special initiatives within the Ministry of Education, assist in Human Capital Development and improve interactivity between citizens and the government, thus creating more openness, sharing, communication and collaboration. The agreement will also facilitate the placement of all employees within the government sector on a single domain (ab.gov.ag) for online communication purposes. ¤
MY Lime Self Care App LIME Caribbean has launched another innovative digital software, My LIME Self Care App, which is designed to give customers across the region greater access and more control of their own mobile services. My LIME Self Care App is now available for use in the British Virgin Islands and is currently being rolled across all LIME markets. My LIME Self Care App can be downloaded on iphones from the Apple App Store and on Android from the Google Play Store.
has contributed to the growth in its customer base, evidenced by over 100K new subscribers on its network in just 60 days, leading in to the start of the New Year. “This new app is among a suite of new innovations that LIME has in the pipeline for its customers. LIME Self Care ‘wizards’ will be on hand in retail stores to demonstrate the features of the App and help customers to better understand this useful application,” Martin Roos concluded. ¤
With My LIME Self Care App prepaid users can: buy and see add ons; monitor their data usage to know how much is left on their package; and track the last 24 hours of call and text history that they paid for including duration, charges, and destination numbers. The App will also enable postpaid customers to monitor their data usage as well as, download and pay their bills. The App summarises overages; allows email messages to be sent directly to customer service representatives for extra help, among other uses. This extraordinary value offer is free to LIME customers as there is no charge for data usage while using the LIME Self Care App. “The My LIME Self Care App places the centre of control where it belongs, in the hands of the customer. We are committed to providing customers with more innovative products that will complement their lifestyle and make them the decision makers,” said Martin Roos, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of LIME Caribbean. “LIME is committed to driving customer service excellence, where excellence is defined by the customers themselves, not by the provider. This App gives the consumer the authority and flexibility to manage the services they need and can access from LIME,” the CEO added. With a major network upgrade programme valued at some US$1.05B already underway, LIME continues to invest heavily in the region. LIME has afforded its customers a plethora of value packed data plans, an attractive range of affordable smartphones, revitalized its brand identity, refurbished retail stores and continues to roll out innovations. All this no doubt, BusinessFocus May / Jul |
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Dr Didacus Jules - Director General of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission,
OECS Calls for Removal of Roaming Rates Director General of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission, Dr Didacus Jules is calling on telecommunication companies in the region to remove roaming fees attached to mobile calls within the sub-regional grouping. Dr Jules, who was speaking at the 60th meeting of the OECS Authority in February, said, “We’re not talking about the fancy marketing glitz of something called home roaming or anything like that. We want the removal of roaming.” The OECS countries have been arguing that since they have formed a single economic union, they should not have to pay roaming charges between Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Kitts-Nevis, Montserrat, Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands. Jules said, “If the OECS is a single economic space, the same way you can make a call from Castries to Vieux Fort, the same way you should make a call from Castries to St Georges or Castries to St John’s.” “It cannot be a roaming call,” he added. The OECS position comes against the backdrop of efforts by the sub-region to make Information Communication Technology more accessible and affordable to consumers within the subregion. While telecommunication service providers have been calling on government to tax Voice over Internet Protocol VoIP applications such as Skype and Viber, Jules said such a position is not feasible as the VoIPs help families in the Disapora to remain in touch with each other. BusinessFocus May /Jul
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Meanwhile, new legislation and regulations are on the cards to control future telecommunications mergers within the OECS, to ensure there’s benefit for consumers. This was discussed at the OECS summit in February, and OECS Director General Dr Didacus Jules said that the organisation has thoroughly examined ICT related issues such as provision and affordability. “We have worked out what needs to be put in place to make ICT really affordable, widespread, and create the space for a digital economy,” Dr. Jules said. He added, “For example, there must be number portability so that if you want to switch providers, then your number goes with you.” Another part of the plan to regulate market competition, is to set up a Competitiveness Commission. “We are very strong on these propositions and keep pushing the buttons on it as we put in place the Competitiveness Commission which will take care of future mergers, so that in the future, people will have to come to the OECS for the approval of such acquisitions and mergers. They don’t have to right now because our regulatory apparatus is weak but we are tightening up on those things,” he explained. The OECS Commission boss said the body is working diligently to define the ICT provision in the OECS. ¤
Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)
ICT sector fundamental to CARICOM’s growth, development - SG tells CTU conference Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) underscored the critical role that the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) had to play in the integration architecture. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the CTU’s 25th anniversary ICT week in February, the Secretary-General pointed out that ICT was a “crucial element in not only resolving our present challenges, but also in building the platform for our growth and development.” “The CTU, therefore, has a critical role to play in the integration architecture.” The Secretary-General called attention to the five-year Caribbean Community Strategic Plan 2015-2019, approved by Heads of Government last July, which identifies the creation of a single ICT space as a high priority for the technological resilience of the Community. He noted that to fulfill its objectives, “there will have to be an adjustment in the Community’s methods of operation.” Ambassador LaRocque emphasized that such adjustment called for increased coordination and collaboration among member states, Institutions and the CARICOM Secretariat. “Working together with member states and partner institutions, there is an opportunity to make a difference and substantially improve
the lives of the people of the Community,” he stated. In reiterating the region’s confidence in the CTU’s ability to deliver, Ambassador LaRocque commended the institution for its achievements. These included harmonized regional ICT policies and legislation, coordinated regional positions on telecoms in the global arena, spectrum management policy reform; a framework for regional internet governance and minimum network speed for entry level broadband. The Secretary-General indicated that he is looking forward to the development of the roadmap for the Single ICT Space. Dr. Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada and Head of Government with responsibility for Science and Technology in the CARICOM Quasi Cabinet, and Phillip Paulwell, Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining of Jamaica and President of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union, also addressed the opening ceremony. The CTU was established in 1989 by CARICOM Heads of Government and designated an institution of the Community under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas. This 25th anniversary of ICT week was held under the theme “Celebrating our Past; Committing to our Future”. BusinessFocus May / Jul |
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BUSINESS TECH
CWC/ Columbus Merger Finalised for our people that either company could never have achieved on their own,” the official said. Bentley noted that as part of the integration process, the Company “is undertaking a full review of all the brands we currently operate under, including the Flow and LIME brands as well as the business and wholesale brands,” but added that “no decision has yet been made.” According to Bentley, there has been an extensive and professional regulatory review, with appropriate remedies and the companies are pleased to now have the necessary Government support to conclude the important transaction and to start making the financial commitments.” At the end of March, Cable and Wireless Communications, Plc (CWC) announced the completion of its US$1.85bn acquisition of 100 per cent of the equity of Columbus International Inc.
Theses, he said, required to deliver an outstanding customer experience and to enhance the telecommunications infrastructure and economic development of the communities to be served under the merger.
Commenting on the completion of the transaction, Chief Executive Officer, Phil Bentley, said: “This is a transformational deal for Cable & Wireless Communications. Columbus Communications is an outstanding business; not only do we add significant fibre optic submarine backhaul and terrestrial broadband and TV capability to our leading mobile and legacy copper networks in the Caribbean, but our complementary B2B divisions can now offer geographical focus and a wider product offering in the faster-growing Latin American markets.
With regards to the merger and steps to follow, Bentley said, “Most of the markets we operate in have approved our integration plans and therefore today we can start to release some of the US$1.5bn investment monies we have set aside to provide our customers with an unrivalled telecommunications experience, improving coverage, reliability, products and speeds, and providing a welcome boost to both jobs and the economy in the countries in which we operate.”
“We expect the operating synergies to be significant; together, the new merged company creates the opportunity to invest more, grow faster, and provide an improved customer experience and, most importantly, a development opportunity BusinessFocus May /Jul
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He continued, “In a small number of markets where we have yet to receive all the necessary approvals required, we cannot commence our integration and investment plans; we will therefore continue to support the local regulatory due process until we have the green light to move forward in those markets.”¤
C&W Communications Announces New Brands: Flow to be the Unified Caribbean Consumer Brand Following the completion of the merger of Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC) and Columbus International on 31 March 2015, CWC recently announced new corporate and consumer-facing brands for the combined Group, which will be rolled out in the coming months in markets where the necessary regulatory approvals have been obtained. • CWC will operate under the corporate banner C&W Communications. • A refreshed Flow will be the unified consumer-facing brand throughout the Caribbean, replacing the former LIME and Flow businesses. (Mas Movil and BTC will be retained as the consumer-facing brands in Panama and The Bahamas, respectively). • C&W Networks will be the brand representing the wholesale submarine and terrestrial fibre optic cables of C&W Communications, and the former Columbus Networks/ JVCO business. •C&W Business will be the business-facing brand across the whole group, replacing the former CWC Business Solutions, Columbus Business Solutions and Sonitel brands. Phil Bentley, CEO of C&W Communications said, “This is the beginning of a new and exciting chapter for us. With feedback from our customers and team members, we have refined our portfolio of brands to ensure they really represent the strengths of the combined group.”
He added, “Flow, with its bold blue colour, captures the essence of the Caribbean sea and sky, and is renowned for innovation, technical excellence and great customer service. It is time to say ‘goodbye’ to our old friend, LIME, as we look forward to defining new levels of customer service and product innovation under the refreshed Flow brand. We will be rebranding our stores, our vehicles, and our uniforms to Flow, and we plan to ‘paint’ the entire Caribbean blue.” In the Wholesale and Business markets in which the company operates, Bentley said, “C&W Communications has been a trusted company throughout the region for over a century. It was the first company to lay subsea cables in the Caribbean and across the Panamanian Isthmus. Our research, conducted with business customers, indicated deep confidence and trust in the C&W brand, in terms of reliability and resilience in our markets, whilst meeting the increasingly complex needs of our business customers.” Over the next few months, customers will be able to experience some of the cutting-edge innovation that C&W plans to bring to the market. The group will formally launch the new brands on a phased, country by country basis, as new and exciting products and services are introduced. Bentley concluded: “We are committed to creating a combined group with a new culture of innovation and technical excellence – backed by major investments – putting our customers at the heart of our business.” ¤ BusinessFocus May / Jul | 15
BUSINESS TECH
calls for VoIP control
David Geary, general counsel with Digicel in the Cayman Islands,
Telecommunications giant Digicel wants Caribbean governments to regulate a relatively new service called Viber, which allows users to call phones around the world at cheaper rates by bypassing traditional international phone systems and charging local call rates. Internet phone calls, through systems like Skype, have become a popular way for people to talk or video chat internationally. Viber takes that technology one step further and gives international callers access to local phone systems so they can pay local rates for international calls. David Geary, general counsel with Digicel in the Cayman Islands, said Viber is “outside of the regulatory paradigm” and “should be subject to normal rules.” Those rules for telephone operators include interconnection agreements between phone providers, quality requirements and licensing. Geary called Viber’s business ‘illegal’ under telephone laws. The other biggest difference for Viber is that it registers users with their phone number instead of a traditional user ID like Skype. Viber users, Geary argues, “are intending to make a phone call” and the company should be required to follow the same rules as other telephone carriers. He said Digicel’s main issue with Viber is that “someone has to pay for the network.” “Local operations rely heavily on incoming voice calls from overseas,” Geary said, and Viber gives users a route around that system that provides income for companies like Digicel. Customers using Viber still have to pay data rates if they are not on an Internet network, but, according to Geary, voice calls subsidise data plans in the region. He said Digicel has sent letters to every regulator in the Caribbean asking for similar action to treat Viber as a phone carrier and not just a voice and video chat app. Viber, like its competitors Skype and Google Hangout, is an application that can be installed on smartphones, tablets and computers. Users can chat with text, voice or video together for free. Viber Out, a separate part of the app, allows users to buy credit to call overseas for very low rates, as low as 1.3 cents per minute. In the United States, the Federal Communications Commission has several regulations for VoIP providers. They must be able to call 911 if the service is used as a primary phone line, like Vonage, and all need to comply with the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act, which makes phone surveillance easier for police. ¤ BusinessFocus May /Jul
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Facebook opens up Internet.org amidst net neutrality row Facebook says it will allow more websites and other online services to join its “free mobile data” Internet.org scheme. The announcement follows a backlash against the initiative. Opponents suggest it compromises the principles of net neutrality, because it favours access to some sites and apps over others. But Facebook’s founder Mark Zuckerberg said it was “not sustainable to offer the whole internet for free”. “It costs tens of billions of dollars every year to run the internet, and no operator could afford this if everything were free,” he said in an online video posted to Internet.org’s website. Zuckerberg said it is more important to widen internet access than defend an “extreme definition” of net neutrality. “But it is sustainable to build free basic services that are simpler, use less data and work on all low-end phones,” he added. One leading Delhi-based campaigner suggested that protests against the offer would continue. Internet.org allows subscribers of partner mobile networks to use a limited number of online services without further charge. Networks operators participate because they believe users will pay for wider internet access once they have had a chance to try out the free content on offer. Since 2014, the project has launched in Zambia, India, Colombia, Guatemala, Tanzania, Kenya, Ghana, the Philippines and Indonesia. The Internet.org app provides access to information from thirdparty services To access the facility, people must use special Android apps, Internet.org’s website, Facebook’s own Android app or the Opera Mini browser. Until now, the scheme had been typically limited to a few dozen services in each country. They include the Wikipedia encyclopaedia, the Facts for Life health site run by the United Nations Children’s Fund, BBC News, Facebook, Accuweather and a selection of local news and sports results providers. ¤
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Tel: 268.736.1000 or email antiguabusiness@digicelgroup.com BusinessFocus May / Jul |
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MONEY MATTERS
The Lower House Passes Controversial Banking Act in Antigua
The House of Representatives in April passed the controversial Banking Act, a day after buckling to pressure from workers in the banking sector who threatened to protest if an amendment was not made to prioritise severance pay. Prime Minister and Finance Gaston Browne, who introduced the Bill, said although it had been said no amendments could be made until after the Bill was passed and there was permission from the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU), told workers the day before the debate, the amendments would be made. He said the Union had no objections since the changes were “minor” in that the word “severance” had to be included in Section 166 of the Act while the word “officers” will be omitted from the Bill thus removing liability from bank workers and limiting liability only to “Directors” of the bank. One of the reasons behind the Bill, PM Browne said, is to prevent excesses that led to the failure of a local bank from happening again. “This is a very sensitive issue, you are dealing with people’s money, banking is based on confidence and if this issue disintegrates into political partisanship then clearly significant damage could be done to the banking sector and it has implications for the region because we operate within a monetary union,” Browne said. The legislation was previously passed in St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines and allows for the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) to grant a banking licence in one country of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) to be applied automatically in other member states. The new act, replaces legislation from 2005. It sets revised capital requirements and other conditions for establishing a bank, credit union or other financial institutions. The bill also gives the ECCB the authority to determine whether a person is fit and proper to be a director, significant shareholder, or officer of a licensed financial institution or holding company. The Senate will be debating the Bill in May. ¤ BusinessFocus May /Jul
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Government Devises Rescue Plan for ABIB
Government proposes to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in capital, as part of a plan to not only bailout the Antigua & Barbuda Investment Bank (ABIB), but to ultimately own the financial institution by July. Prime Minister Gaston Browne said government will invest $51 million of the $100 million needed to secure the institution, in order to maintain control of the bank. However, the remaining $49 million will come from investors. In September last year, government said it would have to pump $340 million into ABI Bank because of its growing financial troubles. Browne said if the government takes the necessary action to save ABIB under the new Banking Act, some shareholders would automatically lose ownership; while others will have to find new capital to reinvest. ABI Bank Ltd is the flagship company of the ABI Financial Group. ABIB is privately owned by a number of shareholders who include Antiguans and Barbudans, North Americans and some regional financial institutions. The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank and the Government assumed control of the indigenous bank in 2011 since it had been having financial challenges for some time prior to the 2011 bailout. At the time, the ECCB said, “Close monitoring of the bank has revealed difficulties in carrying out its normal functions due to an inadequacy of liquid assets and an inability to meet the statutory reserve requirement.” And further, “After consultation with the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, the Board of Directors of ABI Bank and the banking community in the Currency Union, the ECCB recommended to the Monetary Council that in order to restore the Bank to normalcy as quickly as possible, the ECCB should assume control.” ¤
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MONEY MATTERS
Remittances Growth in the Caribbean is Expected to Slow in 2015. The Washington-based international financial institution said in its latest issue of its Migration and Development Brief that growth in global remittances, including those to developing countries, such as the Caribbean, will slow sharply this year due to weak economic growth in Europe. It also said this is due to a deterioration of the Russian economy and the depreciation of the Euro and Ruble. In the Latin America and Caribbean region, the World Bank said remittances are expected to grow by 2.3 per cent in 2015 to US$66 billion; a billion US dollars less than predicted in its October 2014 projection. “While this growth is slower than that seen in 2014, it is significantly higher than the anemic pace of the post-crisis period,” the bank said. It, however, said the outlook for the region is “positive, as remittance inflows are expected to benefit from growth in GDP (Gross Domestic Product) and employment in the United States, although this will be offset by high unemployment in Spain.” The report says remittances to the region are expected to grow to US$69 billion in 2016 and US$71 billion in 2017. Officially recorded remittances to the developing world are expected to reach US$440 billion in 2015, an increase of 0.9 per cent over the previous year, with the report indicating that global remittances, including those to high income countries, are projected to grow by 0.4 per cent to US$586 billion. Overall, the report says the 2015 remittance growth rates are the slowest since the global financial crisis in 2008/09. Nonetheless, it says the number of international migrants is expected to exceed US$250 million in 2015, adding that their savings and remittances are expected to continue to grow. “The slowdown in the growth of remittances this year will affect most developing regions, in particular Europe and Central Asia where flows are expected to decline by 12.7 per cent in 2015. “The positive impact of an economic recovery in the US will be partially offset by continued weakness in the Euro Area, the impact of lower oil prices on the Russian economy, the strengthening of the US dollar, and tighter immigration controls in many remittance source countries,” the report noted. ¤ BusinessFocus May /Jul
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ScotiaBank Records Slight Growth in First Quarter Scotiabank reported growth in its first quarter net income of $1,726 compared with the net income of $1,709 million in the same period last year and $1,438 million in the last quarter. Diluted earnings per share were $1.35 compared to $1.32 in the same period a year ago and $1.10 last quarter. Return on equity was 14.2 per cent compared to 15.4 per cent last year and 11.9 per cent last quarter. Net income grew by one per cent and diluted earnings per share grew by two per cent. “All three business lines contributed to a solid start to the year,” said Brian Porter, Scotiabank President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). He added, “Despite some challenging market conditions, we will continue to grow by focusing on our customers and deepening our relationships with them.”Canadian Banking had a good quarter, with net income of $815 million. There was a four basis point improvement in the net interest margin and solid asset and deposit growth. Wealth management earnings were strong.” Porter said International Banking had earnings of $417 million while growth in both assets and deposits was strong across all key markets, particularly in Latin America. The banking official further noted, “Global Banking & Markets had first quarter earnings of $404 million, growth of four per cent. Strong revenue growth in the equities and foreign exchange businesses, along with lower expenses, were partially offset by softer performance in investment banking. Credit quality remains high.” “Our capital position continues to be strong with a Common Equity Tier 1 ratio of 10.3 per cent. The Bank’s high quality capital levels and earnings allowed the Bank to increase its quarterly dividend by two cents to 68 cents per share,” Porter emphasized. He said globally various industries are managing through volatility and part of the bank’s role is to act as a shock absorber for customers while they are experiencing “the ebb and flow of these cycles by looking at the big picture and taking the longterm view.” ¤ (currency quoted in Canadian dollars).
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MONEY MATTERS
Caribbean declares $735m loss
RBC Financial CEO, Robert Johnston
Republic Bank Records $297.3m first quarter profit
RBC Financial (Caribbean) Ltd has reported a huge loss on its operations across the region in its 2014 financial statement. In its consolidated financial statement for the 12-month period ending October 31, 2014, RBC Financial posted a loss of $735.7 million, which was a huge increase from the $6.7 million loss in the previous year. The company’s 2014 performance was driven by the fact that it recorded the sum of $999.5 million as impairment losses on loans and advances, which was more than double the $491.5 million impairment losses it reported in 2013. In terms of the impairment losses by sector, RBC Caribbean reported $479.2 million in the commercial and corporate sector, $405.5 million for mortgage loans and $114.8 million for retail loans. In the chief executive report, published on January 31, RBC Financial CEO, Robert Johnston, sought to put a brave face on the results, pointing to the growth of the regional banking franchise’s core business: “Over the fiscal period ending October 31, 2014, excluding onetime items, we realised core earnings of $511 million compared to $448 million in 2013, as our core business continues to improve and grow. We have positive momentum in quality loan growth in our key areas of corporate and business banking, which we will continue to develop further,” the banking official explained. Johnston also stated, “Even as RBC Financial and its subsidiaries (the group) were impacted by challenging economic conditions across the region, we maintained our relationship with the Caribbean and continue to reaffirm our commitment to the region.” Meanwhile, RBC’s T&T subsidiary reported a loss of $189.5 million for the 12-month period ending October 31, 2014, which was higher than the $55.7 million it recorded in 2013. That loss was driven by the company declaring $179.9 million in impairment losses on loans and advances to customers. In 2013, RBC’s T&T subsidiary reported $28.6 million in impairment losses. In his managing director’s report, Darryl White stated, “Across the region, the Caribbean parent implemented certain restructuring initiatives to adjust the overall cost structure of the group in response to the challenging economic conditions across the region. Costs relating to this restructuring and the settlement of a long-outstanding, post-retirement benefit issue, negatively impacted the bank by $110 million (2013-$268 million) in 2014.” ¤ BusinessFocus /Jul BusinessFocusMay May /Jul |
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Republic Bank’s Chairman, Ronald Harford The Republic Bank Group in Trinidad has recorded a profit of $297.3 million for the first quarter ended December 2014—an increase of 2.1 per cent over the corresponding period in 2013. Total assets stood at $60 billion at December 31, an increase of 3.7 per cent from December 2013 and 1.1 per cent over the year ended September 2014. In announcing the results in February this year, Republic Bank’s chairman, Ronald F deC Harford said the loan portfolio continues to grow with a year on year increase of $2.3 billion (nine per cent) and a 3.2 per cent growth for the three months to December 2014. This led to an increase in net interest income of $25.2 million (4.5 per cent). Harford said that operating expenses were up by $54 million (12 per cent) from 2013, a major contributing factor being the increased cost of compliance in the current regulatory environment. “While a satisfactory performance was achieved for the first quarter, astute asset management will continue to be crucial given the continued sluggish economic environment in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, the decline in oil prices and its potential impact on government expenditure and economic growth in Trinidad and Tobago,” he said. Harford further stated that the group remains well positioned for the future as it is well capitalised with declining non-performing loans and high liquidity. ¤
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MONEY MATTERS
ECCB Agrees to Lower the Minimum Savings Deposit Rate SIR DWIGHT VENNER Twelve years after reducing the interest on savings accounts from four per cent to three per cent, Antigua and other territories served by the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) will receive a further reduction on interest rate on savings. The new rate is down to two per cent.
Asked whether banks would simply keep the savings and not pass on any benefit to the customers, Julien said the competitive nature of the industry would not allow that to happen. “To the extent that all banks are realising a reduction in the cost of funds, then competitive pressures would force a reduction in the lending rates,” Julien said.
That was one of the outcomes of the 81st Meeting of the Monetary Council of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) He added, “Banks are not in the business of keeping money, in St Kitts/Nevis late February. banks are in the business of making loans. Without the provision of credit, banks cannot be profitable.” “The Council agreed to reduce the minimum savings deposit rate from 3.0% to 2.0% … However, the Central Bank’s discount rate The decision was made against the backdrop of long running was maintained at 6.5%,” a statement from the ECCB indicated. complaints from banks about excess liquidity in the sector, which at the same time face a reduction in demand for loans. The Council discussed economic conditions within the ECCU and concurred that coordinated planning and the execution of The monetary council noted that in 2014 domestic credit strategies to strengthen the financial sector and stimulate broad- contracted by 4.5 per cent after a 3.7 per cent decline in 2013. ¬based sustainable growth, were key to the overall development of the ECCU economies. “It’s in banks best interest to provide credit and not to keep the money. There’s a cost to liquidity, so keeping money in the bank The press release said that in the area of Financial Stability, and paying interest on those deposits is not helping any bank… the Council underscored that the implementation of measures There’s a vested interest in the banks in reducing the lending to mitigate credit risk deficiencies and promote the continued rates, insofar as they can afford to,” Julien stated. stability of the system was imperative. The banker said in order for interest to be paid on savings, banks “Council therefore, agreed to the implementation of a must invest deposits and earn a return. comprehensive and integrated strategy to maintain the safety, soundness and sustainability of the ECCU banking sector, The ECCB has not yet revealed a timeline on implementation of including legislative and regulatory reforms,” the statement read. the reduced rates. Julien noted once implemented it would be a gradual process with the impacts expected to be felt within 12 Scotiabank (Antigua) Country Manager, Gordon Julien said there months. ¤ is also good news for customers and the economy as banks will drop interest rates on loans. BusinessFocus May /Jul
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SPECIAL FEATURE
MEDICAL SURGICAL ASSOCIATES
Dr. JOEY JOHN
Antigua's Pioneering SURGEON takes aim at obesity BusinessFocus May / Jul |
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FEATURE
Obesity and bariatric surgery Over the years Dr John remained on the frontline of the changes and improvements in the field of bariatric surgery, and on leaving Holberton in 2005, continued to offer obese patients the full spectrum of bariatric procedures at Medical Surgical Associates (MSA), the private clinic which he and his wife Laurie John, an anesthetist, founded. In 2013, Dr Serena St. Luce returned to Antigua after completing her surgical training in the US and joined MSA. Together this formidable surgical alliance, along with plastic surgeon Dr. Frank Stieg, continues to deliver highly skilled bariatric care in the setting of a multi-disciplinary team of medical professionals that includes anesthetists, nurses, technicians Before 1993 it was rare to find a surgeon in the US who offered and nutritionists, who focus on tailored and personalized care evidence based surgical options for obesity. The change came addressing every aspect of the bariatric patients’ needs. almost overnight when in November of that year Dr Alan Wittgrove performed the first laparoscopic gastric bypass in San BF: Bariatric surgery – that sounds like a lot to go through to lose Diego and set off a flurry within the industry so that a mere few a little weight. Isn’t it major surgery? years later, by the beginning of the millennium, almost every reputable American hospital showcased newly established Dr John: First, let me emphasize that bariatric surgery is not a departments of bariatric surgery aimed at finally giving those casual fad or simply another way to lose weight by those who are suffering from obesity the high-quality medical attention they a little overweight and need to shed a few pounds. It should only be considered in morbidly obese individuals since we now know needed. that obesity has a severe negative effect on a person’s health and As usual, the Caribbean and other developing countries lagged quality of life. behind in this new understanding and approach to obesity, partly due to the lack of expertise and technological capacities. But More technically and to put that into perspective, when talking not so here in Antigua, where the young Dr Joseph “Joey” John bariatrics, we can’t use weight alone as a criteria since ones normal actually started performing the new life-changing operations at weight is related to ones height. We therefore use the body mass Holberton Hospital, impressively, even before many US hospitals. index, or BMI, which is calculated from both height and weight. For the past 20 years there has been an evolution, if not revolution, taking place in most of the developed world. Overnight, it seems, obesity is making global headlines – it’s no longer just about aesthetics; obesity is now recognised as a chronic illness that results in numerous serious and even fatal medical consequences with enormous financial costs. This new understanding and approach is supported by an abundance of scientific studies, which has in turn been fueled by the age of bariatrics, the branch of medicine that deals with the study and treatment of obesity.
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FEATURE
Current NIH (National Institutes of Health) guidelines define candidates for bariatric surgery as anyone having a BMI of 40 or greater, or anyone having a BMI of 35 or greater with at least one co-morbidity. Examples of co-morbidities include diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, fatty liver disease and related joint diseases. On the other hand, an adult with a BMI of between 25 and 29 is considered overweight not obese, and someone in this BMI range would not be considered a candidate for bariatric surgery.
new techniques. Being among the first set of residents trained in laparoscopic surgery, this gave me a golden opportunity. I embraced it wholeheartedly and in addition to taking up a position as a trauma surgeon, I joined a surgical group in New York and became their laparoscopic surgeon. That allowed me to gain a great deal of laparoscopic experience right at the outset.
When the opportunity to return to Antigua presented itself, I relished the thought of being able to bring this technology to The other very important thing I want to highlight here is that Antigua and to the Caribbean in general. When I returned home like all abdominal surgery today, bariatric surgery is performed in 1994, my “laparoscopic mission” was a big part of the decision. laparscopically. Laparoscopy has completely revolutionised surgery by finally combining advanced up-to-date technology with Laparoscopic surgery allows us to perform virtually any intraestablished surgical principles and this has resulted in new and abdominal or intra-pelvic operation through small “key-hole” exciting ways to perform even complex surgical procedures. incisions using a video camera attached to a scope. The picture
seen on the monitor provides far greater exposure and detail than the eye can see in a traditional, open case. With the surgeon’s hands remaining outside the patient, operations are performed with thin instruments placed through the tiny incisions. Patients benefit from less operative trauma, less postoperative pain, BF: I can feel your passion when discussing laparoscopic surgery. lower postoperative complication rates such as those related to What exactly is involved in laparoscopic surgery - what makes it wound infections, pneumonia, hernias etcetera, and a markedly so revolutionary? shortened recovery period. But to answer your question specifically, all abdominal surgery including laparoscopic bariatric surgery is considered major surgery. The point though, is that the deleterious effects of morbid obesity more than justify the decision.
Dr John: When the laparoscopic revolution began in the US in the late 1980’s , I was a young surgeon in training and many of the older established surgeons were very reluctant to use these BusinessFocus May /Jul
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FEATURE
Joseph A. John MD FACS Dr John earned his MD degree from Columbia University in NYC and completed his surgical residency at Montefiore/ Albert Einstein College of Medicine in 1991.
BF: So you were a true pioneer blazing a trail of laparoscopic surgery followed by bariatric surgery in the Caribbean. Were these new surgical techniques embraced by your colleagues locally and regionally? Dr John: I would have to say there was both passive and in some instances not so passive push back. Akin to the early days of laparoscopy in the US, there was significant resistance both locally and in the region because I guess some surgeons felt they were being pulled out of their comfort zone. Comparatively it is much easier for kids to master their smart phones as opposed to the older folks now - they grew up with them and it’s almost intuitive for them to figure them out.
He is a diplomate of the American Board of Surgery and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He is also a member of numerous professional organisations in the United States including the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Among his many accomplishments, he is credited with pioneering and advancing the fields of laparoscopic and bariatric surgery in the English speaking Caribbean.
Fortunately, I was appointed at that time to a position of authority at the Holberton Hospital and therefore had the opportunity to introduce and develop laparoscopic surgery there. This was not so in the other islands because I think the established practitioners who controlled the decision-making processes at the time were not so interested in making the switch over. And so whereas we have been performing advanced laparoscopic procedures in Antigua since 1994 there was greater than a 10-20 year lag in the other islands. Even today, there are still very few advanced laparoscopic surgeons in the region. BF: You’ve been performing laparoscopic bariatric surgery for some time now. First of all, what is bariatric surgery? Dr John: Quite simply bariatrics is a sub-specialty within surgery that uses evidence-based procedures to manage and treat patients who suffer from obesity or who suffer from a condition known as the metabolic syndrome. Open bariatric procedures have been performed in the US since the 1950s but these early techniques were fraught with significant complication rates and limited success. The advent of laparoscopic surgery ushered in the refinement of bariatric techniques and resulted in extremely safe and effective minimally invasive procedures of which the gastric bypass is still the gold standard. The common denominator with all bariatric procedures is a restriction on the size of the stomach with the bypass adding a malabsorption component by essentially defunctionalising a segment of bowel so that absorption does not take place in this segment. As was the case with most laparoscopic procedures, we were the first in the English speaking Caribbean and currently still only one of three islands to offer laparoscopic bariatric surgery. I performed the first gastric bypass in 2002 at Holberton Hospital.
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Serena St. Luce MD Dr. St. Luce attended The University of the West Indies where she earned her medical degree; and completed her internship in 2001 She then returned to Antigua where she worked at Holberton Hospital as a surgical house officer before going on to the United States to specialise in surgery. Dr. St. Luce completed her surgical residency at Brooklyn Hospital in 2012 and went on to a fellowship in laparoscopic and bariatric surgery at The Westchester Medical Centre the following year. She is a Diplomate of The American Board of Surgery and an Associate Member of the American College of Surgeons. On her recent return to Antigua in 2013 she joined the practice at MSA as a consultant surgeon.
FEATURE BF: What is the metabolic syndrome and how is it related to obesity? Dr John: First of all obesity does not refer simply to a person who is overweight and needs to shed a few pounds. It is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it has a negative effect on health leading to a reduced life expectancy and increased health problems such as heart disease, stroke, Type2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, certain kinds of cancer and osteoarthritis. Obesity is now recognized as a chronic disease that does not respond easily to treatment. The metabolic syndrome is a name for a group of risk factors that significantly raise your risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. The syndrome is diagnosed by the presence of three or more out of five of the following: obesity, elevated blood pressure, elevated fasting plasma glucose (prediabetes), high serum triglyceride and a decreased high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL). Not only is obesity the principle and most important symptom in metabolic syndrome, there is evidence that obesity actually causes metabolic syndrome.
Laurie John CRNA, MS Laurie John is the Director of Anesthesia and Perioperative Services at Medical Surgical Associates. In 1985 Laurie earned a bachelors degree in Nursing from Lehman College and spent a decade in specialised emergency and intensive care nursing acquiring advanced CCRN and BCEN certifications. Laurie went on to earn a Masters Degree from The Columbia University Nurse Anesthesia Program in New York City. She completed her CRNA certification in 2005. Laurie is co founder of Medical Surgical Associates. She was instrumental in developing the Anesthesia/Perioperative Department into a state of the art service that provides high-level anesthesia care to a wide spectrum of patients. As Director, Laurie fulfills clinical, administrative and leadership roles working closely with the surgeons, anesthetists and nurses to ensure optimal perioperative outcomes.
Bariatric surgery is therefore today also referred to as metabolic surgery as it not only cures obesity but it also has been widely shown to cure or dramatically improve diabetes and the components of the metabolic syndrome, thus drastically reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Curing diabetes through metabolic or bariatric surgery has been a surprising, revolutionary and welcome development for a disease that has been historically considered incurable. BF: Did you say bariatric surgery cures diabetes? Dr John: Yes! As you know up until now there has been no cure for diabetes mellitus other than in some instances, pancreatic transplant, which carries its attendant negatives related to the need for immuno- suppression to prevent rejection. Diabetics have been saddled with taking lifelong meds including insulin as well as constantly checking their serum glucose with finger pricks. The gastric bypass has been proven to CURE diabetes in most obese patients with Type2 diabetes, and significantly decrease the need for medication in others. This has also led to a call for the procedure to be offered to diabetics who may not meet the NIH criteria for bariatric surgery. BF: Earlier you mentioned that sleep apnea was a condition associated with obesity. What exactly is sleep apnea? Dr John: Obstructive sleep apnea occurs quite commonly in obese patients. It is an under-diagnosed condition and a major cause of poor performance in the work place. It can also be seriously debilitating to the patient.
Frank StIEg MD FACS Dr.Stieg is an accomplished surgeon who is doubly board certified in both Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery as well as Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery. He is a Fellow of The American College of Surgeons and a member of numerous medical and surgical professional organisations in the USA. He is a past chairman of Plastic Surgery at Florida Hospitals in Orlando where he owns a busy private plastic surgery practice in Orlando He joined Medical Surgical Associates in 2011 and has since provided high quality cosmetic and reconstructive surgical services. Bariatric patients have specific and in some instances unique plastic surgery requirements and Dr. Stieg is an expert at providing those solutions.
MONEY MATTERS FEATURE
This husband and wife team, Dr Joseph and Laurie John, founded MSA 10 years ago after leaving Holbiton Hospital and their Clinic has now become synonymous with quality high end surgical care. It occurs because the excess tissue in the pharynx of obese persons causes obstruction of the passage of air into the airway when the person is asleep. The decreased movement of air results in decreased respiration amounting to a relative lack of oxygen and a build-up of carbon dioxide in the brain, which in turn triggers an arousal into a lighter REM sleep state so as to effect an opening of the airway. Because these folks get very little sleep in the deeper restful REM stages, they exhibit daytime sleepiness, fatigue and decreased cognitive abilities. Once the excess weight is lost these symptoms also disappear. BF: You said obesity is ‘an illness’ and it is part of the metabolic syndrome. But how does one become obese in the first place? Dr John: As a rule, if your parents are obese, your likelihood of becoming obese increases tremendously. There are two reasons: one is simply genetics (nature) and the other is the fact that people in the same household tend to eat the same foods and have the same attitude toward exercise (nurture). In general, your controllable weight boils down to a balance of calories gained from food intake vs calories expended in the form of exercise output. Of course there are many hormones that can affect your weight such as cortisol, glucagon, insulin, growth hormones, epinephrine, ghrelin and others. These hormones themselves are in turn affected by diet, exercise, stress and sleep or in the case of sleep, a lack of it. The sleep factor is actually interesting. Insomnia induces weight gain for a couple of reasons. Studies show that sleep deprivation causes you to crave food, specifically carbohydrates. So you tend to eat high caloric junk food during that time. In addition, the BusinessFocus May /Jul
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lack of sleep alters your circadian rhythm, which in turn affects certain hormone levels resulting in fat storage. BF: What’s the rate of obesity in Antigua & Barbuda? Dr John: There is no hard core scientific data on morbid obesity here, but a recent Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) report found obesity prevalence in the Caribbean similar to that in the United States where 32 per cent of the adult population is obese. In fact Trinidad and Tobago was ranked sixth in the world, coming in ahead of the US. Although the FAO reports Antigua as having an adult obesity prevalence of 26 per cent, I think this number is understated and the true prevalence probably approximates that of the US. What is clear though, is that at least a quarter of Antiguans are obese and this represents a tremendous health issue in Antigua. As a matter of fact, obesity, along with its complications, is the illness that accounts for the most significant drain on our healthcare budget and in many ways contributes to decreased productivity. BF: What about simply dieting and exercise? Dr John: That may work for people who are simply overweight. But anyone who is morbidly obese (BMI greater than 35), knows diet and exercise do not work in terms of sustained significant weight loss. Indeed, apart from voluminous articles in the bariatric scientific literature, a recently highly acclaimed study in the prestigious British Medical Journal, Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, concluded exactly that. In the article, the experts state that while a healthy diet and exercise may help obese individuals lose weight in the short term, up to 95 per cent will gain back the weight and more.
They explain that this is partly because a reduced intake of calories can activate a type of biological “fat-loss defense” that encourages the body to stay at a higher weight. Lead author Dr Christopher Ochner and his group believe that this evolved defense mechanism once protected humans when food was scarce. In these modern times however, this defense mechanism has become a negative, and drives calorie consumption and fat storage, so a higher body weight can be and is maintained. In our 21st century environment where high calorie, high fat foods are pervasive, the vast majority of obese people simply cannot override the body’s basic and powerful survival instincts through diet and exercise alone. Dr Ochner cautions that ‘ignoring these biological factors and continuing to rely on behavioral modification only, will surely result in the continued inability to treat obesity effectively and the premature death of millions of individuals each year’, not to mention their poorer quality of life as compared to non-obese individuals.
Likewise, pharmacologic means of weight loss, which seeks to alter intake by targeting hunger and satiety sensation or increasing basal metabolic rate with stimulant drugs, have also failed to show any durable success in obese individuals and can be quite dangerous. He notes however that bariatric surgery has been shown to be effective in reversing changes in appetite- related hormones, which in turn affects how the brain responds to food, going on to offer this as an explanation as to why bariatric surgery appears to be the ONLY obesity treatment that works long term. BF: You’ve explained that obesity is actually an illness and therefore needs evidence-based treatment. But what about prevention? What would it take to reverse this pattern throughout society? Dr John: That’s probably the most important question surrounding the obesity issue, but unfortunately I think this will take generations. It will involve for sure the political will to spend tax dollars on widespread sustained educational campaigning aimed at introducing and maintaining healthy lifestyles essentially from birth.
Val Cuffy - I have been given my life back! Val Cuffy or Calypso Bull as he is known in his hometown of Dominica, had a laparascopic gastric bypass at MSA a mere 14 weeks ago. And already, he has lost 67lbs - going from a 54 inch waist to a size 40. Speaking after his surgery, Cuffy told Business Focus, “After Dr John performed the same operation on my sister and I saw how well she was doing I realized I had no choice. My weight had begun to affect everything…. I have now started to feel like I have been given my life back and my only regret is that I didn’t do it years ago.” After his minimally invasive procedure, Cuffy said he was discharged from the clinic within two days. “I can’t say that I remember having any pain. The entire staff was incredible and made me feel very much at home.” The musician is expected to lose at least another 85lbs before the end of the year. BusinessFocus May / Jul |
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FEATURE It probably will involve legislation aimed at the business sector possibly rewarding businesses involved in healthy options (tax breaks etc) while in some way penalising businesses offering unhealthy alternatives. Obviously, schools would have to play a huge role in incorporating this new health consciousness into both their educational curricula as well as their activities and parents would have to buy into this revolution and reinforce these efforts at home. Easy enough! (lol) In the meantime, however, to quote Dr John Morton, current president of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, “We should do everything we can to prevent obesity but we CANNOT forget about the millions of people who already have obesity and we must therefore offer them evidence based treatments that we know will stand the test of time.” BF: Is bariatric surgery a form of cosmetic surgery? Dr John: It absolutely is NOT cosmetic surgery. Obesity is not only a medical condition but it also causes other very debilitating medical illnesses. As previously alluded to, less than one per cent of morbidly obese people are able to sustainably lose enough weight without surgery. And bariatric surgery not only results in significant sustained weight reduction, but it also cures other related medical illnesses such as diabetes. Undoubtedly, obese individuals look and feel better at the end of their weight loss journey but make no mistake, the scientific literature is clear. Akin to removing a gallbladder for a chronically inflamed organ that has been making one ill, bariatric surgery is the accepted medical treatment for the chronic illness called obesity. BF: What’s the most commonly recommended type of bariatric surgery? Dr John: We perform three main procedures today: the gastric bypass, the gastric band, and the gastric sleeve. The bypass is the gold standard and uses gastrointestinal staples to significantly reduce the size of the stomach while connecting a segment of small bowel to the new small stomach pouch thus restoring gastrointestinal continuity. Whereas a normal stomach holds 2500-3000 cc when full, the gastric pouch is sized to hold 15-30cc.
Sonia Peterson RN, CCRN, CM. is a graduate of The School of Nursing and Midwifery in Antigua and received advanced education in critical care at University Hospital Mona in Jamaica as well as a certificate in Health Services Management in Barbados. She acquired immense experience over several decades providing high-level intensive care nursing under challenging circumstances at Holberton Hospital and for many years was Departmental Manager of Critical Care and Neonatal Intensive Care at Holberton Hospital. Sonia joined MSA in 2005 as Director of Nursing. She was charged with developing the high level Department of Nursing for which the MSA is well known. Sonia also provides patient education, follow-up care and support to patients and their families, while providing clinical support to the surgical team. Additionally, she collaborates with the multidisciplinary bariatric team to ensure a high level continuity of care.
Vaughn Walter now has a lot to smile about! After all, he once weighed a whopping 398 lbs with type 1 Diabetes which wasn’t even well controlled on high doses of insulin injections several times daily. Mr Walter was among the first set of patients to undergo a laparoscopic gastric bypass at Holberton Hospital over 13 years ago. He lost 140 lbs while his diabetes is now under excellent control on one pill and no insulin. “I had tried drastic measures to lose weight up until then and only ended packing on pounds - I knew I was in trouble. “I thank God that I made the decision to undergo weight loss surgery with my friend, Dr John. Ever since I shed a third of my weight I’ve felt like a new person and can do so many things I could’t do before. I feel truly blessed.” After a gastric bypass patients with Type1 insulin dependent diabetes usually end up well controlled on a small dose of oral medication only, while Type2 diabetes is usually completely cured by the procedure and resultant weight loss.
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Excluding cardiac surgery, MSA performs a wide spectrum of surgical procedures: both open and laparoscopic abdominal and pelvic surgery, bariatric surgery, breast surgery, orthopedics, plastic surgery, ENT, vascular surgery, neurosurgery and thorascopic surgery. As a rule MSA performs open abdominal and pelvic surgery only when it is impossible to do it laparoscopically. Most abdominal, pelvic and chest surgery is performed laparoscopically and thorascopically, and this encompasses procedures related to the esophagus, stomach, small and large bowel, rectum spleen, liver, gallbladder, kidneys, uterus, ovaries, lung etc both for cancer as well as benign diseases. The gastric sleeve involves reducing the stomach to 20 per cent BF: One of the issues with losing weight this way is the excess skin of its original size by removing a large portion along the greater that’s left hanging, how do you address that? curvature. The result is a sleeve or tube like structure. Dr John: Many obese individuals already have pendulous skin folds The gastric band is an adjustable silicone device placed around and this can be accentuated by weight loss. The more obese and the top part of the stomach creating a 15-30cc pouch separated older patients tend to end up with more of this. Younger patients from the remainder of the stomach by a narrow channel. The have less issue with this as younger skin has more elastin, a protein band is connected to a port placed under the skin, which allows that allows contraction of the skin after weight loss. us to adjust the tightness of the band by injecting saline into the port. A discussion as to which procedure would be suitable for a particular obese individual is beyond the scope of this feature, but would be thoroughly explored at the initial consultation. BF: Do insurance companies cover the cost of bariatric surgery? Dr John: I am very glad that you asked that question. All reputable medical insurance companies are familiar with the literature and science, and therefore cover the costs once the appropriate criteria are met. However, there are one or two companies in the region that have denied coverage telling their subscribers usually one of two things: they either claim the surgery is a form of plastic surgery which of course it is not, or they claim their policy does not reimburse for bariatric surgery. Invariably when I’ve looked at these policies there are never any ‘bariatric exclusions’. It is incumbent on patients not to accept such unjustified denials and to enlist the help of their bariatric surgeon and possibly a lawyer in these circumstances. By the way, the long-term health costs related to a patient with morbid obesity by far negates the upfront cost of bariatric surgery.
However, that’s where our plastic surgeon Dr Frank Stieg comes in typically about a year after surgery and when all desired weight has been lost. Usually this includes a tummy tuck and breast lift, and in, some instances nips and tucks in the arms and thighs. BusinessFocus May / Jul |
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FEATURE BF: So, why then hasn’t this form of surgery picked up steam at the medical facilities in our region? Dr John: Most surgeons find bariatric surgery challenging from the standpoint of both the technical aspects of the procedure, as well as the degree of difficulty involved in performing a complex operation in an obese patient many of whom have other medical problems. There is also a high degree of training, innate skill and experience required for successful outcomes. As far as I know, apart from our group at MSA, there are only two other groups in the English speaking Caribbean offering bariatric options. Moreover, in the region I think there has been a lack of education and a certain degree of ignorance regarding the whole subject of obesity and certainly regarding the treatment options and benefits of weight loss surgery. This has resulted in a continuance of the discrimination that obese people have had to endure although it should be clear by now that being obese is
Bernadine Lewis RN Bernadine Lewis RN graduated from the Antigua and Barbuda School of Nursing, with certificates in General and Midwifery Nursing. Bernie is also a graduate of the University of the West Indies with a Certificate in Public Administration and a Diploma in Perioperative Nursing. Bernie has 36 years of experience as an RN and was Director of OR services at Holberton Hospital and Mount St. Johns Medical Centre for 15 years. She joined MSA in 2011 as Assistant Director of Nursing and Operating Room Director. Bernie leads a group of highly experienced OR nurses ensuring adherence to the most up to date OR policies and procedures.
not simply a matter of eating too much or exercising too little. By the same token the answer to a morbidly obese person who is reaching out for help is not to simply send them to a nutritionist or a gym. These folks have all tried this repeatedly to no avail before exploring bariatric surgical options. Who would voluntarily endure the psychological and physical problems obese people encounter daily? There also seems to be a profound short sightedness among medical economists when allocating financial resources. As mentioned, the upfront costs of bariatric surgery pales in comparison to obesity related illnesses over time. That of course is why reputable medical insurance companies all over the world cover bariatric procedures once the appropriate criteria are met. Indeed however, bariatric surgery today is the accepted standard of care in the management of morbid obesity.
Sharon Goodluck Dip. Rad. MBA Ms. Goodluck graduated from the University of Guyana with a Diploma in Radiography and from The University of the West Indies with a Diploma in Management. She has had three decades of experience in the field and in 2008, received her Masters in Business Administration from the University of the West Indies. Sharon has been the Director of Radiology and Chief Radiographer at MSA since then.
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Helga Hunte
Samantha Moitt, RD is a registered dietitian who plays a critical role on the bariatric team at Medical Surgical Associates. She completed her studies in Clinical Nutrition at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in 2004 and has worked as a dietitian at the Baylor University Hospital in Dallas, which involved extensive experience on the bariatric service. Upon returning to Antigua, Samantha worked in the local hospital heading the dietary department there and has been overseeing MSA’s bariatric patients since 2012.
Helga joined our team at Medical Surgical Associates about a year ago. She has been in client relations for over 10 years. In her role as Patient Financial Services Coordinator she interacts with the clinical team providing key information and data regarding benefits, patient and insurance financial liabilities and prepares financial packets based on each individual patient. She also liaises with insurance companies on behalf of the patients, relieving them of that element of stress.
Samantha is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Caribbean Association of Nutritionists and Dietitians and the Nutritionists and Dietitians group of Antigua and Barbuda.
Marcell a John is MSA’s Business Manager extraordinaire. Mrs. John has had extensive experience in management including a long and distinguished career at Sagicor Life retiring in 2001 as Branch Manager. Her many years working in the world of management, accounting, administration and staff training along with her trademark discipline, professionalism and strong leadership skills make her an invaluable component of the MSA team. As MSA’s Business Manager, Mrs. John has developed operating systems for accounting and billing in compliance with Antigua & Barbuda regulations. Her knowledge of the insurance industry is obviously an added asset to the practice.
Kamoy Coley Is the youngest member of the team and is an operating room technician working closely with the surgical and anesthetic teams in and out of the OR. There is an enormous amount preparatory and supportive detail that goes on behind the scenes of a facility providing complex surgical care and Kamoy plays a critical role in the smooth running of the operation.
Nursing Staff Medical Surgical Associates is well known for high quality, state of the art nursing care. The nursing staff consists of a team of expert nurses with many years of medical, surgical and critical care experience. The dynamic and empathetic nursing staff provides care to all age groups ranging from the routine to the most critical with a professionalism that is unrivaled in the Caribbean.
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MEDPATH CLINICAL LABORATORY and HEALTHY CHOICE FM.
Creating Synergies in Healthcare Delivery
There are many people in Antigua & Barbuda working hard in science of the causes and effects of diseases, especially the branch their fields to make a difference, and Dr Lester Simon and wife of medicine that deals with the laboratory examination of samples Norma Simon are definitely two of those. of body tissue for diagnostic or forensic purposes. As founders and managers of Medpath Clinical Laboratory, they get to fulfill their dream of providing top quality health care and diagnostic services to residents here, in St Kitts/Nevis and in Montserrat; and keeping the lay public informed about health and wellness issues.
As he aptly puts it in a Medpath LabLetter, “…The pathologist must be able to respond to virtually every question in medicine, precisely interrelating to every medical specialty. In cases of difficult and rare diagnoses, the pathologist is often called upon to suggest treatment options….”
And, out of this original commitment, was born Dr Simon’s vision Medpath Lab’s core laboratory testing capabilities include of the more expansive and far-reaching platform of “health and chemistry, haematology, immunology and microbiology. And, its wellness dedicated” radio. distinctive diagnostic competencies are in histology (dealing with the tissues) and cytology (dealing with cells). Before going into more details about Healthy Choice 94.9 FM, first, let’s look at Medpath, the island’s only private lab that is And, Dr Simon’s expertise and specialisation equip him to diagnose directed and served by a clinical pathologist. cancers (histology and cytology); and to supervise, direct, guide and instruct technical laboratory personnel such a technologists. Pathologists are generally referred to as - the physician’s physician – and Dr. Simon has been the country’s lone pathologist for He does this at Medpath’s parent plant located on Upper St Mary’s decades since he returned to Antigua and Barbuda in 1983 with Street and at the satellite facility on the ground floor of the Ramco his wife and two children. Building on Independence Avenue. Contrary to popular belief, pathologists do not only deal with And, his wife Norma Simon – the backbone of management the dead. In fact, Dr Simon spends most of his time using a operations ¬ has been at his side long before the day the business microscope to diagnose diseases because pathology is the got started in October 1991. With a degree in foreign languages, BusinessFocus May /Jul
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post grad qualifications in education, personnel management studies and an MBA, she knits and holds the staff together while he concentrates on the technical side of the business. When the Simons started operations 24 years ago, they did so with just four employees –which included them along with a technologist and a courier/ cleaner. Add 11 to that original start-up number to arrive at the lab’s current fulltime staff complement of 15.
personal healthcare paradigms of the residents of Antigua and Barbuda, will reduce the demand on public healthcare facilities, and lessen the financial burdens on the government’s coffers.
Dr. Simon, the consummate musical artiste and connoisseur that he is, has designed a delivery plan (a work in progress) that embeds the station’s health support information packages in a core of easy-listening, relaxing, introspective JAZZ with sprinklings The company’s operations are carried out by one of the best teams in of other musical genres. the industry. The general calibre of Medpath lab’s human resources is unsurpassed in the industry and is arguably the major source of its And according to him, “The music is essentially the “sugar” to competitive advantage. The average staff employment tenure is 11.5 help the medicine go down.” years. This relatively stable and loyal bank of collective experience has served Medpath well and is in large part responsible for building the Dr. Simon also promises that “….Health and wellness education through Healthy Choice FM, 94.9 will be clear, fair and balanced, company’s reputation for reliability. an apostrophe of the scientific method, and always subservient Medpath Lab is keenly aware that demonstrated commitment to to the logic of common sense.” industrial standards of the highest order, breeds credibility. And credibility engenders the confidence and trust of customers. And “if The Simons ended with a noteworthy revelation. The psychological effects of handling volumes of pathology in a smallour customers can count on us, we can count on them.” island community, where most people (including Dr. Simon) Medpath Lab is committed to the development of local sports, know each other demand placid attention. In this regard, health education and the Arts. Among other things it proudly sponsors education in concert with music on Healthy Choice, 94.9 FM is a local cricket team, “Medpath New Winthorpes”. In the past it therapeutic to the pathologist and his family. has co-sponsored the local schools debate competition and it has supported financially and otherwise dramatic stage presentations To listen to Healthy Choice 94.9 FM kindly download our app and fundraisers by local service clubs and performances by visiting for Apple or Android devices or find us on: http://tunein.com/ regional groups like The National Dance Theatre Company and the radio/Healthy-Choice-FM-949-s239452/ University Singers from Jamaica. Medpath is also an ardent fan and or http://streema.com/radios/Healthy_Choice_FM tangible supporter of one of our premier steel pan orchestras. Since its establishment in 1991, Medpath Lab has remained committed to its original community-service mandate: the publication and dissemination of reliable, health-relevant information. In a limited way, it achieved this through the publication and distribution of its Medpath Labdoctor for informing the doctors about new tests and important laboratory concepts and Medpath Labletter covering health topics for lay-consumption; and also by buying daily airtime to sponsor health and wellness infomercials on radio. The company’s owners envisioned that a public informed and educated about health and wellness issues is a public empowered to take proactive preventative (and in the process, cost-mitigating) care of its own health. This is what led Dr Simon to make his vision of setting up a “health and wellness dedicated” radio station, a reality. He applied for a radio licence as far back as in the 90s to realize his vision and was finally granted one in 2011. The incorporation of HEALTHY CHOICE FM LTD represented the second tangible step in the realization of his 20 year old dream. The physical plant to house the studios and facility for HEALTHY CHOICE FM, 94.9 was constructed on the ground floor of the Ramco Building. HEALTHY CHOICE FM, 94.9, the first dedicated health and wellness radio station in the English-speaking Caribbean humbly took to the airwaves in test mode, in late September 2014. So, the public, health and wellness - education and information project started by Medpath Lab will continue in a more expansive format through Healthy Choice, 94.9 FM. The station’s mandate is to promote the adoption of positive, healthy lifestyles, and environmental awareness through the sustained delivery of relevant, reliable, support information and strategies. It is optimistically expected that the resulting positive changes in the
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TEL: 562-5227 FAX: 462-1838
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Email: medpath@candw.ag
“ Working to reduce the incidence and mortality of cancer of the cervixe in Antigua & Barbuda and the Leeward Islands” BusinessFocus May / Jul |
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Williams & Associates Dental Ltd.
Bringing Bright and Healthy Smiles into your Home. We at Williams & Associates Dental Ltd. are a family oriented practise that is ready and equipped with a combined 51 years of experience to help bring bright and healthy smiles into your home. Our aim has always been to cater to every family member and that is why we provide easy access to appointments, a convenient location, innovative painfree dental services, great pricing and an exceptionally service-oriented staff. The key features of our business include: cosmetic dentistry (white fillings, crowns, bridges, teeth whitening); orthodontic services (braces); preventative dentistry (cleanings, non-surgical gum care, tooth sealants, fluoride treatment); pediatric dentistry; special care dentistry (sleep dentistry for the nervous and special needs patient in an equipped operating room setting). We also do implants and dentures. Williams & Associates Dental started as a solo practice by Dr. Gregson Williams in January 1990. In 2000, Dr. Afi Bello-Williams joined the practice; followed by Dr. Techa Williams in 2004. Here are the answers to some of the questions we have been frequently, asked by people who, impressed with what they’ve heard, later became clients. 1) What is unique about your services? We cater for the entire family with emphasis on Preventive BusinessFocus May /Jul
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Dentistry and proper Oral Health in a gentle, quiet and comfortable environment. We are also fluent in Spanish and French to better assist our growing and diverse community. 2) What are some of the negative trends you see in this community and would like to reverse? We know how important it is to be healthy during pregnancy. Scientifically it has been proven that areas of long standing or chronic infections do affect the growing baby. The mouth is an area of silent infectious foci (decayed teeth, gingivitis, gum disease, etc.). We would like to see the Medical profession encourage their pregnant patients to have Oral Health evaluations and treatment as a part of their routine obstetrics care as early as possible during pregnancy. 3) What are your customer service practices like and how important this is to you and your clients/patients? All our employees are trained in customer service and customer care practices. They are dedicated to ensuring that all patients feel welcomed and at ease before, during and after dental care. We offer 24 hr and same day appointment reminders and our first time patients are always given a welcome letter and introduced to each staff member that they come into contact with. We accept major insurance carriers with assignment of benefits assistance and we greet everyone with a warm smile and always thank them for their business. We also have an in office customer
service/care survey that has helped us improve in some areas guided by our patients. We also accept all major credit cards.
to how you’ve expanded over the years.
4) Detail the growth in your business from the time you started
Williams & Associates Dental started as a solo fee for service practice in January 1990 by Dr. Gregson Williams. During that period he was engaged in General Dentistry for the entire family. By 1997 Dr. Williams saw the necessity to add more services and therefore completed a diploma course in Orthodontics (Braces) in 1997 and added that service to the practice regiment. In 2000 Dr. Afi Bello-Williams joined and in 2004 Dr. Techa Williams followed and became part of the practice as associates. We have always supported development of the profession and have a “door is always open” policy for recent graduates or dental students on vacation during the advanced years of their studies. We have also opened our doors to young persons wanting to know more about dentistry and whether it is the right profession for them. At least three dentists now practicing in Antigua have benefited from this exercise.
and show them that coming to the Dentist is always fun. Children and adolescents are shown the proper way to brush and take care of their teeth and parents are always informed of their progress. 8) What’s the motto or mission statement of Williams & Associates Dental Ltd. dental?
“Your Smile Reflects Who You Are; Care It!” 9)What message do you have for the community? The first thing people see when they interact is your face usually with a smile. As our mission statement states “Your Smile Reflects Who You Are; Care It!”, so we can only encourage the community to take Oral Health seriously. Remember good Oral Health is an integral part of good General Health. Please be aware that Nutrition starts in the mouth. Most oral problems are silent. By the time there is pain the treatment becomes advanced and costly. So just like you maintain your car, see your dentist for an evaluation at least annually. At home, brush for two or three minutes at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Floss daily to remove plaque from places your toothbrush can’t reach. Eat a healthy diet to provide nutrients necessary to prevent gum disease and avoid cigarettes which can contribute to Oral Cancer. 10) If you were to describe your quality of services in three words, what would they be?
We are Committed, Excellent and Diverse.
5) What should people know about Williams & Associates Dental Ltd.?
Visit us at our new location on the corner of Dickenson Bay St. and Deanery Place
We want persons to know that the entire team at Williams & Associates Dental Ltd. is dedicated to preserving and improving smiles, through excellent service and patient care from our combined years of dental practice experience. 6) Why is dental care important? Dental care is important because the health of your mouth mirrors the condition of your body as a whole. Good Oral Health may prevent certain diseases from occurring. According to research, there is a relationship between gum (Periodontal) disease and health complications such diabetes, stroke and heart disease. We can also have oral manifestations from some systemic diseases like Oral Cancer, and the Dentist may be the first to diagnose a health problem in its early stage. Pregnant women with gum disease also show higher incidences of pre-term, low birth weight babies. Regular dental checkups can do more than keep your smile attractive. 7) Describe how your business treats with children and adolescent clients. As mentioned before, we offer Pediatric Dentistry. From entering our waiting area children are greeted with a play area that is filled with toys, games and books. That helps, most times, to reduce the fear factor associated with a dental visit. A child’s first dental visit should begin at around 3 years old, even if there are no prior issues, when all of the baby teeth are normally in position. This helps that child to become acquainted with visiting the dentist and in turn reduces the chance of that same child becoming a fearful adolescent or adult. At the end of a dental visit, the child is rewarded with gifts such as balloons, toothbrush, puzzles or certificates to encourage them
• Crowns, Bridges, Dentures, Bleaching and Esthetic Services • Comprehensive Orthodontics (Braces) • Gum Care & Treatments • Root Canals • Emergency Services • White Cosmetic Fillings • Sedation Dentistry for Special Needs and the Overly Anxious Patient • Pediatric Dentistry • Digital Xrays & Much More
Call us at Tel: (268) 462-1381 or Fax: (268) 460-6300 Email:williamsltd@wadental.ag
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Your Health, Your Life Matters That’s Why We’re Here After 38 years, we remain committed to providing the insurance needs of the discerning client. At this juncture, with the myriad health and medical challenges that beset us, we focus on our range of products, tailored to offer coverage in that regard. We’ve custom-made a dynamic product with individual or group specifics - our MediStar Plan may be just what the doctor ordered. A few of our clients testify … “One night in 2014, my wife, Denise and I went to sleep having exchanged pleasantries. Before long, we were at Casualty at the Hospital. Horrible news - Denise had suffered a major stroke that threatened her life! “Within three days, Denise had emergency surgery. She was stabilized; Air Ambulance flew her at low altitude to the head Neurological Surgeon at UWI - Mona. Three days later, I was able to sit and talk with Denise. Prompt, efficient action – we’re insured at State Insurance Corporation. I made the call; they did the rest. Their Medical Insurance afforded us a chance to live another day. My eternal gratitude to State Insurance. “We never know what tomorrow will bring. But whatever comes my way, I will face it with a State Insurance Medical Policy in my pocket. “So should you.” Because of improved policies, dedication, commitment; more clients are enjoying improved well-being; new leases on life. Sandra Rilley was diagnosed with a tumour in her back in 2013. She heard dreaded words: “If it’s removed, you might not walk again.” She did not despair - through her employer, she had insurance with State Insurance. Again we were there. BusinessFocus May /Jul
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One week of quality care at the hospital in Jamaica; another week in recuperation. Sandra returned to work one month after her return to Antigua. She could walk. She was ecstatic: “Walk? I can run! Trust me, if I did not have that insurance, I don’t know what would have become of me! I did not have that kind of money! But thanks to State Insurance, I got the kind of care that I needed. I am so happy! Thank God for life.” Medical Insurance buffers against incurred medical expenses. No one plans to get sick or hurt, but inevitably, many of us need medical care at some point. Even if you are in good health, having health insurance is paramount. Cost of basic health care quickly adds up; expenses for a major illness or injury can be devastating. Medical insurance can help you prepare for the worst.
Ask Eleanor Mourillon “I thought: ‘Lord what is this? ‘ It was September 2nd, 2014. I was about to squat when I felt a sharp pain run through the lower left side of my back down my left hip and leg. “For years, I have had complications with my back, but no major discomfort for a while. This time, it felt different. I did not realize the extent - until I could not sit.
“Diagnosed with nerve compression, I was referred to an Orthopedic Surgeon. He discovered that a disk had collapsed and was pressing my sciatica nerve in my left buttock area, causing great discomfort and suffering. The only resolution was surgery.
“Through my medical insurance with State Insurance, I was able to have my annual check-up and my accompanying lab works. Everything was great. I also had my eyes tested and received my glasses. What a relief! I was having lots of problems with my eyes.
“I opted for a second opinion. Then, I contacted my insurers; immediately, they contacted their Orthopedic Surgeon in Trinidad and an appointment was secured. “Unfortunately, my issue was worse than we thought; it was recommended that I see a Neurosurgeon instead. I relayed the information to State. They made arrangements for me to see the surgeon in Jamaica. Within 24 hours of my arrival, I had successful surgery.
“I want to encourage everyone to get medical insurance with State Insurance; it’s very important. Get coverage for your kids as well because health care can be expensive. But with State Insurance, it is very affordable.” Powered by our passion to bring you the best, we constantly seek innovative ways to improve our products. Our new networkbased medical plan covers, but is not limited to the following:
• Annual wellness checks • Emergency Air Ambulance • Local regional and international network • Maternity Benefit • Dental and Vision benefits • Comprehensive network of doctors, pharmacies, labs We were there, committed for Add years to your life with a solid medical package. Now, add Life Cicely King, as well. to your years.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank State Insurance again for organising everything for me. State Insurance has one of the best, if not the best neurosurgeons in the Caribbean, in their network.”
“I was diagnosed with an aneurysm after falling sick in 2013. At Mount St. John’s Medical Centre, my attending doctor conducted tests and advised me to seek attention overseas - the hospital was not equipped to deal with my condition.
You may be the rock of financial support for your loved ones. Consider the implications if your income is lost through death. Provide for dependents with a Life Insurance policy which may help to assuage your loss.
“As a member of the Medical Insurance Scheme at State Insurance Corporation through my employer, I had surgery overseas and spent one week in the hospital. State Insurance took care of my expenses as proportioned under the plan; and they covered my follow-up appointment in 2014.
Whatever your special insurance need may be, we have a policy for that! We are here – with our range of Life policies:
No dependents, no problem. Make provisions for your funeral expenses, or major investments. Assign your policy to your financial institution to guarantee the loan.
• Term Life Insurance - pays a benefit upon the death of the insured during a specified term.
• Whole Life Insurance remains in force for the insured’s lifetime. In our unique 20-pay Whole Life plan, premiums are “I was very impressed with the professional manner in which State paid for only 20 years. “You pay for just 20 years, then you get Insurance handled my case and I sincerely recommend them as back a quarter …” your provider for medical insurance. Everyone needs medical insurance, because we never know when an emergency will arise.” • Mortgage Protection settles outstanding balances to the mortgage lender if the Insured dies during the term. Don’t wait – there’s no time like now to take control. • Endowment commences between ages zero and eight years, paying a lump sum on maturity, or death. Typical maturity Lisa Hunte-Francis is a 49-year- periods are 10, 15 or 20 years up to certain age limits. Some old Restaurant Supervisor, individuals use endowments for education; or financial support with many responsibilities; so during retirement. maintaining good health is crucial to her performing at optimum • Funeral Grants pay lump sums to your designated levels. She ensures she has her beneficiary upon your death. medical checks annually. Lisa State Insurance Corporation - For Your Protection and Our shares her recent experience: Economy.
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MUST READS
Volume 11
By: Lyndell Halliday
Organizational Excellence
W
by Lyndell Halliday
hat does it take to build and sustain a truly excellent organization? This edition of Must Reads examines this challenge from the perspective of two different authors. Featured in this issue are Jim Collin’s Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap…And Others Don’t (HarperBusiness, 2001) and Patrick M. Lencioni’s The Advantage: Why Organizational Health Trumps Everything Else by (Jossey-Bass, 2001 Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap…And Others Don’t by Jim Collins Jim Collins is a former professor at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business where he received the Distinguished Teaching Award in 1992. Collins and his team have conducted extensive research on business over the last 20 years and Collins has written or co-written five books on the results of these research efforts. The most well-known of these books Built to Last has been a leading business best seller for many years. Built to Last was a study of eighteen world class companies and what made them superior to their competitors. Good to Great can be best described as a prequel to that earlier published classic. In Good to Great, Collins examines how ordinary companies can make the leap from mere good performance to truly exceptional performance. Collins focussed on companies that demonstrated continued superior performance in their industries over at least a fifteen year period. Eleven elite Fortune 500 companies were selected based on their track record of significantly outperforming other companies with
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respect to returns on the stock market over a sustained period of time. Each of these companies was compared to a key competitor in their industry which failed to make the leap from good to great. Collins begins by arguing that good is the enemy of great. In other words, many companies fail to truly become great, because they are content with being good enough. There are a handful of companies, however, that are not satisfied and make a relentless effort to transform themselves into really extraordinary companies. Based on his team’s five year research effort, Collins identified seven concepts that were consistent across each of the eleven elite companies that distinguished them from their competitors. The seven factors are: 1. Level 5 leadership, 2. First decide who, then what, 3. Confront the brutal facts, 4. The Hedehog concept 5. Culture of discipline, 6. Technology acceleration and 7. Keep turning the flywheel. Collins further defines and develops each of these concepts and illustrates them with stories from the elite companies that make up the study. Collins thus offers a roadmap which he proposes can be used by any company that wants to make the leap from good to great. There are some questions about the degree to which Collin’s roadmap can be replicated and if the concepts are universally applicable. Nonetheless, Good to Great excels as an insightful study on some of the world’s best companies and most business leaders will find a treasure trove of knowledge within its pages. The Advantage: Why Organizational Health Trumps Everything Else by Patrick M. Lencioni Patrick Lencioni is a management and leadership consultant who has written ten leadership books and has contributed to leading periodicals such as the Harvard Business Review, the Wall Street Journal and Fortune. A previous column featured one of Lencioni’s earlier books The Five Dysfunctions of a Team.
In The Advantage, Lencioni argues that there are two crucial ingredients to being an exceptional company – being smart and being healthy. Being smart encompasses well known factors such as strategy, people and innovation. Organizational health on the other hand evolves around organizational and interpersonal dynamics such as teamwork, alignment, meetings and culture. Lencioni makes the case that most companies already know what it takes to be smart and thus what truly distinguishes exceptional companies from ordinary ones is that the exceptional ones are not just smart – they are healthy. As a result, the focus on his book is on what it takes to build a healthy organization which Lencioni believes is critical to building a competitive advantage. According to Lencioni, organizational health is built on four core disciplines. The four disciplines are 1. Build a cohesive team, 2. Create clarity, 3. Over communicate clarity and 4. Reinforce clarity. For each discipline Lencioni provides a set of key behaviours or guiding questions that will enable the reader to implement the defined steps to improving the health of their own organization. The Advantage is easy to read, and Lencioni’s four disciplines can be applied to any type of organization and leaders from business, not for profit, community, church and sporting organizations alike will benefit from reading this work. However, be warned that implementing the actual disciplines will take a leader with tremendous courage and self-belief. This is not a book for the faint-hearted. ¤
Lyndell Halliday is a 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 is also a part time facilitator at the National Research and Development Foundation where he teaches Leadership, Strategic Operations Issues and Business Ethics and Social Responsibility for the Australia Institute of Business MBA and BBA programmes. BusinessFocus Mar / Apr
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ENVIRONMENTAL FOCUS
A section of Jabberwock beach, located on the northeastern coast of Antigua, that is being eroded by the sea. Credit: Desmond Brown/IPS
Antigua Draws a Line in the Vanishing Sand By Desmond Brown Jabberwock beach, located on the northeastern coast of Antigua, features a mile-long white sand beach and is a favourite with locals and visitors alike. But Freeston Williams, a resident who frequents the area for exercise and other recreational activities, is worried that the beach is quickly disappearing. “I travel around the Jabberwock area on the northern side of the island and I notice the shoreline is coming in closer to the road which means that it’s minimising the area we use for exercise,” Williams said.”I am not sure what exactly is causing all this but sooner or later we will not have any beach left.” Antigua and Barbuda’s chief environment officer Diann BlackLayne said the sea level is in fact rising and she is mobilising legislators and residents of the small island-nation to become “climate ready” by implementing national activities on climate change. “In the past 10 years we have experienced three droughts in Antigua. The temperature of the Caribbean Sea will have summer temperatures all the time. This means hurricane season will be all year round,” Black-Layne said. Pointing to the consequences of a two-degree C increase in global temperatures as outlined in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) Fifth Assessment Report (AR5), BlackLayne said there would be disruption of livelihoods in low-lying coastal zones and small island developing states and other small islands, due to storm surges, coastal flooding, and sea-level rise. “For persons living in the tropics it will just be too hot, every BusinessFocus May /Jul
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building will have to be air-conditioned – schools, churches, clinics, prisons,” she said. “There would also be failure of infrastructure such as roads, seaports, airports and buildings; plants and animals, including humans, would die during periods of extreme heat; there will be a breakdown of agricultural systems resulting in food prices increasing; there will be insufficient access to drinking and irrigation water and reduced agricultural productivity; and tropical species of fish will move to cooler waters resulting in a reduction of fishing in the Caribbean.” Tourism is the mainstay of the economy of Antigua and Barbuda and is the leading sector in terms of providing employment and creating foreign exchange. But the outlook for reefs in this tourism-dependent nation is also grim. At around 1.5 degrees C, about 89 percent of coral reefs are projected to experience severe bleaching; at two degrees C, up to 100 percent of coral reefs are projected to experience severe bleaching by the 2050s; and around four degrees C, virtually all coral reefs would be subjected to severe bleaching events annually. Signing the Copenhagen Accord in 2009, world leaders agreed to keep temperature increases resulting from heat-trapping emissions to less than two degrees C, a target aimed at limiting dangerously disruptive climate impacts. A policy target informed by science, two degrees C is the formally codified benchmark, the line in the sand by which nations have agreed to measure collective success in providing generations to come with a secure climate future.
The IPCC said global average surface temperatures have risen about 0.85 degrees C since 1900 and cumulative emissions of CO2 largely determine global mean surface warming by the late 21st century and beyond. It finds that having a greater than 66 percent probability of keeping warming caused by CO2 emissions alone to below two degrees C requires limiting total further emissions to between 370-540 gigatonnes of carbon (GtC). At current rates of CO2 emissions (about 9.5 GtC per year), the world will hurtle past the two C carbon budget in less than 50 years. And this conservatively assumes that emissions rates don’t continue on their current upward trajectory of 3 percent per year. In a bid to increase awareness of climate change here, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) spearheaded a two-day workshop on April 14 and 15 under its Rallying the Region to Action on Climate Change (RRACC) project, an initiative funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). An OECS official said participants were updated on the current awareness levels on the island and brainstormed ways to increase the nation’s consciousness. Participants were drawn from the sectors most affected by climate change. Ahead of that event, OECS Communication Specialist Tecla Fontenard said, “We have data that shows what levels of awareness people already have and where the gaps are and we also have data from Antigua. The workshop will also determine priorities for a communication action plan for Antigua that considers critical climate change issues in four major sectors – agriculture, tourism, marine and coastal as well as the water sector.” Antigua and other countries in the OECS have a heightened vulnerability to many of the economic and environmental pressures that are emerging globally. This vulnerability, coupled with fragile natural and cultural assets and inherent social challenges, presents a special urgency to the sustainable development goals of the region. Climate change, one of the most significant ongoing challenges to countries in the OECS, is forecast to have devastating environmental, social and economic consequences on OECS countries and Black-Layne said the administration of Prime Minister Gaston Browne will have to develop adaptation strategies, during the next two terms, in order to address several issues including sea level rise and salt water intruding below the island to affect all wells. “A significant 100 percent of potable water will have to come from desalination, the conch industry will be damaged because of ocean acidification and fisher folk will have to adapt and move into other areas of work,” Black-Layne added. But, she continued that all is not lost. “From the Environment Division perspective, when you hear the pronouncements and the predicted impacts of climate change on our country it’s not very encouraging. In fact it’s very depressing and the temptation would be to say what’s the point of doing what we’re doing,” she said. “But we believe that there is always a point of redemption and I don’t think we’ve gone beyond that point.” ¤ BusinessFocus May / Jul |
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ENVIRONMENTAL FOCUS
CDB Steps Up Renewable Energy Drive The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has stepped up its drive to encourage public and private sector investments in sustainable energy—energy efficiency and renewable energy projects as a matter of priority, in spite of lower oil prices.
Two such special facilities are the geothermal energy development facility and the proposed Sustainable Energy for the Eastern Caribbean (SEEC) Programme. The bank is in discussions with donors and contributors on the establishment of the geothermal facility.
To this end, the bank is expanding the range of funding and technical assistance programmes that can be tapped by governments and commercial interests.
Last year CDB, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) signed a memorandum of co-operation to collaborate on the promotion of renewable energy and energy efficiency in the Eastern Caribbean, with a special focus on geothermal energy development.
Head of the Bank’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Unit, Tessa Williams-Robertson said the multi-lateral funding agency was particularly keen to support projects in solar, wind and geothermal energy, as priorities, but would support other renewable energy options such as bio-energy. “We are looking at the inclusion of renewable energy and energy efficiency components in all of our projects wherever the opportunity presents itself,” Williams-Robertson said. This approach is consistent with the CDB’s Climate Resilience Strategy, which recognises the critical role of sustainable energy in achieving climate resilience, and contributes to the achievement of targets set within the CARICOM Sustainable Energy Strategy. Williams-Robertson advised that the bank is now developing special products to support renewable energy and energy efficiency projects on concessionary terms. BusinessFocus May /Jul
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“Our objective is to support the development of geothermal— from exploration, studies, all the way through to field development and plant installation. Developing geothermal is not low cost, and much of the investment will need to come from the private sector. “It is also highly technical covering a range of disciplines; so it makes sense for us to work with credible developers/investors who have the capacity and the experience,” Williams-Robertson explained. The SEEC is under consideration by EU Caribbean Investment Fund and DfID for grant funding, and is now in the final stages of approval. CDB has made energy security a cross-cutting theme in its new Strategic Plan 2015 to 2019. This means that energy security is a consideration in all of the technical assistance and investment projects which CDB finances. ¤
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ENVIRONMENTAL FOCUS
Galley Bay Resort & Spa is one of the most committed green resorts in Green Globe’s exclusive collection of certified members in Antigua. The hotel has a long list of environmental achievements and to add to this, a new Turtle Sanctuary has been purpose built at the resort. Constructed with the protection of environment in mind, local and native materials were used during the build with rustic signage creatively made from locally sourced wood giving a natural appeal. The first residents to take up accommodation are a group of Red Footed Tortoises who will be taken care of by the resort’s Grounds Team as part of their environmental practices. In addition a representative from the local Five Islands Primary School was invited to participate in the Turtle Sanctuary opening event, as the resort has adopted the school and supports many of its initiatives. Galley Bay’s Environmental, Health and Safety Coordinator, Christine Young, was on hand to assist with the opening of the sanctuary and said, “After a short ribbon cutting ceremony, 18 tortoises were released into their new home. Guests were able to
interact with the tortoises one on one, have photo opportunities with them and obtain information from the Grounds Team on diet, maturity, size and ages. “At Galley Bay we strive to be tourism industry leaders and look forward to making this area not only a sanctuary for the tortoises but one that will attract other wildlife. This new initiative by our staff and management will also help us to achieve an even higher level of environmental awareness amongst our valued guests,” added Christine. Galley Bay Resort & Spa’s ongoing commitment to a green environment is evidenced by the resort’s wide range of initiatives to preserve and protect the area. These include diminishing and recycling waste, improving energy efficiency, eliminating hazardous waste safely and continuously training staff in new methods of delivering quality service. In addition Galley Bay has created it’s our own herb, fruit and vegetable garden to not only ¤ deliver the freshest ingredients to the table but also reduce the carbon footprint on the environment.
Grenada Gets $1.6 Million Grant from Germany for Green Energy Germany’s government has agreed to provide just under $1.6 million in funding to support reforms in Grenada’s energy sector. The funding from Germany’s Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety is for a project called “Reform of the Electricity Sector to support Climate Policy in Grenada.” The project, which was launched in February, aims to support Grenada both in the use of green energy and the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions. The plan is for institutional amendments to allow for more investments in green energy and energy efficiency, according to a statement from Grenada’s government. “Grenada has great potential for renewable energy and hence a unique opportunity to reduce its carbon footprint,” said Dr Michael Freudenberg, Deputy Head of Mission of the German Embassy in Port-of-Spain with responsibility for Grenada. “By doing this, Grenada can lead the way for small island states in amending institutional structures to follow the path of a sustainable society.” The project is the second of its kind by Germany’s government. The first one launched in April 2013, aiming to increase resilience of climate-change vulnerable communities in Grenada. ¤ BusinessFocus May /Jul
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Crab Hole
LIQUORS
Win, lose, or draw, there’s no debate. Crab Hole Liquors stores as the undisputed best choice for replenishing your homes, stores or yachts. With 20 years of Success under their belts you can be sure to find all that you want at your convenience. Come in and see for yourself, the lowest prices and the best service are guaranteed. Champagnes, wines, gins, rums, vodkas, sodas, and a large selection of beers can be packed and boxed as you wish. The stores have a great selection of Supermarket items.
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ENVIRONMENTAL FOCUS
“Lub wey yuh lib!”
(Translation: Love where you live!)
“Lub wey yuh lib!” was often the expression my Granny Octavia would exclaim when she thought that we were so caught up with the busyness of life that we were neglecting the thing that mattered most, our home. Over the years, we have come to realize the principle she was trying to teach us, “Everything falls into place when we take care of the most basic things first”. It is this sustainable principle that allowed us to realize that life can only be maintained if we first take care of the environment that it exists in. More specifically, the Environment Division has been working hard to highlight the need to protect our watersheds; the very system our land and marine life depend on.
Conserve:
Our previous articles have been pushing the message “Protect our Watersheds!” In collaboration with other local agencies, a plan to manage our watersheds and coasts is in full swing. However, we must realize the importance of doing our part to ensure that we are indeed ‘taking care of where we live’.
Over the years, laws have been put in place to govern the way we interact with our environment. For example, the Development Control Authority (DCA) Physical Planning Act 2003 specifies that homes and small businesses be equipped with a septic tank and soak away to treat sewage and wastewater. Learn about other laws and regulations relating to the environment, and try to follow them. Sometimes the laws may seem very inconvenient, but ask the relevant authority to explain, because quite often those laws have been put in place to ensure your health and safety.
With granny’s inspiration, we encourage all citizens of Antigua and Barbuda to join us in putting on our environmental CAPS! CAPS is an acronym to remind you to Conserve, Adhere, Protect, and Speak out.
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According to a National Solid Waste Management Authority 2012 report, over 122,476 tonnes of solid waste was generated during that year! Although we can’t escape producing waste, our production of wastewater can be significantly reduced if we conserve water and solid waste can be reduced if we recycle suitable items. Businesses can consider adopting simple methods for reducing their use of water, paper and energy. Many tips on how to recycle and conserve are available from the Environment Division, NSWMA and APUA.
Adhere:
We should all be informed about the guidelines for protecting our environment and commit to following them.
Protect:
Protection of our environment goes beyond just adhering to the laws. It requires us to actively participate in activities that sustain our ecosystems. We can all do our part to protect; understanding that even minute changes have a great impact. Ensuring that drains around the house are cleared of debris and harmful chemicals are correctly disposed of, all contribute to the health of our watershed. Additionally, removing electronic items from outlets when not in use and switching to energy saving appliances and equipment are also simple things that can be done at home and in the workplace. Animal and plant habitats must also be protected. Join a community group and adopt an area to maintain, or initiate a tree planting activity. Be a part of positive change to protect our biodiversity.
Speak out:
Be the voice of this new movement to protect our watersheds! Like granny, don’t be afraid to hold your family, friends and neighbours accountable! Be a litter warden in your area. Teach your children about caring for their environment. Do not hesitate to report mismanagement of the environment to the relevant authorities. We are all stakeholders in this initiative, and must all share in the responsibility.
So what further can be done? Many of the aspects of watershed management require very specialized training to assess the health of our ecosystems and sometimes technologically advanced solutions are needed to deal with issues and problems. We cannot escape some of the impacts and effects of factors such as climate change, and land degradation however we can build the capacity to tackle these issues. Students should consider careers that address these and other environmental issues. Some careers include: Environmental Management, Environmental Law, Renewable Energy Management and Development, Mechanical Engineering, Urban Planning, Ecology, Biostatics, Public Health, Epidemiology, Project Management and Marine Biology just to name a few. Antigua and Barbuda may be small islands; however experts suggest that we are perfectly poised to be used as an example to demonstrate how an entire nation can be mobilized to adopt safe environmental practices. Be a part of this movement, and remember that‌ Watershed Management is Life Management! Put your CAPS on!
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VICES Go Global is an initiative of the Caribbean Network of Service Coalitions (CNSC). The CNSC noted mmon challenge being faced by the Coalitions of Services Industries (CSIs) in the region – how can they be port services firms in enhancing their international competitiveness and in achieving success inMay the/ Jul internation BusinessFocus | 55 rketplace? The network determined that an export-readiness programme, tailored specifically for servi
ECONOMY & TRADE FOCUS The project is described as a “major development” since it involves close to 1,000 acres of land upon which the resort, worth US$250 million, would be set up in Barbuda over the next 10 to 15 years. The investors, international film star Robert DeNiro and billionaire James Packer, have been granted a 198-year lease. The Memorandum of Agreement for the investment project was signed since November last year, but only consented to by the people in March.
Barbudans Approve DeNiro’s Multi-million Dollar Resort Project The multi-million dollar “Paradise Found” project to redevelop the K-Club resort into a five-star hotel has been approved by the people of Barbuda who were required to vote on it, in accordance with the Barbuda Land Act.
When the agreement was signed, Prime Minister Gaston Browne said to De Niro, “We are indeed very delighted that you will be embarking on a very exciting project on Barbuda, transforming the island, making it one of the most exciting islands in the region. Your project has increased interest in Barbuda. The project is attracting additional investors to our country. “ The investors – in the Paradise Found LLC Memorandum of Agreement – propose to pay government US$6.45 million – some of which was already paid in March. The payment should be made up as follows: US$5.2 million should be towards pre-payments of all rent for the first 99 years of the new lease; US$1 million towards rent to be charged originally during the second 99 years of the new lease, but not to be during the first option period of 50 years and; US$250,000 for the Ecolodge Land option.eevery six months. ¤
IMF Revises Economic Projections for Antigua A “rapid decline” in tourism arrivals has led the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to revise down its projections for economic growth in the country to 2.1 per cent for 2015, from 2.4 per cent in 2014. The IMF report, the first for 2015, noted tourism arrivals began declining in the last three months of 2014, and that the eight per cent decline in tourism arrivals for the first two months of 2015 have “reduced the prospects for the sector.” Meredith Arnold McIntrye, who led the latest IMF mission to the country from March 9 to 16, however said low fuel prices will likely keep inflation low this year and narrow the current account deficit. The government in February lowered gasoline prices slightly from ECC $14.99 to ECC $13.50 per gallon after the price of oil dropped from over US $120 a barrel last year to currently under US $45 per barrel. The government has resisted dropping prices lower, however, and so has been able to increase tax earnings. The IMF team leader explained the modest growth prediction for 2015, barring any change in policies. BusinessFocus May /Jul
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“This projection reflects, on the upside, lower oil prices, the recovery in the United States, and the opening of the new airport terminal. On the down side, the large decline in tourist arrivals in the first two months of 2015 (about 8 per cent) has reduced the prospects for the sector,” McIntrye said. The IMF team carried out its third monitoring exercise following the end of the more than US $102 million loan or Stand-ByArrangement in 2013. “The fiscal performance was weaker than previously projected and financing pressures were large and substantial. Partly reflecting fiscal loosening in the run-up to the general elections, the overall fiscal deficit in 2014 reached 2.9 per cent of GDP,” McIntrye said. The IMF said increase public investment, higher than expected transfers and increased spending on goods and services accounted for most of the deficit. The IMF noted that with more debt payments becoming due, the gross financing needs also increased to 10.3 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP). The ratio of public sector debt to GDP increased to 98.7 per cent of GDP. ¤
Antigua Reports Success after Trade Mission to French Territories
A one-week public/private sector trade mission to the French territories of Martinique and Guadeloupe has already resulted in financial and other benefits for government and private businesses. Port Manager Darwin Telemaque reported that one of the arrangements coming out of talks in Guadeloupe, is for a weekly ferry service between that country and Antigua. that will bring hundreds of passengers/visitors to the island. Telemaque said this opens up opportunities for trade, tourism and cultural exchange, among other things. He said, “It’s called Val Ferry Services and he’s looking to come in once a week. Once a week with 400 passengers will certainly change a lot of things and we are in the process discussing prospects of providing them with some subsidies to see if we can pull this off. Subsidies in the form of, now that the government owns the WIOC, we can probably do some trade off with some fuel.” The Port Authority also stands to benefit with a shipping company doing business between Antigua and Guadeloupe. The port manager detailed, “We also met with a company which is called Set Cargo and from this one client, if they get to optimise what they’ve actually projected, we will see revenues ranging from 30 to $40,000 a week and we are happy for that.”
The benefits from the trip to Martinique will come in the form of technical assistance, among other ways. Telemaque said the Martinique Regional Council and Port Authority of Martinique have agreed on financing and providing technical assistance to train staff at the local Port Authority. “When we approached them we talked about engaging in joint procurement; they’ll provide technical support for (us) by sending their engineers here to train our engineers, and we expect to see that happen very soon,” Telemaque said. According to the port official, Martinique will also provide capacity building for the operations staff at the Port Authority, as well as supervisors, middle managers and equipment handlers. A 29-member delegation from Antigua and Barbuda participated in the event in April. The trade mission was led by Trade, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister, Chet Greene. The delegation, which comprised members of both the private and public sectors, and was coordinated through the National Authorising Office (NAO). It included the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, the Antigua Pier Group, The National Festivals Office, the Antigua and Barbuda Port Authority, and the Antigua and Barbuda Chamber of Commerce. The idea was birthed in regional cooperation through implementation of a 2011 memorandum of understanding. ¤ BusinessFocus May / Jul |
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ECONOMY & TRADE FOCUS
Antigua and Barbuda’s Citizenship by Investment Programme Ranks First in the Region Global immigrant investment company, Arton Capital, has ranked Antigua & Barbuda’s Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP) first in the region in its recently published semi-annual update of its Arton Index. This is the industry benchmark for global residence and citizenship programmes as perceived by investors. In the January/February edition of Global Citizen magazine, Arton Capital noted that twin island’s programme ranks first among the Caribbean group and finds its place among the top performers within all assessed countries. “It gets the highest score for speed and relatively high marks for simplicity. In terms of cost, it has to catch up with its Caribbean peers, but it gets the top rank on Global Mobility compared to the other islands, especially after one island lost their visa-free access to a North American country,” the report outlined. Antigua & Barbuda’s ranking came in front of programmes in the United Kingdom, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, and Cyprus and behind programmes in Bulgaria and Hungary. The Gaston Browne led Antigua & Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) administration, which recently introduced amendments to the CIP, said it was proud to be “running one of the most effectively managed programmes with a very high due diligence reporting system.”
Every update of Arton Index reflects the legislative changes and amendments that have been introduced since its last update and the January/February 2015 edition of the index take them into consideration. One change was the reduction in the residency requirement – the amount of time economic citizens have to spend in Antigua & Barbuda – from 35 days to five days in the first five years after becoming a citizen. Government also reduced processing fees. Another amendment, which was controversial locally, was the removal of the requirement that the names of economic citizens be brought to Parliament every six months. ¤
Antigua Gov’t To Invest In SDC Airport Property The Cabinet of Antigua & Barbuda has decided to make an offer to the receivers of the Stanford Development Company (SDC) for the purchase of the Pavillion Restaurant and the seven acres of adjacent land. The property sits within the precincts of the VC Bird International Airport. The land was originally owned by the Comacho family and not the Crown. Following a Cabinet meeting mid-February, government said it decided to make this offer to ensure that the former Stanford employees, who have been awaiting monies due to them since 2009, will likely be paid shortly after purchase. The receivers have asserted that the lack of funds has made payments to the ex-Stanford workers impossible. Chief of Staff Lionel “Max” Hurst said the Cabinet further agreed that an Airport Hotel will be developed on the site, and nationals of Antigua & Barbuda will be invited to invest in this project. BusinessFocus May /Jul
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He noted that the hotel industry requires many millions of dollars for investment, and that foreign capital is usually required. However, he said Cabinet acknowledged that an opportunity for local involvement can only redound inure to the benefit of the twin island by this offering. It was not disclosed when the sale would occur and neither was the cost revealed. The SDC property is among several others being sold as liquidators wind up the assets of former Texan investor R Allen Stanford who was convicted of a US$7 billion Ponzi Scheme in recent years. ¤
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ECONOMY & TRADE FOCUS
Antigua & Barbuda PM Calls for an Impact Study Before a Shift of LIAT Fleet Antigua & Barbuda PM calls for an impact study before a shift of LIAT fleet A stay is likely to be put on the decisions taken at a February 13 meeting of shareholders in regional airline LIAT, following an intervention from Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister, Gaston Browne. This comes as LIAT – the cashstrapped regional airline owned by the governments of Barbados, Antigua, St. Vincent and Dominica – announced that it planned to sever 180 employees and shift the airline’s fleet base to Barbados, in a bid to raise revenue, lower overheads and cut perennial losses. The process is scheduled to start in October. But with concerns raised by constituents in the carrier’s base of Antigua – where LIAT is a major employer – Browne has officially written to Vincentian Prime Minister and LIAT Shareholder Chairman, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, to request that no further action be taken on the meeting’s decisions. Browne was not present at the shareholders’ meeting, and was represented instead by his Aviation Minister, Robin Yearwood. In his letter, Browne cautioned Gonsalves that: “The government of Antigua and Barbuda has made – and continues to make – a heavy investment in LIAT, and there are consequences for the economy and the well-being of the people of Antigua and Barbuda arising from decisions pertaining to the airline.” On the proposed move to Barbados, Browne was equally emphatic: “I am not exactly sure the proposed hub in Barbados would necessarily solve LIAT’s problems. I believe the directors and certainly the shareholders must look seriously at the issue of a subvention coming from all of the governments on an annual basis for LIAT.” The Antiguan leader is pushing for a hold on the decisions so that he could bring the matter before his Cabinet. At the conclusion of the shareholders’ meeting in February, LIAT’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) David Evans said the airline had “no choice” but to trim its workforce, given that 27 per cent of its revenue is spent on staffing. While St Vincent’s PM Gonsalves also added that the layoffs – expected by year-end – would save around EC$13 million per year, after an initial payout of EC$22 million in severance packages this year. BusinessFocus May /Jul
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Shareholders further revealed that the Caribbean Development Bank – which has already provided US$65 million to finance the airline’s new fleet of ATR aircraft – has again been approached for a further cash injection to stabilise the airline’s working capital. Additionally, it was noted that LIAT loses US$11 million per year in retaining seven of its old Dash-8 aircraft stock, which it is finding difficult to dispose of due to waning market demand. The airline’s fleet base has also been tipped for relocation to Barbados, with the island being designated as the hub for four of the airline’s new ATR aircraft, leaving just two each in Antigua and Trinidad. The Barbados move has been defended by Prime Minister Gonsalves, who said: “We have to be careful that we don’t play one country against the other to say your base is shifting from here or there, [but] you look at the performance and where you’re putting more planes for the movement of more persons.” “It is one network and you don’t need to be a rocket scientist. The place where most people pass through in the LIAT network is Barbados; that is the reality.” Barbados is the majority shareholder in LIAT, and its Minister of Tourism, Richard Sealy, has gone on record to rally for more of the airline’s operations to be based on the island to realise the benefits of taxpayers’ investment. The island already is the top-performing destination in revenue and passenger indicators, and the Barbados – St. Vincent route is reportedly among the airline’s most profitable. ¤
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US$6 Million
Capacity-Building Project to Provide Support for CARIFORUM-EU EPA Antigua & Barbuda is one of several countries that will He informed the representatives that resources have been set benefit from the US$6 million capacity building project that aside to address such constraints and build institutional capacity in supports the effective implementation of the CARIFORUM- the three thematic areas covered by the project. EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). Angel Diez Rubio, the head of Equinoccio’s delegation at the meeting Representatives of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) which was held in Guyana, highlighted the strong commitment of Secretariat and Equinoccio Compañía de Comercio Exterior, his team to partner with the CARICOM Secretariat for the successful S.L., the Contractor, met earlier this year to discuss the Project implementation of the capacity-building initiative. which is financed from the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) Caribbean Regional Indicative Programme (CRIP). While, the Director-General of the CARIFORUM Directorate, Percival Marie, who has overall responsibility for the management of the The areas identified for capacity building at the basic, Project, expressed confidence that, given its credentials, Equinoccio intermediate and tertiary levels are Competition, Public and the consortium that the firm represents as the contractor, are Procurement and Customs and Trade Facilitation. The well suited to implement the terms of the consultancy. project’s overall objective is to support the beneficial integration of the CARIFORUM states into the world Marie also said that “in light of the project’s provision of significant, economy. targeted capacity-building to a cross section of CARIFORUM stakeholders, it will redound to the benefit of the region’s The forum presented an opportunity for the exchange of development.” views on key elements such as administrative requirements, governance matters, and the work plan, including priorities Signed on December 13, 2014, the project has a duration of to shape stakeholder engagement in the short term. just over two years and is being implemented through a service contract, by CARIFORUM, as the Contracting Authority, along with The representatives affirmed that the project methodology Equinoccio, Compañía de Comercio Exterior, S.L., the Contractor. should strive to embed learning outcomes and materials, on a sustainable basis, among academic and other participating In the implementation of the project, Equinoccio leads a consortium institutions in the region. that comprises: The London School of Economics (LSE) Enterprise, Ltd.; the Maastricht School of Management (MSM); and SGS Project Manager Eugene Petty, who is also the Director of Netherlands B.V. Development Cooperation in the CARICOM Secretariat-based In addition to Antigua & Barbuda, other beneficiary countries are: CARIFORUM Directorate, called attention to “institutional The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, capacity constraints across the region which continue to Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St hamper progress in the implementation of obligations under Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. ¤ the CARIFORUM-EU EPA.” BusinessFocus May /Jul
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ECONOMY & TRADE FOCUS
Growth projected for the ECCU
Banks in Barbados will now set their own minimum savings rate
Growth of 2.4 per cent is projected for the year 2015 for Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) as the economies of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) are showing gradual improvement. So said the Chairman of the Monetary Council of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, (ECCB) and Prime Minister of St Vincent & the Grenadines Dr. Ralph Gonsalves. The Prime Minister made the disclosure during a presentation on the region’s first financial quarter in early April. He said following the 2009 global financial crisis, the currency has been recovering slowly and more work is needed in order to fully bounce back from the challenges faced. “This is good news and our regional economy is starting to improve. Notwithstanding this improvement our economies continue to face challenges to sustainable growth, fiscal and debt sustainability and financial stability,” the chairman said. Dr Gonsalves explained that the Monetary Council desires to see faster economic recovery and stronger job creation and as a consequence after much reflection and deliberation, has made some “very important decisions” to strengthen the union’s financial systems. Chief among them were lower minimum savings deposit rate; stronger regulatory and supervisory framework for banks; and the extension of the timetable to reduce the Monetary Council’s debt to GDP ratio to 60 per cent from 2020 to 2030. ¤
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The Central bank of Barbados will no longer set the minimum savings rate on deposits. It stated that going forward, each commercial bank and deposit-taking institution would be responsible for setting its own interest rate. The legal notice of this change appeared in the Official Gazette on April 7, and commercial banks are obliged to provide customers one month’s notice before they may alter the existing rate. The bank revealed that the decision to allow the market to determine the rate was reached after careful consideration of the performance of the domestic financial markets. Barbados now joins at least two other Caribbean countries, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, that have deregulated interest rates for savings accounts. Anthony Pilgrim, general manager of the Barbados Co-operative and Credit Union League (BCCUL), the umbrella body for local credit unions, said the decision could create opportunities for the country’s credit unions. He explained that based on what banks decide to do, it could lead to more deposits being made with credit unions, and they in turn have to find ways to turn over those monies. At September 2014, there were 35 registered credit unions in Barbados. Members’ savings, which comprise both members’ deposits and members’ shares, increased 8.1 per cent to $1.4 billion. This growth resulted primarily from an expansion in members’ deposits. For years, commercial banks have been arguing for market forces of demand and supply to prevail in setting the minimum deposit rate. The consensus among some Barbadians, commercial banks will most likely be offering lower rates; for example, a rate lower than the current 2.25 per cent. ¤
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ECONOMY & TRADE FOCUS
Roosevelt Skerrit OECS Chairman and Serge Letchimy Martinique Regional Council President.
Martinique Joins OECS as Associate Member The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States demographic grew by almost 100 per cent with the formal signing of documents to initiate Martinique’s accession to Associate Membership to the sub regional grouping in February. The signing ceremony was the highpoint of the opening ceremony for the 60th Meeting of the OECS Authority held for the first time in a French Territory. Director General of the OECS Dr. Didacus Jules presented an outlook of the year 2015 as one which will engender “political climate change” that would facilitate the rapid defrosting of frozen mindsets and build new architectures of adaptation. Dr Jules spoke to the mutual benefits anticipated through Martinique’s accession to the OECS as an Associate Member.
Youth empowerment was a key subject area in the speeches which followed. In his first address to the OECS Authority, President of the Regional Council of Martinique Serge Letchimy shared an idea of building OECS youth integration to engender a stronger bond in the OECS for generations to come. Among his ideas he suggested a youth exchange where children from Martinique will visit or attend the schools of other OECS sember states through a reciprocal exercise. The suggestion by Martinique’s President Serge Letchimy was embraced by Chairman of the OECS Authority Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit. The agreement of the accession of Martinique to the OECS as an Associate Member is the result of technical negotiations between the OECS Commission and the Regional Council of Martinique which had started in March 2013. The agreement defined the selected cooperation sectors including – Education, Sport, Health, Cooperation, Sea and air transportation, Leisure boating and tourism, Arts & Culture, Cooperation in development & research of foreign funding solutions, and Development of renewable energies. ¤
Guadeloupe Seeks Associate Membership in CARICOM Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary-General Irwin LaRocque met with a delegation from Guadeloupe, which is one of five Caribbean territories that have applied for associate membership of CARICOM. The delegation from the Regional Council of Guadeloupe comprised Thérèse Marianne-Pepin, president of the Commission on Cooperation; Olivier Soret, director general, Europe and Cooperation; and Lionel Sarotte, cooperation officer. The two side focused talks on the structure and operations of CARICOM, the role of associate members in the Community and the terms and conditions of associate membership. This meeting with the secretary-general followed meetings with delegations from Curacao, Martinique and French Guiana, which have also applied for associate membership in CARICOM. A meeting is also planned with St Maarten, the fifth territory which has applied to CARICOM for associate membership. ¤
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In photograph with the visiting delegation are (left) Assistant Secretary-General, Foreign and Community Relations, Ambassador Colin Granderson, (second from left) CARICOM General Counsel, Safiya Ali, (fifth from left) CARICOM Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, and (sixth from left) Adviser to the SecretaryGeneral, Neville Bissember.
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Business Spotlight ENVIRONMENTAL FOCUS
R
Do
you
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efficient lighting in your homes or offices? At LED Source we can give you energy efficient options while providing solutions to your lighting needs. LEDs (Light-emitting diodes) not only use far less energy than incandescent lighting but the impressive long-life technology makes LED lighting systems a practical, long-term investment. While lasting between three to 10 times longer than traditional incandescent lighting, LED lighting solutions offer tremendous energy and maintenance savings that easily justify their higher upfront cost. In the long run you can save up to 75 per cent in energy, which could be hundreds of dollars, depending on consumption. LEDs are suitable for offices, warehouses, homes, studios, show rooms, churches, theatres, schools, nightclubs, sporting facilities, parking lots and so much more. They are an electronic device making them capable of doing so much more than traditional lighting bulbs. LEDs are computer programmable, dimmable and – due to the lack of hazardous gases environmentally ‘green’! At LED Source, located on Sir Sidney Walling Highway, our lighting specialists can help you select the right LED products for the job, large or small, retrofit or new construction, commercial or residential. We have extensive knowledge on LEDs, strong customer support and specialize in full-scale evaluations, support, design, supply and retrofit for commercial and residential applications. BusinessFocus May /Jul
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L-R: Marcus Franker – General Manager • Catherine DeAbreu – Office Clerk Ian Hart – LED Solutions Expert ‘Long after the sweetness of low price is gone, the bitterness of poor quality remains’. As with any other commodity, poor quality can ruin any customer’s experience. LEDs are no different. LED Source franchises are agents for only the top lighting companies… Philips, Maxlite, Effinion, Lighting Science, Color Kinetics and Toshiba to name a few. These companies are not in the retail business. They are all manufacturers, innovators… on the cusp of the latest technologies… some for as long as 60 years! According to Marcus Franker General Manager LED Source Franchise, “Simply put, good ting nuh cheap and cheap ting nuh good!” We have retrofitted residential homes and commercial properties ranging from as small as 1,000 square feet to over 10,000 square feet. Our job is not to sell you lights, our job is to fix all of your lighting issues, small or large as our customers have testified. Goddard Catering: Goddard Catering was our first retrofit job and this we acknowledge with much appreciation. Being in the food industry presented a unique challenge. In addition to needing their energy consumption reduced, we had to choose the crossover product with great care. The existing fixtures (fluorescent tubes) had to be individually installed with a
plastic sleeve to protect the food preparation areas from mercury gases and or glass pieces in the event of breakage. LEDs, made mostly from recyclable products with no hazardous gases, are safe and environmentally friendly. Lighting quality was improved, and Goddard Catering is experiencing significant reductions in their energy consumption. The catering company readily confirms savings of over $6,000 per month. Due to the longer life span of LEDs maintenance costs are greatly reduced, which will also translate into additional overall savings. Dr. Jason Belizaire Woods Urgent Care The doctor’s office was experiencing a number of lighting issues: tubes working inefficiently, high maintenance costs and inconsistent colour temperatures. We reduced the amount of tubes being used in-office by almost half, without compromising light quality. The reduction in tubes, coupled with lower wattage consumption, allowed for incredible savings. The offices are now taking advantage of the latest and ‘greenest’ in lighting technology! Dr. Belizaire has confirmed savings of over $4,000/mth and he will be able to payback on his investment in less than 4 months.
40W were each replaced, tube for tube, with 19W LED replacements which effectively reduced their consumption by over 50 per cent! Woods Pharmacy will be able to pay back their investment in less than 7 months. Dr. Fuller, a well-respected businessman in Antigua for years, is pleased to confirm savings of over $6000 monthly. However, these figures have not taken into consideration the maintenance savings Woods Urgent Care would experience for the duration of the LEDs life. Another client, more than satisfied with the solutions presented by LED Source your lighting experts. Woods Pharmacy The Pharmacy needed to reduce energy consumption, without compromising their quality of lighting. The 223 4ft tubes @
Gigi Industries LED Source provided solutions for Gigi Industries’ two warehouses. One being, the HID fixtures 30 – 40 feet above the ground presented a challenge when bulbs needed to be changed. In addition, HID’s having a long start up time meant that they needed to remain on all day. The LED fixtures chosen are computer programmable with motion sensors…the perfect solution to greatly reduce their energy consumption.
Where there were 18 400W HID bulbs, LED Source replaced them with 18 110W fixtures. With regards to energy savings, Gigi Industries are now contributing to a greener carbon footprint and zero maintenance costs for years to come, thanks to LED Source!
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Business Spotlight ENVIRONMENTAL FOCUS
Outsource
your internalaudit?
Here’s why that’s a good idea! Have you ever written a report or a speech and tried to proofread it yourself?
Chances are you skimmed over the words, - knowing what they were supposed to say – but missed some typos. Why does that happen? Because your brain doesn’t register what it “knows” is already there.
your company’s financial flaws, management quirks and business standards to an outside company, but in order to get key line items under control, you need an objective professional.
It’s the same way with internal audits.
An outsourced internal auditor will:
When you are too close to the source, essential items can be overlooked or missed altogether and that can be damaging to your company’s reputation and overall bottom line.
• Protect the integrity of your organization. Having a fellow employee with emotional and/ or monetary ties to the business’ success at best can lead to overinflated expectations and personal conflicts.
Work smarter, not harder! These days the majority of business owners decide to hire an outside expert to complete their internal audit.
Why? Because it makes good financial sense. Yes, it can be painful to expose BusinessFocus May /Jul
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• Follow the letter of the law. An auditing professional is trained in all aspects of the law. There won’t be any “what if” questions or uncertainty once an expert signs off on your audit. It’s like a legal security blanket for your company • Identify your weaknesses. Your company can’t deal with any issues unless you know about them. Don’t bury your head in the sand and hope for the best. Take charge of the business’ future, find any weak links now and deal with them. The business will be in a stronger position down the road.
Why outsource? We have one word for you: Money. As a business owner, your first priority is bringing in a healthy income stream. By focusing on your product, sales or service (and not an internal audit), you are in a better position to make money and grow your business. With many world economies rebounding nicely, now is a great opportunity for those who know how to leverage their resources. That’s why it makes sense for an internal auditor to do all the legwork for you. Other benefits of outsourcing to an internal auditing company: • They can pinpoint costly mistakes, close the gap and advise you on how to move forward. This service alone can pay for itself over time with a stronger, tighter company more in charge of its financial destiny • They bring a range of expertise with them. An internal auditing team will, without a doubt, focus on your financials. However,
if they identify other needs, such as in the areas of human resource or information technology (IT), they can bring in experts to help you in those areas as well • They are always there for you. Unfortunately, some business industries have a high rate of employee turnover. If you give one employee too much control over internal auditing, they take that knowledge and expertise with them when they leave your company. By outsourcing this area to a professional company, there is always someone familiar with your situation that you can count on for results • They maintain a high level of confidentiality. As part of your agreement, you can have a professional auditing firm sign confidentiality clauses and service contracts that protect your business. An employee handling your audit from inside the organization may not be so respectful to your request for confidentiality If you’ve never considered outsourcing your internal audit function, contact PACCS Inc. at www.StrategyProfitsGrowth.com today for a free consultation to discuss your company’s needs.
To Create A Quantum Leap In Your Business...You Must Know Where Your Business Is... ..But You Must Also Know WHERE you want to go and HOW you’re going to get there!
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ECONOMY & TRADE FOCUS YOUTH FOCUS
Aircraft Maintenance Training at ASC Gets Top Class Approval Rating
Principal of the Antigua State College, Hyram Forde and CEO of LIAT He added that the programme will prepare them for jobs not David Evans after signing the Memorandum of Understanding. only in the region, but all over the world. A newly signed Memorandum of Understanding has resulted in a new course of Study being offered at the Antigua State College (ASC). Students will now have the opportunity to undertake studies in Aircraft Maintenance Training.
“It is hoped that by virtue of the level of the training that these students would have acquired they can be deployed in Africa, in the Middle East and wherever opportunities present themselves for them to hone their craft,” he said.
The programme, which has been in the works for the past two years, is a collaboration between the Engineering Department of the ASC, LIAT and Caribbean Helicopters Ltd. based in Antigua. It brings on board two tertiary institutions in Canada: The College of the North Atlantic and the Marine Institute of Memorial University in Newfoundland.
The programme will include practical, hands-on training at the regional airline and theoretical classes conducted at the ASC’s Cedar Grove Campus. Engineers from LIAT’s Engineering and Maintenance Department will serve as tutors for the programme.
After the three-year programme, students will be equipped to take Students will also benefit from on-the-job training during their License Without Type Rating (LWTR) Examination administered the second year of the programme, followed by a one-year by the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority (ECCAA) and will internship at LIAT. also be qualified to work as Aircraft Maintenance Technicians. The Aircraft Maintenance Training Programme currently has 26 Principal of the Antigua State College Hyram Forde said within the students enrolled – four women and 22 men. next three years students in the Aircraft Maintenance Technology programme will be eligible for the Eastern Caribbean Civil Engineering Courtesy: Antigua Observer Authority’s Basic Engineering Licensing Exam. BusinessFocus May /Jul
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Hon. Samantha Marshall Minister of Social Transformation
Commonwealth Youth Issues in Spotlight at Antigua Confab
Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne has underscored its less well-off members; it will simply sustain the increasing the need for young people to be given opportunities as he opened a inequality and dissatisfaction that now permeates our global three-day Caribbean Region Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting society. (CR-CYMM) conference in Antigua at the end of April. She told the opening ceremony that eight per cent of the Browne said he is determined to break down barriers for young world’s population now earns 50 per cent of the world’s people in the country. income and the richest one per cent owns 48 per cent of the world’s assets. “As a relatively young person, I had the opportunity to advance within the private sector and became a senior bank manager in my 20s and “Ladies and gentlemen, because in our Commonwealth by my early 30s I was a minister of government,” he told the opening Caribbean countries the majority of our populations are young, ceremony of the conference. a large portion of the burdens of inequality falls upon them. “So instead of kicking down the bucket, I certainly would want to help “When they are unemployed or underemployed; when they other youths to even exceed my achievements,” he said. see little prospect of getting a decent job; when they cannot get access to funds that allows them to start a business or buy Earlier, Minister of Social Transformation and Human Resource a piece of land, their frustration and restlessness grows.” Development, Samantha Marshall said it was regrettable that the Commonwealth has not yet actively pursued the recommendation of The three-day meeting discussed a number of issues including the Eminent Persons Group to create the Youth Development Fund. youth employment and entrepreneurship, participation in “It is not as if there are countries in the Commonwealth that cannot civic and political processes, the role of young people in peace afford to make the investment. building, and the professionalisation of the youth work sector. Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Deodat Maharaj At the end of the year 2012, there were 1,226 individuals in the world said considering the Caribbean has one of the youngest whose combined wealth amounted to US$4.6 trillion, giving them an populations in the Commonwealth, with more than 60 per average wealth of US$3.5 billion.” cent of people aged 29 years or under, youth play a great role in the present and future development of the region. She said of the Commonwealth countries, Britain ranked fourth as the country in which the most billionaires live, and India ranked fifth. He said youth are “an enormous asset to the region’s She noted that Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia development, not just tomorrow, but today. We recognise and South Africa also ranked highly among the places that are homes that young people are playing a vital role in strengthening to the world’s billionaires. communities and championing democratic processes, leading and delivering change.” “Why then can the Commonwealth not make a concerted effort to convince the custodians of this great wealth in some of their countries He said Commonwealth member governments used this to make an investment in the well-being of others, particularly the meeting, hosted and led by Antigua and Barbuda to signal their 31 small states that comprise the vast majority of the 53-member commitment to young people and ensure that policy priorities countries?” she posited. are aligned to young people’s ambitions and needs. The minister added, “The investment would not be a charity; not a give-away. It would be an investment in the energy, creativity, idealism and motivation of youth. There could be no better opportunity for such an investment. And there could be no better time.”
The conference was held under the theme ‘Youth participation at the heart of national development’, and brings together ministers, senior officials from ministries responsible for youth development and youth leaders. ¤
Marshall said if mechanisms for spreading the fruits of wealth are not created, then the Commonwealth will not contribute to lifting up BusinessFocus May / Jul |
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IN THE KNOW
Intellectual Property Management The Missing Piece to the Modern Caribbean Business Model By: Michelle Stephens At the heart of intellectual property (IP) and its management is the story of imagination and innovation. IP rights allows “creators and owners of inventions, literary and artistic works, designs, symbols, names and images” to benefit morally and financially from their work or investment in a creation. It is classified in two main forms; industrial property and copyright and related rights, and enjoys the same rights as any other property; therefore it can be licensed, bought, sold and protected by law through national intellectual property offices, multi-nation protection offices as is the case with the European Patent Office, the Intellectual Property Office of the United Kingdom, the African Intellectual Property Organization and with the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO). So why do Caribbean businesses need to integrate intellectual property management into their overall business strategy. Caribbean businesses create new ideas and services, leverage traditional knowledge, develop brands and products and produce new IT or production processes through their research and development and more progressively through incentive programs for employee ideas. These are assets that progress economies and create new revenue streams for business; and like our more globally recognised music and other artistic expressions, sporting personalities and cuisine, innovations of businesses should be seen as a competitive advantage. BusinessFocus May /Jul
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One famous regional example of how businesses can benefit from “branded products protected through intellectual property rights” is the Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee brand. The Coffee Industry Board (CIB) of Jamaica leveraged the traditional knowledge of coffee cultivation, manufacturing processes and geographic location to standardise, trademark and grant authentication certifications to genuine Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee. As part of their IP management strategy, the CIB registered and now owns certification, community and trademarks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the European Union and Intellectual Property Office of the United Kingdom. They are also actively pursuing geographic indicator designation (“a geographical indication is a sign used on goods that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation due to that place of origin”) for the Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee which will link Blue Mountain Coffee exclusively to Jamaica although the marketing and branding has in part already accomplished this. These efforts have translated into significant business return for the board and brand; 2006 reports suggest that “the average price of Jamaica Blue Mountain roasted coffee was US$43.44 per pound as compared to a price tag of US$3.17 per pound for average retail roasted coffee”. Sadly similar attempts to develop a globally robust brand have arguably not proved as successful for the Grenada Nutmeg and Trinidad and Tobago Cocoa. Identify your Intellectual Property: Businesses seeking to replicate the Jamaica Blue Mountain success and benefit from intellectual property rights should firstly identify the form of IP and the value chain surrounding them; if the creation is a new variety of plant, production process, equipment or technical solution, industrial design or layout design (topographies) of integrated circuit, it can be protected and recognised as patents for inventions,
trademarks, industrial designs or geographical indications. If the creation is written, performed or recorded, visually displayed either drawn, broadcasted or in any other way visually represented these are protected under the copyright designation. Allocate resources for Intellectual Property Management: Secondly, businesses must allocate resources for the commercialization, protection and overall management of the creation and must be able to answer: Do we want to commercialise and protect this creation? How do we wish to commercialise the creation – branded through licensing or direct sales? Is there someone or a unit within the organisation responsible for IP management eg a business development officer, IP manager or marketing executive or department? Is there an IP management budget for registration of copyrights or patents, cyber and competitive monitoring, legal fees for licensing agreements and infringement filing? How do we value our IP asset for negotiations? Have we undertaken the appropriate due diligence? Develop an Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy: Thirdly, once these questions are answered, businesses should develop an IP policy governing how the IP assets are to be used and a strategy that defines which assets to exploit, where and how it is to be exploited and protected. The policy and strategy should not be seen as a silo but as an integral part of the business’ strategy and as part of the overall organisational culture of doing business. Operations, production, marketing, accounting, human resources, administration and legal must share collective understanding of and responsibility for the business’ IP. Regardless of whether a business decides to integrate IP management into their overall business strategy, there will remain threats to the business from cyber squatters seeking to disrupt a business’ online presence by using similar domain names; undervalued intangible assets during licensing or partnership negotiations and ultimately brand protection in new markets. New products and services will continue to enter the market driven by rapid technology changes. The WIPO statistics of 2014 - 215,000 global applications were filed under the WIPO’s Patent Cooperation Treaty a 4.5% increase over 2013; 47,885 international trademark applications were filed under the WIPO-administered Madrid System representing a 2.3% growth over 2013; while 14,441 designs were filed under the international industrial design Hague System representing a 9.6% growth, suggest that companies are using the IP rights protection system as part of an overall business strategy. Governments and business associations must encourage IP management as an integrated part of business strategy to encourage creativity and innovation. It is important to note that each business’ IP will be different and the strategy to exploit and protect the IP must be tailored to the vision, needs, partnerships, operating environment and resources available to it. Source: World Intellectual Property Office - http://www.wipo.int/ portal/en/ ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Michelle Stephens is a business strategy consultant with over 15 years’ experience in the field of strategic planning, marketing and business development, having advised several regional public and private sector businesses on strategic and marketing strategies. This article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Follow on Twitter: MichelleStephens@Michst22
IN THE KNOW
Trinidad and Tobago’s Sacha Cosmetics named Caribbean Exporter of the Year
Pamella Coke - Hamilton,Head of Carib Export, Kama Maharaj CEO of Sacha Cosmetics, Richard Ramdeen Carib Export Director came down on the 3rd CARIFORUM-EU Business Forum held in collaboration withACP Business Climate facility (BizClim) between April 15 and 16 at the Hilton Rose Hall Beach & Spa Resort in Jamaica. Sacha Cosmetics was started 35 years ago and is currently distributed in 23 countries and sold online in North America. The company started with a vision, “to develop a cosmopolitan brand of cosmetics which would look equally exquisite on all skin tones”, according to Founder and Managing Director Kama Maharaj. Its products have been used by numerous makeup artistes at major international beauty events.
Sacha Cosmetics, a well-known beauty brand founded in 1979 in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is the winner of the inaugural Caribbean Exporter of the Year Awards promoted by the Barbados based Carib-Export. The family-owned business claimed the top accolade from a field nine nominees drawn from across the region as the curtains BusinessFocus May /Jul
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Thanking Caribbean Export for recognition, Maharaj said “Sacha’s philosophy is that a woman’s make up must enhance her natural beauty, not hide it. Over the years we have committed ourselves to building a powerful brand.” The award seeks to recognize the firm which has achieved significant exporting success and whose brand epitomizes Caribbean Export’s philosophy of “Taking Caribbean Excellence to the World.”
Award Winners
Emerging Exporter of the Year - Gopex International Suriname
Young Exporter of the Year - Advanced Foam Limited Trinidad
Green Exporter of the Year
Commendations to Sacha came from the President of the The company recycles all of its rice shell to power all its machines, Private Sector Organization of Jamaica, William Mahfood, the including paddy dryers, and is looking to expand production guest speaker at the Awards Ceremony, and from Caribbean capacity by ten percent next year. Export’s Executive Director, Pamela Coke Hamilton. The Emerging Exporter of the Year award which recognizes a new “We deemed it absolutely necessary to give due respect to our export business that has entered the export market over the last region’s exporters, companies that have played a significant three years, and which is experiencing significant success went to role in strengthening our economies and generating foreign Gopex International of Suriname who emerged the victor from a exchange”, said Coke-Hamilton. field of ten nominees. The Caribbean Export Choice Award was given to the exporter, which She noted that many of the award winning companies had exemplifies great drive and determination to export products and generated employment opportunities and helped to influence services globally was claimed by SMAKS Luxury Group of Trinidad a strong favourable perception of the Caribbean brand both and Tobago, producers of the world’s first tea-infused Chai rum. regionally and internationally. The Special Award for Excellence in Service Export recognises an Mahfood said manufacturing and exporting in the Caribbean outstanding Caribbean firm whose primary area of business is the was a daily challenge “so I take my hat off to you and I provision of services with global reach was won by, GeoTech Vision congratulate you for all that you do.” from Jamaica. Awards were presented in six other categories. The Young Exporter of the Year was awarded to a company, whose principal shareholder is no older than 35 years, and was copped by Trinidadian sleep systems manufacturer Advanced Foam Limited, winning from a field of eight nominees. The Green Exporter of the Year Award, which recognizes an exporter that has invested in green technologies and integrated alternative energy solutions into its operation leading to export success, went to Nand Persaud and Company Limited, a rice milling complex in Guyana whose products are on grocery shelves worldwide. From producing one ton of rice per hour in 1992, the company now has the capability of producing up to six tons of parboiled rice and eight tons of white rice per hour.
The Female Exporter of the Year Jamaican was awarded to agroprocessor Denese Palmer of Southside Distributors of Jamaica as the curtains came down on a successful 2-day CARIFORUM-EU Business Forum organized by the Caribbean Export Development Agency in collaboration with the ACP Business Climate facility (BizClim). The ACP Business Climate Facility (BizClim) is a programme of the ACP Secretariat financed by the European Union under the 10th European Development Fund (EDF). It aims at fostering a business enabling environment for the Private ¤ Sector in ACP countries and regions by improving legislation, institutional frameworks and financial measures. ¤ (Mark Thomas and Clinton Pickering) BusinessFocus May / Jul |
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By Pilaiye Cenac
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ho wants to be decked in pink when being relevant is an option?
Brands that choose to ignore the new woman in this sheconomy could be in for some trouble.
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Those brands are still: • •
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Packaging products for women in pink and frills, thinking that this is enough to reach that market. Presenting images of women as homemakers waiting on husbands to come home from a hard day’s work and kids to come in from school. Using scantily-clad females to sell products e.g cars Designing messages for men as a result of seeing women as less capable in some areas e.g banking and investment.
Based on research, here’s a little information to help understand why those approaches above may not be as effective today: •
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The economic importance of women in undeniable. They are product/ service users, influencers, buyers. They possess immense personal purchasing power: they account for the majority of all consumer purchases. The man is no longer the sole breadwinner and decision maker; therefore, marketers need to speak to the woman, the household’s gatekeepers. More women are in leadership positions than ever before, and the condescension of past marketing approaches just won’t cut it. Brands
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must respect women’s intelligence, speak their language, and find a way to make significant contributions to their lives in their new positions. Women represent the majority of the online market, from social media to online gaming. The majority of women use social media to connect with friends and family, and secondly, to interact with brands. Women who engage with brands online are more likely to buy from those brands. Marketers must make those virtual connections/relationships meaningful. Women are rebelling against the idea of the ‘perfect woman’ and are moving toward loving themselves, imperfections and all. They don’t want to be ‘fixed’ by brands; brands suggesting that they are not good enough as they are will alienate them. Women want to see truer representations in the media, and marketers should not be afraid to show women as human and flawed, facing challenges and struggles. Empower them. Men just want the transaction completed; women are interested in creating relationships. Therefore, brands should endeavor to understand what the woman needs and expects from the company during those transactions to facilitate those relationships. Women are not all the same, so avoid generalizations. Invest in research and do some further segmentation. Consider the lifecycle. Consider the fact that women play so many roles so seamlessly. Women are more brand loyal than men. Brands should prove themselves
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worthy of her trust and her money. Women are more likely to recommend brands to others; they are especially keen on recommending brands that support worthy causes. Women have high expectations, and brands need to perform to meet or exceed those expectations. Women are more likely to speak out than men when dissatisfied. Listen, then act swiftly. Women are more detail-oriented and better at detecting inconsistencies. Be authentic or risk losing their trust. Women prefer ads with real people and real situations. Replace stock images with images of real women with real stories. Women gather more information before making purchases; therefore, they want more information in advertisements. Women are also more receptive to advice than men. Marketers need to be sure to promote all the details such as after-sales service, warranties, the fine prints, the benefits of the product and not just the features. Use content marketing for effective communication with women. Women buy with their emotion and their logic so it is important to engage them in a more rounded way.
Women’s needs, expectations and experiences have changed and many feel misunderstood by marketers as the marketing approaches and representations have not changed. Do you hear that roar, in numbers too big to ignore? Time to listen, understand, and then act. ¤
Pilaiye Cenac is an entrepreneur. Her qualifications include a BSc. in Psychology and Sociology and an MSc. in Marketing. She is also a PMP and a published writer. One of her companies, In Tandem, focuses on low cost approaches to enriching the customer experience. She can be contacted at pilaiye@gmail.com.
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IN THE KNOW
Caricom Begins Reform Process AIB Achieves Top Ranking The Australian Institute of Business (AIB)’s MBA programme has taken out a rankings trifecta, ranked amongst the best in Australia and the world for the third year in a row, with its distance learning offering taking first place in Australia. Foreign Ministers from the region gathered at the CARICOM Secretariat earlier this year in a working session to decide on the way forward for the implementation of the revised five year Strategic Plan for the Caribbean Community. The session was the 35th Meeting of the Community Council of Ministers of the Caribbean During consultations with Heads of Government, it was agreed that it was necessary to re-examine the future direction of the Community and the arrangements to move it forward which would include the role and function of the CARICOM Secretariat. The five year strategic plan for the Community will, among other things, identify the priority areas of focus for the Community and guide the restructuring of the Secretariat. Secretary General of Caricom, Irwin LaRocque said the reform process for the Community has begun. “The reform process has taken root, work has begun to implement the Strategic Plan and the reform of the Secretariat is ongoing…2015 can therefore be a watershed year in the history of our Community.” “The effectiveness of acting together has proven itself time and again; let us continue to use that strength in our ongoing quest to provide a better life for the people of our Caricom Community.” He reiterated that each country had an important role to play in the successful implementation of the integration plan. “The enthusiasm and commitment displayed by all parties involved are testimony to the strong belief to the strategic plan’s potential to assist the member states in meeting and defeating the current challenges. Our regional institutions worked closely with the Caricom Secretariat in designing the initial draft of the plan; this is the kind of collaboration envisioned going forward.” ¤
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The International Graduate Forum has ranked AIB’s MBA as 4th in Australia and 10th in the world according to the latest rankings released in the Winter 2014/15 edition of CEO Magazine (UK). This year also marks the third consecutive year that AIB has participated in the ranking and taken its place among the top 20 MBAs internationally and within the top four in Australia, above many other well-known business schools. AIB Joint-CEO, Joel Abraham, said that while he sees the business school as a silent achiever that doesn’t boast about its accomplishments, he is extremely proud of what the institute, its students, graduates and staff have achieved. “I am thrilled to announce that AIB has made a stellar performance throughout 2014, once again continuing its success as a leading business school and achieving rankings that provide further validation that the AIB 12 Month MBA programme is one of the best in Australia and the world,” Abraham said. “As a company we continue to go from strength to strength, improving our results in several KPIs and proving that the practical learning model taught at AIB far exceeds the traditional, theoretical model taught at most other institutions,” he said. “The result is also a testament to the highest quality standards, business/career enhancements and practical approach that our alumni from over 70 countries have experienced over the past 30 years.” The MBA rankings have been compiled based upon key performance indicators considered to be of interest and value to potential students. Thus, international diversity, class sizes, student work experience, faculty to-student ratios, and faculty credentials – both academic and professional – have been given considerable weight. ¤
IN THE KNOW
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By Karena Bennett Business reporter bennettk@jamaicaobserver.com
ed Stripe's UK-based parent, Diageo, lauded the local brewing company for double-digit sales growth within a region beset with currency movements. Concurrently, Red Stripe has garnered the interest of the US Embassy Agricultural Department with its plan to substitute imported barley with locally grown cassava in its beer production. "In Jamaica strong consumer campaigns on Red Stripe along with the introduction of new formats led to net sales growth of 14 per cent," stated Diageo in its December second-quarter 2014 results released February 5. The report, which also showed that Diageo made US$2.1 billion net profit over six months compared with US$1.6 billion a year earlier, indicated that Red Stripe sales benefited from faster restocking of remote corner shops and bars – otherwise termed route-to-consumer interventions. "Chile, Peru and Jamaica benefited from our route to consumer interventions and all delivered good growth," stated the report. "Elsewhere spend also increased on Red Stripe driving greater consumer engagement around the football platform," stated Diageo. Representatives of the US Embassy toured the company's cassava farm and production plant to examine the cassava beer initiative for which the Embassy may possibly provide assistance for the operations. Agricultural attachÊ of the US Department of Agriculture, Morgan Perkins told the Jamaica Observer that the visit is also aimed at keeping up-to-date on the latest development in Jamaica, to assist with the model and to determine if such development can be used as an example for other countries. "I think it is a super interesting project and it has good signs," Perkins stated. "One of the main focuses in agriculture worldwide is trying to use locally available products where ever possible in order to facilitate food processing which cuts down on the carbon footprint." BusinessFocus Mar / Apr
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Lauded by Diageo for Strong Sales Growth - and by US for Cassava Initiative
Perkins added that what's even more interesting about Red Stripe's project is the element that they are trying to expand production to get more local farmers and youths involved. "It improves the production techniques and keeps the project interesting," he said. Red Stripe has invested well over $200 million in its cassava project and may accumulate expenditure of up $1 billion over the next five years. Ultimately, the local brewer wants to replace 20 per cent of its imported barley with locally grown cassava. Over the next two weeks, the company will be receiving factory equipment for the new processing plant and will also be signing a lease contract for an additional 250 acres of land at Wallen, St. Catherine, to have the project operational by early April. "It's great to have the US embassy on board," general manager of Red Stripe, Cedric Blair, told the Business Observer. "It would be good if they are able to support us in some way, shape or form, we don't know yet, but we are committed to this." However, the US Embassy representative stated that before any help can be provided, the Department would have to conduct more research to find a model that would fit Red Stripe's initiative. "The problem with doing an innovative project is that it doesn't fall into the categories that people are used to dealing with, so some amount of work needs to be done," Morgan said. Red Stripe plans to have 2,500 acres of cassava under cultivation to meet its target of replacing 20 per cent of barley with locally grown cassava. Currently, the 36 acres at Bernard Lodge account for close to 700 metric tonnes, while Wallen's 250 acres should provide another 6,000 metric tonnes of cassava. "The whole cassava initiative has created a lot of interest. This project has touched so many lives and already it has a huge emotional connection to Jamaica and Red Stripe. As a large company, giving back and giving this sort of opportunity that creates employment and nation building, means a lot to us," Blair said. ¤ BusinessFocus May / Jul |
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TOURISM FOCUS
CHTA Names New Management Team
Frank J Comito - CEO and Director General.
Matt Cooper - Chief Marketing Officer
The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association has a new management and hospitality and tourism industry veteran Frank J Comito is now CEO and director general. Comito, who replaces Jeff Vasser, assumed the post in March. As CEO, Comito will work to raise CHTA’s profile as the leader for the Caribbean hospitality industry, and along with the CHTA executive committee and board of directors, he will develop a strategic plan for the association that serves the needs of its entire membership comprised of over 600 hotels and 300 allied members. “Frank Comito brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to CHTA, most recently as executive vice-president of the Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) and other tourismrelated organisations,” said Emil Lee, CHTA president. “Besides contributing towards the development of The Bahamas’ hotel and tourism industries, he helped develop the landscape for individual Caribbean hotel associations during his volunteer presidency of the Caribbean Society of Hotel Association Executives (CSHAE), the regional association for our 32-member national hotel associations. We are confident that CHTA will continue to grow and gain influence as the voice for the Caribbean hospitality industry under Frank’s leadership,” Lee added. As executive vice-president of the BHTA for over 10 years, Comito was responsible for guiding and managing the organisation’s range of activities in advocacy, business development, workforce improvement, and organisational development. And, in a move to strengthen its management team, the CHTA created a new post and named marketing and media executive Matt Cooper as the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) for the association. At the same time, the CHTA promoted long-time Director of Operations and Events Vanessa Ledesma to Chief Operating Officer (COO). BusinessFocus May /Jul
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Vanessa Ledesma - Chief Operating Officer
Cooper started his new position on March 16, 2015. Cooper will work with Comito and the CHTA staff to grow the membership base, develop new strategic partners, attract corporate sponsors, reenergize existing CHTA events and introduce new events that meet the needs of CHTA’s entire membership comprised of over 600 hotels and 300 allied members. “Matt Cooper’s experience in developing successful and innovative marketing campaigns for individual destinations and hotels coupled with his vast knowledge of the region will provide a positive impact on the growth of CHTA, especially with partnerships and marketing,” the new CHTA CEO said. “Matt Cooper has been a true friend to the Caribbean as he has worked to promote our properties and destinations to the travelling public and travel agents who sell vacation getaways,” Lee said. Ledesma-Berrios the most recent addition to the team, is the first female to hold that position. “In developing our new team of executives to lead CHTA, we knew that Vanessa Ledesma-Berrios was the right person to be the COO having managed all of the Association’s events for the past 16 years as well as the day-to-day operations for the past two years when she was last promoted to Director of Operations and Events,” said Lee. “The appointment of a female to the position of COO is an important milestone for CHTA,” Lee added. Ledesma-Berrios has been with the Association 16 years serving as Director of Operations and Events prior to her appointment as COO. Previously she was CHTA’s Conferences and Events Director. She joined CHTA following her work with Maritza Negroni & Associates as a meeting planner and then conference organizer from 1995 until being hired by CHTA in 1999. ¤
Antigua & Barbuda Names New Tourism Marketing Team Antigua & Barbuda has named a new marketing team for the country’s Tourism Authority. The country’s Minister of Tourism, Economic Development, Investment and Energy, Asot Michael, has announced the appointment of Marie Walker and Jean-Marc Flambert as the country’s new vice presidents for sales and marketing. Walker will cover the United States market, while Flambert will cover the United Kingdom and Europe markets. Walker’s marketing career has included serving as director of North America for the Anguilla Tourist Board and a similar role for the Jamaica Tourist Board. Flambert has worked as a destination management company representing companies in the Indian Ocean and the Caribbean, including Haiti, St Lucia and Sri Lanka. “We are confident that Marie and Jean Marc will leverage their industry expertise in overseeing the planning, development, and execution of our initiatives to promote and sell Antigua and Barbuda,” said Colin James, Chief Executive Officer of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority. In a statement, Michael said the two new executives were “expert strategists with successful track records of overseeing
and directing high-impact tourism marketing campaigns for destinations.” Meanwhile he is looking putting emphasis on strengthening its tourism performance in the Canadian market, following a decline in arrivals in 2014. Walker, who assumed the new role in January, made a visit to Toronto, meeting with hotel representatives, media and tour operators. “It’s been a pleasure renewing business relationships in Canada,” Walker said. “We are very excited to work with these valuable partners and are looking forward to making Antigua and Barbuda ‘the buzz’ of the town.” In 2014, Antigua & Barbuda received 27,701 Canadian tourists, representing an 8.4 percent drop compared to the previous year, according to Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) data.
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TOURISM FOCUS
More Cruise Calls For Barbuda
Antigua & Barbuda celebrates new British Airways route VC Bird International Airport will serve as an important hub for UK based carrier British Airways, as the airline recently launched an inaugural flight service from Antigua to the Turks and Caicos Islands. The route is the first, direct flight connection between the Eastern Caribbean and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Colin C James Chief Executive Officer (ABTA) The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) is trying to open up more clients’ eyes to the green cruising destination of Barbuda, the sister isle of 68 square miles. Chief Executive Officer of the Authority, Colin C James, said, “Barbuda has emerged as a green cruising destination, welcoming smaller luxury cruise lines with discerning cruisers, and this will have a significant impact on the economy of the sister island.”
Minister of Tourism, Asot Michael, at a reception to launch the service in March, said, “The rise in popularity of Antigua and Barbuda and Turks & Caicos is demonstrated by British Airways agreeing to add a direct link between our two destinations. This added service means new opportunities, and choices available to us for increased business activities and closer collaboration.” He further noted, “The end result will be greater economic growth while, simultaneously building the spirit of regional integration between our two countries.” The weekly flight from Gatwick, to Antigua on a Boeing 777 then onwards to Providenciales, operates every Sunday, and the first flight was on March 29.
For the 2014-2015 winter season the island will receive calls from Europa, Ponant, Sea Dream, Club Med, Black Watch, Windsurf and Wind Spirit.
Minister Michael said the new route allows for visa free travel and will encourage more business and leisure travellers to island hop, from Antigua to Turks and Caicos and vice versa.
A great spot for nature lovers, the island is filled with experiences that should appeal to eco-aware cruisers. Clients can check out the largest frigate bird sanctuary in the western hemisphere.
Welcoming the airline, as they prepared to board the inaugural flight were: Porsha Stubbs-Smith, Minister of Tourism Turks & Caicos, Dr. Kingsley Been, Chairman of Turks & Caicos Tourism Board, Ralph Higgs, Director of Tourism, Turks & Caicos and Lavern Skippings-Reynolds, Airport Manager, Providenciales International Airport.
Accessible only by boat, the sanctuary is home to more than 170 species of birds in addition to the more than 5,000 frigate birds there. James said visitors are invited to wander through Codrington Village, the only village, founded in the 16th Century by Christopher Codrington. They can also explore historic sites, including Highland House, which was built in the 1720s by the Codrington family and Martello Towers. Also, a must while in Barbuda is the Caves at Two Foot Bay. Visitors on a hike through Barbuda’s Indian Cave will discover ancient Amerindian petroglyphs. ¤ BusinessFocus May /Jul
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An invitation was extended to the Government and The People of the Turks and Caicos to travel to Antigua for the country’s Summer Carnival: July 25 - August 4 2015. With a new terminal to be opened by June, Antigua’s VC Bird International, the minister said the country would be able to facilitate increased capacity, allowing the destination to develop new routes. The terminal, which will be the most modern in the Eastern Caribbean will feature the latest technology, first class duty free shopping and VIP lounges, creating a more efficient and enhanced passenger experience. ¤
St John’s Deep Water Harbour sweeping completed The port manager said while this was not inherently dangerous, it was annoying and there was constant complaint from captains. “When you’re in clean water and everything’s fine and suddenly you get an alarm, the pilots onboard would instruct the pilots that it’s not an issue, but they kept complaining about that loud sounding noise, so we needed to fix that,” he said.
The initial sweeping of the St John’s Harbour has been completed right on schedule according to Port Manager Darwin Telemaque, and it is good news for the country and cruise tourism stakeholders who have been calling for the upgrade for years. Telemaque said work on the project started on February 19 and, despite a few days that were lost, the team managed to complete the job on time – within a month. “We plotted a timeline that had works being completed some time around March 20 with the final survey works being done a few days later. The dredging works was completed on the day that it was planned,” he said. “In planning, you usually end up a day or two behind, but this time we nailed it.” Telemaque said he was beyond pleased with the level of organisation and professionalism displayed by the contractor and the sub-contractor commissioned for the job. The sweeping, he said, restored the harbour to its original levels after a buildup of up to two meters of silt in some areas. This build up had become a nuisance to visiting vessels. He explained that the ships’ sonar would often pick up the silt as a potential barrier.
tourism association here at home as well.
He added that calls to restore the depth of the harbour had come not only from international cruise vessels, but from the head of the cruise
“I wouldn’t want to call them ultimatums,” he said, “but there were some serious, serious discussion as to what would happen if that wasn’t done over and over again, so getting the depth back was very significant and crucial,” Telemaque said. One member of the business community has welcomed the completion of the long anticipated sweeping of the St John’s Harbour. Businessman Robert Hall, who operates a company within the Heritage Quay area, commended the Antigua & Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) regime for completing the project for which many tourism stakeholders have agitated for over the years. Cruise tourism stakeholders have for years lamented that cruise lines were threatening to cease calling on Antigua if the sweeping was not done, because the presence of silt close to the surface posed difficulty for the berthing of ships. Hall is hoping government will turn their attention to the developing the land side of the harbour now that the sweeping is complete. The China EXIM Bank advanced Antigua a loan US $3.9 million to finance the sweeping. The money is part of the overall US $268 million being loaned to the country so that the China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) could execute the overall project which will see the full redevelopment of the for the St John’s Waterfront. ¤
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HEALTH & WELLNESS
Republic Bank donates $1 million to change the future of child health in the Caribbean International partnerships are becoming a steadfast example of an effort to increase medical knowledge and care worldwide, leading to better survival rates for some of the sickest patients. It is through the support and mandate of institutions like Republic Bank Limited in the Caribbean that this global impact is being realized. The burden of paediatric cancer and blood disorders in the Caribbean is great, and children are dying without the treatment and diagnostic measures that are available in other parts of the world. The SickKids-Caribbean Initiative is working tirelessly to relieve this burden so that these children can benefit from the care that they deserve. Thanks to the generous $1 million donation made by Republic Bank to the SickKids-Caribbean Initiative, the $8 million fundraising goal that will help save these children’s lives has been reached, two years ahead of schedule. The Bank’s investment focus will be on Sickle Cell Disease, a major concern to the Caribbean people. Sickle Cell Disease is a disorder of the haemoglobin and affects every organ. Thirty percent of children who have the disease will have silent strokes by the age of ten, and patients often have a 30 year shorter life span than healthy people. Dr. Isaac Odame, lead for the Sickle Cell Disease Program at SickKids, believes that with the support of donors like Republic Bank, it is BusinessFocus May /Jul BusinessFocus May /Jul
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possible to reduce mortality by nearly ten times through the implementation of early detection and an expansion on disease education practices. “Republic Bank’s generosity is setting the pace and benchmark for investing in Sickle Cell Disease,” says Dr. Odame. The support for the SickKids-Caribbean Initiative is in keeping with the Bank’s long history of investment in the health of children. “The partnership with The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) is just a natural extension of our social investment focus and dedication to our corporate social responsibility programme called the Power to Make a Difference,” says Nadia Williams, Social Investment Officer at Republic Bank. Republic Bank’s firm belief in their responsibility to give back to the communities in which they operate is a testament to their deep desire to change the future of their country and aligns seamlessly with the SickKids-Caribbean Initiative’s goals for global change. “Our hope is that our funding will allow for the increased capacity building in the area of Sickle Cell Disease. The structure and creation of a data repository will ensure that we have the relevant numbers at our fingertips and can now develop effective procedures and strategies to help our citizens,” emphasizes Ms. Williams. “Republic Bank is proud to have made an investment in the lives of their citizens.” ¤
G N I ARN
W
Health authorities warn
of deadly supplements Director of Pharmaceutical Services in Antigua and Barbuda Alfred Athill has cautioned residents about the potentially fatal health risks of a number of products being advertised as nutritional supplements and distributed primarily via the Internet.
Sibutramine which is a controlled substance that was removed from the market in 2010.
The release added “Oxy Elite Pro Super Thermogenic” which is promoted for weight loss contains an FDA-approved He told the nation that the World Health Organisation pharmaceutical “Fluoxetine” which is used for treating (WHO), PAHO and the US Food and Drug Administration depression, bulimia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), (FDA) issued a warning as a review of some of the items is panic disorder, and premenstrual dysphonic disorder (PMDD). being done. A large number of products being promoted for male sexual A number of the products have, reportedly, been recalled enhancement are also said to include sildenafil (Viagra) and because they are classified as prohormones, which are vardenafil (Levitra), FDA-approved prescription items used to synthetic steroids that bear therapeutic similarity to anabolic treat erectile dysfunction (ED). The release said sildenafil and vardenafil may interact with nitrates found in some prescription steroids. drugs such as nitroglycerine (GTN) and may lower blood A Ministry of Health release said abuse of such anabolic pressure to dangerous levels. The health ministry said men with steroids may cause serious long-term adverse health diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or heart disease consequences in men, women and children. often take nitrates and therefore must be extremely cautious. It said these include shrinkage of the testes and male infertility, masculinisation of women, breast enlargement in The ministry notes those items include; Rhino Blitz Gold 3000, Baolong, Vim-25, Sex Mem, Super Hard, Santi Scalper, Vigra, women, increased risk of heart attack, stroke and death. Plant Vigra, Male Silkworm Moth, Nourishing Oral Liquid, Herb Those products include; Wyked Labs MI-Alpha, Wyked Labs Viagra, Bigger Longer More Time More Sperms, Black Mamba M14-Ment, Wyked Labs Halo-70, Wyked Labs 7-Ment Alpha, Premium, African Superman, Black Ant King, Stiff Nights, Le Pepa Wyked Labs Estrastain, Wyked Labs Swoll-250, Formexx Negra, Vigour 300, MME MAXMAN, Hard Wang, FX3000, Night Black (an Anabolic Science Labs product), Slim X Lean (an Man, Libigrow XXX Treme, Black King Kong, 72HP, Germany Anabolic Science Labs product). Niubian, Tibet Babao. Another product is said to substantially increase blood pressure, and as such people with a history of coronary The Pharmacy Council and the Ministry of Health are warning artery disease, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias and businesses and individuals selling these items to desist stroke are at significant risk. immediately and also persons procuring the same to pay That product called “Elimulating Weight & Toxin Keeping particular attention to what they are buying and inadvertently Beauty” is promoted for weight loss, but contains consuming. ¤ BusinessFocus BusinessFocus May May // Jul Jul | | 91 91
HIV/AIDS The New Strain
Getting Tested The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) causes Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). HIV was first identified in 1983. It is believed that the virus originated in West Central Africa in non-human primates and spread to humans in the early 20th century. HIV is spread by body fluids such as blood, semen, and breast milk. Infection with HIV is not the death sentence it once was. In Antigua and Barbuda HIV testing is provided at the AIDS Secretariat, Mount St John’s Medical Centre, Antigua and Barbuda Planned Parenthood Association and private labs. Testing for HIV is confidential and highly accurate. Getting the HIV test is the only way to know if an individual has HIV. It is important to know one’s status because one can save lives by starting treatment and care. The diagnosis and treatment of early HIV results in fewer complications and a longer productive life. Knowing one’s status means that a person can protect his or her partner. Women who become pregnant and are HIV positive can protect their unborn child by taking HIV medication. An HIV positive mother can transmit the virus to her unborn child during pregnancy, labour, delivery and breast milk. Antiretroviral BusinessFocus May /Jul
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medication greatly reduces the chances of mother to child transmission of HIV. The most common HIV test is the antibody screening test which tests for the antibodies that the body makes against HIV. The tests can be done as a rapid test. The test uses a pin prick of blood and produces results in 20 minutes. If the rapid test is done during the window period, then the test may give a false-negative result. The window period in HIV is that period after exposure until HIV infection. Rapid tests are performed after the window period, that is, three months after exposure, for an accurate result. Rapid tests that are HIV antibody positive are confirmed by other tests. Confirmatory tests for HIV are done at Mount St John’s Medical Centre. Confirmatory tests include Western blot assay which is an antibody test. A person who tests positive for HIV may access care and treatment at the Clinical Care Coordinator’s Clinic. Care and treatment means the individual will receive counselling, access to HIV-related drugs, laboratory tests, nutritional support and health education among other medical and nursing care.
The Ministry of Health provides antiretroviral drugs for management of HIV and AIDS. The antiretroviral medications consist of a combination of three drugs and must be taken for life once a person starts the treatment. Persons living with HIV and AIDS are also provided with prophylaxis of opportunistic infections, tuberculosis control, sexually transmitted infections management and adequate universal precautions.
On average it takes HIV infection, without treatment, five to ten years to develop into AIDS. So far the HIV CRF19 strain has not been detected in Antigua and Barbuda. Prevention of HIV is key to the elimination of the virus. Preventive strategies for HIV include sexual abstinence, being mutually faithful to one partner and using condoms correctly at every intimate activity. Other strategies for HIV prevention involve sex education, post exposure prophylaxis and HIV vaccines. Anyone can reduce their risk of getting HIV by getting tested and knowing their partner’s HIV status, limiting the number of sexual partners and always using condoms.
Persons living with HIV may have no symptoms in the early stages of the disease. As the condition progresses the body’s immune system begins to deteriorate and progress to AIDS. Minor signs of infection with AIDS include persistent cough, dermatitis, fungal infections and swelling of the lymph glands. Major signs of AIDS include significant weight loss, fever for longer than one month and chronic diarrhea for longer than Dr Maria Pereira is a medical practitioner one month. in Antigua and Barbuda. She is a graduate of the University of the West Indies, In Antigua and Barbuda, 1047 persons have tested positive for Medical School, Jamaica. She specialises HIV from 1985 till the end of 2014. This figure does not include in Dermatology and HIV and AIDS persons who have tested positive outside of the country and Medicine. do not reveal their status. The prevalence rate of HIV in Antigua and Barbuda is 1.2% which is in keeping with other countries of Dr Pereira is the Clinical Care Coordinator the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). for HIV and AIDS in Antigua and Barbuda and is in charge of the HIV and AIDS On January 28, 2015, EBioMedicine Journal published an Outpatient Care and Treatment Clinic. original article which discussed the discovery of a new strain of HIV which is associated with a rapid progression to AIDS. The Her office is located at Medical Surgical aggressive HIV strain is named CRF19. Infection with the CRF19 Associates, Woods Complex, St John’s, strain can develop into AIDS within three years of infection. Antigua.
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MAJOR MOVES
Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa welcomes new managers Chief Engineer – Miquel CampsAmatller. Miquel is responsible for all the buildings, facilities and civil construction at Sandals Grande Antigua, as well as the resort’s water and electricity supply. Born in Spain, he has worked in the hospitality industry since 2001 starting in Africa where he spent six years; Miquel then moved to the Caribbean. He has a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering and a Masters of Science in Industrial Design and Project Development both from Spanish universities. Miquel also completed post graduate studies in Project Management in the UK. Public Relations Manager – Kyle Christian. Kyle is responsible for the resort’s public image and promotion of its community engagement goals and is also the Sandals Foundation’s representative in Antigua. As a radio and print journalist since 2008 he has had a special focus on business and economic affairs. Kyle graduated summa cum laude from the Midwestern State University in 2012 with a Bachelor of Business in Finance and Economics and he served as his university’s Student Government President using his office to change school laws and make the campus more environmentally-friendly. He now brings his passion for communication and leadership to the Sandals family.
Sir Ronald Sanders Two months after withdrawing his nomination, former diplomat Sir Ronald Sanders re-joined the race for Secretary General of the 54-member Commonwealth. Sir Ronald, who is Antigua and Barbuda’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, faces a challenge from Baroness Patricia Scotland, who is the Dominica candidate, and Trinidad and Tobago’s nominee, the Minister of Planning and Development, Dr Bhoendradatt Tewarie.
Effective May 1, a new Acting Country Manager Joe Mathieson will be taking over its Antigua operations, replacing Davidson Charles who served the company for some 21 years. He is being replaced as the company announces a “new team and repositioning the new company for success.” According to the company, trading in Antigua & Barbuda as LIME, over the past year, Joe has served in his current role as Commercial Director, LIME Northern Cluster, which covers nine markets, including Antigua. LIME said prior to joining CWC, Joe established a successful career with Orange Group across Africa, Europe and the Caribbean where in his last role, he was Executive Director, Internet, Corporate and Wholesale.
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Maxine Williams, Global Director of Diversity at Facebook, has been appointed to the board of Massy Holdings Ltd. In a notice to shareholders, Massy Holdings Chairman Robert Bermudez said Williams’ “unique background and experience is expected to add a new and different perspective and enhance diversity at the company.” He said during the past year, the company had formalised a rigorous process for the recruitment, nomination and induction of candidates to fill the post of Director. “As part of that process, the Board reviewed the skills and competencies of all Directors which were mapped in a Skills, Diversity and Competencies Matrix—this formed a critical part of the recruitment process to fill the vacancy that existed on the Board,” Bermudez said. In her position at Facebook, Williams devises and implements appropriate strategies for enhancing that company’s talent base, partners in developing initiatives and content of relevance to the vastly diverse world represented by Facebook’s 1.4 billion current users and lays the foundation to support new users in growth markets of the future. Prior to joining Facebook, Williams was the Director of Diversity for a global law firm which operated with a focus on cross-border expertise, particularly in international arbitration, project finance, banking and anti-trust. She was responsible for developing and implementing a diversity plan for this multi-national law firm comprised of almost 2000 attorneys with clients in 115 countries around the world. Williams is a graduate of St Joseph’s Convent Port-of-Spain and Yale University where she created an interdisciplinary major in Caribbean Studies. She received her law degree with first class honours from Oxford University, where she was a Rhodes Scholar.
MAJOR MOVES
Royal Bank Names Rob Johnston Head of Caribbean Operations Royal Bank of Canada has named Rob Johnston as Head of Caribbean Banking, taking on the region’s retail lending operation after the Toronto-based lender spent the past two years reorganising the business. Johnston, who’s based in Trinidad & Tobago as head of Caribbean markets and personal banking and chief executive officer of RBC Financial (Caribbean) Ltd., took over April 1, Caribbean banking head Kirk Dudtschak said. Johnston reports to Dudtschak, who in April became executive vice president of sales for personal and commercial banking for Canada and the Caribbean. He has been with Royal Bank for about 33 years, including roles across Canada in personal and business banking, management, operations, and human resources, and he’s spent about nine months in the Caribbean, according to Dudtschak. “Rob’s got a ton of depth and breadth in banking and he’s a really solid, balanced leader,” Dudtschak said. “With his experience and the experience of the collective leadership team, we’re confident we can continue to make the progress that we’ve shown in the first quarter.” Royal Bank is now experiencing loan and revenue growth in the Caribbean, Dudtschak said. The lender said February 26 that it had C$35 million ($27.9 million) in first-quarter profit for Caribbean and US banking. The lender’s strategy for the region hasn’t changed. “We continue to focus on our core markets to drive growth. Those markets include countries like The Bahamas, Caymans, Turks, Trinidad, Aruba, Curacao and the Dutch Caribbean,” he said.
Caricom accredits first New Zealand Ambassador New Zealand has named its firstever Ambassador to the Caribbean Community. Jan Henderson, who is also accredited to a number of CARICOM Member States, presented her letters of credence to Irwin LaRocque, Secretary General of CARICOM, in a ceremony I the first quarter this year. In his remarks, the Secretary General said New Zealand would understand the challenges that confronted small states like those of Caricom, given that it was also a relatively small state and because of its ties to the Pacific Island States, with which Caricom shared close cooperation. Caricom-New Zealand relations were spurred through exchanges, including the New Zealand Foreign Minister’s attendance at the meetings of the Caricom Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) in 2013 and 2014. A Memorandum of Understanding was later signed by the Foreign Minister and the Caricom Secretary General, defining cooperation arrangements in areas including agriculture, climate change, renewable energy, and disaster risk management. Henderson, he New Zealand High Commissioner, said her accreditation demonstrated the firm desire of her Government to build on the traditional linkages with the Caribbean.
Justice Maureen Rajnauth-Lee was sworn in as Judge of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) at a ceremony at the Office of the President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in March. Justice Rajnauth- Lee and Sir Dennis Byron, president of the Caribbean Court of Justice after the swearing in. Justice Rajnauth- Lee was sworn in by Anthony Thomas Aquinas Carmona, who lauded her for her “selfless sacrifice” in dedicating herself to the service of the public. He commended her achievement as “the first woman citizen of Trinidad and Tobago” to be appointed to the CCJ bench. Justice Rajnauth-Lee is a former Justice of Appeal of the Judiciary of Trinidad and Tobago. She is a graduate of the University of the West Indies with a Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours) and of the Hugh Wooding Law School with a Legal Education Certificate. She was admitted to the practice of law in Trinidad and Tobago in 1980. Thereafter, she served as State Counsel in the Solicitor General’s Department in Trinidad and Tobago. In 1985, she embarked on a career in private practice. She was elected to the Council of the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago and served for many years as a member and then Vice-Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee of the Law Association. She was appointed a member of the Advisory Committee to the Rules Committee which was established to report on the introduction to the Civil Proceedings Rules in Trinidad and Tobago. With effect from September 1, 2001, Mme. Justice Rajnauth-Lee was appointed a Judge of the High Court of Trinidad and Tobago. BusinessFocus May / Jul |
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events 2015 CARIBBEAN FASHION WEEK June 6-15, 2015, National Indoor Sports Centre, Kingston, Jamaica 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/
TASTE OF THE CARIBBEAN June 12-14, 2015, Hyatt Regency, Miami, Florida Organized by the CHTA, this Caribbean food and beverage event and competition is not to be missed. Use the opportunity to network, polish professional skills and cheer on colleagues in competition, before a large audience of industry peers and consumer culinary enthusiasts. The event also provides education and inspiration through seminars, workshops, tastings and demonstrations, created to enhance performance, style and profitability in food and beverage operations. For further info: www.caribbeanhotelandtourism.com
TRADE & INVESTMENT CONVENTION (TIC) July 8- 11, 2015, Centre of Excellence, Macoya, Trinidad Hosted by the Trinidad & Tobago Manufacture’s Association, (TTMA), the Trade and Investment Convention is the region’s biggest business-to-business event, bringing together manufacturers, service providers, exporters, buyers, distributors, wholesalers and investors at a unique forum. For further info: www.tic-tt.com
CANTO WILL HOLD ITS 31ST ANNUAL CONFERENCE & TRADE EXHIBITION July 26-31, 2015, Miami, Florida (CANTO 2015) at the Hyatt Regency in Miami, Florida, 26th -31st July, 2015. CANTO 2015 will focus on the theme “Improving Lives through Broadband Innovation”.Caribbean ICT stakeholders, including CANTO members, are expected to be involved in important d iscussions that will take place in 2015. These discussions will play a very important role in obtaining information and statistics that will show clearly the situation in the Caribbean. In addition, CANTO 2015 will showcase an exhibition which boasts 80 plus booths within the conference hall, where all lunches and coffee breaks will be served.
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