GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – The Guyana government has criticised the decision by the opposition to introduce legislation aimed at repealing the benefits afforded to former heads of state. A bill to repeal the Former Presidents (Benefit and Other Facilities) Act had its first reading in the National Assembly on Thursday and follows a promise made by the opposition grouping, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), during the campaign for the last national elections that it would seek to that it would seek to repeal the legislation.
The fiscal debate in the United States has become a recurrent issue that keeps the world, and Latin America and Caribbean economies in particular, in suspense. The agreement reached a few days ago offers breathing room, by preventing the United States economy from being figuratively dragged over the edge by its fiscal imbalance. The bad news is that this solution does not permanently solve the pending problems. Our region has closely followed discussions on the “fiscal cliff,” because of the serious implications generated by the uncertain U.S. fiscal situation.
NASSAU, Bahamas, CMC – The Bahamas says it is hoping to use the upcoming Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) Marketplace to boost tourist arrivals to the country. Tourism Minister Obie Wilchombe, speaking at a news conference to launch the January 20-22 event, said the overall goal is to increase the number of stopover visitors in 2013 from 1.6 to 1.8 million, surpassing the record 2008 figure that stood at 1.3 million.
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - Government plans to lobby CARICOM for a decrease in the duties on cement, Trade Minister Vasant Bharath said yesterday. He spoke about the 9.5 per cent increase announced by Trinidad Cement Limited (TCL) during yesterday’s post-Cabinet news conference.
Bharath said Cabinet approved two options for dealing with the cement price hike. The first was to approach CARICOM and the second was to look at the ways in which Trinidad Cement Ltd (TCL) could be more efficient.
CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC- President of the Trade Union Federation (TUF) Julian Monrose has accused Prime Minister Kenny Anthony of attacking Civil Servants by accusing them of being greedy, unproductive and unpatriotic. The TUF President was responding to this weeks’ address to the nation in which Prime Minister Anthony outlined the islands fiscal situation in response to public servants demands for an 16% salary increase.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC - Barbados and Sweden have signed a protocol to amend the Convention for Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to taxes on income. A statement from the Ministry of International Business and International Transport said the accord went into effect last month after being signed on November 3, last year.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – The Barbados Workers Union (BWU) says it will “definitely” embark upon industrial action after efforts to get the telecommunications company, Cable and Wireless (Barbados) Limited, to retract dismissal letters sent to nearly 100 workers last week failed. BWU general secretary Sir Roy Trotman said that while no date has yet been decided on when the industrial action would start, he was insisting “there will be industrial action but we will determine where, how and when. The time and the hour will be decided when the General Secretary announces”.
HAMILTON, Bermuda, CMC- In the aftermath of the December 17 General election here, Parliament is scheduled reconvene on Friday, February 8. On Thursday the Cabinet Office announced that Governor George Fergusson will deliver his second Throne Speech which sets out government agenda for the year ahead -- in the space of three months. Last November, the Governor delivered the Throne Speech but parliament was then dissolved ahead of general election, which saw the ruling Progressive Labour Party (PLP) ousted after 14 years in power.
KINGSTON, Jamaica - FORMER Jamaican Ambassador to Venezuela Clifton Stone thinks that as long as Hugo Chavez's socialist party remains in power there is no danger to the Petrocaribe oil agreement which benefits Jamaica. "The danger would arise if the Opposition prevails and elections are called and they are victorious," Stone told the Jamaica Observer.
ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC – Following the Prime Minister’s announcement that Parliament will be dissolved to make way for a General Election, hundreds rushed to voter registration offices island wide on Thursday morning.
“Yes, we are getting reports that the sub offices are extremely business today,” said Supervisor of Elections Judy Benoit as she confirmed that persons begun gathering at offices before the opening hours.