KINGSTON, Jamaica, Gleaner — The Antigua and Barbuda government says it is seeking support from opposition legislators as it seeks to resolve its long standing gaming dispute with the United States. Finance and Economy Minister Harold Lovell said both sides in Parliament had a stake in the matter as one side brought the matter to the WTO while the other took it to successful conclusion.
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KINGSTON, Jamaica, Observer — JAMAICA'S top diplomat in the United States, Ambassador Stephen Vasciannie, has pointed out that his island's refugee policy incorporates reference to international human rights standards and provides a good framework for the treatment of asylum seekers. "It also provides a model that could be used in some other Caricom states," Ambassador Vasciannie said in his presentation to an international refugee law course staged by the Committee on Juridical and Political Affairs of the Organisation of American States (OAS) in Washington, DC recently.
KINGSTON, Jamaica, Observer — The Bahamas government says it is important to develop alternate forms of energy, complaining that the high cost is also impacting foreign investment into the country. These are issues that concern us and let me just state it for you. The cost of electricity is an extraordinary drain and has an extraordinary impact on Bahamian families. We all agree with that," Prime Minister Perry Christie said.
KINGSTON, Jamaica, Gleaner — OPPOSITION SPOKESMAN on Finance Audley Shaw has claimed that the Government has been irritating the International Monetary Fund (IMF) by having other countries lobby the multilateral on behalf of Jamaica. "Stop diverting your efforts to ask foreign governments to lobby the IMF on your behalf," Shaw told the Portia Simpson Miller-led Govern-ment during his address to the Rotary Club of Kingston recently.
KINGSTON, Jamaica, Gleaner — FORMER INVESTMENT banker Aubyn Hill says the Government is taking too long to negotiate a new agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Finance Minister Dr Peter Phillips had set a December 2012 deadline for the sealing of a deal with the multilateral, but to date none as materialised.
KINGSTON, Jamaica, Gleaner — Jamaica is located in an active zone of seismic activity, and experiences more than 200 tremors annually, according to the Earthquake Unit at The University of the West Indies. The destruction of Port Royal by a massive earthquake in 1692, which left half of the town buried under the sea; and the devastation of Kingston in 1907, are common knowledge. Less widely acknowledged are other significant tremors that the country has suffered.. "Earthquakes are a fact of life in Jamaica," said Chris Hind, general manager of JN General Insurance Company (JNGI).
KINGSTON, Jamaica, Observer — The St. Kitts-Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce Friday called on Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas to ensure that an opposition inspired motion of no confidence on his administration is brought before the National Assembly without further delay. In a statement, the private sector group reminded Dr. Douglas that in his address to them last month he had indicated that several matters before the parliament, including the motion of no confidence, could erode investor confidence in the country.
HAMILTON, Barbados, Nation News – There is “an urgent need” for Caribbean Heads of Government to come together and meet on tourism. The Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) board of directors said a tourism summit needs to take place within the next six months to meet on issues “adversely impacting” the region. The last Heads Of Government Summit On Tourism was in July 2001.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Nation News – THE FOCUS ACROSS BARBADOS at this time is on the pending February 21 general election. But it is also the high point of our 2012-2013 winter tourism season, which – no matter which party is victorious in the poll – will have to pay detailed attention to visitor arrivals and spend, an area that is critical to our economic prosperity. Hopefully, we will hear from the platforms and also read in the manifestos of the plans to further develop and diversify the tourism product for the benefit of all Barbadians.
GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Chronicle - The Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) has reported a 12.6 % increase in its annual visitor arrivals over 2011, effectively placing the country ahead of other countries within the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO). This is heartening news, particularly in light of the difficult global financial situation. According to the Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority, Mr.