KINGSTON, Jamaica - THE Statistical Institute of Jamaica's (Statin) will introduce its new electronic data collection system (Edacs) to CARICOM. Now that its new data collection system, Edacs, an electronic system operated on the Hewlett-Packard (HP) Slate 2 tablet has been unveiled, Statin is key on sharing the system with other Caribbean territories. "They would be very interested as they face the same problems," said Sonia Jackson, director general of Statin.
Member
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, CMC – The division within the Denzil Douglas administration surfaced here during the debate on legislation seeking to increase the number of senators in the St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly. Attorney General and Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs, Patrice Nisbett led off the debate in which the government wants to increase the number of senators from three to six, with one of the additional legislators being assigned to the opposition. But Deputy Prime Minister Sam Condor and his senior Cabinet colleague, Dr. Timothy Harris publicly opposed the legislation.
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – A 23-year-old man charged with threatening to assassinate Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar will re-appear in court on March 19, after the prosecution said it was not prepared to start the case, when it was called for the fourth time on Tuesday. Nicolai Marfan, an airport employee, is alleged to have sent a message by telephone which was menacing in character on October 10 last year.
BELMOPAN, CMC – Police were Wednesday searching for the gunmen who fired several shots at the home of former prime minister Said Musa on Tuesday night. Police Press Officer Raphael Martinez said that Musa and family were safe and unhurt and that several shots had been fired at the house in Belize City around 10.pm (local time). “A total of 5 nine millimeter expended shells were recovered from the scene,” a police statement said, adding that “the front door and the glass on the rear passenger door of a vehicle in the yard” were damaged.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - The President of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Luis Alberto Moreno, arrived in Jamaica Wednesday night. Moreno who was met by Finance Minister, Dr Peter Phillips is here to attend the IDB’s second Annual Caribbean Governors Meeting. It will be held today and tomorrow at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel.
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - On January 10, Trinidad Cement Ltd (TCL) sent the following response on whether it is concerned that local manufacturers will start to lobby for the removal of the CET on cement_ “CARICOM Agreements for Protection of Regional Investment and Manufacturing “The implementation of the common external tariff (CET) by the member states of the Caribbean Common Market in respect of all commodities imported in the common market from non-member countries is provided for under Article 31 of the Annex to the Treaty establishing the Caribbean community.
ST. JOHN’S, Antigua - Almost all of the countries of this region depend on tourism but the industry does not dominate the economies of all of the Caribbean countries. Jamaica exports bauxite; St Lucia produces bananas and manufactures lights, and Barbados, described as having a well-developed mixed economy also has offshore finance and information services as important foreign exchange earners.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - Minister of Agriculture, Dr. David Estwick, says that the benefits to be derived from the production and wide utilisation of cassava flour as a substitute for wheat will not only be economical, but health-related as well. Estwick, who is also a medical practitioner, made the comments during a press conference where it was announced that manufacturers in this country will be involved in trials to determine the possibility of using cassava flour as a substitute for wheat flour in locally-baked goods.
ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – The Antigua and Barbuda Investment Authority (ABIA) says negotiations are continuing with investors for the establishment of a US$75 million poultry farm here. A statement posted on the government website said the project, which will focus mainly on the export market, will provide direct employment for approximately 800 people. ABIA chairman Dr. McChesney Emanuel has commented on reports here that the Ciboney Poultry Company (CPC) multi-million dollar project would adversely affect the local poultry industry.
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar Wednesday dismissed suggestions that her coalition People’s Partnership government was introducing legislation to grant greater autonomy to Tobago ahead of the January 21 election for control of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA). But Opposition Leader Dr.