St. Johns Antigua- The “Come back kid” is going nowhere. Former prime minister Lester Bird said despite weak legs and a herniated disc, he plans on contesting in the next general elections constitutionally due in 2014. In an exclusive interview with OBSERVER media, the St John’s Rural East incumbent said his “mind is sound” and he’s taking control of his health; exercising and following his doctor’s instructions.
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KINGSTON, Jamaica - Jamaica, for all practical purposes, has an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). It will be merely formalised by the fund's executive board at their meeting on May 1.
So, the fiscal programme being pursued by the Government for the financial year that started on April 1 is predicated on the terms of the US$958 million extended-fund facility. In that regard, the Government will face the first quarterly performance tests under the agreement at the end of June - in less than three months' time.
ST. JOHN’S, Antigua - The silly season of election politics has begun and there is much talk around town about the possibility of early elections. This is to be expected because there is never a Caribbean election that enters its final year that does not start the rumours that the incumbent will use certain perceived advantages to surprise their opponent with a snap election. On all sides of the political coin (because Antigua’s political coin seems to have more than two), there will be strong arguments both for and against the gamble.
KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC - The main opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has blasted the Portia Simpson Miller led administration saying the country is worse off than when it demitted office in 2012.
Responding to the J$521 billion (One Jamaica dollar = US$0.01 cents) tax free budget presented by Finance Minister Dr. Peter Phillips last week, former finance minister Audley Shaw said under his stewardship between 2007-2011, the economy was in a much better state.
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, CMC - Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas Wednesday said he remains confident that the twin island federation would record near two per cent economic growth this year.
He said the 1.9 per cent growth being predicted is reasonable based on “what we have seen from the performance of the local economy, having undergone a number of structural adjustments in changes generally and the importance revenue that is being provided especially to the leading productive sector in the economy.
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Guyana Wednesday made an impassioned plea for business investments from its oil rich Caribbean Community (CARICOM) neighbour, Trinidad and Tobago, saying it also provides a gateway for investment in South America.
Guyana’s President Donald Ramotar addressing the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce Annual General Meeting his country could be a bridge “between the Caribbean and South America and offer our Caribbean investors huge possibilities into getting into the market”.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - The Eleventh Caribbean Fisheries Forum is imperative, timely and the findings discussed and deliberated on will be of great benefit to the region if they are creative, innovative and implemented.
This according to Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and Water Resource Management Michael King who delivered remarks at the opening ceremony of the forum at Accra Beach Hotel and Spa (Barbados), pleading for action across all sectors.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - According to the Executive Director of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) Milton Haughton, the Fisheries sector is highly important.
He highlighted the importance of the sector as a way to improve the health and quality of life of the citizens of the Caribbean.
WASHINGTON, CMC - The World Bank says it is helping to improve the quality of secondary education in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The Washington-based financial institution said this is being done through a project that trains more teachers and provides more classrooms. The bank said that, since 2004, it has supported the government in constructing and rehabilitating secondary schools creating an additional 750 school places, increasing secondary enrolment by about 30 percentage points, and provide instructional materials.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - According to the Minister of Finance, the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) is being viewed as a challenge that must be overcome.