ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC - Eastern Caribbean governments Wednesday said they had finalised an agreement allowing for the transfer of British-American Insurance Company Limited (BAICO) traditional insurance business to Saigicor. In June last year, the government grouped under the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) said they would provide funding to assist in restoring value to the transferring policies as they sought to deal with the fall-out caused by the financial collapse of the Trinidad-based C.L.
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CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC-Agriculture Ministers from the Windward Islands will be meeting here on Thursday to prepare for another major threat to the still vital regional banana industry.
The industry is grappling with the Asian banana disease, described as a new and formidable enemy, which authorities describe as being worse than Black Sigatoka.
Officials say the disease is fairly new and associated with the rise in temperatures. As a result, the Ministries of Agriculture in the four islands are seeking to adopt all precautionary measures.
KINGSTON, Jamaica - Jamaica faces external non-tariff barriers to trade mainly from the United States, followed by Barbados and Antigua and Barbuda. But a new report also cites Jamaica for throwing up its own internal blockades to trade flows, which hamper exports. The new International Trade Centre (ITC) report on non-tariff barriers (NTMs) in the Caribbean indicates that export inspections are the most common burden affecting local companies in various agricultural and manufacturing sectors.
KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – The Jamaica government says “contingency discussions” involving various international financial institutions have held up its programme for approval by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Finance Minister Dr Peter Phillips told legislators that the discussions involve the IMF, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and the World Bank “regarding the extent of the commitment from each institution to support the IMF programme”.
KINGSTON, Jamaica - FOR THE fifth time since forming the Government in January 2012, the Portia Simpson Miller-chaired Cabinet is to go into retreat.
Sandrea Falconer, minister with responsibility for information, said the Cabinet retreat will take place this Sunday.
"Cabinet ministers will discuss the growth agenda, including job-creation strategies, human-capital development, social inclusion, improved security and safety, fiscal prudence, and the pursuit of a credible economic programme," Falconer said at yesterday's weekly Jamaica House press briefing.
ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer Wednesday underscored the need for Antigua and Barbuda to develop a sustainable energy programme in light of ever increasing oil prices on the global market and the need to deal with the impact of climate change. Addressing the national stakeholder consultation in the build up of the legal framework for the development of sustainable energy here, Spencer said the conference is intended to advance the transition towards a more sustainable energy future for the island.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - Shanique Myrie was actually cleared to enter Barbados when she first arrived in the country two years ago.
But that clearance was cancelled moments later, after it was determined by Immigration Department officials at the Grantley Adams International Airport that the Jamaican woman had misrepresented information regarding who would be her host during her proposed 15-day stay in Barbados.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Barbados Foreign Affairs Minister Maxine McLean Wednesday urged Caribbean governments to capitalise on opportunities to work together to chart a path towards regional economic development.
Addressing the two-day colloquium hosted by the Barbados-based Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) McLean highlighted the importance of trade to counteract “perceived weaknesses” across the region.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – A veteran immigration official Wednesday denied that Barbados had been treating Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nationals harshly in contravention of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) that allows for the free movement of people across the region.
Senior Immigration Officer Merlo Reid told the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) that passengers entering Barbados have to satisfy immigration requirements which include the possession of a return ticket, adequate funds and reasonable accommodation.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves Wednesday warned that crime and difficulties surrounding regional air transportation were major stumbling blocks towards making greater progress in regional trade. Addressing the two-day colloquium hosted by the Barbados-based Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) Gonsalves said high crime levels in several countries were not only a deterrent for tourists but also a disincentive for potential investors.