CaribPR Wire

CARIBPR WIRE, LONDON, Sept. 16, 2022: CS Global Partners, one of the world’s leading government advisory agencies, is the official representative of the governments of the Commonwealth of Dominica, Saint Lucia and St Kitts and Nevis all of whom took part in the first-ever Afri-Caribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF2022), which took place in Bridgetown, Barbados, from 1 to 3 September 2022. The forum opened a new chapter for the relations between the Caribbean and Africa. Held under the theme, ‘One People, One Destiny, Uniting and Reimagining Our Future’, the forum set in motion various initiatives to further deepen and build new trade and investment relationships between Africa and the Caribbean.

The three-day forum was convened by African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the Government of Barbados in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC), African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, Africa Business Council, the Caribbean Community Secretariat, and the Caribbean Export Development Agency.

The Prime Minister of Barbados – Mia Amor Mottley, expressed pleasure at being selected as the host country for ACTIF 2022. She asserted that Africa and the Caribbean share common roots and need to work and act together in various sectors. Participants committed to building a commercial bridge between the two regions for their prosperous future.

ACTIF 2022 was the first forum of its kind between the two regions and aimed to provide an opportunity for the Caribbean and African business communities, as well as governments, to establish new commercial and strategic relationships with the goal of expanding trade and investment between both the regions. The high-level support between the two regions is intended to boost bilateral cooperation and engagement in trade, investment, technology transfer, innovation, tourism, culture and other sectors. The forum also opened doors to effective business matchmaking between the two regions.

The three-day conference featured various panel discussions on several topics, which were based on business-to-business engagements. The delegates discussed topics such as: developing special economic zones (SEZs) and industrial parks; boosting industrialisation and manufacturing; improving infrastructure, financing and trade logistics, including regional integration, promoting trade and tourism, creating the environment to accelerate private sector investment, improving agricultural productivity and increasing agribusiness opportunities and food security.

Along with this, the forum also witnessed the signing ceremony of two partnership agreements, 10 MoUs and three finance facilities. The star document of the forum, which signified the success of the summit, was the partnership agreement between seven members of the Caribbean Community and Afreximbank to promote and finance South-South trade and investment between Africa and the Caribbean. Its ultimate goal is to promote and provide insurance and guarantee services covering commercial and non-commercial risks associated with African and Caribbean exports.

Caribbean countries such as Barbados, the Republic of Suriname, the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Saint Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda and St Vincent and the Grenadines signed the agreement with African Export-Import Bank.

The agreement will help to boost knowledge sharing between Africa and the Caribbean region with technical cooperation, research and several joint events. It also has the potential to accelerate the membership of CARICOM nations in Afreximbank as it will enable the bank to operate in the region and deliver on the new vision.

Over and above this, in order to mobilise trade and investment between the two regions, Afreximbank also signed a US$250 million Trade and Investment Agreement with the Central Bank of Barbados.

Further, Afreximbank outlined their aim to establish the export-import as they signed a MoU with the Caribbean Association of Banks. The signing ceremony took place in the presence of hundreds of delegates comprising African and Caribbean business leaders and government officials discussing how to improve trade and investment between the two regions. It was signed by the Chief Executive Officer, CAB, Wendy Delmar, and the Executive Vice President of Afreximbank, Denys Denya.

To sustain these efforts, Africa-Caribbean Business Council, CARICOM Private Sector Organisation and Afreximbank also signed another MoU. The rest of the memos included Ghana Export Promotion Authority and Barbados Investment and Development Corporation signed by BIDC’s Hill and GEPA’s Dr Afua Asare, and BIDC, GUTA’s Dr Joseph Obeng and BCCI’s Anthony Branker, Ghana Union of Trade Association and Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry signed by Hill.

Various senior government representatives, business leaders, representatives of business associations, prospective investors and buyers, project promoters, development agencies, multilateral finance institutions, think tanks and research institutions from Africa and the Caribbean were in attendance at ACTIF 2022 with more than 1,500 delegates representing 93 countries (comprising 48 African countries, 12 Caribbean countries, and 33 other countries).

The specific objectives of ACTIF2022 were:

• Promotion of inter-bank relationships, which includes financial flow and fostering payment.
• Development of cultural and creative engagements between two regions that can be commercially viable.
• Creation of a business case for a potential AfriCaribbean Free Trade Area.
• Creating a suitable platform which helps to disseminate trade and investment information and other products and initiatives of the bank, which will support trade between Africa and Africans in the diaspora.
• Help in the reduction of the counterpart risk perception among African and Caribbean businesses in dealing among themselves.
• Promotion of trade and investment between Africa and the Caribbean as the forum served as the platform for market identification, building business partnerships, exchange of trade and market information, and co-investments.
• The forum also facilitates Afri-Caribbean investments by fostering and bolstering cross-regional business and investment linkages.

Honorable Kay McConney, Minister of Education for Barbados and COSI distribute hundreds of science kits to youth to promote science and technology on the island

CARIBPR WIRE, Bridgetown, Barbados, Aug. 26, 2022: Honorable Kay McConney, Minister of Education for Barbados and the Center of Science and Industry (COSI), the “#1 Science Museum in the Country” as voted by USA Today’s 10Best, are coming together to kick off a new initiative to deliver hands-on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) kits, called Learning Lunchboxes, to inspire youth and families.

The Learning Lunchboxes are fun, hands-on kits that provide five, learning activities that showcase the diversity of STEM. COSI distributed over 400 NASA-themed Space kits, which have over 10 hours of content around space, at this event today and will distribute an additional 100 Virgin Hyperloop kits to high school students in the fall. The event featured fun, science experiments for both youth and families in attendance as well as members of the Ministry of Education for Barbados and leaders from the community.

“COSI’s mission is to engage, inspire and transform lives and communities. The importance of STEM education cannot be understated, and COSI is bringing access and exposure to STEM internationally with our STEM education kits and our Learning Lunchbox program,” said Dr. Frederic Bertley, president and CEO of COSI. “We are thankful for the partnership with the Barbadian Government, the Honorable Minister Kay McConney and the team at the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training. We are grateful for this first program towards a long-lasting partnership with Barbados, and hope to expand the program throughout the Caribbean, bringing science literacy and fun to more learners through COSI.”

“We have worked hard together smartly, but this partnership only started a few months ago. The partnership with COSI serves to demonstrate how quickly, with the right partners, we are able to make science happen for our students,” said Honorable Kay McConney, minister of education for Barbados. “It doesn’t take years, it only takes a willing government, competent partners and excited children to get you on your path to the next great thing.”

COSI has traditionally distributed kits at local food banks across the U.S. and around the world to help feed hungry lives and feed hungry minds. This innovative, community-based model brings together other informal and formal education leaders to highlight the importance of STEM and to help bridge the education gap.

COSI recently partnered with NASA and the U.S. State Department to showcase STEM innovation through the Learning Lunchboxes at the World Fair in Dubai. COSI has also distributed these kits in London, Paris and other countries.

For more information, please visit COSI.org/connect.

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Media Link Only: To download high-quality images of the event, please click here. Credit all assets, “Courtesy of COSI.”

About COSI
COSI, the “#1 Science Museum in the Country” as voted by USA Today’s 10Best, is an esteemed science center that has delighted Central Ohio, with all things science for 58 years, inspiring interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) topics and delivering our experiential, “hands-on fun” brand of learning. As a trusted educational resource for families, schools and community partners, COSI is an essential element of our community, engaging more than one million people annually through onsite, offsite and online experiences.

Attachments

• Barbados Ministry of Education and Center of Science and Industry (COSI) Launch STEM Learning Lunchbox Initiative
• Barbados Ministry of Education and Center of Science and Industry (COSI) Launch STEM Learning Lunchbox Initiative

CaribPR Wire, BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Fri. Feb. 18, 2022: The popular annual Caribbean Fine Art Fair, (CaFA), now in its 12^th year, returns virtually and in person to Barbados this March, with a spotlight on the works of over 40 Caribbean contemporary artists and a focus also on the hot topic of NFTs.

Art fans from across the world will be able to join CaFA 2022 at the NORMAN CENTRE, Broad Street in Bridgetown, Barbados, and without leaving their homes at caribbean.global/, from March 9th-23^rd.

“This year’s CaFA Fair Barbados presents a balanced selection of emerging and internationally known artists representing 14 Caribbean nations, Brazil, Ghana, the USA and the UK,” said CAFA executive director Anderson M. Pilgrim. “We are excited about our programming featuring an array of regional experts and talent.”

“With the incredible growth and interest in Caribbean Fine Art, the opportunity to present a broader vision of the cultural creativity from the region grows as well,” added Daniel Hort, the Executive Director of Onomatopoeia Art and a co-producer of the event. “This year’s presentation of costume designs by the renowned Barbadian artist Winston Jordan, offers a glimpse into the career of a national icon while providing the chance work with major pageant and fashion outlets to present the colors, style and artistry of carnival.”

This year’s fine art show will feature contemporary artists such as the renowned US-based Neo-African abstract expressionist painter, Danny Simmons, the older brother of hip-hop impresario Russell Simmons and rapper Joseph Simmons; as well as renowned Jamaican artist Bernard Stanley Hoyes and Barbadian Winston Jordan.

Jordan’s historical carnival costume design, constructed by Mahogany Bird and DHP, was recently part of New York Fashion Week on Feb. 13th at the Cosplay Runway produced by COSMODA at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square, NYC.  The costume is slated for CaFA this March and represents the first time in over 20 years that the work of this renowned artist has been seen.

Other Caribbean artists showcasing their works at CaFA 2022 are: Ademola Olugebefola and Cheryl D. Miller of the US Virgin Islands; Carl F. Anderson of Guyana; Earl Darius Etienne of Dominica; Diogenes Ballester of Puerto Rico; Gilberto Wilson of Aruba Marlene; Millon Desvignes of Imat’s Creationsof Martinique; Patricia Brintle and Gina Samson of Haiti; Narciso Polanco, Palen Obesa and Rene de los Santos of Coronado Print Studio of the Dominican Republic; Joachim McMillan of Grenada; Ras Ilix Heartman, Alfred Weekes, Arlette St. Hill, Cher Antoinette Corbin, Hedy Klineman, Nicole Metzger, Steve Reid, Sylvester Adelabu Clarke and Tariq Bailey of Barbados. In addition, Central American artists Norma Lithgow of Costa Rica and Denae Howard of Panama will also showcase their work.

US artists participating, apart from Simmons, will be Brian Cannady, S. Ross Browne, Sadikisha Sandra Collier, Shenna Vaughn and Ebony Art, representing: Ernani Silva and Vernon McCauley. UK artists will be David Emmanuel Noel and Josh Kidd, while representing Ghana and the continent of Africa, will be TAFA.

In addition, the Fine Art Fair will feature 8 non-traditional artists – Alex Gibson, Délyt (Deandra Daniel), Donné Haynes, John Alleyne, Malique Shorey and Sydney McConney of Barbados, as well Sasha-Kay Nicole and Bonito “Don Dada” Thompson of Jamaica. It will be curated by Zoe Osborne of Mahogany Culture and presented at the Norman Centre simultaneously with the virtual platform caribbean.global/

CaFA 2022 will also include conversations and panel discussion around topics of international interest for the Caribbean, Black and global art communities, including a segment on NFTs by Osborne, one of the early adopters of NFTs in Barbados and the Caribbean. She will dedicate a portion of her panel discussion to explore NFTs and clarify facts around the new digital option for artists, for the uninitiated.

Other panels will include ‘Printmaking as an Art Form: Opportunities for beginning collectors by Pepe Coronado, Participating Printmakers and AMP on March 13^th; a conversation with Occhi Arts and Cheryl D. Miller, a pioneer black graphic artist and visual artist from the USVI on March 16^th; a fashion presentation by Imat’s Creations of Martinique and FW Brooklyn, NY on March 18^th, and ‘Politics of Art: Contemporary Black Art in the Mainstream,’ featuring Danny Simmons, Ademola Olugebefola, David Emmanuel Noel, Dr. Daniela Fifi and Dr. Loris Crawford on March 20^th.

CaFA 2022 will also feature the 3rd Bridgetown International Arts Festival, featuring musical, spoken word and theatrical performances on March 19^th.

CaFA was founded in 2011 and has established itself as the premier art event in the Caribbean. For more visit https://www.caribbean.global/ today.

SOURCE: CaFA

EDITOR’S NOTE: A photo for use with this press release is available HERE

CAPTION: Non-traditional artist Délyt (Deandra Daniel’s) work will also be a part of CaFA 2022. (Contributed image/ Délyt (Deandra Daniel))

Priceless Planet Coalition global pledge is to plant 100 million trees in five years

CaribPR Wire, Thurs. March 18th, 2021 – Scotiabank joins Mastercard on the expansion of the Priceless Planet Coalition to generate climate change awareness and impact across four Caribbean countries: Jamaica, Barbados, The Bahamas and the Dominican Republic. As part of the launch of this initiative, Scotiabank cardholders can contribute to different forestation initiatives through online purchases made with their ScotiaCard.

This global coalition unites the efforts of merchants, banks, cities and consumers to make meaningful investments to preserve the environment through the restoration of 100 million trees over five years, together with forestry experts from Conservation International and World Resources Institute. Other participating members are Transport for London and American Airlines, among others around the world, all of which are investing in innovative ways to inspire collective actions to address climate change. In the Caribbean, a place where climate change further impacts the effects of devastating hurricanes, Scotiabank has pioneered several initiatives to reduce Carbon emissions.

The current pandemic has underscored how interconnected our world has become, and that the health and well-being of our planet is deeply linked to that of our people. Together, Mastercard and Scotiabank are taking action now to combat global warming. Until April 22, current and new Bank cardholders in Jamaica can contribute to planting a tree for every five online purchases of J$4350 or more. The goal is to plant a total of 75,000 trees, based on purchases made in Jamaica, Barbados, The Bahamas and the Dominican Republic.

“Scotiabank is guided by our purpose: “for every future”. We recognize that climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time, and through our Climate Commitments, we are dedicated to supporting actions that address this challenge through our banking operations,” said Anya Schnoor, Executive Vice President of Scotiabank in the Caribbean, Central America and Uruguay. “As a leading Bank in the Americas, collaboration with other organizations is crucial for effective climate action. The Priceless Planet Coalition provides an opportunity for us to work alongside Mastercard to help make an impact and enables our customers in the Caribbean to be part of a very practical and tangible climate solution,” she added.

Climate change affects us all. In the Caribbean, the negative impact of extreme weather conditions on sectors such as agriculture and tourism can be significant. Reforestation has a direct and measurable impact on the environment.

“Mastercard is committed to protect the environment in every continent where it operates, and here in the Caribbean, where the weather is sometimes extremely punishing, suffering from very destructive hurricanes; we truly believe in our efforts on restoring the rainforests and the landscapes is a key element in the fight against climate change” said Marcelo Tangioni, President of The Caribbean Division at Mastercard. Mr. Tangioni also added that “We are very glad to welcome Scotiabank joining the Priceless Planet Coalition, for this constant work against the clock and mostly, to rebuild ecosystems with the help of all the partners of the Coalition.”

The Priceless Planet Coalition aims to reinforce a restoration model that is not only focused on planting trees, but on re-growing forests for a positive climate, community, and biodiversity impact. To learn more about Priceless Planet Coalition, please visit www.PricelessPlanet.org and follow us on social media #pricelessplanet.

To know more about Mastercard Corporate Social Responsibility’s Report and all its social and environmental efforts around the World click here

About Mastercard, www.mastercard.com

Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry. Our mission is to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart and accessible. Using secure data and networks, partnerships and passion, our innovations and solutions help individuals, financial institutions, governments and businesses realize their greatest potential. Our decency quotient, or DQ, drives our culture and everything we do inside and outside of our company. With connections across more than 210 countries and territories, we are building a sustainable world that unlocks priceless possibilities for all.

About Scotiabank

Scotiabank is a leading bank in the Americas. Guided by our purpose: “for every future”, we help our customers, their families and their communities achieve success through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. With a team of over 90,000 employees and assets of approximately $1.1 trillion (as at October 31, 2020), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: BNS) and New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BNS). For more information, please visit http://www.scotiabank.com and follow us on Twitter @ScotiabankViews.

CaribPR Wire, BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, June 04, 2019: Last week, organizations from across the globe, including 20 Caribbean countries gathered in Bridgetown, Barbados to discuss disaster resilience, priorities and solutions to tackle climate change and disaster risks at the Understanding Risk (UR) Caribbean conference. Hosted by the World Bank in partnership with the Government of Barbados, the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) and the European Union (EU), the week-long conference brought together leaders in risk and disaster management as well as private and public sector organizations to collectively discuss and formulate an action plan to address and take steps to reduce disaster risk within the Caribbean.

The event featured demonstrations hosted by the University of the West Indies, Harvard University, NASA, the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), Nassau-based Cloud Carib and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, to name a few. All this in time to kick start efforts for improved hurricane preparedness.

Barbados Prime Minister, the Honorable Mia Amor Mottley offered these thoughts in a keynote address at the opening ceremony, “Failure to act is largely because we do not believe that the problem is important enough to require such action. That’s the hardest thing for us as Caribbean people to accept. It is our contention that it is only when moral and ethical leadership is given both at the national level and the international level that we must summon the courage to fight down these battles. Until such time, it is a form of idle entertainment for those who choose to watch,” Mottley continued, “I pray that those of you gathered here will help us as policymakers understand the art of the possible. For you, as technicians more than anything else, will frame what is technically possible, whether at the level of infrastructure, science and technology, capacity to finance or general policy making,” highlighting the importance of disaster preparedness and the need for agreement and action at all levels of government and the private sector. Mottley’s comments struck a chord for the importance of disaster recovery specialists like Cloud Carib who came on as a partnering sponsor for the conference.

The Bahamian company held a panel discussion on ‘Strategic Approaches to Infrastructure Sustainability’.  On the panel was Cloud Carib’s Mark Arruda, Vice President of Solutions, Shiva Bissessar, Managing Director of Pinaka Consulting, Ann Wyganowski, Vice President, of HZX Business Continuity Planning and Yohannes Kesete the Senior Disaster Risk Management Specialist at the World Bank. The panel focused on the critical issues influencing infrastructure sustainability from physical to digital infrastructure and addressed strategies on how to approach maintaining sustainability and resilience in a region where natural disasters are common, and resources limited. To take a deeper dive into these complex issues Cloud Carib also hosted a half day workshop and training session led by Stelios Xeroudakis, Cloud Carib Founder and Chief Technology Officer, Mark Arruda, Eamon Sheehy, Cloud Carib, Director of Public Sector and Ann Wyganowski.

“This event is timely, the region is looking for a path to better resiliency, the last few hurricane seasons have devastated the region and with the current trends and impacts of climate change, we expect the devastation to only increase. It is important the private sector and organizations like Cloud Carib be involved in this discussion. Our services offer entities, both public and private, the opportunity to improve their resiliency and reduce their risk profile,” said Xeroudakis.

About Cloud Carib

Cloud Carib is the region’s premier provider of managed cloud services founded upon the principles of delivering quality, agility, and value for every client. Solutions range from complex bespoke dedicated private cloud offerings to hybrid cloud services. Every solution provides clients with controlled costs, unrivaled levels of service, and unparalleled levels of data protection and privacy – when and where privacy matters.

Cloud Carib se une a diálogo sobre recuperación ante desastres en el Caribe en anticipación a la temporada de huracanes en la Conferencia de Barbados

CaribPR Wire, BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, June 04, 2019: La semana pasada, organizaciones de todo el mundo, incluyendo 20 países caribeños, se reunieron en Bridgetown, Barbados para tratar sobre la capacidad de recuperación ante desastres, las prioridades y soluciones para abordar el cambio climático y los riesgos de desastres en la conferencia Understanding Risk (UR – Comprender el riesgo) en el Caribe. Patrocinada por el Banco Mundial en asociación con el Gobierno de Barbados, la Agencia Caribeña de Gestión de Emergencia de Desastres (CDEMA) y la Unión Europea (EU), la conferencia de una semana de duración dio cita a líderes en gestión de riesgo y desastres, así como a organizaciones del sector privado y público para dialogar colectivamente y formular un plan de acción para abordar y tomar medidas para disminuir el riesgo de desastres dentro del Caribe.

El evento cuenta con demostraciones presentadas por la University of the West Indies, Harvard University, NASA, la Organización de los Estados del Caribe del Este (OECS), Cloud Carib con sede en Nassau, la oficina de las Naciones Unidas para la Disminución de Riesgo de Desastres, para nombrar unas pocas. Todo a tiempo para impulsar los esfuerzos de preparación ante huracanes mejorada.

La Honorable Mia Amor Mottley, Primera Ministra de Barbados, hizo una reflexión en un discurso de presentación en la ceremonia inaugural: “La falta de acción se debe en gran parte a que no creemos que el problema sea lo suficientemente importante para necesitar tal acción. Esta es la parte más difícil de aceptar para nosotros, el pueblo caribeño.  Nuestro argumento es que sólo cuando se trata de liderazgo moral y ético, tanto a nivel nacional como internacional, debemos armarnos de coraje para combatir estas batallas. Hasta ese momento, es una forma de entretenimiento vano para aquellos que observan”. Después, continuó: “Rezo para que aquellos de ustedes que se reunieron aquí nos ayuden, como legisladores, a comprender el arte de lo posible. Para ustedes, como técnicos más que nada, plantearé lo que es técnicamente posible, ya sea a nivel de infraestructura, ciencia y tecnología, capacidad para financiar o formulación de políticas en general”, y resaltó la importancia de la preparación ante desastres y la necesidad de llegar a un acuerdo y tomar medidas en todos los niveles del gobierno y el sector privado. Los comentarios de Mottley tocaron la fibra sensible con respecto a la importancia de especialistas en recuperación ante desastres, como Cloud Carib, que acudió como patrocinador asociado para la conferencia.

La compañía bahameña, sostuvo un panel de diálogo sobre ‘Métodos estratégicos para sostenibilidad de infraestructura’.  En el panel participaron, Mark Arruda, vicepresidente de soluciones de Cloud Carib, Shiva Bissessar, director administrativo de Pinaka Consulting, Ann Wyganowski, vicepresidenta de planificación de continuidad de negocios de HZX y Yohannes Kesete, especialista sénior de gestión de riesgo de desastres para el Banco Mundial.  El panel se centralizó en los asuntos críticos que influyen en la sostenibilidad de infraestructura desde la infraestructura física a la digital y abordó estrategias sobre cómo abordar la sostenibilidad y recuperación en la región donde los desastres naturales son comunes, y los recursos limitados. Para sumergirse más profundamente en estos temas complejos, Cloud Carib también ofreció un taller de medio día y una sesión de capacitación liderada por Stelios Xeroudakis, fundador director de tecnología de Cloud Carib, Mark Arruda, Eamon Sheehy, director de sector público de Cloud Carib y Ann Wyganowski.

“Este evento es muy oportuno, la región busca un camino hacia una mejor recuperación, las últimas temporadas de huracán han sido devastadoras para la región y con las actuales tendencias e impactos del cambio climático, anticipamos que la devastación sólo aumentará. Es importante que el sector privado y organizaciones como Cloud Carib participen en este diálogo. Nuestros servicios ofrecen a las entidades, públicas y privadas, la oportunidad de mejorar su capacidad de recuperación y reducir su perfil de riesgo”, dijo Xeroudakis.

Acerca de Cloud Carib

Clod Carib es el proveedor líder de servicios gestionados en la nube en la región, fundamentado sobre los principios de ofrecer calidad, agilidad y valor para todo cliente. Las soluciones van desde ofertas complejas personalizadas de nube privada a servicios de nube híbrida. Toda solución ofrece a los clientes costos controlados, niveles de servicio inigualables y niveles de protección de datos y privacidad incomparables: cuando y donde la privacidad es importante.

CaribPR Wire, TORONTO, Feb. 06, 2019: Bevertec CST Inc., a leading provider of retail financial services technology and services in the Caribbean and worldwide, is pleased to announce that the company has reached an agreement with Capita Financial Services Inc. (Barbados) to implement an Automated Teller Machine network and related technology to serve the credit unions of St. Lucia.

The ATM driving, transaction switching and debit card issuing solution will be run from Bevertec’s processing centre in Antigua. All credit union ATMs in St. Lucia will be shared among the subscribing institutions forming a de-facto national network for credit unions. Bevertec’s Client Services Workstation will be available to all ATM-owner institutions enabling local, real-time, ATM monitoring and report retrieval over and above centralized monitoring and support delivered from Bevertec’s operations centre.

Bevertec’s President, Mr. Barry Walsh, commented, “We are very proud to be an integral participant in the digital transformation of St. Lucia’s Credit Unions. This project provides Bevertec with an opportunity to further demonstrate our commitment to the financial services industry in the region. We are looking forward to working with Capita and the Credit Unions of St. Lucia in building a showcase of innovation and service delivery.”

Mr. Paul Maxwell, President & CEO of Capita Financial Services Inc. said, “This partnership is transformative, both for the credit unions who can now offer their members a more complete range of services and for individual members who would now be able to perform ordinary day-to-day transactions in a way that was not before possible.”

About Bevertec Group

Since 1981, the Bevertec Group, a Canadian enterprise, has been supplying technology and services to various industry sectors. The Group has over 100 customers in the financial services sector spread across five continents but focuses primarily in the Caribbean, Central and South American markets. The Group also provides consulting services, staffing solutions and subject matter expertise to assist institutions at all business levels including development/project work, project management and strategic direction and planning.

About Capita Financial Services Inc.

Capita Financial Services Inc., a Barbados company, is a one-stop financial services company. Capita provides residential and commercial mortgages, land loans, vehicle loans, premium finance loans, leases, general insurance, term deposits, mutual funds and stock brokerage services. The company serves private individuals, insurance companies, credit unions, government statutory corporations, pension funds, and institutional investors.

About St. Lucia Co-operative League Limited

The St. Lucia Co-operative League Limited is the umbrella body for Co-operatives in St. Lucia. At the local level they function as the link between government and the individual Credit Unions. Key responsibilities include fostering the growth and welfare of Credit Unions both by direct effort and co-operation with other agencies having similar objectives and providing information and guidance to co-operative leaders and personnel so that the societies they serve will offer the best possible service to members and to make such opportunity equitable.

El Grupo Bevertec implementará servicios de entrega financiera compartida para las cooperativas de ahorro y crédito de Santa Lucía

CARIBPR WIRE TORONTO, Feb. 06, 2019:  Bevertec CST Inc., un proveedor líder de servicios y tecnología de servicios financieros para el consumidor en el Caribe y en todo el mundo, se complace en anunciar que la compañía ha alcanzado un acuerdo con Capita Financial Services Inc. (Barbados) para implementar una red de cajeros automáticos y tecnología relacionada para atender a las cooperativas de ahorro y crédito de Santa Lucía (St. Lucia Co-operative League Limited).

La solución para manejo de cajeros automáticos, cambio de transacciones y emisión de tarjetas de débito se ejecutará desde el centro de procesamiento de Bevertec en Antigua. Todos los cajeros automáticos de St. Lucia Co-operative League Limited será compartida entre las instituciones suscritas que forman una red nacional de facto para las cooperativas de crédito. La estación de trabajo de Servicios para Clientes de Bevertec estará disponible para todas las instituciones propietarias de cajeros automáticos, lo que permitirá el monitoreo de cajeros automáticos en tiempo real en tiempo real y la recuperación de informes por encima del monitoreo y la asistencia centralizados que ofrece el centro de operaciones de Bevertec.

El presidente de Bevertec, el Sr. Barry Walsh, comentó: “Estamos muy orgullosos de ser un participante integral en la transformación digital de las cooperativas de crédito de Santa Lucía. Este proyecto le brinda a Bevertec la oportunidad de demostrar aún más nuestro compromiso con la industria de servicios financieros en la región. Estamos ansiosos por trabajar con Capita y las cooperativas de ahorro y crédito de Santa Lucía en la construcción de una muestra de innovación y prestación de servicios “.

El Sr. Paul Maxwell, Presidente y CEO de Capita Financial Services Inc. dijo: “Esta asociación es transformadora, tanto para las cooperativas de ahorro y crédito que ahora pueden ofrecer a sus miembros una gama de servicios más completa como para los miembros individuales que ahora podrían realizar transacciones cotidianas ordinarias de una manera que antes no era posible “.

Acerca del Grupo Bevertec

Desde 1981, el Grupo Bevertec, una empresa canadiense, ha estado suministrando tecnología y servicios a diversos sectores de la industria. El Grupo tiene más de 100 clientes en el sector de servicios financieros distribuidos en los cinco continentes, pero se centra principalmente en los mercados del Caribe, América Central y América del Sur. El Grupo también proporciona servicios de consultoría, soluciones de personal y expertos para ayudar a las instituciones en todos los niveles de negocios, incluido el desarrollo / trabajo de proyectos, gestión de proyectos y dirección estratégica y planificación.

Acerca de Capita Financial Services Inc.

Capita Financial Services Inc., una compañía de Barbados, es una compañía integral de servicios financieros. Capita otorga hipotecas residenciales y comerciales, préstamos sobre terrenos, préstamos para vehículos, préstamos con financiamiento premium, arrendamientos, seguros generales, depósitos a plazo, fondos mutuos y servicios de corretaje de valores. La compañía presta servicios a personas privadas, compañías de seguros, cooperativas de crédito, corporaciones gubernamentales, fondos de pensiones e inversionistas institucionales.

Sobre St. Lucia Co-operative League Limited

St. Lucia Co-operative League Limited es el organismo que une a las cooperativas en Santa Lucía. A nivel local, funciona como el vínculo entre el gobierno y las cooperativas de crédito individuales. Las responsabilidades clave incluyen fomentar el crecimiento y el bienestar de las cooperativas de crédito, tanto por el esfuerzo directo como por la cooperación con otras agencias que tienen objetivos similares y brindar información y orientación a los líderes y al personal de las cooperativas para que las sociedades a las que sirven ofrezcan el mejor servicio posible a sus miembros y para asegurar que oportunidades como esta sean equitativas.

CaribPR Wire, PORSTMOUTH, Dominica , Tues. Feb. 25, 2014: Dominica hotelier, Gregor Nassief, is urging St. Vincent & the Grenadines Prime Minister, Ralph Gonsalves, to step aside as chairman of the shareholder’s committee of regional airline LIAT, in a fourth open letter to the shareholders. Nassief insists that since Gonsalves believes LIAT can never be profitable, then the airline urgently needs a new chairman and ‘general’ who can find a new approach for taking LIAT and the Caribbean aviation industry forward without a perpetual and unfair burden on the treasuries of St. Vincent, Antigua, Barbados and Dominica. The open letter follows.

February 25, 2014

Honourable Dr. Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Dear Prime Minister Gonsalves:

Re:  Run it like a business before it goes out of business

On the televised program Time to Face the Facts on Sunday, February 23^rd, I appealed to you to step aside as Chairman of the Shareholder’s committee of LIAT.  As mentioned on the program, given the respect and admiration I have for you, particularly on your stance and leadership on issues such as reparations and the cholera outbreak in Haiti, it was personally difficult for me to do this.  But it is necessary.

LIAT has moved from an operational meltdown in the Summer of 2013 to a financial meltdown a mere 7 months later.  LIAT drains our treasuries, operates inefficiently and stifles competition.  The source of LIAT’s problem is its financial unsustainability and as with everything else at LIAT, no one is accountable.  As Chairman of the Shareholder’s committee, the buck stops with you.

LIAT needs to fight the battle of its life to transform itself to be financially viable and sustainable.  But you believe, and have stated so publicly, that LIAT can never be profitable.  This battle, therefore, needs a different general.

Unsustainability

LIAT has lost ec$120m in the last four years.  Last month, LIAT could not pay both the lease on its aircraft as well as its payroll.  So it chose one and delayed the other.  A leased ATR gives 36% more seat capacity than its closest Dash 8 equivalent but is double the (lease) expense.  In 2015, repayments will begin on LIAT’s recent loan of us$65m to purchase new aircraft.   So monthly cash outflows go up even more.

And the new inflows to cover this?  Inter-island tourism is down 60% in 7 years and LIAT’s load factor is running at about 55%.  The fantasy (aka “business plan”) is that the load factor will go up to 75%.  The fantasy is also that LIAT will fly its way out of losses by expanding to new destinations – Jamaica, Haiti, Aruba, Panama, and eventually to cities in North and South America.

LIAT employs 850+ people, flies 22 destinations, operates between 10 and 12 aircraft from 2 hubs (3 if you count Trinidad) to move 800,000+ passengers a year to generate massive losses.

So it’s bail out time again.  Call on shareholders, and call on other good neighbors so that we can continue to drain our treasuries, operate inefficiently and stifle competition.  And for you this is acceptable because LIAT should not be run like a business and can never make a profit.

Our fragile economies can no longer support perpetual bailouts.  If we do not take the bull by the horns LIAT will go out of business – it will employ no one, fly nowhere, operate no aircraft and use no hubs.  But alas, it will generate no losses and competitive players will fill the gaps because LIAT, the airline unfairly propped up by perpetual subsidies, will not be there to run them out of business.

LIAT must therefore immediately begin a journey towards financial sustainability to save itself.  But if the leader does not believe in the journey, then the journey will never begin.  It is on this basis, with full respect and admiration, that I ask you to step aside as Chairman of the Shareholder’s committee, so that a new mandate to make LIAT financially sustainable can be ushered in.

Sustainability

The new chairman of the Shareholder’s committee needs to believe that the battle can be won.  And what needs to be done is not rocket science.

Appoint a Chairman and a Board capable of turning around the financial fortunes of the company and running a top-notch airline.  Give them the authority and autonomy to do what needs to be done.  Allow them to appoint a CEO and restructure the management team as necessary.   Allow LIAT to become a real business free from political interference tasked with a perfect safety record, high employee satisfaction, great customer service and solid financial performance.  A fierce focus on the company’s finances with adjustments made to yield (including renegotiation of government/airport taxes), network efficiency and operating costs will be required.  The resulting operation will have fewer employees, fewer destinations and fewer aircraft.  It will be profitable, dependable and it will deliver great service.  Like any airline, unprofitable routes will continue only with guarantees from the interested party/government.  But at least then, the taxpayers will know what they are paying for, and can make that decision.  And other/smaller airlines will take up the slack.  Competition will flourish, as will LIAT, and the Caribbean will finally get the airlift network it needs.

With a restructured board and executive, confidence in the airline’s financial performance will be established and other Caribbean governments may even want to invest.

At the right time, joint venture the company while maintaining a minimum 50% shares among shareholder governments.  The two best run airlines in the world (Singapore Airlines and Air Malaysia) are run like a business and are profitable and remain owned 50% or more by the State and 50% or less by private interests.  Like LIAT, they were bleeding losses and their shareholder governments could no longer manage the bailouts.  So they took the tough decisions, appointed the right board and executive team, and turned the airlines around to the benefit of all stakeholders.

Yes, it will be painful, but it is necessary.  And most importantly it will pull LIAT back from the financial cliff and put it on a course to long term financial sustainability.

Please consider that I am a hotelier from an island that is almost 80% dependent on LIAT for airlift.  Cut one route to Dominica, and we/Dominica will suffer.  But if my option is (a) to continue to have all the LIAT routes we have today with an airline that is prone to poor service, ad hoc cancellations, occasional and irrational pilot strikes and constantly at the edge of a financial precipice due to insurmountable financial losses – OR – (b) an airline with fewer routes but with good service, dependable schedules and solid financial performance, then my choice is definitely the latter.  And other airlines, once permitted, will take up the slack.

In Summary

Thomas Edison said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”  And then finally, he invented the electric light bulb.

We have lived through and exhausted the many ways that LIAT won’t work.  It is time to try the way that will.

I appeal to you, Prime Minister Gonsalves, as well as the other Shareholder Prime Ministers, to mandate a new approach for taking LIAT and the Caribbean aviation industry forward without this perpetual and unfair burden on our treasuries.

It is time to run it like a business before it goes out of business.

Respectfully Yours,

Gregor Nassief

Owner/Director – Secret Bay

Executive Chairman – Fort Young Hotel

cc:        Honourable Dr. Baldwin Spencer of Antigua and Barbuda

Honourable Freundel Stuart of Barbados

Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica

p.s.       As we again desperately seek additional funds for yet another bailout, make it the last please.  Don’t put the money into the black hole of an unsustainable business model.  Instead, use it to restructure the airline, rationalize its operations and place it on a solid long term footing.  In other words, make it the last bailout!

EDITOR’S NOTE: Mr. Nassief’s full letter is also available at http://www.scribd.com/doc/209141390/Letter-to-LIAT-Chairman-of-LIAT-s-Shareholders-Committee-February-25-2014-from-Dominica-Hotelier-Gregor-Nassief

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CaribPR Wire, BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Tues. Nov. 26, 2013: The Caribbean Advertising Federation (CAF) took home an impressive number of ADDY awards in 2013, confirming that the talent coming out of this region is bright and widespread.

On Wednesday December 4^th, 2013 the Caribbean Advertising Federation (CAF) will be hosting a workshop at Accra Beach Hotel & Spa, Barbados for attendees to view last year’s national ADDY winning submissions. To win an ADDY at national level means to create advertising that stands out against over 40,000 competing pieces.

The CAF workshop serves to showcase the brilliant work created here in the Caribbean, to not only our regional counterparts, but also to our wider audience across the USA. It will also teach attendees how to use this year’s newly developed software for submissions, which are due on January 4^th, 2014.

Winning Caribbean ADDY pieces are entered into the fourth district competition along with South Florida winners.  In last year’s awards, agencies that are part of the CAF took home an impressive amount of awards in almost every category. Everything Slight Pepper won a Charlie Award for Best of Sales Promotion and also a Gold ADDY for Single Unite Packaging for 3ZERO Rums by 3ZERO Ltd.

2013 was the first time in history a Caribbean agency has won a district Charlie Award. Trinidadian agency McCann Erickson took home the District’s coveted Mosaic Award that recognises cultural diversity.

Terri Brown, our founder and ADDY Chair, won The Jack Phillips Gold Medal award. This is the highest honor in the AAF Fourth District. This award is given in recognition of outstanding contributions to advertising and furthering the industry’s standards, creative excellence, and public service.

This not only shows the superior level of talent our Caribbean Universities and Colleges are churning out, but also how this talent is being used to create such dynamic advertising.
CAF members, marketing agencies, freelance talent, creative students, and marketing managers are the attendees who will be part of the workshop on the December 4^th.

The purpose of this workshop is to launch and review the process for this year’s award submissions.  The new software will make submissions easier, less expensive and less time consuming than previous years. Terri Brown will be hosting this part of the workshop and providing an overview as well as tips for this year’s submission.

“The CAF was able to shine in last year’s submissions, but in seeing all the great package designs on our shelves and moving to radio jingles, there is a whole lot more that is award-worthy.  We are looking to make this the best year yet for CAF,” says Renae Quinton, President of CAF.

Once the software is learnt and the agencies are ready, we are looking forward to seeing what they all have to offer and how many awards we can bring home to the Caribbean next year.

The ADDY deadline is January 14^th, 2014 for work published between January 1^st, 2013 and December 31^st, 2013.

The Bank teams up with SickKids to support telemedicine program

TORONTO, March 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ – Today, through Scotiabank’s global philanthropic program, Bright Future, the Bank announced a pledge of $1 million to support the Caribbean-SickKids Paediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders Project. These funds will be used to support the project’s telemedicine programs in Barbados, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and The Bahamas.

The telemedicine element of the project will allow physicians in the Caribbean to connect directly with leading paediatric cancer and blood disorder experts at SickKids. As well, physicians specializing in areas other than cancer and blood diseases can also connect with both Caribbean and international colleagues, enhancing their ability to diagnose and care for Caribbean children. The goal of this project is to expand access to world-leading medical professionals allowing children to get the best care possible in their own country.

“The Caribbean is a big part of Scotiabank’s history and our future. This donation and our partnership with SickKids are directed at giving the next generation a better chance of growing up healthy and making their contribution to the Caribbean,” said Sabi Marwah, Scotiabank Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer. “Supporting our communities through the Bright Future program is a big part of Scotiabank’s culture and our way of giving back to the network of 55 countries we call home.”

Through SickKids Foundation, Scotiabank also previously pledged $1 million to the International Patient Program.

“We are grateful for Scotiabank’s generous support of the telemedicine element of the project,” said Ted Garrard, President and CEO, SickKids Foundation. “Too often, children in the Caribbean succumb to cancer because the proper diagnostics and treatments are not available. This gift will help build capacity for these Caribbean countries to more effectively diagnose and treat children.”

In the Caribbean, there is often a combination of factors that negatively impact on the ability to deliver clinical care, including: a lack of medical professionals with specialized training in paediatric cancer care; limited technological resources which often prohibits proper diagnoses; few nurses and pharmacists able to provide specialized front-line health care; and limited data on the effectiveness of treatments and epidemiology of paediatric cancer. Working with local hospital partners in the Caribbean, the Caribbean-SickKids Paediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders Project includes a five-year plan to address the region’s gaps in research, care and education in order to advance the diagnosis and management of paediatric cancer and blood disorders.

Elements of this five-year plan include using telemedicine, physician envoys, and the SickKids International Learner Programme to provide customized, hands-on training to local individuals, establishing and maintaining a patient registry to provide high-quality data and key outcomes, and increasing the knowledge of primary care practitioners and pharmacists in the region to improve cancer care access. Trainees will also travel from the Caribbean to SickKids on a regular basis for hands-on training and experience within the Garron Family Cancer Centre at SickKids.

For more information on the Caribbean-SickKids Paediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders Project, please visit www.sickkidsfoundation.com/caribbean. To watch a video about the Project, please visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvntNAnvuSY.

About SickKids Foundation
Established in 1972, SickKids Foundation raises funds on behalf of The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and is the largest charitable funder of child health research, learning and care in Canada. Philanthropy is a critical source of funding for SickKids — one of the world’s foremost paediatric health-care institutions. For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2012, SickKids Foundation made an investment of $61.3 million in children’s health, a direct result of community and corporate support. For more information, please visit www.sickkidsfoundation.com.

About Scotiabank
Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad, through our global philanthropic program, Scotiabank Bright Future.  Recognized as a leader internationally and among Canadian corporations for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has provided on average approximately $47 million annually to community causes around the world over each of the last five years. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.

For media enquiries:

Scotiabank
Paula Cufre, Scotiabank Media Communications, 416-866-4833 or
[email protected]

SickKids Foundation
Janessa Bishop, Media Relations; 416-813-2944;
[email protected]

MONTREAL and BARBADOS, May 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Irosoft Inc., a worldwide leader in Acts and subsidiary legislation management solutions, in partnership with ESI Technologies Inc., is proud to announce the successful implementation of its LIMS Drafting and Consolidating solutions for the Government of Barbados.

“We are honoured to have been part of the LIMS project in Barbados for many reasons,” said René-Luc Morin. Vice-president and co-founder of Irosoft, Morin was in Bridgetown to complete the assignment and attend the official launch of the system held by the Attorney General and Minister of Home Affairs, the Hon. Adriel D. Brathwaite.

“Barbados can now manage its legislation using the latest and most advanced fully integrated system on the market,” Morin adds. “Our Irosoft LIMS implementation is now in full production in Barbados, and legislative drafters are already seeing the benefits of not having to deal with many repetitive and tedious tasks. Those involved in the consolidation process now have an easy-to-use, semi-automated system that respects the legal principal of ‘point-in-time’.

“Most of all, we have had the privilege of working with high-level professionals who have made our job easier. Supported by a strong project management, headed by Michael Forde of NexLevel Info on the client side and Chantal Lamarre, L.L.B, for Irosoft, we were able to finish the project on time and on budget, as we usually do.”

Project Manager Michael Forde commented: “Our success was due in large measure to the hard work, professionalism, and dedication of the legislative drafters and other staff in the office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel. For this, I commend them. Also contributing to our success, of course, was the expertise of the Irosoft team, their understanding of the legislative processes in our jurisdiction, and the quality of their LIMS product.”

“I see direct benefits to a wide cross-section of users,” said Attorney-General, Hon. Adriel D. Brathwaite, “from the ordinary man on the street to judges to attorneys to ourselves and, of course, to the draftsman themselves. LIMS brings tremendous benefits to them. It assists them not only in terms of research but certainly in terms of updating other laws that may be impacted by a piece of legislation. It is going to make that aspect of their lives that much easier.”

“We have now implemented our LIMS product in three countries in this part of the world,” concludes René-Luc Morin, “and we are looking forward to many more successful implementations in the near future.”

 About Irosoft Inc.

 Founded in 1995, Irosoft is a world leader in Document/Record Management and Legal Information Management. As a specialist in integrated content management, Irosoft offers innovative and easy-to-use solutions so that clients can simply and efficiently develop, organize, exploit and preserve their information capital. To date, more than 100 national and international organizations — government departments and agencies, municipalities, as well as private companies — have come to Irosoft to carry out large-scale content management projects.

                                                                      Book on February 29^th for a $29 Room Night

CaribPR Wire, New York, NY (February 29, 2012) – True savings only come once every four years. This Leap Year, on February 29^th only, visitors can save on their hotel stay when they book travel to Barbados at over 25 participating hotels and attractions. This one time Leap to Barbados special gives travelers a chance to leap away to the sun-drenched island to experience an unforgettable vacation retreat.

In celebration of Leap Day, those who book a minimum 5 night stay at any participating property pay only $29 for the first night. This fantastic cost savings is the perfect reason to escape to this lush Caribbean island – offering travelers a destination rich in history, culture, food, music, and a passion for living life to its fullest. 

Additionally, travelers have the chance to complement their hotel stay in Barbados with an extraordinary underwater experience at Atlantis Submarines, offering $29 off the full price for the first person in each party. Moreover, Island Safari is offering $29 off per couple on the 4×4 Adventure Safari with Full Day Lunch Tour.

Planning a Leap to Barbados vacation is as easy as:

• HURRY: Reservation lines and online booking window opens at 12:01am and closes at 11:59pm on Wednesday, February 29^th, 2012
• SAVE: Book 5 nights at any participating Barbados at season rate with promo code “LEAP” and pay only $29 for first night (minimum 5 night stay)
• LEAP TO BARBADOS: Travel window is through December 20^th, 2012

Book your stay on February 29^th, 2012 for travel through December 20^th, 2012 by visiting http://Bookings.BookBarbadosNow.com using promo code: LEAP and start saving. Early checkouts are not permitted.

Participating Hotels and Attractions Include:

• Ocean Two
• South Beach Barbados
• Tamarind Cove
• Colony Club
• Divi Southwinds Beach Resort
• Divi Heritage Beach Resort
• Atlantis Hotel
• Little Good Harbour Hotel
• All Seasons Resort
• Rostrevor Hotel
• Pirate’s Inn
• South Gap Hotel
• Bougainvillea Beach Resort
• Mango Bay
• Island Inn
• Sunswept Beach
• Plum Tree Club
• Sweetfield Manor Historical Bed & Breakfast
• Beach View
• Ocean15 Hotel
• Golden Sands Hotel
• Yellow Bird Hotel
• Angler Apartments
• Coconut Court
• The Crane
• Coral Mist Beach Hotel
• Blue Orchids Beach Hotel
• Atlantis Submarine
• Island Safari

Getting There:

Major US airlines offer easy and convenient services for travelers to Barbados from all major US gateways.

American Airlines offers a daily non-stop service from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and two daily from Miami International. Non-stop service is also available from Dallas Fort Worth International.

American Eagle also offers a non-stop from San Juan with connections from most US gateways. Visit www.aa.com for reservations.

JetBlue Airways offers a daily non-stop service between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Grantley Adams International Airport in Bridgetown, Barbados with some connections from their key gateways. Visit  www.jetblue.com for reservations. 

US Airways offers weekly non-stop flights from Charlotte and offers travelers convenient connections from points within the U.S. to the island. Visit www.usairways.com for reservations.

###

About Barbados

The island of Barbados offers the most authentic Caribbean experience with its exceptionally rich culture and history rooted in remarkable landscapes.  Rated as one of the world’s sexiest beaches in 2008 by Concierge.com; Barbados’ Crane Beach in St. Philip stands as a premier destination for travelers.  Barbados is also the first Zagat-rated Caribbean island with numerous internationally renowned chefs who masterfully put signature spins on local delicacies and traditions. Barbados is an ideal stage for world-class events and in collaboration with American Express Publishing Corporation, Barbados has hosted its first annual Barbados Food & Wine and Rum Festival in November 2010.  The country has also hosted numerous athletic championships, including the 2006 PGA World Golf Championships-Barbados World Cup, the ICC Cricket World Cup Finals in 2007, the Sentebale Charity Polo match with Prince Harry of Wales in 2010, and the ICC Twenty20 Cricket Finals for 2010. Accommodations range from picturesque plantation houses and villas, to quaint bed and breakfasts and award-winning, five-star resorts. Grantley Adams International Airport offers even more non-stop and direct service from a growing number of U.S. cities via Jet Blue and American Airlines, making Barbados the true gateway to the Eastern Caribbean.  Barbados was voted eighth in the World by Trip Advisor’s ‘2008 Travelers Choice Destination Awards’ in its Top 100 Destinations category.  For more information on travel to Barbados, visit www.visitbarbados.org, follow on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/VisitBarbados, via Twitter @Barbados or contact the Barbados Tourism Authority at 1.800.221.9831.

MIAMI, Jan. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — The Antigua Hotels & Tourist Association (AH&TA) have signed an agreement with Regatta Travel Solutions to launch BookAntiguaNow.com.  Regatta has launched similar projects in Puerto Rico, Barbados, Grenada and Jamaica, and is preparing to announce several more projects in the region.

“We expect to have nine destinations in the Caribbean using Regatta by April,” said Ashwin Kamlani, President of Regatta Travel Solutions.  “Once these projects are all fully operational we will have much more inventory in the Caribbean than any major Online Travel Agency.  This will open the door for Regatta to get involved in more high level projects which focus on the Caribbean as a whole.”

“Many have tried to do for years what Regatta has accomplished here in the Caribbean over the last twelve months,” said Neil Forrester, General Manager of the Antigua Hotels & Tourist Association.  “Their technology and services provide the hotels, bed and breakfasts, villas and activity providers a new and powerful way to attract bookings.  We look forward to working with them to replicate the success they have seen in other destinations here in Antigua, and are excited to be a part of their future endeavors in the Caribbean region.”

www.bookantiguanow.com was recently launched, and the accommodations providers are now in the process of getting their properties online.

About the Antigua Hotels & Tourist Association

The Antigua Hotels & Tourist Association is a non-government organisation and the representative voice of the local tourism private sector with a membership which comprises hotels, airlines and nearly 50 other tourism-related entities.  Visit antiguahotels.org for more details.

About Regatta Travel Solutions Inc.

Founded by Ashwin Kamlani, Regatta Travel Solutions provides specialized online booking technology and marketing tactics for DMOs (Destination Marketing Organizations).  DMOs that use Regatta to book travel on their sites can increase demand for their destination, lower the cost paid by suppliers per booking, and increase membership and participation for their organizations. Visit www.regattatravelsolutions.com for more details.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Sept. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Plans are well underway for the Caribbean Shipping Association’s (CSA) 41st Annual General Meeting (AGM) next month, October 10 -12 at the Hilton Barbados.  The CSA is the voice of the region’s shipping industry and a major regional forum in which matters relevant to the growth and development of Caribbean shipping are discussed.

 Officials of the Association, which is headquartered in Jamaica, were in Barbados recently finalizing the plans for the event with local partners, Barbados Port Inc. and the Shipping Association of Barbados (SAB). Immediate Past President of CSA, Fernando Rivera said that he was pleased with the headway that Barbados had made in planning for the AGM; and with the social events planned that will enhance the experience of attendees for this very special 40th Anniversary meeting. 

 President of the SAB Marc Sampson commented that Barbados was very pleased to be given the honour of hosting the CSA for its 40th anniversary. “This year is also a key milestone in the shipping industry for Barbados because we at CSA are celebrating our 30th anniversary while Barbados Port Inc. is celebrating 50 years of service to Barbados.  We are therefore determined to make this an extra special AGM for members and their families.”

 Among the issues to be discussed will be the Business and Economic Outlook for Global Trade and Cruise Tourism, Integrated Regional Approach to Logistics, Distribution and Warehousing, Lessons Learned from the Gulf Oil Spill, Forces Shaping Cruise Lines Deployment Decisions, Global Supply Chain, Maritime Transportation and the Caribbean Transshipment Market, Terminals/Ports of the Future and NVOCC Perspective and The Changing Role of the Traditional Ship Agent.

 The AGM is expected to attract participation not only from Caribbean members but from its wider membership which includes companies as far as the UK, France, Holland, China and Germany.

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia, Sept. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Emera Inc. (TSX: EMA): Chris Huskilson, President and CEO of Emera Inc., and Andrew Gittens, Chairman of The Barbados Light & Power Company, announced today the appointments of Mark King as Managing Director of The Barbados Light and Power (BL&P) and Bob Hanf as Executive Chairman of Light and Power Holding (LPH) and Director of BL&P, effective November 1, 2011.

Mark King, presently Chief Operating Officer will assume the role of Managing Director of BL&P with overall responsibility for the management and operations of the utility.  In his 35 years with BL&P Mr. King has held several senior level positions and has led many initiatives including the introduction of the first Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system in 1984, and the Health, Safety, Environmental and Quality (HSEQ) which under his leadership obtained ISO9001 certification in 2008.

“I am pleased to be provided this opportunity and truly humbled by the vote of confidence the Board of Directors has shown in me.  I look forward to working with the management team and appreciate their continued commitment and dedication to our Company,” stated Mr. King.

Bob Hanf becomes Executive Chairman of LPH and a Director of BL&P. In his current role as Chief Legal Officer of Emera Inc., Bob has been working with BL&P and LPH as they become part of the Emera family of energy companies.

Mr. Hanf joined Emera in 2002 as General Counsel for Emera and its affiliates.  He became Chief Executive Officer of Emera affiliate Bangor Hydro in 2007 and returned to Emera Inc. in 2011 as Chief Legal Officer.  Prior to joining Emera Mr. Hanf was a partner with the law firm McCarthy Tétrault LLP.

Barbados is an important part of Emera’s business and as such we felt it crucial to provide a direct Emera connection to the island,” said Mr. Huskilson of the new role. “Bob is a senior leader in our Company with a vast array of experiences in utility management, stakeholder engagement, business development and law and will play a crucial strategic role in our Barbados business.”

“I am honoured to be taking on this new role within the Emera group of companies,” stated Mr. Hanf. “We see great opportunity for these Companies and for the country of Barbados and I look forward to working with the team and members of the community to realize this potential.”

Outgoing Managing Director of BL&P, Peter Williams, who was appointed as Managing Director of Light & Power Holdings in July of 2010, will continue in this role, reporting to LPH’s Board of Directors.  Wayne Crawley, President and CEO Emera Caribbean Limited will continue as a Director of Both LPH and BLP.

About Emera

Emera Inc. is an energy and services company with $6.6 billion in assets and 2010 revenues of $1.6 billion. The company invests in electricity generation, transmission and distribution, as well as gas transmission and utility energy services. Emera’s strategy is focused on the transformation of the electricity industry to cleaner generation and the delivery of that clean energy to market. Emera operates throughout northeastern North America, in three Caribbean countries and in California. More than 80% of the company’s earnings come from regulated investments. Emera common and preferred shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and trade respectively under the symbol EMA and EMA.PR.A. Additional information can be accessed at www.emera.com, www.sedar.com, or on www.sec.gov.

About Light & Power Holdings

Light & Power Holdings Ltd. is an investment company with electricity being its core business. The Company has a wholly owned regulated electric utility, The Barbados Light & Power Company Ltd., which has been serving electricity customers in Barbados since 1911. Electricity service is available to the entire island community.

About Barbados Light and Power

The Barbados Light & Power Company supplies electricity to over 122,000 customers in Barbados and has established itself as one of the leading electrical utilities in the Caribbean. The Company is committed to providing an efficient, safe and reliable electricity service to its customers. This year the Company celebrates 100 years of centralized electricity service to Barbados. Additional information can be accessed at www.blpc.com

After Bermuda, New Brunswick and Quebec City, it’s now Barbados’ turn to entrust Irosoft with the automation of its legislative drafting, consolidation and publication processes.

 MONTREAL, June 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Montreal’s Irosoft, world leader in Acts and regulations management solutions, in collaboration with Montreal’s ESI Technologies, signs an agreement with the Government of Barbados for the implementation of its LIMS suite, a complete legislative management system. 

 Irosoft is proud to announce the signing of this contract with the Government of Barbados, a contract that consolidates LIMS’s positioning on the world stage.

 ”The Government of Barbados, through its ‘Justice Improvement Program’ initiative, chose to implement our LIMS solution. This will enable its citizens’ and the international community to easily access its Acts and regulations. We are truly happy to have been selected for this project. It is the result of several months of work by our sales and development teams,” declared with great enthusiasm Alain Lavoie, president and cofounder of Irosoft. “It’s a wonderful demonstration of what two Quebec SMEs can accomplish when they join forces to export their know-how to the international market.”

 ”What makes our platform unique is the fact that is covers every step of legal documentation production in an integrated way,” adds Mr. Lavoie.

 Indeed, Irosoft’s LIMS platform is one of the few complete solutions currently on the market that enable national, provincial and municipal governments to manage their Acts or their regulations, whether unilingual or bilingual, from drafting all the way to publication.

 Furthermore, LIMS enables users to search for and reconstruct Acts and regulations for a specific point in time and to visualize provisions that have been assented to, but that are not yet in force.

 LIMS is currently being used by the Departments of Justice Bermuda, Quebec and New Brunswick as well as by Quebec City. Part of the suite is also being used by the Government of the Bahamas.

 About Irosoft Inc.

Founded in 1995, Irosoft is a world leader in Document/Record Management and Legal Information Management. As a specialist in integrated content management for the past 15 years, Irosoft offers innovative and easy to use solutions so that clients can simply and efficiently develop, organize, exploit and preserve their information capital. To date, more than 100 national and international organizations — government departments and agencies, municipalities, as well as private companies — have come to Irosoft to carry out large-scale content management projects.

MIAMI, May 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — The Barbados Hotel & Tourism Association (BHTA) has signed an agreement with Regatta Travel Solutions to launch BookBarbadosNow.com.  The site aims to become the primary resource for information and reservations for hotels and activities in the destination of Barbados.  Regatta recently announced the official release of its private label OTA Software (Online Travel Agency) and the signing of its first agreement with Puerto Rico.  Now Regatta will also work hand in hand with Barbados to attract more travelers to the destination while reducing the cost of each booking to suppliers.

 ”It is so exciting to have a high profile destination like Barbados embrace Regatta,” said Ashwin Kamlani, President of Regatta Travel Solutions.  “This is going to change everything about the power that DMOs have to impact the tourism and local economies within their destination.”

 ”We evaluated several companies for this project,” said Sue Springer, Executive Vice President of BHTA.  “But Regatta is the only system that is specifically designed to handle everything we were looking for.  The combination of the advanced technology and the marketing knowledge that they bring to the table is very attractive to us.”

 The initial phase of www.BookBarbadosNow.com is live and has already generated bookings for the destination.

 About the Barbados Hotel & Tourism Association

The Barbados Hotel & Tourism Association was established in 1952.  Their mission is “Bringing people, research knowledge and technology together to resolve challenges of business and to stage a world class experience and performance.”  Visit bhta.org for more details.

 About Regatta Travel Solutions Inc.

Founded by Ashwin Kamlani, Regatta Travel Solutions provides specialized online booking technology and marketing tactics for DMOs (Destination Marketing Organizations).  DMOs that use Regatta to book travel on their sites can increase demand for their destination, lower the cost paid by suppliers per booking, and increase membership and participation for their organizations. Visit www.hotelinternethelp.com for more details.

CaribPR Wire, Bridgetown, Barbados, Tues. April 26, 2011: Artisans have been invited to exhibit their products at the region’s foremost trade show, Design Caribbean, offering unique access to important regional and international buyers, in addition to massive market opportunities presented in Dominican Republic with a population of 10 million people.

Artisan Sign-up Details

Over the past month we have had an outstanding response from artisans in the Caribbean anxious to be part of the upcoming Design Caribbean trade fair in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. 

All artisans engaged in art and design in the Caribbean region are eligible to participate in the Design Caribbean trade show. We are seeking quality products from diverse creative specialties including but not limited to ceramics, jewellery, fashion accessories, home furnishings, spa and wellness items, specialty foods and leather goods. A number of cash awards and incentives will be awarded in each category.  For participation criteria and sign up details, please  email [email protected] or visitwww.designcaribbean.com for application forms. Information can also be gathered at www.facebook.com/DesignCaribbean.

Design Caribbean Details

From September 1-4, 2011 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Design Caribbean will unite a passion for design with the soul of the Caribbean. All products on display will have been vetted for excellence.

In Barbados during the official launch of the 10^th European Development Fund (EDF), attendees were given the first sneak peek of some of the exciting product that will be part of the upcoming fair.  Alongside the main trade fair, Design Caribbean, there will be many related events including a major musical event, a film programme, the remarkable rums experience, a specialty tea tent, spa and wellness as well as a fashion show. Participating artisans will also have the opportunity to attend a number of product and market development workshops on hot topics such as intellectual property rights, growing a business and accessing foreign markets.

As noted at the 10^th EDF launch by Her Excellency Ambassador Rosalyn E. Hazelle, Chairperson Caribbean Export, “Design Caribbean is an opportunity for exhibitors to bring their uniquely designed projects to a targeted regional and international audience that will assist these artisans in growing their businesses to continue to provide new sustainable opportunities.”