Caribbean Times 84th Issue - Thursday 26th January 2017

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6 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g Thursday 26th January 2017 PM attends CELAC Summit in Santo Domingo PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic – Prime Minister the Hon. Gaston Browne was yesterday in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic for the Fifth Summit of Heads of State of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), where matters of the grouping and changes in Europe and North America are expected to feature on the agenda. According to Prime Minister Browne, the meeting is very important to members of the grouping particularly with a new administration in the United States and the issues surrounding Brexit. He noted that the Heads also addressed issues of food security, drugs, and migration. The Summit was expected to approve 19 resolutions on topics of interest to the grouping and conclude with the Political Declaration of Punta Cana and special declarations on By Everton Barnes Members of the local private sector are gathering for a breakfast seminar today to discuss how best to survive in an increasingly hostile global environment. The event takes place at the Jolly Beach Hotel where the featured speaker is the Secretary General of the OECS Secretariat, Dr. Didicus Jules, who will address the topic of How Can Business Survive in These Times? Financial secretary Whitfield Harris topics common to CELAC members. The Summit was also attended by Raúl Castro, President of Cuba, Enrique Peña Nieto of Mexico; Nicolás Maduro, from Venezuela; Juan Manuel Santos, from Colombia; Evo Morales, from Bolivia; Michelle Bachelet of Chile and Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua. Prime Minister Browne was accompanied by Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Immigration Minister, the Hon. Henry Charles Fernandez. Prime Minister Browne returns to the country today in time to chair the weekly session of Cabinet which will be held on Friday. Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, the Hon. Steadroy Benjamin is the Acting Prime Minister. Business community holds forum will also speak at the forum where he is expected to outline government’s policies to assist the private sector compete in the current environment. The forum is organsised by the Employers Federation which is inviting members of the business community to attend and to participate in the discussions that will follow. Arrangements have been made for a Question and Answer segment following the presentations by Dr. Jules and Harris. Federation president Leslie Salmon described the posture of the larger states as being unfriendly to small states such as Antigua and Barbuda and many in the Caribbean. He said these states have to be constantly looking for new opportunities as the more developed countries have displayed an indifference towards the concerns of small states. In fact, he noted that each time these small economies identify a new source of revenue to fund their operations, the large countries move in and cripple the source of revenue.
Thursday 26th January 2017 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g 7 Six cruise ships in port By Joanna Paris On Tuesday, lower St. Johns was buzzing with activity and the island hosted six cruise vessels at three different port of entry. Silver Wind and Viking Star dropped anchor at the Deepwater Harbour, while the Zenith and Thompson Discovery and Adventure and Britannia docked at the Nevis Street Pier and Heritage Quay respectively. It was indeed a site to behold as the vessels were visible from the high points around the city a true symbol By Everton Barnes There’s a call for more discussions between the government and the business community prior its implementation of policies that will affect this critical group in the society. Making the call is President of the Employers’ Federation, Leslie Salmon, who said such discussions will be beneficial to both the government and the private sector as both are interested in having a thriving economy. “It is my view that the government should give a voice to the business community through its representative organisations – the Antigua and Barbuda Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Employers Federation – ahead of adopting legislation or implement policies that will affect the sector,” he told that the cruise tourism industry is alive and well. Speaking to Caribbean Times, President of the Antigua and Barbuda Cruise Tourism Association, Nathan Dundas indicated that “it is a good day for cruise tourism”. “We had six ships in port today and this is indeed a good thing for all of the key entities in cruise tourism. We know that our country is heavily dependent on the tourism sector and it is days like this that person should really see the rewards. So, we are very happy with Caribbean Times. Salmon added that his organization is prepared to work closely with the government on this matter as he believes that both entities ‘would work better together’. The federation president said he is an advocate for this policy of inclusion as according to him there may be things about a particular policy that the business community does not fully understand, while at the same time government may not fully understand how a policy may truly affect the business community. Salmon indicated that he is aware that the government has certain social responsibilities it cannot ignore, but at the same time he noted that both entities have one thing in common; they want to see the economy thrive. His comments comes on the heels of the announcement that the government intends to fully enforce the unincorporated business tax which is levied against small business who are required to pay an annual license as well as the statutory deductions. The business executive Antigua and Barbuda Cruise Tourism Association President Nathan Dundas what has happened and will continue to happen”, he stated. He added that efforts will continue to attract the best cruise lines to the twin island state. Employers’ Federation wants more dialogue said the tax could result in many of these businesses adopting tax avoidance measures which is not in the government’s interest. He said dialogue with the government could arrive at a way forward that would make the government happy and one with which small businesses would accept. Informative, reliable, enriching! Think you have a good news story; did you witness anything that is news-worthy; did you take that valuable picture; things happening in your community but there is no outlet or voice for you? You can earn just by telling your story. Call Caribbean Times at (268) 562 8688 Email: editor@caribbeantimes.ag Or news@caribbeantimes.ag Reach us now with that breaking news!
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Caribbean Times 84th Issue - Thursday 26th January 2017

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