Caribbean Times 1st Issue - Monday 20th February 2017

Informative, reliable, enriching! 

Monday 20th February 2017 A n t i g u a a n d B a r b u d a 

Vol.9 No.1 $2.00 

ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA: 

THE BEST IS YET TO COME 

Gaston Browne is a busy 

man. From talks in the Middle 

East with the Emir of 

Qatar and the UAE vice president 

to welcoming Prince 

Harry on a state visit, the 

Prime Minister of Antigua 

and Barbuda is tireless in projecting 

his small country onto 

the world stage. 

Since leading his Antigua 

Labour Party to victory in 

the 2014 elections, the 50- 

year old former banker has 

been relentless in attracting 

millions of dollars in international 

investment, coupled 

with creating new laws. He 

says “hard work gets results 

done” – and so far, the results 

are clear for all to see: 

The Antigua and Barbuda 

economy is marching steadily 

forward and creating more 

jobs and prosperity for Antiguans 

and putting in place 

healthy investment frameworks 

which will attract foreign 

direct investments. In 

fact, the economy grew 4.2% 

last year, making it the fastest 

Inset: Prime Minister, the Hon., Gaston Browne 

in the Caribbean region and dustries and create a healthier 

the fourth fastest in the hemisphere. 

To achieve this vision 

economy. 

The focus of Browne’s administration’s 

economic vi- 

Browne is already working 

requires more people and 

sion is to increase the island’s on the solution. “We have our 

room availability from 3,000 own human resources, but of 

rooms to 10,000 rooms in the course we require many more 

next 5-7 years. Boosting the people to serve our development 

and expected growth,” 

number of hotel rooms in Antigua 

and Barbuda will create he says. “We need more 

jobs, grow tourism related in- 

unique skills, technicians and 

specialists. That’s why, we 

have supporting programs 

such as the Citizenship Program.” 

“We also need funds, as 

well as people, to develop industries 

and the Citizenship 

Program brings us both. We 

are creating new initiatives 

that will bring these new citizens 

even closer to us, becont’d 

on pg 2

2 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g 

Monday 20th February 2017 

cont’d from pg 1 

cause we don’t want them to 

be just citizens with no connections 

with our country. We 

will make sure they become a 

part of our society, they will 

be our voice and our ambassadors 

worldwide, they will 

be proud to be Antiguans and 

they will share our understanding 

of what Antigua and 

Barbuda is all about”. 

Browne points to the United 

Arab Emirates as an example 

of the kind of growth he is 

determined to copy. “Four decades 

ago Dubai had around 

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40,000 citizens, today it has 

over two million, including 

immigrants. Forty years ago, 

we had 50,000 but today we 

barely have 100,000. Every 

country has different immigration 

and citizenship needs 

and we are no different but 

we have the safest environment, 

the lowest crime rates, 

we have never been in a war, 

our people are friendly and 

welcoming, we have mixed 

ethnicities, religions and race 

and this is what makes us 

strong and united.” 

“We have created laws 

and policies which are of international 

standard, fit our 

requirements, and encourage 

investment. Our real estate 

industry is one of the healthiest 

worldwide,” he proudly 

points out. “I can’t recall a 

bear market, in fact growth 

has been upwards all the 

way. Antigua and Barbuda 

has the most modern airport 

within the OECS, one which 

can accommodate practically 

all commercial aircraft. The 

government is also spending 

$100 million to rebuild 

and remodel our existing 

cargo port to make it into a 

trans-shipping port that will 

help in boosting the economy.” 

“Antigua has managed to 

attract international investors 

with negotiated deals north of 

$3 billion dollars. Whatever 

will finally mature from these 

investments will be impressive, 

a figure double the size 

of our economy,” he adds. 

As examples of high profile 

investors and projects, 

Browne points to Robert 

DeNiro and James Parker’s 

$250-million Paradise Found 

and Sheikh Al Qasimi’s of the 

United Arab Emirates $120 

million Callaloo Cay Project. 

Both are part of a long list 

which includes Replay’s Half 

Moon Hotel and Jean Paul 

Dejorey’s $200 million USD 

hotel on Barbuda, where this 

international group will be 

investing several hundred 

million dollars to build new 

resorts. 

Browne says: “My government 

is still young, when 

we came to power a two and 

a half years ago our economy 

was at the bottom of the 

league table, today we are 

the fastest growing economy 

in the region. I want to see 

my citizens in better shape, 

the shape they deserve to be 

in. Being an island is never 

easy, we don’t have railways 

or trucks to build strong trade 

ties with neighbours, as is 

the case in North America, 

Europe, Africa and Asia. We 

don’t have oil or gas, but 

what we do have in abundance 

is the belief, motivation 

and desire to transform 

our island into a Caribbean 

powerhouse.” 

Through a program of 

continuous visits, both personally 

and via his team, the 

Prime Minister is also consistently 

playing an important 

role in bringing the Caribbean 

and the Arab Gulf countries 

closer together. 

Browne has always spoken 

of how much he admires 

the way in which Arab Gulf 

countries, such as the UAE 

and Qatar, have witnessed 

so much development within 

cont’d on pg 3

Monday 20th February 2017 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g 3 


such a short time frame. 

And the relationship has 

paid dividends as, for example, 

when Browne had a 

series of meetings with the 

Arab Gulf countries during 

the Haiti hurricane crisis. 

These meetings were instrumental 

in generating financial 

support for the victims of the 

natural disaster. 

“I was very pleased that 

when I called on the leadership 

of Qatar, in particular, to 

assist Haiti that there was no 

hesitation. I made a request 

and they responded swiftly,” 

Browne said. “After this the 

UAE responded in a similar 

fashion by also contributing 

to the Haiti fund. I was delighted 

to play a significant 

role in creating that link between 

the two regions”. 

However, Antigua and 

Barbuda have both clearly 

showed that this special relationship 

is not one-sided. 

The country backed Qatari’s 

Dr. Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al 

Kuwari, advisor at the Emiri 

Diwan as Qatar’s candidate 

for the director general post 

at the United Nations Educational, 

Scientific and Cultural 

Organization (UNESCO) in 

St. John’s. 

Browne says: “We have 

managed to build a genuine 

and sincere friendship over 

here and friends always look 

after one another. I’m very 

pleased to be an advocate on 

their behalf, to do whatever is 

necessary to ensure that the 

Caribbean as a whole enjoys 

closer bilateral and multilateral 

relations with the Arab 

gulf region. And, so far, it’s 

been going very well and it is 

a courtesy that we will be extending 

to all of the countries 

within the Gulf region as we 

seek to strengthen bilateral 

and multilateral relations between 

the Caribbean and the 

Arab Gulf countries” 

Antigua and Barbuda has 

recently signed an investor 

protection agreement, as well 

as executing a double taxation 

agreement with the UAE, 

that has created the necessary 

framework for investors to 

invest in the country. Browne 

says that he is now looking 

forward to a long-term, sustained 

relationship between 

Antigua and Barbuda and the 

Arab Gulf countries. 

As a further gesture of 

friendship, Antigua has lifted 

the visa requirements previously 

required for Emiratis 

to enter Antigua. In addition, 

Antigua has also opened an 

embassy in Abu Dhabi that 

will serve as a focal service 

point for Antiguan citizens 

in the Middle East, as well 

as play an important role in 

strengthening and improving 

relationships between the two 

regions. 

Just a few months ago 

Antigua purchased a desalination 

plant, from Dubai for 

in excess of $3mn. It was 

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also announced last week that 

Antigua and Barbuda has secured 

a loan for a new hybrid 

energy project worth $15mn 

from Abu Dhabi, the capital 

of the UAE. This step further 

demonstrates the efforts 

of the Antiguan and Barbuda 

government to reduce its reliance 

on fossil fuels. 

With a rate of 4.25%, Antigua 

and Barbuda is the fastest 

growing economy in the 

Caribbean today, despite being 

at the bottom of the table 

just three years ago. His new 

team works tirelessly around 

the globe to bring investments 

to the country to build 

a nation. 

Twenty years ago, a hurricane 

eliminated an entire 

year’s GDP and it took the 

country two decades to recover, 

a recovery hampered 

by the 2008 financial crisis 

and exacerbated by the mismanagement 

of the previous 

administration. 

For the Prime Minister 

and his country, you get the 

feeling that the best is yet to 

come. (arabianbusiness.com) 

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Risk posed by Caribbean “exaggerated’ 

By Everton Barnes 

The threat posed by Caribbean 

countries to the global 

financial system that is at the 

centre of the de-risking issue 

has been largely exaggerated, 

according to Prime Minister 

Gaston Browne. 

PM Browne made the observation 

during an interview 

conducted at the margins of 

the last week’s Caribbean 

Community (CARICOM) 

28 th Intercessional Meeting in 

Guyana. 

“To date, not a single case 

of money-laundering nor terrorism 

financing has resulted 

in any fines for any United 

States bank. So in the absence 

of this evidence, it is more a 

case perception than reality in 

terms perceived weaknesses 

in our banking systems,” he 

remarked. 

The prime minister said 

while he accepts that there 

are ‘certain gaps’ within the 

legislation within the region 

that need to be plugged, he believes 

that the focus should be 


The, Eastern West Indies Province 

(EWIP) of Moravian Church is convening 

a symposium at its headquarters in 

Antigua next month where members will 

consider a new role for the church in education. 

EWIP Chairman, Rev. Dr Cortroy 

Jarvis, said the symposium to be held at 

the will run from March 7 – 9 and it will 

hear several presentations of a likely role 

for the church in education. Two Antiguans 

who are now professors at the University 

of the U.S Virgin Islands, Bishop 

Dr. Conrad Spencer and Dr. Vaneer 

Goodwin will lead the discussions at the 

on strengthening the enforcement 

mechanisms to ensure 

that the laws on the books are 

rigorously enforced. 

In spite of this, PM 

Browne nonetheless feels 

that the foreign banks have 

over-estimated the risks posed 

by Caribbean banks. 

“They have over-estimated 

the extent of the monies 

that are flowing through 

CARICOM countries and the 

extent of any nefarious activities 

including money-laundering. 

Most CARICOM banks 

have stringent requirements 

regarding funds that are deposited 

and as far as the 

disclosure of funds that are 

deposited. In the case of Antigua 

and Barbuda, anything 

in excess of $10,000.00 must 

be declared and the banks are 

looking at smaller amounts 

with keen eyes,” he explained. 

The prime minister noted 

that the volume of transactions 

passing through the region’s 

banks is ‘very small’ 

when compared with transactions 

in other countries. He 

added that as small societies 

‘we know one another’ and 

the banks are clearly aware 

of whose income is legitimate 

and whose is not. 

symposium. 

“There will be presentations by 

the official delegation to include their 

background, trends in higher education, 

our math enrichment program and the 

church’s involvement in higher Education. 

The rest of the program will be 

brainstorming/thinking aloud in trying 

to put the plan for the college in perspective,” 

Rev. Jarvis explained. 

He noted that the Moravian Church 

has what he termed ‘a goodly heritage in 

particular in the area of Education’. 

“We have lost some grounds, but we 

believe that God is calling us to continue 

to be the salt of the earth and the light of 

He stated that the move to 

de-risk banks in the region, 

most notably the indigenous 

banks, may have been based 

on mis-information or ignorance 

of the scope of the 

business done by banks in the 

Caribbean. 

PM Browne noted while 

that there has been a halt in 

the de-risking initiative, the 

region must, however, remain 

vigilant. He said CARICOM 

leaders have agreed on a twopronged 

approach; education 

and advocacy. 

He said the region will 

continue to educate the international 

community about the 

efforts by the region’s banks 

to combat money-laundering 

etc., but equally, the meeting 

has agreed to engage a lobby 

group out of the US to take 

its case to U.S policy makers. 

He disclosed that a proposal 

by former US Attorney General, 

Eric Holder, is before 

the heads for consideration 

although no decision has yet 

been made. 

Moravians ponder higher education 

the world,” he added. 

He said along with the leaders Bishop 

Spencer and Dr. Goodwin and there will 

be other University Professors from the 

United States, St. Croix, St. Thomas and 

Jamaica, who will make presentations 

on the occasion. The Moravian Church’s 

long history in education dates back to 

the period of slavery when its earliest 

missionaries taught the enslaved people 

of African descent. That tradition continued 

into the twentieth century when it 

also operated a teachers’ college. 

In recent years, the church has been 

focusing on a re-entry into higher education.


License needed for importation of pesticides 

The Pesticides & Toxic Chemicals 

Control Board (PTCCB) of the Ministry 

of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and 

Barbuda Affairs in accordance “The Pesticides 

and Toxic Chemicals Act, No. 12 

Of 2008,”, would like to inform the general 

public that effective immediately, all 

importers of pesticides and toxic chemicals 

will be required to obtain an importation 

license for pesticides and or toxic 

This week’s act of violence 

against a young man 

in the heart of St. John’s was 

an unconscionable and inexcusable 

act. The Ministry of 

Social Transformation and 

Human Resource Development, 

through the Directorate 

of Gender Affairs, firmly believes 

that violence perpetrated 

against others is an egregious 

human rights violation 

that not only impacts those 

directly involved but all of our 

nation’s citizens. 

It is our civic duty as Antiguans 

and Barbudans to make 

concerted efforts to transform 

chemicals prior to their importation into 

the country. To avoid detention or confiscation 

of shipments at the port, all pesticides 

importers are urged to consult with 

the PTCCB to ensure that all pesticides 

and toxic chemicals that they are desirous 

of importing are duly registered by the 

Pesticides & Toxic Chemicals Control 

Board, for use in Antigua and Barbuda. 

Failure to comply is an offence punishable 

on summary conviction by a fine 

not exceeding $25,000 or imprisonment 

for a term not exceeding one (1) year, 

or both. In case of doubt and/or for further 

information and guidance on these 

matters, persons are asked to contact the 

Pesticides & Toxic Chemical Board’s 

Secretariat at telephone number 1(268) 

462-9191/464-4448 or email at pesticideboard@ab.gov.ag. 

The Social Costs of Harassment and Violence 

public spaces into safe areas 

around which people may traverse 

without fear of harassment 

or violence. 

Street harassment, which 

primarily involves unwanted, 

inappropriate and oftentimes 

repeated commentary 

and advances, is a negative 

social phenomenon that requires 

our undivided attention 

and scrutiny. As a society we 

have become desensitized to 

the harmful impact of street 

harassment. The failure to 

recognize street harassment as 

an ongoing cultural issue facilitates 

its escalation into acts 

of violence. We can begin 

to demonstrate the seriousness 

with which we consider 

these events by changing the 

way they are framed in our 

language. Our language must 

reflect the sensitivity and seriousness 

inherent in acts of 

harassment and violence. This 

will communicate our commitment 

to humanizing the 

parties involved and give rise 

to responses and actions from 

the wider society that are measured 

and conscientious. 

There is no justification 

or excuse for the violent 

act that was committed in a 

public space and it is our responsibility 

to learn how to 

effectively respond and react 

to harassment. Violence is an 

unacceptable means of resolving 

conflict. Furthermore, we 

should acknowledge that harassment 

of any kind has no 

place in a civilized society. 

Those consistently subjected 

to unwanted advances 

in public spaces often feel discomfort, 

fear and frustration. 

Let us resolve to educate each 

other on more appropriate 

ways to address and engage 

our brothers and sisters. 

Let us also make a commitment 

as concerned and 

empathetic citizens to transform 

Antigua and Barbuda 

into a nation that takes all 

forms of harassment and violence 

seriously so that those 

affected may feel confident 

that intervention will be guaranteed 

and swift. 

The Directorate of Gender 

Affairs remains committed 

to advocating for and implementing 

legislative frameworks 

and providing quality 

education and services to the 

public. The services of the 

Directorate of Gender Affairs 

are available to all members 

of the public through its 24/7 

crisis hotline at 463.5555.



Minister of Tourism delivers address at AUA 

Rohrman Triathlon opening ceremony 

Mr. Rory Butler, Rohrman Director 

Visiting Athletes 

Other Sporting and Government officials 

Members of the media 

Ladies and Gentlemen 

Good evening to you all, and for 

those of you who are visiting a warm 

welcome to our beautiful twin-island 

nation, of Antigua and Barbuda. 

I am delighted to be here this evening 

for the opening ceremonies for 

the 6 th Annual AUA Rohrman Triathlon 

that has been organized by the Rohrman 

Sports Association. 

This event, which is now held in 

honour of the late Jonathan Rohr a former 

Triathlete who attended the AUA 

medical school and who sadly passed 

away suddenly in 2011. This event has 

truly become a signature fixture on 

our sporting tourism calendar just as 

he would have wanted. Jonathan’s untimely 

passing has left us a great legacy 

in promoting the sport that he so dearly 

loved, and is one that we can all be 

proud off. 

First of all, I would like to express 

my admiration for all of you that are 

here to participate in the triathlon. Triathlons, 

with three different endurance 

events, is known for being one of the 

most challenging sporting events in the 

world. Your dedication and perseverance 

in training to participate, and for 

some, compete is commendable. This 

goes for those that are here to compete 

in the full Triathlon, as well as the various 

categories of teams, mini, walk/ 

run, beach run and age groups. 

This inclusivity is what I believe sets 

the AUA Triathlon from others. Your 

organisers have done a remarkable job 

in developing a race structure that al- 

Minister of Tourism, the Hon., Asot Michael 

addresses the gathering at the opening 

ceremony of the AUA Rohrman Triathlon. 

lows everyone to participate in a challenge 

that best suits their fitness levels. 

With over 9 events to choose from – 

there is a challenge for everyone, and 

all are welcome, including children 

with three different age groups! 

The AUA Triathlon is about providing 

an energetic and exciting racing 

challenge for everyone – in one of the 

most beautiful settings in the world! 

As a backdrop you’ll be running, swimming 

and cycling along some of our 

most beautiful beaches and Southwest 

Coastline including Ffryes’s Beach, 

Turner’s Beach, Carlisle Bay and one 

of our largest pineapple farms at Cades 

Bay. 

This is also the perfect time of the 

year to be participating in the event as 

you’ll see temperatures are hovering 

around 80 degrees and the Caribbean 

Sea is the perfect temperature for a 

swim. 

With thousands of triathlon events 

taking place across the globe, yearround, 

I truly believe we are hosting 

one of the best. 

I believe athlete participation 

agrees. This is the first year since the 

inaugural year in 2012 that we’re welcoming 

over 300 participants! 

I am also incredibly proud of the 

caliber of participants we are attracting 

from around the world. This year we 

are welcoming two of the world’s most 

accomplished athletes; David Hauss of 

France and Andrea Hewitt of New Zealand. 

David counts among his achievements 

a 4 th place finish at the London 

2012 Olympics and earned the Bronze 

in the 2010 European Championships 

while Andrea participated in the Beijing 

2008, London 2012 and Rio 2016 

Olympics placing 8 th , 6 th and 7 th respectively. 

She placed third in the 2009 

ITU Triathlon World Championships. 

So congratulations to both Mr. Hauss 

and Ms. Hewitt for their outstanding 

achievements – to you we extend a 

very special welcome and we are very 

excited to have you here, and participating 

in this event. 

Additionally, we have a 10-person 

team here being led by French Champion 

triathlete, and coach, Benjamin Sanson, 

a team of thirty from Guadaloupe 

and with many of you traveling from 

around the globe including the US, 

Canada, Trinidad & Tobago, Grenada 

and more to participate in this fantastic 

event. We are incredibly honored to be 

welcoming each and every one of you 

to our islands. 

As partners of this amazing event, 

I am particularly honored to be here 

this evening. The Ministry of Tourism 

and The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism 

Authority and has partnered with 

the Rohrman Sports Association since 

it’s inaugural year to help ensure that 

this sporting event takes place. As the 

Minister of Tourism, Economic Development, 

Investment and Energy, I can 

tell you firsthand how important it is 

for our nation to organize these flagship 

sporting events for both the sports 

cont’d on pg 7



community as well as for local 

residents. 

Tourism is the lifeblood 

of our economy, contributing 

over 60% to our GDP 

and representing roughly 

53% of the workforce – 

making it our primary industry. 

Our success as a nation 

relies on the success of 

tourism. And sports tourism 

is an important part of this 

industry. It contributes to 

the social cultural, economic 

and infrastructural development 

of our nation. Therefore, 

we are firm believers, 

in doing everything possible 

to support our various 

sporting events that we host 

throughout the year. We are 

incredibly happy with the 

success and growth of the 

AUA Rohrman Triathlon. So 

thank you for being a part of 

this success. 

I realize that you’ve all 

been training for the Triathlon 

for quite some time, but 

I do hope that you’ll have 

some done time to discover 

the beauty of our twin islands 

and our people. I assume 

given your sense of 

adventure and activity in 

participating in the Triathlon 

that you’re interested in exciting 

activities and we have 

many for you to experience. 

You can go ziplining in our 

rainforest, we have many 

hiking trails including one 

that leads to the highest point 

on our island, Mt. Obama. 

The thrill seekers among 

you can enjoy the various 

kayaking and snorkeling adventure 

options, as well as 

sailing and catamaran tours. 

If you’re a kite surfer, we 

offer the best conditions to 

take to the skies where we 

attract people from around 

the world to experience our 

phenomenal kite surfing 

first-hand. Additionally, we 

have Stingray City – where 

you can swim and feed the 

largest free roaming stingrays 

in the region 

Obviously – if you’re 

looking to recharge we offer 

many spas and opportunities 

to relax on one of our 365 

pink and white sandy beaches. 

For those athletes that are 

“foodies” we have countless 

restaurants around the island 

serving the best in gastronomy. 

While here you must 

try our world famous Antigua 

Black Pineapple. It’s the 

freshest and sweetest variety 

in the world and can only be 

found here! 

We hope that you’ll enjoy 

the Triathlon and build 

strong bonds with our nation 

and people. We invite you 

to truly explore what makes 

us unique. By the smiles on 

your faces we can already 

see that you have fallen in 

love with us and we hope 

this will inspire you to return 

again and again. 

Whether you are here for 

just the Triathlon or staying 

on to explore – thank you for 

visiting! We hope you have 

a wonderful stay, and a safe 

and successful Triathlon. 

Best of luck for tomorrow 

– though I’m sure you 

will not need it! You’ll have 

the support and encourage 

met from the cheering local 

fans along your route! 

Before I go, do permit 

me to finish with an inspiring 

quote from Dave Scott, 

Six-Time Ironman World 

Champion, “If you set a goal 

for yourself and are able to 

achieve it, you have won 

your race. Your goal can be 

to come in first, to improve 

your performance, or just 

to finish the race; it’s up to 

you.” 

I’m confident you will 

all finish tomorrow and you 

will all be winners! 

Good night and do enjoy 

the rest of your evening



Regional leaders want continued ‘fruitful 

and mutual” relationship with United States 

GEORGETOWN, Guyana 

– Caribbean Community 

(CARICOM) leaders say 

they are looking forward to 

“continuing the fruitful and 

mutually beneficial relationship 

with the new United 

States administration”. 

At the end of their inter-sessional 

summit here 

on Friday, the regional 

leaders said they “emphasised 

the importance of the 

long-standing relationship 

between the Community 

and the United States of 

America. 

“We also recognised the 

importance of the recently 

adopted bipartisan, US-Caribbean 

Strategic Engagement 

Act of 2016 that seeks 

to increase US engagement 

with the governments and 

civil society of the region,” 

CARICOM Chairman 

and host, President David 

Granger told reporters. 

At the start of the summit, 

Barbados Prime Minister 

Frendel Stuart said 19 

Barbadians had been detained 

under the US travel 

ban. 

“In the meeting this 

morning, the Foreign Minister 

(Maxine McClean) 

showed me a text message 

or an email message she had 

just received saying that 19 

Barbadians had been identified 

in this whole process,” 

Stuart told reporters. 

He said his administration 

would be investigating 

Front row (l-r): Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Hon. Ralph Gonsalves; President 

of Haiti H.E. Jovenel Moise; Prime Minister of Dominica, Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit; President of Guyana, 

H.E. David Granger; Prime Minister of Grenada, Dr. Hon. Keith Mitchell; Prime Minister of Barbados, 

Hon. Freundel Stuart; Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Ambassador Irwin 

LaRocque Back row (l-r): Hon. Sean Astwood, representing the Premier of the Turks and Caicos 

Islands; Hon. Sarah Flood-Beaubrun, representing the Prime Minister of St. Lucia; Hon. Wilfred 

Elrington, representing the Prime Minister of Belize; Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Hon. 

Gaston Browne; Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Hon. Keith Rowley; Hon. Fred Mitchell, 

representing the Prime Minister of The Bahamas; Hon. Karmina Johnson Smith, representing the 

Prime Minister of Jamaica; Hon. Yldiz Pollack-Beighle, representing the President of Suriname; Hon. 

Carl Greenidge, Foreign Minister, Guyana. 

the reports even as he expressed 

surprise that Barbadians 

and other Caribbean 

nationals were being 

rounded up by American 

authorities in keeping with 

President Donald Trump’s 

January 27 order, which was 

intended to keep terrorists 

out of the US. 

“We did not see ourselves 

as threatened,” said Stuart, 

adding that regional leaders 

would now be forced to address 

the issue during their 

Georgetown deliberations. 

Granger told reporters 

that “we have a very cordial 

and respectful relationship 

with the United States. 

“A change in CAR- 

ICOM-USA relationship is 

not anticipated,” he said, 

with Grenada’s Prime Minister 

Dr. Keith Mitchell saying 

that the region “must accept 

there are uncertainties. 

“Must adopt, wait and 

see approach,” he said, acknowledging 

the region’s 

concerns about President 

Donald Trump’s new immigration 

policies. 

Meanwhile, the regional 

leaders have said that they 

discussed the future of the 

African, Caribbean and Pacific 

Group of Countries 

(ACP) including the renewal 

of the Cotonou Partnership 

Agreement (CPA) which 

governs relations between 

the Group and the European 

Union (EU) and which 

comes to an end in 2020. 

“That Agreement is a 

unique and valued instrument 

from which CAR- 

ICOM has benefitted with 

regard to trade, development 

co-operation and political 

dialogue with Europe 

and should be renewed. 

The ACP Group remains 

a valuable construct which 

has facilitated relations with 

Africa and the Pacific and 

that the Group should be 

strengthened,” Granger added. 

(CMC)


The Future of Financial Services in the 

Caribbean: International Tax Competition, 

Globalization and Fiscal Sovereignty 

A presentation by Sir Ronald Sanders 

On Friday 17 February 2017 At a Conference 

organised by Goethals Consulting 

Corp In Panama On “Widening the 

Pathways to Open Societies” 

I have been asked to speak on “The 

Future of Financial Services in the Caribbean” 

in the context of “International 

Tax Competition, Globalization and Fiscal 

Sovereignty”. 

As I speak, that future is bleak. 

Globalization has been a one-way 

street of impositions by powerful countries; 

fiscal sovereignty has been violated 

by the strong; and tax competition remains 

under threat from the mighty. 

Indeed, if the current pattern of incursions, 

restrictions and false labelling of 

Caribbean jurisdictions as ‘tax havens’, 

and the Caribbean as a region of ‘high 

risk’, is not halted soon and swiftly, not 

only will financial services have no future, 

but the Caribbean region as a whole 

could be relegated to the backwater of 

global existence. 

The evidence of the last 30 years 

speaks for itself. 

OECD CAMPAIGN 

It is clear that the major member 

states of the Organisation for Economic 

Cooperation and Development (OECD) 

have been embarked upon a campaign 

to eliminate competition in financial services 

from Caribbean countries and other 

developing states, since the 1990s. 

That campaign has never waned. 

It has gained validation in the international 

community by seducing or coercing 

some developing countries into participation 

in groups, created at the behest 

of G7 countries, ostensibly to establish 

globally acceptable rules on tax information 

exchange, transparency, common 

reporting standards, anti-money laundering, 

counter terrorism financing and tax 

evasion. 

One such group is the OECD Global 

Forum on Transparency and Exchange 

of Information for Tax purposes which 

claims 139 members and in which the 

countries of the European Union are over 

represented since they participate as individual 

nations and as a collective body. 

At the end of the day, the seemingly 

broad membership of the OECD Forum 

is window-dressing for the menacing objectives 

of the more powerful countries. 

The high number of members, masks 

the fact that no small nation can resist the 

candy-coated but bitters pills with which 

they are presented. 

In the end, sanctions hang like the 

sword of Damocles over the heads of 

those who participate. 

The entire process remains one of 

pushing the agenda of automatic access 

to tax information and ending tax competition 

in keeping with the prevailing 

ideology of European Union countries 

especially. 

SOVEREIGN RIGHTS IG- 

NORED 

Despite all the rhetoric of ‘level 

playing fields’ and respect for sovereign 

rights, the world remains one in which 

might parades in the armour of right, and 

power camouflages itself in the clothes 

of justice. 

In this matter, there has been – and 

continues to be – the most blatant disregard 

for the rules of international law; 

rules that have been spelled out by the 

UN and upheld by the International 

Court of Justice. 

Those rules specify quite clearly that 

By Sir Ronald Sanders 

States cannot intervene in areas solely 

within the jurisdiction of other States, 

and international organisations are restricted 

from intervention within the domestic 

jurisdiction of states. 

Yet, the powerful nations of the world 

– clustered in the OECD – do precisely 

the opposite. 

And, weak and vulnerable nations are 

powerless to respond. 

In fear of sanctions, such as blacklisting 

by OECD countries and the European 

Union Commission, and penalties 

from the United States, they acquiesce; 

surrendering their sovereignty. 

At the conception of the United Nations, 

world leaders committed themselves 

to a world “governed by justice 

and moral law”, one in which they asserted 

the “pre-eminence of right over 

might and the general good against sectoral 

claims”. 

If, in the history of the UN, that commitment 

was ever respected, it has certainly 

been disregarded if not reversed in 

cont’d on pg 10




relation to fiscal sovereignty and globalisation. 

‘DOGS OF WAR’ RELEASED 

And, in all this, the powerful nations 

have seduced the international media 

into becoming participants in their campaign. 

As far back as 1834, a US Senator described 

this with prescient clarity. 

He said “power marks its victim; denounces 

it; and then excites public hatred 

and odium to conceal its own abuses and 

encroachments”. 

So, as one commentator put it: “The 

dogs of war have been released on Caribbean 

off-shore centres”. 

In the wake of the so-called “Panama 

Papers”, Panama has had its share of the 

snarling and bites of the war-dogs. 

The truth that dares not speak its 

name is that “automatic exchange of tax 

information”; false branding of countries 

as “tax havens “while the real tax havens 

continue to thrive and prosper; and sanctions 

against what is described as “uncooperative 

jurisdictions”, is a form of 

neo-colonialism. 

It is a campaign to dictate the tax 

systems and structures of other nations 

for the benefit of OECD member-states, 

curbing the rights of sovereign but weak 

states and autonomous jurisdictions. 

This campaign has been continuous 

and unrelenting, reaching an apex 17 

years ago, when the OECD launched its 

so-called ‘harmful tax competition’ in 

1999. 

NO UNIFIED RESPONSE FROM 

VCTIM COUNTRIES 

The campaign has persisted and has 

been successful not only because of the 

coercive might of the powerful States, 

but also because there has been no unified 

response from the countries and jurisdictions 

which are their victims. 

Indeed, there is still no unified response. 

The victim-nations lack the cohesion, 

the coherence and the capacity to formulate 

a common position and to stand-up 

for themselves. 

Instead, there is a scramble by individual 

powerless nations to salvage what 

they can of their financial services sector, 

and to avoid, at all costs, the sanctions 

and penalties of the powerful countries. 

So, they play the game as best they 

can, with their feet hobbled and their 

hands tied behind their backs. 

The upheaval against the discriminatory 

political order that we have seen 

within the affairs of nations has not yet 

taken root in the affairs between nations. 

There is as yet no leader ready to 

trump the abuse of the last three decades. 

In fact, the absence of cohesion and 

coherence by developing countries 

might be obvious in a recent decision by 

the government of Ecuador, as Chair of 

the G77& China at the UN, to work for 

an independent UN body that will eliminate 

tax havens and illicit financial flows. 

There had been no prior discussion 

with other developing countries on this 

effort, and no clear indication of which 

jurisdictions Ecuador regards as tax havens. 

The initiative might get the support of 

developing nations if the real tax havens 

are identified. 

As it is, more than a little suspicion 

now attaches to its motivation and its initiators, 

and that is unfortunate. 

But, in any event the OECD countries, 

including the US, would hardly 

support a UN body over which they 

would have no control. 

They are far more comfortable with 

the OECD Global Forum on Taxation 

that they dominate and with their own 

unilateral actions such as the US Foreign 

Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) 

and the blacklists of countries they issue 

from time to time. 

CARIBBEAN NOT A TAX HAV- 

EN 

It is well-known that Caribbean jurisdictions 

have been labelled as ‘tax havens’. 

There is this belief that we are rum 

and Coca-Cola societies that deliberately 

hide the ill-gotten gains of foreigners; 

help people to shield their taxable revenues 

from tax authorities; and have offshore 

centres in furtherance of the Hollywood 

image of swashbuckling Pirates of 

the Caribbean. 

Nothing could be farther from reality. 

A ‘tax haven’ is an area or jurisdiction 

where payable tax is hidden, and where 

countries, in which such payable tax 

originates, are prohibited from receiving 

information on the such taxable assets. 

That is not the Caribbean; it is other 

countries – some in the OECD; but not 

in the Caribbean. 

Low tax or no tax jurisdictions are 

not ‘tax havens’. 

Low tax or no tax is not a measure of 

a ‘tax haven’. 

Countries pitch their tax levels in accordance 

with the imperatives of their 

economic and social development. 

For instance, with a corporate tax rate 

of 22%, Ecuador is 7% lower than the 

average of the Americas and considerably 

less than Europe. 

But Ecuador would not consider itself 

a tax haven. 

In the case of my own country, Antigua 

and Barbuda, we are a low tax jurisdiction; 

indeed, we abolished income 

tax completely last year on the strong 

belief in two things: first, that the costs 

of pursuing such taxes outweigh the benefits, 

and second that money left in people’s 

pay packet will promote economic 

growth through spending and saving. 

With growth of 4.3% last year, Antigua 

and Barbuda was the fastest growing 

economy in the Caribbean and the fourth 

fastest growing economy in Latin America 

and the Caribbean. 

But, Antigua and Barbuda, like most 

Caribbean countries, is not a tax haven. 

To be continued


Friday’s Sudoku Solution 

S U D O K U 

CROSSWORD 

Across 

1. Graded 

6. Scored on serve 

10. Risqué 

14. Remove 

15. Concern 

16. Vocalist ____ Fitzgerald 

17. Ritual 

19. Sightseeing trip 

20. Numero ____ 

21. Water jug 

22. Showed feelings 

24. Wicker 

26. Aquatic animal 

28. Responsibility 

30. Tell again 

34. ____ Macpherson 

37. Expire 

39. Gloomy 

40. Stage signals 

41. Mischievous one 

42. Notre ____ 

43. Possesses 

44. Kidnapper’s demand 

47. Unwrap 

48. Not indoors 

50. Grateful ____ 

52. Category 

54. On a ship 

58. Cash in 

61. Breaks bread 

63. Itinerary word 

64. Baking chamber 

65. Academic guidance 

68. Tractor-trailer 

69. Christmas carol 

70. From Oslo 

71. Funnyman ____ Idle 

72. Hamilton bills 

73. Lugged 

Down 

1. Happen again 

2. Sports ring 

3. Gypsy’s card 

4. WNW’s opposite 

5. Dishonor 

6. Pimples 

7. Nile city 

8. Period of note 

9. Erases 

10. Witty reply 

11. Very many (2 wds.) 

12. Crossword hint 

13. 36 inches 

18. Confess (2 wds.) 

23. Netting 

25. Baby’s “piggies” 

27. Camera stand 

29. Fishing nets 

31. Office acronym 

32. Not wild 

33. Paradise 

34. Yodeler’s feedback 

35. Hawaiian cookout 

36. “____ we forget” 

38. Den and study (abbr.) 

42. Extinct bird 

44. Annoy 

45. Inflexible 

46. Vegetarians’ taboos 

49. Picturesque 

51. Not present 

53. Lucky dice roll 

55. Turn aside 

56. Wash cycle 

57. Out of style 

58. Stood up 

59. Always 

60. Actress ____ Moore 

62. Is unwell 

66. Forest female 

67. Cow’s comment



Today’s weather forecast 

Antigua and Barbuda 

Rain showers early with some 

sunshine later in the day. 

High - 79ºF 

Low - 71ºF 

Wind: South East 8 mph 

Sunrise 6.30 am; Sunset 6.11 pm 

Friday’s Crossword Solution 

HOROSCOPE 

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). 

It’s fun to spend money on a 

friend! It will make you happy 

to do so today, and your friend 

will also be quite pleased. Furthermore, 

the generous act will 

attract good fortune, financial 

and otherwise. 

ARIES (March 21-April 19). 

People who love you sometimes 

try to decide things for you. 

This is a waste of time for them, 

considering you’re not about to 

adopt anyone else’s choice unless 

it also happens to be your 

own. 

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). 

Thinking about the problems of 

the world again? The solution is 

near — and the solution is you. 

You so clearly see what needs to 

be done, and there’s no reason 

you shouldn’t be the one to do it. 

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). 

The great thing about being 

born under the sign of the twins 

is that you’re not tied to reacting 

to life in any one way. Instead of 

saying “that’s who I am,” you 

believe that you are who you 

decide to be. 

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). 

Games are more fun when everyone 

understands and plays by 

the rules. Also, the rules should 

be explicit in determining when 

the game is over. It’s easier to 

commit fully when we know it’s 

only for a limited time. 

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). 

You’re the official greeter of 

the zodiac now, making people 

feel welcome around you. It’s 

perfect because there are new 

people coming into your world, 

and they will always remember 

the warm first impression you 

made. 

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). 

Something is going wonderfully 

right in your world, and you 

can create even more of it, too, 

if you can only remember your 

recipe. This is the moment to reflect, 

observe yourself and write 

it all down. 

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 

21). Why do you want to do 

it? What or who gives you the 

impulse? You can work without 

being inspired, but you’ll be so 

much more effective if you take 

the time and make the effort to 

find your inspiration first. 

CANCER (June 22-July 22). 

Light travels faster than the 

speed of sound, creating an outof-sync 

relationship between 

seeing a thing and hearing it. 

In the delay between, second 

guesses will abound. 

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Virtues 

often seem far less exciting 

than vices. Take patience, for 

instance — not exactly a glamorous 

quality to strive for. However, 

to be patient in a moment 

of anger today will help you escape 

future days of sorrow. 

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 

19). Short-term comforts will 

keep you going today. Pepper 

your life with treats. A nap, a 

snack, your favorite show — all 

sparks of pleasure to enjoy in 

very small bursts between the 

main events of life’s work and 

purpose. 

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). 

The ancients suggested you 

should not climb trees to look 

for fish. Though it’s not entirely 

impossible to catch fish from a 

tree today, if you’re hungry for 

fish you’ll go where the probability 

factor is more in your favor.


All members of the Executive of the Antigua and Barbuda 

Ex-Servicemen Association are reminded of the monthly meeting, 

to be held on Tuesday 21 February 2017 at 5 pm, at the 

Association`s Headquarters "Leah House" on Prime Minister`s 

Drive. Please be on time or notify the Chairman on 720-0058, 

PRO on 721-1970 or the Secretary on 723-3452. 

Bring along your picnic blankets and folding chairs and enjoy 

a relaxing evening on the lawn watching a movie or just 

mingling with a bowl of delicious hot soup at the South Zone 

Planning Committee of the Anglican Church's Pre-Lenten 

Water Night and Movie on Friday, February 24, 2017 from 

6 pm to 9 pm at All Saints Anglican Rectory Grounds, Matthews 

Road, All Saints. The contribution is only $10. Patrons 

will have a choice of various types of soups. There will 

be Hot Dogs, Cupcakes, Popcorn and a bounce castle. Beverages 

will also be on sale. Tickets are available from Parish 

Priests and members of South Zone Planning Committee. 

All registered members of the Antigua Barbuda Amateur 

Bodybuilding & Weightlifting Federation please take note 

that Election for the post of Vice President will be held on 

4th March, 2017 at the ABI Financial Building, 2nd Floor, 

Redcliffe Street, St John's, Antigua at 6:00 p.m. sharp. 

Services 

Personal DNA Test Kit Delivered to your home or elsewhere 

for $600 (Value $645) Gift Certificates available for 

you friend, relative or co-worker. Call (268) 562-8048 or 

Whatsapp 779-8544. Visit: www.cdadetectives.com Get 

$50 off if you visit CJ at Power 100.1 FM in the ZDK building. 

The fundraising post Valentines for Antigua & Barbuda Diabetes 

Association is now rescheduled for Tuesday 21st February, 

2017 from 4:00-6:00pm. 

TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE ANTIGUA AND BARBU- 

DA SCOUT ASSOCIATION Notice is hereby given, in 

accordance with Section IV(4)(b) of the Constitution, that 

the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of the Antigua and 

Barbuda Branch of the Scout Association will be held at 

Government House (located on Independence Avenue) on 

Thursday 23rd February 2017 at 5:00 p.m. All Members are 

invited to attend and to be punctual. Members are reminded 

that subscriptions for 2017 are now due and payable. 

The Social Security Board wishes to advise all self employed 

persons that their declared earnings shall not be less 

than the minimum wage, and are reminded that their Social 

Security contributions rate remains at 10%. 

Please be informed that the Sons & Daughters of Willikies, Inc. 

will be having a general meeting on Tuesday 21st February, 

2017 at 7:30 p.m. at the St Barts Centre. All Sons & Daughters 

of Willikies are invited to attend. Do come and participate in the 

2017 Reunion discussions. 

Do you want to improve your posing techniques? The ABA- 

BWF invites all athletes & prospective athletes to a posing 

workshop on Saturday 25th February 2017 from 12-4pm at the 

Xtreme Health & Fitness Gym. For more details contact us at 

268 7640102/7285909.



AGHS dominate Inter- 

School Basketball 

Senior Girls Division 

By Carlena Knight 

Antigua Girls High 

continue to dominate in 

the Senior Girls division 

of the Cool and Smooth 

Inter-School Basketball 

League after adding another 

victory to their undefeated 

streak, this time trouncing 

Princess Margaret, 26-14, 

last Thursday at the JSC 

Sports complex. 

Thalia Aska was the 

leading scorer for her team 

with 10 points while Kahtalia 

Valentine assisted with 9 

points and 5 steals. 

Britnay Gore had 12 

points in a losing effort. 

Buckleys Primary also 

picked up a 9-4 victory over 

St. John’s Catholic in the 

Mini-girls Primary division. 

Azairiah Henry led her 

team to victory with 6 points 

while teammate Julisia Caesar 

chipped in with 3 points. 

Mya McIntosh of St. 

John’s Catholic made 3 

points in a losing effort.


Villa Primary to host Black 

History Calypso Competition 

By Carlena Knight 

The Villa Primary School 

is set to host its first annual 

Black History Month Calypso 

Competition under the 

theme, ‘Shout it Out Loud! 

We’re Black and We’re 

Proud!’. 

The free admission event 

will take place at the Villa 

Primary School grounds 

on Thursday 23rd February 

starting at 4:30 p.m. and 

will feature nine competitors 

ranging from Grade 1 - Grade 

5. 

Gavriel Henry aka Da 

Likkle Messengah from 

Grade 1, Jerome Evans aka 

The Lyrical Weapon from 

Grade 2, Nicholas Orr aka 

The Mighty Orr from Grade 

3, Tyara George aka Princess 

Fiya of Grade 3, Shakira 

Quinland aka Princess Shakira 

of Grade 3, Tashyla Joseph 

aka Singing Tash of Grade 

4, Noah Yeboah aka The 

Black School Boy of Grade 

5, Adonijah James aka Little 

Dab of Grade 5 and Joel 

Lewis aka The Velvet King of 

Grade 5 will sing their hearts 

out in the hopes of capturing 

the coveted title with original 

songs that were written and 

composed with assistance 

from their teachers and calypsonians 

from the community. 

A number of prizes and 

awards are up for grabs such 

as gift certificates from Subway 

and KFC and a grand 

prize of a round trip for two 

to any destination compliments 

of LIAT just to name 

a few. 

The event is sponsored 

by the Prime Minister of Antigua 

Barbuda, Hon. Gaston 

Browne, LIAT, Townhouse 

Furnishings, Ahkimo, Cool 

and Smooth, Brownie’s Bakery, 

Kentucky Fried Chicken, 

Subway and the Hell’s Gate 

Steel Orchestra. 

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! 

VACANCY 

Senior Manager 

A well-established financial institution is seeking 

to recruit a Senior Manager. 

The Position/Job Profile 

The successful candidate will be expected to 

manage credit risk and total client relationships. 

The candidate will be responsible to 

lead the team of the collections department. 

Essential Skills and Experience 

Candidates must have at minimum a first degree 

in Finance, Accounting or related discipline 

from a recognized institution. A minimum 

of 6 years experience in a financial 

institution with management experience being 

no less than 3 years. Technical competencies 

in Microsoft products and the ability to use a 

loan program. The candidate is also required to 

have a good understanding of financial statements, 

proven experience in collections and 

credit analysis skills. 

The successful candidate will possess excellent 

written and verbal communication skills. 

Strong negotiation skills. Excellent interpersonal 

skills, the ability to work well with 

a team, good work ethic strong integrity and 

confidential. 

Applications inclusive of Resume can be sent 

to 

Vacancy: Senior Manager 

The General Manager 

PO Box 703 

St Johns 

Antigua W I 

Or email Financialinstituionanu@yahoo.com



13-year-old hospitalised 

following accident 


A thirteen year old girl 

has been hospitalized at the 

Mount St John’s Medical 

Centre with injuries sustained 

in a traffic accident 

on Sunday morning. 

Police reports said the 

teenager – Dechenelle Anthony 

- was a passenger in 

a motor vehicle driver her 

mother – Dornell Anthony 

of All Saints – when the 

accident happened around 

10:50 a.m. in the morning. 

The mother told the 

police that she was traveling 

from north to south on 

Matthews Road when her 

vehicle started to shake violently 

and that she had to 

swerve to avoid an oncoming 

vehicle. In doing so, she 

lost control of the vehicle 

and it struck a utility pole 

and flipped over. 

Her daughter’s injuries 

By Joanna Paris 

Independent Senator, Calvin 

Parker has called on the 

government to remain steadfast 

in its undertaking geared 

towards creating economic 

stability despite international 

pressures. 

Speaking during his contribution 

to the 2017 Budget 

debate in the Upper House 

last Friday, Senator Parker 

mentioned the current struggle 

with the United States 

with regard to the internet 

gaming dispute and the issue 

of de-risking. He said that the 

country is poised for economic 

progress and must therefore 

remain confident with its policies 

and strategies. 

“Our response has to be 

creative, innovative and bold 

Madam President, because 

unless we are brave enough 

to take the big steps and make 

were said to be ‘serious’ but 

the mother and her 19-year 

old son, who was also a passenger 

in the vehicle were 

treated at the hospital and 

discharged. 

Senator Parker urges Government to remain 

strong in spite of international pressures 

the big decisions and try 

something new, we will continue 

to filter to the bottom 

and be bottom feeders and we 

as Antiguans and Barbudans 

are not bottom feeders. We 

are leaders and an aspiring 

powerful country. As far as 

I know too we have been at 

the forefront of international 

banking”, Senator Parker 

pointed out. 

He also advocated for active 

participation in the decision-making 

processes. 

“I am calling on our people 

to engage in what is happening, 

to add their intellectual 

capital to the development 

of new instruments, new 

ways, new methods o make 

the country the best in the region”, 

he emphasized.

Caribbean Times 1st Issue - Monday 20th February 2017

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