LIAT solution needed urgently

BY now the operations of LIAT, the Caribbean island-hopping airline, should be back to normal following industrial action by LIAT’s pilots over two days last week. Naturally, everyone will be pleased that full operations have returned to LIAT. However, one cannot help but wonder why is it that LIAT’s management (including the Board of Directors) and the body representing the airline’s pilots cannot seem to settle their differences, rather than the latter having to resort to industrial action whenever some new issue/issues surface.

It clearly is not a good sign for an airline which Caribbean people look to for transportation within the region.

Reports indicated that the pilots blamed “misguided and ill informed decisions” taken by LIAT’s management for their actions. It disrupted flights with limited services only been possible from Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago.

Since this is not the first time that such action has taken place, the situation reached the point where St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Prime Minister, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, said he was absolutely fed up at the constant industrial action plaguing the regional carrier. Dr. Gonsalves, who is the Chairman of the shareholder governments, called for these self inflicted wounds between management and the pilots to stop.

But the Vincentian Prime Minister is in good company since there are several other people out there, including the large number of passengers, who use LIAT on a daily basis, who would feel fed up as well because of the constant disruption to service as this latest dispute has done.

It has become a worry not only to the public who uses LIAT, but to those who want the best for LIAT and to see that the air carrier which services about 21 destinations across the Caribbean, remains a viable entity.

The airline’s pilots seemingly have their issues and from this vantage point it appears those issues will continue to influence the behaviour of the pilots unless they are resolved. As Dr. Gonsalves pointed out, shareholder governments are spending enormous sums of money to outfit the airline with new planes and to make sure that its service to Caribbean destinations continues to improve.

But this can only take place in a peaceful environment and where the company is allowed to settle down and to concentrate on its core business of service delivery. The time that the parties of LIAT have to spend thrashing out problems distracts from the airline is about and to say the least, impacts negatively on productivity. Furthermore, with more losses in man hours, this has severe implications for the financial position of LIAT and could affect its revenue stream, the constant flow of which is necessary to meet repayments of the loans secured to acquire the planes. All of this means that the LIAT shareholder governments and other stakeholders have to be on top of their game to nip issues in the bud and to ensure that disruptions are kept to a minimum if better cannot be done.

There is no denying the fact that LIAT is important to this region. As an entity owned by four governments – Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Dominica – LIAT flies to destinations where a private sector led carrier would be reluctant to do. Let us hope that last week’s industrial action by the pilots won’t happen again.

ENERGY SECTOR BOOST

By Linda Straker

Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell believes that the setting up of the Eastern Caribbean Energy Regulatory Authority (ECERA) can make a fundamental difference in seven specific ways with regards to the energy sector in the sub-region.

“It can improve the investment climate for incumbent energy providers and new investors in the industry by lowering the transaction costs of doing energy business in the OECS,” he said, while speaking at the launch of the Authority last week Thursday.

Elaborating further, he said that, “It can help to inform energy policies and establish energy standards for renewable, generation and energy efficiency. As a strong independent regulator, it can fill the void that currently exists, since there is no functioning regulator in Grenada. It can provide a fair mechanism for transparent fixing of rates for electricity.”

Prime Minister Mitchell also believes that the Authority, which was initially focused on the islands of Grenada and St. Lucia, can provide an effective mechanism to address consumer complaints; can lower the costs of regulation if an optimal number of countries (four or five) join ECERA; and promote an integrated energy market, such that a generator of wind energy can operate throughout the OECS as a
single space with attendant economies of scale.

Explaining that the development of the Caribbean requires that the supply of energy be reliable, accessible and affordable to all, he said that it is not unusual for Grenada to receive interest from investors in the areas of manufacturing, but the cost of electricity is simply too high.

“Very few manufacturers can open up businesses and create or sustain badly needed jobs with the current costs of energy,” he told those attending the launch of the Authority – a project which is funded through a loan from the World Bank.

Senator Dr. James Fletcher, Minister for Public Service, Sustainable Development, Energy, Science and Technology,  Government of St. Lucia who presented the speech for Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony, said from the perspective of the Government of St. Lucia, there are several compelling reasons for the establishment of ECERA.

“The first and perhaps the most obvious is the economy of scale will arise from pooling specialised human resources for energy regulations and planning in one agency,” he said.

‘CA2013 evidence of a successful regional integration effort’

“IF I need any proof that the regional integration movement is alive and well, your presence here this evening is that proof.”

These were the words spoken by the Honourable Freundel Stuart, Prime Minister of Barbados, as he addressed regional delegates who turned out by the hundreds for the opening of the first ever Caribbean Assembly (CA) hosted by the New Testament Church of God (NTCOG) Barbados, in conjunction with Church of God World Missions, Caribbean Region. Held under the theme, “Living the Word: Empowering the Caribbean”, from November 7th through 10th, the special convention drew delegates from Church of God assemblies from approximately 29 countries, including those from French and Spanish speaking territories, to meet up with their local counterparts from the NTCOG 44 assemblies across 11 parishes in Barbados.

Local and regional delegates in attendance at CA2013.

The conference also saw a good turnout from a number of Barbados government ministers, including members of the Cabinet of Barbados – Minister with responsibility for Ecclesiastical Affairs, Steven Blackett, who is also Minister of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment and Community Development; Minister of Labour and Human Resource Development, Senator Dr. Esther Byer-Suckoo; and Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister, Senator Patrick Todd. Senator Dr. David Durant was also in attendance at the CA2013 Opening Ceremony at the Garfield Sobers Gymnasium. Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Richard Sealy, attended the Closing Ceremony.

In attendance at the New Testament Church of God Caribbean
Assembly was the Honourable Freundel Stuart, Prime Minister of
Barbados (third from left), and Minister with responsibility for
Ecclesiastical Affairs, Steven Blackett (fourth from left). Also
pictured is Administrative Bishop of the New Testament Church
of God Barbados, Bishop Martin Brewster and his wife,
First Lady Marlene Brewster.

“When we talk about the people of the Caribbean coming together, it does not mean the politicians coming together, or just the cricketers coming together or just the business people coming together. It really means too, ordinary men and women of the Caribbean, in our churches, in our schools, in all of our institutions, coming together under the flag of the Caribbean, under the sum of the Caribbean, under the charm of Caribbean civilisation,” Prime Minister Stuart observed.


“And I know that this Convention, this Assembly, is taking place under the theme, ‘Living the Word: Empowering the Caribbean’. Your conference is taking place at a time,of course, when every island in the Caribbean is facing very serious challenges. The world is facing its most serious crisis in the last hundred years. At no time, therefore, in the lifetime of any of us, has it been more important to live the word, with a view to empowering the Caribbean,” PM Stuart added.

The Honourable Freundel Stuart (left), Prime Minister of Barbados,
greets stalwart gospel singer, Sister Margarita Marshall, in the
presence of Minister with responsibility for Ecclesiastical Affairs,
Steven Blackett (second from left), while Senator Dr. David Durant;
Minister of Labour and Human Resource Development, Senator
Dr. Esther Byer-Suckoo; and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s
Office, Senator Patrick Todd, enjoy a rousing worship service.

The Prime Minister further told the delegates that at the close of the conference, when they leave Barbados, they must leave with the feeling that the conference was worth it and their faith is justified. He also wished them well in their deliberations.

Caribbean Church of God delegates also gathered at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre during the three-day assembly, to discuss such issues as human trafficking, education, leadership, family matters and finance. A special Caribbean Youth Extravaganza was also held at the Abundant Life Assembly, to bring the region’s youth together in one place, for fellowship, worship and to establish linkages for the future. (RSM)

GDB records net profit of EC$135 000 in 2012

By Linda Straker

Notwithstanding the difficult local, regional and international environment, the Grenada Development Bank (GDB) has reported that it made a net profit of EC$135 000 in 2012.

This profit follows two years of losses, said Chairman Michael Archibald in his report, which was tabled during a recent sitting of the House of Representatives.

“It is important to note, however, that the loss in the previous years were due mainly to accounting for impairment of investment losses,” said the Chairman in his report, which explained that compared to a net loss of EC$1.39 million in 2011, operating profits reduced by 71 per cent from EC$471 000 in 2011 to EC$135 000 in 2012.

Archibald said, “This was due mainly to a 61 per cent decline in bad debt recoveries from EC$532 000 in 2011 to EC$205 000 in 2012 since the Bank’s net interest income only declined by a mere 1 per cent from EC$1.61 million in 2011 to EC$1.59 million and total expenditure reduced by 3/67 per cent from EC$1.81 million in 2011 and EC$1.74 million in 2012.”

With the aim to better fulfil its mandate in 2012, the Bank according to the report commenced the implementation of its five-year Strategic Plan, which is geared to transforming the Bank by 2016 into the premier provider of development financing.

In accordance with the plan, the Bank formulated six new policies as well as reviewed and amended existing ones so as to create better strategic links between the Bank’s new vision and its day-to-day operation.

The financial institution also proceeded to commence the implementation of its Human Resource Plan and Customer Service Plan and has done so with some level of success, said that report, which explained that the Marketing plan was hindered by the Bank’s inability to obtain new lines of credit.

Archibald and his team are expecting that for 2013, the Bank will experience marginal growth as it will continue to concentrate on obtaining new lines of credit or other forms of funding, so as to play a more meaningful role in the financing of the critical sectors of the economy in an attempt to boost economic activities.

SMC trademarks its logo and names of carnival-related events

By Linda Straker

THE Spicemas Corporation (SMC) is among the list of growing entities which have taken measures to
protect their events and statutory bodies through the Trademark Act.

At the launch of Spicemas 2013, which was held on June 2, Arthur Hosten, Chairman of the SMC Board of Directors, said that intellectual property protection was one of the measures the Board will be undertaking as the intention is to use it as an income-revenue earner.

The Trademark Act provides for the legal registration of words or symbols to represent a company or product. Not only has the SMC trademarked its logo, but it has also trademarked a number of events, slogans and names of activities associated with Spicemas.

These include the words: Spicemas, Children Carnival Frolic, Bacchanal Friday, Pantastic Saturday, Monday Nite Mas, Majestic Thursday, Vieux Corps, Spice Island Bacchanal, Spice Island Carnival, 473 Carnival, Wata Soca, Jab Jab and Short Knee. They are all registered under Class 41 of the World Intellectual Property Nice Classification of Goods and Services, which covers entertainment, sporting and cultural activities.

The Nice Classification of Goods and Services is an agreement resulting from the Diplomatic Conference of 1957 in Nice, France, and is updated every five years. It is an authoritative classification of goods and services for use in registering trademarks and service marks. It is a list of 45 classes of goods and services, thousands of specific types of each class, and detailed descriptions of most of those. It is currently in use by Grenada and 147 other countries.

The protection means that permission must be sought from the Board of Spicemas Corporation if any promoter wants to use the words or the mark in promotions and other events.

Grenada to observe Tourism Awareness Week

Grenada will be observing Tourism Awareness Week from November 24 to December 1, 2013 under the theme, “Repositioning Tourism for Greater Sustainability”.

Tourism Minister, Alexandra Otway-Noel, in an address to commemorate November as Tourism Awareness Month and in particular November 6 as Tourism Awareness Day at the recommendation
of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation, said that Grenada is committed to creating the enabling environment where nationals can focus on how all Grenadians can contribute and participate
in the development of the industry.

“We must recognise that as we seek to build this industry, we are required to have everyone prepared for the job opportunities that will become available in the process,” said Minister Otway-Noel.

“So today, as we commemorate Caribbean Tourism Day, and as we look towards the programme of activities for Tourism Week, I am pleased to emphasise the fact that the core activities for the Week’s observance involves the use of educational programmes to encourage greater participation among various communities in the thrust to bring more benefits to Grenadians of all walks of life,” she added.

Using the opportunity to express a few thoughts about the cruise ship season which began last week Wednesday with the arrival of the Celebrity Summit, she said that the Ministry and Board of Tourism were actively involved in initiatives to improve the quality of experiences that visitors can enjoy during their brief visit to our shores.

“We have worked to ensure that practices that are deemed detrimental to the image of Grenada as a cruise ship and stayover destination are eradicated. Since the Grand Anse Beach has been acknowledged and recognised as the nucleus for measuring the level of satisfaction that visitors attribute to Grenada, we have targeted the beach cleaners and security personnel to increase their level of understanding of the workings of the industry, and the important role that they are required to play,” she said.

Recognising that safety and security is a key attribute of the industry’s competitiveness, the Tourism Minister said that the relevant stakeholders have been working closely with the Royal Grenada Police Force to deploy relevant resources at remote and highly frequented attractions.

“Just before the start of the season, we were able to mobilise the gathering of service providers and stakeholders to interact with the Police regarding the strategies being employed to put structures
in place pertaining to the safety and security of establishments, sites and the island as a whole,” she said. (LS)

Sir Daniel Williams temporarily acted as Head of State

Former Governor-General, Sir Daniel Williams, recently acted in the position of Governor-General for almost three weeks, according to the Gazette dated November 1, 2013.

The Gazette, which publishes Government information and announcements such as laws approved in Parliament; Trademarks approved by the Corporate Office of Intellectual Property Affairs; appointments to statutory bodies and other relevant Government announcements, said that the appointment was due to Dame Cecile’s absence from the State.

The Notice in the Gazette said that the appointment was in effect from October 5 to 27, 2013. Dame Cecile, who made the appointment in accordance with Section 22 of the Constitution, said that whenever the Governor-General:

• Has occasion to be absent from the seat of Government, but not from Grenada;

• Has occasion to be absent from Grenada for a period which he considers, acting in his own deliberate judgement, will be of short duration; or

• Is suffering from an illness which he considers, acting in his own deliberate judgement, will be of short duration, he may, acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister, appoint any person in Grenada to be his deputy during such absence or illness and in that capacity to perform on his behalf the functions of the office of Governor-General as may be specified in the instrument by which he is appointed.

Sir Daniel served as Governor General from 1996 to 2008 and was succeeded by immediate past Governor-General, Sir Carlyle Glean. (LS)