aid for haiti - hornsey moravian...

The Antigua and BarbudaHigh Commission

Official Newsletter - Issue 138 -- January/February 2010

In This Issue1. His Excellency signs Tax Information Exchange Agreement (TIEA) with Great Britain and Northern Ireland ... Page 42. Finance and Economy Minister meets Brazilian Ambassador to Antigua and Barbuda ..... Page 93. Rev. Isacc hopes to strengthen regional Street Pastor movement .... 04. Antigua and Barbuda double airlift from Italian market ..... Page 13

AID FOR HAITI - HORNSEYMORAVIAN CHURCH

2nd Floor, 45 Crawford Place, London W1H 4LPTeL: 020 7258 0070 • Fax: 020 7258 7486 • E-mail: [email protected]

Website: WWW.antigua-barbuda.com

Sunday 31st January was anexciting day at the HornseyMoravian Church. Following aweek of intense preparation by thechoir under the direction of ChoirConductor Dr Carl Roberts, thechoir pulled off a very successfulprogramme captioned “AnEvening of Music and Singing” inaid of Haiti.

The programme featured not onlythe Hornsey Moravian Churchchoir, but the Alliouagana Singers,

The HughesBrothers Steelband and othermusicians. Thechoir wasaccompanied onthe keyboardand organ byBrother OrvilleBraithwaite, whoalong with hiswife alsoperformed asoulful musical

duet.

Intercessionsand readingsof scripturewere done by the pastor of thechurch Rev. Joachim Krauseland High Commissioners fromCanada and St Lucia.(shownhere in the picture above).

The combined efforts of allparticipants and guests allowedthe Hornsey Moravian Churchto make a donation of £2000 to

the Haiti Relief Fund throughChristian Aid.

Among the invited dignitaries werethe Acting High Commissioners forTrinidad and Tobago and theCommonwealth of Dominica, theHigh Commissioner of Barbadosand the Ambassador for CostaRica and her family.

Dear Readers, you will notice that we have inserted a newsletter put out by The Friends of the Fiennes Institute. Pleasenote on the cover page of that newsletter - Mrs Irene Carlos-- is a resident of the Fiennes and the oldest living person onthe island. She celebrated her 108th birthday on 23 January 2010. She was visited by the Governor-General and PrimeMinister and other Notables on the day.

Picture above (left to right) HE Dr Carl Roberts, HE MrJames R Wright and his wife (centre) - Canada and HE Mr

Eldridge Stephens - St Lucia

(Above) HE Dr Carl Roberts conductingthe choir

Antigua and Barbuda High Commission Issue 138 - January/February 2010

HIGH COMMISSIONER’S MESSAGE

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Comparisons andInferences

ByH.E. Dr. Carl B Roberts

High Commissioner

Many times in life we makecomparisons about different subjects,about ourselves or about other people.At other times, we make inferencesbased on these comparisons and useboth of the above activities to guideour actions or to influence thedecisions of other persons with whomwe are attempting to interact.

The Wikipedia Website providessome information on thisphenomenon. It states that“comparisons are useful to conveyinformation about different topics, toshow what makes each topic unique inits own right while showing theinherent similarities”.

Once the comparisons are made wetend to make various inferences fromthe analysis of the data associatedwith each subject being compared.Making an inference is therefore“the process of drawing a conclusionby applying the clues (of logic,statistics, etc.,) to observations orhypotheses, or by interpolating thenext step in an intuited pattern” [Wikipedia Website].

Where am I going with this you mayask? Let me begin by citing thefollowing. Recently while I waswatching television, I overheard themother of a five-year old boyexpressing what to her mind was acomfort statement. She stated thatwhile her son had not yet started tospeak at 16 months, she was notparticularly worried as she was

aware of her friend’s child who hadtaken nearly 18 months to speak.

Two things quite often form the topicof discussion between young parents.These relate to the times when theirchildren in early life began to speak orto walk. Later in life the discussionmay turn to how children areprogressing compared to their peers inschool.

It is generally accepted that not allbabies develop at the same pace. Evenbabies within the same family maytalk or walk at different stages in theirlives. Likewise the performance ofchildren and how their academiccompetencies compare to their peersprovide an interesting opportunity forcomparisons and inferences. I saw thisonly too well in the development ofmy two sons.

The question that comes up ever sooften is when should we be concerned.If the comparisons and inferences

drawn from early stage ofdevelopment worry us when shouldthat worry lead us to take action?

Let me now connect the third thread ofmy topic. Several days after seeing theTV programme, I was listening to alocal radio station in my homeland ofAntigua and Barbuda. One callerreminded the listeners that in less thantwo weeks’ time the government ofAntigua and Barbuda would becelebrating the 1st anniversary of its2nd victory at the polls. Somehow thediscussion that followed drifted to thestate of the economy and the failure ofthe governing party to deliver onpromises made during the lastcampaign. Twelve months and thegovernment is still floundering wasthe opinion expressed.

A former minister in an earlierinterview compared the performanceof the economy under the presentgovernment with the performancewhen his party held the reins of powerbetween 1999 and 2004. Naturally theinferences and comparisons pointed inone and only one direction. Thingswould have been better under thegovernance of his party. Is thecomparison fair and are the inferencesgrounded on some facts which areeasily verified? Are the externalitiessimilar such that comparative analysiscould lead to unbiased inferences?

In the situation cited on the early partof this message, there is so much inthe family environment that caninfluence the development of thechild. Even though each child isunique, their reaction to these factorsdemonstrates clearly this uniquenessand the results substantiate theindividuality of the child’s character.Parents can do quite a lot to help buildthe character of the young infant and

The Antigua and Barbuda High Commission Issue 138 - January/February 2010

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Cabinet at its weekly session onWednesday 13th January 2010 notedwith sadness the loss of life anddevastation caused by a massiveearthquake in the Caribbean island ofHaiti.

Chairman of Cabinet, Prime MinisterDr. the Hon. W. Baldwin Spencer saidthat his government is deeplyconcerned over the enormousdevastation and the massive loss oflife caused by the earthquake to afellow Member State of the CaribbeanCommunity.

Cabinet agreed that it will immediatelysupport the relief and rescue effortsbeing organized by CARICOM toinclude supporting and providingmanpower to the Caribbean DisasterEmergency Management Agency(CDEMA), CARICOM ImplementationAgency for Crime and Security(IMPACS) and the Regional SecuritySystem (RSS).

“Cabinet expresses the solidarity ofthe Government and people ofAntigua and Barbuda with the peopleof Haiti in this challenging time andcalls upon the people of Antigua andBarbuda to pray for the people andgovernment of Haiti.”

"Cabinet also agreed to pledgeEC$100,000 to the account

established by the Antiguaand Barbuda Red Cross aspart of its efforts to providesupport to the people of Haiti.

Citizens and residents ofAntigua and Barbuda areencouraged to makedonations to the accountestablished by the Antiguaand Barbuda Red Cross."

In addition, the Cabinet iscommitted, throughCARICOM, to work with theGovernment of Haiti ineffecting the long termreconstruction of all aspects of socialand economic life and the restorationof the administrative and institutionalsystems necessary for a full return tonormal life.

“Cabinet also agreed that the Antiguaand Barbuda Defence Force and theAntigua and Barbuda Search andRescue Unit should be on stand-by toassist in the work of CDEMA and theRSS, should the request be made.In addition a list of relief items stockpiled in Antigua as part of the regionalwarehouse has been forwarded toCDEMA to aid in the organization ofrelief and recovery efforts in Haiti.”

Cabinet also noted with sadness thepassing of former Antigua andBarbuda and Leeward Islands

opening batsman, cricketadministrator and coach Hayden“Sharlo” Walsh.

“Hayden “Sharlo” Walsh was a trueson of the Caribbean and a lover ofthe game of cricket which unites usall. His love for the game, outside ofhis professional career, was evidentas he dedicated a large portion of histime and energies in developing theskills of our young boys and girls.”

“Cricket and Antigua and Barbudahas lost a great son and a stalwart ofthe game.”

Cabinet expressed its condolences toHayden’s children and othermembers of the Walsh family. Mayhis soul rest in eternal peace.

GOVERNMENT OF ANTIGUA AND BARBUDAOffice of the Prime MinisterJanuary 13, 2010

CABINET STATEMENT

On the Devastation Caused in Haiti by an Earthquake andthe Passing of Former Antigua and Leeward Islands Cricketer Hayden Walsh

Dr The Honourable W. Baldwin SpencerPrime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda


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His Excellency, Dr. CarlB. Roberts, the High Commissioner forAntigua and Barbuda, signed a TaxInformation Exchange Agreement(TIEA) on behalf of the Government ofAntigua and Barbuda with GreatBritain and Northern Ireland on 18January 2010. Signing on behalf ofGreat Britain and Northern Ireland wasthe Rt. Honourable Stephen TimmsMP, Financial Secretary to theTreasury.

Antigua and Barbuda’s HighCommissioner in the UK has nowsigned a total of three Tax InformationExchange Agreements on behalf ofthe Government of Antigua andBarbuda.

Other countries in the CaribbeanCommunity, namely St. Kitts andNevis, St. Lucia and St. Vincent andthe Grenadines, which wererepresented by their HighCommissioners, also signed theAgreement.

The purpose of the Agreement is topromote international cooperation intax matters through the exchange of

information. It was developed by theOECD Global Forum Working Groupon Effective Exchange of Information.The Working Group consisted ofrepresentatives from OECD Membercountries as well as delegates from

Aruba, Bermuda, Bahrain, CaymanIslands, Cyprus, Isle of Man, Malta,Mauritius, the Netherlands Antilles, theSeychelles and San Marino.

ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA SIGNS TIEA WITH GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND

L-R His Excellency, Dr. Carl B. Roberts, High Commissioner for Antiguaand Barbuda and the Rt. Honourable Stephen Timms MP, Financial

Secretary to the Treasury

UK Sunday Times include16 page feature on Antiguaand Barbuda in its 2010

Valentine’s issue

Leading UK Newspaper, The SundayTimes featured Antigua and Barbudain its 2010 Valentine’s issue, whichwas distributed throughout the UK, onSunday 14.

The full colour, glossy insertcommissioned by The Antigua andBarbuda Tourism Authority, was filledwith inspiring and aspirational imagesof the destination and its hotelproperties. Readers were invited to‘Dream a Little Dream’ by browsingthe inserted 16 pages.

Director of Tourism for the UK MarketHilary Modeste said: “The first quarteris the key booking period for the UKconsumer. The Antigua and Barbuda

UK office is therefore launching our2010 consumer awareness campaignwith the Sunday Times February 14issue, which will reach approximately1.5 million potential visitors.”

The design which focused more onamazing imagery, rather thanextensive text, was meant toencourage potential visitors from thefamily, weddings and honeymoonmarkets, to travel to the destination.

The insert, showcased the wide rangeof the country’s accommodationproduct that ranges from the ultra-exclusive luxury properties to thesmaller more intimate VIP properties.

11 local properties have advertised inthe issue, with each property offeringthe reader exclusive offers.

The properties, Sandals GrandeAntigua Resort and Spa, Grand

Pineapple Beach Antigua, Jolly BeachResort and Spa, Blue Waters andSugar Ridge participated in thepromotion, along with the smaller,intimate properties such as TheCatamaran Hotel, Siboney BeachClub, The Inn at English Harbor,Copper & Lumber Store Hotel, LongBay Hotel, and Buccaneer BeachClub.

CEO of the Antigua & BarbudaTourism Authority, Colin C. James,said “the campaign would be oftremendous value to a wide range ofproperties on island, and for the firsttime includes several of the smallerhotels.

The ability to involve some of thesmaller properties in this promotion,and provide them with maximumexposure, was an extra plus.” Headded that: “the images and offers inthe 16 page feature, appearing at this

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At the recent Commonwealth Headsof Government Meeting (CHOGM)held from 27 to 29 November, 2009 inTrinidad and Tobago, member statesagreed on a new system for financingthe Commonwealth Secretariat.The scale of contributions, which setsthe contribution to be made by eachmember state to fund the Secretariat,was last changed more than twentyyears ago. The revised system willmean that the contributions of anumber of countries will increase,while financial relief will be given tothose with the least capacity to pay,resulting in savings of between 37%and 65%. Nine members will increasetheir contributions by 25% or moreand one of these will see itscontribution double.Prior to the new agreement, allmember countries contributed to theCommonwealth Secretariat accordingto a scale agreed back in 1989. In thetwo decades that followed, members’relative capacity to pay had changedsignificantly: some Commonwealthcountries had experienced strongeconomic growth, whilst others hadnot.Under the new agreement, which willbe phased in over a three-year period,beginning in the current financial year,the starting point for determining eachcountry’s contribution is its relativecapacity to pay. However, the newscale also has a number of elements,including a revised ceiling and floor toreflect the other principles mandatedby Heads of Government at theKampala CHOGM in 2007: equitable

burden sharing and shared ownershipfor the Secretariat.In future the scale will be reviewedevery five years and assessed to takeinto account member countrieschanging economic status.In welcoming the agreementCommonwealth Secretary-General,Kamalesh Sharma, paid particulartribute to the work of the Chair of theWorking Group of Members thatdeveloped the agreement, the HighCommissioner of Antigua and

Barbuda to the United Kingdom, HisExcellency Dr. Carl Roberts.Mr Sharma said: “The Secretariatowes a huge debt of gratitude to Dr.Roberts. His leadership, dedicationand skill – coupled with strong supportfrom the Secretariat – wasinstrumental in bringing about anagreement. In addition to all the workhe put into the Working Group itself,and into numerous bilateral meetingsbehind the scenes to develop theagreement, the role he played atCHOGM in skilfully navigating theproposal through the ForeignMinisters’ Meeting to the meeting ofHeads of Government, was absolutelycritical.”

Mr Sharma also noted that thewillingness of the major contributors topay more was a sign of the confidencewhich member countries have in thecontinuing relevance and importanceof the Commonwealth.

Steve Cutts, who as Director of theSecretariat’s Strategic Planning andEvaluation Division provided technicalsupport to the Working Party, notedthat while the agreement does notincrease the size of the Secretariat’sbudget overall, there was reason tohope that some additional resourceswould flow into the organisation as aresult. He explained that severalcountries, who will now be paying alower rate under the new agreement,had indicated that they would pass ontheir savings to the CommonwealthFund for Technical Cooperation or theCommonwealth Youth Fund.

COMMONWEALTH HEADS OF GOVERNMENT INTRODUCE NEW SYSTEM

FOR FINANCING SECRETARIAT PROVIDING FINANCIAL RELIEF FOR

SOME MEMBER COUNTRIES

Secretary-General Kamalesh SharmaMarlborough House, London, UK

© Copyright:Roland Kemp/Commonwealth Secretariat

March 26 to 28Antigua and Barbuda

Culinary Festival


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Rappaport Passes

His Excellency Dr Carl Roberts, HighCommissioner for Antigua andBarbuda represented the governmentof Antigua and Barbuda at thememorial service held in Geneva,Switzerland for Bruce Rappaport, 86,a Swiss-based financier andinternational oil trader, who in 1981acquired the majority holdings inAntigua’s West Indies Oil Company onFriar’s Hill Road.

Some considered him to be one of ourforemost benefactors and he referredto himself as a ‘Friend of Antigua’.

He will best be rememberedby all Antiguans andBarbudans for procuring theCodrington papers for thepeople of Antigua andBarbuda, when hepurchased them in 1980 offthe auction block in England.He later constructed theNational Archives to housethe papers.

He was also Antigua andBarbuda’s Ambassador toRussia.

Source: Antigua Observer

His Excellency Dr Carl Roberts and Mrs RuthRappaport at a reception at the Rappaport’sresidence following the funeral service and

burial of the late Mr Bruce Rappaport.

Antigua and Barbudacontributes to UN FlashAppeal for women in

Haiti

As part of the internationalcommunity’s response to the peopleof Haiti, Antigua and Barbuda hasmade two small but neverthelesssignificant donations to the UnitedNations Flash Appeal, specificallytargeted to rapidly rebuilding andexpanding women’s shelters andprovide services to women and theirfamilies left homeless by last month’smassive earthquake that hit Haiti.

“We recognize that the limitedresources we have can never go far

enough to address fully the magnitudeof problems faced by our CARICOMneighbour, Haiti. However, throughsmall, targeted responses such asthis, I believe we can contribute to thiseffort, coordinated by UNIFEM, theUnited Nations Development Fund forWomen, aimed at ensuring thatemergency and early recoveryassessment and assistanceadequately address the differentneeds of women, men and children,”said Prime Minister the HonourableW. Baldwin Spencer.

During the flash appeal launched bythe United Nations last month in thewake of the massive earthquake thatdevastated the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince, UNIFEM notified UNmember States that is was seeking to

raise approximately US $2 million toimplement shelter reconstruction andensure that women participateactively in the recovery efforts tocome. The initiative is aimed at,among other things, bringing shelterand protection to Haiti’s women andtheir families and counter gender-based violence.

The outgoing President of ChileMichelle Bachelet has agreed to workclosely with UNIFEM by lending herenergies and presence to amplifyHaitian women’s voices and recoveryneeds. And the organization’s staff inHaiti has gathered women’sorganizations and other partneragencies to re-establish connectionsand begin coordination to providepsychosocial activities and otherservices.

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time will also help to reposition thedestination’s image in a very positiveway in the minds of the UKconsumer.”

Following from the Sunday TimesInsert, The UK office continued tobuild momentum in the marketplace,with the launch of the new website,www.visitantiguabarbuda.co.uk. Thewebsite features attractive holidayoffers provided by hotel partners.

The Sunday Times is considered anup-market National UK newspaperand has a circulation of close to1,000,000.


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“Governor General, Dame LouiseLake-Tack;

Education Minister, Dr. the Hon.Jacqui Quinn-Leandro;

Other members of the Cabinet ofAntigua and Barbuda;

Chairman of the Board of Governorsof Island Academy International, Dr.Soumi SenGupta and members of theBoard;

Director of Island AcademyInternational, Jim Pastore and othermembers of the AdministrativeDepartment;

Teachers, students, support start,parents, specially invited,

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I bring warm greetings andcongratulations from the Government ofAntigua and Barbuda to the Board ofGovernors and Faculty and Staff ofIsland Academy International on thismomentous occasion, which signals theexpansion of this fine institution.

Today, the Government of Antigua andBarbuda is particularly pleased with thelevel of partnership we have able tonurture with Island AcademyInternational. The results of ourcollaboration are positive proof that mygovernment’s policy of developingPublic-Private Partnerships areachievable.

Not only was the government interestedin partnering with Island AcademyInternational in the provision of lands forthe construction of two additionalbuildings, but we recognize that theBoard of Island Academy shares thegovernment’s vision of providing the bestpossible education to our young peopleand therefore we were eager to assist.

Over the past nine years since theestablishment of this institution, theBoard of Governors and Faculty havebeen successful in achieving its mainmission of empowering each student byproviding a life experience that inspiresthe development of the whole child,which enables each student to embrace

the multiplicity of communities the world-over.

But more importantly, this institution hasbeen a model in promoting a culturewhereby each parent, child and teacherwork together to achieve mutual respectand productive partnerships. Thegovernment believes that the fullparticipation of the school and parents inthe education of our children canproduce untold benefits for our nationand make education work for our youngpeople.

I wish also to congratulate Island

Academy International on being recentlyaccredited with the International Bacca-Laureate Organisation (IBO) at theDiploma level.

This is a significant achievement not onlyfor Island Academy International but alsofor Antigua and Barbuda, as thisaccreditation has made Antigua andBarbuda the first country within theOECS to have such a programme.

I wish to say to parents and members ofthe faculty of Island AcademyInternational, not to take this IBOaccreditation lightly. It is a verysignificant development that has the

potential to radically advance thedelivery of education in Antigua andBarbuda.

With a stated goal of encouragingstudents to become active,compassionate and lifelong learners whounderstand that other people, with theirdifferences, can also be right and todevelop young people who help to createa better and more peaceful worldthrough intercultural understanding andrespect; this programme can only bebeneficial to the Antigua and Barbudasociety.

I congratulate Island AcademyInternational once again for thisachievement and commend the Board ofGovernors, Faculty and Staff forpartnering with the Government ofAntigua and Barbuda in providing aneducation programme based on theholistic development of each child.

Congratulations, and Ilook forward to continueworking with each oneof you as we educateour young people.

Thank you very much.”

Prime MinisterDr. the Hon. W. Baldwin Spencer

RemarksOpening of Island Academy International New Campus

14th January 2010

Island Academy students


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Susie’s Hot Sauceexhibited in GermanyMrs Rosemarie McMaster MBE waspresent at the CMT Fair 2010 whichtook place in Stuttgart, Germany Jan16-24, where Susie's Hot Sauce waswell presented and embraced by theGerman visitors...with a knockout...sold out record. Every last dropof Susie's was '"Sold Out."

As usual, when she attends tradeshows, she sells Antigua andBarbuda with a spicy passion, as sheadds the fiery sentiments of Susie'sHot Sauce and encourage manypatrons to visit our beautiful paradiseisland.

Dr. Giersch, Honorary Consul inGermany, re-emphasized how goodMrs McMaster is at promoting hercountry. “When I go out there...I workfor results...which will and hasbenefited my country!”, she says.

“The impact of the show was so good,that we had lots of promises to visitAntigua. and Barbuda .. and manyinterest for loads of Susie's toGermany. I will have to secure areliable stock of peppers so as to fullyutilize this great opportunity.

I must thank Dr. Giersch, and his veryhard working, committed and devotedteam for the great work they are doingto promote Antigua Barbuda, and veryimportantly, for having suchconfidence in Susie's, to extend theinvitation to us to participate in thiswonderful trade show. I have been tomany trade shows all over theworld....and I think this is the best andmost professionally organized that I

have seen. I was given the opportunityto present our products to the PrimeMinister and the Mayor of Stuttgart,respectively.

This exercise will make a greatcontribution to the expansion effortsand plans of Susie's. This year willdefinitely be a dramatic action year forus”, Mrs McMaster said.

Mrs McMaster surrounded by hot sauce lovers

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alertness can point to earlyremedies that, with the help ofmedical professionals, can lead toappropriate corrective actionsbeing taken.

In the case of economicperformance of the State ofAntigua and Barbuda, let usattempt to analyse the discussionon the management of theeconomy in 2009 vs. 2001.

There are many factors which canbe used to analyse the performanceof the economy of any country.One could look at the GDP percapita, the debt per capita, the debtratio, the level of local savings per

capita among many others. Percapita figures are more often usedto avoid skewing the comparisonsand make it so much easier tocompare countries of various sizes.When we look at the society ingeneral we use mortality rate,women in politics, energyconsumption per capita and othersocio-economic indices.

The comparisons made during theinterview did not, as it should in allfairness have done, take intoaccount the state of the worldeconomy then and now. It mustindeed be pointed out that none ofthe crises in the world environmentbefore 2004 (oil, financial orotherwise) affected world

economy as did the crisis of2008/09. It must also be borne inmind that the expected length andspread of this current crisis is moresevere and pervasive than anyother since the 1930s.

What then must we say of thecomparisons made and inferencesdrawn up? We can clearly andquite rightly conclude that theenvironmental factors are moredetrimental now than at any timeunder the former government. Asthe discussion never cited anyeconomic factors, it is difficult toconduct an analysis and commenton the fairness of the comparison.The possible blacklisting ofAntigua and Barbuda by the OECD

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Finance and EconomyMinister Harold Lovell meets

Brazilian Ambassador

Minister of Finance and the Economythe Hon. Harold Lovell met on Monday8th February with the newambassador from Brazil accredited toAntigua and Barbuda, H.E. Mr. BrianMichael Fraser Neele.

Ambassador Neele, who was formerlyposted to Honduras, is establishing anew Brazilian Embassy in Antigua andBarbuda. The Brazilian embassy willbe located in the Price WaterhouseBuilding on the Old Parham Road.

Mr. Lovell welcomed AmbassadorNeele to Antigua and stated that hewished to work closely with him instrengthening the cooperationbetween Antigua and Barbuda andBrazil. Minister Lovell highlightedseveral areas where he felt that closercooperation could have an impact onthe Antiguan economy and society,including the establishment of airlinks; cultural exchanges; academicscholarships; and sport.

Ambassador Neele pointedout that he was very happywith his posting, and that heintended to work with theAntiguan authorities to bringpractical results to theBrazilian presence inAntigua.

The minister and theambassador also discussedthe economic situation inthe Caribbean and the needfor concessionary financingopportunities to beexpanded for countriessuch as Antigua andBarbuda. Ambassador Neilindicated that Brazil wasopening four new embassies in theCaribbean region as part of Brazil’snew diplomatic outreach. Brazil hashad thousands of troops in Haiti since2004 as part of the UN peacekeepingforce; and the Brazilian ForeignMinister Celso Amorim has heldregular meetings with his CARICOMcounterparts in recent years.

The meeting also discussed thepossibility of Brazil making acontribution to the CaribbeanDevelopment Fund established under

the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas,as well as Brazil’s position on thepossibility of Antigua and Barbudajoining the Inter-AmericanDevelopment Bank.

Both Permanent Secretaries in theMinistry of Finance & Economy, Ms.Doleen Lee and Ambassador ColinMurdoch, also participated in themeeting.

Minister Lovell promised to follow-upon the items raised.

Minister of Finance and the EconomyHon. Harold Lovell meets HE Brian Michael

Fraser Neele

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was used as a possible indicator ofwhere this government hadfaltered. But is this a fairinference? In its report on Antiguaand Barbuda, the OECD hasalways praised the government forthe strength of its legislative andregulatory framework. Itcommended the government for itsresponsiveness in updating itslegislative framework on aconstant basis.

The fallout from the Sir AllenStanford issue has been andcontinues to be an area of grave

concern. Nothing like thisoccurred during the previous termsin office of any government, so itis difficult to compare and drawfair inferences.

We should always, as with the caseof young adults in theirdevelopment, avoid making somecomparisons and drawinginferences which cannot besubstantiated or grounded inanalysis. Now is a time for all of usto be drawn together as citizensand residents of Antigua andBarbuda, along with our manyfriends and developmentalpartners, to build this “child” (our

homeland, or beloved country)into a productive member of theglobal family of nations. We hopethat our development will providea decent quality of life for all whodwell within our shores; a life ofpeace, harmony and one based onour traditional culture and familyvalues.

I wish the government a successfulterm in office and may God blessthe people of Antigua and Barbudaand all of us who call that fair landour home.

H.E. Dr Carl Roberts (13th March2010)


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Rev. Isacc hopes tostrengthen regional Street

Pastor movement

CEO of Ascension Trust andInternational Director of the StreetPastors Initiative, Rev. Les Isaac,says his mission to the Caribbean is tostrengthen the movement of streetpastors across the region as well asforging a partnership with the police,government and church leaders.

Speaking to the AntiguaSun Rev.Isaac said that partnerships with thesebodies are very essential and willassist in bringing solutions which willhave a direct bearing on the currenttrend that people face in terms of therise in anti-social behaviour withyoung persons, gang activities andthe like.

We have to look at how we togetherrespond effectively to help to stop thistrend; through these entities we formwhat we call urban treaty, working toheal the ills at the heart of society.”

Rev. Isaac further stated that effortsare been made to expand the streetpastors initiative in other countrieswith the view of targeting youngpersons to be more proactive insociety, as well as encouragingchurch leaders to get more involved inthe programme.

“I believe passionatelythat the church should notbe just preaching, butdemonstrating its loveand compassion forpeople and one of themain issues in our societytoday is the lack of lovethat persons are getting,a very importantcommodity.”

He further added that aschurch leaders there is aneed for more vigilancealong with prayer in thechurches and more moralsupport given to personsin society.

“Sometimes people needsomeone to engagethem. We need thechurch to go out there,visit a family, pray forthem, as they are God’schildren. We need to come back to ourroots loving our neighbours”

He also stressed the need for morestreet pastors to be involved in theprogramme.

Street Pastors is an inter-denominational church response tourban problems, engaging with peopleon the streets to care and dialogue. Itwas pioneered in London in January

2003 by Rev. Isaac, Director ofAscension Trust.

The initiative started in Antigua andBarbuda in 2006. Rev. Isaac leftAntigua for Guyana and then toTrinidad & Tobago. He returns later inMarch to continue his work in Antigua.

Source: AntiguaSun

CEO of Ascension Trust and InternationalDirector of the Street Pastors Initiative,

Rev. Les Isaac,

Street pastors conference slated for June in AntiguaAntigua and Barbuda’s Street Pastors is gearing up to host a regional conference to the held at theJolly Beach Resort from the 15-17 June 2010.

Founder of the Initiative, Rev. Les Isaac, said that the event, which will be well attended by regionalstakeholders, is aimed at bringing everyone who has a concern for the community together, as wellas for all interested in bringing peace to the streets and tackling anti-social behaviour.

“There are a number of challenges we face as a society today; however, I believe they are solvablewhen people come together to talk and think through the issue.” He continued that the speakers willbe drawn from across the region, including Antigua and Barbuda.

Presenters to be featured at the conference include Pastor Bobby Wilmot of Jamaica,Superintendent Andy Pratt of England, Professor John Pitts Professor of Socio-Legal studies,University of Bedfordshire, Kim Martin from Crosswords Antigua and Sheila Roseau from theDepartment of Gender Affairs.

The conference will also include workshop sessions and keynote speeches.

Source: AntiguaSun


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Ambassador Lovell securesTechnical Assistance fromthe OAS for Antigua andBarbuda’s Public Sector

Transformation Programme

Organisation of American States OASSpecialist from the Department ofState Modernization and GovernanceMoises Benamor on Wednesdayarrived in Antigua and commenceddiscussions with officials on thegovernment’s Public SectorTransformation Programme.

Mr. Benamor’s visit was madepossible through a request made byH.E. Deborah-Mae Lovell, Antiguaand Barbuda’s PermanentRepresentative to the OAS andAmbassador to the United States ofAmerica, during a recent meeting with Secretary General of the OAS, JoseMiguel Insulza.

While in Antigua, Mr. MoisesBenamor, will hold preliminarydiscussions with Ambassador JoanUnderwood, Chief ImplementationOfficer and the Director of the PublicSector Transformation AdvisoryCommittee as well as other relevant

authorities in Antigua andBarbuda.Through the preparatorymeetings, held between 18-19February, Mr. Benamor, willidentify the nature of the inputsrequired pursuant to thegovernment’s public sectorreform agenda and flowingfrom this, he will be placed in aposition to prepare a roadmapfor the technical experts whowill come to Antigua andBarbuda following the initialmeetings.

This latest contribution from theOAS forms part of a widerpackage of assistance thatAntigua and Barbuda receivesfrom the hemisphericorganization. In addition to itslong history of providingscholarships and professionaltraining for Antiguans and Barbudans,the OAS, during the course of the pasteighteen months has providedassistance for the following projects:The Integrated Management Plan forCodrington Lagoon; The RegionalNetwork of Women in Politics;Tourism Training and Certification andThe Customs Automated Services, toname just a few.

In outlining the assistance given toAntigua and Barbuda by the OAS,Ambassador Lovell has said that herdelegation will continue to work toensure that the level of developmentassistance to our country by thehemispheric organization will not onlybe maintained but also expanded.

Ambassador Lovell with Secretary General ofthe OAS. Jose Miguel Insulza

PM Spencer attendsOfficial Funeral of

Professor Rex Nettleford

Prime Minister of Antigua andBarbuda Dr. the Hon. W. BaldwinSpencer arrived in Jamaica on 15th

February 2010 to attend the OfficialFuneral of Professor Emeritus of the

University of the West Indies RexNettleford who passed awayrecently.

Prime Minister Spencer wasaccompanied to the Official Funeralby Former Resident Tutor of theUWI Extra Mural Department inAntigua and Barbuda Dr. ErminaOshoba and Chairman of the SirV.C. Bird Centenary Committee andHistorian, Alister Thomas.

On the passing of ProfessorNettleford, Prime Minister Spencersaid that his greatness lay, not inself-promotion, but in his promotionof the Caribbean, particularly theEnglish-speaking islands in whichAfrica collided with Great Britain, asa place of great political potentialand greater human self-actualization. He noted thatProfessor Nettleford accomplishedthis not only in theory, as a writer of

significant intellectual insight andliterary ability, but in practice,through art and music and dance,language and, most importantly,through education.

Professor Nettleford is known for hisintellectual and artistic contributionsto the issues of black identity in theWestern world as well as for hisunderstanding of the role of cultureand development. This earned himrespect throughout the Americas,Europe and Africa.

He has received many honours andawards for his work including theJamaican National Honour of Orderof Merit, the Living Legend Awardfrom the Black Arts Festival, AtlantaUSA and the UWI Pelican Award.


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Ministry of Legal AffairsStatement on Antiguaand Barbuda’s Status

with the FATF

The Financial Action Task Force(FATF), which is the internationalbody that sets the anti-moneylaundering and combating thefinancing of terrorism (AML/CFT)global standards, has as at February18 2010 issued a public statementidentifying countries who currentlyhave regulatory deficiencies andplacing them in four (4) categories.Antigua and Barbuda has been placedin category 4 which are “jurisdictionswhich have deficiencies for which theyhave developed an action plan andexpressed a high-level politicalcommitment to work with FATF andthe regional Caribbean FinancialAction Task Force (CFATF) toaddress these identified deficiencies”.

The public statement follows a face-to-face meeting in November 2009 inArgentina between the InternationalCooperation Review Group (ICRG)and Antigua and Barbuda representedby the Hon. Attorney General, JustinL. Simon QC and the Chair of theFinancial Services Regulatory

Commission (FSRC), Ms. AltheaCrick. A follow-up Report wassubmitted by Antigua and Barbuda inearly February 2010 following therecent passage in the House ofRepresentatives of importantamendments to various pieces oflegislation including The MoneyLaundering (Prevention)(Amendment) Bill, The Prevention ofTerrorism (Amendment) Bill, and theInternational Business Corporations(Amendment) Bill. These Bills will bedebated in the Senate next week.

The arrest of R. Allen Stanford in theU.S. on allegations that he operated amassive Ponzi Scheme through hiswholly-owned Stanford InternationalBank which is registered in andregulated by Antigua and Barbuda,and the request for the extradition ofLeroy King the former Administrator ofFSRC has highlighted deficiencies inour legal and regulatory frameworkadditional to those previouslyidentified in the CFATF’s 2007 MutualEvaluation Examiners Report onAntigua and Barbuda. The Report isconducted in each jurisdiction everythird year and assesses compliancewith FATF Recommendations andimplementation of changing normsand regulatory practices. StanfordInternational Bank Limited is currentlyin liquidation.

Antigua and Barbuda has committeditself to and has been dulyimplementing the requestedamendments and changes to its off-shore financial regime and will bemaking a full report on its legislativeand regulatory actions at the CFATFPlenary in June 2010. We arepleased with the progress made todate following the 30th Plenary inCuraçao in October 2009 at which afollow-up Report had been tabled forCFATF’s consideration and review.This is an ongoing process.

While we recognise the vitalimportance of the off-shore financialsector to our economy, we must alsopay close attention to our concomitantobligation to maintain the globalstandards of good governance andAML/CFT requirements. We aretherefore working assiduously atcorrecting these deficiencies by June2010. We expect our financialinstitutions (whether local or off-shore)to recognise the changes being made,both regulatory and legislative, andcall on them to ensure their diligentand effective compliance as wecontinuously seek to improve ourinternational standing.

Over $12 million estimatedfor total Church restoration

Late last year, the Cathedral of St.John the Divine (St. John’s Cathedral)celebrated its 161st year of existence;in the same year, it was also forced toclose its doors after a section of itsfloor collapsed and became the sceneof an accident when a teacher fellthrough the floor.The church’s Dean, Rudolph Smithenestimated a grand total of $3 milliondollars for renovating the church’sroof, floor and pews. This estimate,however, has been further increasedto $12 million. The church’srestoration committee plans to tacklethese issues in separate phases andwill be seeking to raise fundsaccordingly.

During the first phase, repairs will bedone to the structure’s foundation androof and the pews will be replaced;this is expected to cost $3,440,000.Another $3,840,000 or so will beneeded for the second phase of theproject which is to include repairs toexternal and internal walls as well aselectrical work.The last two phases will consist ofseveral other projects; to include therelocation of the vestry, renovation ofbathroom facilities and the stairsleading to the tower doors, repairs tothe perimeter walls and gates, clocksand clarion and the church’s pathway.The church’s restoration committeehas embarked on several fund-raisingmissions and will continue to do so inorder to facilitate the repairs to thehistoric landmark. St John’s Cathedral


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Antigua andBarbuda doubleairlift from Italian

marketLivingston airlines will significantlyincrease its direct charter flightservices to Antigua and Barbuda fromMilan, Italy this year.

The agreement to extend the weeklycharter was the outcome ofsuccessful discussions between theCEO of the Antigua and BarbudaTourism Authority Colin C. James,and CEO of Livingston AirlinesGiancarlo Celani, at BIT, BorsaInternazionale del Turismo(International Tourism Exchange), thelargest Italian Tourism trade andtravel fair in Milan.

“This news will be welcomed by theItalian tour operators and local hotelswho over the last few years havebeen clamouring to get the serviceextended” James said.

He indicated that the new extendedcharter schedule will commence onSundays and now allows thedestination to actively target theItalian wedding and honeymoonmarket.

Livingston’s CEO, who has neverbeen to the destination, graciouslyaccepted an invitation from James tonot only visit Antigua and Barbudabut, also committed to providing freeseats for a mega FAM and press tripto help promote the destination.

Last year, the Ministry of Tourism’sstatistics showed a growth of 9.68%from the Italian Market, in spite of theglobal declines in other markets.

Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister ofTourism, Civil Aviation and Culture,John Maginley, said: “In this timewhen airlines are cutting back it isgreat to know that our partnershipwith our operators continues to bestrong and this latest developmentshows that the government’sinvestment in the tourism industry isnow yielding positive results for thecountry in growing markets like Italy.”

The once-a-week charter whichcommenced this season’s service inNovember 2009 would usually rununtil April. Service has now beenextended to run until the first week inSeptember. Livingston alsocommitted to resume its winterschedule even earlier than previouslyat the end of October this year.

BIT which runs from the 18 to 21February, allows tourism relatedentities to meet members of the tradeand the public.

This year, Jolly Beach Resort andSpa, Elle Colonna, Elite IslandResorts, The Inn at English Harbourand Hermitage Bay jointlyparticipated with the Antigua andBarbuda Tourism Authority inpromoting the destination at the event.

This positive development comeshard on the heels of theDonnavventura TV show which wasrecently filmed in Antigua andBarbuda and aired on Italian TV lastweekend.

The Antigua and Barbuda office inItaly has seen a rush of inquiries sincethe show’s airing.

Another Italian TV crew is currently onisland filming for additionalprogrammes which will showcase thecountry’s investment and tourismpotential.

Source: antiguasunonline.com

Antigua and Barbuda at the Italian Tourism Trade andTravel Fair in Milan


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The Wesley StudyCentre, Durham has recentlynominated a new Director. TheRev. Dr. Calvin T. Samuel willtake over the leading role inSeptember 2010, subject to theconfirmation of the MethodistConference. He will succeedthe Rev. Dr. Roger Walton whowill step down after successfullyleading the Wesley StudyCentre for 11 years.

Dr Samuel who is currently NewTestament Tutor at Spurgeon’sCollege, London, and Chaplainto Farringtons School in theOrpington and ChislehurstCircuit, will take up the positionas the Wesley Study Centreenters its 22nd Anniversaryyear. He brings with him awealth of experience, includingprevious roles as AssistantDirector of Research andFaculty Administration atLondon Business School, andVisiting Lecturer in Biblicalstudies at NazareneTheological College as well asministry in Circuit.

Professor James Dunn, Chair ofthe Wesley Study CentreManagement Committee said:“Dr Samuel is a Methodistminister who comes to us with avery impressive educationalbackground, including an MBA(Manchester Business School)

and PhD (King's College,London), and a very interestingrange of experience, includingbank management, universityadministration, circuit ministry,school chaplaincy, and lecturingin biblical studies. He is highlyregarded in London as anoutstanding minister and anexcellent communicator. Hehas served as Convenor of theVocational DevelopmentCommission from its inceptionin the London District in 2006,and as a member ofMethodism's Faith and OrderCommittee. The Wesley StudyCentre has shown a pioneeringspirit from its beginning 21years ago, and the WSCManagement Committee is verymuch looking forward to DrSamuel taking over itsleadership into the next phase,starting next year.”

David Wilkinson, Principal of StJohn’s College at DurhamUniversity said: “Theappointment of Dr CalvinSamuel is an excitingopportunity for both the WesleyStudy Centre and St John'sCollege. Dr Samuel will pushour commitment to cutting edgethinking in mission and ministry.His academic work on holinesswill find resonances withformation in ministry beinglocated in rigorous theological

thinking, prayer, worship andtransformed lifestyle.

“The growth of the WesleyStudy Centre over the past 20years has been astonishing.This appointment will solidify itsnational and internationalreputation and take it forward innew ways.”

Dr Calvin Samuel was born inBarbados and grew up inAntigua before coming to Britainto study for a BA in Theologyand Pastoral Studies atNazarene Theological Collegein Manchester. He is married toRamona and they are parentsto Tiana and Fletcher.

Following his appointment, DrSamuel said: “The WesleyStudy Centre's close links withDurham University, its locationnear Northumberland andhistoric Methodist sites, itsecumenical approach toministerial formation andtheological enquiry, all of whichare enlivened by an openspirituality, make it one of thebest resourced theologicalinstitutions in British Methodism.I am excited at the prospect ofbecoming Director of theWesley Study Centre andlooking forward to furtherdeveloping the excellent workbeing done there.”

New Director for the Wesley Study Centre


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Antigua and Barbuda passport application ProceduresAn Overview

For persons born in Antigua and Barbuda

Documents Required:

1. Antigua and Barbuda birth certificate (original) and/or2. Antigua and Barbuda baptismal certificate (original) (only required if father’s name

does not appear in the surname box of the birth certificate. The parents’ namesnormally appear on a baptismal certificate

3. If married or divorced (decree absolute), marriage certificate or decree absolute(original with ‘Apostille’)

4. Two passport photographs (white background) one has to be certified by aprofessional person and his official stamp affixed to Section 9 of the form. He alsohas to complete Section 9

5. Previous Antigua and Barbuda passport, (or e.g. British passport Colony of Antigua,State of Antigua)

All documents must be originals/certified copies. Please note that all non-Antigua and Barbudadocuments must have a ‘Stamp of Apostille’ affixed (legalization) by the relevant Authority. Forexample, UK documents are legalized by the (British) Foreign and Commonwealth Office.(www.fco.gov.uk)

For persons born in the UK of Antiguan and Barbudan parents

Documents Required:

1. Full United Kingdom birth certificate (original) which has the name(s) of Antigua andBarbudan parent(s) through whom citizenship is being claimed

2. Antigua and Barbuda birth certificate of parent(s) (original)3. Antigua and Barbuda baptismal certificate of parents (original) (only required if

father’s name does not appear in the surname box of the birth certificate and father’sname is used). Both parents’ names normally appear on a baptismal certificate

4. If married or divorced (decree absolute), marriage certificate or decree absolute(original with ‘Apostille’)

5. Two passport photographs (white background) one has to be certified by aprofessional person, complete Section 9 and then affix official stamp

6. Note all first time applicants have to be interviewed and must also produce parentsAntigua and Barbuda passport (if available) and UK (or other) passport

For persons applying on the basis of naturalisation (citizenship by residence):

1. Antigua and Barbuda original naturalisation certificate,2. certified/original copy of birth certificate (with ‘Apostille’)

The Antigua and Barbuda High Commission Issue 137 - November/December 2009

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Additional Information

a. Blank passport application forms (L adult, M child under 16 years) and guidance notes canbe downloaded from our website: www.antigua-barbuda.com orwww.antiguabarbuda.gov.ag or telephone the High Commission 020 7258 0070 to obtaina form.

b. The notes provide details of the required documents to support claim to citizenship..

c. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) ‘Apostille’/legalizes British documents.Details on the procedures is available on the FCO’s website: www.fco.gov.uk or telephonethe FCO on 01908 295111. The current fee for the ‘Apostille’ is £28.

d. For renewal of an Antigua and Barbuda passport, the relevant documents e.g. birth,baptismal, marriage certificates have to be submitted. In some cases a Deed Poll or Affidavitmay be required.

e. Fees – adult passport £50.00, child passport £25.00. All applicants pay an extra £80.00 forthe courier service to forward to Antigua and return documents and passport to the HighCommission.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT THE HIGH COMMISSION (telephone 0207258 0070) TO CLARIFY THE PROCEDURES FOR APPLYING FOR AN ANTIGUA ANDBARBUDA PASSPORT AS EACH CASE MAY VARY. THE ABOVE NOTES IS FOR GUDIANCE

The above procedures came into effect in 2006 with the introduction of new machinereadable ‘Caribbean Community Antigua and Barbuda passports’ which are only issued inAntigua.

For persons applying on the grounds of marriage

The above process is solely handled by the Passport Office Antigua.(www.foreignaffairs.gov.ag )


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STATE INSURANCE CORPORATIONDIVESTMENT PROJECT FACT SHEET

February, 23

In an effort to bring clarity to the discussion about the State Insurance Corporation (SIC) Divestment Project, theDivestment Unit – which was established in the Office of the Prime Minister in October 2009 to identify the potentialfor privatization of several state-owned corporations - has issued the present Fact Sheet which aims at answering thefollowing questions:

1. What are the overall objectives of the Government’s divestment programme?2. What is the rationale of the SIC Divestment Project?3. Is it true that the State Insurance Corporation Act restricts SIC’s ability to expand beyond Antigua and Barbuda?4. What are the objectives of the Divestment Project?5. Why should the Government divest a company from which it receives dividends?6. Would other divestment options be considered? What about a listing of SIC on regional financial markets?7. Why wasn’t the first option for divestment that of selling the company to the general public?8. Would SIC’s Board of Directors, Management and Staff and other stakeholders be involved?9. What is the impact of the Project on State Insurance Corporation? On its customers?10.What process will be followed?11. And what if the Project does not succeed?12.What are the criteria for qualification?13.Would the Government commit to communicate on the Project to the media and to thegeneral public?

1 - What are the overall objectives of the Government’s DivestmentProgramme?In the wake of receiving a new mandate during the March 2009 general elections the United Progressive Partyadministration articulated the following objectives for its divestment programme:i. Relieve the Financial and Administrative Burden of GovernmentDivestment is a means of generating revenue for the Treasury - revenue that can assist the government in fulfillingother obligations including poverty reduction.ii. Reduce the Size of the Public SectorThere is consensus across the political spectrum and indeed the wider society that the public sector is too large and‘not fit for purpose’. Divestment would serve to ‘right-size’ the public sector.iii. Improve Efficiency and ProductivityThe Antiguan and Barbudan public yearns for better services and a higher level of productivity from stated-ownedcorporations. Divestment will play a pivotal role in the realization of such a desire. The improvement in efficiency canbe aided by the injectionof new capital by the investors who take up the ‘divested shares’. The associated capital injection could also fund theintroduction of new products, services and business models that will redound to the benefit of consumers.iv. Broaden the Ownership BaseThe Baldwin Spencer administration has repeatedly enunciated its policy of empowering Antiguans and Barbudans.The divestment strategy is a fitting way to operationalize that policy. In particular, employees at the state-ownedcorporations will have the opportunity to buy shares. As joint owners, employees will have a vested interest in ensuringthat these corporations perform with maximum efficiency.v. Depoliticisation of Decisions in the Target IndustriesThroughout the years, successive governments have been accused of politicizing the management of state ownedenterprises. Through divestment, new ownership and management structures along with the corporate governanceprinciples will help to restore and/or augment confidence in these corporations.vi. Market LiberalizationAs the forces of globalization continue to impact domestic, regional and international transactions, small states inparticular are being forced to adapt to new economic realities. In this regard, state owned corporations must changetheir ways of operations if they are to be competitive in these liberalized markets. If state owned corporations cannotbe brought in line with 21st century modalities, then the economic footing of this country may be weakened.


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2-What is the rationale for the SIC Divestment Project?

Two types of considerations are the basis of the SIC Divestment Project: on the Corporation itself, and, mostimportantly, on the insurance sector in Antigua and Barbuda.

A-On State Insurance Corporation

An initial review of State Insurance Corporation was conducted in October 2009. It highlighted the following:

• Since its appointment in 2004, the current Board of Directors has effected a significant turnaround ofSIC’s operations. SIC has been operationally profitable over the last several years.

• However, it was determined that the Company is currently operating at close to a peakperformance as:

• The company’s market share has not grown in the last five years. Its market share has remained stable at18-19%, according to data from the Financial Services Regulatory Commission (FSRC). It was assessed that thecompany is not aggressively pursuing new opportunities in terms of developing new distribution channels, addressingnew customer needs and reaching beyond Antigua and Barbuda.

• There are significant areas of operational improvements for instance human resources, informationsystems, customer service and marketing.

• SIC’s status as a statutory body seems to restrict its ability to develop its activities notably outside Antiguaand Barbuda (please see question 2 below).

B-On the Insurance Sector in Antigua and BarbudaThere are approximately 88,000 inhabitants in Antigua and Barbuda, but we have 21 active insurancecompanies. None of them have more than 20% market share. Most of them have limited capital and operationalmeans. The main reason this situation prevails is that Antigua and Barbuda has been lucky not to have been hit by ahurricane in the last eleven years; therefore our insurance companies have not been exposed to the significant claimswhich such a dramatic event would trigger. Should a major hurricane happen, it is possible that many companieswould collapse and the correlated default of payment of claims could significantly damage our national economy.Consolidation must happen in order for Antigua to benefit from larger, better capitalized insurance operatorswith greater expertise who would sustain the risks created by our hurricane-prone location.

The situation is similar in the Eastern Caribbean where over 60 insurance companies are operating. This explainsrecent proposals made at the regulatory level to unify the Eastern Caribbean Market including the introduction ofuniform insurance legislation throughout the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), the formation of anInsurance Association of the Eastern Caribbean States, and the establishment of an independent Single RegulatoryUnit (SRU) in each OECS country1.

C-ConclusionOur initial review concluded that State Insurance Corporation would benefit from the injection of capital and theexpertise of a reputable insurance investor in order to improve its operations and service offerings. Divestment willalso enable SIC to participate in the necessary consolidation of the insurance market expected to unfold in Antiguaand Barbuda and in the wider Eastern Caribbean.

1 These proposals have been backed by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB),the Caribbean Regional Technical Assistance Centre (CARTAC), and the Caribbean Association ofInsurance Regulators.


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3 - Is it true that the State Insurance Corporation Act restricts SIC’s ability to expand beyondAntigua and Barbuda?A team of legal experts is reviewing this issue. At this early stage, it can be said that the State Insurance CorporationAct per se may not restrict the ability of SIC to develop its business including abroad. However, its charter as a statutorybody may limit its ability to grow in certain areas for instance to forge equity partnerships with other operators.

Please note that the rationale for the Divestment Project is not based on a mere legal issue, but on more importantconsiderations related to SIC’s sustainable development and on the viability of our insurance sector as explained above.

4 - What are the objectives of the Divestment Project?

Faced with the situation explained above, this Government took the decision to actively pursue a strategy which willenable State Insurance Corporation to grow further as well as address the weaknesses of our insurance sector.Therefore, the objectives of the State Insurance Corporation Divestment Project are:

1. To ensure the long term sustainable development of State Insurance Corporation through a partnershipbetween the Government and a reputable private sector insurance investor;

2. To support the necessary consolidation of the insurance sector in Antigua which should lead to significantimprovements in the sustainability, efficiency and quality of insurance services in Antigua and Barbuda; this will in turnsupport the growth of the national economy.

3. To provide fiscal revenues to the Government; this will be allocated to priority sectors thereby stimulatingeconomic activity.

4. To give staff, policy holders and other interested Antiguan and Barbudan investors the opportunity topurchase shares in SIC. This will be accomplished when the Government divests some of its remaining interests.

5 - Why should the Government divest a company from which it receivesdividends?

It is true that SIC has provided combined dividends of $18 million to the Government in the last two years. It has alsobenefited from a tax exempt status. With the Divestment Project, speaking on strict financial terms, the Governmentseeks to maximize the return on its investment in SIC. As will be explained in question 6, the value the Governmentcould earn from this Project is expected to be much higher than the flow of dividends the Government would earnon a business as usual scenario.

In addition, strategic and timing considerations are involved. Should the expected consolidation of the national insurancesector happen without State Insurance Corporation, SIC could lose its current strong market position and its financialvalue to the Government would likely be significantly reduced.

6 - Would other divestment options be considered? What about a listing of SIC on regionalfinancial markets?At this stage, all options are considered. We have just mobilized IFC, the private sector arm of the World Bank toadvise on the Project. IFC has an impressive international track record and extensive experience in privatizationtransactions in the insurance sector. They have just initiated their work and started mobilizing technical and legalconsultants. In two to three months maximum, IFC will submit to the Divestment Unit a report (“Strategic Options Report”)describing their recommendations notably in terms of which divestment option would best meet the objectives assignedto the project.

Please note, however, that an initial review performed by the Divestment Unit found that SIC would benefit from thetechnical expertise – which would lead to immediate improvements of the Corporation’s operations - as well as theeconomies of scale and capital a partnership with a reputable insurance investor would provide. This same initial reviewalso mentioned the likelihood that such an option would lead to a higher valuation of the Corporation as it would beassessed both on its own merits and on these likely benefits.


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7 - Why wasn’t the first option for divestment that of selling the company to the generalpublic?As mentioned above, the initial review highlighted the importance of technical expertise, economies of scale andsignificant cash injection. In the absence of these factors the sale of SIC shares to the general public is not likely toguarantee the long term sustainability of the company.

8 - Would SIC’s board of directors, management, staff and other stakeholders be involved?Regular updates will be provided to SIC’s board of directors, management and staff in order for hem to be aware of theprogress made, and to give them the opportunity to raise their concerns and comments. To make the divestmentpossible and give the people of Antigua the option to contribute to SIC’s future success and standing, thecompany needs the continuous endorsement of its customers as well as the unwavering support andcontinued hard work of its directors, management and staff.

The Divestment Strategy Policy Paper which was approved by Cabinet in October 2009 mandated the establishmentof an Advisory Committee. This Advisory Committee will be closely associated with the Project, will review its progressand advise the Government – through the Divestment Unit – throughout the process. The list of participants of thisAdvisory Committee is being finalized but would likely include representatives of the unions, of SIC’s staff andmanagement, of the Ministry of Finance as well as other stakeholders.

9 - What is the impact of the Project on State Insurance Corporation? On its customers?At this stage, the Project has no impact on the Corporation’s strategy, operations, management and staff. Underthe leadership of Chairman Pedro Corbin, SIC continues to deliver its high quality services which are the basis for thecompany’s strong reputation in Antigua. After the successful implementation of the Project, we expect SIC to increasethe efficiency of its operations, diversify its product portfolio and ultimately deliver a greater service value to its customers.

10 - What process will be followed?

Over the next two to three months, IFC will mobilize technical and legal consultants and analyze the regulatory, legal,business and financial aspects of the divestment process. Following such analysis, the Government will launch aninternational bidding process and invite reputable insurance investors to express interest. Investors with adequatefinancial strength and technical expertise will then be invited to submit their proposals. The qualified investor whichwill submit the strongest plan for the development of SIC and propose the highest value for the Government andpeople of Antigua and Barbuda will be awarded the Project. The entire process is expected to last six to eight months.

11 - And what if the Project does not succeed?

If no investors of adequate technical expertise and financial strength submit a proposal; or if the proposals submittedare below the minimum requirement of the Government in terms of value; or if the proposals submitted do not ensurethe sustainable development of SIC, then the Government would not divest State Insurance Corporation. At this stagehowever, given the performance of the company and the perceived opportunities in the market, we strongly believe thatthe Project will be successfully implemented.

12 - What are the criteria for qualification?

Potential investors would be qualified on the basis of their technical expertise and financial strength. The exact criteria,and broadly speaking the details of the bidding process, are being defined and will be communicated in the next two tothree months through the media and on the Internet.

13 - Would the Government commit to communicate on the Project tothe media and to the public opinion?

Yes: we will provide regular updates on the progress of the Project as well as make ourselves available to addresscomments and concerns of stakeholders. It is most likely, however, that the next important announcement would notoccur before the next two to three months – i.e. Once the Government has reviewed the Strategic Options Report, hasmade a determination and is ready to announce the final details of the bidding process/way forward.

Produced by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda