issue no.106 january 2006ufdcimages.uflib.ufl.edu/uf/00/09/92/20/00013/newsletter106.pdf · board...

2nd floor, 45 Crawford Place, London W1H 4LPhttp://www.antigua-barbuda.com

ISSUE No.106 January 2006

Tel: 020 7258 0070 · Fax: 020 7258 7486

Inside• International Fashion Designer buys home

in Antigua (page 4)

• Prime Minister Spencer receives first Antigua and Barbuda Machine Readable Passport (page 6)

• Government commences Public Sector Audit (page 7)

• Antigua and Barbuda at Caribbean marketplace (11)

Dear Readers,

This is a new beginning for the Antigua andBarbuda High Commission and Tourist Office.

On the 17th of January 2006, I along with mywife and staff, representatives from our TourismPublic Relations Firm (KTA), Father Ronald Farley,the President Mrs Manners and a few members ofthe Executive of the Antigua and Barbuda NationalAssociation and former President of the AssociationMr Alphonso Peters came together to witness theBlessing by Father Farley of our new premises at 45Crawford Place.

In my short presentation I reiteratedGovernment’s intention to institute change where it isneeded so that the wheels of government will runbetter for the benefit of nationals both here and athome.

I also took the opportunity to introduce to thegathering a new member of Staff. Miss Cherrie

Osborne joins our family with a Masters Degree inTourism and Hospitality Management.

Miss Osborne is British born of Antiguanparentage and I am extremely delighted that she hasnow joined the Tourism staff.

The Ministry of Tourism came out of 2005 ona high note, with the re-inaugural flight of Condor, asuccessful tourism week, Delta’s Inaugural Flight,among other things.

The year ahead will see technical staffplanning ahead for what is forecasted to be a verybusy tourist season with the 2007 ICC World CupCricket. Many activities will be planned and executedas a precursor to this major regional event.

“The nation of Antigua and Barbuda will becelebrating its Silver Jubilee year of independence,however, although the homecoming festivals do notfall under the ambit of the tourism Ministry, any activitythat involves increased visitor arrivals tend to meanincreased activities for the tourism technical staff,“ sayCommunications Officer in the Ministry of Tourismand Civil Aviation, Samoya Kirby.

Tourism Minister Harold Lovell informedtechnical officers of impending changes to staffinclusive mainly of new additions to come in areaswhich are deemed important for improvements if theMinistry is to accomplish major goals for 2006.

Kirby also stated that emphasis is beingplaced on moving forward with discussions for thedevelopment of The Antigua and Barbuda TourismAuthority as well as the development of the NationalTourism Master plan.

Dr Carl RobertsHigh Commissioner

2

A MESSAGE FROM HIS EXCELLENCYDR CARL ROBERTS, HIGH COMMISSIONER

GOVERNMENT NEWS

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Antiguan brother andsister called to the Bar inEngland and Wales Brother and sister studypartners, Clement Samuel and MeganSamuel-Fields were called to the Bar ofEngland and Wales on November 24,2005 after teaming up to complete theBachelor of Laws (LLB) and BarVocational Course (BVC), for which theyreceived honours.

During an intensive three-yearperiod, the duo studied for the LLB viadistance learning while working full-timeand being active parents. They bothtravelled to University of Cardiff, Walesto complete the Bar Vocational Course(BVC) and were called as members ofthe renowned Grays Inn in London.

This has been a story of siblingcamaraderie for this accomplishedbrother-sister team. For many years,they shared a significant part of theirprofessional careers at the same

company, Cable & Wireless, moreover, inboth instances, Clement and Megan’seducation in law is a move in a differentdirection from their first degrees and areasof discipline. Both new lawyers intend touse their qualifications to bolster theirexisting careers.

In Clement’s case, he holds adegree in Engineering, and worked withCable & Wireless for over 20 years. Havingleft the company in 2003 as ChiefEngineer, he intends to combine his yearsof experience in the management oftelecommunications with up-to-date legalexpertise in his current position as thegovernment’s Telecommunications Officer.Megan holds a degree in accounting andhas been a Certified Public Accountant(CPA) since 1992. She is in her 11th yearwith Cable & Wireless and is currently thecompany’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

Clement and Megan are thechildren of the Honourable and Mrs.Charlesworth Samuel and credit theirsuccess to moral support that theyreceived from family and friends. Inaddition, the brother-sister team has

followed in their father’s footsteps inpursuing legal education as a seconddegree using the distance learningapproach.

Nationals pursue coursein Social Work Three nationals have beenawarded full scholarships and arepursuing studies in the Principles andPractice of Social Work at theUniversity of West Indies, MonaCampus, Jamaica.

This was announced byEmmanuel Gordor, Project Managerfor the European Union (EU) DrugDemand Reduction Unit, which fallsunder the Ministry of Housing,Culture & Social Transformation.

The recipients are Reha V.Joseph, Marissa Benjamin, andCausilda Anthony. They will spendthe next three months in Jamaica.

The course is designed tomeet the needs of persons working inthe broad field of social welfare,either as professionals or voluntaryworkers in recognized agencies, whohave not had professional training insocial work.

Mr Gordor said he isdelighted that the European Unioncould assist the country’s quest todevelop a cadre of persons who canadequately assist in drug educationand reduction. He said this is inkeeping with the EU’s overall missionand hopes that the relationship withthe Government/Ministry of Housing,Culture and Social Transformationand the EU can continue for a verylong time.

2nd floor, 45 Crawford Place, London W1H 4LP

Tel: 020 7258 0070 · Fax: 020 7258 7486 http://www.antigua-barbuda.com

Issue No. 106 January 2006

Megan Samuel-Fields (left), Dr John Roberts,Q.C., Master Bencher, Grays Innand Clement Samuel (right)

GOVERNMENT NEWS

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International FashionDesigner buyshome in Antigua Renowned Italian clothing andtextiles designer Giorgio Armani hasmade Antigua and Barbuda hisdestination of choice.

Just recently, after visitingAntigua and Barbuda for many years onboard his yacht, Armani decided tospend more time in Antigua bypurchasing a home, which heremodelled using everything Armani.

In a recent visit to the home ofGiorgio Armani, Tourism Minister HaroldLovell sat and spoke with the man whohas a net worth of about 1.7 billion asestimated by Forbes magazine in 2001.

The Minister thanked Mr.Armani for choosing Antigua andBarbuda to be the Caribbean island ofchoice for his home. He presented Mr.Armani with his very own edition of “ALittle Bit of Paradise” as well as samplesof the islands’ famous ‘Cavalier rum ‘andworld renowned ‘Susie’s Hot Sauce’.

With the assistance of JeffHadeed, who acted as translator for Mr.Armani whose native tongue is Italian,

Mr. Armani related much ofwhat he likes aboutAntigua and Barbuda, aplace which he statedabounds in “Beautyisolated!”

“I am very intrigued atthe diversity of culturespresent on the island andthe ease and flexibility withwhich the peoples co-exist,” he said. This, hesaid, he enjoys observingeach day during his regularjogs on the outskirts of hisproperty.

He said that he feels very safeand the people are warm and helpful. “It isnot a case where I feel like a captive in myown home, beauty, and serenity aboundshere, but I can indulge in a little islandentertainment in nearby St. John’s.”

“I can visit the pizzeria when Iwant, the club when I want, and the casinowhen I want,” “It’s all here in Antigua!” headds.

Giorgio Armani also has majorinterests in investing in the island as he isvery much interested in preserving nature.His words of advice to Minister Lovell were,“ensure that all developers respect yourislands’ resources.” “They should not buildtoo close to the shoreline and they shouldnot build too many high rise buildings.” heconcluded.

Armani seldom travels to Antiguaalone, and is usually accompanied by anentourage of ten or more persons who arethemselves VIP’s. His staff is mostlyAntiguan and he buys Antiguan.

Minister Lovell said that this typeof relationship could only prove beneficialto an island which is marketed as a mid toup-market destination. “The spin-offs aretremendous for our economy and weendeavour to continue to lift our product toattract such clientele”.

Fiennes Institutereceives timelydonation

The Very Intimate Places ofAntigua (VIP) Antigua Group – whichrepresents many of the small hotelsin the country, recently donated 20bedside tables to the FiennesInstitute. The bedside tables,estimated at over EC$3,000.00, wasdonated to the health institution aspart of the on-going commitment bythe group to support the FiennesInstitute.

In presenting the supplies tothe institution, VIP Antigua’sChairman, Eustace Potter said theV.I.P. Antigua Group’s giving will becontinual to ensure that the staff andpatients are comfortable. Heappealed to the public to offerassistance in caring for the inmatesin Fiennes.

Delores Jardine who is alsoa member of the Group noted thatthey will be monitoring the Ministry ofHealth’s wish list to see how they canassist in future donations.

Junior Minister in theMinistry of Health Winston Williamswho accepted the contributions forthe institution, said he is delightedthat the group saw it fit to make suchtimely donations. He called on thepublic to play their role in makingcontributions to the Fiennes Instituteand to the other health institutionsacross Antigua and Barbuda.

Matron for the FiennesInstitute Imelda Southwell expressedher gratitude for the timely gifts andindicated that with such generositythe Fiennes Institute will become theinstitution it ought to be.




Tourism Minister Harold Lovell and Giorgio Armani

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Antiguan Cricket Officialsattend Duckworth LewisSeminar Game officials, statisticians,Cricket Operations Managers andDuckworth Lewis Match Managers fromacross the region attended a two dayDuckworth Lewis Seminar, held inAntigua from January 21 to 22.

The seminar was part of the roll outphase as the region prepares for ICCCricket world Cup West Indies 2007.

The seminar was conducted byMessrs Frank Duckworth and TonyLewis. The Duckworth Lewis system isused for calculating the result of weatheraffected, interrupted or abandoned one-day games.

Antigua and Barbuda wasrepresented by Kattian Edwards-Baltimore and Cassandra Murray, bothscorer and statistician. Edwards-Baltimore and Murray stated that theseminar was timely as Antigua will behosting several ICC one day games;“This training is very critical for us asCricket World Cup is a one dayinternational competition. This year,Antigua will host two international oneday games, plus international practicematches and these will give us a greatopportunity to use what we have learnt.”

“We knew of the system but afterattending this seminar we now have abetter understanding of why and how thesystem is used. Duckworth and Lewis wereexcellent. They were able to explain thesystem to people with varying degrees ofknowledge and with different officialfunctions.”

Michael Hall, Cricket OperationsDirector, ICC CWC 2007 Inc. added that:“The staging of this seminar in Antiguarepresents one in a series of eventsleading up to Cricket World Cup 2007. Ithas provided an opportunity for eachhosting LOC to test their readiness toactually stage an event. Obviously, thiswas not an international cricket match butit did involve elements of the things theyare going to have to perfect by CricketWorld Cup 2007.”

Attorney General attendsWorld Cup 2007 SecurityIssues Meeting On the 18th January 2006,Attorney General and Minister of LegalAffairs Justin Simon QC represented thegovernment at the Meeting of the Ad-hocSub-Committee of Ministers of NationalSecurity and Law Enforcement for SecurityIssues Pertaining to Cricket World Cup2007 in Bridgetown Barbados.

The Meeting looked atsystems of procedures for theprocessing of teams and officials,spectators, regular tourists andregular travel. Legislative issues,protocols, training needs, technologyand equipment and accreditationalso formed part of the meeting’sagenda.

Minister Simon and hiscolleagues also consideredrecommendations coming from theMeeting of Immigration and CustomsOfficials which was held in July of lastyear; the Meeting of RegionalSecurity Chiefs held in November inBarbados and the Meeting of theCaribbean Community CARICOMCricket World Cup 2007 Sub-Committee.

National Security AdvisorAlec Vanderpoole, who attended theMeeting of Officials for Security,Customs, Immigration, Intelligenceand Disaster Preparedness, alsoattended the Ministerial meeting.




Don’t miss the 47th International SocialService Spring Fair

onWednesday 9th and 10th May 2006

atKensington Town Hall

Hornton StreetLondon W8

Stalls from around the world brought to yourdoorstep by the diplomatic missions of over

100 countries

Antigua and Barbuda’s stall atlast year’s ISS Charity Fair

PM Spencer receives firstAntigua Barbuda MachineReadable Passport On the 16th January 2006Prime Minister Baldwin Spenceraccepted the first Antigua and Barbudanew Machine Readable Passport duringa brief ceremony at the Passport Officein St. John’s.

Chief Passport Officer Ms.Paulette Otto presented the firstDiplomatic Passport to the PrimeMinister following a tour of the facilitywhich is producing the new traveldocument.

The Government last yearinitiated the process of producingMachine Readable Passports which areessential to meeting International CivilAviation Organisation ICAO globalobjectives designed to minimize delaysin border-crossing formalities and tosafeguard international civil aviationoperation against acts of unlawfulinterference.

In accepting his new passport,Prime Minister Spencer said that he isdelighted that the preparation processwas a success and noted that the newdesign of the document not only meetsinternational security requirements butwith the addition of the CARICOM logoon the cover, it signifies Antigua and

Barbuda’s commitment to regionalintegration.

Ms. Otto noted that newapplicants for the document will beginreceiving them from early next weekand pointed out that persons who are inpossession of valid passports shouldcontinue using them until the phased-out process for the old passport isannounced.

Governor General Sir JamesCarlisle and Lady Carlisle and MrsJacklyn Spencer, wife of Prime Minister

Spencer were also presented with theAntigua and Barbuda Machine ReadablePassports. The passports are beingissued in three colours and categories:Regular Passport – blue in colour; OfficialPassport – green in colour; and DiplomaticPassport – red in colour. The passportsbear the CARICOM Logo, which identifiesAntigua and Barbuda as a member state ofthe regional grouping and the Coat of Armsof Antigua and Barbuda on the front coverof the document.

Antigua and Barbuda andOECS countries push backdate for CSM compliance OECS Heads during a meeting inJamaica preceding the official ceremony tolaunch the CARICOM Single Market haveagreed to push back the date forcompliance to June 30.

Prime Minister Baldwin Spencersaid that during the meeting, Heads tookthe opportunity to review the situation as itpertains to the Single Market. He said thatthe OECS, as they have been contendingfor sometime now that while they are fullycommitted to the process of moving theCSM forward there are some concerns thatthe timetable as being set by CARICOM interms of being able to meet all the basicrequirements under the treaty may not beto their liking.

“We have determined thatin order for the OECS territories to beon board and to be able to fullyimplement the CARICOM treaty as itrelates to the CSM that more timewould be needed for all the OECScountries to come on board. So tothat extent we have decided weshould, for the purposes of signingthe Declaration of Intent, have the 31of March date put back until June 30which would allow all the OECScountries to do what is necessary tobring them in compliance with thetreaty,” Prime Minister Spencer said.

He also pointed out that theDevelopment Fund was alsoexamined by the Heads. “It wasindicated that some initial moveswould have been made to establishthe fund. Quite frankly the OECS isnot comfortable that the developmentfund has reached the stage where itcould be fully funded and becomefully operational and that is an issueclearly that the OECS territories willbe watching extremely closely,” hesaid.

“I think it is important toemphasize that our decision to pushback the date with respect of ourDeclaration of Intent would give theindividual territories a chance to lookat their legislative agenda and anumber of other issues but at thesame time to be satisfied in our ownminds that the machinery would beput in place fully to allow for theimplementation of the DevelopmentFund and also to ensure that thespecial and differential treatment inrelation to our CARICOM partnerswould have been fully ventilated,” PMSpencer outlined.

Under the CARICOMFormula for country contribution tothe US$25 million DevelopmentFund, Antigua and Barbuda will berequired to contribute US$ point 47million.

GOVERNMENT NEWS

62nd Floor. 45 Crawford Place, London W1H 4LP



Chief Passport Officer Ms. Paulette Otto presentingPrime Minister Spencer with his new Machine

Readable Passport

GOVERNMENT NEWS

7

Labour Office soon to openin Codrington Barbuda On the 18th January Minister ofLabour Dr. Jacqui Quinn-Leandrochaired a meeting with Minister ofBarbuda Affairs Trevor Walker, DorothySymister, Chief Executive Officer for theBarbuda Council and LabourCommissioner Hesketh Williams to workout details regarding the opening of aLabour Office in Barbuda.

“The meeting was fruitful and Iam happy,” said Dr. Quinn Leandro. “It isimportant to be able to offer to ourBarbudan sisters and brothers the samequality service we get in Antigua,” shestated.

The population of Barbuda ismade up of 15 percent CARICOMnationals and as such it has becomenecessary for labour matters to bemanaged and dealt with expeditiously.

A major concern is theinconvenience to Barbudan residentswho have to commute to Antigua to dealwith Labour affairs. “It is expensive totravel to Antigua to sort out Labourmatters,” the Minister said. She furtherexplained that the Labour Commissionerwould travel to the Codrington Office tohandle cases that required hisproficiency.

Minister Trevor Walker alsoexpressed his satisfaction about themeeting. He said, “I am hoping thatthrough this initiative the Minister ofLabour can force a closer relationshipwith Barbuda and with the BarbudaCouncil. I am also hoping that this movewill make the Minster more accessible toBarbudans.”

Last year, two Barbudans RickyMichael and Omah Thomas, underwenta six month training session at theLabour Department in Antigua. They

have since returned to Barbuda and areworking as Labour Officers.

It is the government’s intention toopen the Codrington Labour Office withinthe first quarter of this year.

Government commencesPublic Sector Audit The Government has engagedthe services of Profiles Antigua Inc. toconduct a Human Resources Audit in thePublic Sector as part of its Public SectorTransformation Programme.

Profiles Antigua Inc. is a locallyestablished professional services firm. Thefirm specializes in human resourcemanagement consulting and offers a broadspectrum of personnel assessmentproducts and services. Dr. VincentRichards and Dr. Errol Samuel establishedProfiles Antigua Inc. in 2000. ProfilesAntigua Inc. is affiliated with ProfilesCaribbean headquartered in Barbados,and Profiles International headquartered inWaco, Texas, USA.

The firm and its key professionalshave crafted and assisted in theimplementation of numerous humanresources management interventionswhich have spanned a wide range ofindustry sectors and products andservices. They have also ranged fromprivate companies to statutory bodies tonon-governmental organizations.

The audit is in progress in theMinistry of Works and Communication, theMinistry of Finance and the Ministry ofPublic Information.

The audit will:• Review and assess the currentregulations for the Established workersand make recommendations forimprovement in line with the government’s

overall vision of Public SectorReform and Transformation.

• Review and examine similarmodels in the OECS and the widerCaribbean

• Provide extensive orientationand training for key stakeholders whowill be the change agents. Theseinclude the Political Directorate,Senior Public Service Managers,Public Service workers and theirrepresentative organizations andrepresentatives of Civil Society whowill be involved in guiding andimplementing the transformationprocess.

• Make recommendations forlegislative change / revision /upgrade to facilitate the developmentof a performance-driven, results-oriented, service excellence-focused, highly motivated PublicService.

• Provide an assessment andevaluation mechanism for publicsector workers in the new andtransformed public sector system.

• Develop a grading andclassification system for the Non-established workers consistent withthe revised Established workers’sector. Further, in the interim, designand develop a performance appraisalsystem for the assessment andevaluation of the Non-establishedworkers.

• Review the grading structure ofEstablished and Non-establishedworkers with consideration beinggiven to bringing them in line underthe one set of regulations.

2nd floor, Crawford Place, London W1H 4LP



GOVERNMENT NEWS

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Qualifications: Bachelor of Law Degree Legal Education Certificate. At least seven (7) years experience as an advocate in a Court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil matters in some part of the Commonwealth.

Salary: $58,836.00 per annum

Travelling Allowance: $5,844.00 per annum (provided the officer maintains a car for the performance of official duties).

Housing Allowance: $18,000.00 per annum

Duty Allowance: $18,000.00 per annum

Telephone: Free telephone (limited to localcalls)

Vacation Leave: Twenty-seven (27) working daysper annum and in accordance withexisting regulations.

Sick Leave: Thirty (30) calendar days during the period of twelve (12) months.

Duties: a. adjudicate all criminal, quasi- criminal and civil cases within the limits prescribed by the Magistrate’s Code of Procedure Act, Cap. 255 and any other law;

(b) conduct coroner’s inquiries and licensing sessions;

(c) hear affiliation matters, certain matrimonial matters and other matters relating to the custody of children;

(d) conduct juvenile court;

(e) perform other judicial and administrative functions (e.g., issuing of warrants and granting of bail)

(f) perform any other duties which may be assigned by the Chief Magistrate, or as required by statute.

Hours of Work: (1) Mondays to Thursdays 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Fridays 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

(2) Notwithstanding (1) above, the nature of the duties will require the Officer to perform work outside of the hours mentioned above, in addition to Sundays and Public Holidays when necessary.

Applications stating qualifications, experience, thenames and addresses of at least two referees, along withcopies of Certificates should be sent to:

The Permanent SecretaryMinistry of Justice

Government Office Complex,Parliament Drive

St. John’s, Antigua W.I.




GOVERNMENT OF ANTIGUA AND BARBUDAMinistry of JusticeVACANCY NOTICE

Particulars of the Post of Magistrate, Magistrates CourtMinistry of Justice, Antigua and Barbuda

Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons for thepost of Magistrate, High Court, Ministry of Justice.

GOVERNMENT NEWS

9

Government Examinesdevelopment of IT inCommunities The Government of Antiguaand Barbuda has begun studyingproposals for locating Internet Kiosks atthe East and West Bus Stations in St.John’s.

Minister responsible forInformation Technology Dr. EdmondMansoor said that one component of theGovernment's digital agenda is thedeployment of technology in the societythat will enhance the quality of life.

Dr. Mansoor said that thekiosks will provide:

• filtered internet access andaccess to e-mail

• bus routes and scheduleswhere they exist

• maps and

• other local content

“This initiative will pave the wayfor citizens to access government serviceson line and transact business. The kioskswill be managed by the Government'sInformation Technology (IT) Centre,”Minister Mansoor pointed out.

In addition, the Ministerannounced that the Government of Antiguaand Barbuda has submitted a proposal forfunding to a friendly Government for theerection of several Community AccessCentres around the island and in Barbuda.He noted that the Centres will serve bothresidents and visitors.

Residents will utilize the Centresto access the World Wide Web, e-mailservices and local and international phoneservices, and download national andcommunity news, Government informationand services and job opportunities

The Centres will also providevisitor information on places of interest,historical sites, island maps, bus schedulesand routes and local and internationalphone services.

KAHNAWÁ:KE and Antiguaand Barbuda Regulatorssign Mutual AssistanceProtocol The Kahnawá:ke GamingCommission (KGC) and the Antigua andBarbuda Financial Services RegulatoryCommission (FSRC), two of the mostsenior regulating agencies in the onlinegaming world, have signed aMemorandum of Understanding that allowsfor the sharing of investigative findings andmaterial regarding existing and prospectivelicensees.

The objective of the MOU isto enhance effective regulation withinthe two jurisdictions through anefficient and reasonable channel forthe exchange of information. The KGC and FSRC bothacknowledge the need anddesirability of providing mutualassistance that will assist in securingcompliance, administration andenforcement of their respective laws,regulations, requirements and overallpolicy relating to gaming andinteractive wagering within theirjurisdictions.

Each request for thesharing of information will beassessed on a case by case basis todetermine whether assistance isappropriate and permissible by thelaws of each jurisdiction.

“Given the global nature ofthe online industry, it is important thatregulating authorities develop waysin which they can coordinate theiractivities. We believe that this MOUwill assist the regulators in bothKahnawá:ke and Antigua andBarbuda in the performance of theirduties and we hope that otherjurisdictions will follow suit”, said AlanGoodleaf, KGC Chairperson.

“The signing of theMemorandum of Understanding(MOU) between both Commissionsis a concerted effort to effectivelyregulate the respective jurisdictionsand to form an administrativerelationship. I believe that thisinitiative is a key component in finallyhaving a clear nexus betweenjurisdictions, bridging the relationshipgap between gaming authorities, theadvent of creating internationalstandards for regulators and westand to benefit from resources thatwe may otherwise not be able toobtain from our own means”, statedMr. Lebrecht Hesse, Chairman ofFSRC, Antigua and Barbuda.




Minister responsible for InformationTechnology Dr Edmond Mansoor

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About the Kahnawá:ke GamingCommission:

Kahnawá:ke is sovereignMohawk Territory located 20 minutesfrom Montreal, Quebec, Canada. TheKahnawá:ke Gaming Commission wasestablished and empowered in 1996under the Kahnawá:ke Gaming Law. TheCommission’s Regulations concerningInteractive Gaming were promulgated inJuly 1999 and are generally accepted asa model for regulating the global onlinegaming industry. The Commissionpresently regulates and monitorsapproximately 300 online gaming sites.For more information, go towww.kahnawake.com/gamingcommission

About the Antigua and BarbudaFinancial Services RegulatoryCommission:

The Division of Gaming is theregulatory body under the FinancialServices Regulatory Commission(FSRC) responsible for the oversight ofall aspects of the Offshore Gamingindustry in the jurisdiction of Antigua andBarbuda. Antigua and Barbuda was oneof the first jurisdictions to licenseinteractive gaming and wageringcompanies in 1994. The internet gamingcompanies are classified as “FinancialInstitutions” and are subject to all theAnti-Money Laundering (AML)/Combating the Financing of Terrorismrequirements of the jurisdiction andCaribbean Financial Action Task Force(CFATF) requirements. The regulatoryframework for these companies hasbeen provided in the InternationalBusiness Corporations (IBC) Act and theInteractive Gaming and InteractiveWagering Regulations (IGIWR). Today,FSRC, Division of Gaming continues tobe home to a significant portion of theindustry and some of the largest i-gaming companies due to our pursuit ofbeing a tier one regulatory jurisdiction.

For additional information you may visitwww.antiguagaming.gov.ag

Minister Quinn-Leandrodonates school furniture The Potters Primary School hasreceived a much needed gift from theParliamentary Representative for St.George Dr. Jacqui Quinn-Leandro.

The faculty at the schoolappealed for some comfort and got somerelief in the form of three desks and sixchairs for teachers. Grade 1 andKindergarten Language teacher, Ms. LoisDrew, who is also a Potters resident, toldthe Representative about the poorcondition of the furniture and was promisedassistance.

Dr Quinn Leandro made apresentation to Principal Ms. Irma Bachelorin the presence of the older grades of thestudent body. Quinn Leandro stated thatshe was acutely aware of the shortage offurniture in the schools in her constituencyand that this was the start of her effort tohelp the schools.

“Sometime down the road Iwill assist in getting computers for theschools in my constituency,” theRepresentative said. She went on topraise the students for their highachievement in the CommonEntrance passes and wished themwell in the future.

Michael Lewis, Chairman ofthe UPP St. George branch helped tomake the presentation and askedthat the furniture be taken care of.

“We are indeed grateful andproud for the donation,” saidAssistant Principal Grace Ellis. Ellisstated that some teachers had nofurniture at all while others wereforced to use students’ chairs foryears.

The students showed theirappreciation by applauding and thengathered around her for autographs.“Study hard and obey your teachers,”she wrote.




Parliamentary Representative for St GeorgeDr Jacqui Quinn-Leandro

GOVERNMENT NEWS

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Antigua and Barbuda atCaribbean Marketplace Antigua and Barbuda wasmarketed at the region’s most importantand productive marketing event,Caribbean Marketplace in San JuanPuerto Rico.

The event which ran from 15th

to 17th January set the tone for travelpackaging in the Caribbean.

Antigua and Barbuda’sdelegation to this marketing eventincluded Tourism Minister Harold Lovell,Director of Product DevelopmentLorraine Headley and Director ofTourism for the USA, Mrs. DeredeSamuel Whitlock.

One of the primary reasons thatCaribbean Marketplace is successfuland productive for its participants, yearafter year, is the active participation ofthe international buyers in theMatchmaker© appointment schedulingprocess which matches Buyer andSupplier mutual requests, Buyerrequests, and supplier requests, in thatorder.

According to Minister Lovell,“The Antiguan delegation used theopportunity to follow indications on howthe tourism season will go, what thetrends will be, and how offer will meetdemand.”

International buyers wereinvited to attend Caribbean Marketplacebased on their proven capability orpotential to sell the Caribbean as adestination. The Caribbean MarketplaceInternational Buyer ScreeningCommittees, overseen by the CaribbeanHotel Association, qualify and approvethe buyers.

A major aspect of Antigua andBarbuda’s participation in the 2006 eventis the launch of the “Love on Location”

marketing program put together by theNew York Tourist Office. The initiativeoperates off of the premise that althoughAntigua and Barbuda continues to attractsignificant levels of couples, thedestination has not strategically tappedinto the potential that this market segmentpresents.

This promotion focussed onwedding and honeymoon packages andother special activities created exclusivelyaround the theme of romance andrejuvenation. One of the highlights of thismarketing programme was a destinationwedding in Antigua and Barbuda with thetheme “Love on Location”.

First Transatlantic RowBoater arrived in Antigua onJanuary 8th

The first Rowing Boat in theWood-vale Events transatlantic “Row4Life”venture arrived in Antigua on SundayJanuary 8th 2006, at the historic Nelson’sDockyard.

The race began on November30th 2005 in La Gomera, Canary Islands,Spain, however, Antigua was announcedas the official finish port since August 2004.Antigua was chosen by the organizers asthe official finish port as a result of anumber of key elements includingaccessibility by sea, marina facilities, andlocal support.

Simon Chalk, Managing Directorof Wood-vale Events, in an earlier pressrelease stated, “We’re absolutely delightedto be able to bring our world classprestigious event to Antigua. Our researchto find the best possible finish location hasbeen extensive and thorough, and after anumber of competitive bids from the otherCaribbean islands, we decided uponAntigua, as it provides everything we couldpossibly want from a race finish port.”

He continued, “Antigua hasexcellent facilities, character andhistoric links. The people of Antiguaare fantastic to work with and fullyembrace the ethos of the event.”

Minister of Tourism HaroldLovell was on hand to welcome thefirst Rower at the welcome receptionbeing organized by the AntiguaCharter Yacht Club, on Sundayafternoon.

Minister Lovell sees theevent as a manifestation of the factthat Antigua and Barbuda is indeedthe “Yachting centre of theCaribbean”. “Such a partnership canonly seek to forge friendship andgoodwill among the internationalocean rowing society and the peopleof Antigua and Barbuda, and I takethis opportunity to share thehospitality of the our people and ourwonderful harbours with the sailors,”he concluded.




Team All-Relative

GOVERNMENT NEWS

12

High Commissioner andDirector of Marketingattend Annual TourismMeeting in Antigua

High Commissioner Dr CarlRoberts and Director of Marketing UKand Europe Carol Hay attended theAnnual Tourism meeting in Antigua fromFebruary 1 - 4.

The event was also attended byDirectors from the USA, Canada,Germany and France.

The team finalised Antigua andBarbuda’s new brand to be launched atthe end of 2006.

Meetings were held with LIAT,Caribbean Star, Antigua CarnivalCommittee and World cup 2007.

The UK and EuropeanDirectors will now embark on theirtourism marketing programme whichinclude increased advertising andparticipation in trade shows and

strengthening industry and mediarelations.

Information on newpassports The passports which meetInternational Civil Aviation OrganisationICAO regulations are issued in threecolours and categories:

Regular Passport – blue in colour;

Official Passport – green incolour;

Diplomatic Passport – red incolour.

The passports bear theCARICOM logo, which identifies Antiguaand Barbuda as a member state of theregional grouping and the Coat of Arms ofAntigua and Barbuda which will be on thecover of the document.

Those persons holding validpassports will be allowed to continue to doso until a phased out period is announced.

The Passport Division alsoannounced the fees structure for theMachine Readable Passports. The feespayable are as follows:

New Passports

- Passports for persons 16 years andover (32 pages) £50.00


- Passports for persons under 16 years(32 pages) £25.00

Replacement Passports


- Passports for persons 16 yearsand over (64 pages) £200.00

- Passports for persons under 16years (32 pages) £50.00

Emergency Issueof Passports

- Passports for persons 16years and over (32 pages) £100.00

- Passports for persons 16years and over (64 pages) £200.00

- Passports for persons under16 years (32 pages) £50.00

The new standard in theissuing of passports (machinereadable) is essential for meetingICAO global objectives, to minimizedelays in border-crossing formalitiesand to safeguard international civilaviation operation against acts ofunlawful interference.

Machine ReadablePassports are readily recognized byofficials at security, immigration andcustoms check points and byembassies and consulatesworldwide, and thus make it easierfor a person to obtain visas for traveland to be cleared at airports.




Miss Carol Hay, Director ofMarketing UK and Europe

issue no.106 january 2006ufdcimages.uflib.ufl.edu/uf/00/09/92/20/00013/newsletter106.pdf · board...

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