|
* ~tie ~attonat ~.ebtebo A
Nine ministries within
the government ser-
vice are actively seek-
ing to improve the quality of
service offered to the public,
other organizations and other
ministries and departments of
government.
An initiative of the Saint
Luca Bureau of Standards
(SLBS) the project is the result
of what the Bureau explained
is the recognition that setting
standards and improving qual-
ity will effect value for money
and by extension provide a
strategy for improvement to
ensure the operations of the
public service run smoothly.
In June 2009, SLBS began the
coordination of a new initia-
tive entitled The Establishment
of Standards and Quality Fo-
cal Points (SQFPs) in the Public
Service i.e. point people within
the various government depart-
ments who would work closely
with SLBS.
The overall goal was the pro-
motion and support for a qual-
ity culture in the public service
through the application and im-
plementation of standards.
The initial aim of this initia-
tive is the establishment of focal
points (key persons) in the public
service who would promote the
Saint Lucian is First Principal of Jounen Kweyol and Creole
UWI Open Campus Page 2 Heritage month Page 3
use of standards in technical reg- quality service in the public ser-
ulations and the implementation vice of St. Lucia and to maintain
of quality management systems. a database of activities related
-1 .- J ..J .... J .... L. __ i 1- -
The SQFPs are internally ap-
pointed within their respec-
tive ministries and will receive
technical training and support
from the Saint Lucia Bureau of
Standards.
The role of these SQFPs in-
cludes: to serve as a link be-
tween SLBS and the ministries
on standards and quality is-
sues; to channel information on
standards and quality to public
service personnel, to promote
the use of standards in techni-
cal regulations, to advocate for
Stellar Tourism Cast to Descend
on Saint Lucia page 8
to standards and quality at me
various ministries
As of last month, an initial pi-
lot phase has been underway that
will run until September 2010.
This pilot project hopes to achieve
a number of objectives including
establishing the nine SQFP's and
training them, getting them on par
with the initiative, quality infra-
structure and quality management
systems based on ISO 9001:2008 -
quality management system re-
quirements; standardization, tech-
nical regulatory framework and
facilitating the Development of
Action Plans to name a few.
The government ministries
currently participating in the
initial phase of the project are:
Agriculture, Lands, Forestry
and Fisheries, Commerce; In-
dustry and Consumer Affairs;
Communications, Works,
Transport and Public Utili-
ties; External Affairs, Interna-
tional Trade and Investment;
Health, Wellness, Family Af-
fairs, National Mobilisation,
Human Services and Gender
Relations; Home Affairs and
National Security; Justice and
Attorney General; Labour, In-
formation & Broadcasting and
Tourism & Civil Aviation
Saint Lucia wants Urgent Climale
Change page 7
Page 2
lbt Jational etbitw
Invest and Save says
Prime Minister
Prime Minister Stephen-
son King is calling on
Saint Lucians to save and
invest their money to ensure a
secure financial future.
Prime Minister King made
the call just as the Eastern Ca-
ribbean Central Bank (ECCB)
spearheads activities to high-
light the month of October as
"Financial Information Month"
under the theme: "Save and in-
vest today, enjoy tomorrow".
The Prime Minister, who is
also the Minister of Finance,
emphasizing the global eco-
nomic recession over the last
year, said the current crises serve
as a stark reminder of the need to
manage money and to make wise
investment decisions.
"We in Saint Lucia have not
been spared the effects of the tur-
moil in the international finan-
cial markets. The instability in
the financial system has resulted
in a noticeable tightening of li-
quidity as bank lending was at a
premium and in some cases had
almost dried up. Like many oth-
er countries, we in St. Lucia have
been adversely affected by a de-
cline in inflows of foreign direct
investment, which has severely
dampened private sector invest-
ment in mainly tourism related
construction,"
The Prime Minister said, for the
economy to grow and for jobs to
be created, every citizen should
get into the habit of saving, no
matter how small. No economy,
he added, can grow without sav-
ings and investment.
Quoting from one of the is-
land's Nobel Laureates, Sir Ar-
thur Lewis who was awarded for
his work in Economics, Mr. King
Prime Minister
Hon. Stephenson King
Saturday October 17, 2009
said: "In his seminal work,
'Theory of Economic Growth',
Sir Arthur Lewis emphasised
the dependency of growth on
savings and investment. He
wrote: investment is necessary
to economic growth. Implicit
in this statement, is that sav-
ing is necessary for growth,
because investment has to be
matched by savings. This then
is the answer to the question
as to whether saving matters.
It does matter."
The ECCB will be partner-
ing with various institutions
throughout the month to pro-
mote engendering healthy
money management practices,
through discussions with com-
munity groups and businesses,
exhibitions at public libraries
and school presentations.
Saint Lucian is First Principal of UWI Open Campus
Saint Lucian Educator Pro-
fessor Hazel Simmons-Mc-
Donald has been appointed
the first Principal and Pro Vice
Chancellor of the Open Campus
of the University of the West In-
dies (UWI).
Professor Simmons-McDonald,
was formally inducted as Principal
of the Campus on the grounds of
Government House last evening.
As the first Pro Vice Chancel-
lor and Principal of the newest
campus of the UWI, Professor
Simmons-McDonald has the re-
sponsibility of leading the effec-
tive implementation of one of the
main strategic aims of the UWI's
2007-2012 strategic plan; this is
to create an Open Campus to
enable the University to expand
the scope, enhance the appeal
and improve the efficiency of its
service.
Among the initiatives imple-
mented during her first year as
Principal said university officials
here, "have been the creation and
successful establishment of the
Open Campus from concept to a
streamlined organisational struc-
ture to the implementation of an
institutional system within a dis-
tributed environment across the
Caribbean region and the forging
of a distinctive culture that pro-
motes quality Open and Distance
learning (ODL) within the UWI."
According to the UWI rep-
resentatives, under Professor
Simmons-McDonald's leader-
ship, "there have been enormous
strides in the area of program-
ming in the Open Campus with
increases and improvements in
the number and range of offer-
ings at all levels. These include
the launch of two Masters Pro-
grammes beginning in January
During its first year of
operation, the UWI Open
Campus was accepted as a
member of the International
Council for Open and
Distance Education (ICDE)
and in her capacity as
Principal of the campus,
Professor Simmons-McDonald
serves as a member of the
organisation's Standing
Conference of Presidents
(SCOP) of ICDE, which is
concerned with policies
related to Open and Distance
Learning internationally
Professor Hazel Simmons-McDonald
2010, as well as the development
of a record number of profes-
sional certificate programmes.
Several new in-demand under-
graduate programmes and more
Masters level programmes are
also currently being developed."
During its first year of opera-
tion, the UWI Open Campus was
accepted as a member of the In-
ternational Council for Open and
Distance Education (ICDE) and
in her capacity as Principal of
the campus, Professor Simmons-
McDonald serves as a member of
the organisation's Standing Con-
ference of Presidents (SCOP) of
ICDE, which is concerned with
policies related to Open and Dis-
tance Learning internationally.
She is scheduled to give a key-
note presentation and to lead a
workshop for the presidents at
their meeting in November 2009.
As Pro-Vice Chancellor and Prin-
cipal of the Open Campus, Pro-
fessor Simmons-McDonald has
also continued her substantive
academic duties in teaching and
advising doctoral students, as
well as continuing her research
work, publications and presenta-
tions at conferences.
Saturday October 17, 2009
ebt national tebitet
Jounen Kweyol and Creole
Heritage Month in Saint Lucia
Heritage Month, observed*
annually in the month of Oc-
tober here, continues this month as
nationals prepare for the lavish feast-
ing, fun and displays of culture that
traditionally marks the end-of-month
celebrations "Jounen Kw6y6l" on 1
Sunday, October 25, 2009.
In fact Custodians of the cultural i I
commemoration the Folk Research
Centre (FRC) says Jounen Kweyol
in St. Lucia has developed since its
inception in 1984, into the biggest
national cultural activity on the is-
land.
"Indeed, Jounen Kw6y6l has
broader impact across communities
and social sectors than any other
calendar events in St. Lucia. The
survival and growth of the event has
undoubtedly contributed to a tremen-
dous development in national aware-
ness and pride in St. Lucia's cultural .' .
heritage, and greater self-confidence
among St. Lucians at home and all
over the world" said FRC Director One of Saint Lucia's Creole Band
Kentry Jn. Pierre.
Noting the Centre's satisfaction
with the evolution of the annual
observation and celebration, he ex-
plainedthat Jounen Kw6y6l activities
have spread economic, educational
and cultural benefits across all social
sectors, particularly at the grass roots
level of many traditionally marginal-
ized local communities, adding that
the cultural activity has even devel-
oped into a tourist attraction.
"In recent years Jounen Kw6y6l
has also become a tourist attraction
for lovers of folk culture, particu-
larly from the French Antilles and
other neighboring Caribbean terri-
stories. In that regard, Jounen Kw6y6l
makes a significant contribution to
the development of the important
tourist industry. Clearly, the event
has become such an important re-
source for national development that
broad national support is an impera-
tive to ensure its sustainability.
Every year, Jounen Kw6y6l is cel-
ebrated in Creole Speaking countries
to increase the awareness and pride
among Creole speaking people of
their rich cultural heritage; to encour-
age the practice of the Creole Lan-
guage and Culture and to encourage
solidarity among Creole speaking
communities around the world.
On the day of the grand climax
of Creole Heritage Month, Jounen
Kw6y6l, the main activities usu-
ally take place in four communities
that are specifically selected as host
communities for the particular year.
Thousands of people flock these com-
munities to participate in the celebra-
tion. Standard activities in each host
community include a Creole Mass;
a massive Creole Food and Drink
Fair; an indoor exhibition of Creole
technology, equipment and items de-
picting the folk life of the ancestors
of modem day St Lucians; outdoor
demonstrations of traditional tech-
nologies and other folk traditions;
cultural performances throughout
the day, and; other community-spe-
cific spontaneous activities.
On that day St. Lucians are also
encouraged to speak the Creole lan-
guage as much as possible.
This year, Jounen Kw6y6l 2009
will be celebrated in the host com-
munities of Vieux Fort, Soufriere
and Boguis, Babonneau.
Throughout the month of October,
a number of creole related activities
will take place, including a Kw6y6l
Music Festival, La Wenn Kw6y6l
Pageant and Vanndwedi Kw6y6l
(Creole Friday) with activities orga-
nized in all schools and in business
places around the towns.
For Jounen Kw6y6l itself, the ac-
tivities in each host community will
be organized around a similar pro-
gramme of core activities such as a
kweyol church service, a traditional
food and drink fair, an indoor exhibi-
tion of cultural items, outdoor dem-
onstrations of traditional technolo-
gies and other cultural traditions and,
spontaneous and rehearsed cultural
performances.
Programme for Creole Heritage Month, 2009
Theme: KwA y1o vvn; Anio W0it0I
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Bima*H id S I nI Iau)p.
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18 12 21 22 2N 24
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C..yi.m.( tp.ru u Utllali TadaccB nnn, hn a i..m
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miouiifto* f--m " Mla-WmH ""M-R"mH N n-Im MI-WUru Thl
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kStember 2Otu ami mce. 2pm Bl Mdatrcn *i ba cIbl
NombrPca NtMMl Kw (2'-6S WM MnR Amp. LMd unds
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Page 3
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Page 4.
Staff at Bordelais Pumped Up!
of events at the prison, securing
the institution remains govern-
ment's top priority.
Following two weeks of hands-
on training at the Bordelais Cor-
rectional Facility, the perfor-
Saturday October 17, 2009
mance of the forty recruits will
be assessed to determine their
future.
orty new recruits have be-
gun work at the island's
sole prison, the maximum
security institution Bordelais
Correctional Facility.
The recruits who have been un-
dergoing training over the past
two months are expected to work
alongside senior officers within
the prison, to maintain a high
level of security at the facility.
Home Affairs and National
Security Minister Senator Guy
Mayers called on the new offi-
cers to execute their duties with
the highest level of discipline and
professionalism.
"Like in any organisation, the
majority of officers are profes-
sional and they conduct them-
Saint Lucia's borders are un-
der close scrutiny as the island's
national security boss blames
the laxness in securing these
points of entry for contributing
to escalating crime here.
Minister for Home Affairs
and National Security, Senator
Guy Mayers is calling for the
tightening of security at the is-
land's borders. This against the
backdrop of the island becom-
ing infamous for being one of
the transhipment points for il-
legal substances in the Eastern
Caribbean.
With the right quantity of
small vessels and manpower
within the Marine Unit and
Royal Saint Lucia Police Force,
the island could guard against
the proliferation of drug-relat-
ed transactions that take place
on its waters Minister Mayers
said.
selves well, but amongst them
are some officers who are not
professional and they will pose
a challenge to you. Let me say to
you do not allow yourselves to be
disturbed or distracted by theses
officers, who will not serve your
best interest. Instead, I ask you to
follow the example of the good
officers who have made secur-
ing Bordelais their key agenda,
and they are there every day to
protect and serve," Mr. Mayers
added.
The Home Affairs and National
Security Minister also reaffirmed
government's commitment to
maintaining security and law
and order at the Bordelais Cor-
rectional Facility. Senator Mayers
said despite the unexpected turn
He added that there is a cor-
relation between activities at
the borders and the growing
number of murders in com-
munities around the island.
The minister who said one
of the measures being looked
at to handle the situation was
to increase the manpower of
the Royal Saint Lucia Police
Force and Marine Police, la-
mented the use of fishing ves-
sels to bring narcotics into the
island.
"Some of these drugs are be-
ing transported by some of those
small fishing boats, coming
from South America, Venezu-
ela, and other areas coming up
our coast. They are also coming
from Martinique or transported
from Saint Lucia to Martinique.
We have very porous borders
and we need to properly protect
them," he said.
Saint Lucia, JetBlue Airways pursuing VFR market
Airline and tourism offi-
cials, who are counting down
the days until JetBlue Airways
touches down at Hewanorra
International Airport in Saint
Lucia, believe the Caribbean-
American Diaspora will be an
important part of the success
of the thrice weekly service
between the island and New
York's John F. Kennedy Inter-
national Airport.
Saint Lucia's Minister of
Tourism and Civil Aviation,
Senator Allen Chastanet said
the new service, beginning
on Monday, October 26, 2009,
gives Saint Lucians and other
Caribbean nationals abroad
a new option to "come back
home and visit loved ones,"
participate in the 2010 Home-
coming celebrations, as well
as experience the new and
recently renovated hotels, re-
sorts and attractions that are
on offer.
"JetBlue complements the
existing airlift to the island,
and with available airfares
significantly lowered between
New York and Saint Lucia, the
airline makes Saint Lucia that
much more accessible to resi-
dents of the Big Apple, includ-
ing our vibrant and upwardly
mobile Caribbean-American
constituencies," said Senator
Chastanet. He added that with
JetBlue's high level of service
and affordable pricing, "we
look forward to welcoming
even more New Yorkers and
residents of the Tri-State area
to our shores."
Marty St. George, JetBlue's Se-
nior Vice President of Marketing
and Commercial Strategy, said
that while each and every cus-
tomer is important to JetBlue, VFR
(Visiting Friends and Relatives)
traffic has been a major contribu-
tor to its success and Caribbean
expansion. "Last year was a su-
perb year for JetBlue in the Carib-
bean," reported St. George who
looks forward to introducing new
St. Lucian and West Indian travel-
lers to the JetBlue experience.
The airline executive said Jet-
Blue believes its unique value
proposition including provid-
ing more legroom, more free en-
tertainment and more friendly
service differentiates the carrier
within the industry. "We remain
committed to building our brand
on an unrivalled customer expe-
rience, something that we share
with the island of Saint Lucia,"
said St. George, who will lead a
group of JetBlue executives on the
inaugural flight from JFK Airport
on Monday, October 26, 2009.
For September and October,
JetBlue expects its Caribbean ca-
pacity will be up by more than
50 percent year over year, largely
due to the launch of new Caribbe-
an markets, including Barbados
as well as Kingston and Montego
Bay in Jamaica. "Given the rela-
tive strength of our Caribbean
markets, we believe it is prudent
to continue to pursue opportuni-
ties there," added St. George.
JetBlue will operate its Saint
Lucia service with spacious 150-
seat Airbus A320 aircraft. The
A320 offers travellers all of the
amenities for which JetBlue
has become renowned: com-
plimentary setback televi-
sion programming including
free first-run movies on flights
to and from the Caribbean,
comfortable leather seats, lots
of legroom, unlimited free
snacks and industry-leading
customer service.
JetBlue complements
the existing airlift to
the island, and with
available airfares
significantly lowered
between New York
and Saint Lucia, the
airline makes Saint
Lucia that much
more accessible to
residents of the Big
Apple, including our
vibrant and
upwardly mobile
Caribbean-American
constituencies
JetBlue Airways
starts new non-stop
flights from New
York to Saint Lucia
on October 26, 2009
New Exam Paves The Way For
Easier Travel For Regional Children
The Government of St.
Lucia has appointed a new
Press Secretary who will be
in charge mainly of the image
and visibility of the adminis-
tration.
Early this month, the Of-
fice of the Prime Minister an-
nounced the appointment of
Government Press Secretary,
Darnley Leboume.
In speaking about his ob-
jectives soon after he began
work, Leboume said he has
many plans to be rolled out
to strengthen communica-
tion between government, the
press and the public.
"My responsibility will ba-
sically be advancing the im-
age of government, commu-
nicating to the general public
with the respect to initiatives
and programmes of the Gov-
ernment of Saint Lucia. One
should expect t my efforts to
be one that is very open, one
that is respectful of the pub-
lic's right to know and to be
informed."
The press secretary, who
says he has no intention of
operating a one-man show, is
just settling into his new job,
having only assumed the post
on the 6th of October.
Students at the Form 3
level of secondary schools in
Saint Lucia may soon face a
new exam specifically de-
signed to track their academ-
ic progress and standardize
their achievement should
they relocate to another is-
land.
The exam prepared by
the Caribbean Examinations
Council (CXC) would be
designed to have "regional
currency and portability for
parents, who will be moving
across the region with their
children".
Education officials on the
island are now considering
the introduction of what will be
known as the Caribbean Certifi-
cate of Secondary Level Compe-
tence Exam or CCSLC.
The programme now in its sec-
ond year in the rest of the region
comes to Saint Lucia for its first
sitting in 2010.
Cleveland Sam, Assistant CXC
Registrar for Public Information
and Customer Services was re-
cently in St. Lucia accompanied
by and Girard Felix, a Syllabus
Officer, to conduct CCSLC ori-
entation workshops for teachers
in the five subjects areas of Eng-
lish Language, Mathematics, In-
tegrated Science, Social Studies
and French and Spanish.
Sam explained that several
Caribbean territories were
moving to develop national ex-
aminations for the third form
and a meeting of Chief Educa-
tion Officers in 16 participating
territories organized by CXC
concluded that the regional ex-
amining body would prepare
this exam for third former.
"A certificate will be award-
ed after a candidate achieves
a minimum of competencies
in five subjects within a three
year period," said the CXC
official.
For more information log
onto: www.cxc.org/ccslc.html
Tighter Borders, Less Crime
Says Security Boss
TO national Aeitlot
Saturday October 17, 2009
Nt national Atbite
National Flu Committee calls for Public Cooperation
In May 2009 the World Health
Organisation designated
H1N1 as a "Public Health
Emergency of International
Concern". According to the
National Emergency Manage-
ment Office (NEMO) the virus
has lived up to its description
and as the National Flu Com-
mittee deepens its response to
this flu, Saint Lucians are being
called upon to partner with the
Committee.
In light of this situation, the
organization is reminding the
public that Saint Lucia's Occu-
pational Health and Safety Act
requires that employers provide
employees with the equipment
and training needed to execute
the job they were hired for. "With
this in mind the NEMO Secretari-
at is advising persons who handle
money on a constant basis (e.g.
Bank and Credit Union Tellers,
Government and Private Sector
Cashiers etc.) to wear gloves said
NEMO Director Dawn French.
"Gloves do not replace the per-
sonal hygiene practices and so
money handlers are reminded
not to touch their faces or other
surfaces with the used gloves...
as they may spread infection that
way....and they should still wash
hands often....maybe change
gloves often too" French said.
Ms. French added that some
businesses have already started
the practice and are highly com-
mended for being so pro-active.
The public is also cautioned that
the virus can live on a surface for
2 to 8 hours and contaminated
money can spread the virus eas-
ily as it goes from hand to hand.
"Vendors, deliverymen who col-
lect payments and One Person
Shops are reminded to wash
their hands with soap and water
often for 20 seconds. If soap and
water are not immediately avail-
able they are then advised to use
hand sanitizer. This advice re-
mains the same for the public."
French said.
She added that the Govern-
ment, Red Cross and Civic Soci-
ety cannot minimise the impact
of the H1N1 virus without the
cooperation of the public. "Each
one of us must play our part or
we will all remain vulnerable."
If someone develops flu symptoms
- sore throat, fever, cough, runny
nose, muscle aches, vomiting and
diarrhea
REMEMBER!!!!!!!
* Stay away from work and school;
* Drink plenty of fluids.
* Keep the ill person as comfortable as
possible. Rest is important.
* Do not use aspirin; use panadol;
* Sponging with tepid (wrist-tempera-
ture) water lowers fever only during
the period of sponging. Do not sponge
with alcohol.
* Keep tissues and a trash bag for their
disposal within reach of the patient.
* All members of the household should
wash their hands frequently.
* Keep other family members and visi-
tors away from the person who is ill.
* Contact a healthcare provider for fur-
ther advice.
* If the ill person is having difficulty
breathing or is getting worse, contact
the healthcare provider right away.
* Stay away from farms
If you have questions, please contact
the Nurse at the Health Centre or your
Doctor.
Further Information is also available at
www.cdc.gov/flu/swine/key_facts.htm
Churches Warned: Pa soukwe lanmen!
Churches around St. Lucia
of all denominations are being
urged to stop the practice of
shaking hands and hugging,
most often practiced as a "sign
of peace" in some churches; this
as health authorities try to curb
the spread of the H1NI flu virus
commonly known as "swine
flu".
This is the latest precaution-
ary measure to be implemented
by the local National Emergen-
cy Management Office (NEMO)
as the virus was recently updat-
ed to level 6 status.
In May 2009 the World Health
Organisation declared the H1N1
Flu Virus as a Public Health Dis-
ease of International Concern and
elevated the pandemic level to that
of Phase 6 this means that almost
every country in the World has re-
ported cases of the Flu Virus.
Since then NEMO says many
Churches with overseas head-
quarters have issued instruc-
tions to their Elders, Pastors, and
Priests.
NEMO is therefore encourag-
ing all religious leaders of all de-
nominations and faiths to observe
the following: (a) stop the shak-
ing of hands and hugging, (b)
suspension of the sharing of the
chalice among priests or with
the congregation, and (c) hy-
giene to be of the highest levels
with washing of hands or use of
sanitizers.
With immediate effect NEMO
is requesting the cooperation
of all faith based organizations
and their members in Saint Lu-
cia to partner with the National
Influenza Committee and help
stop the spread of the virus by
complying with the advice.
Managing Influenza at Home
For the majority of people, H1N1
Influenza is a mild illness that they
will be able to recover from at
home. After seeking medical ad-
vice or assessment, stay home,
rest, drink plenty of fluids and take
medicines as prescribed. Most per-
sons will get better with rest and
paracetamol only, but some per-
sons may be prescribed the antivi-
ral drug, Tamiflu. The illness usu-
ally lasts around seven days.
The following tips should help
you and your family recover as
comfortably as possible.
1. Stay hydrated Drink lots of
fluids (water, citrus juice).
2. Stay comfortable- Most people
with H1N1 Influenza experience a
fever. Persons may also experience
aches and pains in the body and
joints. If you have these symptoms,
take paracetamol as prescribed.
Panadol, Calpol and Aaramol are
all brand names for paracetamol.
DO NOT USE ASPIRIN.
You may feel more comfortable
by bathing in 'luke warm' water.
Each bath should last for 15 to 20
minutes. This helps reduce the fe-
ver. It is not advisable to try and
'sweat out' the illness, by cover-
ing yourself with extra bedding or
blankets.
3. Infection Control Measures
to be taken in the Home
Sick persons should always
cover thier mouths with
tissue when the cough.
This tissue should be thrown
into a plastic bag, which
should be tied and placed
in a covered bin.
* All persons in the home
should wash their hands
often. Hands should be
washed with soap and
running water. If persons
do not have water, alcohol
based hand sanitizers can
be used.
* If possible, keep the infected
person at least 3 to 6 feet
away from other persons in
the home.
* Infected persons will be given
face masks to use at home.
* Utensils such as cups,
spoons, plates etc should be
properly washed before be-
ing used by other persons
in the home.
* Persons should never share
tooth brushes and sick per-
sons should change their
tooth brush after the flu.
* Ensure that the ill individual is
cared for in a properly aired,
or a well ventilated room.
* If possible, sick persons
should use a separate bath-
room. Clean bathrooms daily
with household disinfectant.
* The sick person should be
kept at home.
* The sick person should
not go to the supermarket,
church, work, school, or
other places where close
contact with other persons
can occur.
* The infected person should
remain at home for at least
a week, or until all flu-like
symptoms disappear.
NOTE: children may spread
the virus even after they
appear well, so it may be
advisable for children to
remain at home for no less
than 7 days.
If the sick person worsens at
any point, please take them
to hospital. If possible, call
the health facility before
taking the individual there.
(Please see numbers below.)
What are antivirals?
Antivirals are not a cure for
H1N1 Influenza but they will re-
lieve some of the symptoms, re-
duce the length of time patients
are ill by around one day and re-
duce the potential for serious com-
plications, such as pneumonia.
For more information on H1N1
Influenza, please call: Ministry
of Health at 4685300, 4685317,
4685324, 4685309; Victoria Hos-
pital: 4522421, 4568200; St. Jude
Hospital: 4546041; Tapion Hospi-
tal: 4592000
You can also visit this website
for more information on man-
aging H1N1 Influenza at home:
http://www.cdc.gov/hlnlflu/
guidancehomecare.htm
Website for monitoring Saint Lu-
cia's work: http://stlucia.gov.lc/flu/
Website for flu and mass crowd
events: http://stlucia.gov.lc/mce
* Page 5
Saturday October 17, 2009
Saint Lucia and
Taiwan Products
Take the
Limelight!
wide array of products
made in Taiwan and some
manufactured locally took
center-stage at the recently held
second annual Taiwan-Saint Lu-
cia Partnership Trade Exhibition.
The exhibition staged at the
gaiety on Rodney Bay, was the
result of a collaborative effort by
the Taiwanese Embassy and the
Ministry of Commerce Industry
and Consumer Affairs.
The 3-day exhibition was the
latest effort to further strengthen
the trade link between Taiwan, St.
Lucia and other Caribbean States.
According to officials from the
===l"" iiiiiiiiP"
Embassy of the ROC (Taiwan),
since the first exhibition last year
elicited such interest, even more
interest was generated in this
year's event, translating in more
exhibits at this year's event.
This trade show which is ex-
pected to be annual event in St.
Lucia was intended to create a
platform for entrepreneurs and
manufacturers, mainly from Tai-
wan and St. Lucia, to build up
their business relationship and
it is hoped that by strengthening
their connections, the local com-
panies and Taiwanese companies
can expand their operations.
..- .. ... - .
Taiwan's Ambassador to Saint Lucia Tom Chou addresses the opening of the three day trade show
while Government ministers look on
A variety of products from Tai-
wan were on display this year,
including a wide array of elec-
tronic products such as state-of-
the-art mini laptop computers
camcorders, portable multime-
dia projectors, also a variety of
memory devices, television sets,
digital cameras, basketball shoot-
ing games, smoothie making ma-
chines, home appliances, porce-
lain and a host of other high-end
products.
St. Lucia's world famous rums,
perfumes and aromatherapy
items, culturally enriched handi-
crafts, indigenous artworks, dolls,
leather sandals, fashion designer,
marble stone tops, baby furnish-
ings, bottled coconut water, bot-
tled water, vegetarian products,
engineering services providers
and agro-processing products
were also displayed.
.... .... -
St. Lucians came out to see the extensive line of products from Taiwan and St. Lucia on show at the exhibition
Saint Lucia is taking an ag-
gressive approach to at-
tract visitors to the island
for this winter tourist season
that began earlier this month.
Last month the island kicked
off a series of road shows for
travel partners in New York
City sparing no effort to pro-
mote its renowned products, ser-
vices and attractions to the travel
agent community.
Members of the travel com-
munity, including agencies that
specialize in selling travel to the
Caribbean Diaspora markets,
joined the Saint Lucia Tourist
Board and hotel representatives
on the road show tour that is
slated call at more than 25 cit-
ies in the United States and
Canada.
"Now's not the time to twiddle
our fingers, ride out the fall and
assume we will have a strong
winter rather, it's time to tell
the world what's on offer on
our island and encourage past
and potential vacationers to visit
Saint Lucia now," said Director of
Tourism Louis Lewis, who was
in New York City for the recent
premiere.
Encouraging agents and
consumers alike to "Live the
Legend" of Saint Lucia, Lewis
joined New York City-based
tourist board executive Lorine
St. Jules to share the dynamic
developments on the island
as Saint Lucia prepares to
welcome 50,000 visitors this
Fall, thanks in part to the new
thrice-weekly service from
JetBlue Airways, beginning
October 26, 2009.
The Road Shows feature
Saint Lucia's new advertising
campaign under the theme:
"Legend Has It" which high-
lights the legacy of this un-
spoiled island destination.
Page 6
Travel Trade Shows
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Page 7
Saturday October 17, 2009
Diaspora Critical to Constitutional
Reform, says Saint Lucian Official
The chairperson of Saint Lu-
cia's Constitutional Reform
Commission insists that the
Caribbean-American Diaspora is
critical to the Commission's work
on the island.
Speaking ahead of two recent
meetings with the Saint Lucian-
American Diaspora Madam Jus-
tice Suzie d'Auvergne said for the
first time Saint Lucians will have
an opportunity to say what they
would like to see in a written con-
stitution to replace the present
version which was handed down
from Britain.
"(Saint Lucian-Americans) are
Saint Lucians and I think they
should have a say in everything,"
said Madam Justice d'Auvergne,
who added they can now "raise
their voice" and be connected
with an important discourse
even while living in their adopt-
ed homelands.
Madam Justice d'Auvergne
disclosed that two of the hot
topics being debated on the is-
land are possible term limits for
the Prime Minister and whether
the Head of State of Saint Lucia
should be an agent of the Queen
of England. "Should we have
a Governor General or should
we go the way of Dominica for
instance, and have a ceremo-
nial president?" asked Justice
d'Auvergne.
She noted that despite the
slow speed of the reform pro-
cess, public participation was
encouraging and the consulta-
tion process was moving along
expeditiously.
Madam Justice Suzie d'Auvergne
NDC launches operations' manual for Pointe seraphine
The 16th Annual Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association
Cruise Conference & Trade Show to be held in St. Lucia from
October 26-30, 2009, is looking for local business people who are
interested in doing business with international cruise lines.
* Do you want to do business with cruise line executives?
* Do you want to find out how to do business with the cruise
lines?
* Do you have a product, tour or destination you want to
promote to the cruise industry?
* Do you want to learn about industry trends, to expand
your market base?
* Do you want insight into what the cruise industry wants?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you need
to be at the 16th Annual Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association
Cruise Conference & Trade Show in Saint Lucia, October 26-
30, 2009!
There is no better place to meet the decision makers of the
cruise industry. Cruise executives from the Operations, Pur-
chasing, Marketing and Shore Excursion sectors, committed to
working with you, will be there, and so should you.
The Trade Show is the perfect opportunity to showcase
your destination and/or product to Cruise Executives from
the member lines representing a variety of destinations span-
ning the globe from Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America.
Don't miss this opportunity to be part of the most successful
FCCA trade show exhibit! Space is available on a first-come,
first-served basis.
An impressive array of industry experts in Marketing, Pur-
chasing/Sourcing and Shore Excursions/Operations will lead in-
formative workshops and round table discussions that encourage
free discussion, group participation, feedback and networking.
Special evening Social Events allow opportunities to mingle
with cruise executives in an informal, relaxed and fun setting.
The RAK Porcelain FCCA 12th Annual Golf Classic, host-
ed by the St. Lucia Golf Resort and Country Club, is a great
networking opportunity during the conference a chance to
tee-off with some of the industry's top cruise executives in a
fun-filled shotgun style tournament.
Don't miss your chance to make a splash at the most impor-
tant cruise conference of the year.
For more information, contact:
Terri Cannici
Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association
Director of Special Events
Phone: 954-441-8881 Fax: 954-441-3171
E-mail: tcannici@f-cca.com
he National Development
Corporation (NDC) is con-
tinuing to improve the effi-
ciency of its operations while boost-
ing customer service delivery at the
island's premiere duty-free shop-
ping complex Pointe Seraphine.
The latest vehicle for achiev-
ing that was the recent launch of
the Duty-Free Pointe Seraphine
Standard Operating Procedures
Manual which clearly outlines
operating procedure for all stake-
holders doing business at Pointe
Seraphine.
The 30-page manual represents
the formalization of a combina-
tion of old procedures and new
measures currently being imple-
mented to help improve the op-
erations at the facility.
The manual streamlines oper-
ating functions at the complex
and embodies the culmination of
a year-long review and consulta-
tion exercise undertaken by the
Corporation.
NDC's Acting General Manag-
er Timothy Greene says the much
needed manual, covers every as-
pect of operations at the complex
and spells out the ways in which
vital processes are carried out.
"It speaks to what is expected
from NDC personnel in relation
to their duties and assignments;
it identifies the various play-
ers and their roles, e.g. vendors,
land and sea tour operators, taxi
operators and the like and most
critically, the manual addresses
how to deal with complaints and
disputes both with vendors and
visitors, taxi and bus operations,
security, access to sensitive areas
and so on" Greene said.
He noted that the manual was
the result of the creation of pro-
cedures, rules and regulations
adopted in response to various
threats/challenges and creates
awareness among all of the stan-
dard operating procedures to be
enforced at the Complex.
Saint Lucia Wants Urgent Climate Change
aint Lucia, a founder of the
Alliance of Small Island
States (AOSIS), calls climate
change the most serious chal-
lenge facing mankind today.
Addressing the United Nations
General Assembly, Rufus George
Bousquet, the island's Minister
for External Affairs, International
Trade and Investment, called for
an urgent collective response
while detailing how his coun-
try was working on policies and
legislation to develop renewable
energy sources, including wind,
solar and geothermal sources.
Small island developing states
and least developed countries
had joined together "to demand,
appeal and even beg, if necessary,
that the new Copenhagen climate
agreement limit temperature
increases to the attainable level
of 1.50 C, as possibly anything
above that will be devastating
to our existence," he told the au-
gust body, explaining that Saint
Lucia was in "crisis-management
mode," which had to be part and
parcel of sustainable develop-
ment efforts.
Speaking later during a recep-
tion at Saint Lucia's Mission to the
United Nations and Consulate
General, Minister Bousquet said
climate change was already reduc-
ing the yield of food producers in
Saint Lucia's Minister of Foreign
Affairs Rufus Bousquet
Addresses UN General Assembly
Saint Lucia. "The little fisherman
who goes out in a pirogue to do
his daily fishing and who finds
that the fishing stocks are deplet-
ed does not understand the rea-
son why it is happening it may
be overfishing in some countries
but certainly climate change is
part of that," he said, adding that
the frequency and severity of hur-
ricanes as well as rising sea levels
have damaged small island states.
"We did not create the problem
(because) our (carbon) footprint
is so small ... and we don't have
the resources to cope with it at
this stage," he said, calling on the
donor community to act urgently
and meaningfully.
Minister Bousquet, the Parlia-
mentary Representative for the
constituency of Choiseul, said be-
ing categorized as middle income
developing countries has disadvan-
taged Caribbean nations in attract-
ing resources such as concession-
ary loans and grants. Other issues
that he believes the international
community must urgently address
include debt relief so that resources
can be redirected for the develop-
ment of the people, the trafficking
of illicit weapons through Caribbe-
an waters to the developed world,
and deporting criminals back to
the Caribbean some of whom now
have no connection with the region
whence they came.
The Foreign Minister took the
opportunity to address nation-
als in New York and encouraged
them to share their knowledge,
experience and resources with
their home country, in addition
to support the rebuilding efforts
of St. Jude Hospital, which was
recently destroyed by fire.
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Saturday October 17, 2009
Stellar Tourism Cast to Descend on Saint Lucia
t. Lucia's Tourism Minister
Senator Allen Chastanet is to
address media mavens and
communications connoisseurs, most
of them women, who will converge
on Saint Lucia in December, to dis-
cuss climate change and tourism out-
reach to multicultural communities.
Several top communications spe-
cialists from the Caribbean, North
America and Europe are offering
messages of hope and encourage-
ment as tourism rebounds from the
global recession in time for the 18th
Caribbean Media Exchange on Sus-
tainable Tourism (CMEx) slated for
Saint Lucia from December 3 to 7,
2009.
Organizers of the meeting which
attracts travel, tourism, media and
government leaders, along with de-
velopment specialists and the youth
- have announced respected public
relations counsel and New York Uni-
versity Professor Gail Moaney of
Ruder Finn who leads an impressive
line-up of top class communicators.
... .
Senator Allen Chastanet, Saint Lucia's Minister of Tourism
and Civil Aviation
Included are author and motiva-
tional speaker Karen Taylor Bass;
former CNN vice president and En-
vironmental Editor Barbara Pyle;
Image consultant Patrice DaCosta;
Lisa-Ann Joseph of Reputation
Management Caribbean; social me-
dia strategist Pam Perry; Puerto Ri-
can PR professional Nelly Cruz as
well as award-winning television ex-
ecutive producer Nancy Gilligan of
New York's Barefoot Agency.
Joining the stellar female cast will
be CNN Operations Manager Clay-
ton Sizemore; Secretary General of
the Caribbean Broadcasting Union
Patrick Cozier; and the Caribbean
Tourism Organisation's Johnson
Johnrose who has been working re-
cently with both Caribbean reporters
and tourism executives to hone their
communications craft.
"We have been overwhelmed
by the response to CMEx over the
past several weeks," said Dr. Basil
Springer, who serves on the CMEx
Board of Directors. "It looks like we
Sir Dunstan St. Omer to be Honoured by UWI
Local artist and the designer
of the Saint Lucian flag Sir
Dunstan St. Omer is to be
formally honoured by the Uni-
versity of the West Indies this
evening.
This will be done at the inau-
gural graduation ceremony for
the Open Campus of The Univer-
sity of the West Indies (UWI) that
takes place this evening at the
Beausejour Indoor Practice Facil-
ity, Beausejour, Gros Islet.
The ceremony scheduled for
5:00 p.m. is the culmination of
what UWI officials say is the
foresight, hard work and per-
severance of many to broaden
the scope and deeply embed the
work of the University in its con-
stituent communities, to share
in the potential, benefits and
achievements of the regional uni-
versity system.
With Saint Lucia being the first
host country, the open Ccampus
will rotate its graduation cer-
emonies each year in a different
Caribbean country joining the
traditional annual UWI gradua-
tion ceremonies held at Cave Hill
in Barbados; Mona in Jamaica
and St. Augustine in Trinidad &
Tobago.
During this evening's cer-
emony, the graduation address
will be delivered by Dunstan St.
Omer, one of the two honorary
graduands who will be receiving
academic honours from UWI at
the open campus ceremony.
Sir Dunstan who is regarded
as St. Lucia's leading artist with
his major works receiving inter-
national recognition, will receive
the Doctor of Letters (DLitt).
The other honorary graduand
Dr. Peggy Antrobus, is a Grena-
dian/Vincentian and a lifetime
advocate of the role of women in
development. She will be award-
ed the Doctor of Laws (LLD).
While at UWI, she established
the Women and Development
Unit (WAND) within the ambit of
the former School of Continuing
Studies, one of the antecedents of
the Open Campus.
Dr. Antrobus has also facili-
tated the formation of regional
and international organizations,
including the Caribbean Asso-
ciation for Feminist Research
and Action (CAFRA) and the
network of Third Word feminists
promoting Development Alter-
natives with Women for a New
Era (DAWN).
Ms. Denise Gordon from
Montserrat will be speaking on
behalf of the 2009 Open Campus
graduands as the Class Valedic-
torian. She will be receiving the
Bachelor of Science in Manage-
ment Studies with first-class hon-
ours at the ceremony. Ms. Gordon
graduated from the Montserrat
Secondary School in 2002 as the
student of the year.
This inaugural Open Campus
Graduation Ceremony will be
streamed online. For more in-
formation on the inaugural open
campus graduation, go to www.
open.uwi.edu/graduation.
Page 8
Sir Dunstan is
regarded Saint Lucia's
leading artist with his
major works receiving
international
recognition....
are in shape for an excellent meet-
ing in December which has attracted
strong local, regional and interna-
tional interest, including a youth con-
tingent," Dr. Springer noted, adding
that with less than two months to go,
the intimate networking exchange is
approaching "full capacity".
Also confirmed to address CMEx
in December will be McHale An-
drew, executive vice president of
the Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism
Association; Enrique De Marchena
Kaluche, President of the Caribbean
Hotel Association; Puerto Rico tour-
ism consultant Terestella Gonzalez
Denton; Fernando William, Chair-
man of intra-regional commuter
carrier WINAIR; Dr. Noel Brown,
president of the Friends of the Unit-
ed Nations; and Dr. Robin Andersen,
Professor of Environmental Studies
at Fordham University.
The theme for the December
meeting is "Multicultural Marketing:
A Climate for Change."
Saturday October 17, 2009
TOb A1ationaI Xebitbi
Key stakeholders in four
of the top sporting disci-
plines on the island are
to benefit from a new coaching
programme that will ultimately
enhance sports in St. Lucia.
Permanent Secretary in the
Ministry of Sports Donovan Wil-
liams says the government re-
cently secured funding from the
European Union (EU) to produce
a sports coaching programme
for the four sporting disciplines
of: Football, Cricket, Volleyball
and Netball.
The programme which is al-
ready underway here is first be-
ing rolled out in a three month
stint that will end in December.
Following this initial phase of the
project, it is expected that train-
ing modules for each sport would
be developed and would address
levels of development of each
game i.e. beginners, intermediate
and advanced levels.
Sports people from the Cas-
tries Basin and even beyond
are soon to benefit from a
much improved facility catering
to most of their sporting needs.
That's when the Vigie Playing
field is completed after an in-
tensive 3-month renovation and
facelift.
The decades-old playing field
that was made up primarily of
sand with grassy aprons that ca-
tered mainly to football and to
a lesser extent cricket in recent
years, wll be upgraded to the
tune of EC$500,000.
Funded by the government of
St. Lucia through the HOPE proj-
ect, the field upon completion
will boast a 2 lane synthetic track
for athletes, 3 practice cricket
pitches and grassy fields for the
avid footballer.
Expected to go into full new
and improved mode come the
New Year, the Vigie Playing Field
will undergo major excavation
and drainage works followed by
new top soil and grass put in, re-
pairs to the fencing and concrete
drains installed.
Williams said to date sports
officials have met with stake-
holders as well as sports spe-
cialists to discuss how best to
improve the targeted sporting
disciplines and with a view to
establishing relevant training
programmes.
Currently, renowned cricket
specialist Mark Harper is work-
ing with the national team, in
preparation for the upcoming
Windward Islands Tournament,
while international sportsman
Daley Thompson participated in
the recent programme launch.
Cyril Podd of the UK's Sheffield
United Football Club Academy is
facilitating the football coaching
component of the programme.
Speaking with The National
Review as to why his department
felt it necessary to engage in such
workshops, Williams explained:
"Our role is to facilitate the de-
velopment of sports; what we
Minister for Youth and Sports Lenard Montoute, alongside
decathalon champion and star athlete Daley Thompson
have observed is the absence in
St. Lucia of organized coaching/
training programmes at com-
munity, school or even at the
national level.
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"What we do have is not con-
sistent and is ad hoc at best. We
felt there was a need for a more
systematic approach to sports"
he said.
A view that was most certain-
ly echoed by the EU, which he
explained does not customar-
ily fund projects of this nature.
According to the Permanent
Secretary, the sports coaching
programme is one of the first to
be funded by the international
body that went further also
providing funding for sports
equipment to complement the
programme.
Williams added that for the
preliminary part of the coaching
programme focus will be on the
four disciplines which he said
his Ministry felt were the most
pertinent. "We saw the need to
institute this programme in these
particular areas volleyball, foot-
ball, cricket and netball because
we felt they have the least coach-
ing capacity. We also felt that
they represent four of the most
popular sports in St. Lucia."
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The Vigie Playing Field under renovation
Page 9
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Saturday October 17, 2009
Why A Value
Added Tax
An essential role of govern-
ment in any country is to provide
the appropriate environment for
economic growth and develop-
ment. Government's economic
policies must therefore be geared
towards ensuring that jobs are
created in the economy, at a pace
in sync with the maintenance of
an acceptable rate of employment,
while at the same time increasing
the purchasing power of its citi-
zenry, so that their standard of
living would be improved or at
the very least, maintained. This
entails an adoption of the ap-
propriate mix of fiscal, monetary,
exchange rate and other policies
aimed at increasing employment,
keeping inflation low and gener-
ating economic growth.
However, the ability of coun-
tries within the Organization of
Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)
to successfully implement such
policy measures could be thwart-
ed by their extreme openness to
external shocks such as rising im-
port prices, falling export prices,
reductions in access to conces-
sional financing and inflows of
foreign direct investment.
This situation could be com-
pounded by our countries' vul-
nerability tonatural disasters such
as hurricanes and volcanic erup-
tions. The damages sustained by
Grenada in 2004,-more than 200
percent of their GDP-attests to
this vulnerability. The impact of
the current global economic and
financial crisis on small econo-
mies such as St. Lucia's is a case
in point of our vulnerability to
external developments.
St Lucia, like all the other OECS
islands, is heavily dependent on
tourism as the main generator
of foreign exchange and a major
source of employment. Notwith-
standing the fact that the sector
has contributed immensely to
economic growth, the heavy re-
liance on tourism could also be
a source of vulnerability-made
evident by the current global re-
cession.
As a result, the number of visi-
tors coming to our shores has been
declining from September 2008
relative to the same period in 2007.
This trend is expected to continue
and may accelerate in the coming
months, as job losses in the US
and UK and other source markets
will influence spending on leisure
and travel significantly.
The heightened vulnerability
of St Lucia's economy to external
shocks can be viewed in the con-
text of the historical shift towards
a services oriented economy over
the last three decades.
Since the 1970s, there has been
an obvious shift from a largely
agrarian, to a service-based econ-
omy. From the 1980s, the share of
agriculture, manufacturing, min-
ing and quarrying (non-services)
to a total GDP has declined con-
sistently from 21.6 percent, to 10.9
percent in the period 2000 to 2007.
In particular, the share of the ag-
ricultural sector fell from 13.7
percent to 4.6 percent of the GDP.
Conversely, the relative shares of
the services sectors (tourism in
particular) have increased from
78.4 percent to 89.1 percent over
the same period. Further, tour-
ism earnings account for approxi-
mately 68 percent of total exports
of goods and services.
The structural changes to
the economy have important
implications for the type of
training and skills required for
the labour force as well as the
kind of goods and services pro-
duced.
Over the last decade or so there
has been a proliferation of vari-
ous services-oriented skills, for
example, entertainment skills,
hair dressing and culinary skills,
among others. These types of
services have varying levels of
value added-i.e. the additional
value generated in the produc-
tion of goods and services. The
higher-end services such as legal,
accounting and medical services
generate greater value added
compared wih that of the lower
echelon. These structural chang-
es to the economy have impor-
tant implications for the genera-
tion and distribution of income
and spending and how govern-
ment's policies shape the pattern
of income and spending in the
economy.
The dominance of services in
the economy also has implica-
tions for government's fiscal pol-
icies. Unlike an economy whose
productive sectors are dominated
by the production of goods, the
tax base of a service dominated
economy may be less visible. As
a result, an increasing share of St
Lucia's tax revenue is generated
from service-oriented transac-
tions.
Government's tax policy
should therefore be adapted to
reflect the changing structure of
the economy.
Currently, taxes on imports of
goods account for 50 percent of
total tax revenue. Given the in-
creasing importance of services
in domestic economic activates,
coupled with St Lucia's interna-
tional trade obligations under
the Economic Partnership Agree-
ment and the World Trade Orga-
nization, public policy should be
geared towards restructuring the
tax system to better reflect the
changing economic circumstanc-
es. Further, the current global
economic crisis and its negative
consequences for the economy
NationalReview is published fortnightly by the Office of the Prime Minister and the Department of Information Services.
Contact us at: The Office the Prime Minister and the Department of Information Services, Greaham Louisy Administrative
Building, The Waterfront, Castries, St. Lucia, West Indies
Tel: (758) 468 2127/2116; E-mail: nationalreview@pm.gosl.gov.lc or gis@candw.lc; website: http://stlucia.gov.lc
have given added impetus for
implementing the required re-
forms to the tax regime.
For more information, contact:
VAT Implementation Project
Office, #4 Bridge Street, Castries
St Lucia
Tel: 1758-468-1420
Fax: 1758-452-4984
Email vatcoordinator@gmail.
com, vatcoordinator@gosl.gov.lc
Website: www.vat.gov.lc
INFORMAL XTIOIN YOU I
NEED
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(A Iucok back at somle
of tile niault ex Clils in
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"O 1X Yo) r Ight to
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Nleniloi ial IRItus
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Oil plans foi dit-
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log on 10 011r 1' oebslc al ,n% SOlt":13
. iC and hnr click orn the NTN iconr
Page 10
Currently, taxes on imports of
goods account for 50 percent of
total tax revenue.., the current
global economic crisis and its
negative consequences for the
economy have given added
impetus for implementing the
required reforms to the tax regime
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PAGE 1
Saint Lucian is First Principal of UWI Open Campus Page 2 Jounen Kwyl and Creole Heritage month Page 3 Nine ministries within the government ser vice are actively seeking to improve the quality of government.An initiative of the Saint (SLBS) the project is the result strategy for improvement to ensure the operations of the Service i.e. point people within with SLBS. al was the proplementation of st ial aim of this initiaof quality management systems. from the Saint Lucia Bureau of sues; to channel information on Stellar Tourism Cast to Descend on Saint Lucia page 8quality ser various ministries will run until project hopes to achieve facilitating the Development of Action Plans to name a few.overnment ministries currently participating in the Saint Lucia wants Urgent Climate Change page 7 SATURDAY, OCT OBER 17, 2009www.stlucia.gov.lc
PAGE 2
Page 2 SProfessor Simm tive implementation of one of the service. initiatives impleture to the implementation of an Saint Lucian is First Principal of UWI Open Campus t year of opera-Pson King is calling on invest their money to ensure a nomic recession over the last int Lucia have not is the answer to the question ing with various institutions throughout the month to proInvest and Save says Prime Minister Prime Minister Hon. Stephenson King in her capacity as Principal of essor Simmonstance Learning internationally. well as continuing her research tions at conferences. Professor Hazel Simmons-McDonald Saturday October 17, 2009
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Page 3 Saturday October 17, 2009 The celebration of Creole Heritage Month, observed annually in the month of October here, continues this month as nationals prepare for the lavish feasting, fun and displays of culture that traditionally marks the end-of-month celebrations “Jounen Kwyl†on Sunday, October 25, 2009. In fact Custodians of the cultural commemoration the Folk Research Centre (FRC) says Jounen Kweyol in St. Lucia has developed since its inception in 1984, into the biggest national cultural activity on the island. “Indeed, Jounen Kwyl has broader impact across communities and social sectors than any other calendar events in St. Lucia. The survival and growth of the event has undoubtedly contributed to a tremen dous development in national awareness and pride in St. Lucia’s cultural among St. Lucians at home and all over the world†said FRC Director Kentry Jn. Pierre. Noting the Centre’s satisfaction with the evolution of the annual observation and celebration, he explained that Jounen Kwyl activities have spread economic, educational sectors, particularly at the grass roots level of many traditionally marginal ized local communities, adding that the cultural activity has even devel oped into a tourist attraction. “In recent years Jounen Kwyl has also become a tourist attraction for lovers of folk culture, particu larly from the French Antilles and other neighbouring Caribbean terri -Jounen Kwyl and Creole Heritage Month in Saint Luciatories. In that regard, Jounen Kwyl the development of the important tourist industry. Clearly, the event has become such an important resource for national development that broad national support is an impera tive to ensure its sustainability. Every year, Jounen Kwyl is cel ebrated in Creole Speaking countries to increase the awareness and pride among Creole speaking people of their rich cultural heritage; to encour age the practice of the Creole Language and Culture and to encourage solidarity among Creole speaking communities around the world. On the day of the grand climax of Creole Heritage Month, Jounen Kwyl, the main activities usually take place in four communities communities for the particular year. munities to participate in the celebra tion. Standard activities in each host community include a Creole Mass; a massive Creole Food and Drink Fair; an indoor exhibition of Creole technology, equipment and items depicting the folk life of the ancestors of modern day St Lucians; outdoor demonstrations of traditional tech nologies and other folk traditions; cultural performances throughout the day, and; other community-spe ous activities. On that day St. Lucians are also encouraged to speak the Creole language as much as possible. This year, Jounen Kwyl 2009 will be celebrated in the host communities of Vieux Fort, Soufriere and Boguis, Babonneau. Throughout the month of October, a number of creole related activities will take place, including a Kwyl Music Festival, La Wenn Kwyl Pageant and Vanndwdi Kwyl (Creole Friday) with activities organized in all schools and in business places around the towns. For Jounen Kwyl itself, the activities in each host community will be organized around a similar programme of core activities such as a kwyl church service, a traditional food and drink fair, an indoor exhibi tion of cultural items, outdoor demonstrations of traditional technolo gies and other cultural traditions and, spontaneous and rehearsed cultural performances.One of Saint Lucia’s Creole Band
PAGE 4
Saturday October 17, 2009 level of security at the facility. professionalism. -Staff at Bordelais Pumped Up!the laxness in securing these to escalating crime here. tightening of security at the isthe transhipment points for ilTighter Borders, Less Crime Says Security Boss Saint Lucia may soon face a they relocate to another isacross the region with their in charge mainly of the image tration. to strengthen communica a challenge to you. Let me say to with the respect to initiatives inform says he has no intention of Lebourne Appointed New Press Secretaryimportant part of the success of the thrice weekly service national Airport. airline makes Saint Lucia that to our shores." to increase the manpower of the Royal Saint Lucia Police New Exam Paves The W ay For Easier Travel For Regional Children entation workshops for teachers Sam ex rs.a minimum of competencies o expansion. "Last year was a su. to continue to pursue opportunicustomer service. About Saint Lucia tling marketplace in the capicianow.com. Saint Lucia, JetBlue Airways pursuing VFR market the institution remains government's top priority. mance of the forty recruits will future. Page 4In a Nutshell
PAGE 5
National Flu Committee calls for Public Cooperation of employees with the equipment not to touch their faces or other the virus can live on a surface for ety cannot minimise the impact one of us must play our part or we will all rem REMEMBER!!!!!!! possible. Rest is important. ture) water lowers fever only during the period of sponging. Do not sponge with alcohol. disposal within reach of the patient. wash their hands frequently. tors away from the person who is ill. ther advice. breathing or is getting worse, contact the healthcare provider right away. If you have questions, please contact the Nurse at the Health Centre or your Doctor. Further Information is also available at of Phase 6 this means that almost Priests. the follosuspension of the sharing of the chalice among priests or with ers. is requesting the cooperation cia to partner with the National . . Drink lots of fever. Persons may also experience DO NOT USE ASPIRIN. 3. Infection Control Measures to be taken in the Home cover thier mouths with tissue when the cough. away from other persons in the home. face masks to use at home. in the home. kept at home. other places where close contact with other persons can occur. remain at home for at least remain at home for no less What are antivirals? Antivirals are not a cure for for more information on manChurches W arned: Pa soukw lanmen!Medical Report Card Page 5 Saturday October 17, 2009
PAGE 6
Page 6 Saturday October 17, 2009 A Saint Lucia and Taiwan Products Take the Limelight! perations. A variety of pthe-art mini laptop computers while Government ministers look onSaint Lucia is taking an aggressive approach to atfor this winter tourist season travel partners in New York agent community. assume we will have a strong our is premire. consumers alike to "Live the as Saint Lucia prepares to thrice-weekly service from s feature lights the legacy of this unnation.Travel Trade Shows St. Lucians came out to see the extensive line of products from Taiwan and St. Lucia on show at the exhibition
PAGE 7
Page 7 Saturday October 17, 2009 he chairperson of Saint Lumeetings with the Saint LucianDiaspora Critical to Constitutional an opportunity to say what they stitution to replace the present from Britain. we go the way of Dominica for tion process was moving along . . tant cruise conference of the year. FCCA NOTICEhe National Development ping complex Pointe Seraphine.ing that was the recent launch of Seraphine. NDC launches operations’ manual for Pointe seraphine erations at the facility. ating functions at the complex pect of operations at the complex it ithe result of the creation of proawareness among all of the stanS change the most serious chalan urgent collective response veloping states agreement limit temperature Lucia was in "crisis-management Saint Lucia W ants Urgent Climate Change son why it is happening it may ricanes as well as rising sea levels the resources to cope with it at mentary Representative for the ing resources such as concessionhave no connection with the region whence they came. Saint Lucia's Minister of Foreign Madam Justice Suzie d'Auvergne
PAGE 8
St. Lucia’s Tourism Minister Senator Allen Chastanet is to address media mavens and communications connoisseurs, most of them women, who will converge on Saint Lucia in December, to discuss climate change and tourism outreach to multicultural communities. Several top communications specialists from the Caribbean, North America and Europe are offering messages of hope and encourage ment as tourism rebounds from the global recession in time for the 18th Caribbean Media Exchange on Sustainable Tourism (CMEx) slated for Saint Lucia from December 3 to 7, 2009. Organizers of the meeting which attracts travel, tourism, media and government leaders, along with development specialists and the youth have announced respected public relations counsel and New York University Professor Gail Moaney of Ruder Finn who leads an impressive line-up of top class communicators. Stellar Tourism Cast to Descend on Saint Lucia Included are author and motiva tional speaker Karen Taylor Bass; former CNN vice president and Environmental Editor Barbara Pyle; Image consultant Patrice DaCosta; Lisa-Ann Joseph of Reputation Management Caribbean; social media strategist Pam Perry; Puerto Rican PR professional Nelly Cruz as well as award-winning television executive producer Nancy Gilligan of New York's Barefoot Agency. Joining the stellar female cast will be CNN Operations Manager Clayton Sizemore; Secretary General of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union Patrick Cozier; and the Caribbean Tourism Organisation's Johnson Johnrose who has been working recently with both Caribbean reporters and tourism executives to hone their communications craft. "We have been overwhelmed by the response to CMEx over the past several weeks," said Dr. Basil Springer, who serves on the CMEx Board of Directors. "It looks like we are in shape for an excellent meet ing in December which has attracted strong local, regional and interna tional interest, including a youth contingent," Dr. Springer noted, adding that with less than two months to go, the intimate networking exchange is approaching "full capacity". to address CMEx in December will be McHale Andrew, executive vice president of the Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association; Enrique De Marchena Kaluche, President of the Caribbean Hotel Association; Puerto Rico tour ism consultant Terestella Gonzlez Denton; Fernando William, Chair man of intra-regional commuter carrier WINAIR; Dr. Noel Brown, president of the Friends of the United Nations; and Dr. Robin Andersen, Professor of Environmental Studies at Fordham University. The theme for the December meeting is "Multicultural Marketing: A Climate for Change." Senator Allen Chastanet, Saint Lucia’s Minister of Tourism and Civil AviationL evening. takes place this evening at the achievements of the regional university system. go. Sir Dunstan St. Omer to be Honoured by UWI the open campus ceremony. his major works receiving inter promoting Development Alter formation on the inaugural open Page 8 Saturday October 17, 2009
PAGE 9
Key programme that will ultimately enhance sports in St. Lucia. Permanent Secretary in the liams says the government rea sports coaching programme which is alCoaching Programme Fine Tunes Local Players programmes. preparation for the upcoming while international sportsman the recent programme launch. component of the programme. felt it necessary to engage in such velopment of sports; what we training programmes at com national level. systematic approac A view that was most certainp equipment to complement the programme. preliminary part of the coaching institute this programme in these we felt they have the least coachthey represent four of the most popular sports Page 9 Saturday October 17, 2009 Minister for Youth and Sports Lenard Montoute, alongside Sa lesser extent cricket in recent
PAGE 10
Page 10 Saturday October 17, 2009 the appropriate environment for in sync with the maintenance of while at the same time increasing the purchasing power of its citiating economic growth.W hy A Value Added Taxto successfully implement such external shocks such as rising imlopments. tourism as the main generator source of employment. Notwithliance on to cession. the services sectors (tourism in ism earnings account for approxihe structural changes to the economy have important implications for the type of . services have varying levels of es to the economy have impor tant implications for the generaeconomy. the economy also has implications. the economy. creasing importance of services changing economic circumstanc consequences for the economy forms to the tax regime. St Lucia Page 12 Saturday September 12, 2009 about the value added tax system and how it operates. What are the most frequently asked questions about VAT? We have your answers right here! What is VAT? The Value Added Tax system or VAT as it is commonly known is a tax on consumption. VAT is an indirect tax charged on imports and on the added value to goods and services, supplie by nal consumer. VAT is designed to ensure that consumer spending is taxed evenly and fairly. for it is the buyer who pays the tax. VAT will not be an additional tax, but a replacement for some existing indirect taxes. It will be a broad-based, comprehensive and transactions. What is Value Added? Value Added is the value that a business adds to its raw materials or purchases before selling the good/service. It is the mark up on the selling price. How and when is the taxcharged? VAT will be charged as a percentage of the value added to the good/service at each stage of proHope Employment Initiatives All persons employed under HOPE initiatives must participate in the following components of HOPE Retooling training; Project & business management training; not limited to: Life Skills Training; Lifestyles Training; Personal Finance and Budgeting, etc Through the use of a standard HOPE Project Proposal Form, interested persons, organizations, and district representatives can submit project proposals for consideration to the TechniStrategic Partners For the complete programme guide, log on to our website at www.stlucia. gov.lc and then click on the icon. NTN – PROVIDING INFORMATION YOU NEED 6:05 pm – Take Two ( A look back at some of the major events in govt) 6:15 Your right to Know 8:00 pm – Sir John Memorial (Titus Preville interviews Sir John On plans for the development of Castries 8:30 pm – Your government Comes to You (Winston Springer speaks to Hon. Arsene James 9:00 pm – Gospel Explosion duction/distribution. That percentage, also known as the VAT rate, is the standard rate at which VAT will be charged. This is one of the policy decisions that will need careful planning and execution before it is determined. sumption Tax (CT)? taxes on consumption, VAT and Under the VAT system, tax is charged only on the value added at each stage of the production or supply chain. Any tax that VAT will replace will cease to exist when VAT is implemented. changing to a VAT system? fy and modernize our tax system. VAT is a fairer system because everyone contributes at the same rate and the treatment is the same regardless of the consumer. A VAT will compensate for the based to service oriented. VAT will also provide relief for businesses that are registered, as they have paid on purchases, against the VAT they have charged on to the government. Under a VAT System, we expect taxpayer compliance to increase while the administrative cost will reduce. Who can charge VAT? In order to charge VAT, a business must meet a Threshold. The threshold will be a determined minimum sales amount for a business in one year. These businesses must register with the tem, it is these businesses that are referred to as the taxpayers. VAT on Imports Businesses who import goods and services will pay the VAT to ment at the time of the importation of the good/service. VAT on domestic products Businesses supplying local goods and services will pay the VAT to the government at the end of each monthly tax period. Final consumers will pay the VAT only when taxable goods and services are purchased. Under a VAT system not all goods and services will be main categories, namely: Taxable goods; Zero rated goods and Exempt goods. at the established rate. A VATregistered business will charge a VAT on the sale of taxable goods and services and pay VAT on its purchases. Zero-rated goods and services at a rate of zero percent. Essentially, this means the consumers pays no tax on the item. A VAT-registered business will be able to claim a credit for any VAT paid on inputs. Exempt goods and services – No VAT is charged to the consumer. Unlike the zero rated goods the VAT-registered business is not entitled to claim any input tax credit, on purchases. It is important to note however, that when a good or service is exempt or zero rated, everyone consuming the item will be allowed the same treatment. This means that no VAT will be charged, whether the item is produced locally or imported. Furthermore, VAT will be charged only on goods consumed locally. Items manufactured in Saint Lucia for export will not be taxed. This enables local producers to be more competitive in external markets. Registration Threshold All businesses generating taxable sales above a certain Threshold will be required to register for VAT. In this manner the small businessman will not be burdened by any additional paperwork or having to comply with the VAT Law, by making monthly tax returns and by having to charge and collect the tax. Registered Business will be issued to all registered businesses, who will be expected to display it in a prominent location at the business premises. Unregistered businesses These businesses do not meet the threshold and cannot charge VAT on the sales, nor can they claim from government the VAT paid on purchases. Since VAT will replace and reduce the number of indirect taxes and services will be reduced. The prices of goods and services taxes may to increase slightly. However, in order to not have an nerable groups in society, some goods will be exempted from VAT and others will be taxed at a rate of zero percent. This means tax on these purchases.
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