St. Lucia reports increase in tourism arrivals
St. Lucia is the latest Caribbean country to report a jump in tourism numbers.
The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) announced that visitor arrivals to the region was up six per cent at the end of the first quarter, with St. Lucia recording a 6.4 per cent growth over the same period last year.
St. Lucia officials have reported that the growth has continued past the first quarter, with a 1.4 per cent and 7.2 per cent increase recorded in April and May respectively.
At the end of the first five months of the year, total stay-over arrivals to the island was 159,077; up 5.5 per cent from the same period in 2014. The figures recorded in the first four months were the highest for these months ever recorded in the island’s history. The 29,658 arrivals recorded in May this year, was also the highest figure for that month in the last five years.
“As impressive as the growth performance figures were, there will be no letup in St. Lucia’s push toward reenergizing and invigorating the international marketplace via well-orchestrated strategies in key source markets,” said Tourism Minister Lorne Theophilus.
The North American Market has been extremely buoyant this year, with Canada recording a 10 per cent increase in arrivals year-to-date (YTD) and the United States nine per cent, stemming largely from the increase in airlift and strategic marketing approach within the respective markets.
The greatest percentage increase was noted from the Caribbean, which stood at 22,142 arrivals at the end of May – a 21 per cent increase from the same period last year.
Europe however, has not fared as well as other source markets, with marked declines in arrivals from the United Kingdom and Germany along with other European countries being recorded several months this year.
Tourism officials say targeted promotions and marketing campaigns planned for later this year should result in increased arrivals from these markets.
Meantime, cruise tourism is also on the rise, with a nine per cent increase in arrivals being recorded between January and April, following a four per cent increase in cruise calls. In yachting, a 1.5 per cent decrease in arrivals was noted, despite there being a 14 per cent decrease in calls.
Source-Caribbean360.
GSAT student scores 100% in all subjects
Eleven-year old, Tariq Wright, a student at the Holy Childhood Preparatory School, will be attending the Wolmer’s Boys’ School in September after receiving perfect scores in the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT).
Results for GSAT were released to primary and preparatory schools across the country today.
A very happy Tariq told JIS News that he received 100 per cent in mathematics, 100 per cent in language arts, 100 per cent in science, 100 per cent in social studies, and 12/12 for communication task.
“I studied very hard to get good grades and that helped. I did two hours of studying each day,” Tariq said.
He said he was surprised that he received all hundreds as “I thought I would get one wrong in the science and one wrong in the social studies”.
Tariq noted that he chose Wolmer’s Boys’ School as it was an “all-round institution” that focuses not only on education but also on extracurricular activities such as sports.
He also thanked the teachers at Holy Childhood Preparatory, whom he said, “assisted the students greatly” in their preparations for GSAT.
Proud mother Roxanne Wright, who is Account Supervisor at the Jamaica Information Service (JIS), said she is very pleased about of her son’s performance.
“I am feeling proud of him and I thank God as without God all of this would not have been possible,” Wright said.
She told JIS News that she was not surprised by his performance as she “knew that he could do it”.
“I helped him... when he came home with his homework if there is anything to research I would try to help him with the research aspect of it. I also quizzed him to ensure that he knew the material,” Wright said.
Tariq told JIS News that he hopes to pursue a career as an industrial engineer.
Wolverine Will Obviously Appear in 'X-Men: Apocalypse'
Although production of "X-Men: Apocalypse" started last April, there is no official confirmation yet that Wolverine will make an appearance in the movie. However, a custom leather goods company from Brooklyn, KikaNY, has confirmed that Hugh Jackman will reprise his role as the clawed mutant in the follow-up to "X-Men: Days of Future Past".
KikaNY posted on its Instagram a picture of a design for a leather backpack. They have been asked to make a custom duffel bag for Jackman which he may use on the "Apocalypse" set. Another thing that can be inferred from the caption is that Jackman is currently in Montreal for the movie filming. "We were just asked to make a special duffle backpack for Hugh Jackman who is filming the new X MEN movie in Montreal," the company captioned the photo.
"We started sketching - The bag will be ready next week- we will keep you posted! #hughjackman #Xmen #movie #backpack #special," they continued. However, it is unclear if the backpack is for Jackman's personal use or will be used as the property in the movie.
"X-Men: Apocalypse" will be released May 27, 2016 across the States. Rumor has it, the film will center on Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence), Beast (Nicholas Hoult), Magneto (Michael Fassbender) and Professor X (James McAvoy) who team up to fight a new and uniquely powerful enemy. Directed by Bryan Singer, the movie added new members like Ben Hardy, Sophie Turner, Tye Sheridan, Kodi Smit-McPhee and Alexandra Shipp.
Source-AceShowbiz
IMF predicts economic growth for St Kitts-Nevis
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says St Kitts-Nevis is at a turning point where the twin island Federation has the opportunity to establish itself on a sustainable long-term growth pattern.
An IMF delegation has just ended a two week visit to the island and it said in order to achieve that goal, St Kitts-Nevis would have to make “difficult decisions and careful choices to preserve the hard-earned gains.
“It will also require continued fiscal discipline and the implementation of structural reforms to expand growth potential,” said Judith Gold, who headed the mission.
She said macroeconomic conditions improved significantly over 2013 and 2014 and that the economy recorded two years of strong growth, averaging about six per cent annually, the strongest in the region by far.
“This reflects primarily a construction boom fuelled by inflows under the Citizenship by Investment programme (CIP); government and Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation (SIDF) investment and spending, including on the People’s Employment Programme (PEP); and a continued recovery in tourist arrivals.”
She said employment expanded by 23 per cent over the two years, while inflation has remained low. Banks have remained stable following debt restructuring, although the NPL ratio significantly increased notably due to removing public sector loans from the total loan portfolio following the debt-for-land swap. Credit to the private sector is still sluggish, expanding by 0.5 per cent in 2014.
“The outlook for 2015 remains positive, although the pace of expansion is expected to moderate to about 4.5 per cent. However, there is uncertainty as a result of the imposition of travel restrictions by Canada, combined with new competition on the CIP front from neighbouring countries.”
Gold said that over the medium term, the IMF projects a return to more moderate growth rates, as construction projects conclude and the tourism sector continues to expand.
She said a strong fiscal performance was supported by a robust outturn in tax revenues, more than compensating for higher-than-planned expenditures, including the 13th -month wage bonus.
“CIP revenues to the budget increased to about 14 per cent of GDP (gross domestic product), slightly higher than in 2013. As a result, the government surplus after grants was a healthy 9.5 per cent of GDP, somewhat smaller than in 2013, but only on account of considerably less SIDF support.”
She said that the strong fiscal outcome, combined with additional progress with the debt/land swaps, and some advance debt repayment, led to a further decline in the share of public debt in GDP to 80 per cent at end-2014, compared to over 100 per cent at end-2013, and about 160 per cent in 2010.
Gold said St. Kitts and Nevis’ debt-to-GDP ratio is now below the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) average.
“The authorities should take corrective measures to prevent adverse impact to government’s finances from the new exemptions to value added tax and import duties, introduced in December 2014 and April 2015.”
Gold said while the government’s current surplus position allows it to absorb the impact in the short term; it implies growing reliance on volatile CIP inflows to finance government operations and could undermine efforts to reduce the debt-to-GDP ratio to the 60 percent target by 2020.
“We therefore encourage the authorities to implement corrective measures to close the gap created by these exemptions, including substantially reducing tax exemptions to construction projects, while continuing to implement other structural reforms that are already in train, including reforming the civil service and improving public financial management.
“We commended the authorities for their commitment to and progress with reform of the CBI program, and encourage them to accelerate the pace of implementation. We also welcome their efforts to enhance cooperation with neighbouring islands, which will help make the programs sustainable.”
The IMF official said that the rapid growth of CIP revenues and increased government savings provide an opportunity to build precautionary buffers to help deal with future exogenous shocks.
“Increased uncertainty regarding CIP inflows underscores the importance of careful use and preservation of the stock of accumulated savings. The team recommends the adoption of an effective and transparent framework to manage the CIP inflows and savings in the banking system, as well as more stringent oversight of development projects.
“The SIDF operations should also be reviewed, and its audited accounts should be made available to the public. Moreover, the strong economic environment provides an opportunity to streamline PEP’s operations and reinforce the temporary nature of its programme,” she added.
Marvel and the Avengers Congratulate 'Jurassic World' for Being New Box Office King
"Jurassic World" breaks the all-time best opening weekend record after grossing $208.8 million at the U.S. box office, surpassing Joss Whedon's "The Avengers" which grossed $207.4 million. On Tuesday, June 16, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige took to Twitter to congratulate the dinosaur flick.
Feige posted an artwork on Twitter with a congratulatory message while mentioning Stephen Spielberg, Legendary and Universal studios, producer Frank Marshall, and his "Guardians of the Galaxy" star Chris Pratt. "Marvel Studios congratulate Jurassic World on being the new opening weekend king!" reads a tagline in the artwork.
The artwork shows the leading character, Owen (Pratt), riding a roaring T-Rex while holding a gun. Meanwhile, the Avengers including Thor, Iron Man, Hawkeye, Black Widow, Captain America and the Hulk look up to the dinosaur which is seen holding Thor's mighty hammer, Mjolnir.
The artwork was created by Andy Park, the world famous artist from Marvel Studios' visual development team who has been in charge to create the awesome look of the Marvel films. This is not the first time filmmakers have congratulated other films by making an artwork. In 1977, Spielberg congratulated "Star Wars" after it overtook "Jaws" box office record. George Lucas returned the favor when "E.T." overtook "Star Wars" in domestic video rentals. And in 1998, when "Titanic" beat "Star Wars" for the highest grossing movie of all time, Lucas also gave a congratulatory artwork for James Cameron.
Meek Mill and Ne-Yo Lined Up to Perform at BET Awards
Meek Mill and Ne-Yo are the latest additions to the line-up of performers for the 2015 BET Awards. Joining Nicki Minaj, Chris Brown and Kendrick Lamar, the two are set to hit the stage at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles later this month.
It's still unclear which song Mill will perform at the annual awards event, which this year will air live on Sunday, June 28 at 08:00 P.M. As for Ne-Yo, he's expected to treat the crowd to a track off his latest album "Non-Fiction".
Brown is leading the nominees of this year's BET Awards with six. He ties with Minaj who also scores six nods in various categories. Trailing behind them are Beyonce Knowles and Lil Wayne who score four each.
The upcoming event is hosted by Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross. "Orange Is the New Black" actress Laverne Cox is the latest to be added to the list of presenters, joining Michael B. Jordan and Zendaya Coleman.
Source- AceShowbiz
World Bank proposes new directions to boost trade in the region
A new World Bank report says there is considerable potential for boosting trade and accelerating growth in the region.
The report, ‘Trade matters: New opportunities for the Caribbean’ which was released yesterday at the Third Regional Caribbean Growth Forum, highlights that trade plays an important role in job creation.
“Continued efforts to improve trade facilitation and step up investments in research and innovation, as well as quality education, will help improve skills and generate well-paid jobs in the Caribbean,” said Jorge Familiar, the World Bank vice president for Latin America and the Caribbean.
The report also highlights that the region’s trade performance is limited by lack of diversity and limited innovation. The number of patent applications in the Caribbean has been lower than in other region of the world.
Looking at emerging trade opportunities, the report shows that Caribbean Community (CARICOM) agreements have driven a rapid increase in intra-regional trade and that a common market would lead to a substantial rise in exports in the region.
The Caribbean share in global trade fell from three per cent in the 1970s to nearly a quarter per cent in 2012.
With the exception of the Bahamas, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, Belize and Haiti, exports from Caribbean countries to growing emerging markets remain small.
The report suggests three main opportunities to boost trade and generate a positive cycle of shared prosperity in the region:
It said deepening trade integration with North America would boost trade and accelerate growth in the region.
“The gains for the Caribbean of entry to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) would be six times the size of the gains for implementing a Caribbean common market. The negotiations toward a Canada-CARICOM free trade agreement launched in 2007 should also be pursued,” it said.
Additionally, the World Bank noted, improving the trade facilitation environment through modernized custom systems and better connectivity would have a major impact on trade. It said efforts across the region to modernize customs administrations and border management should be accelerated.
It noted that with the expansion of the Panama Canal and the expected increase in transshipment, recent initiatives to modernize ports infrastructures and regulation are being carried out in Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Bahamas and Haiti.
Improving the business environment and investment climate would be essential to enhance productivity and competitiveness, the report further noted.
“While Caribbean economies recently adopted a record number of reforms improving the local business regulatory climate, exporting firms remain affected by the limited access to electricity, telecommunication and transport services, and the need for policies to further promote technology capability and innovation. More efforts are needed to improve skills and access to infrastructure and finance,” the World Bank said.
Some of the proposed policy recommendations are being discussed at the Caribbean Growth Forum in view of identifying new strategies and tools to stimulate competitiveness, productivity and entrepreneurship.
Source- Caribbean360
Millions without essential health services in the C’bean – WHO
A new report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the World Bank shows that millions of people in the Caribbean and the Americas do not have access to essential health services.
The report says six per cent of 400 million people, who do not have access to these services, are “tipped into or pushed further into extreme poverty because of health spending.”
“This report is a wakeup call: It shows that we’re a long way from achieving universal health coverage. We must expand access to health and protect the poorest from health expenses that are causing them severe financial hardship,” said Dr Tim Evans, Senior Director of Health, Nutrition and Population at the World Bank Group.
The report, “Tracking Universal Health Coverage,” is the first of its kind to measure health service coverage and financial protection to assess countries’ progress towards universal health coverage, according to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
The report looks at global access to essential health services – including family planning, antenatal care, skilled birth attendance, child immunization, antiretroviral therapy, tuberculosis treatment, and access to clean water and sanitation – in 2013, and found that at least 400 million people lacked access to at least one of these services.
“The world’s most disadvantaged people are missing out on even the most basic services,” said Dr Marie-Paule Kieny, Assistant Director-General, Health Systems and Innovation, at the WHO.
“A commitment to equity is at the heart of universal health coverage,” she added. “Health policies and programmes should focus on providing quality health services for the poorest people, women and children, people living in rural areas and those from minority groups.”
The report also finds that, across 37 countries, six per cent of the population was tipped or pushed further into extreme poverty (US$1.25/day) because they had to pay for health services out of their own pockets.
When the study factors in a poverty measure of US$2/day, 17 per cent of people in these countries were impoverished, or further impoverished, by health expenses, according to PAHO.
WHO and the World Bank Group recommend that countries pursuing universal health coverage should aim to achieve a minimum of 80 per cent population coverage of essential health services, and that everyone everywhere should be protected from catastrophic and impoverishing health payments.
This is the first in a series of annual reports that WHO and the World Bank Group will produce on tracking progress towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC) across countries.
The New York-based Rockefeller Foundation and the Japanese Ministry of Health supported the report, which was released six months before the second annual Universal Health Coverage Day on December 12.
Source-CMC
Root & Morgan lead record run chase for England
England smashed the record for their highest ever one-day run chase to beat New Zealand by seven wickets at Trent Bridge and level the series at 2-2.
By reaching their target of 350 in only 44 overs, England beat their previous best of 306-5 against Pakistan in 2000.
Eoin Morgan and Joe Root both made centuries and shared a stand of 198, while Alex Hales crashed a 37-ball 68.
New Zealand posted 349-7 thanks to Kane Williamson's 90 and Mitchell Santner taking 28 from an Adil Rashid over.
In conceding four sixes and a four, Rashid sent down the second most expensive over ever by an England bowler in ODI cricket, behind Steven Finn's 29 against the same opponents at the World Cup earlier this year.
That, another high-class Williamson knock and yet more dropped catches, had the potential to send Morgan's men to the defeat that would have sealed a New Zealand victory in a thrilling five-match series.
But a further show of batting positivity in front of a raucous Trent Bridge crowd led England to the joint fourth highest chase of all time and a decider at Chester-le-Street on Saturday.
Although Morgan (113) and Root (106 not out) did the bulk of the work, their task was made easier by Hales' explosive start.
As New Zealand bowled too short on a flat pitch, Hales, on his home ground, repeatedly blazed through the leg side, clearing the boundary on four occasions.
He was supported by Jason Roy, who made 38 in an opening stand of 100 that was ended when Hales was bowled heaving at Matt Henry.
The same bowler had a blistering Roy drive held by Williamson at short cover 11 runs later, but England had no thoughts of consolidation, with Root and Morgan continuing a free-scoring charge with remarkable control.
Captain Morgan played the aggressor, dancing to play a glittering array of straight drives and huge lofts down the ground.
Striking the ball cleanly, the left-hander hit five sixes in the arc between long-off and deep mid-wicket, the last of which brought up his eighth ODI hundred from 73 balls.
Root, dropped at slip by Ross Taylor off Mitchell McClenaghan on nine, was busy in support, also driving straight and nudging on the leg side.
Their partnership, England's highest in an ODI against New Zealand, ended when Morgan hooked Tim Southee to long leg.
Root remained, went to a 94-ball hundred when a diving Santner failed to hold a top edge and, in the next over, pulled the boundary that completed victory.
That seemed unlikely when Santner launched his assault on Rashid, undoing England's good work in halting New Zealand's progress.
As England bowled too full early on the visitors' openers, Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill, shared 88, with Williamson and Ross Taylor then adding 101 for the third wicket.
But when Taylor was pinned lbw by Finn at the start of the batting powerplay, England began to fight back.
The impressive pair of Finn and Mark Wood registered 1-51 and 1-49 respectively but had bowled all their allocation well before the end of the New Zealand innings, leaving Rashid exposed.
In a show of character, he recovered to go for only four runs and a leg bye in the 50th over and, from then on, it was all England.
Source-BBC
Root & Morgan lead record run chase for England
England smashed the record for their highest ever one-day run chase to beat New Zealand by seven wickets at Trent Bridge and level the series at 2-2.
By reaching their target of 350 in only 44 overs, England beat their previous best of 306-5 against Pakistan in 2000.
Eoin Morgan and Joe Root both made centuries and shared a stand of 198, while Alex Hales crashed a 37-ball 68.
New Zealand posted 349-7 thanks to Kane Williamson's 90 and Mitchell Santner taking 28 from an Adil Rashid over.
In conceding four sixes and a four, Rashid sent down the second most expensive over ever by an England bowler in ODI cricket, behind Steven Finn's 29 against the same opponents at the World Cup earlier this year.
That, another high-class Williamson knock and yet more dropped catches, had the potential to send Morgan's men to the defeat that would have sealed a New Zealand victory in a thrilling five-match series.
But a further show of batting positivity in front of a raucous Trent Bridge crowd led England to the joint fourth highest chase of all time and a decider at Chester-le-Street on Saturday.
Although Morgan (113) and Root (106 not out) did the bulk of the work, their task was made easier by Hales' explosive start.
As New Zealand bowled too short on a flat pitch, Hales, on his home ground, repeatedly blazed through the leg side, clearing the boundary on four occasions.
He was supported by Jason Roy, who made 38 in an opening stand of 100 that was ended when Hales was bowled heaving at Matt Henry.
The same bowler had a blistering Roy drive held by Williamson at short cover 11 runs later, but England had no thoughts of consolidation, with Root and Morgan continuing a free-scoring charge with remarkable control.
Captain Morgan played the aggressor, dancing to play a glittering array of straight drives and huge lofts down the ground.
Striking the ball cleanly, the left-hander hit five sixes in the arc between long-off and deep mid-wicket, the last of which brought up his eighth ODI hundred from 73 balls.
Root, dropped at slip by Ross Taylor off Mitchell McClenaghan on nine, was busy in support, also driving straight and nudging on the leg side.
Their partnership, England's highest in an ODI against New Zealand, ended when Morgan hooked Tim Southee to long leg.
Root remained, went to a 94-ball hundred when a diving Santner failed to hold a top edge and, in the next over, pulled the boundary that completed victory.
That seemed unlikely when Santner launched his assault on Rashid, undoing England's good work in halting New Zealand's progress.
As England bowled too full early on the visitors' openers, Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill, shared 88, with Williamson and Ross Taylor then adding 101 for the third wicket.
But when Taylor was pinned lbw by Finn at the start of the batting powerplay, England began to fight back.
The impressive pair of Finn and Mark Wood registered 1-51 and 1-49 respectively but had bowled all their allocation well before the end of the New Zealand innings, leaving Rashid exposed.
In a show of character, he recovered to go for only four runs and a leg bye in the 50th over and, from then on, it was all England.
Source-BBC