Ethiopia Ratifies Controversial Nile Accord
Ethiopia's parliament has ratified a controversial treaty that would replace colonial-era agreements that give Egypt and Sudan the majority of water rights to the Nile River.
The 547-member parliament voted unanimously for the treaty, on Thursday, in spite of an ongoing dispute with Egypt over Ethiopia's construction of a massive hydroelectric dam on a Nile tributary.
The two countries have had a series of irate exchanges over the nearly $5 billion dam. Egyptian officials fear the so-called Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam will threaten their country's water supply.
With Thursday's vote, Ethiopia became the sixth country to back a new cooperative agreement that calls for establishing a commission to oversee Nile projects.
Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda have already signed the agreement. Egypt is among several nations that have yet to do so.
The majority of Nile river water originated in Ethiopia. However, colonial-era treaties written by Britain gave Egypt and Sudan the bulk of the water.
The agreements gave Egypt as much 87-percent of the Nile's flow.
In May, Ethiopia began diverting water from a Nile tributary for construction of the dam.
Ethiopian officials say Egypt can make up any reduction with better water management.
On Monday, Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi said he was not calling for war, but warned that "all options" were open concerning his country's possible reaction to the dam project. Ethiopian officials responded, saying they were ready to defend the dam project.
GOVERNOR’S LAST VISIT TO SALT CAY TOMORROW
H.E Governor Todd will make possibly his last visit to Salt Cay tomorrow, Friday, 14 June 2013, before he leaves the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) in a few months for a new diplomatic position.
He will be accompanied by the District Commissioner for South Caicos and Salt Cay Yvette Cox and be met on arrival by local officials Noyal Hamilton and Aquina Martin.
The Governor has been committed to visiting each of the TCI’s six inhabited family islands once every three months during his time in the Islands. He has also visited uninhabited East Caicos too.
On this one day trip to Salt Cay, he will:
1. Present a cheque for $2,500.00 to the Salt Cay Community Centre to help them to buy new tables and chairs for its meetings and gatherings, to fix its guttering, pipes and cistern, and to the repaint the outside of the building.
2. Inspect the Reverse Osmosis plant on the island to see for himself the improvements in water quality made since the new cistern membranes were installed, and the plant and equipment sent over from Grand Turk ahead of Salt Cay receiving its own new plant this financial year.
3. Visit the staff and students of the Mary Robinson Primary School, where the students have prepared a special farewell presentation for the Governor, before heading on to see the Salt Cay clinic.
During his visit he will have lunch at the Coral Reef restaurant.
“I have always tried to demonstrate my support for some of TCI’s smaller and slightly more remote communities during my time here,” said Governor Todd. “I am pleased that others too have taken p this good habit of going out and meeting the people that they represent and am delighted that Deputy Governor, the Hon Anya Williams is also soon to embark of an Island tour with her six Permanent Secretaries to better engage with the public servants that are employed in our less densely populated islands.
“Salt Cay is a very special place, unique in the world, and I very much cherish the time that I have been privileged enough to spend there.”
Turks and Caicos post Cabinet Statement from meeting on 12 June 2013
His Excellency Governor Ric Todd chaired the meeting of the Turks and Caicos Islands’ (TCI) Cabinet on Wednesday, 12 June 2013 at the House of Assembly Building on Grand Turk. The Premier and all Ministers, except the Deputy Premier, were present at the meeting. The Deputy Premier was in London representing the Government of TCI.
At this meeting Cabinet:
· Discussed draft legislation prepared by AG’s Chambers at the request of the Minister of Finance on the introduction of a flat rate customs duty on the cost of freight and insurance for cargoes imported into the TCI. This new revenue raising measure was an integral part of the Financial Framework prepared previous by the Ministry of Finance and financial modelling by officials had shown the duty, whilst necessary, would have only a small impact on the cost of individual imported items. Ministers said they would view very seriously any evidence where individual businesses appear to increased prices unjustifiably. Cabinet agreed the Bill and the Minister of Finance will present it to the House of Assembly at the next sitting (on 24th June) with a view to it becoming law on 1 July;
· Also, discussed draft legislation prepared by AG’s Chambers at the request of the Minister of Finance on amendments to the application of stamp and share transfer duty. Several technical changes were explained relating to the threshold ceiling on stamp duty payable for multi-million dollar loans; the percentage duty applied to loans for property purchase and on loan transfers to a different provider; the percentage allowance made when property is purchased to account for furnishings and chattels; and the applicability of stamp duty to share transfers with respect to land holding companies. The proposals from the Minister of Finance were supported by Cabinet and the AG was instructed to bring forward draft amending legislation to be reviewed at the next Cabinet meeting;
· Received a presentation on disaster preparedness by the Director of Disaster Management, Dr Virginia Clerveaux. The presentation explained the preparations that had been put in place and those that were still underway. Cabinet noted that lessons had been learnt since Hurricane Ike and as much as possible will be done within the constraints of public finances. There can never be total assurance but where priority improvements still need to be made resources will be found. Dr Clerveaux also explained the funds available from international bodies and how TCI could do more to secure them. All ministers acknowledged the need for their ministries to be well prepared and integrated into disaster management plans. They also undertook to encourage public institutions to ensure they have plans in place to address emergencies and for citizens, communities, churches and the private sector to understand what is expected of them;
· A further presentation was made by the management of the NHIB to describe to Cabinet the findings from their review of the ordinances and regulations under which they operate. They explained several areas where the body could improve its effectiveness and value for money. The NHIB were requested to present to the Ministers of Health and Finance as swiftly as practicable a detailed set of changes to their underlying legislation and procedures, together with draft text for any necessary legislative changes to be taken forward and to consider the efficiencies from a possible merger of the NHIB and NIB payments systems;
· Considered and supported a proposal from the Minister of Finance that an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) be concluded with NCPA Ltd for the development of a marina at North Creek on Grand Turk and agreed that the Governor would sign the MoU when it had been finalised by AG Chambers;
· Agreed that the order bringing into effect the Universities, Colleges and Technical Institutes Ordinance from 1 July 2013 should be signed by the Governor;
· Heard an update from the Minister of Border Control and Labour that work on a draft Ordinance on Immigration and Citizenship was at an advanced stage. He noted that the legislation was essential and it was agreed the preparation of the draft Ordinance would be the first priority of AG’s Chambers when the necessary Finance Ordinances had been prepared;
· Noted that the CFO and the Budget had, as requested by Cabinet at its meeting on 29 May, clarified remaining issues relating to the 2013/14 Budget and that the Budget will, with CFO’s support, be sent forthwith to UK Ministers by the Minister of Finance;
· Noted the following ministerial travel commitments:
the Deputy Premier would represent TCI on behalf of the Premier at the G8 Event on Trade, Tax and Transparency hosted by Prime Minister Cameron in London on 15 June as well as related events and would meet FCO Minister Simmonds on 13 June
the Premier would attend the CARICOM Heads of Government meeting in Trinidad from 3-7 July
the Minister for Health would visit the UK from 18-20 June to attend the 62nd Westminster Seminar
the Minister for Government Support Services would attend a CEDEMA Ministerial Conference on disaster management in Suriname from 24 - 30 June.
Further information on the issues addressed by Cabinet will be provided by Ministers in due course.
Cabinet took the opportunity to offer their best wishes to Dr Philip Rushbrook on the completion of his posting to the Governor’s Office when he moves to a new role in London at the end of the month.
Cabinet will meet next on Wednesday, 26 June 2013.
PREMIER’S RADIO ADDRESS TO THE NATION
My fellow countryman, Good Morning.
Today it is a pleasure to address you using this forum in what I hope will be a monthly address to the Nation to share with you some of the upcoming plans of the Government, and update on the progress being made in meeting key milestones in the further development of these beautiful by nature Islands, the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Since coming into Office, my Cabinet Ministers and I have consistently sought to update you on decisions made by Cabinet at our bi-weekly post Cabinet Press Briefing. While this in itself is laudable, it is envisioned that my Monthly Address to the Nation will speak more broadly of upcoming plans and aspiration of the Government with the hope of fostering greater public discussions and further inform and guide the government in its decision making.
I am strongly of the view that we were elected to this office to serve you the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands, and it is only by working together that we can build this nation and tackle the problems of unemployment, the Economy and Education of our youths. Together we have to build a roadmap where all will have water, electricity, sanitation, jobs, housing, public transport, adequate nutrition, education, social protection, quality healthcare, recreation and a clean environment
Due the global economic recession and the stringent financial management framework and procurement processes, the achievement of these goals has proven to be difficult in the recent past. As part of our National Development Plan, myself along with my Ministers will outline in the upcoming Budget Debate in the House of Parliament strategic interventions that we believe can put the TCI economy on a better footing.
One of these initiative involve promoting investment opportunities in the TCI, thus attracting high valued, profitable and sustainable investment portfolios to the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Last week I led a delegation, comprising of TCI private sector investors along with the Minister for Finance, Hon. Washington Misick to the Invest Caribbean Now conference held during Caribbean Tourism Week in New York in which we alerted the investment world that TCI is once again open for business.
Our visit and the message were warmly received by all in attendance which sparked a buzzed throughout the investment conference. Hon. Misick and I also held several private one-on-one meetings with investor groups to explore the options which we would be willing to facilitate in the TCI. Today, I would like to report that the mission to New York was a huge success as we have already received follow up emails and are actively pursuing opportunities and linkages, which were forged during the meeting.
In my last meeting with the business community, the sector indicated that for the economy to grow three-fold, we must remove certain obstacles and streamline the process of doing business in the TCI.
To this end, my Government will take a closer look at the immigration process, the planning process and business licensing process to see if there are avenues and opportunities which we can improve upon. In this day of technology, and fast pace world it is no longer acceptable for a work permit application to take 12 months to be approved.
An investor or business person should not have to wait 6-12 months to get feedback on his/her planning application, and while we are promoting the liberalization of business license process, we must do so and ensure that adequate protection are in place to empower Turks and Caicos Islanders so that they can reap the maximum benefit from the investments made in the TCI.
In the weeks ahead, my Government shall formulate policy discussion documents which I will share with the Public for consultation on streamlining many of these processes. As you no doubt would agree, it is pointless to go out and market that TCI is open for business but only to have investors bug-down through paper work and unnecessary bureaucracies.
Permit me to be clear, when I speak of investors I mean local and foreign investors alike. Many of the complaints I have received are from local small business who are finding it very difficult to do business in the TCI due to unnecessary bureaucracies.
We aim to strengthen areas that need strengthening, do away with unnecessary red tape, and replace this with a red carpet approach for all.
We will engage businesses, labour and other social partners in pursuit of solutions. No single force acting individually can achieve the objectives we have set for ourselves. We all must work together in the building of our nation, whether you are a civil servant, a taxi driver or manager in a hotel, we all have our part to play in promoting investment in the country and servicing the tourism industry.
I pause to applaud the good work I have seen of the Public Works Department crew and several volunteer organizations in cleaning the streets. I hasten to add that as a Luxury Tourism Destination, which is beautiful by nature we must, as a country and as a people act more responsibly and keep our island clean. The practice of throwing empty bottles and cans out your car window must stop immediately.
We have to hold people more accountable for their actions and take steps to actively enforce the law. The current law requires that ALL persons must keep their premises and the adjacent roadway clean. Consequently, I have directed the Minister with responsibility for Health and Social Development, Hon. Porsha Stubbs-Smith to formulate a task force comprising of representative from Environmental Health Department, Planning Department, Ministry of Government Support Services, Tourist Board, Road Safety Department, Traffic Department of the Police Force and Public Works to use the combined resources of their office, and the various respective legislations to actively engage offenders and address the mounting problem of public littering.
If I may use the phase from the Tourist Board which states that “Tourism is Everybody Business.” We as a Government, Civil Servants, Private Sector, moms, dads, aunts and uncle must adopt this phrase; we all have a part to play in contributing to the visitor experience.
The past few years have demonstrated that where the people intervenes strongly and consistently, it can turn around any major threats as has happened in our campaign against VAT.
We now need a campaign to build this economy, by promoting investment opportunities, doing our part to service the tourism industry and build a better and brighter future for our children.
May God continue to bless these beautiful by Nature Islands, the Turks and Caicos Islands.
I thank you,
Dr. Rufus Ewing, Premier of the Turks & Caicos
June 13, 2013
Ban on Poultry and Pork Products from Dominican Republic
The Ministry of Environment and Home Affairs is reminding the public that there is a ban on the importation of poultry and pork products and live pork and poultry from the Dominican Republic (DR) into the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The ban was implemented in 2008 as a result of outbreaks of a low pathogenic strain of avian influenza (H5N2) and Classical Swine Fever (CSF) in the DR, and has remained in place due to the inability of that country to provide evidence to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) that it is disease free. The OIE is the international agency with responsibility for monitoring animal diseases worldwide.
The Dominican Republic first confirmed that cases of Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza virus in 2007. On February 6, 2008 officials in the DR reported the outbreak and submitted their findings to the OIE. For public health reasons, the TCI must uphold the ban since the OIE has not been able to confirm that the DR is free of H5N2 (the strain of the bird flu found there) or the Classical Swine Fever.
International rules require that countries that have reported outbreaks of serious animal health diseases must have their meat processing facilities, livestock farms and laboratories inspected and ratified by the OIE. This endorsement provides importing countries with standards on which to allow importation of products from exporting nations since animal diseases are a threat to human and livestock health.
The Animal Health Division has also instituted requirements that if adhered to, should allow for safe importation of animal products into the TCI.
In 2010, the TCIG initiated contact with various agencies with a view to reviewing the situation with the DR because of the traditional trading relationship between that country and the Turks and Caicos. However the situation remains. Due to the high risk of contamination, however, residents are being urged not to buy pork or poultry products or live pigs and poultry from the Dominican Republic and importers are being reminded that these products will not be given clearance for landing until such time as the TCI obtains confirmation that the ban has been lifted.
Minister of Education in London for pre-G8 Tax Meeting
Deputy Premier and Minister of Education, Youth, Sports, Culture, Hon. Akierra Missick left the Turks and Caicos Islands on June 11, 2013 to represent the Premier Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing at several meetings in the United Kingdom.
Whilst in London, the Minister is scheduled to attend a bilateral meeting with Hon. Mark Simmonds, Foreign and Commonwealth Minister for the Overseas Territories and will join more than 150 delegates at a pre-G8 conference hosted by Prime Minister David Cameron and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg at Lancaster House on Saturday June 15, 2013.
The meeting is being held ahead of the G8 summit, the annual meeting of the leaders of the world’s eight wealthiest nations, at the Lough Erne Resort in Northern Ireland, June 17 to 18. It will bring together heads of Government and Ministers from non-G8 countries; ministerial representatives from each G8 partner country; Chief Ministers and Premiers from the Overseas Territories and Senior representatives from the private sector, International Organisations and Non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
The Minister will return to the Turks and Caicos Islands on June 16th 2013
Investors Urged To Open Their Wallets To The Turks & Caicos
U.S. and Chinese investors are being urged to "open their wallets" to investment opportunities in the Turks & Caicos Islands.
The call to action came from the Premier of the Turks & Caicos Islands, Dr. Rufus Ewing and his finance minister, C. Washington Misick, at the 2013 Avalon Invest Caribbean Now forum held in New York City on June 5, 2013.
Dr. Ewing shared several opportunities currently available for investment in the TCI as well as expansion and infrastructure enhancements planned by his Progressive National Party government.
These include the expansion of the Providenciales International Airport; the Caicos Causeway Project that will stretch from Providenciales to South Caicos; the development of College Park catering for medical, trade and hospitality schools and the establishment of technology parks on the island as part of a Software Development Economic Special Zone.
The Premier and Minister Misick also disclosed opportunities for the development of AP/EP branded hotels of quality on the island to boost the island's hotel room stock; yachting tourism via marina development; a deep water port among several others.
GRAND TURK NEW REVERSE OSMOSIS PLANT ON SCHEDULE
Minister of Government Support Services Hon. George Lightbourne is assuring Grand Turk residents that water shortages will soon come to an end.
The Minister along with Permanent Secretary of GSS Ian Astwood visited the Grand Turk Reverse Osmosis (R/O) Plant Site yesterday, June 6, 2013, and left the site confident that if all goes according to plans the plan will be commissioned on target for July 2013.
Currently, construction of a new facility to house the brand new plant, the existing two plants, and office spaces to accommodate the plant manager and staff is underway. Construction started February 2013 and the official ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for July 27, 2013.
At present, water on the island of Grand Turk is being produced by two R/O plants which together produce four hundred (400) gallons of water per day. Once the new facility is completed and the new R/O plant is installed water production should increase to six hundred (600) gallons of water per day.
Minister Lightbourne said: “I am pleased with the progress of the construction and looking forward to providing the residents and visitors alike with reliable water supply on the island”.
Over A Dozen Caribbean Governments For Invest Caribbean Now Forum
More than a dozen Caribbean governments will gather in New York City this morning for the third annual Invest Caribbean Now Forum.
Two premiers, a chief minister, a governor; seven ministers of governments and two commissioners will join more than a hundred delegates, including from China; the U.S. government and the private sector, for the Avalon Invest Caribbean Now Forum at the Radisson Hotel in mid-town, Manhattan.
The event comes on the heels of last night's opening reception for speakers, sponsors and VIPS, which was hosted by the Turks & Caicos Islands Investment Agency and the Government of the Turks & Caicos Islands at the Yale Club in NYC.
In brief remarks, Premier of the Turks & Caicos Islands, Dr. Rufus Ewing, reitereated his country is ready and open to boosting investments in the TCI.
Other governments who will attend the forum today will include Dr. Orlando Smith, Premier of the British Virgin Islands; Chief Minister of Anguilla, Hubert Hughes; Governor John De Jong, Jr. of the United States Virgin Islands; Finance Minister Washington Misick of the Turks & Caicos Islands; Minister of Tourism of Trinidad Stephen Cadiz; Minister of Tourism of Antigua, John Maginley; Minister of Tourism, Nevis, Mark Brantley; Minister of Tourism, Sports & Culture, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Cecil McKie; Minister of Tourism & International Transport, International Trade, Industry, Commerce & Consumer Affairs of St. Kitts, Ricky Skerritt and Minister for Tourism, Heritage and Creative Industries, St. Lucia, Lorne Theophilus; Commissioner of Tourism for the US Virgin Islands and Chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization, Beverly Nicholson Doty; Commissioner, St. Eustacius, Nicholas Sneek and Assemblyman Tracy Davidson-Celestine, Deputy Chief Secretary and Secretary, Division of Tourism and Transportation of Tobago were among governmental dignitaries.
Anthony Eterno of the Caribbean Affairs Office of the US State Department, will speak on the US' view on investing in the Caribbean and Xiaoguang Liu, Consul in charge of economic & commercial affairs at the Consulate General of China in New York, will also speak on Wednesday morning on the
China-Caribbean opportunities that exist as part of a panel on China and the Caribbean.
The sold out Forum will begin at 8:30 a.m. sharp with a welcome by emcee Kara Coleman, news anchor of One Caribbean Television and opening remarks from founder of ICN and CMO of Hard Beat Communications, Felicia Persaud.
This will be followed by remarks from CTO Chair Nicholson-Doty and a speech by Eterno; Premier Dr. Ewing and his finance minister, Washington Misick.
Two panels will then follow - one on Development, Tourism & Beyond with Heather Flossiac of Belle Vue Properties of St. Lucia; E. Jay Saunders, CEO of Digicel TCI; Brian Lilly, founder of One Caribbean Television and Ganesh Ramanathan, creative director at Hard Beat Communications and the other on China and the Caribbean that will feature Liu; Johnny Liu of the
American Chinese Commerce Development Association and Li Li, managing director of the Chinese American Business Development Center.
The panels will be moderated respectively, by Dr. Grace Lappin, managing director of Avalon Partners and Arthur Piccolo of the New Sports Group, who is replacing Martin Mohabeer of Spackman Capital.
The formal forum will wrap up at 10:30 a.m. with a presentation by Miguel Reyna - Director, Port Business Development and Asset Management, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd and the ICN corporate leadership award presentation to Royal Caribbean International. An hour long doing business and networking session will bring the curtains down on ICN 2013.
The Avalon Invest Caribbean Now Forum comes on the heels of U.S. Vice President Joe Biden's Caribbean trip on May 28th for the signing of the United States - Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Trade and Investment Framework Agreement, (TIFA) and the first visit to Trinidad & Tobago by the Chinese President Xi Jinping, which will take place from May 31 to June 2.
Invest Caribbean Now is organized annually by The Caribbean Tourism Organization and digital media solutions company, Hard Beat Communications
, during Caribbean Week in New York.
ICN 2013 is sponsored by marquee sponsor Avalon Partners; gold sponsors, The Turks & Caicos Islands Investment Agency and Royal Caribbean Cruise, Ltd; bronze sponsor, One Caribbean Television
and supporting sponsors, The Chinese American Business Development Center, the American Chinese Commerce Development Association and No-Jet-Lag.
DEMA Cautions Swimmers: Look-out for Jelly Fish, Report Sightings
Arising out recent reports of jellyfish stings, the Department of Environment and Maritime Affairs (DEMA) would like to caution swimmers to the possible presence of jelly fish in the Grace Bay Area and urges visitors in particular to be on the look out.
On Sunday June 2 and Monday June 3 three individuals swimming in the Grace Bay, near Club Med were reportedly stung by jellyfish. The victims were treated at the Myrtle Rigby clinic and released.
DEMA Officers swam the area where the incidents took place on Tuesday June 4, but were unable to locate any jellyfish. Nevertheless, the Department is urging swimmers in the Grace Bay area to swim with caution until further notice.
Jellyfish vary in size from approximately one inch in diameter to up to 12 inches. The stings come from tentacles that can drag as much as 36 inches from their bodies. Swimmers are therefore advised to avoid jellyfish whenever they see them and report any sightings to DEMA at 941-5122.
Jellyfish problems in near shore areas, usually resolve themselves in a few days, as tides take the animals back out to sea. DEMA appreciates the cooperation of visitors and the public in this matter.