CTO extends Total Visitor Satisfaction Logo Competition to its member country – the TCI
As a member of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), residents of the Turks and Caicos Islands can enter a logo competition and have their winning design unveiled during Caribbean Week in New York this June.
The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) is preparing to launch the Total Visitor Satisfaction (TVS) program throughout the region at Caribbean Week in New York to be held June 1 – 8, 2013.
The program measures visitors’ satisfaction in seven core areas, including:–
1. Accommodation
2. Immigration & Customs
3. Restaurants
4. Sites and Attractions
5. Shopping
6. Safety & Security
7. Transportation & Infrastructure - as well as total visitor satisfaction with the destination.
CTO says given the uniqueness of the Total Visitor Satisfaction or TVS program in the tourism industry, it has decided to develop a TVS logo for advertising and branding purposes, and as such, is providing all legal residents of its member countries, including residents of the Turks and Caicos Islands, the opportunity to give their input into the design of the logo.
The aim is to enable its entire membership to participate in the CTO’s pursuit of an elegant visual identity of our CTO’s TVS™ program. The logo should represent our shared goal of improving visitors’ satisfaction, with all Caribbean destinations, encompassing the building of a reputation for service excellence.
Listen out for details of how you may become part of this exciting competition on our Community Calendar
Minister of health and Human Services, Portia Stubbs-Smith encourages persons entering health, to consider Medical Laboratory
The Minister of health and Human Services, Portia Stubbs-Smith has expressed her ministry’s delight in joining the rest of the world in celebrating Medical Laboratory Professionals, especially those in the Turks and Caicos Islands who perform and interpret numerous Laboratory tests on a daily basis.
Hon Smith in her declaration of Medical Laboratory Professionals week, encouraged persons entering the field of health, to consider Medical Laboratory.
USVI governor asks federal government for energy assistance
Governor John de Jongh has requested the US Department of Health and Human Services provide additional assistance to US Virgin Islanders struggling to pay their electricity bills.
In a recent letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, the governor petitioned for favorable consideration of another $1 million in Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding for fiscal years 2013 to 2015 to deal with the territory’s “energy emergency.”
The territory’s government is trying to help low-income senior citizens and people with disabilities afford their power bills by greatly supplementing LIHEAP funding, having spent $1.5 million per year over the past few years on its own Energy Crisis Assistance Program. But with the highest electricity rates in the country, the local government is forced to cap the assistance it offers those in need, according to de Jongh.
"The geographic isolation of the US Virgin Islands, compounded by the inability to achieve an interconnected grid within the Territory, and therefore necessitating the operation of two isolated electric systems, has resulted in power generating costs from fuel oil combustion that currently exceeds 51 cents per kilowatt-hour, and based on current market factors are threatening to go even higher. That is 5x the stateside average, for an economy with a per capita income well below that of the poorest state, even before the closing last year of our largest employer and taxpayer, the HOVENSA refinery on St Croix,” de Jongh wrote.
US Virgin Islands utility customers currently pay two and a half times more per kilowatt-hour than residents of Hawaii, the state with the most expensive rate for electricity.
The governor noted the Department of Health and Human Service’s current efforts to help US Virign Islands shoulder the escalated power costs through relief and strategic guidance. But more help is needed.
“There is no doubt that the compounding effects of high unemployment, and high utility costs has put a tremendous squeeze on our families,” de Jongh said in the letter.
The tremendous costs are a result of almost full dependence on oil imports for generation of electricity in an era of increased costs for crude oil. The Virgin Islands is working on converting to liquefied natural gas and other fuel sources that should reduce energy costs by more than 30 percent. That solution is still more than two years away, and the territory’s low-income residents are in need of immediate help.
“We are requesting special consideration for LIHEAP funds for this year and the next two years. After that I expect that many of the initiatives my Administration is putting into place will result in lower electricity costs,” de Jongh wrote.
Those initiatives include large commercial solar projects that will provide 17 percent of the territory’s power, plans for utility-scale wind power, installation of a heat recovery steam generator, as well as upgrades to US Virgin Islands power plant turbines that will allow the burning of more than one type of fuel to produce electricity.
“Based upon the information shared above, I am respectfully requesting your assistance in exercising your discretionary authority to grant additional LIHEAP assistance to the US Virgin Islands,” de Jongh wrote.
UN lowers 2013 Latin America growth forecast
The economy of Latin America and the Caribbean is expected to grow by 3.5 per cent this year, less than previously forecast, because of uncertainty about the future of the world economy and slower growth in developed nations, the United Nations said on yesterday. The region’s growth estimate was also lowered from an earlier 3.8 per cent view because of “a recovery that has been less dynamic than expected” in Argentina and Brazil, said the UN’s Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean.
Growth in the two South American powerhouses is still expected to help the region’s expansion, with a projected 3.5 per cent for Argentina and 3 per cent in Brazil on the back of improved agricultural activity and investment, the report added. The UN agency known as Eclac said the regional expansion will be backed by consumer growth as a result of better labour indicators, the rise of banking credit and investment.
“On top of this, there are high prices for commodities. Although they’re expected to be lower compared to 2012, they will be kept at high levels,” the Santiago-based agency said in a statement. Brazil is a top producer of soft commodities like orange juice and coffee, the world’s biggest beef exporter and the No2 producer and exporter of soybeans. a is a global top exporter of soy meal and soy oil and the No 3 exporter of the bean.
“South American countries, which generally are more specialized in the production and export of commodities, will grow on average 3.5 per cent in 2013 thanks to the preservation of growth in Asian economies,” ECLAC said. “This will bring positive economic outcomes both for the level of income as well as exporting activities.”
Growth in the export-dependent region will be led by Paraguay. The world’s No 4 soy exporter is seen expanding by 10 per cent, followed by Panama’s 8 per cent and Peru and Haiti’s 6 per cent growth this year. Chile, Bolivia and Nicaragua will expand by 5 per cent. Colombia will clock 4.5 per cent growth and Uruguay will grow by 3.8 per cent, ECLAC said.
Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, will benefit from “more dynamism in the United States. A stronger agricultural sector will benefit Cuba, Nicaragua and Dominican Republic, while improvements in construction sector will lift Guatemala, Honduras and Haiti. “In the Caribbean the acceleration in the growth rhythm will continue with a rise of 2 per cent as a result of dynamism in economies specialised in the production and export of raw materials, mainly Guyana and Suriname,” ECLAC said.
Growth also will be boosted in tourism-dependent Caribbean nations with an improved economic outlook in the United States. The ECLAC also scaled back its 2012 forecast to 3.0 per cent from an earlier view of 3.1 per cent due to a slower global expansion hit by a recession in Europe, a slowdown in China and sluggish US growth.
TCI to work with Haiti to prevent illegal migration
The Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) says it wants to work better with Haitian authorities to prevent the flow of illegal migrants into the British Overseas Territory.
Governor Ric Todd has held talks with the TCI-based Haitian Consul General, Karlo Pellissier and a statement issued afterwards noted that the meeting was called to discuss how the two countries “can better work together to tackle the issue of sloops” leaving Haiti for the TCI.
It said the meeting, which was also attended by Immigration Minister Don-Hue Gardiner, agreed that Haiti would send an expert delegation for talks with TCI officials on deterring illegal immigration and prosecuting the traffickers.
The meeting also agreed that the Governor’s Office will explore the possibility of having a British Royal Navy warship stationed in the Caribbean “to provide hurricane relief and to interdict drugs and people trafficking, contribute more to maritime patrolling between TCI and Haiti”.
In addition, the parties agreed that both countries “would stress in public information campaigns that any illegal immigrants making such a journey are taking a serious risk of death; they will almost certainly be caught and deported; and if they do get into TCI they will not find work”.
Todd is quoted in the statement as saying that he had visited the TCI immigration detention centre in Five Cays, where an estimated 300 illegal immigrants from Haiti had been processed and repatriated over the last two weeks.
“Preventing illegal immigration is everyone’s business. While positive steps have been taken, such as the new coastal radar stations, clearly too many people are trying to make the dangerous 90-mile sea journey to TCI.
“While it is true that many of them have been lied to about the possibilities of finding work and a new life here, indeed many think that they are being taken to Miami,” said Todd, adding “we must also face up to the fact that some people in TCI are prepared to employ illegal immigrants”.
He said, when an illegal person is employed, “it denies a legal resident the chance of a job and deprives the government of work permit income”.
Cuban opposition group Ladies in White collect prize
Members of the Cuban opposition group Ladies in White have collected the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in Brussels.
They were awarded the prize by the European Parliament in 2005, but Cuba barred them from leaving the communist-run island to collect it.
The abolition of exit permits by the Cuban government in January made it possible for the women to travel.
They were given the prize for their campaign to free 75 jailed dissidents.
The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought is awarded annually by the European Parliament to individuals or organisations who have dedicated their lives to the defence of human rights and freedom. It is named after the late Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov.
In 2012, it went to Iranian activists Jafar Panahi and Nasrin Sotoudeh.
As she accepted the award on behalf of the group, Lady in White Laura Labrada said they had never lost faith that one day they would be able to collect the prize.
"We are mothers, wives, daughters and sisters of Cubans who find themselves in prison in Cuba for exercising the most sacred human right: to live according to one's own conscience," she said.
Ms Labrada collected the prize on behalf of her mother, co-founder of the Ladies in White Laura Pollan, who died in 2011.
She was joined by other Ladies in White at the ceremony.
"You are the symbol of resistance against the Cuban government, and thousands of Cubans support you inside and outside the country," said the president of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz.
But in Havana, the Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister, Abelardo Moreno, suggested that other Cubans were more worthy of the award.
The Ladies in White was founded by the wives, sisters and friends of 75 jailed Cuban activists, who were rounded up and sentenced to long prison terms in 2003 as part of a crackdown on the opposition movement.
Trinidad's Jack Warner resigns amid fraud inquiry
A former top figure in international football, Jack Warner, has resigned as Trinidad and Tobago's minister of security amid an inquiry into fraud.
Investigators at the Caribbean, North and Central American international football body, Concacaf, accuse Mr Warner of embezzlement.
He stepped down as Concacaf's president in 2011.
Mr Warner, a former vice-president of the international football federation Fifa, denies any wrongdoing.
But he has been under pressure at home since the investigation's findings were revealed on Friday.
PM's thanks
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said in a short statement on Sunday that Mr Warner had offered to resign from her cabinet and she had accepted his decision.
"I wish to thank Mr Warner for his service to the government and people of Trinidad and Tobago,'' she said.
A Concacaf ethics panel accused Mr Warner and former secretary general Chuck Blazer of enriching themselves through fraud during their time with the football body.
They are accused of failing to disclose that a $25.9m (£17m) centre of excellence was built on Mr Warner's land and that Mr Blazer received $20m from Concacaf.
Neither Mr Warner nor Mr Blazer co-operated with the investigation, which was based on documents and 38 interviews, and Mr Blazer has also denied any wrongdoing.
Mr Warner stood down from his role with Fifa in 2011 after being accused of paying bribes to Caribbean associations.
He had already been suspended by Fifa but his decision to resign meant that all investigations into him were closed.
Guardsman Limited security guards suspects in multimillion dollar cocaine find
Guardsman Limited has taken action against one of its contractors who is among persons being held in connection with the weekend’s massive cocaine bust in Jamaica.
The suspects were arrested on the weeekend after the police seized 66 kilograms of cocaine worth about J$264 million dollars in Montego Bay, St. James. Investigators believe the cocaine came from Colombia.
Guardsman has issued a statement confirming that late Saturday night one of its vehicles was searched by the police and the illicit drugs found.
The police subsequently apprehended two men, one of who is a Guardsman contractor, as they conduct further investigations into the matter.
Guardsman said it is in no way being investigated and the individual involved has been relieved of all duties until the probe is completed.
Apple profits fall for first time in a decade
Computer and smartphone maker Apple has reported its first quarterly drop in profits in a decade, but said it will raise dividends for shareholders.
It made a net profit of $9.5bn (£6.2bn) in the January to March quarter, down from $11.6bn last year.
But the results were better than many had expected, as strong iPhone and iPad sales boosted revenues to $43.6bn.
Concerns over slowing demand for its products amid increased competition have hurt Apple's share price recently.
"Though we've achieved a credible scale and financial success, we acknowledge that our growth rate has slowed and our margins have decreased from the exceptionally high level we experienced in 2012," Tim Cook, chief executive of Apple said.
The company said it sold 37.4 million iPhones and 19.5 million iPads worldwide in the three-month period.
'Very frustrating'
Although Apple continues to remain a dominant player in the tablet computer and smartphone markets, investors have been worried that its market share was being eroded by increasingly popular offerings from rivals such as Samsung.
There have also been concerns over the lack of new product launches.
Analysts have suggested the company needs to innovate and develop new products to stay ahead of the competition, rather than relying on updates to existing products.
"The market is tired of the same old thing at Apple,'' said Lauren Balter, an analyst at Oracle Investment Research.
"Investors are looking for innovation. The reality is that people are looking at other products now and they are looking at other cool features from competitors.''
These concerns have seen investors ditch Apple shares over the past few months. It has lost around 40% of its stock market value since hitting an all-time high in September last year.
However, Apple's chief executive tried to assure investors and shareholders that the firm was continuing to take measures to ensure that it maintained its dominance in the market.
"The decline in Apple's stock price over the last couple of quarters has been very frustrating for all of us... but we'll continue to do what we do best,'' he said.
"The most important objective for Apple will always be creating innovative products.
"Our teams are hard at work on some amazing new hardware, software and services, and we are very excited about the products in our pipeline," he added.
Some analysts said that the lack of a new product did not mean that the firm was not developing one
US manufacturing growth worst in six months
The US manufacturing sector grew at its slowest pace in six months during April, a survey has suggested.
Research firm Markit said the domestic market was the main source of weakness, offset by a rise in export production.
Markit's purchasing managers' index (PMI) fell to 52 from 54.6, remaining above the 50 level that marks the line between growth and contraction.
Similar surveys released on Tuesday covering China and the eurozone also showed economic activity weakening.
Gloomy outlook
Markit's "flash" PMI survey - which is based on replies from about 85% of those firms surveyed - found that US manufacturing employment increased in April, although the rate of increase was weaker than of late.
Demand from US buyers rose at its slowest pace in six months, with the new order component of the index falling to 51.8 from 55.4 last month.
Chris Williamson, chief economist at Markit, said the findings suggested output growth was slowing sharply in the second quarter.
"While this week's first quarter GDP numbers may... bring some brighter news on the economy, the picture looks to have already begun to darken again, with GDP growth set to weaken in the second quarter."
Figures due out on Friday are expected to show the US economy grew at an annualised pace of 3% in the first three months of the year.
Germany weakens
Earlier on Tuesday, a preliminary manufacturing PMI survey for China showed growth in the sector slowed in April, adding to concerns about the country's economic recovery.
A drop in new export orders was blamed for the decline, a sign of weak global demand.
Meanwhile in the eurozone, activity in the services and manufacturing sectors continued to decline in April, with German output falling for the first time since November last year.
Markit's PMI for the eurozone remained at 46.5 in April, unchanged from the month before.