Moontown

Groundsmen check the outfield after the play was abandoned during the first day of the second Test match between England and West Indies at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground in St John’s, Antigua in February 2009. Play was abandoned for the day after only ten deliveries because the sand-based outfield was deemed a safety risk to the bowlers. AFP PHOTO

In February 2009 the ground was the scene of a Test match between the West Indies and England that lasted just 10 balls before being abandoned because of an outfield that was described in the ICC’s report as unfit.

The ICC told the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) that the ground could not be used for international cricket for a period of 12 months and also gave the board an official warning for not preparing the ground effectively for the match.

As per ICC instructions, over the past year, appropriate work was carried out and monitored by the WICB and an inspection of the ground was carried out by Jeff Crowe of the ICC match referees panel.

David Richardson, ICC General Manager (Cricket), said: “We are content that the ground is now of sufficient standard to host international cricket again. The remedial work has been carried out and Mr Crowe has carried out a full inspection, during which he found the ground to be of a good standard.

“We are happy the situation has been remedied, we congratulate the ground staff on their hard work and we thank the WICB for their support and commitment in the process. This re-approval is effective immediately,” said Richardson. (Caribnet)

Dr Brown was one of the main speakers at a special symposium to mark this year’s World Intellectual Property Rights Day on Monday, 26 April at the National Library, Guyana. The Symposium was organised by the Guyana Audiovisual Industries Network (GAIN) under the theme Intellectual Property Rights for Value Added Development in Guyana.

Commenting on the creative economy and the value of cultural industries, Dr Brown used statistics to note that in the period 2000 to 2005, trade in cultural goods and services grew at an average of 8.7 % per annum, while the value of world exports of creative goods and services was US$424.4 billion in 2005, representing 3.4% of world trade. She added that the best estimates value the sector at 7 per cent of the world’s gross domestic product, which was projected to grow at 10 per cent per annum.

In addition, she pointed out that the creative industries was the leading sector in more developed countries, noting that in the United States in 2003, for example, creative industries contributed 6% of GDP and accounted for 4.7 million jobs. On the other hand, a 2006 Study commissioned by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) on Jamaica revealed that the creative industries accounted for 5.1% of GDP and made an employment contribution of 3%.

The obvious growth trends in that sector, the Culture expert opined, presented an opportunity for developing countries to make “quantum leaps” into new value-added areas. However she observed that developing countries were not currently benefiting from the potential of their creative economies despite the richness of their cultural expressions, talents and diversity.

“Out of 132 developing countries, 85 have never produced one commercial film,” Dr Brown stated, “and can only account for 3% of world markets for paintings and approximately 4% for sculptures,” she added as an example.

According to Dr Brown, the global demand for Caribbean creative industries was growing and provided good returns on investments, especially in literary works, fashion, festivals, and music. Growth in the ‘diasporic’ economy, she stated, was also generating demand for domestic and regional content and provided a bridge to international markets. All this, she said, should redound to boosting the Caribbean economy, “if only we would tap into these tremendous possibilities.”

“It is time for the Caribbean to recognize what others have long discovered - that Culture has great economic value and our region is poised to realize significant earnings from the many excellent cultural goods and services we produce, for which we are known and respected globally.” (Caribnet)

“We have a long legacy of growth and success in the energy sector that has helped us attain the sophisticated and strong economy we can speak about today,” Wendy Fitzwilliam, Vice President of Investment Promotion at eTecK, the business development arm of the Ministry of Trade & Industry. “However, the time is now for us to leverage this legacy and show the world that we are next and the time is now to invest in Trinidad & Tobago.”

Economic development leaders from Trinidad & Tobago will promote the benefits of two of the Caribbean’s largest and most sophisticated technology parks - Tamana InTech Park in Trinidad and the Cove-Eco Industrial and Business Park in Tobago. These parks offer international companies advanced technology solutions, such as data storage and offshoring, in an eco-friendly atmosphere for which the region is known.

In addition to showcasing the technology parks, the exhibition’s staff will highlight the key sectors that are ripe and ready for international investment. Not only does the nation have the lowest energy costs in the Caribbean region, but it boasts a skilled talent pool for international companies. These factors, combined with specific industry advancements, make the nation ready for growth in information communications technology, agro-technology and downstream energy, among others.

While investment promotion is the focus of Trinidad & Tobago’s exhibit, it will stay true to the dynamic culture so often associated with the nation. During the show, there will be Carnival costume exhibits, an Evolution of the Steel Pan exhibit, sampling and promotion of local products and live performances that will showcase the rich colors and culture of the nation, which make it a great place to live and thrive.

Trinidad & Tobago will hold a National Week at Expo Shanghai during September 19-25, 2010. During that week, economic development leaders of the country will host the Trinidad & Tobago Business Forum which will profile the available investment opportunities in the country. Corporate leaders from international organizations based in China will be invited to meet with leaders from agencies in Trinidad & Tobago to discuss such opportunities, in particular for the population of Tamana InTech Park and The Cove Eco-Industrial and Business Park.

“This is also an opportunity to paint the proper image of Trinidad & Tobago to other countries inquiring about us,” says Fitzwilliam. “Trinidad & Tobago offers many comparative advantages from our highly literate workforce to our advanced technology and infrastructure. We are anxious to share our many attributes with others around the world.” (Caribnet)

To improve the standard and efficiency of maritime transport and the movement of cargo in the international arena, ‘Clelia 2’an international cruise ship on its maiden voyage, docked in Guyana today with approximately 142 persons which comprise 65 crew members and 77 passengers.

This is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Evergreen Adventure and the Guyana National Shipping Corporation Ltd.
Minister of Tourism Industry and Commerce Manniram Prashad while welcoming the visitors said that tourism in Guyana is a high-end activity which is attracting the attention of international visitors.

He noted that over the last three years cruise ships have been coming to Guyana more frequently as a number of reputable tour operators and visitors have expressed interest in Guyana’s unique tourism adventure.

The ‘Clelia 2,’an international cruise ship on its maiden voyage to Guyana - GINA photo

“Because of our emphasis on yachts and cruise ships and the legislation in place making Bartica a port of entry and facilitating easy clearance as it relates to customs and immigration and security via police, these cruise ships are coming more frequently,” he added.

The group of tourists who sailed through Brazil, Suriname and Guyana, is mainly interested in Guyana’s nature, culture, history and heritage.

While in Guyana, the visitors will be sight-seeing in and around Georgetown. These will include visits to the Kaieteur Falls, Canopy Walkway, Banks and arts and crafts stores. They will also be doing shopping.
The 215-square feet ‘Clelia 2’ is a newly refurbished vessel owned by Travel Dynamics International and includes public facilities such as a restaurant, two lounges, a library with internet access, state-of-the-art gym/spa, beauty salon, boutique, jacuzzi and a hospital.

Captain of ‘Clelia 2’ Phillip Dieckmann said that he is happy to be in Guyana once again to enjoy its flora and fauna. He noted that during the crew’s two-day anchor in the Essequibo River, the visitors will be given an opportunity to see the many features of the land of many waters.
This according to Dieckmann augurs well for Guyana’s tourism development as well as for the management of ‘Clelia 2’

On March 11, the MV ‘VISTAMAR’ docked in Guyana’s shores with 241 passengers and the MV ‘Spirit
of Adventure’ operated by the company’s principal ‘Saga shipping.

The convoy will be departing port Guyana at 17:00hs on April 28.

Grenada’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Peter David, and his Trinidad counterpart, Paula Gopee-Scoon, exchanged the Instruments of Ratification of the Treaty on the Delimitation of Marine and Submarine Areas on Tuesday, April 27, in Port of Spain, Trinidad.

Grenada’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Peter David and his counterpart, Trinidad’s Paula Gopee-Scoon.

The Treaty duly entered into force on the date of the exchange of the Instruments of Ratification. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ratification

The formal signing of the Treaty, by Prime Minister Patrick Manning of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, and Grenadian Prime Minister Tillman Thomas, took place on April 21 in Port of Spain.

The treaty was reviewed by the cabinets of both countries, a move Foreign Minister Gopee-Scoon described as a “formality to ensure that all is in order.’’

Minister David, who has since returned home, said “all of Grenada’’ is excited at the treaty and the prospects of exploring for oil and gas in Grenada’s waters.

The treaty also identifies the protection and preservation of marine life as one of its objectives.

The treaty is the first delimitation agreement negotiated between Grenada and its oil-rich CARICOM neighbour.

The delimitation is a formal line which is drawn to indicate where Trinidad and Tobago’s jurisdiction ends and Grenada’s begins. (Caribnet)

Ministers responsible for women’s affairs in the 54-member Commonwealth will meet in Barbados 7-9 June 2010, to discuss the impact of the global financial crisis on women, and how new funding mechanisms can make women agents in economic recovery and growth.

The 9th Commonwealth Women’s Ministers Meeting (9WAMM) will for the first time attract major players in global finance, including Finance Ministers, captains of industry, and philanthrocapitalists who apply business methods to their donations to address poverty.

The theme for the meeting is “Gender Issues in Economic Crisis, Recovery and Beyond: Women as Agents of Transformation”.

Michael Green, author of the best-selling book Philanthrocapitalism, will make a presentation to Ministers on the possibilities of harnessing philanthropy capital for development and growth.

United Kingdom Ambassador for Philanthropy, Dame Stephanie Shirley, will set out the arguments for prioritising investment in girls and women, in the context of recovery and beyond.

The meeting will also assess critical gender concerns for developing countries in the lead up to the G8 and G20 meetings in June, and the High Level Summit on the Millennium Development Goals at the UN in September.

It will focus particularly on women’s leadership roles, including in mitigating and managing community violence. Another focus will be on how social protection measures can ensure gender equity as well as sustainability.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma said: “Women hold the key to realising most of the Millennium Development Goals. They are pivotal agents of social and economic transformation. Not only should we recognise their potential development contribution: we should act upon it.

“This meeting can break new ground by forging closer links between gender equity and economic development.”

9WAMM will be preceded by a Partners’ Forum from 4-5 June, which will involve representatives from civil society, media, lawyers, parliamentarians, young people and the private sector. (Caribnet)