Countdown Begins To Invest Caribbean Now 2012
May 3, 2012
World renowned business leader, Sir Richard Branson, is this year's Invest Caribbean Now honoree.
CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, May 4, 2012: The momentum is building to the most talked about Caribbean investment forum that brings together ministers of government with investors in New York City, the investment capital of the world.
Invest Caribbean Now 2012, which will honour world renowned business leader, Sir Richard Branson, is now just 33 days away and tickets are in going fast for the June 6, 2012 emerging market meeting, set for 7:30 to 10 a.m. at the Marquis Ballroom of the New York Marriott Marquis Hotel in Times Square, organizers say.
The power forum, a partnership between the Caribbean Tourism Organization, the regional tourism arm and digital media company, Hard Beat Communications, will see panellists addressing the question: “Is The Caribbean, The Next China, India Or Brazil?”
Invest Caribbean Now comes as Chinese investment in the Caribbean continues to boom in this free trade region that is politically stable and boosts attractive tax incentives, a highly literate work force and an established tourism market, and which the International Monetary Fund and World Bank forecast will see a 3.5 percent growth into 2013, higher than those of Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and similar to those of East Asia.
“If you are a private equity investor, investment banker, financier, real estate developer, hotel chain executive, lawyers, architect or entrepreneur, looking to grow your money and do business in an emerging market that is on the up and up, then this is a can’t miss event,” said Felicia Persaud, co-convener of Invest Caribbean Now and CEO of Hard Beat. “To book last minute seats to the event log on now to InvestCaribbeanNow.com.”
Panellists for the annual power forum this June include feature Chairman of Blue Equity, Jonathan Blue; President and co-founder of Solamon Energy Corp, Jay Yeo and Lisa Lake, the chief development director of the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship – Caribbean; Hon. Ricky Skerritt, chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization and Minister of Tourism & International Transport of St. Kitts & Nevis and an official of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration.
Blue, who already invests in the Caribbean, commented: “Our initial entry in the Caribbean market has led us to more progressive and larger scale opportunities in which we are investing or are continuing to evaluate. We look forward to expanding our Caribbean presence in the very near future.”
“The Caribbean region is rich in entrepreneurial spirit and in opportunities to grow the economy. Tourism has sustained this region for many years. We now need to develop and add diversity to the market by investing in the skills of entrepreneurs in the Caribbean and to help them scale their businesses and employ people while to competing in a global market,” Lake added.
The forum will also include an interactive question and answer segment as well as a one hour match making/networking session to allow for attendees to do business.
For exhibitor and additional sponsorship opportunities email Joe Bernstein at joe@investcaribbeannow.com.
Invest Caribbean Now 2012 sponsors include La Chambre Consulaire Interprofessionnelle de Saint-Martin, (CCISM) and One Caribbean Television while supporting sponsors are the PR Newswire, WSEE TV, CaribPR Wire, News Americas Now, Damoola Inc., The Museum of American Finance and The Affiliated Lawyers of the Americas.
Additional information on the event can be found at InvestCaribbeanNow.com, the event’s pages on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/people/Invest-Caribbean/100002110419705 and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/InvestingCarib. When tweeting about this event, use #InvestCarib.
Haiti’s Minister of the Interior, Thierry Mayard-Paul Leads Delegation To World Cultural Economic Forum in New Orleans
May 3, 2012
PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti, May 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Haiti’s Minister of the Interior, Thierry Mayard-Paul leads the nine-person delegation that will participate in the World Cultural Economic Forum (WCEF), scheduled to begin today in New Orleans, Louisiana. The minister’s primary objective is to present Haiti’s decentralization plan and the many investment/partnering opportunities available in Haiti’s heartland, as part of the government’s national development plan.
As part of the official agenda, in addition to convening with public and private sector leaders from around the world, the Minister and his delegation will meet with local government officials, the City of New Orleans, the Port of Lake Charles, Ochsner Health System, the Payson Center for International Development, the Port of South Louisiana, Port Fourchon and other maritime and service agencies.
“The WCEF provides Haiti a unique opportunity to showcase the many compelling investment prospects available to help revitalize our economy and drive job creation across all sectors, and throughout all the communities of Haiti,” said Mayard-Paul.
The minister also plans to discuss Haiti’s cornerstone decentralization program, Katye Pam Poze (KPP), which is focused on improving delivery of government services, as well as fostering development and job creation by promoting strong community involvement. He also expects that KPP will continue to gain favorable receptivity internationally as an innovative “bottom-up” approach to community integration and sustainable development, “particularly since it includes cultural programs as mechanisms for peace, education and harmony,” added Mayard-Paul. “KPP has been designed as a holistic community-based program, where the end prize is to improve the quality of life of the Haitian people by enabling safe and prosperous communities right where they live, so they don’t have to migrate to urban centers to look for jobs.”
The range of actions within KPP include strengthening natural disaster risk reduction and recovery efforts; improving the delivery of health, housing and education services; recovering public spaces, developing local citizen initiatives and creating job opportunities in tandem with the private sector.
Mayard-Paul also stressed the opportunities available within Haiti’s diverse cultural talents, citing that worldwide personalities such as fashion icon Donna Karan have already pledged their support to Haitian artisans and their works, “which provide a grassroots model for job creation and education in Haiti that goes hand-in-hand with KPP’s ultimate goals,” said Mayard-Paul.
“The Haitian government is committed to facilitating investment,” underscored Mayard-Paul. “We are ready to assist with municipal initiatives throughout Haiti—in any of our regions—and we look forward to collaborating for sustainable development that advances decentralization and captures the ten-thousand-plus square miles of opportunities available.”
The delegation traveling with the Minister includes Ms. Elizabeth Landers, Adjunct Chief of Staff for the Minister of the Interior; Mr. Vladimir Laborde, Cabinet Member; Mr. Francois Richelle Lafaille, Minister of Social Affairs; Mr. Guy Paul, Chief of Staff; Mr. Karl Jean Lousi, Executive Director, CFI; Dr. Rene Jean Jumeau, Secretary of State for Energy; Mr. Andy George Rene, Presidential Advisory Board and Mr. Anthony Arango, Special Envoy.
The World Cultural Economic Forum (WCEF) is an annual convening held in New Orleans, Louisiana. Hosted by New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, the Forum convenes leaders from cities around the world to shape the international discussion on culture.
Haiti’s Minister of the Interior, Thierry Mayard-Paul Leads Delegation To World Cultural Economic Forum in New Orleans
May 3, 2012
PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti, May 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Haiti’s Minister of the Interior, Thierry Mayard-Paul leads the nine-person delegation that will participate in the World Cultural Economic Forum (WCEF), scheduled to begin today in New Orleans, Louisiana. The minister’s primary objective is to present Haiti’s decentralization plan and the many investment/partnering opportunities available in Haiti’s heartland, as part of the government’s national development plan.
As part of the official agenda, in addition to convening with public and private sector leaders from around the world, the Minister and his delegation will meet with local government officials, the City of New Orleans, the Port of Lake Charles, Ochsner Health System, the Payson Center for International Development, the Port of South Louisiana, Port Fourchon and other maritime and service agencies.
“The WCEF provides Haiti a unique opportunity to showcase the many compelling investment prospects available to help revitalize our economy and drive job creation across all sectors, and throughout all the communities of Haiti,” said Mayard-Paul.
The minister also plans to discuss Haiti’s cornerstone decentralization program, Katye Pam Poze (KPP), which is focused on improving delivery of government services, as well as fostering development and job creation by promoting strong community involvement. He also expects that KPP will continue to gain favorable receptivity internationally as an innovative “bottom-up” approach to community integration and sustainable development, “particularly since it includes cultural programs as mechanisms for peace, education and harmony,” added Mayard-Paul. “KPP has been designed as a holistic community-based program, where the end prize is to improve the quality of life of the Haitian people by enabling safe and prosperous communities right where they live, so they don’t have to migrate to urban centers to look for jobs.”
The range of actions within KPP include strengthening natural disaster risk reduction and recovery efforts; improving the delivery of health, housing and education services; recovering public spaces, developing local citizen initiatives and creating job opportunities in tandem with the private sector.
Mayard-Paul also stressed the opportunities available within Haiti’s diverse cultural talents, citing that worldwide personalities such as fashion icon Donna Karan have already pledged their support to Haitian artisans and their works, “which provide a grassroots model for job creation and education in Haiti that goes hand-in-hand with KPP’s ultimate goals,” said Mayard-Paul.
“The Haitian government is committed to facilitating investment,” underscored Mayard-Paul. “We are ready to assist with municipal initiatives throughout Haiti—in any of our regions—and we look forward to collaborating for sustainable development that advances decentralization and captures the ten-thousand-plus square miles of opportunities available.”
The delegation traveling with the Minister includes Ms. Elizabeth Landers, Adjunct Chief of Staff for the Minister of the Interior; Mr. Vladimir Laborde, Cabinet Member; Mr. Francois Richelle Lafaille, Minister of Social Affairs; Mr. Guy Paul, Chief of Staff; Mr. Karl Jean Lousi, Executive Director, CFI; Dr. Rene Jean Jumeau, Secretary of State for Energy; Mr. Andy George Rene, Presidential Advisory Board and Mr. Anthony Arango, Special Envoy.
The World Cultural Economic Forum (WCEF) is an annual convening held in New Orleans, Louisiana. Hosted by New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, the Forum convenes leaders from cities around the world to shape the international discussion on culture.
Hotelogix Celebrates Golden Jubilee of CHTA
May 2, 2012
BANGALORE, India, May 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — It is a grandeur occasion for the Caribbean Hotel Tourism Association (CHTA) as it will mark its 50 glorious years in May 2012. The golden jubilee milestone in this region is being complimented by a extending a cloud based Hospitality Solution “Hotelogix” to CHTA members by HMS Infotech and Carbo TTC. They will be able to offer a “member to member” discount to the 700 + hotels, which are a member of CHTA to pave its way to the glorious 50. Carbo TTC is the business partner of Hotelogix in the Caribbean.
“On this golden occasion Hotelogix wants to extend CHTA its world class cloud based Hotel Platform. I believe this can significantly help CHTA members to see the positive impacts of cloud system in hospitality business. With this Hotelogix aims to help CHTA member hotels in fostering excellence in hotel operations, and at same time help hotels increase revenues by providing online connectivity and global exposure, Hotelogix has extended CHTA members a free full system trial for two weeks and a discounted subscription,” says Deepak Chauhan, Director Products, Hotelogix.
Hotelogix, is the leading cloud-based SAAS (Software as a Service) offering for the small and mid-sized hospitality industry, it is easy-to-adapt and very cost efficient solution.
Hotelogix is a solution to help manage their operations in a simplified way, giving world class services. Offering customers a unified approach for their business needs like Reservations, Front-desk Operations, Housekeeping, Restaurants etc., the system further offers modules that let you extend your global reach and generate higher revenues from the online channels and stay integrated with the external stakeholders of their hospitality business.
About Carbo TTC:
Carbo Trust Trade Consultancy Ltd. is a multidisciplinary and result oriented advisory service dealing with strategy, marketing, business organization, interim management, and change project management in the hospitality industry. Carbo TTC, represent Hotelogix in Caribbean region and till date has successfully implemented solution in many properties.
About Hotelogix:
HMS Infotech was incorporated in 2008, and is headquartered at New Delhi NCR, India. Hotelogix (Hotelogix.com), by HMS Infotech, is an end-to-end cloud solution for small and mid-size hotel properties worldwide.
For offer details, visit: (CarboTTC) http://www.hotelogix.com/lpage/carbos.html
Leading Global Sealing Products Manufacturer – Flexitallic ‘Announces Addition of Allied Distributor’ in Trinidad
May 1, 2012
HOUSTON, May 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — The Flexitallic Group (Flexitallic), an international market leader of industrial static sealing products is pleased to announce that ESAU Oilfield has been accepted into Flexitallic’s Allied Distributor Program. Flexitallic specializes in the design, manufacturing and global distribution of high performance industrial sealing products for process industries including oil refineries, petrochemical, chemical and power generation.
“ESAU Oilfield is based in Trinidad and has been a well respected distributor of Flexitallic since 2003,” says Keith Miller, Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Flexitallic. “We are pleased to promote ESAU Oilfield to the level of Allied Distributor for Flexitallic. ESAU Oilfield has done a tremendous job of aligning our technology with a high level of customer service and support to companies in Trinidad.”
Flexitallic’s Allied Distributor Program selects companies from around the world that consistently demonstrate Flexitallic’s philosophy for providing high quality products, technical expertise and customer service. “ESAU Oilfield has successfully achieved the level of Allied Distributor,” says Steven Johnston, Sales Manager for Latin America, Caribbean & Mexico. “They are a great representative for Flexitallic in Trinidad. ESAU Oilfield has a local market and service capability that is important as an independent distributor and we want to continue to support their efforts.”
ESAU Oilfield is the 17th company selected globally as part of Flexitallic’s Allied Distributor Program that began in 2002. Adds Johnston, “Recognizing ESAU Oilfield as an Allied Distributor is just one more way we can reinforce our continued commitment to them as a valued partner. We look forward to building our business in Trinidad and continuing to provide world class static sealing solutions to our customers there and around the world.” For more information, visit www.flexitallic.com or www.EsauOilfield.com
About Flexitallic
The Flexitallic Group is an international market leader in the manufacture and global supplier of high quality, high value industrial static sealing products. Formed in 1912, Flexitallic maintains a major market position in sealing devices used throughout the world, most notably in the oil and gas industry’s upstream and downstream operations. Flexitallic has manufacturing locations in 15 countries and over 600 stocking distributors worldwide.
West Indian American Carnival Gets New President
April 27, 2012
News Americas, BROOKLYN, NY, Sat. April 28, 2012: The West Indian American Day Carnival has a news President.
He is WIADCA stalwart, Thomas “Tom” Bailey who will replace Yolanda Lezama-Clarke in the post. Lezama-Clarke, the daughter of the event’s founder, Carlos Lezama, recently resigned.
“The organization’s membership has spoken. I am honored and humbled to become the third individual to lead this important group that is the lawful custodian of the annual Labor Day Carnival Festival. The new WIADCA TEAM is committed to the preservation of our culture and to move the organization forward in a new and positive direction,” Bailey said.
He added the new WIADCA team has already met with both Mas and Steel bands and presented them with checks that were won at the 2011 competitions. He told both organizations at the packed, standing room only meeting that at the top of this priority list was “improving relations with all of the carnival festival’s stakeholders.”
“Let us usher in a new era of cooperation and friendship. I want to hear from you and what are your concerns. This festival is bigger than one individual or organization. We must come together to take it to new and bigger heights. I need your help and support,” Bailey said.
The annual carnival, the biggest in North America, is held each Labor Day weekend in Brooklyn, NY.
Anguilla Takes Another Step Toward Renewables
April 27, 2012
CaribPR Wire, The Valley, Anguilla, Fri. April 27, 2012: On Tuesday 24th of April, The Government of Anguilla’s Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications, Utilities and Housing (MICUH) hosted the Anguilla Renewable Energy Integration Project (AREIP) Stakeholder Workshop at Paradise Cove Resort, Anguilla. Close to 100 local stakeholders gathered to listen and comment on the presentation of the initial report from the Project Consultants, Castalia Strategic Advisors. The AREIP is being funded by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) – a UK based development funding agency that aims to help decision-makers in developing countries design and deliver climate compatible development.
The specific purpose of the project is to support Anguilla’s efforts to implement key elements of its National Energy Policy and Climate Change Policies by amending current electricity legislation to provide a clear framework for the integration of both customer-sited and utility-scale renewable energy into the national electricity grid.
At the welcoming ceremony the Chief Minister, The Hon Hubert Hughes stressed how important this Project is to the Government and people of Anguilla. The Minister with responsibility for Energy, the Hon Evan Gumbs went on to tell the audience that the Integration of Renewables was his Ministry’s priority – in order that there will be a cheaper and more sustainable Energy Supply for Anguillans. Minister Gumbs thanked the stakeholders for coming and stated positively that “relief is not here yet, but it’s coming.”
The Presentation was led by Mr. Gianmarco Servetti, Castalia Principal and Project Director, with the assistance of two colleagues, Project Manager Ms. Laura Berman and Legal Consultant Ms. Barbara Vargas. The key assessments and recommendations can be briefly summarized as follows:
• Anguilla has economically viable renewable energy resources that can be used now.
• Anguilla’s viable renewable energy resources include solar hot water heating, solar electricity production on both a large, utility scale and a small home and business scale, and utility scale wind energy. There’s also a possibility that Anguilla could produce some limited utility scale waste to energy.
• All new buildings that require hot water should be mandated to use solar hot water heating.
• Anguilla’s Electricity Act should be amended to allow those people generating electricity at their home or business with solar or wind – referred to as Distributed Generators, to sell any excess power they produce back to the national grid under a contract agreement with the electric utility.
• Utility rules should be put in place to govern Distributed Generators’ eligibility for interconnection, technical compliance standards, contract term and payment rates under the agreement.
The three consultants then facilitated lively and informative breakout sessions on: Assessing the Potential and Viability of Renewable Energy Projects; Land Use, the Environment and Development of Renewable Energy Projects and Selling Electricity Generated by Renewable Energy Technologies.
The wrap up session saw many local stakeholders taking the floor and sharing their hopes and concerns – including Mr. Sutcliffe Hodge, who talked about the sustainability of Anguilla’s National Utility, ANGLEC, and its need to be ambitious and embrace renewables; Mr. David Gumbs, the CFO of ANGLEC who gave many examples of ANGLEC’S commitment to do so; and Mr. David Carty, Chairman of the Anguilla National Energy Committee (ANEC) who reminded the audience of the ‘big picture’ and posed that mitigating climate change is key, and the integration of renewables and the sustainable development of Anguilla can serve as a role model for other developing nations, and as such should attract international funding and exposure for Anguilla.
Mr. Servetti said, “It was a successful workshop. There proved to be lots of interest and buy-in for the regulatory changes in the short term and also support for broader reforms long term.” When asked if he thought the audience was engaged he went on to say, “More than normal – it seems everyone feels that they have a primary role. It was a very lively and engaging discussion – and productive too.” When asked when the recommendations could be acted on he added “some can be implemented immediately …some can happen now.”
Mr. Crefton A. Niles, Director of Public Utilities/Telecommunications Officer, Government of Anguilla, who is managing the project, said, “… an excellent workshop – lots of information was exchanged in both directions. Participants questioned the presenters and vice-versa. We all came together for the benefit of the country as a whole. I look forward to the final report from the consultants and thank CDKN & DFID for their overall sponsorship of the project.”
The Project Manager for CDKN, Ms. Patricia Leon, summed it up “It was inspiring to see the interest of different stakeholders in Renewable Energy and I look forward to seeing the recommendations being analyzed by the Government of Anguilla and implemented in projects that benefit the people of Anguilla.”
The Anguilla Renewable Energy Office (AREO) was instrumental in securing funds for the project from CDKN and continues to play a key role – working alongside the Government of Anguilla to raise awareness of and communicate the milestones and successes of the AREIP by regular communications with stakeholders.
Jamaica’s PM Visits Brooklyn
April 26, 2012
PM Portia Simpson Miller in Brooklyn on April 25, 2012. (Sharon Bennett image)
News Americas, Brooklyn, NY, Thurs,. April 26, 2012: Dozens of Jamaican New Yorkers packed into a Brooklyn town hall forum Wednesday evening to see their prime minister.
It was the first visit to the U.S. for Prime Minister of Jamaica, Portia Simpson Miller, since winning re-election. She left the island earlier this week for a number of engagements in New York and Philadelphia in the United States, including receiving the award for TIME 100 Most Influential Persons.
The PM will journey to Philadelphia to attend the Penn relays where she will be a special guest of the University of Penn and Team Jamaica Bickle. The Prime Minister will return to the island on Sunday.
PM Simpson Miller in Brooklyn. Looking on are Minister Sen. Sandrea Falconer, Tourism Minister Wykeham McNeill and Energy Minister Phillip Paulwell. (Sharon Bennett image)
The PM was welcomed by a large audience. (Sharon Bennett image)
Team Jamaica Bickle founder Irwine Clarie and Rev. Dr. Kirkpatick Cohall in discussions with the PM of Jamaica the Hon Portia Simpson on her visit to Brooklyn. (Sharon Bennett image)
Jamaica’s PM Visits Brooklyn
April 26, 2012
PM Portia Simpson Miller in Brooklyn on April 25, 2012. (Sharon Bennett image)
News Americas, Brooklyn, NY, Thurs,. April 26, 2012: Dozens of Jamaican New Yorkers packed into a Brooklyn town hall forum Wednesday evening to see their prime minister.
It was the first visit to the U.S. for Prime Minister of Jamaica, Portia Simpson Miller, since winning re-election. She left the island earlier this week for a number of engagements in New York and Philadelphia in the United States, including receiving the award for TIME 100 Most Influential Persons.
The PM will journey to Philadelphia to attend the Penn relays where she will be a special guest of the University of Penn and Team Jamaica Bickle. The Prime Minister will return to the island on Sunday.
PM Simpson Miller in Brooklyn. Looking on are Minister Sen. Sandrea Falconer, Tourism Minister Wykeham McNeill and Energy Minister Phillip Paulwell. (Sharon Bennett image)
The PM was welcomed by a large audience. (Sharon Bennett image)
Team Jamaica Bickle founder Irwine Clarie and Rev. Dr. Kirkpatick Cohall in discussions with the PM of Jamaica the Hon Portia Simpson on her visit to Brooklyn. (Sharon Bennett image)
Caribbean News In Brief
April 26, 2012
