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Partnership Between India and Jamaica Must Be Nurtured

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#Jamaica, June 14, 2022 – Cooperation between Jamaica and the Republic of India remains dynamic, vibrant and strong, and this partnership must be nurtured, says Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen.

“We are extremely pleased with India’s unswerving commitment to Jamaica’s development. They have given selflessly to every facet of our development and have been unrelenting in their efforts to ensure our advancement as a nation and as a people,” he said.

The Governor-General was speaking at a State Dinner, hosted at King’s House on Tuesday (May 17) for President of the Republic of India, His Excellency, Ram Nath Kovind.  He noted that “solidarity” between the two countries was “magnified during the COVID-19 pandemic when we received the first donation of vaccines”.

The Governor-General said Jamaica will continue to partner with the Republic, for the recovery of both economies.

In his response, President Kovind said that India will always remain a “building partner” for Jamaica.

“We deeply appreciate your commitment and the importance you attach to our bilateral relations. This is all the more important when the global order is in flux and tensions are on the rise in many parts of the world,” he said.

The President further noted that while trade and economic cooperation are “vital pillars of our friendship”, there are also opportunities for transformation through the digital revolution.

“With its strategic position and its skilled manpower, Jamaica has the potential to be the knowledge highway in this region, catering to the needs of the large economies nearby,” he added.

The President recommended that both countries encourage their youth population to partner in several fields, such as artificial intelligence and robotics.

“We must revolutionise their imagination and energy to build a society that is prosperous, progressive and peaceful,” he said.

Also attending the State dinner were Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness and the Most Hon. Juliet Holness; Opposition Leader, Mark Golding; Ministers of Government, and other guests.

President Kovind’s four-day State visit ends today (May 18), after which he will depart the Norman Manley International Airport.

 

Photo Captions: 

Header: President of the Republic of India, His Excellency the Hon. Ram Nath Kovind (left), is greeted by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (fourth right), when he arrived at the Norman Manley International airport in Kingston on Sunday (May 15) for a four-day State Visit to Jamaica. Pictured at second left is First Lady, Savita Kovind. Waiting to greet the Indian President (from third right) are: Opposition Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade , Lisa Hanna; Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith; and Minister of Education and Youth, Hon. Fayval Williams. (Photo: Michael Sloley)

Insert: Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen (left), introduces Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith (right), to the President of the Republic of India, His Excellency, Ram Nath Kovind (second left) and his wife, First Lady Savita Kovind (third left), at a State dinner, hosted at King’s House for the President, on Tuesday (May 17). (Photographer: Adrian Walker)

 

Contact: Chanel Spence

Release: JIS

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Millions to come from FSC 

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Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

 

 

#TurksandCaicos, March 17, 2023 – Revenue from the Turks and Caicos’ Financial Services Sector will more than double in the next few years, if E Jay Saunders, Deputy Premier and Finance Minister gets his way.  It ‘s one of the reasons the country is investing so much capital into getting off of the EU blacklist and becoming a secure trustworthy financial destination. 

“The FSC’s revenues for 2020/21 was $10.5M— the figures for 2021/22, would be about similar,” he said.  He further explained that $10.5 million from the FSC represented about 2.6 percent of the country’s 408.5-million-dollar revenue.  Though it increased to $14 million in the 2021/22 financial year, finance is still a small fry compared to tourism or even stamp duties but that will change, says Saunders. 

“My revenue goal for the Government by the year 2029 [or] the election after the next election – is $500M.  By that time, I want the financial sector (FSC) revenues to represent at least 5% ($25M).  So that’s my goal for the financial sector by 2029.” 

This goal, should it be met, would increase the Government’s revenue by 100 million dollars, a significant increase in spending power for local upgrades and improvements for Turks and Caicos residents and visitors. 

Saunders says it’s time for the TCI to diversify its sources of revenue to make sure that what happened in the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw residents out of a job for months, will not happen again.  Tourism now makes up around 80 percent of the country’s GDP.  The Minister of Finance wants to push that down to 60 or even 50 percent.  

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Debrief on Haiti Caribbean heads visit 

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Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

 

 

#Haiti, March 17, 2023 – When a CARICOM delegation visited Haiti earlier this month, conspicuously absent was the Turks and Caicos Islands despite being one of the nations most directly affected by the multi-dimensional crisis there.  There is no comment, as yet from the Premier, to say why this was the case.  

Still, from the expedition, CARICOM heads of Government have informed that there will be lobbying in Africa for assistance in Haiti.  They say they have decided that the best course of action for the Caribbean country is to bolster the Haitian National Police and act as intermediaries with Africa and the world.  The decision follows a one day visit on February 27th, and a March 5th meeting chaired by the Bahamas. 

CARICOM says during the trip delegates ‘met with a broad range of Haitian stakeholders to hear their views on the way forward to a Haitian-led solution’. With that in mind it has made a decision on how to proceed.

“The Heads of Government agreed to support the Haitian National Police in their efforts to address the security situation.  The focus of the Community will be the provision of training for the HNP and the provision of humanitarian assistance to HNP and the wider Haitian society, taking into account the challenging humanitarian and security situation”

It’s not clear yet where and how this training will take place.  Also distinctly absent from the report, no more mention of boots on the ground from other countries despite CARICOM Member States indicating they were ready and willing should it come to that.

In addition, recognizing ‘the common historical experiences and the strong African-Caribbean relationship’ CARICOM says,

“Heads of Government also agreed to seek support from African countries for Haiti.  They also agreed to work with the Governments of Canada and the United States as well as the UNDP”

Magnetic Media has reached out to the Premier’s Office to get a full debrief of the February 27th visit (led by Jamaica; including The Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago) to learn of Turks and Caicos’ posture following the critical sessions.  

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New ASHLEY’S LEARNING CENTRE CONCERT

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Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer

 

 

#TurksandCaicos, March 17, 2023 – Musicians from the New World Symphony will be in the Turks and Caicos in concert next month and residents are invited to attend in support of the future of Ashley’s Learning Center.

A fairly young orchestral academy based in Miami, the New World Symphony was launched in the 1980s by 1987, Michael Tilson Thomas and Ted Arison,Carnival Cruises founder.  From the 1500 applicants who vie for a spot each year, the symphony accepts around 35 music graduates annually for training fellowships. 

A select few of those graduates will be in country on April 8th headlining at the Ashley’s Learning Center concert ‘We’re all in this together’.  The concert which also feature local artistes will be held at Brayton Hall on Venetian Road from 6 pm to 8:30 pm

Tickets are available ON ISLEHELP  $75 PER GENERAL SEAT $125 PER PREMIUM SEAT $195 PER GALLERY SEAT – with /FREFRESHMENTS. 

For TICKET RESERVATIONs you can call: 649-341-2304 or email  EVENTS@ASHLEYSLEARNINGCENTER.ORG 

 

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