St. Lucia Business Focus 79

Issue No. 79

A

Jan/Feb 2015

History of

Excellence in Entrepreneurship www.stluciafocus.com www.stluciafocus.com www.stluciafocus.com

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

1

C.O. WI

LLI A M S

ARE RE-LOCATIN G AND C ONSOLIDATIN G THEIR O PERATIONS AT THEIR UNION SITE THEREFORE THEIR LAND, OFFICES AND WAREHOUSES AT B OIS D’ ORAN G E ARE

FOR SALE THE Y ALSO HAVE F OR SALE OTHER COMMERCIAL LANDS I N UNION , BOIS D’ ORAN G E, CUL DE SAC , AND V IEU X FORT C O NT AC T TH EI R EX CL U S IV E AG ENT S :

Andrew Mallalieu Terra Caribbean, Barbados

Jonathan Everett Home Services Ltd, St Lucia

1 (246) 430 3791

1 (758) 452 0450

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

2

No. 79

BF Jan/ Feb 2015

CONTENTS FEATURE 43. Ramon George Esper A History of Excellence in Entrepreneurship

18

62. Guardsman St. Lucia Celebrates 10 Years

REGULARS 04.

Editor’s Focus

06.

Business Briefs

Business Tech 16. Caribbean Cyber Security Awareness is Still Dangerously low

18. ICT for Development A Critical Factor for Economic Development

Money Matters 30. What Your Income Tax Refund Really Means

32. Finance Providers Still Failing Small Businesses, says ACCA

34. Uncompetitive Nature of Tourism

Sector the Main Cause of Region’s Struggle, says Chairman of Republic Bank

64. Book Reviews Economy & Trade Focus 74. More Private Sector Trust, Information Sharing Needed 76. About TEPA - St. Lucia Trade Exoort Promotions Agency 78. Top 10 Latin America, Caribbean Nations for Ease of Doing Business

43 Environmental Focus 84. Prime Minister Secures Assistance From New Zealand for Transformation of Electricity Sector 86. Private Sector Positioning for a Green Revolution in St. Lucia

88

Youth in Focus 88. Canaries School Attendance Now Over 90% Following Sponsor Initiative In The Know 90. Building a Caribbean Brand 92. Ambassador June Soomer Delivers Feature Address at Chamber of Commerce AGM 94. New LMI Licensee in St. Lucia

34

Tourism Focus 98. Caribbean Tourism Wants to Make Better Use of Technology 100. Major Moves 102. Events 2012 103. New Company Registrations

98 BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

3

Welcome to 2015 New Resolutions and Aspirations Happy New Year from the AMS Team. We, like you, look forward to welcoming

take decisions to improve our lives and grow our business interests.

Despite the current challenging economic

circumstances there are many examples of persons have taken on the challenges and demonstrated that fortune favours the brave.

Many have stood the success and longevity and many others have been bold

Lokesh Singh Publisher / Managing Editor

In this issue we celebrate the achievements of a young entrepreneur – Ramon George Esper and his bold spirit of venturing into new areas of business with outstanding success in a very short period. His youthful We also congratulate The Guardsman Group, as they celebrate their tenth

BUSINESSFOCUS Business Focus magazine is published every Limited (AMS), Saint Lucia.

Publisher / Managing Editor: Lokesh Singh lokesh@amsstlucia.com Editorial Assistant Charmaine Joseph charmaine@amsstlucia.com Graphic Designer: Cecil Sylvester Advertising Sales: Hudson Myers - hudson@amsstlucia.com Webmaster:

Photography: Ashley Anzie | Cecil Sylvester | M&C Group Contributors: Associated Press | Bevil Wooding | Caribbean 360 Blue Waters St Lucia Ltd. | Caribbean Development Bank Caribbean Export | Caribbean Journal | Dr Chris Bart Caribbean News Now | Charmaine Joseph Dr. Harvey Millar | Digicel St Lucia | Fox News LIME St Lucia | Jamaica Observer | Lyndell Halliday St. Lucia News Online | St. Lucia Tourist Board

Security industry is a true story of risk and reward.

Ltd by Cable & Wireless Caribbean. This story has generated great debates on both sides of the divide with regulators and consumer advocates expressing arguments for and against as well as concerns of a return to a monopoly. It is our hope that enterprises seek to consolidate their growth and dominance in the market.

In the circumstances, we hope that 2015 will indeed be a year of resurgence for growing our business in the year ahead.

Editorial, Advertising, Design & Production: P.O. Box 2003, Castries, Saint Lucia Tel: (758) 453-1149; Fax: (758) 453-1290 email: ams@candw.lc www.amsstlucia.com, www.stluciafocus.com

or areas of interest.

Business Focus reserves the right to determine the

We trust that you will enjoy reading the special features and all of the other Issue No. 79

Jan/Feb 2015

Best Wishes for a Successful 2015!

On The Cover:

Blue Waters St. Lucia A History of Excellence in Entrepreneurship

A

www.s tluciaf www.stlu ocus.c ciafocus. www.s com om tluciaf ocus.c om

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

| 4

History of

Excellence in Entrepreneurship

Managing the fleet: Saving Gas and Money with Vehicle Tracking

F

or companies with a fleet of vehicles on the road, knowing where your vehicles are is no longer the sole purpose for investigating in a vehicle tracking system. With the advancements in GPRS technology, vehicle tracking has become a component of a larger fleet management solution that has the capabilities of providing more than just the physical location of vehicles.

With over 200 vehicles travelling across Jamaica on a daily basis, the Tank-Weld Group for example, relies on a state -of-the-art GPRS tracking solution from KingAlarm and Digicel Business to manage their fleet. For the construction experts, however, securing their fleet goes beyond tracking vehicles on a map; the solution facilities the management of other important factors, including fuel consumption, geo-fencing and scheduling maintenance for the vehicles. One of the most important benefits of a fleet management solution, however, is the cost-savings, which John P. Azar, Managing Director of KingAlarm Systems Ltd says ‘can practically pay for the solution.”

According to Azar, “Managing a fleet of vehicles is not just about sitting and watching the location of your vehicles all day. While this is an important feature of any vehicle tracking system, businesses are realising that they lose a lot of money by not managing other aspects such as petrol usage and ‘moonlighting’ by employees.” Azar added that there are also insurance benefits for customers that install a vehicle tracking solution in their fleet.

“Fleet managers will find that insurance companies offer savings of up to 15% when a tracking system is installed in their vehicles. In addition to the savings on petrol, the percentage saved often covers the cost for the solution, showing an almost immediate return on investment for businesses,” Azar said.

Contact Digicel Business today at: 1 (758) 724 6001 or digicelbusinessslu@digicelgroup.com

Tech

Corner

Outside of the ROI, there are a number of other benefits to be gained from implementing a fleet management solution. The system also allows fleet managers to proactively set the parameters for vehicle usage so that they can be alerted of any breach. Head of Managed Services at Digicel Business, Joe McCusker, shares some insight on how the system works: “A fleet management solution enables your company to set rules regarding the usage of its vehicular assets. You can outline the areas that you want the vehicles to travel using geo-fencing; you can set a speed limit for the vehicles and you can decide what times you want the vehicle to be used. Any time your vehicles go outside of the specified area, exceed the speed limit or are being driven outside of work hours, you will immediately receive an alert.”

Gary Shurland, Human Resources Manager for the Tank-Weld Group, explains the benefits of the solution to their company. “In an environment where security is paramount, the vehicle tracking system provides a control window for us. We are able to tell our customers exactly where the truck is, and we can track the vehicle if it is stolen,” said Shurland. He continued: “We also have better control in terms of fuel control, knowing that the driver is not going off and wasting the fuel on trips unrelated to the job,” Shurland said.

KingAlarm’s Azar pointed out that many companies opt to install vehicle tracking systems not only because of the peace of mind that it provides, but also due to ease of implementation. “Whether it is a large company with several trucks or just a small business with two or three cars, it is very easy to implement this solution that has so many benefits.

As the system is web-based and requires minimal set-up, the fleet manager is able to monitor the vehicles remotely and expand the fleet with ease,” Azar explained.

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

5

BUSINESS BRIEFS SALCC to offer Post-graduate Diploma in Education

needs major investments that can make the unemployment levels”, he told media

CXC Upgrades Teaching, Assessment Methods The Board of Governors of the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College has granted approval for the College’s Division of the council already considers the various learning styles of students. As such, the School Based Assessments (SBAs) provide

of the Eastern Caribbean Joint Board of

understanding of the syllabus.

“With school based assessments, students and to respond to tasks in any manner that they choose to. Some of it can be in our assessment, we bear in mind that

University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus.

being considered for next year, three of which are in preparatory stages. Andrew hinted that two of these projects are of a medical nature. He also highlighted that the high cost of doing business here and the indiscriminate disposal of garbage, are some of the reasons why investors are discouraged from coming to Saint Lucia.

Andrew said his team is working closely with the local private sector, to ensure that these issues are addressed soon. ¤

Ladera Resort named one of the best hotels in the Caribbean

This is a postgraduate programme; therefore, only persons who have at least a Bachelor’s level degree would qualify to do the programme. Persons in the programme will study, among other things, how to

and strengths, so we do not rely on the in order to measure what they know, what they can do and what they understand.” submit their SBAs online. The other way is Media exam was done without a scrap of paper. More and more we are moving towards where we can have assessments ¤

commence the programme in August 2015 through an in-service arrangement. ¤

FDI in St. Lucia Reaches US$120 Million The Saint Lucian economy has recorded US$120 million in foreign direct investment (FDI) for 2014, realizing half of the set target of US$200 million over a two-year period. This announcement was made Lucia, McHale Andrew, during a press conference in late December. Andrew a number of investment projects in the New Year, which could see an increase being able to reach that success, the new investments this year, did not have any

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

6

St Lucian Ladera Resort has been recognized as one of the best hotels in the Caribbean according to Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Ladera received an overall score of 92.50 and included the luxury resort on the list for the second year in a row. The score this year is an increase from the overall score the resort received last year. Readers vote and resorts around the globe, weighing

that are most desirable. Travel + Leisure consumer resource for discerning travelers, and experiences around the world. ¤

* Please note: Past investment performance is not a guide to future performance and the value of your investments may f luctuate.

(First published: 2012)

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

7

F

companies in which the owners belong to the same family and

world’s business community. In the Caribbean region alone, they account for 90+ per cent of all private sector companies. As such, Caribbean family

quality talent from outside the family. talents while the smartest ones are not always asked to take on leadership roles.

4. and demands for change which can either help or harm the family business.

the economic development of the Region.

5. between family members go unresolved and worse, escalate into major feuds with

that only 30% of family-owned businesses

typically become strangled with family

the old family business maxim of “from shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three every country and culture: clogs to clogs (Lancashire), kimono to kimono (Japan) and rice paddy to rice paddy (Chinese).

There are many well-known reasons 1. Succession is the #1 problem with either vague or non-existent lines of

6. Entrenched historical views about the

of changed business circumstances.

7. which are not in the best interest of the business.

8. Spouses of family members (“marriedins”) complicate all of the above and The way “Families with Family Businesses” deal with these eight problems can mean

2. The founder gets undue preference.

3.

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

failure. Fortunately, having a robust system of governance arrangements, appropriate circumstances, can help lessen and solve

|

8

Corporate Governance for Family Owned Businesses By: Dr. Chris Bart, FCPA

Dr. Chris Bart, FCPA is a recognised governance authority, the author of two best sellers, and Co-Founder of the Caribbean Governance Training part corporate governance programme weeks and a major conference on Governance of the Family Owned Caribbean Enterprise is being planned

com/ or phone Lisa at 758 451 2500 Dr. Chris Bart, FCPA

many – if not most – of the problems listed above which, if allowed to go unabated, have destroyed both families and the businesses that their ancestors built.

As previous research has established,

lower cost debt and equity capital from external sources. Encouraging even the most basic principles of good governance for family-owned enterprises, therefore, is fundamental to the advancement of a strong economy.

So what is corporate governance? As system of processes, structures, policies

are directed and controlled.

The primary purpose of corporate governance - and working diligently to get the right governance arrangements performance and make it more successful. assets, and fostering accountability, transparency and fairness throughout the For example, a good family governance

lines among the family member-owners, managers and employees. When family – either personally or professionally - a sound governance system helps resolve

uniquely their own. And be warned: since the road to good family governance and compromise on the part of all family required if the family’s governance system is going to actually work. Moreover, as the family business and its members changes family governance system may also need a family’s governance system should not be seen as an immutable fait accompli and so rigid that it is incapable of change. Rather it should be seen as a sort of living organism that derives its strength from both

and requirements. As Darwin so aptly noted: It is not the strongest species which adaptable.

In terms of its design, a family governance system is typically made up of several key components and documents that arbitrate disputes. The “family assembly” and “family council” are considered the building blocks of every family’s governance system.

The Family Assembly is usually comprised of all family members who are old enough

completely alike. Indeed, the overarching principle in the world of governance is governance system must therefore be

the business and the family and lays out the various governance bodies discussed above. As a statement of principles, commitment to selected core values as well as the vision, and mission of the the governance of the business. arrangements, as just described, for a family and its businesses, however, is not a task that should be taken lightly or advisors is highly recommended to assist in undertaking.

In conclusion, a solid family governance

ownership challenges — and peace among

business enterprises. As such, it acts as the

needs and goals. To try and copy another family’s governance system would most

there are a number of key documents which every family needs to create to

procedures. As a family’s wealth increases

and rewards. And they ensure the right

Each family’s governance system however,

members.

sustainability and longevity of every

business in accordance with the family’s

poorly governed ones.

family’s annual retreat) or address topics

in the governance process. Its primary

Good governance arrangements also provide clear policies and procedures for

members to succeed, lead and manage the business. When done right, well governed

mechanisms and their decisions are

approved by the Family Assembly to achieve long-term success. The Council’s work is also supplemented by a separate Board of Directors (which should include

many family-owned businesses frequently leave themselves vulnerable because they unique governance problems. Yet, more resources are now readily available than

for members of family owned Caribbean enterprises: to what extent do you have a family governance system in place that is capable of dealing with the eight problems

provide direct oversight of the business.

is room for improvement, you might

Another vital component of a family’s governance system is a Judicial Council.

conference on “Establishing Great Governance in Family Owned Caribbean Enterprises” on December 2 and 3 which is being put on by the Caribbean Governance

key family members who enjoy a high level of respect throughout the family.

ignorance. ¤ BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

9

Vision Service There is a significant lack of “factual” data available today to analyse driver behaviour and the cause of crashes.

The Digicel Vehicle Services tech service captures ALL vehicle usage patterns and crash information through the installation of an advanced “Event Data Recorder” type device in a vehicle(s), which in turn automatically sends this data back to a centralised “information store” enabling: Monitoring of Driver Behaviour Erratic/dangerous driving detection Crash Detection/Notification Location & severity

• Pay-as-you-drive • Video Reporting • Pay-how-you-drive • Crash Reporting • Custom Reporting • Crash Notification

Fleet Management Real time tracking Eco driving Geo fencing Customised

3D Crash Reconstruction Trajectory during crash

Reporting The Advanced Event Data Recorder

• NAVIGEAR 6XS LITE • 6-AXIS INTERNAL • USER APPLICATIONS • INTERFACES • EVENT DETECTION Algorithm Package • AUTOMATIC Report Manager

As the name would suggest, alerts are only sent from the EDR when a predetermined “event” happens or a crash occurs. These events can be remotely changed/upgraded.

The EDR is a powerful mini-computer [400MHZ] that is capable of running complex onboard applications that support advanced monitoring services such as • 6 Degrees of Freedom measurement • GPS Dead Reckoning • Automated Crash Notification/Reporting (ACN).

6 Degrees of Freedom Measurement/GPS Dead-Reckoning/CAN The EDR is capable of capturing: • The most subtle vehicle movements, such as swerving, severe braking, severe acceleration, driving on rough terrain.

• Direction and severity of an impact to a vehicle.

• Did the vehicle roll and what is the resting position.

• 3D crash reconstruction and advanced crash reporting.

• Information from the vehicle’s on board diagnostic system.

• Automatic crash notification.

The EDR is also capable of connecting to peripheral devices in the vehicle such as the vehicle On Board Diagnostics (OBD) or a Camera(s).

3 6

Body Roll

1

5

Pitch Angle

2

4

“ Information Store” This is essentially the “heart” of the Digicel Vehicle Services tech service and is where all of the valuable vehicular usage and crash information gets formulated and presented to Digicel Vehicle Services tech’s customers.

Digicel Vehicle Services tech recognises that for large insurance companies and fleet operators to embrace this type of service it has to be capable of “seamlessly” integrating in to their existing business systems/processes.

To get the technology you need to keep you ahead , Contact Digicel Business at 1 758 724 6001 or digicelbusinessslu@digicelgroup.com Complete solutions for your needs.

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

10

To support this requirement, the Digicel Vehicle Services Information Store has been designed on a Service Orientated Architecture (SOA) – Web Services and is being delivered on a cloud computing environment, meaning that the service is: • Scalable • Customisable • Easily Integrated • Economical

DIGICEL VEHICLE SERVICES

Digicel’s Fleet management service provides customers the opportunity to minimize risks associated with vehicle investment,

tablet or using a smartphone.

With Digicel’s Asset Management Service you are able to: • • • • • • •

Manage and track fuel usage, speed and mileage Instant crash alert Analyse driver behaviour scores Reduce unathorised vehicle use

For more details on Digicel’s Fleet Management Service, contact Digicel Business at: 724-6001 or at digicelbusinessslu@digicelgroup.com

Bryden & Partners Ltd Experience With Digicel Vehicle Tracking System f6 Vehicle Tracking Technology to assist us in f6 System facilitates tracking of driver performance and compliance with driver KPI’s, including distance travelled, length of idling, harsh cornering and the system allows the company to have a live view

company in retrieving a vehicle which was stolen without the f6 System and the company could have The Digicel f6 Vehicle Tracking Technology would certainly be useful for any company looking to Leo Lionel Brydens & Partners Ltd BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

11

Cable & Wireless Acquisition Ignites Monopoly Fears in the

Caribbean

US$3B Deal to Acquire Columbus Raises Concerns, Highlights Vulnerabilities in Caribbean Telecom Sector

W

hen

by Bevil Wooding

Cable

&

Wireless

Bentley said on an investors’ conference

announced an agreement to acquire Columbus

to the deal as “a great opportunity” for CWC to “build scale and become the dominant player” in bundled cable TV, Internet and phone services in the region.

widespread concerns about the impact of infrastructure investment and wider economic development in the Caribbean.

If approved, the deal will make CWC the Caribbean’s largest wholesale and retail broadband service provider. At the same

Bevil Wooding is an Internet Strategist with Packet Clearing House (www.pch.net)

infrastructure.

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

12

territories into monopoly or nearmonopoly markets for telephony, cable TV and broadband services.

giant. The company previously enjoyed English-speaking Caribbean. Since dehowever, CWC’s slowness to adapt has steadily eroded by new, nimble players such as Columbus and Digicel.

Game Changer

In 2013, then UK-based Cable & Wireless

“This is a game changer for Cable & Wireless—it puts us very much back on

separated from the purely UK-focused Cable & Wireless Worldwide in 2010,

Columbus, registered in Barbados yet managed from Ft Lauderdale, Florida, has grown over the past ten years to serve the Caribbean. Canadian billionaire John Risley, American billionaire John Malone, and founder and CEO Brendan Paddick together hold 84.8 percent of the privately owned company. The three would own 36 percent of the new CWC, worth nearly US$800 million.

For the year ended 2013, Columbus had of US$104 million from a customer base of just over seven hundred thousand, in the Caribbean territories in which it operates, and an average revenue per customer of about US$60 per month. It

are at prices as much as eighty percent lower than comparable services from However, its growth has not been without of Karib Cable, doing business in four the company struggled with network build-outs and launch delays, exposing its serves 2 million customers in thirteen broadband, cable TV, and mobile services.

Publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange, CWC now makes US$1.12 billion in revenue each year from the Caribbean, or about US$48 per customer per month. decade shedding costs, restructuring and

regain market-dominance. shareholder consent and also requires regulatory approval in Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Barbados. If it goes through, CWC will have immediate access to a more modern, more extensive network infrastructure and greater market reach through ownership of Columbus’ three wholesale network, operated by Columbus trading under the brand Columbus Business which currently services households in the Caribbean with cable TV, broadband and landline voice services.

seen last May when the two companies announced a joint venture to share an forty-two countries and spanning more than 42,000 kilometers. The agreement

not been well received by Columbus’ customers. Columbus’ Flow-branded social-media sites have been overrun who have also started a movement on

Unfortunately, only stockholders have a vote; the Caribbean public has no direct

Changing Landscape What of Digicel, the Caribbean’s largest mobile provider, and the only other In a release, they said: “This proposed

the region. The issues that will need to loop unbundling, price bundling generally as well as a myriad of other likely issues … and the likely resultant impact on the telecoms market in the region.”

Digicel’s concerns are not surprising given the company’s dependence on wholesale broadband and network services from Columbus and CWC. Probably sensing that made several maneuvers over the past acquired regional sports broadcaster SportsMax and bought cable TV companies in six markets in as many months. Digicel

ninety percent of the region’s subsea cable to regulators across the region.

As with that joint venture, both companies are now doing their best to make the case for the market and good for consumers.

Brendan Paddick, Columbus’ CEO, claimed that “combining our businesses makes both companies stronger, faster and smarter in Here’s the catch: there won’t be two

In its latest venture, it entered the subsea bandwidth arena by purchasing Global assets in the eastern Caribbean. it might be able to extend its strength in the mobile space to the quad-play to regulators. But it would take years and hundreds of millions more dollars in investments before Digicel can match the new CWC in terms of capacity or reach—so

Combining the businesses will make CWC the largest wholesale broadband provider, and a dominant or outright monopoly “quad-play” provider, commanding the markets for the four principle

proposed monopoly.

broadband, cable TV and landline—in the Caribbean.

one of the reasons why, from a business

Race for Market Domination The

limited

capacity

of

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

its

|

largest

13

makes strategic sense for CWC. It is also why governments, regulators and consumers should be very concerned.

CWC can consolidate its service footprint

achieve “recurring annualized pre-tax cost synergies of about $85 million.”

telecom regulator does have the authority to amend service provider concessions in ownership. Regulators and governments in the eastern Caribbean territories, where

Nevertheless, none of these countries, individually, have the leverage to impact a

remained had Columbus remained as a

will it be possible for them to pool their

understates is that the sheer reach and scale of combined CWC and Columbus broadband, landline, mobile and cable

Challenges to Innovation than three thousand Columbus employees into the CWC fold, almost doubling

This deal between CWC and Columbus may have been transacted in the UK and US, but the brunt of its impact will be felt Canadian and American investors, cannot directly threatens all aspects of economic development within the region, raising many concerns:

Gaps in Regulatory Structure

for the Columbus culture to energize its

top-down approach.

If CWC is unable to inspire or retain Columbus into their fold could leave the company a larger, slower and more debtladen version of its current self. This would economies. This could reverse the gains of

The deal exposes in the most extreme

to achieve cost savings of approximately US$85 million, of which more than two-

brings fears of a return to the days of high prices, poor service and general arrogance monopoly in the region.

terms. This process can result in labor-

Obstacles to Future Infrastructure Investment CWC had promised a US$1 billion “capital investment led strategy” while Columbus had spent nearly US$500 million on actual network build in the prior three years.

It is uncertain whether the region will of infrastructure investment and all of lost as the companies consolidate their

Safeguarding Consumer Interests Given

the

strategic

importance

of

and social development, concerns created infrastructure development, consumer prices, employment, service quality, and consumer choice—need to be addressed quickly and comprehensively.

The companies’ shareholders and owners

Service Disruptions and Layoffs agreement adds fuel to a growing debate

CWC’s highly unionized environment with Columbus’ largely nonunionized

consumers and markets.

Given than these markets are simply

Unanswered Questions

The merger of the employee groups

Caribbean stakeholders. The responsibility falls to Caribbean governments, regulators, businesses, and consumers to make their voices heard.

The disparate expressions of disappointment, disquiet, fear and concern being raised across the region must be focused into strong statements

of IT systems.” If these “savings” are

will underscore the seriousness of the

future development projects, how much greater is the cost to the economy as a whole?

a strong signal to Caribbean regulators that they must act in concert to meet the

is compounded by the absence of

Trinidad and Tobago’s recently established

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

14

and limit the damage it will otherwise impose upon regional economies. ¤

The POWER is Yours! www.ecfh.com puts your Financial World @ Your Fingertips • Instant insurance quotes • Real-time stock market rates • Currency convertor • Financial news, blogs and events • Secure online access to personal • ECFH subsidiary news, events and promotions • Social media • Community support for small business owners Scan Here

through our continued innovation.

Financial Centre Building | #1 Bridge Street P.O. Box 1860 | Castries, Saint Lucia Tel: 456-6000 | Fax:456-6702 Email: ecfh@candw.lc Web:www.ecfh.com BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

15

BUSINESSTECH TECH BUSINESS

Caribbean Cyber Security Awareness is Still Dangerously low

By James Bynoe CEO Caribbean Cyber Security Center

O

Cyber Security Awareness Month.” Unfortunately, cyber security awareness in the Caribbean remains dangerously low making us extremely vulnerable to cyber criminals, hackers, and predators.

In the last 12 months we have seen an increase in cyber related incidents across the region in the form of ATM scams, targeted

to an increase in cyber related banking fraud incidents. Bank associated with having to responding to the rise in banking fraud credit card technology to protect themselves and their customers.

presently exist globally. Yet, we in the Caribbean are not leveraging security, economic development, law enforcement and public

currently breached or compromised and don’t even realise it. cyber criminals know that the Caribbean is lagging behind in the target.

It appears that it will take a catastrophic cyber incident to jolt the security awareness and non-adherence to cyber security best already occurred which we haven’t discovered as yet.

thousands of dollars from ATMs. It can be argued whether the punishment issued to the ATM fraudsters matched the crime,

urge regional leaders in the public and private sectors to start to take the threat from cyber criminals, hackers, and predators

prisons for stealing far less.

against the cyber threat is much less than that of responding to a cyber-incident. ¤

failing to move more aggressively to the more secure ATM/credit

Remember, hindsight is always a tough teacher.

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

16

Taiwan Providing Island-Wide Wi-Fi Hotspots for St Lucia The government of Taiwan will be providing island-wide Wi-Fi hotspots around the island of St Lucia, the government announced in late November. The project has already been approved, and will be implemented in 2015, according to a statement from the government of St Lucia.

The move is part of a wider tech push for the island, which also this

The two centres have broken ground in Micoud and Vieux Ford, with each set to serve as a central access hub for providing Internet and other ICT services. The cost of the two centres will be around $407,407 USD, according to a government statement.

Dr. Gale Rigobert, the member of Parliament for Micoud, said classroom for a nearby high school.

Funding for the two centres was provided by the government

said Taiwan Ambassador to St. Lucia James Chang. The Micoud

造

YOUR STYLE

YOUR COVERAGE

YOUR FEATURES

Comfortable cover.

this is how to stay fresh and dryits called the CleanWear* cover, and its drier than Always Infinity Pads

U by Kotex Tween* Pads

Introducing new pads with heavy flow absorbency in a smaller size than our regular pads, for younger girls. U by Kotex Tween* pads come in vibrant colors and patterns, have a special cover to ensure they stay dry, plus an absorbent core to lock fluid away and help prevent leaks. www.kotex.com

No more roughing it.

Soft, comfortable cottony side barriers help protect against side leaks.

Tel: (758) 458-8500

Distributed by

Fax: (758)458-8506

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

17

BUSINESS TECH

ICT for Development

A Critical Factor for Economic Development

By Charmaine Joseph

T

unprecedented opportunity to inclusively serve the poor through the increasing interconnectedness of individuals and geographies to the global economy.’

“That CARICOM States adopt a coordinated approach to development of structural, legal and regulatory frameworks, to

progress. Though technology has become an integral part of trade policy, environmentalism and sustainability, technology

including the emphasis of computers in the learning process,

economic growth.

technology driven small and medium businesses. However, the yet to be explored.

Grenadian Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Mitchell, in a 2003 UWI technological advances in the developing world will indeed call

the world. Technology is determining the quality of that interface, circumscribing both the economic and the social context in which Caribbean peoples will live in the next several years.”

With this in mind, CARICOM has taken steps since 2003 to create

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

18

Some of the sectors where ICT has had the greatest impact include: Health •

Increased

access

to

healthcare

and

health-related

• • •

Improved ability to diagnose and track diseases for health workers

Education

the poor. gender equality and health in the Millennium Development Goals. resources.

Agriculture

on agriculture to live sustainably.

of ICT (the Internet, mobile phone, and other digital technologies).

Poor families in the rural areas have limited or no access at all people also need access to ICT since this technology would help on their livelihoods and incomes.

Government

partnerships; and adapt policies that favor assistance to and

In CARCOM’s Agenda for Caribbean Leadership in ICT Development enabled health services, and promote widespread use of ICT Certainly the Region has come a long way in its technological development, however there is much more work to be done. To truly maximise technology for economic development, technology

¤ BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

19

Brendan Paddick, Columbus CEO

Phil Bentley, CEO, CWC

New Company to be Formed From CWC / Columbus Merger Will Transform Customer Service Experience

“ • • • •

We are forming a new company, with a new leadership team, and a new heart of the business”

Will invest US$400M in Broadband Expansion Guarantees a low-price broadband package, with wider access to all Promises to create 500 skilled jobs in Supports Net Neutrality and Number Portability

(Columbus) announced a ground-breaking customer charter that will guide how the new company would operate following the approval and closing of their merger.

CWC’s CEO Phil Bentley said that the Newco will invest US$400M to expand its broadband infrastructure, with Bentley constructed in the region, providing wider BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

| 20

income households. We will ensure that while also providing industry leading 1 Gb/s broadband speeds for those customers who want an unparalleled online experience”.

Bentley also pledged that the new company formed from the merger of CWC/Columbus would create more than 500 jobs between now and 2019 through growth in its services and by reviewing current outsourcing arrangements. “We will enhance the quality of our customers’ experience, as we invest in jobs closer to our Caribbean customers, “he said.

In giving customers more choices, the new company will become the leading regional supporter of net neutrality and provide full access to legal ‘over-the-top’ (OTT) commitment for Local Number Portability (LNP), which will enable customers to exercise the freedom of keeping their telephone numbers, should they choose to switch operators. “We are keen to facilitate consumer choice - it’s our

- and the freedom to access OTT services numbers is a key element of our strategy.”

Bentley said.

the ability to transfer landline, video any provider. Columbus ceo Brendan Paddick indicated “our job is to keep our can’t expect their patronage. You can’t contract customer loyalty - you have to earn it”.

Bentley indicated that, “with these commitments, our proposed merger with superior broadband access, and transforming our customer experience – underpinned by service excellence company, with a new leadership and a heart of our business." ¤

“Merger Will be Good for St. Lucia” A One on One Conversation with LIME CEO

W

announcement that it had agreed to acquire Columbus

be heightened public interest in the impending merger of the two companies throughout the region.

A close look at the telecoms landscape in St. Lucia and across the region reveal

second player to truly deliver consumer value and compete.

companies the best chance to create a 21st Century telecom operator for the growth strategy of delivering broadband,

its delivery of services to its business customers with a focus on introducing more value-added services and more

“We recognize that local businesses are facing serious challenges in the current economic environment. Following the

overlooked in some of the discussions.

Since its demerger in 2010 CWC has of the company it once was many years

Panama and the Seychelles.

Digicel, on the other hand, has been the region’s dominant player. Digicel has acquired more than 20 companies across the region in the past 10 years. These

download speeds, and best-in-class quad In short, it will be good for customers and good for investment and good for

of-the-art technologies.”

Governments in the region also stand to

from free or subsidised broadband service from LIME and other forms of telecoms

service and reach, helping governments

its investment in the future.

Caribbean from Cingular, Claro in Jamaica, cable companies in the past year – all acquired with regulatory approvals. This has enabled Digicel to gain 87% market share of ICT in the region. These moves have made it quite a challenge for other companies to truly compete as they do not enjoy the cost savings that Digicel has enjoyed due to its expansion and large customer base, making it the region’s sole over 13 million subscribers against CWC/ Columbus’ 6 million.

Therefore, CWC/Columbus will be the second largest ICT provider in the Caribbean. The region needs a strong

In Panama our business has pioneered a Therefore, by expanding internet access

Schools, libraries and numerous charitable

availability of broadband to St. Lucians and the people of the Caribbean through the provision of free service to many of our public schools and libraries. This type of support could only be sustained with a complete overhaul of our business

more Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) and increase the growth of new industries in

growing demand for the service. Once again, C&W’s merger with Flow would strengthen our ability to contribute to the

and the strengths of both companies will help to accelerate the region’s ICT

She added: “Everything we do is driven by customer demand. We owe it to them to their needs and deliver the world-class service they have come to expect, and deserve.” ¤ BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

21

LIME Slashes Roaming Rates FREE Incoming Calls

F

customers - the cost of staying connected via calls, texts or mobile internet on your prepaid smartphone while travelling in the U.S.

LIME prepaid customers; from December 11, 2014 now enjoy rates reduced by up to 50%, to roam across the U.S. and Canada. This makes it a lot more news updates, enjoy videos and more online when travelling.

LIME’s prepaid roaming plans work customers to focus on the purpose of their travels, not their phone charges. The discerning traveler to select a plan that enjoying the discounted rates. On expiry BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

| 22

will be charged normal roaming rates.

“It was just November last year that we cut prepaid data roaming costs for customers travelling to the U.S. and the response we received was

“Increasingly customers shared that

or pleasure in the US and Canada. Our no longer having to pay for incoming calls.

“Further to becoming the company with the lowest roaming rates, we are thrilled to become the only Telecoms provider

your phone freely and chat even while

their smartphones when they travel but

roaming rates; data, voice and text, as a number of St. Lucians travel to the US and Canada, especially our business

providing its customers with the absolute

Lower prepaid roaming rates will be a welcome treat for anyone on the LIME network planning to roam for business

enhance service quality and build goodwill

as part of the company’s ongoing network

¤

Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC) Achieves

LIME, BTC and Cable & Wireless Panama

C needs.�

tools and services, sales training and the Cisco Cloud Marketplace to address the varied needs of its customers. As a Cisco Cloud and

Cisco Powered MPLS VPN and Cisco Metro Ethernet, Cisco Telepresence Video SMB Program, among others. ¤ BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

23

Wins the Americas TMT Deal of the Year Award 2014

C

The deal is considered a strategic move by the telecoms business as it brings together Cable & Wireless’ expansive networks,

markets such as El Salvador, Peru, and Nicaragua.

The TMT Deal of the Year for the Americas is awarded by the AI Group Media Ltd, conceptualizers of the award and publishers of

Deal of the Year. ¤ BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

| 24

LIME Continues Work with NTRC to Expand Broadband Access Island-Wide

W

henever a public library has free internet access, the majority of visitors to the facility use the Internet access, making it one of the most-used library services.

The Babonneau Library Internet Access Project will vastly improve internet

“This type of growth could only be sustained with a complete overhaul of our network systems and internal processes around management and service delivery,”

and online training and make social

This is especially so in St. Lucia’s rural

School students will have free and easy access to online databases, homework

Cluster explained. “This will enable us to improve coverage, capacity and

for community access to broadband services. Limited broadband access means behind because of their inability to take internet provides to improve their lives. but the residents are now poised to overcome this hurdle. They will soon have increased access to broadband internet service with support from St. Lucia’s LIME. Regulatory Commission (NTRC) has commissioned LIME to build a high-speed broadband network at the Babonneau Library. The project is being funded by the Universal Service Fund managed by the NTRC, the aim of which is support

content and e-books, and other digital services. Even small businesses in the the internet to capitalise on promising Broadband Internet services promise economic advancement, provided could be achieved across the island. This increasing emphasis on growing its base, and on increasing the availability of broadband to St. Lucians through the provision of free service to many of our public schools and libraries.

Approximately US$5m is being spent on upgrading the company’s broadband network in St. Lucia to enable it to deliver speeds to users of the service. A further US$4.9m will be invested to expand 4G coverage throughout the island. LIME’s landline network is also being upgraded, as well as the network system in the south of the island.

and business customers. This, in turn, will allow the people of St. Lucia to enjoy smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices. It will also give our company the ability to respond to the fast-changing social and business models we see today.”

access to broadband services throughput St. Lucia, including to a number of the Government of St. Lucia and other like Babonneau are not lagging behind their urban neighbours.”

In November 2013 the NTRC selected LIME to build a Wi-Fi network at the Soufriere Community Access Centre, along Wi-Fi hotspot will make internet access much easier for up to a half-mile radius around the Community Access Centre and allow the town’s residents, some of its from the service. ¤ BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

25

Cable & Wireless Business Solutions Provides St. Lucia Government with State-of-the-Art IP Solutions Support for Contact Centre

Call Centre Deborah Barley Head of Sales

C

Business and Government telecoms provider, won selected from various tenders to install Internet Protocol

She added: “Our goal is to ensure that government agencies and from greater cost savings and economies of scale.”

the new Government Integrated Contact Centre. government. is to provide a single point of access to all government services Contact Centre is expected to be integrated with the 911 and

customer service agents who have all undergone intensive

Minister of the Public Service, Dr. James Fletcher said the Government of St. Lucia is pleased to work closely with Cable

unprecedented in St. Lucia and the Caribbean and built at a cost of some EC$300,000.

the way we do things. It requires not just simply upgrading our

interact with the Public Service,” said CEO LIME Southern

waterfront. It can be accessed by dialling 311 free of charge

customer experience you are delivering across every channel and touch point and your ability to handle all types of customer BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

26

structures and processes.”

and 7 p.m. ¤

LIME ANTIGUA & BARBUDA LAUNCHES THE CARIBBEAN’S FIRST MOBILE 4G LTE NETWORK

L

launched the fastest and most

mobile LTE network in the Caribbean on Thursday, November 20.

enable the company’s customers to access mobile data at far higher download speeds than previously available. Browsing the videos will become almost instantaneous for 4G (LTE) customers.

The 4G LTE network, which was deployed

by Ericsson, boasts 100% coverage across capacity with enhanced mobile data services.

LIME’s 4G LTE will allow smartphone users to fully unleash the power of their smart authorised carrier in the English-speaking Caribbean of the Apple® iPhone® 6 and iPhone 6 Plus launched the sale of the devices in stores across the region for the Christmas holiday season. The latest iPhones are considered globally as the

including the Samsung Galaxy S5, Galaxy Note 4 and Samsung Ace 4. The launch of standard for mobile data anywhere in the world.

The upgrade to mobile 4G LTE is part of the ongoing EC$37M dollar upgrade across

Technology Melford Nicholas said "This investment in 4G LTE by LIME will

capital investment programme, called Project Marlin which is valued at US$1.05 Billion.

for new business development, selfentrepreneurship and employment growth. Moreover, it is an important step

LIME’s General Manager Davidson Charles Barbuda sets our country apart as one of the best connected and best served countries not just in the Caribbean but soon as customers click on a website. The LTE delivers is immense. We have invested deliver a world class mobile data and voice experience to our customers’

About LIME LIME is the Caribbean’s leading fullmember of the New Cable & Wireless has been the ‘technology backbone’ of the Caribbean for over 140 years. LIME’s state of the art network keeps families connected and the wheels of business and industry turning. LIME has the largest on-island and sub-sea cable networks in the region spanning 42 countries carrying also for other telecoms operators.

Recognised as one of the Caribbean’s largest investors and biggest employers, LIME has undertaken a Billion dollar investment-led strategy over the next three years to increase Superfast mobile A strong contributor to local economies, with the people in every market it serves.

development, culture, music, sport and society"

premium Data, Telecoms and IT Services through its new unit, Cable & Wireless visit www.lime.com. ¤

an unbeatable mobile data customer

About LIME

¤ BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

27

When Being Lean is Not About

Being Mean

M

anufacturers the world over are searching, on the constant lookout for the magic bullet,

Over the years, that search has lead to the development of many bold approaches, some magical, and some not so magical.

What is Lean Enterprise

Some History Japanese

manufacturers,

Harvey H. Millar Ph.D., P. Eng.

re-building

resources. The problems they faced in from their Western counterparts. These circumstances led to the development of

Lean manufacturing can be considered

Early Japanese leaders such as the Toyota Motor Company's Eiji Toyoda, Taiichi Ohno, and Shingeo Shingo developed a

of Japanese companies worldwide, and in

system now known as the "Toyota

Toyota. that added no value to a product.

The term "lean" was used because Japanese business methods used less customers, while simultaneously searching for a moment, much of the fat (non-value product.

A Philosophy

Harvey H. Millar Ph., P. Eng. Management Technologies Dr. Millar is a full professor in the Sobey School of Business at Saint Mary’s University in Canada. He is the principal consultant with Management among others: strategic planning, strategy reached at Harvey.H.Millar@gmail.com.

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

28

as well as the nature of leadership and management philosophy. Leadership for lean manufacturing emphasises a search

problem solving teams, a focus on process and product design, and a long term commitment to quality.

•

Lean enterprise thrives on the empowerment of employees. Shop

•

and strategy focus on improving customer improving product quality.

culture. Lean principles are such that products are built just when the customer needs them; quality is built into the product teams are empowered to make decisions performance and maintain an open culture

Key Elements philosophy. One goal for a lean producer is for the workplace to be comparable in class hospital. The workplace must be bright and well lit; surfaces must be clean and counter tops must be free of grease and grime. Garbage must be properly put away and disposed of. Everything should meet or exceed government safety achieve: safety compliance, brightness, cleanliness, and orderliness.

• •

Management reluctance to empower people power Not invented here syndrome Internal systems are hurdles

The lean producer must be prepared to address these obstacles or face the

As a business philosophy, lean enterprise life” that requires fundamental change in

•

trained to ensure backup support for team members.

Making Lean Work Simply making a decision to implement lean enterprise will not create a magical are several factors that are necessary for

visual management reduces the likelihood share widely throughout the company.

Sales data, team performance data, defect members to see.

Recognising that muda (Japanese for waste) is the enemy and that waste is everywhere, the lean producer must adopt a posture that there is always room for improvement and that more waste can always be eliminated. Not only must the lean producer look for waste on the shop and in the interfaces between the company and its suppliers.

It is important that a lean producer has processes in place to solicit and respond to employees, customers, and suppliers.

• • •

Ensure employees are involved in decision making

• •

Create

an

atmosphere

of

• •

and reward systems The need to execute pilot projects prior to rolling culture out across the

Benefits of Lean Companies that implement lean enterprise can expect to experience numerous

A lean producer will make to order, not to stock. This means that customer demand

Obstacles

of demand. Too much inventory can hide problems. It can hide defects, poor

a few senior managers may not grasp the strategic value of lean enterprise.

improved employee morale and increased

personnel problems such as the need

management fads come and go all the

inventory frees up space and capital

are those who will say that we’ve done all right with our current approach, why

Power, Toyota, HP, Motorola, Michellin North America (Canada), Canada Post,

While mass producers employ several quality inspectors, lean producers adhere to the principle that quality should be built in, not inspected in. Achieving such quality performance requires a focus

The following is a summary of some of the • •

fewer missed orders due to reduced lead

the journey to bliss begins with a single step – the decision to go forward! ¤

Top managers lack strategic understanding of lean enterprise and knowledge

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

29

MONEY MATTERS

What Your

Income Tax

Refund

Really Means

D

o you get all excited when you receive a tax refund? It does feel like receiving something special and well-deserved.

Think of all you are going to be able to do with this new found money. You may also wonder why you are receiving only this small amount when you pay so much tax each month; you want more! You just cannot wait for next year's refund!

the interest (4.50%, compounded monthly) total at the end of the year would be $41.81. Over a 20-year period, this monthly $166.67 would be $64,688.69, with accumulated of this amount.

2.

you have not received the refunds due to you over the last few years, you are wondering when you will ever receive the amounts due, especially in this tumultuous economic climate.

Having a tax refund means that you have granted your government an interest-free loan over the last year.

These monies could have been savings and/or investments over this periodConsider a tax refund of $2,000 due to you. This equates to an interest-free loan to government of $166.67 per month for the year. Now, if this $166.67 was

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

30

4.

When you receive a tax refund, it represents monies which you did not have access to during the year.

Depending on your circumstances, this money could have assisted you

5.

You may embrace the refund

Given that most likely you will not receive a refund cheque in interest-free loan for periods of up to a few years. If this $2,000 refund and you have yet to receive it, you

Have you ever given thought as to where the tax refund comes from, and what the

1.

your credit card debt. But think of the amount of interest charges you could have saved by making increased incremental payments during the year instead, or by not having to charge your credit card at all!

interest on the amount. Over the

a forced savings plan, but the opportunity costs of not having access to your funds far outweigh

returns would now be more than $500.

3.

How do You go About By 'authorising' this interest-free Reducing or Eliminating loan to the government, you may Tax Refunds?

now be forced to use your credit card to charge some purchases. You are now faced with the issue of receiving no interest on the amount that you have lent to the government, while your credit card. Yes, you can use

There are many smart tax-planning

these are suitable for you.

Open a Registered Retirement Plan

so that the funds can be transferred to your credit union of $5,000 annually to be used against your taxable income.

RAP, allow payments to earn (and compound) interest on a pre-

Life Insurance

in St. Lucia may claim up to a maximum of $8,000 per year for

Life insurance has long been used as a security net for families against the risk of death. The loss of your life can serve a severe blow to the sustainability of your family, especially if

Open a First Home Account

of policies are tailored with a savings plan. The life insurance probate process.

Donate to a Registered Charity

this, the amount of taxes that you pay monthly should be reduced, leaving you with greater control of your funds. 造

recognised, it must be undertaken under a deed of covenant for at least three years.

Purchase Credit Union Shares Brought to you by:

West Indies General

Insurance Company Limited

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

31

MONEY MATTERS

Finance Providers Still Failing Small Businesses, says

F

inance providers must change the way they treat small businesses seeking support, or leave themselves wide

•

to provide a quasi-assurance service to fundraising

Longitude Research.

• data with considerable research and in-depth case studies on

much more challenging than their larger counterparts.

be able to speak directly to boards and explain the long-term •

which revealed that it has about 50,000 members regularly 10,000 in the world's capital markets.

providers. ACCA calls for professionals to work with venture capitalists and not be afraid to challenge their herding behaviour,

free' basis: the recipients must be seen as risk-free, or provide free' status nor collateral truly provide the safety credit providers seek, yet obsessing about the two starves some of the most intensify as small businesses become increasingly dependent on intangible assets.

ACCA professionals will have a greater advantage in helping businesses

and control where they belong.

clients. While ACCA's past research had found evidence of this

Manos Schizas, Senior Economic Analyst at ACCA, said: “This is a

• to act as true business partners.

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

32

even more widespread in the wider business world.” ¤

Exits Caribbean Wealth Management Business

T

business in the Caribbean is another sign that Canadian

making changes at its wealth management division.

Craig Fehr, an analyst with Edward Jones in St. Louis, Missouri.

Analyst says other banks are reviewing international operations New Banking Cycle "I think we're moving into the next phase of the economic cycle probably demand less of personal loans and certainly mortgages," Fehr said. is perhaps losing some of its momentum, so they're perhaps

Canada's largest bank said the Caribbean move, which follows the The banks may also be reorganizing ahead of the likely possibility and the U.S., and will result in an undetermined number of job losses.

in 2015. The central bank's key short-term interest rate has inexpensive for the banks' customers to borrow money to make major purchases such as real estate and vehicles.

that will be impacted as we are currently considering a number

"We're seeing all bank management take a look at their businesses.

For the last several years, they learned how to operate in this low interest rate environment," said Fehr. "I now think it's a prudent

Claire Holland in an email. worth and ultra-high net worth clients in key areas for expansion,

Scotiabank Already Announced Cuts

Like several other major Canadian banks, RBC is undergoing a

took over the top job from Rick Waugh last November. CIBC's Victor Dodig became CEO in September and TD's Bharat Masrani

Management division. Its RBC Suisse business in Europe will also undergo a strategic review.

This move by RBC follows a similar one announced earlier this

arm will shut 120 of its foreign branches, including in Mexico and the Caribbean region.

CIBC, which has maintained a presence in the Caribbean since the 1920s, said in September that it planned to focus on managing expenses amid challenges in the region.

Fehr said Canadian banks are taking the prudent step of reorganizing their businesses, as the sector prepares for lower

services including personal and commercial banking, large-scale capital funding, investor services, and insurance. management business follows this year's sale of its Jamaican banking division, at a loss. Despite the RBC Jamaica items, the 31, including a record $285 million at Wealth Management, up 22 per cent from a year earlier. including $100 million in losses related to the sale of RBC Jamaica in the Caribbean between Nov. 1 and July 31. 造 Source: The Canadian Press BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

33

MONEY MATTERS

Uncompetitive Nature of Tourism Sector the Main Cause of Region’s Struggle, says Chairman of Republic Bank

T

he conference, held under the theme - "The Changing Face of Caribbean Banking," featured speaker and industry veteran Mr. Ronald deC. Harford, Chairman of Republic Bank Limited, who cited the main cause of the region's struggle as its unsustainable

nature of its key sector, Tourism. The global the broken model on which the region's economy is based. keynote speaker, Hon. Ryan Pinder, Bahamas' Minister of Financial Services, acknowledged an increasingly complex and regulated banking environment. He referred to some of the main challenges being faced now: global transparency, the impact of mandates from external

changes across the region; while providing the industry including the challenging The conference also received the support provide technological and professional services. through advocacy, up to date training, growing member and partner networks and engagement at all levels in order to The increasingly popular CAB Conference in November 2015.

of necessary public/private partnerships.

He also emphasized the need to support

as well as for the sharing of experiences

"the Caribbean banking industry requires

advocacy to support members in achieving

of Banks held its 41st Conference and Annual

and knowledge to be able to react to a changing industry."

and supports full compliance with the AML/CFT standards in order to protect all

During its two days, the CAB conference

ongoing money laundering and terrorist

In November, 2014

bankers and industry professionals to put

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

| 34

¤

LIFEBALANCING is a ACT

Enjoy the cushion of security that EC Global Insurance provides.

Home Owners’ Insurance Motor Insurance Commercial Insurance Livelihood Protection Our Strength is on YOUR Side!

Advertising Specialties & Promotional Products * Special Events * Calendars

* Corporate Gifts * Holiday Give Aways

* Personal Diaries * Much More........

We’ll Put Your Name Upfront Tel: 758 453-1149 • Fax: 758 453-1290 P. O. Box 2003, John St, La Clery, Castries, St. LuciaBusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

35

Rayneau Construction and Industrial Products Limited (RCIP) , the latest venture of the Rayneau group of companies, is a “one stop hardware and home improvement store”.

RCIP was established in 2012, with the objective of providing customers (residential, commercial, industrial and institutional, both large and small), with a wide range of quality products at competitive prices. At RCIP, we offer quality products for building, renovating, living and leisure needs. We cater to customers who are undertaking “do-ityourself jobs”, home improvement, construction and general building works.

Our key focus is the needs of our customers. We remain dedicated to providing products that are in demand, affordable and safe. As we continue to grow and develop, we will find new and better ways to serve our customers, be an employer of choice and be a good corporate citizen.

WATERWORKS Let RCIP Meet All Your Plumbing Needs...

Whether you're setting up a state-of-the-art master bathroom, installing a sprinkler system or solving drainage problems, RCIP has everything you need to make your plumbing project a success. From toilets, water heaters and filtration systems, to faucets, metal pipes and fittings or plastic pipes and fittings, we're here to help you every step of the way. At RCIP we even carry eco-friendly options to help you save money and live green.

Authorized Dealer for

POWERTOOLS BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

Tough Tools for Professionals

|

1

PRODUCTS

A "One Stop" Hardware and Home Improvement Store

• Electrical Products • Plumbing Supplies • Building Hardware • Windows • Doors • Paints & Sundries • Tools • Lawn & Garden Supplies • Sand • Stone • Cement • Asphalt

• Welded Wire Mesh/BRC • Steel • Concrete • Cement • Concrete Blocks • Gabion Baskets • Lumber • Plywood • Tying wire • Nails • Transportation • Equipment Rental

BUILDING MATERIALS Check off everything you have on your to-do list with our wide variety of materials and supplies that will meet every need you have for your building project. Whether it's roofing, ceiling, decking or renovated room, RCIP offers a variety of building supplies to complete the job. Come in and explore our selections in lumber, decking, fencing, roofing and gutters, siding and stone veneers, cement pavers, masonry and more. RCIP provides economical and versatile range of materials to complete your project. RCIP is the one-stop destination for all of your building material needs.

WINDOWS Discover the difference the right windows can make in your home.

Our selection of PVC casement windows will offer a unique and elegant look to your home. All our windows come with mosquito screens, to protect your home from these and other insects. PVC windows also offers easy care, don’t need painting, staining or refinishing, withstand seablast and will look great for years.

PAINTS Get all your Paint needs at RCIP- Now a Distributor for Harris Paints The Caribbean Champion of Colour Harris Paints and B-H Paints offers the widest range of colors and the most comprehensive design tools and advice in the region. The company boasts a wide range of top quality product lines specializing in high performance paints, waterproof coatings, elastomeric roof sealers, aerosol paints, adhesives and sealants.

Harris Paints preserves the life of its paints, often the victim of salty mists and intense sunlight by utilizing a heavier addition of biocides and ultraviolet protectors than non tropical manufacturers might employ. RCIP welcomes such attention to detail in expanding our consumer solutions.

CEMENT PAVERS Rayneau Construction and Industrial Products Ltd Paves the Way. At RCIP we manufacture pavers in an assortment of colours and sizes to suit whatever project you are working on – from laying patio brick pavers or driveway pavers, come in and speak to one of our knowledgeable customer service representative on our selection on pavers and other cement solutions.

Rayneau Construction Products • Corinth Main Road, Gros-Islet, St. Lucia • P.O. Box Mega J 8171, Choc, Castries BusinessFocus Jan / Feb &| Industrial 2 Tel: (758) 450 7242 • Fax: (758) 450 1048 • www.cie-rgltd.com

10 YEARS AND ALREADY LEAVING A LEGACY

A

merican

University

Medicine, founded in 2004, celebrated its 10th anniversary last month and looked back on all of its achievements. The ceremony was held at AUA’s campus in Since 2009, AUA Basic Sciences students have studied at one of the most modern campuses in the Caribbean. The campus now spans more than 27 acres and includes high-tech labs, the-art center for simulated learning, a much more.

with groundbreaking training simulators such as SimMan 3G®, SimBaby™, Harvey®,

For example, SimMan 3G® and SimBaby™ can be programmed to incorporate BusinessFocus Jan / Feb 38 BusinessFocus Jan Oct / / Feb Dec || | 38 66 BusinessFocus

AUA now has nearly two thousand students: 1000 studying

U.S., Canada, and India. The Class of 2014 was the largest to date with more than 300 graduates, residencies throughout the U.S. and Canada. challenging clinical scenarios, while Harvey® is the most advanced cardiac assessment simulator available. Noelle® is a birthing simulator that provides the complete birthing experience before, The campus also features a clinical skills lab and the Osler Suites, simulated

be approved by the New York State complete all two years of clinical training in New York State. Only graduates of residency training in New York.

students are able to augment what they’ve learned in the classroom with early hands-on experience, they have a

In 2011, AUA was recognized by the Medical Board of California – one of only

in California if the school is recognized by the state Medical

General Hospital, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, the Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, the University of Toronto, the University of Chicago Medical Center – Northshore, and many more. AUA alumni have achieved more than most Caribbean

One year later, AUA was accredited by the Caribbean Health Professions (CAAM-HP). That same year, AUA became

It takes most Caribbean medical schools decades to hit these milestones. Imagine where AUA will be by its 20th anniversary.

Recently, AUA received another U.S. approval from the state This puts AUA in an elite group of only three Caribbean medical schools with approval from the Florida and New York State

University’s Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, allowing this groundbreaking agreement, AUA students are taught and evaluated by FIU faculty who developed the curriculum. They guest speakers. Students who complete the Clinical Clerkship Program will receive a transcript sponsored by FIU HWCOM U.S. medical school. physicians. AUA alumni have gone on to earn residencies

University Park, Coolidge, P.O. Box W1451, St John’s, Tel: 268 484 8900 Fax: 268 484 8923 / 8918 www.auamed.org

Dr. Jacqueline Choi Class of 2010 Pathology Resident at the University of Illinois BusinessFocus Jan / / Feb Feb 39 | BusinessFocus Oct / || Dec BusinessFocus Jan 39

67

FDL Consult Inc.

nd

2 Floor, HASACHE Complex, Goodlands, G.P.O Box 1803, Castries, St. Lucia BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

40

FDL Consult Inc (FDLC) •

Where do we Operate?

where we work.

Commonwealth of Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Serving You We provide the full gamut of services from feasibility study, spanning the civil, structural, geotechnical and water engineering disciplines.

along with the quality for which we are known. We are structured to cater to the needs of customers who seek one type of service

Value Added Services

•

More accurate assessments means more appropriate

• • • •

Improved safety of users

Engineering Consultancy & Design • • • • • • • • • • • •

Urban and Industrial Development Hydraulic & Storm Water Design Potable Water Infrastructure Civil Works Highway Engineering Ground Engineering Structural Engineering

Surveys, Landslides, Geomorphology, Topographic, Cadastral and Hydrographic

Structures,

Architectural Consultancy and Design

including without limit to buildings, retaining walls, tanks, decks,

• • • • • • • • • •

• •

Interior/Exterior Design Architectural CAD Drawings

Contract Management Project Planning and Management Property Appraisals (land and buildings) Structural Surveys

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

41

Ramon Full Page

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

42

FEATURE

Ramon George Esper A History of Excellence in Entrepreneurship BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

43

Ramon Esper, Managing Director of Blue Waters St Lucia, was born of Adib and Zahra George who arrived in St Lucia from Syria in 1958. As a born St. Lucian he, along with his brothers Nizar and Marc, have come to represent the apex of entrepreneurial excellence. A legacy of commercial success combined with a succinctly encapsulates who Ramon is and what he has achieved.

The Syrian community is an inextricable part of St. Lucian society, Syrians to arrive in this Region in 1957. From a small suitcase of goods selling door-to-door island-wide to the popular Abraham’s Fabric Store in the Castries City Centre, it is from these examples

Street, Castries, Ramon reminisces fondly of his childhood in the

the age of 17. and pursue an academic career. However, this was not to be, as Ramon’s mind was indelibly fashioned by the business This cemented in his mind a burning desire to follow the family schooling and I am not one of them,” he recalls nostalgically.

A young Ramon with Abraham George, his paternal grand father

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

44

Ramon with Michel Aoun, his maternal grand father

Ramon with his wife Joanna and their two children

Ramon Full Page

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

45

idea and with his family’s support and guidance, he opened up a clothing store on Coral Street in Castries that was known as learned from his immediate family.

Ramon remarks that everything he has achieved is in no small part due to the help and encouragement of his family. It was his

a chance for expansion. His godfather, Marwan Chreiki, had a clothing store at the corner of Chisel Street, and granted him the

With a passion for business and intent on expanding his business interests, Ramon saw opportunity in other areas and ventured out of the clothing business to explore something more tourism BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

46

supply to the hotels.�

COURTS BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

47

a bigger warehouse.

This growth has been due to the appointment of Food Express as the exclusive distributors in St Lucia for an impressive range of food, beverage and other product lines which include Blue Waters, Corona Beer, Blue Bird Juices among others. Today Food Express has

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

48

ABRAHAMS FOR THE ABSOLUTE BEST in

Fabric • Home Improvement / Decorative

Goods & Accessories • Bed Sheets • Upholstery • Curtains etc.

36 St. Louis Street, Castries, St. Lucia • Tel: (758) 452-3295 • Fax: (758) 452-3641 • Email: abrahamsltd@gmail.com BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

49

with the opening of Meat Express for the hospitality industry.

In a few short years this company has evolved to become a leading supplier of quality frozen meats and foods to the large number of hotels and restaurants.

With the rapid expansion and interests, Ramon has been able talented St Lucians as the core of his support team. Many of these individuals have since grown with the companies and have now become Managers and Department exposure to the corporate culture keeps them focused on the highest levels of service delivery and

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

50

Angostura

Tel: (868)223- CHEM (2436) • Fax: (868) 223-2436 Ext 37 • www.chemcleantt.com CHEM CLEAN LTD (CCL) has for the past thirty (30) years, been one of the Caribbean's leading manufacturers of Specialty Cleaning and Sanitizing Chemicals for the Hospitality, Food Processing, Hospital, Janitorial, Energy-Based Petroleum and Petrochemical Industries,

Chem Clean Ltd.

Under license for ECOLAB Inc., USA, for over a decade CCL manufactured and distributed a range of ECOLAB products for the Trinidad & Tobago market and subsequently developed their own proprietary product range customized for the Caribbean region.

CCL maintains strict, international standard, quality control procedures. Their history of innovation and experience with international and local partners allows them to offer comprehensive technical advisory and training programs to their customers.

CCL also offers the additional value of Equipment Repair and Maintenance Services for Laundry, Ware-washing and Kitchen Equipment to ensure their optimum performance.

Their Technical Advisory Service starts with Equipment Procurement where CCL can assist in the specification, selection, supply, installation and commissioning of a range of Laundry Equipment ideally suited for the Caribbean and Latin American markets.

Food Express Ltd is the exclusive distributor in St.Lucia for the Chem Clean range of products.

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

51

Dominic Hadeed Founder of Blue Waters

The History of Blue Waters St Lucia An Unusual Success Story BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

52

and an invoice sent to Ramon from his uncle, Maher Chreiki. someone in St. Lucia to distribute their products. succeed, Ramon’s uncle asked him to pick something up at his

Lucia on the basis that ‘if I couldn’t sell it, I wouldn’t have to pay for it’.

a highly purchased commodity and many people simply were take on the project which has since catapulted his career to new

For All Your Household Items:

2 nd Floor, Baywalk Shopping Mall.

P.O. Box BW 300, Rodney Bay, Gros-Islet, St. Lucia Tel: 1 (758) 452-9421 Mobile: 1 (758) 484-9600

Email: chreikigroupofcompanies@gmail.com Kitchen Supplies: pots/pans • cutlery • curtains • containers • baking dishes • mats • runners Living Room Accessories: curtains • curtain rods • accessories • rugs Bedroom Accessories: bed sheet sets • pillows • curtains • rug • mats • accessories Bathroom Accessories: shower curtains • rugs • mats • accessories Bar Stools Sewing Accessories

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

53

without them.

Indeed the establishment of Blue Waters is, at least for now, the apogee of his career. His personal and business ethos are strongly

has enjoyed from its loyal and growing customer base is what will make this possible. Ramon is grateful for his customers’ support everyday.

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

| 54

Global Food

JH Larcher BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

55

Making Blue Waters a Part of St. Lucia!

A Partnership and Shared Vision to Realising a Dream Blue Waters Products Limited, which was established in the year 1999 in Trinidad and Tobago, has grown to be an iconic

The company started with a dream and 8 employees, including just one salesman and two trucks and the ensuing growth dominant force in the markets in which the company chooses team-members in Trinidad, the company now operates a modern facility which can be simply described as world class

across the Caribbean region.

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

56

Taxi

TAXI Baywalk Mall

Rodney Bay Tel: 758-4580337

On the Square

Castries Tel: 758-4530485

Footcandy Baywalk Mall

Rodney Bay Tel: 758-4584240

On the Square

Castries Tel: 758-4523455

Envy Baywalk Mall

Rodney Bay Tel: 758-4528862

Taxi facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TaxiSaintLucia • Envy facebook: https://www.facebook.com/envy1.baywalk

Healthy, Nutrious, all Natural with added Vitamins A, B & C.

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

57

which were inculcated into him deeply and from early on, led to this way of being. These include taking pride in the design branding of shops and parlors throughout the country, ensuring shop owners can feel proud about being part of Blue Waters,

Owned and operated by Dominic Hadeed, his vision for the beverages to every man, woman and child in the English speaking Caribbean. It is here the employees of Blue Waters

sharing the love of Blue Waters, branding of the new trucks with the freshly designed logo of Blue Waters St. Lucia and most of all, giving back to the local community, allowing people to be part of this dream, something the people of St. Lucia can take pride in.

The values of the company are also proudly manifested in the community in projects and events that closely embody the same

held close to the same values and culture, which have been partnership with Ramon and Food Express Limited presented the

When Dominic Hadeed made enquiries about Ramon and Food Express Limited, the feedback from the business community discovered that Ramon shared the same values that he shared and those of the company; it was akin to looking in a mirror

lives it touches. But Ramon did not stop there, the persons who chose to be part of something bigger than themselves, who have joined Blue Waters St. Lucia, now wear company branded jerseys with dignity and daily pour their heart and love into producing the products of Blue Waters St. Lucia, saying with pride “Blue Waters is now proudly made in St. Lucia.”

The Blue Waters St Lucia plant is located in Massade, Gros Islet under the stewardship of Ramon, who holds true to the values which Blue Waters as a company lives and espouses, to maintain products which we manufacture and distribute.

this, in March of 2014, launched a new era for the company, the company named “Blue Waters St. Lucia”.

now boasts a facility which prides itself on the manufacture and

With a partner like Ramon, it was easy to serve and delight the people of St. Lucia in a special way. He takes pride in what the company stands for and the values and the Blue Waters way

plans to export to a number of OECS countries in the near future.

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

58

Merchandising Plus BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

59

Management Team

Marc Esper - Director

Danly Allain

Janice Jean - Finance Manager

Colin Huskinson - Plant Manager

Sherry Ann Aimable

Laura Jordan Quality Assurance Supervisor

Heron Emmanuel Inventory Manager

Leah Fontenelle Accounts Supervisor

Keitha Chiquot Human Resource Supervisor

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

60

Genesis Equipment & Material Sup

The Voice

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

61

Malcolm Burns Completes His Blue Waters Mission A Proud Legacy with Exciting Times Ahead

In January 2013, Mr. Malcolm Burns joined Blue Waters St. Lucia at Blue Waters Products Ltd. in Trinidad and Tobago. During this process towards understanding the established systems, policies, procedures and culture of the company and was inculcated with the vision, mission and core values which has led to the enduring success of Blue Waters Products Ltd. in the markets where it

It is said, all good things must come to an end, in announcing the Shareholders and Directors have expressed their sincerest

importer-distributor to manufacturer-distributor and soon-to-be

Waters St. Lucia.

2013 with the experiences and knowledge to assimilate

The plant was completed by March of the following year and this launched a new era for the company, the manufacture and water on the island. Blue Waters St. Lucia now boasts of six SKU’s BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

number of OECS countries in the near future.

|

62

people of St. Lucia.

The Blue Waters story, meanwhile, is far from over. This is now

share, exports and new product development. The Blue Waters souls who march on, pouring their heart and love into the company and the iconic Caribbean brand that is Blue Waters. ¤

Flash T-Shirts Chisel Street, Castries, Tel: (758) 452-6070 Email: achreiki@hotmail.com

Tropics

46 Micoud Street, Castries, St. Lucia Tel: (758) 456-0839 Email: tropicsbtq@gmail.com

Tops Dresses Skirts Suits Pants Shoes and much more….

We offer the best selection of: Tourist Souvenirs & Gifts Printed T-shirts (with St. Lucia prints) Embroidered Caps Kids Clothing Beach Bags Shoes At the best prices in St. Lucia….

YOUR #1 STORE FOR SHOES & LADIES WEAR.

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

63

BOOK REVIEWS

on the reins of a troubled Navy submarine - the USS Santa Fe - that had become the Marquet took over the USS Santa Fe,

MUST READS

Volume 10

Building Teams 101

Navy’s performance rankings and the crew

transferred out of as soon as they got the opportunity.

then take their places at the tables.

suggests that empathy is the most "The strength of the team is each Sinek important asset of the leader and the individual member. The strength of each member is the team."

--Phil Jackson.

age of knowledge workers. Instead he expounds a “leader-leader” model, where the leader’s job is to empower and coach other leaders and entrust them with the authority to do their jobs. Marquet details

leader’s job to create teams of empowered

by Lyndell Halliday

Team building is an indispensable part of

their own.

top-down hierarchical structure ended

even though most experienced leaders are very aware of the vital role that cohesive

Sinek brings the book to life through the use

discouraged, when given the assignment of turning around the troubled USS Santa Fe, Marquet felt he had nothing to lose by trying something radically new.

leaders lack the know how to get it done.

Must Reads discusses two team building. This issue’s features are: Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don't by Simon the Ship Around! A True Story of Turning Followers into Leaders by L. David Marquet

Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don't – by Simon Sinek Readers of this column will already be familiar with Simon Sinek from a previous issue.

Leaders Eat Last is Sinek’s most recent leadership book and could be considered a follow-up to his previous bestselling book: Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Sinek makes the case for a servant style of

from both business and the military. The on the linkage between human physiology and behaviour. He discusses the role of chemicals such as endorphins, dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin and how they

|

64

decision making to the lower ranks of the

also discusses how these same chemicals

ensuring that people at every level of the

good and bad.

divested decisions and clarity is ensuring that at all levels people understand that

This is a short powerful book on building comprehensive, the author focusses on a few core points illustrated by poignant story telling that makes the book engaging and the lessons memorable.

Turn the Ship Around! A True Story of Turning Followers into Leaders – L. David Marquet Captain US

Navy

David senior

captained an elite

Marquet’s enthralling and rich story telling make this book hard to put down.

Captain Marquet’s Turn the Ship Around is overall an outstanding book on leadership, leader’s library. ¤ About Author: Lyndell A. Halliday BSc., MBA, CMA who has served in a range of leadership roles across the Caribbean. He is currently employed as the General Manager of

submarine. Captain Marquet served in the US Navy’s for 28 years. In this book, Captain Marquet chronicles his early training and development as an

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

Marquet’s philosophy is centred on three core premises: control, competence

Ethics and Social Responsibility for the BBA programmes.

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

65

Management Team - Guardsman St. Lucia Guardsman Group Limited stands on approximately 40 years of experience, unmatched technical prowess and the unbending belief in the right of safety for all.

Celebrates 10 Years Guardsman Group Limited Guardsman Group Limited began with founder Kenneth Benjamin’s passion for training canines. For years, he nurtured the strength and intelligence innate to these animals, employing them to protect his family and his property. But he recognized that his motivation for safety was in fact a far-reaching need.

First established in 1975, today Guardsman Group Limited has 13 companies; over 7,000 dedicated employees, and provides world-class security to citizens across the Caribbean region with services that cover the full spectrum of the security business.

BusinessFocus

Jan/ Feb

|

66

Message from Kenneth Benjamin – Executive Chairman of Guardsman Group Ten years ago when we embarked on our journey to St Lucia, we held the following mission statement as our mantra, the code by which we would operate business here, the same code and mission statement that holds true for all our businesses: •

To provide our clients with the highest possible quality of service delivered with professionalism and integrity.

•

To deploy the best trained security personnel who clients will both utilize and recommend.

•

To achieve equitable returns on investments by exceeding clients expectations.

We are happy to say that after10 years we have lived up to the mission statement and have kept our commitments.

We remain honoured to be part of the landscape of this great country and to be afforded the privilege of serving its’ people and businesses as we were 10 years ago when we embarked on this journey. I speak on behalf of the entire Guardsman group when I say that St Lucia has been our success story in International expansion.

The Birth of Guardsman St. Lucia Guardsman St Lucia Ltd. is proud to celebrate its 10th Anniversary of serving the St Lucian community. Starting off in Jamaica in 1975, the company have grown by leaps and bounds and has expanded to four countries within the Region.

After the establishment of Guardsman St Lucia in 2004, Mr Tim Augustin joined the company as Managing Director in 2006 after what he described as a very adventurous, rewarding and most appreciated career as a banker. Mr Augustin retired from The Bank of Nova Scotia after nearly forty

Mr. Timothy Augustin Managing Director

Randolph Khan

Cleavy George

Jeanine Henry

Manager Deposit Processing

Financial Comptroller

Chief Operating Officer

John Lorde

Don Ray Fontenelle Manager of Operations

years of service in seven countries. The transition from banking to private security has been a successful one as the company has grown from a small business to one with a formidable presence within the private security industry.

As with most companies, Guardsman St Lucia started off with a relatively small staff and has grown from a staff of 80 in 2006 (when Mr Augustin took over) performing basic security services (guarding, cash-intransit and monitoring and response) to a staff of 250 today with a basket of services that has grown over 100% to include services such as ABM Maintenance, K-9 Services, Deposit Processing Services and Messenger Services. In the future the company hopes to add more security services and also diversify the services provided by adding other complimentary services.

BusinessFocus Jan/ Feb

|

67

Manager, Training and Customer Relations

A well-known feature of this security company is their K9 unit. Highlighting the importance of such a unit, Mr Augustin noted that ‘a man and a dog provides 4 eyes and ears with one set being very sensitive and always alert to sound and

smell. Incidentally, as a regional company, Guardsman has the biggest K9 division in this part of the world. Here in St Lucia the division is still growing with the number of dogs and handlers increasing as the popularity of the service expands.

Highlights of Awards Ceremony

Managing Director delivering address

A few words from Deputy PM

Employee of the year receiving award from Group Chairman Kenneth Benjamin

Group Chairman delivering vote of thanks

MC John Lorde Starting Award Ceremony proceedings

Group Chairman in conversation with Deputy PM

Andre McLean Group Manager for overseas market delivering feature address

Chief Operating Officer Jeanine Henry announcing awardees

Supervisor Sheldon Joseph delivering opening prayer

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

68

Administrative Staff left-right: Danielle Louis (Accounts Clerk), Krysti Roachford (Admin Assistant), Cassandra Aimable (Accounts Clerk), Zania Polius (Receptionist / Dispatcher), Joseph Jn Baptiste (Accounts Officer), Ghislaine Charles (Senior Accounts Officer)

The entire range of services now provided here in St. Lucia is shown below.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Armed and Unarmed Guarding Monitoring and Response to Electronic Alarm Systems (M&R) Response to Panic Alarms Patrol Services Escort Services Cash in Transit Services (CIT) ABM Maintenance and Servicing Messenger Service (Documents only) Deposit Drop Box Facilities (On request) Canine (K-9) Service Cash and Deposit Processing Services Automatic Vehicle Location System (AVLS - To commence mid 2015) CCTV Monitoring Services Recruitment & Training

As a company, great emphasis has been placed on the training and development of staff members. All new employees are put through a 10 – 12 day training program that instructs on everything an employee would need to know about security and customer service. Mr Augustin emphasizes BusinessFocus Jan/ Fab

|

69

that they are intent on changing the popular perception of security guards; “Everyone thinks they can be a security guard, ‘Just put on a uniform and watch’, it really is a profession that has not been given any regard. The guards are not credited with having much intelligence because of the old adage that you are a “watchman”. For this reason we refer to our guards as security officers in the same way the police refer to their constables as police officers”.

Part of Guardsman’s recruiting process requires that their security officers have good verbal and writing skills; that there is good level of deportment and they are able to work within a team. Mr Augustin adds that; “We don’t hire people on certificates only. I want to know about your personality, I hire people on their fit to my organization. You must also love people and want to serve them and have a good sense of humour. I consider myself a staff member like all the rest except I have different and higher level responsibilities; in doing so we try to have a family-oriented feel”.

To best serve their customers the company has layers of managers. Part of the management team includes mobile supervisors, duty supervisors and location supervisors. Management officers do everything from driving to various locations to check in to delivering coffee and donuts to a security officer on a difficult night shift.

Furthermore, all employees’ insurance premiums are fully paid by the company. Everyone has life and death and dismemberment insurance. All management, administrative and supervisory staff have medical insurance.

Caring for their employees is of the highest priority as a business.

Another aspect of their business is the provision of armed security services. All of their armed officers undergo the highest degree of training, where adherence to the rules of engagement and firearm safety is paramount. To date, none of their seventy armed officers have had an unwarranted weapon discharge during the course of their assignment.

K-9 Agitation Training

K-9 Handlers with their Charges

The Way Forward Guardsman St Lucia has its eyes set on expansion. In its’ soon to come new office facilities there will be a new and fully equipped training room that will be available 24/7 to ensure that continuous and refresher training is available to all employees as a matter of policy. We have to ensure that our staff meet or exceed our client’s expectations on a consistent basis.

Guardsman St Lucia has been a critical factor in providing protection to the St Lucian society. Prior to Guardsman’s arrival into the Cap Estate area, the community was riddled with countless burglaries. After setting up a 24 /7 Response Team that was commissioned by concerned residents of Cap Estate, the area has seen a significant drop in all property crime and when there is an incident in the area, Guardsman’s team will respond within ten minutes.

Messenger with delivery tool BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

70

AWARD WINNING RUMS FROM ST. LUCIA DISTILLERS

www.saintluciarums.com

Enjoy Responsibly

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

71

Cash in Transit Team Mr Augustin strongly believes that private security plays a vital role in securing the Nation.

“I contend that by providing these services we are augmenting the work of the national security forces or police. Our industry therefore needs the support of the both government and police as we can only take a bite out of crime if we work together. The survival of our economy depends on level of safety and protection we provide to our citizens and guests. So how do you address that? By the Government embracing private security and giving us the tools to grow and expand our services so that we can help further protect our citizens and guests and also ease the pressures on the police” So what sets Guardsman apart from the rest? “We care a hell of a lot for our people, we give them significant training and we look after their welfare.

We also care very much for our customers,” Mr Augustin concluded, “Our customers are our employers and we think we must give them value for money. We sincerely believe that the only profit centre in business is people – those whom we employ and those whom we serve. Our ten years of service here is just a start and we are likely to be here in the foreseeable future as we do not see the demand for our services waning anytime soon. Our challenge is to keep our service quality high so we can grow our business and keep it moving to next levels”.

ABM Team

CIT on the road delivering cargo

Respose Officer on the way to a call BusinessFocus

Jan/ Feb

|

72

ECONOMY & TRADE FOCUS

More Private Sector Trust, Information Sharing Needed

By Hallam Hope

T

A recent study, “CARICOM-CARIFORUM Public-Private Sector dialogue: A Roadmap for Re-engagement” emphasised the

partnerships.

rates have persisted in the Caribbean.

view that there was a lack of trust between the public and private sectors in the region.

Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export), on the opening day of the second annual Caribbean Exporters’ Colloquium 2014 at the Hilton Barbados resort in early November.

heard and applauded the economic progress being made by Jamaica and the Dominican Republic.

Moss-Solomon said the way forward for economic growth required a commitment to private sector dialogue and “We”

in Barbados Senator Maxine McClean underscored the value in Residence, Mona School of Business and Management in Jamaica, of private sector partnerships working with Governments to argued there was no “We” in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

“Without ‘We’ we can go no further,” he contended during a panel discussion on the role of the private sector in economic development.

Managing Director of Viking Trading Ltd. Nicholas Zephirin organised by Caribbean Export, and funded by the 10th European issued a plea for support from the region for Caribbean Development Fund (EDF) on “Building Economic Resilience in the farmers, saying the Agro-processing industry with support Caribbean.” could reduce the import bills of countries and improve their balance of payments. “If we do not support what is within The Caribbean Export Development Agency survey noted that business CARICOM then our growth will always be limited,” he argued. leaders were familiar with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the German development agency GIZ in opening doors for exports to Europe Zephirin suggested that free trade in the But Moss-Solomon said one conclusion was the Secretariat was markets. The survey suggested a lack of trust existed between the The Agro-processing sector and the cultural industries were private and public sectors. “The private sectors reverted to insularity

¤ (CARIC) and the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC), added.

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

74

Japan Offers Technical, Financial Assistance to Caribbean

J

apan has pledged to assist the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)

countries. We understand, so that's why our prime minister said that we recognise

assistance despite the regional countries being graduated to middleincome countries and therefore no longer eligible for concessionary loans on the basis of mere per capita income.

countries other than those based on per capita income.

Kobayashi-Terada, told regional journalists that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had, during Trinidad and Tobago in July, indicated that the regional countries and was prepared to assist them in that regard.

"We promised that we are going to extend six fold compared to the past few years.

We are going to work together in order to some of the Caribbean countries have a higher standard of living in terms of per capita income.

"As Caribbean countries argued it doesn't

research because you might not need the assistance or you might need the assistance in certain areas," she said, adding that "for

held in July "and was expected to enhance including environment issues and climate change."

The statement said that CARICOM countries "frequently taking a common community.

reason you need some assistance but in

"It is expected that they will deepen their understanding and support towards

Kobayashi-Terada said for those countries that have already graduated "we are going

through this conference."

and we are going to discuss within our government what we can do."

regional community bloc "will be further strengthened through this conference on the occasion of Japan- CARICOM Friendship Year 2014."

CARICOM foreign ministers were expected to meet with their Japanese counterpart and Kobayashi-Terada said it provides an opportunity for Tokyo to cooperate more with the regional bloc countries on a global level.

According to a joint statement issued here

The statement said that it is expected that

because next year is going to be the 70th would like to focus a lot on the issues of

造

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

75

ECONOMY & TRADE FOCUS

"We would like to listen carefully what are the Caribbean countries' and Caribbean countries are not.”

About TEPA SAINT LUCIA TRADE EXPORT PROMOTIONS AGENCY (TEPA)

T

he Saint Lucia government via cabinet conclusion No.

how to cooperate more closely; we would also like to advance the Security Council reform issues and also post- 2015 agenda.

"Next year we have many issues to be discussed so we would like to prepare in order to build on each other and this is November

became a statutory board with the passing of the Trade Export Ministry of Commerce, Business Development, Investment and TEPA is the lead agency mandated to spearhead the island’s

what we are going to do in the coming years in order to have a

increase aggregate volume and value of exports from Saint Lucia.

Japan will next March host the Third World Conference on Disaster

Saint Lucia National Export Development Strategy

Caribbean countries should ensure that they are represented at the talks.

Export Development strategy (NEDS) based on solid public

"Generally speaking, many experts say if we are prepared well we can minimise the economic loss," Kobayashi-Terada said, adding that his advice would also be that regional countries should seek

the Government of Saint Lucia asserted its resolve that export development remains a key priority on the agenda, with emphasis companies.

Key foundational guidelines of the NEDS: • • • It will also consider the experience gained through the regional

•

There must be a strong trade support delivery network

TEPA Vision based on commitments to implement a post-2015 framework

TEPA Mission Earlier, regional journalists were told that Japan had provided US$11.65 million to Caribbean countries during the period 201012 to deal with the impact of climate change. had provided US$7.35 million. ¤ BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

76

Development Strategy through: • • •

• •

Ensuring broad socio-economic impact exports

•

- Corporate Branding - Improved packaging and labelling Expand markets - Generate direct sales

Core Functions: •

Serve as a focal point for exports through advocacy,

• • •

At the national level, TEPA provides the following services:

Coordinate the trade/export services network

•

• •

•

development strategy Undertake future strategic planning for exports

Jacqueline Emmanuel

Vincent Peter

Accountant

Gasper George

Andrena Simon

Anthony John

Linda Alexander

TEPA provides support to: • • •

Danny Moonie Web Administrator / Graphic Designer

Germaine Alexander-Fontenelle

• • on local products and Saint Lucian suppliers to overseas buyers such as:

export capability

to accomplish one or more of the following goals: •

Coordinates with other agencies to provide business support to exporters in:

Promote goods and services in overseas markets

• • • •

¤ BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

77

ECONOMY & TRADE FOCUS

Top 10 Latin America, Caribbean Nations for Ease of Doing Business

A

ccording to the latest World

is at number one when it comes to

Business 2015: Going Beyond

credit but is 29th on enforcing contracts.

Caribbean region on the ease of doing business. This includes measuring the

2: Peru: Peru, a country in western South America, came in at 35th on the Doing Business 2015 ranking. Peru scored 13th on

4: Puerto Rico: This U.S. territory ranked 47th globally on the list and fourth in When it comes to resolving insolvency, Puerto Rico came in at number 1 but was

with a 2 rank but only 11th when it came trading across borders, enforcing contracts and resolving insolvency.

Countries’ economies are ranked on their ease of doing business, from 1–189. A high ease of doing business ranking means the regulatory environment is more conducive a business, range between 1 and 31 with 1 of course being the best.

1: Colombia:

investors. However, it was 14th when it comes to enforcing contracts.

3: Mexico: This neighbor of the U.S. ranked 39th on the ease of Doing Business ranks. scoring a 6 rank in this category but it is a lot slower here to get permits and electricity. the ranks for these two categories, one of

34 on the rankings. According to the World Bank, Colombia scored 11 globally if you are looking to start a business and 12th for to superstar Shakira is at 19th. The country BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

electricity. However, Peru was number 1 when it comes to registering property and

|

78

However, the country was number 1 when it comes to enforcing contracts and 4th and

5: Panama: This southernmost country of Central America and the whole of North

a business here is easy according to the World Bank, with Panama earning a 2 rank globally. It’s also easy to trade across borders, with Panama earning a number 1 rank in this category. However, paying ranking only 28. Overall, however, Panama credit and enforcing contracts.

6: Jamaica: This third-largest island of Caribbean island to do business according

permits is very easy with Jamaica coming in

resolve insolvency – a 6 and get electricity – a 10. However, it’s the slowest country

1: Jamaica: of reggae, Usain Bolt and jerk cuisine

easy as is trading across borders with the country earning only 24 and 25 ranks, according to the bank.

with the World Bank ranking it at 30.

Caribbean bloc when it comes to ease of

10: Costa Rica: This Central American

about 15 days in this country of over 2

Caribbean sphere. It ranked 83 globally but while it was easy to register a property here – with a rank of 3 – it’s harder to start a business with the country earning

2: Panama: where you can see the sun rise on the

7: Guatemala: bordered by Mexico to the north and west came in at 73 on the global rankings Rica and Uruguay. In Guatemala, it’s easy to get electricity, get credit and pay taxes, according to the World Bank, but harder to or resolve insolvency. It also earned only

minority investors with a rank of 31 and enforcing contracts, earning only a rank of 22.

investors.

entrepreneurs launch a start up in just 6 days. But the process, according to the World Bank, is a bit more complicated than Jamaica.

3: Puerto Rico: In this U.S. territory, it also takes about 6 days to start a company but it costs less than Panama.

4: country to legalise the marijuana trade last December, to start a business.

5: Dominica: It will take you about 12 days in this mountainous island of Caribbean to start a business, according to the World Bank.

6: Mexico: In this southern North America business started but there are a number of procedures that must be followed.

7: Trinidad & Tobago: in the Caribbean, it will take you over 11-and-a-half days to start a business, according to the World Bank.

8: St. Lucia: That’s how long it should take in St. Lucia, isle of the pitons.

8: Trinidad & Tobago: This oil rich twin island Republic moved up to 79 on the by 12 points. T&T earned high marks for

of business was Singapore followed by New Zealand, Hong Kong China, Denmark and the Republic of Korea.

a business there and get credit but not as

America, Caribbean To Start A Business Also in the World Bank’s 2015 report

property.

9: Uruguay: came in at 82 on the global ranking scale.

It’s easy to start a business here, said the World Bank, with Uruguay earning a 4 on the rank in this category. It’s also easy to

a business in 189 economies. This topic measures the number of procedures, size limited liability company to start up and formally operate. The World Bank has listed the top ten easiest places in this region to start a business, they are:

9: St. Vincent & the Grenadines: In this eastern Caribbean country that consists of the volcanic Saint Vincent Island and the Grenadines, 32 smaller islands and cays, it will take you 10 days to start a business if you follow seven procedures.

10: Grenada: The spice isle of the Caribbean rounds out the top 10 of easiest places in a business. There are six steps to get from start to open here that will take about 15 days and cost you about US$1,375.

Note that countries like Bermuda, Aruba, The Cayman Islands, the BVI, St. Maarten & the Turks & Caicos are not included in the World Bank’s rankings because they are dependent territories. ¤ BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

79

and improvement and has experienced more than a 200% increase in enrollment over the past 5 years, enrolling students following their dreams of earning a Medical Degree. Over 85% of the students are from the United States and Canada, however due the Middle East, India and Africa have enrolled. Due in part to Lucia and notoriety among the Caribbean, students from St Lucia The IAU faculty is not only leading academic experts within their professionals, which in turn exposes students to a blend of realworld experience and extensive academic knowledge within the classroom. One of the prime aspects that IAU takes pride is its

academic support and care to all its students. the UWI School of Business and Applied Studies Limited (known

Technician, Emergency Medical Technician, Phlebotomy, and Hospitality.

University-College of Medicine (IAUCOM), located at Vieux Fort in St Lucia, has experienced notable growth in student enrollment and both in the classroom and in the community clearly indicates its academic development for the local residents. The diversity of outstanding as IAU strives to maintain excellence through hiring

which has been a great boon to the local hospitals. IAU was honored with the Corporate Social Responsibility award in 2014 at the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture’s wonder most of the residents refer to IAU as a blessing to the local community.

in Fort Vieux, St. Lucia, inspiring a path of success and excellence.

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

80

The future of IAU looks extremely promising with its plans of expansion and looks forward to its long-term aim of enrolling St. Jude Highway

as he started his journey from humble beginnings. He earned a Bachelor degree in Physics, a Master’s degree in History and a Law Degree from India, but proceeded to study further in America Systems the University of North Texas in Dallas.

Mr. Nair has been a U.S resident for the past 34 years and has served the community over there as much as his busy schedule

Indian community in Dallas, he has also been appointed as the General Secretary of Greater Dallas Indo-American Chamber

In the year 2011, Mr. Nair established the American University of Saint Vincent (AUS), in the Caribbean island of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. This university is doing extremely well with over 100 students with enrollment projected to almost double in the next year. Taking a step further in this regard and realizing

Saint Vincent have been recognized and approved by the World Directory (IMED), Medical Council of India (MCI, and The Mr. Nair was honored with the opportunity of being the guest a highly accomplished entrepreneur and is the President of a chain of healthcare companies: Texas Senior Home Healthcare (USA), Atlas Home Healthcare Services (USA), Allied Home Healthcare Services (USA), American Healthcare Services (Trinidad) and NuPeak Technologies (India). His network of businesses is known as the KGM Group.

‘Dr. Williams S. Harris Memorial Gold Award’ for his remarkable honors include the FOKANA ‘Man of the Year’ award and the ‘Melvin Jones Fellowship Award’ from Lions Club.

thanks to this self-made man who understands that victory is achieved by only those who consider hard-work to be their best friend. ¤

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

81

RJB Hotel Supplies was formed in October 2003, specializing in now includes a full compliment of hotel and restaurant supplies.

From day one, RJB'S goal has been to provide our clients with a grade of products, quality and service, which previously, they At RJB, we carry thousands of products but of special importance to us is our wide range of janitorial products. We are your one stop single source supplier for all your janitorial supplies.

Ranging from cleaning chemicals and supplies, paper products, Laboratories range of industrial chemicals and we also distribute many well known household brands such as Clorox, Lysol, Purell and Rubbermaid commercial products. We invite you to take advantage of our comprehensive line of products including a

customers before they can work with us. We take pride in having sales service. Our range is broad, which allows us to cater to every possible need of the client. which include a full range of everything needed to clean and

are of industrial strength and can then be diluted making these

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

82

the roadside vendor to a housewife. At RJB you can buy products in whatever size is best for you from ready to use household sizes, all the way to 55 gallon drums of chemical concentrates.

With these customers in mind, we sell ready to use chemicals that are pre-diluted so someone can come in and get some for their house. Also, we carry green products that are safe on the environment and your pocket.

P.O. Box MF7085, The Morne, Castries, Saint Lucia Tel: (758) 450.1110 / Cell: (758) 718.7933 Fax: (758) 451.8368 Email: info@rjbhotelsupplies.com • Website: www.rjbhotelsupplies.com

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

83

ENVIRONMENTAL FOCUS

Grenada Power Company Exploring 100% Renewables

Prime Minister Secures Assistance From New Zealand for Transformation of Electricity Sector

G

RENADA Electricity Services (GRENLEC) wants to power the

quality while reducing line losses, among

energy sources. Its board has authorised the company's management

Expansion of renewable energy in the eastern Caribbean country aims to stabilise and utlimately lower the price of electricity in Grenada.

of all the electricity generated in Grenada, A review of GRENLEC's strategic plan Carriacou and Grenada, a solar-wind hybrid energy as possible developments over the

photovoltaic (PV) solar plant, similar to that according to GRENLEC Chairman Bob Blanchard.

renewable energy technology and involve a number of electrical system upgrades to produce improved reliability and power BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

84

geothermal, natural gas, propane and strategy," said Blanchard.

Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Mitchell, recently secured assistance from the United States Grenada's electricity sector.

"Grenada is at the forefront of the agenda. Grenada was selected by the United States as the pilot country for Mitchell said. "We consolidated this with an agreement with New Zealand who will join with the United States and focus on

While in New Zealand, Mitchell toured north island. This included plants of 35 Grenada has a diesel generator capacity

Mitchell met with the New Zealand prime minister and also had discussions with that country's foreign minister. New Zealand and Grenada will meet again to sign a memorandum of understanding in the months ahead.

"We welcome the help of New Zealand, they have been doing geothermal energy for decades,” Mitchell noted. "We need to harness our own sources of energy, including geothermal,” he added.

New Zealand will assist with surface studies to map Grenada's geothermal resources.

This will form the basis for test drilling. expressed an interest in learning from Grenada's leadership. A "Green Grenada Investment Forum" is envisaged in the months ahead to help in the greening of Grenada's economy. ¤

Cuba Aims for 24% Renewable Energy by 2030

C

uba is aspiring to obtain 24 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and to that end has investment outlay of more than $600 million.

The island currently generates just 4.3 percent of its electricity from renewable sources but it plans to allocate more than $3.5 billion to develop that sector over the next 15 years, Communist

would mean $780 million in savings annually for the Caribbean country on imports of fossil fuels, the source of 96 percent of the "For all your Building and Engineering Support Needs"

Achieving greater balance in the island's energy matrix is a top which in June approved a policy aimed at developing renewables and opening that sector up to foreign investment. unveiled proposals for foreign investment projects to create, expand and modernise the island's renewable energy capacity.

exceeding $600 million.

Cuba's strategy is to maximise its water, solar, wind, bagasse and forest biomass resources. The government also has plans in place to install some 133,000 solar heaters in homes and other buildings The Caribbean island produces 4 million tons of crude and natural from locally extracted hydrocarbons only covers 50 percent of

although the drilling campaign has been unsuccessful thus far. ¤

BTSM Inc offers Systems Services: • Design • Upgrades Installations • Maintenance • Building Management • Equipment Commissioning and Operation We also cover:

• HVAC & Mechanical • Electrical Testing & Energy Audits • Prime & Standby Generators *Transient Voltage Surge Suppression Solutions • Uninterruptible Power Supply Units (UPS) • Security & Fire Alarms Systems • Computer Networking • Electrical • Plumbing and Water Treatment Systems P. O. Box Choc 8327 Castries, St. Lucia Tel: (758) 450-4396 Cell: (758) 728-9706 / 728-9707 E-mail: btsmslu@gmail.com BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

85

ENVIRONMENTAL FOCUS

Private Sector Positioning for a Green Revolution in St. Lucia

A

new front on the business landscape has opened with a new cadre of entrepreneurs seeking to explore products and services.

The Private Sector Energy Fair held on Saturday November 15th

which are already available in St. Lucia or can be sourced easily.

The Energy Fair formed part of Energy Awareness Week 2014 and was held under the theme “Sustainable Energy for Economic Prosperity – We’ve got the power.” It was organised by the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Energy, Science and Technology.

St Kitts Opens Up Huge Greenhouse

S

largest greenhouse in the Caribbean at 24 metres tall and covering more than 14,000 square feet.

Ambassador to the twin island state, Miguel Li-Jey Tsao, a release

The key message of the Energy Fair was ‘savings from energy

twin-island state, the release said. It incorporates the “successful

it appears St. Lucia is well on its way to the stated goal of the government to “have 35% of the country’s energy demand produced from renewable energy by the year 2020.”

boasts what is termed a ‘4G’ concept by being “a green house in a glass cabin that uses green energy, and showcases green beauty.”

and fuel cell power and back-up systems to the full assortment of

Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas for his vision in proposing a

home appliances, solar panels, wind turbines and an assortment of energy saving technology including fan motor control for

similar facility in Taiwan in 2008.

A number of new companies were introduced at the Energy Fair with names like ‘Salt Rush Ltd,’ ‘Eastern Caribbean Wind and Solar Ltd,’ ‘Vibe Electric,’ ‘Tropic Electricity,’ ‘Linsyx Energy Services St. Surveillance.’ Quite a few of these companies will be featured on Calabash TV, the Caribbean Business Report and

¤

Here are some of the entrepreneurs to be featured shortly.

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

| 86

“The Eco-Park signals the way forward for ecotourism and rural development,” Carty said. “We are changing the rural landscape for the people ….” ¤

T

Jamaica, or PCJ, is looking into producing imported oil, the government said recently.

PCJ has signed agreements with Bodles Agricultural

"We are also procuring an oil press, which will press the seeds out to get the oil, which we can test," PCJ's Peter Ruddock, said.

The results of the study are expected to be published in one or two years. Research is being carried out on locally grown jatropha and castor.

Jamaica Studies Producing Biofuel With Local Crops

establishing a retail market with Petrojam Limited, which supplies the country with a full range of petroleum products, the PCJ said.

"If it is locally produced versus being imported, I recognise that we could have some savings that could be derived, even if it is just the saving of our precious export dollars," Ruddock said. ¤

We Provide the following services in addition to the refueling of vehicles: Soufriere 758-459-7729

Cooking gas – both Sol and TexGas * Telephone top up – Lime/Digicel Vehicle accessories, car batteries, air fresheners * Lottery Tickets Oils and lubricants * Ice * Convenient store

Location: Fond Cacao, Soufriere Telephone : 459 -7831/459-7729 BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

87

YOUTH IN FOCUS

Canaries School Attendance Now Over 90% Following Sponsor Initiative

B

oka Group, the owners of

John Kennedy said: “As the owners of

Mahaut Estate near Canaries,

Estate at Belvedere-Canaries we are already part of this community and must exercise our corporate social responsibility from the outset. Well-fed students produce focused minds and focused minds allow young students to achieve. This is

Canaries Primary School.

Miss Laura Francis (School Principal) reported that following the commencement of the Programme, which Canaries Junior and Infants and the Bouton over 90%.

Boka Group’s “FOOD4THOUGHT” Programme Sponsorship, has removed the been expected to pay; some of those parents, faced with this burden had previously resorted to withholding their children from school due to lack of funds.

Some 284 Students from the Canaries and commenced on October 1st, 2014.

Sector Boka Group gesture". They were joined at the head table by Boka Estates Ltd. (Saint Lucia) Chairman, Malcolm Charles OBE, George Alcindor, Managing Director and Canaries Infant School Bouton combined school principal Mrs.

can take the best advantage arising out

Boka Group through its local Company, Boka Estates Limited, are the owners of the

reminded me of the words of Sir Arthur Lewis, who said, ‘The answer to poverty is

purchased in 2013 with the capital of the founders and no bank lending or security against the property.

“We believe that to have a local community able to take advantage of

They plan a US$80m investment to create

years. It would be a tragedy if they were to miss out because of lack of funds for food, leaving them unable to access the work place in the future, consigning them to a perpetual struggle for resources and food.”

John Kennedy has urged other businesses in Saint Lucia to adopt a school and has said that the company will happily discuss the programme with any such body that wishes to sponsor its own

to 250 beds, a Rain Forest Spa, restaurants and Beach Bar – to be called the Cane Club.

The low density build will see just 6% of the replacing any specimens that have to be

intending to work with local stakeholders for the provision of food as part of its feature “Sustainable Menu.” Low impact and lowcriteria, as is water security, minimising

¤

by John Kennedy, Founder and CEO of for his Company’s support for the local community.

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

88

and Canaries Dr. Desmond Long and Hon Harold Dalson District Rep for Soufriere and Bouton who expressed their sincere

Youth Rehabilitation Programme Gets EC$15,000 Sandals Foundation Support

E

mpowering youth to reach their and other outreach programmes

Saint Lucia. This comes through the recent (PYA) Project that is being administered

by The School of Business Entrepreneurs (TSOBE). over a course of one year, will reach approximately 120 at risk boys, with at least 40 being targeted from seven to 10 secondary schools from across the country every school term.

A price of more than EC$45,000 has been tagged to the programme for one full of the three terms at a cost of just over EC$15,000. It is designed not only to foster and encourage the possibility of its other vulnerable and at-risk students. pointed to the importance of selfawareness in today’s youth and the

placement in society as they grow older.

“Moves like these are always encouraging and we anxiously await the outcome of

all – are not just adults in the making, they are people whose current needs and rights and experiences must be taken seriously,” Clarke said. She cited the relevance of the project considering the current economic

talks from inmates and facilitate sessions on dream building, SWOT Analysis, Goal

focuses of the programme.

According to Janelle Sealy, Project Manager at TSOBE, “These empowered students will

youth employment and development.

goals, required decisions and expected

The Secondary Schools selected to be part of the programme include the George Charles Secondary School, Corinth Secondary School, Leon Hess Secondary School, Ciceron Secondary School, St. Mary’s College, Gros Islet Secondary School, Entrepot Secondary School, Vide

expected to provide a “reality check” for

Secondary School, Marigot Secondary School, Babonneau Secondary School, and Sir Ira Simmons Secondary School.

the country as a whole. “They will see how possible it is for them to change life around them,” Sealy said. The Sandals

Each School will select three (3) students which requested that a forth student be each school term and will feature visits to

every child, youth and adult have the

¤ BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

89

IN THE KNOW

Building a Caribbean Brand

By David Jessop

S

Barbados hotel, there was a small brown packet of sugar.

then noted, in much smaller type, that it had been packaged by

More widely, the Caribbean rum industry, using its own money and with support from the European Union, is now in a further

a country with a cane sugar industry. packet on the breakfast table bore the words "Memoire d'une linked past to present and the island's culture through a simple packaging also made clear its origin was with a local sugar factory.

have recently come across in Europe sugar from both Belize and Guyana, where the product has been labelled in a manner that promotes the origin of the product.

I have from a restaurant a packet of sugar from Guyana. In bold Beneath this are the words "Grown in the region which gave

Despite this, there is an increasing number of products appearing appropriate the Caribbean's name. For instance, there is a product on sale in European supermarkets called Jamaican Jerk, which implies it is in some way a genuine taste of Jamaica.

of the region's larger tourism industries, a general sense has taken North America and Europe.

On the obverse, the language advises users to "Experience the

inability to take control of its names and brand and integrate

tea connoisseurs since the 19th century," followed by the words "A pro-duct of Guyana" and then, rather oddly, in much smaller

as a whole.

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

90

The loss of control over names like Demerara and even Jamaica

measured by the way they present themselves and the level of This is not to suggest that style should take precedence over substance. Rather, it is to note that an element of the region's

Government to re-draft VAT legislation

That supermarkets in Europe and North America carry jerk seasoning that is promoted as Jamaican yet in many cases has no how much it needs to do to take back ownership of the origin of products for which it is known; and the extent to which it needs

Most commonly, a GI consists of the name of the place of origin

advantage of GIs. As a consequence, names like Demerara have on almost any product to suggest that either it, or its implied

The consequence is that the region has had to go down the far years ago adopted a colourful trademarked logo using the word Caribbean, while the West Indies Rum and Spirits Producers

Caribbean governments, industry and those who own intellectual branding. They need also to defend jointly those industries that

T

he St. Lucia government says it is in the process of re-

introduced here in 2012. Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Dr. Kenny D. Anthony, told Parliament that the

housing minister, Richard Frederick, that the government should consider that contracts handed out by government, should be VAT free in order to simplify the process.

“If you are handing out a contract and as a government you have

“troubling issue” for the Ministry of Finance. “I want to reassure the member for Castries Central, that the Ministry of Finance has been looking into this issue to see how best we could resolve it, rendered illogical by the very procedure it forces you to adopt,” he said.

from the enormously valuable and desirable assets that they

¤ David Jessop is director of the Caribbean Council. Contact him: david.jessop@caribbean-council.org

deal with it. We are in that process and I’m hoping that it will St. Lucia was the only member state within the seven-member to implement the 15 percent VAT. ¤ BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

91

IN THE KNOW

Ambassador June Soomer Delivers Feature Address at Chamber of Commerce AGM By: Charmaine Joseph

O

the Chamber of Commerce, Dr. June Soomer, St. Lucian Ambassador to the OECS & CARICOM, delivered the

Free Movement of People and Goods in the OECS Union.’

freedom of movement of people and CARICOM’s freedom of require a driver’s permit and there is an economic means test

the gathering of the mission of the OECS, in that it hopes to movement of goods and services. Dr. Soomer remarked that, “We

can raise living standards because more real income improves people's ability to purchase goods and services, enjoy leisure,

trade policy.”

In August 2011 the free movement of persons in the OECS move freely, require no work permits or driving permits in any territory and can be employed in the economic union and not BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

| 92

divided by the hours of labor used to produce them.

Alarmingly, Dr. Soomer noted that there has been a declining

sector is the services sector but we put the most resources into that sector. Instead of moving forward we are moving backwards.”

SEDU’s Small Business Development Centre Launched

Referring to the notable hesitance shown by St. Lucians to regional movement a chance to work. “Free movement of persons does not mean free movement of labour. It is not a guest worker

will not come.”

outweigh any short term costs.”

society,” she emphasised, “If all of us are going to the same type of secondary schools and doing the same subjects all across the

The SBDC Model Advances Public-Private

T

he Ministry of Commerce, Business Development,

Dr. Soomer suggested that there must be something within everyone has the same skills there is no reason why a person in St. Lucia will want to move to St. Vincent,” she explained, “the existence of varied, specialised skills is important to the success of the Union.”

Small Business Development Centre (SBDC)—a program

and small enterprises and increase networking among business Carla Menedez-McManus of the US State Department said the one, long-term, professional business advising, low-cost training and other specialised services.

varying skills to the island? Are the jobs safe and secure? We must

public-private partnerships. As you know, no single sector can do everything for everyone. Government has to work with the private sector and academia, among others, and we have to work

Minister for Commerce, Business Development, Investment and have taught her to understand and appreciate the value of small and medium enterprises. “I am very passionate about what we are doing today because it has impacted my life,” she said. “I understand the role of small and micro-business in the development of family and in the sustenance of economies, so what we are doing here today touches my heart and my soul.”

employees for business.

bring specialised skills. We are looking to widen our market, to of skills.” This is a young economic union, its survival depends on

¤

The Small Enterprise Development Unit (SEDU) will implement the framework for the SBDC programme. The program is being (OAS) and the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). ¤ BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

93

IN THE KNOW

New LMI Licensee in St. Lucia

L

eadership

Management

introduces Trudy Edgar-Louis as the new LMI Licensee for St. Lucia and other OECS islands. Mrs. Edgar-

LMI’s Unique Process We know that long seminars and lengthy lectures don't work. So what we do is sessions held on a regular basis.

• •

Measure Progress as it Occurs don't feel overwhelmed and have

And

management development programmes

costly travel expenses and major down-

throughout the OECS.

our process works best when applied on-

Most importantly new behaviours are applied directly to real business issues.

Because of our unique process, we are able to hard- wire these changes

Trudy Edgar-Louis has worked in the Public Service, Banking and Retail industries over a period of 19 years, serving in the

proven and experience-tested principles.

term, ongoing results.

STEP 4: (Measure Results) • •

locally and at the OECS level.

We meet with you to determine exactly what it is you want to accomplish. Our process focuses on what's important to you – not on what some "guru" or a new "management fad" says is important. Your goals become the driving force behind our results-centered process.

Trudy Edgar-Louis holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Management Studies (Hons) from the University of the West Indies, St.

LMI takes clients through a process of measurable change using a four (4) step approach.

that, our process must bring results and a high return on the investment made.

Management must be able to link cause

Degree in HRM and Training (Merit) from Leicester University in the UK. She recently acquired the LMI Licensee for St. Lucia and the wider OECS. This latest

STEP 1: (Evaluate Performance)

desired result. We have over three decades of experience and hundreds of thousands

Analyst, Supervisor of Service Delivery, HR Manager and the latest being Learning and Development Manager. Trudy has been involved in the development and

self-development and lifelong learning. As an advocate for human development she

• • • •

Determine Current Level Performance Calculate Performance Gap

of

to achieve, we evaluate where your we then calculate the performance gap.

What is LMI? LMI is a USA based Performance Improvement Company, a world leader

• • •

of programmes, courses, processes, products and services that assist businesses to develop individual and

and measurable goals, and develop a

J Meyer, LMI programmes are translated countries.

designed to help them change their behaviour and develop new habits necessary to achieve the results you want.

STEP 3: (Change Behaviour) • •

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

Determine Method of Tracking Results

|

94

Implement Step-By-Step Change Integrate Behaviour Changes Into

• Our

Measure Results Achieved Document and Communicate Return on Investment

goal

is

to

develop

long-term

help you reach your goals!

• • • • • • • • • • •

:

Leadership for Women

Family Based programmes include: • • • • • •

FMI Growing Up is Fun FMI I’m A Special Person FMI Making of a Champion FMI Building Financial Success

Achieving Academic Success ¤

Sir Arthur Lewis to be Honoured on his Centenary

by CDB & UWI

L

eading thinker and pioneer in development economics, W. Arthur Lewis would have been 100 years old come January 23, 2015. Although he died more than two

president of the CDB; and Professor Mark Figueroa, Professorial Fellow, (SALISES) at the UWI’s, Mona Campus.

have successfully applied policies which he proposed. relevance of his work, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the University of the West Indies (UWI) will observe the W Arthur Lewis Centenary throughout 2015 under the theme: ‘Enduring Lessons for the Caribbean and Beyond.’

Development Bank’s headquarters on Monday, November 17 and Legacy’ and, Lewis as a ‘Caribbean Thinker.’

needed to play in the development of poor countries. Such early development work here at CDB.” Sir Arthur Lewis was the founding president of the Caribbean Development Bank serving from 1970 to 1973. He also had the of the University College of the West Indies at Mona in 1959. Under his leadership, the College was transformed into the University of the West Indies as an independent university in 1962. He became

(SALISES): Celebrated as the W. Arthur Lewis Centennial under the theme: ‘Towards Caribbean Prosperity and Happiness in an Equitable and Sustainable World,’ to be held January 14-16, 2015 in Castries/Rodney Bay St. Lucia.

On the importance of the Centenary and remembering Sir Arthur Lewis, Professor Figueroa said: “It is important to get people to

Speakers at the launch were Dr. William Warren Smith, President of the CDB; Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Principal of UWI’s Cave Hill Campus, Barbados; Professor Compton

methodologies that he adopted. In doing so he demonstrated that

Director of the Caribbean Centre for Money and Finance at UWI’s

is precisely the spirit that we need today as we grapple with the

¤ BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

95

TV is Not Good for Security

O

n Saturday 20th September 2014 a business owner in Trinidad who has operated a convenience store beneath his home for the

two armed bandits who were pretending to be customers. The store is a short distance from the South Oropouche Police

would think that robbers would not seek to commit a robbery of a business place more important point is that this business owner had CCTV cameras in the business. many

people

when

thinking

about

people’s thinking is being driven by hearing about the CCTV network in London and watching television shows such as CSI and by a misunderstanding about the criminal mind, believing that they think like the average person. People believe that criminals will form the view that this place has cameras and so they will be able to catch me and therefore I will go elsewhere. As a result, there is the view that CCTV is a deterrent and it can be but it BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

96

is not a complete deterrent. CCTV’s biggest in the provision of evidence. The recorded images allow one to see what happened has already occurred.

In this robbery, the robbers not only took the cash but also took the DVR for the CCTV CCTV system was lost because now there are no recorded images to show the Police.

Where did they learn this technique? The answer is obvious, from TV. Those same TV shows that so enthrall the public and the techniques that may be used to catch them and therefore the techniques they should employ to escape being caught.

Brian Ramsey & Management, along with an M.B.A. in Finance and over 29 years in the

The majority of CCTV systems that are installed in businesses have very visible cameras, as owners want people to see and know that they have a CCTV system and are recording them. Owners believe that these visible cameras have a deterrent

Development Director for Amalgamated Security Services Limited which is the

DVR.

Services (St. Lucia) Limited. He can be contacted at bramsey@assl.com.

Amalgamated Security operates in Grenada, Barbados, St. Lucia, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago.

TOURISM FOCUS

technological improvements there are now very small cameras owner can therefore have a CCTV system installed but have no visible cameras. Consequently a thief seeking to rob a business will not know that the business place has CCTV and therefore will not go looking for the DVR to destroy it or take it away.

New Vincentian Airport Could Challenge Leading Tourist Destinations

stated that CCTV is not a complete deterrent, it does have some and so have goods on shelves to be picked up by customers have

B

arbados and St. Lucia, arguably the two leading tourist

against robbery. Switching to hidden cameras therefore removes the less knowledgeable robber.

One other aspect of the use of CCTV systems is the use of signage

by their closest neighbour. In a plan centred on its new

at Arnos Vale into a “commercial centre,” St. Vincent and the Grenadines is banking on becoming a major tourism player.

recording you”. The signs however also serve another useful that a system is in use and so saves the customer from taking One however cannot employ hidden cameras and also have the signage because then the robber who has been made aware by TV will know to look for the DVR.

airport site.

“Why do we need to build a new airport? Some people argue that there are so many airports in the region why do we need to build one and why do we need to spend so much money building it? It is to help enhance air access to develop the tourism sector,” he said.

“We have a very good tourism product and it is probably the best

the crime, it would not be on the premises that he is robbing. Even

electronic, have been talking about St. Vincent as the emerging me saying so, you can go on the Web and see it.

even for businesses that do not have a computer network it can this approach is to have double recording where there is a DVR at had a good tourism product but the sector was “actually growing at a declining rate,” as was the case with St. Vincent. He said Arnos Vale becoming a commercial centre would “reinforce” the movies are also showing the robbers techniques for avoiding their security systems and making enhancements in order to stay ahead of the criminal minds. ¤

waterfront, condominiums, shopping malls, business centres and possibly a new hospital. ¤ BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

97

TOURISM FOCUS

I

Caribbean Tourism Wants to Make Better Use of Technology

f the Caribbean tourism industry is not prepared to cater to visitors in this new digital age, they will lose business to

the Hon. Orville London, Chief Secretary in the Tobago House of Assembly, during the opening ceremony of the Caribbean

Conference in Tobago.

Chief Secretary told delegates.

CTO Secretary General, Hugh Riley, suggested that if only we would among visitors to our shores.

the ship will sail to another port,” he asserted.

Over 100 human resources professionals and tourism industry partners gathered at the Magdalena Grand Beach Resort for the conference which ran from 29-31 October.

Performance in Caribbean Tourism in the New Networked Work Environment,’ Mr. London also lamented that many hoteliers and other tourism industry players were yet to implement online

have gone to great lengths to share our space and break bread is no limit to the ideas involved in turning those strangers and their friends into our friends forever,” he said.

The CTO’s Secretary General also underscored the importance of ensuring that persons who work in the Caribbean tourism sector are made to feel a sense of ownership of the sector and are encouraged to strive to provide excellent service which surpasses to sustain the industry.

new digital technologies.

During the course of the three-day conference the Caribbean

experience all the simple pleasures, all the natural ambience, all the scenic beauty and the hospitality of our people that we BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

98

the opportunity to receive specialised training through master

¤

Anse Chastanet Named Best Value in Caribbean luxury

S

Sandals Resort in Barbados Set to Open After $65m Revamp t. Lucia’s Anse Chastanet resort has been recognized as the best value experience in the Caribbean for the New

in the 2015 Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence, created to acknowledge, reward and celebrate outstanding hotels in the high end sector. “We know we have something really special for discerning travelers and we are pleased that both travelers and sellers of travel have given us the thumbs up,” said Karolin

She also reported that sister resort, Jade Mountain, received top honors in the “Best for Romance” category. The annual Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence are a trusted mark of quality, recognized by luxury consumers and travel professionals According to its website, “the colorful Anse Chastanet on St. Lucia oozes romance throughout its airy open-plan spaces.

S

andals is prepared for the opening of its latest property The 280-room Sandals Barbados on Dover Beach is due

swim-up river suites situated in a tropical garden.

and eco-warrior Nick Troubetzkoy who came to St. Lucia in the 1970s and never looked back.” “Vibrant interiors are dressed with homage to the island’s curvaceous volcanic landscape such as the blossom festooned balconies that lean into the stunning scenery,”

miles of hiking and mountain biking trails to explore within the non-motorized water sports, walking, hiking and tennis are all Indian-Lucian fusion and a relaxed beach-side grill. The resort also has a private helipad. From the publishers of Vogue, GQ, Traveller and Glamour, Condé Nast Johansens is a leading reference guide for independent travellers. Whether searching for a luxury or somewhere by the beach, Condé Nast Johansens provides occasion. ¤

three swimming pools - an oceanfront main pool with swim-up bar and whirlpool, the longest crystal lagoon river pool in the and nearby whirlpool and a pool featuring French Riviera-style cabanas with chandeliers, sofas and outlets to power personal “Butch” Stewart said the resort “will set the new bar in the allinclusive holiday experience”. ¤ BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

99

MAJOR MOVES and Economics (with honours) from the University of the West Indies, is a licenced CPA, a member of the AICPA as well as McHale Andrew President Caribbean of Investment Agencies CEO of Invest Saint Lucia, McHale Andrew, has been elected President of

Chartered Accountants of the Eastern Caribbean.

Rosilyn Novela – Partner, Assurance Rosilyn Novela is appointed as Assurance partner in the Grant Thornton Public

President of the Saint Lucia Hotel and

Accountant,

Fraud Examiner. She has more than 13 years of experience

former Research and Development Adviser (CTO); past Permanent Secretary in Saint Lucia’s Ministry of Tourism; and Director of Central Bank (ECCB,) where he served for

hospitality, services, entertainment and

Finance in Saint Lucia.

real estate development & management, Gordon is a director and shareholder of all of the Group´s companies. He currently

Chairman of the Water and Sewerage Company (WASCO), the state owned water supplier.

Joanna Charles Chairman Caribbean Banks Ms. Joanna Charles has been appointed as the Chairman of the Caribbean Banks. She is the Assistant General Manager for the Bank of St. Lucia Ltd. She has 25 years of banking experience and currently oversees all Corporate, SME and retail Lending Branches and Central Services. She is a

Malaika Theobalds Partner Grant Thornton St Lucia Malaika Theobalds, a former director of Grant Thornton ( f o r m e r l y Pricewaterhouse Coopers) has over 15 years of experience obtained at the local, regional and of Malaika Theobalds to the partnership of Grant Thornton St. Lucia brings the wealth of knowledge and range of skills acquired over the years have proven her to be an invaluable asset to Grant Thornton, its mission and its clients.

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

100

Gordon Charles President St Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture Gordon Charles has been reelected as the President of the St Lucia Chamber of Commerce for 2014/2015. Gordon Charles earned a B.A. from the University of Western Ontario (UWO) in Canada, and an MBA from the University of the West Indies (UWI).

Gordon has been working within the family business, J.Q. Charles Ltd., since 1984. He 2003 of the now restructured J.Q. Charles and interests in automobile retail &

in St. Lucia. Ms. Charles has a BSc (Hons) in Banking and Financial Services and is Bankers (ACIB). She is also holder of an MBA from Manchester Business School MSMEs at Harvard University.

Carole Eleuthere – Jn Marie Director Caribbean Banks Mrs. EleuthereJn Marie has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the over twenty years senior management

MAJOR MOVES USAID, Mr. Cushing served on the Peace management,

debt

management,

training coordinator, as well as in Slovakia

planning, investments, pension funds, to name a few. Her work experiences have

and similar others.

Mrs. Eleuthere-Jn Marie is currently the Regional Manager – Eastern Caribbean Services Limited, (a subsidiary of First

St Lucia Limited and Cable and Wireless St. Lucia.

Christopher Cushing Mission Director USAID Eastern and Southern Caribbean The U.S. Embassy to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean, and the OECS is pleased to announce the appointment of Christopher Cushing as the Mission Director for the Development (USAID) Eastern and Southern Caribbean. Mr. Cushing is based in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Most recently, Mr. Cushing served as USAID Mission Director in Ecuador. Prior to that, he served as the director of the Strategy,

programmes

and

materials

strategies, vision and core values while

She possesses a Master of Science

services industry and has provided unique strategic partners such as Regulators,

training

Dr Patrick Gomes Secretary General Secretary General of the African,

State University, Bachelor of Science in Management from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Development to name a few.

Group of States Dr Patrick Gomes has been appointed as the Secretary General of the African, Group of States. Dr Gomes currently serves as Guyana's Ambassador to the European Union (EU) for the past nine years. Dr Gomes has been involved for including the University of the West Indies.

(CARICAD), a consultant project manager for CARICOM's Food Security Facility and is currently a member of the board of governors of the European Centre for Development Policy Management.

THE LANDINGS ST. LUCIA WELCOMES NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR Experienced Caribbean hotelier Kashmie Ali joins the all-suite, luxury villa resort ST. LUCIA (October 31, 2014) - Experienced hospitality 25 years in corporate leadership, has returned to St. Lucia as the new managing director of The Landings St. Lucia.

The Caribbean hospitality professional previously spent nine years in St. Lucia with Sandals Resorts and then later as

Janelle Joseph Learning & Development Manager – St.

Mountain and Anse Chastanet resorts in the former colonial capital of Soufrière.

Unicomer (Saint Lucia) Ltd.

of Sugar Bay Beach Resort and Spa in St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands, while on assignment with The Moinian Group, one of the largest privately held real estate

(LAC) programs and deputy director of LAC’s Regional Sustainable Development

Ms. Janelle Joseph has been appointed as Learning & Development

for LAC’s Strategy, Budget and Program

(Saint Lucia) Ltd. Ms. Joseph will be

in Panama and Honduras. Prior to joining BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

101

events 2015 CARIBBEAN TRAVEL MARKETPLACE 2015 . This trade show is open for suppliers and buyers that qualify. With prescheduled appointments, the main For further info: www.caribbeanhotelandtourism.com

15th ANNUAL CARIBBEAN ENERGY CONFERENCE January 29-30, 2015 • El San Juan Resort & Casino, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Now in its 15th year, electric industry executives gather at Platts Caribbean Energy Conference to network with colleagues and hear details on the latest power initiatives. The Technology.

ST. LUCIA BUSINESS AWARDS 2015 January, 2015 – St. Lucia Business Awards is organised by the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce. They reward excellence in various categories, and target all businesses, large and small, celebrating the achievements of the private sector. For further info: www.stluciachamber.org

MIAGREEN EXPO & CONFERENCE . This is a one-stop, all-inclusive interactive conference and marketplace to provide the US, Latin America and the Caribbean with access to the ever growing, green, renewable & sustainable markets. For further info: www.miagreen.com

47th CARIBBEAN HARDWARE & CONSTRUCTION TRADE SHOW February 20th – 22nd, 2015– Bayamon, Puerto Rico. The Caribbean Hardware & Construction Trade Show with Lawn and Garden Exhibits at the Rubén Rodríguez in Bayamón is the prime time and place for face-to-face sourcing and trading. Visit us and learn how Puerto Rico is the 3rd largest market of products supplied by the United States with more than $16 billion imported from the main land every year. Our show is the largest and most complete exhibition of its kind in all the Caribbean, with a total of 225 booths and more than 4,500 buyers from Puerto Rico and the Caribbean Basin area alone! You can't miss this industry gathering.

INTERNATIONAL POWER SUMMIT February 25th – 27th, 2015 – Lisbon, Portugal. The International Power Summit is recognized as a meeting point for senior engineers and plant operators concerned with coal and gas generation from around the EMEA region, with a heavy representation from key European companies. The 2015 edition will to deliver crucial updates regarding imminent regulation and we will address many of the key issues and challenges as a result. Central stage will on topics covering maintenance, operational strategic planning and management during times of low investment and low returns.

The IPS summit will provide each and every delegate with a golden opportunity to share their experiences with others, either in scheduled meetings, roundtable discussions and workshops or during the numerous social and networking events that will run throughout the event.

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

102

NEW COMPANY REGISTRATIONS COMPANY

NATURE OF BUSINESS

DIRECTORS

OnPoint Property Development & Management Company Inc.

Provide Consultancy Services for Property Tracey Warner Arnold, Lancelot Arnold Development, Management & Maintenance

Expanding Territories Consultancy Services Inc.

Human Development & Management Services

Business Solutions Inc.

Business Consultancy & Investment Management

Elisa Jean, Rock Jean

The French Bakery Ltd.

Production & Sale of French Breads & Pasteries

John Francis, Agnes Francis

ICF (St Lucia) Ltd.

Manufacture of Sustainable Products

Michael Brigham, Eliot Bailey, Carl Cooper

LucianStyle Sustainable Construction Corporation

Holding Company

Michael Brigham, Eliot Bailey, Carl Cooper

Darcheville Construction Equipment Sales (Caribbean) Ltd.

To Sell Construction Equipment

Goddard Darcheville

IPSUM Ltd.

Information Technology

Peron Schouten

Dress Code Inc.

To Carry on The Business of Wholesale/ Retail of Merchandise

Habib Chreiki

INNOTECH Services Ltd.

Construction Company

Anthony J DaSilva, Martin A DaSilva, Basil A DaSilva Jnr, Basil DaSilva Snr, Kevin Willis, Andrew Adam

Canaries Community Improvement Foundation Inc.

Assistance to Community Members

Marcus Antoine, Felix Morgan Joseph, Lyncia Antoine, Chadelle St Ange

Jem Homes St. Lucia Ltd.

Building of Homes

Carl Archibald

Rainforest Seafoods Inc.

Distributor of Frozen Food Products

Brian Jardim, Maxwell Jardim

Heirloom Hospitality Services (St. Lucia) Ltd.

Hotel & Property Management

Bruce Ramsey

Gourmet Boys Ltd.

Sale of Food and Beverages

Navin Gokool, Trevor Mathews

New Directions Ltd.

Retail Store

Weillin Chen

R Eudovique Water & Wastewater Consulting Services Inc.

Consultancy of Water & Wastewater

Raphael Eudovique

Cool & Pool Products Inc.

Retail of Pool Products

Richard Devaux, Andrea Maran Devaux

Careffe Holdings Inc.

Real Estate Development & Management

Tracy Warner Arnold, Lancelot Arnold

Reliable Parts & Motors Ltd.

Automotive Parts & Used Vehicles

Kervon Andy Alcide

EJJ Inc.

The Business of Real Estate

Angus Merlin Christopher, Jonah Abelson Julien, Edison Jonah Julien

Supreme Insurance Services Ltd.

Supplying insurance services

Clayton Nicholas

Expectant Mothers & Beyond Ltd.

Baby Products, Children Products, Adult’s Products & Gifts

Dahlia Irwill Torrington, Arnold St Marthe

Savana St Lucia Inc.

Holding Company

Substantia Inc.

Property Services & Consulting

Rachael Du Boulay, Stephen Shingleton-Smith

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

103

NEW COMPANY REGISTRATIONS COMPANY

NATURE OF BUSINESS

DIRECTORS

Medical Services Association of Saint Lucia Inc.

Provide Pre-paid Medical Assistance Emergency Air and Helicopter Transportation, Ground Ambulance & Escort Transportation, Organ Retrieval & Other Related Services

Frank Halley, Timothy Green, Randal Mitchell, Omar Haedo

D.M. Empire Development Ltd.

Property Development

Dillon Luke Medard

Saltwater Services Ltd.

Marine Services

Kim Jackson

Veterans In Sports Inc.

Sports Development

Fred Malaykhan, Garvin Niles

Caribbean Hotel & Resort Evaluation Services Ltd.

Hotel & Tourism Consultancy

Joel Crocker, Brad Paul

Terre d’Antilles Ltd.

Production, Purchase, Import & Export of Fruits and Vegetables and by Products

Eric Blondin, Casimir Oliere, Claude Simmonet

SecureWorld Corporation

Security Services on an International level

Michael Issa

Sagicor Life (Eastern Caribbean) Inc.

Insurance Business

V. Adrian Augier, C. Davidson Charles, Joyce Dear, Dr. Marjorie Patricia Downes-Grant, Vern N. Gill, Stephen McNamara, Dodridge Miller, Grenville Phillips, David Wright

TravelCash Ltd.

Employee Support & Benefits

Peron Schouten

Rx 100 Remedy Inc.

Distribution & Manufacturing of Chemical Treatment for Mould & Insects

Julian Adjodha

FINCOS Trust Services Ltd.

Trust Services

Natalie G. Augustin, Glitz Corporate Services Ltd.

Caribbean ADR Chambers Inc.

Dispute Resolution Services

Calvin Hamilton, Anthony Ross, Christopher Malcolm, Shan Greer

Moha Wholesale & Retail Enterprises Ltd.

Wholesale & Retail Services

Adhira Mohan

NTKN Group Inc.

Investment Group

Kedhma Dorh, Timotheus Dorh, Neciah Dorh, Nethaniah Dorh

Cloud International Inc.

Real Estate & Constructional Services

F.Y.O. Ltd.

Holding Company

Daniel Francis, David Francis

L.A.D. Ltd.

Convenient Store

Linus Demar

Demar Inc.

Holding Company

Linus Demar

Technical Support & Consultancy Services Ltd.

Retail of Computers and Related Equipment, Structured Cabling, Technical Support & IT Consultancy

Neil Joseph Angella Gonsalves-Joseph

BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

|

104

TECHNOLOGY TO KEEP YOU ON COURSE

THE RIGHT PARTNER CAN PROPEL YOU FORWARD In the sea of business, it’s important to have a partner you can trust. Digicel Business offers the mobility you need to help you navigate and choose the right solution for your business no matter what size of business you are.

We partner with all the big fish in the technology industry to bring you the unified communications you need to ensure you’re never out of your depth.

To get the technology you need to keep you ahead, Contact us at 1 75 8 724 600 1 or digicelbusinessslu@digicelgroup.com

Complete solutions for your needs WWW.DIGICELBUSINESS.COM

P R E M I U M

Q U A L I T Y

Kitchen & Bathroom Calm

Cool, calm and sophisticated

Warm

Cosy and comfortable

Fresh

Clean, pure and breezy

Luxurious

With Harris’ environmentally–friendly, low VOC and low odour Kitchen & Bathroom paint, there’s no need to worry about painting occupied spaces. Plus, thi s easy-to-clean, fade resistant paint solution will have your kitchen and bathroom walls always looking their best.

Match Your Mood

Coordinate colours easily and Match Your Mood is our unique and easy-to-use colour system that takes the hassle out of choosing the right combination of colours.

We’ve grouped our colours into four mood-inspired collections that are guaranteed to harmonize well!

Look out for these icons inside.

Intense, rich and vivid

A quick-drying, 100% acrylic, water-based interior satin paint, ideally suited for use in kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms.

Maximum Protection Against

ü Bacteria, Fungus and Mold ü Exceptional Washability Moisture and ü Superior Stain Resistance

ü Virtually Odourless ü Super Tough Acrylic Finish ü Available in Thousands

LONGER TERM PROTECTION FROM FUNGUS AND MOLD

of Colours

Harris Kitchen & Bathroom with MILDEWGUARD TECHNOLOGYTM has been formulated with unique micro-encapsulated biocides designed to release slowly over the life of the coating. Unlike most paints that lose their anti-mildew effectiveness within six months, Harris Kitchen & Bathroom will resist the growth of fungus and mold for much longer.

For more information, contact the team at Harris Paints or email us at marketing@harrispaintsonline.com Our products are available at our Harris Colourcentres and at leading retailers Barbados Wildey, St. Michael BB14006, Barbados T: (246) 429-4840

Dominica Dominica T: (767) 448-3011

Guyana 10 - 13 Water Street, North Cummingsburg, Georgetown, Guyana T: (592) 226-5156

www.championsofcolour.com

Jamaica 10 Bell Road East Kingston, Jamaica T: (876) 923-7131

St. Lucia P.O. Box 2095, Gros Islet, St. Lucia T: (758) 450-0727

facebook.com/championsofcolour