DSC Hosts Key Tourism Stakeholders Retreat at Springfield Guest House on Wednesday 3^rd March 2010 to evaluate its Current Tourism related Education and Training Programs             Reporter: Shamalie Louis- Tuesday March 2 2010

The Dominica State College will engage key tourism-industry stakeholders in a retreat at the Springfield Guest House on Wednesday 3^rd March, 2010. The aim of the retreat is to evaluate current tourism related education and training programs offered by the College and generate ideas for improving quality. It is reported that the Dominica Agricultural and Industrial Development Bank (AID Bank) is in full support of this pursuit for higher quality education and training, and is said to be providing significant financial support for the retreat. Miss Loris Crawford is a consultant in Hospitality Training and has been contracted to guide the deliberations at the retreat. Miss Loris Crawford is currently a professor at the School of Hospitality Management and the Culinary Arts, Monroe College, New Rochelle, New York. The organizers advise that in her capacity as a Certified Hospitality Educator, Miss Crawford is well positioned to guide the group in Selecting key areas for examination, Setting clear objectives for the evaluation, addressing the concerns and recommendations of stakeholders, and Synthesizing the results of the evaluation into an action plan for taking the DSC Programs to a higher level. Private& Public sector participation is expected from the DHTA, Ministry of Tourism, Environmental Health Unit and others. An opening ceremony is expected to take place from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. which will hopefully set the stage for a successful retreat. The ceremony will be addressed by Hon. Peter St. Jean, Minister for Education & Human Resource Development, Mr. Sobers Esprit, Member of the TTAC, Mr. Hubert Charles, Former President of DSC, and Ms. Loris Crawford, Facilitator.    

                                                                                                                                  UWP Leader Ron Green says Minister Blackmoore’s Statement that the UWP could not have undertaken the West Coast Road Rehabilitation as Ridiculous and as a Diversion from Reality Reporter: Shamalie Louis- Tuesday March 2 2010

At the recent ground breaking ceremony for the commencement of works on the west coast road rehabilitation project, Minister for public works, energy and ports Honourable Rayburn Blackmoore made a statement to the effect that the administration prior to that of the Labour party would not have been able to undertake a major project as the one now being undertaken by the DLP government in the form of the Roseau to Portsmouth West Coast Road Rehabilitation project as the economic status of the country had been ‘down in the dumps.’ In response to that statement from the Minister, Mr. Ron Green labeled his statement as an attempt to divert public attention away from the failures of the Labour Government. He noted that most of the projects now being undertaken by the Labour Party government had been initiated while the United Workers Party was in government. He described Blackmoore’s claim that the UWP would not have been able to undertake a project such as the West Coast Road Rehabilitation Project as ridiculous.

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Businessman Mr. Jerry Brisbane says Prime Minister Skerrit’s Decision to Reduce Port charges by 20 percent would Cost the Port Millions but will have No Significant Impact on Prices Reporter: Midian Pacquette- Tuesday March 2 2010

Out Spoken Businessman Mr. Jerry Brisbane says that he has investigated deeper into the decision of Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit to reduce port charges by 20 percent.  Mr. Brisbane informed listeners of the Hot Seat this morning that he had looked into the other side of the said 20 percent reduction and emphasized that whereas that move would cost the port millions, reduction in prices to consumers would be miniscule and insignificant.  Meanwhile Chief Executive Officer of the Dominica Port Authority Benoit Bardouille says that the 20 percent reduction would cost the port some 2 million dollars but thinks that it would not be such a terrible idea if it gave something significant back to the public.  Mr. Bardouille explains that the issue is that the port has to operate in what they consider to be the public interest, which is supposed to be the responsibility of the government.   

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Ezekiel Basil Questions Government’s Level of Honesty with the Dominican populace and Wonders about the real Motive for another Bridge to be Located next to the Roseau Market
Reporter: Shamalie Louis- Tuesday March 2 2010

Ezekiel Basil, the UWP candidate who ran for the Wesley Woodford Hill constituency at the 2009 general election, is questioning whether the Labour administration initially tried to mislead the populace as regards what exactly to expect from works in the Roseau to Portsmouth Road Project. He says the present administration consistently makes the people believe that there are things that they are going to receive, which they never actually receive. Basil stated that the same type of deception was adopted duriing the last general election. Basil posed even more questions regarding the developmental works of the Labour administration, and he wonders whether the west coast villages will be upgraded along with the roads to provide a better overall end product. He ponders the necessity of the bridge planned to be constructed near the New Roseau Market, and questions the government’s motive for that bridge, and in his view, taking into Account that the issue of traffic congestion had already been addressed to some significant extent.    

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The Government of Dominica will Host the Caribbean ICT Roadshow scheduled from 4^th to 6^th August 2010 at the Initiative of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU)                              Reporter: Shamalie Louis- Tuesday March 2 2010

The government of Dominica is expected to host the Caribbean ICT Roadshow which is scheduled from the 4^th to the 6^th of August 2010. The Roadshow is an initiative of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) and is reportedly designed to raise awareness of the innovative approaches which are required for effective application of information and communication technologies in every sphere of endeavour. The theme for the Roadshow is “harnessing the Power of Innovation - The Engine for ICT Enabled Caribbean Development”. Dominica will be the 15^th of twenty Caribbean countries to be visited by the Roadshow since it began in August 2009. The initiative is said to be one of several activities to commemorate the CTU’s 20^th anniversary. The organizers say that it has been a major success in the countries visited so far.

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PM Skerrit says Despite China’s Own Social, Economic, and Nature-based Challenges the PRC Financed the West Coast Road Rehabilitation Project & Dominicans Should be Grateful    Reporter: Shamalie Louis- Monday March 1 2010

At the ground breaking ceremony to mark the beginning of physical construction of the Roseau to Portsmouth Road project, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit expressed his great appreciation to the People’s Republic of China for their willingness to help upgrade the quality of the west coast road network. He stated that despite the worldwide economic downturn which has impacted the Chinese economy, and regardless of the social and nature-based challenges needed to be tackled in their own homeland, the government of the People’s Republic of China has stepped up to finance the road rehabilitation project from Roseau to Portsmouth and Dominicans should be grateful. Mayor of the city of Roseau Cecil Joseph who also present at the ceremony, stated that the project would enhance the social, economic and geo-political landscape of Dominica. He highlighted the infrastructure works that were already undertaken in and near the city of Roseau, and works that were expected to be done in the near future.

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MRD Chairman Sam Raphael says Participation of Diaspora Nationals is Critical to Discussion and Debates Scheduled for the March 8^th 2010 Second Session of the People’s Parliament Reporter: Shamalie Louis- Monday March 1 2010

Chairman of the Movement to Restore Democracy Sam Rafael explained that since many native Dominicans live overseas, there is a need for them to be kept involved in what is taking place in Dominica. He says that the People’s Parliament requires participation from Diaspora Dominicans and will continue to involve them in that forum which is designed for in-depth and substantial discussion and debate. Mr. Rafael further noted that the People’s Parliament will be on for a second time. It is scheduled for Monday March 8. He describes the upcoming program as better than the last and says more participation from persons who attend will be encouraged.  

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Union organizes protest 'dry run'
www.bbccaribbean.com - Tuesday March 2 2010

Some workers at two government revenue collection agencies in Trinidad and Tobago stayed off the job Monday, calling the action a dry run for wider protest. Members of the Public Service Association, a public sector union, are objecting to a plan to merge the tax-taking operations of Inland Revenue and Customs departments. The union's action had the backing of new Opposition Leader Kamla Persad Bissessar. The PSA claims about half its membership at the two departments responded to the call stay off the job today.  

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One-stop tax shop also for Barbados?
www.bbccaribbean.com -  Tuesday March 2 2010

Barbados is also considering a one-stop revenue authority to centralize and improve the tax-taking operations of such agencies as Customs, the income tax department and the land tax department. The revenue authority is one of the measures included in what's been called a medium-term strategy to bring down a worrying government deficit. Prime Minister David Thompson brought together business and union leaders on Monday for a national consultation on the country’s economy.     

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Cable and Wireless eyes Cuba
www.bbccaribbean.com -  Tuesday March 2 2010

Cable and Wireless is close to securing a foothold in Cuba, according to a published report. The Sunday Times of London said the move was a first step of an expansion plan as the telecoms firm prepares for life after the forthcoming demerger of its international arm from its UK business next month. The paper said Cable and Wireless will run a sub-sea internet cable from Jamaica into Cuba - a deal which puts it in a strong position to pick up a stake in Cuba's state-controlled mobile phone operator. Chief executive Tony Rice was also quoted as saying that the company wanted to either take majority control of TSTT, the Trinidad telecoms carrier, or to sell its minority shareholding.

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