Black Immigrant Daily News

Relationship between the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis and the Republic of China (Taiwan) which is going into its fortieth year is one that has tremendously benefitted the Federation in diverse areas of human endeavour, and the three-day 2022 Taiwan Expo in St. Kitts and Nevis is a testament to that fact.

“The relationship with Taiwan is now 39 years and going strong,” said Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Dr Geoffrey Hanley. “And as we look forward to our fortieth anniversary next year, I am indeed proud to say that I am a Kittitian and I value the many contributions that we have gained as a Federation as a result of this relationship, and I can only imagine that it will grow from strength to strength.”

The Deputy Prime Minister made the remarks on behalf of Prime Minister and Minister of Finance et al, the Hon Dr Terrance Drew, on Saturday November 5 at a ceremony held at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort to officially open the 2022 Taiwan Expo in St. Kitts Nevis.

Twenty-six Taiwanese companies are taking part in the exhibition, and two of them who are specialised in solar energy solutions, and hardware tools such as diamond cutters and sharpeners have a physical representation. The other 24 Taiwanese entrepreneurs are participating virtually but have sent their products and catalogues, and have local personnel representing them on the ground.

“Over the next three days I can only imagine that we will be engaged with innovation and technology at its highest,” observed Dr Hanley. “Having had the opportunity to visit Taiwan and see those many factories and those malls, we will be in for a good treat. But what is even more exciting for me is the fact that our locals are getting an opportunity to showcase their business and their skills.”

Eight local businesses have also been given the opportunity to exhibit at the 2022 Taiwan Expo in St. Kitts and Nevis, which closes at 4:00 p.m. on Monday November 7. These are Hibiscus Spirits; Sugar Town Organics; Sassy V. Collectibles; The Emerald; SKNHOSTING; Nature’s Best; Espo Water Solutions; and Esthetics Beauty Parlor.

Without disclosing the name of the business, the Hon Dr Hanley said: “A few days ago getting a sneak peek on what is happening by one of our providers here trying to sell something to the Ministry of Education, after five minutes of demonstration I told the PS we will get this. So I want to commend our local entrepreneurs and it is time to ask them to continue to jump out of the box.”

The Hon Dr Hanley who is also the Minister of Education, Youth Empowerment, Social Development, Gender Affairs, Aging and Disabilities, Ecclesiastical and Faith-based Affairs, and Housing and Human Settlement, also commented on the other areas where the Federation has been benefitting as a direct result of the relationship between the two countries.

“On behalf of the government I want to wish the Ambassador, you and your Taiwan country and your staff here, the very best and thank you for all that you have done, continue to do, and will be doing going forward for our Federation,” said the Deputy Prime Minister. “You heard it from the Senior Minister (Hon Dr Denzil Douglas) we have benefitted with education, in health, in sports, in infrastructure – any area you can think of, we have benefitted.”

Also making remarks at the opening ceremony was Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade, Industry, Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Economic Development and Investment, the Hon Dr Denzil L. Douglas, who also hailed the good relationship between the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis and the Republic of China (Taiwan).

“We continue to benefit from your scholarship programme, Mr Ambassador, and now boast a cadre of professionals in various fields who have graduated from the best universities in Taiwan,” stated the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs. “It was just recently that we witnessed eleven students being awarded scholarships for the academic year 2022/2023. This for us is symbolic as we continue to invest in our youth who are our nation’s future.”

Resident Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, His Excellency Michael Lin, delivered welcome remarks at the opening ceremony which was chaired by Mr Damien I-Ching Liu, Third Secretary at the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in St. Kitts and Nevis.

Present at the opening ceremony included Public Works et al, the Hon Konris Maynard; Attorney General and Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs, Hon Garth Wilkin, and Mrs Wilkin; and Cabinet Secretary, Dr Marcus L. Natta.

Others were Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of International Trade, Industry, Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Mrs Jasemin Weekes; Ambassador His Excellency Leon Natta-Nelson; Director General of SKNIS, Mr Lesroy Williams; and First Prime Minister the Rt. Excellent and Rt. Hon Sir Dr Kennedy Simmonds, and Lady Simmonds.

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Nearly 70 booths showcased business models and ideas by Saint Lucians at an Entrepreneurship Showcase co-hosted by the Taiwanese Embassy and Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC) on Wednesday, October 26, at Derek Walcott Square.

The Entrepreneurship Showcase was held under the Upskilling Academy Jennès Incubator for Start-Up Enterprises and Business Coaching Programme.

The event was a strong demonstration of the vast array of youth entrepreneurial talent, and dovetailed with Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre’s promotion of the Youth Economy.

Businesses showcased at the Entrepreneurship Showcase specialized in the following services: catering/culinary, farming and agro-processing, health and beauty, fashion, childcare, education, information technology, alternative energy, furniture making, and upholstery.

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Exhibitors were also allowed to sell their creations, with many patrons making purchases on the day and networking for future sales.

His Excellency Peter Chia-yen Chen, Taiwan’s Ambassador to Saint Lucia, and Mrs. Chen joined Ms. Esther Rigobert, Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, in visiting the various booths and interacting with the entrepreneurs.

PHOTO: Ambassador Peter Chia-yen Chen and Mrs. Chen visiting one of the many booths at the Entrepreneurship Showcase held at Derek Walcott Square.

The exhibitors thanked organizers for giving them the platform to showcase and promote their goods and services. Many of them expressed that it was their first time participating in such an event. At the close of the Entrepreneurship Showcase, Ambassador Chen had some words of encouragement for the exhibitors in his brief remarks.

“As I went around, I could feel your energy, creativity, and passion in introducing your products and business models, and I can tell that you are now becoming more confident and creative entrepreneurs for society and ready for the challenges of the market,” Ambassador Chen said.

Ambassador Chen also explained the rationale for Taiwan investing in youth and women in Saint Lucia, noting that Taiwan is proud to be a supporting partner of Prime Minister Hon. Philip J. Pierre’s vision for the Youth Economy, which forms part of his Prime Ministerial portfolio.

“Today’s achievement is the result of the Technical Assistance for Youth and Women project, which was launched in November last year when the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) signed a Letter of Intent with the Government of Saint Lucia to invest in youth entrepreneurship and boost employment among the younger generation in the Caribbean countries. One of the goals is to upskill the youths and provide resources to incubator, small enterprises and offer business coaching.”

Meanwhile, Ms. Esther Rigobert, Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, also offered brief remarks at the event, thanking the Government of Taiwan and other stakeholders for organizing the event.

“What we witnessed here today, I believe, represents the best of our young people in entrepreneurship,” she said. “You have a lot in your favour: youthfulness, vitality, intellectual capability, business acumen, creativity and optimism. For the first time, Saint Lucian youth, you have been given an opportunity to be part of the conversation on the development of a strategy for our country in a very meaningful way, and with direct engagement and participation in the business sector, and with financial and technical support from the Government of Saint Lucia.”

Awards were presented to entrepreneurs who were adjudged for their business pitches. The winners were Abejah Modeste (first place), Marylene Antoine-Smith (second place), and Davis Hippolyte (third place).

Other awards presented were for the following categories:

Taiwanese Ambassador’s Award for Innovation – Isaac Preventative Maintenance and Rubber Fabrication Company
Prime Minister’s Award for Best Booth – Bee Supreme Natural Products

The Government of Taiwan will continue to partner with the Government of Saint Lucia on initiatives that redound to enhancing Saint Lucia’s human resource capacity.

SOURCE: Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in Saint Lucia. Headline photo: Ambassador and Mrs. Peter Chia-yen Chen, and Ms. Esther Rigobert, Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, with the entrepreneurs who won special prizes at the EntrepreneurshipShowcase.

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‘Een uitje en een beter assortiment’ Tekst en beeld Euritha Tjan A Way ALBINA / SAINT-LAURENT — Het is een

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The Democratic National Alliance (DNA) continues to trudge on in their efforts to influence the electorate of Antigua and Barbuda, despite the resignations of three high ranking officials within the party’s ranks.

Spokesperson and DNA candidate for the St Peter constituency, Chaneil Imhoff spoke to Observer media about the latest public resignation of the party’s Secretary-General, Gatesworth James.

In a statement, she noted that, “Politics is dynamic, and it is about both addition and subtraction. The DNA has built a team of leaders and, like many growing organisations before us, we will gain and lose members as we go along.

“[Resignations are] not new in the politics of Antigua and Barbuda but if we are to present ourselves as new, fresh, and dynamic, we must always hold firm to our party’s ethos,” the party spokesperson replied.

She also wished the departed individuals well but “the marathon will always continue”.

The DNA announced that the departure of James — who also served as the party candidate for the St John’s City West constituency — yesterday morning after he sent his resignation to Deputy Secretary-General, Marjorie Parchment on 31 October.

In their official statement, the party also claimed that he was also interested in joining the United Progressive Party (UPP).

The party also stated that the reasons given by the now former Secretary-General — citing the dismissal of the party’s leadership group, and a statement from party leaders last week making what he called “careless, threatening and deliberately inaccurate remarks” about those he described as dedicated and hardworking founding party members — were unfounded.

“It has been speculated that, for some time now, that he intends to join forces with and endorse the UPP candidate for the constituency in which he was slated to contest. He, too, failed in his attempts to have the DNA merge with and be subsumed by the UPP,” the statement alluded.

Gatesworth James’s comments about the DNA bore similarities to those made by former Chairperson Malaka Parker and First Vice-President Bruce Goodwin who announced their own resignations last week.

Whether there will be more resignations from the new political party continues to be unknown at the time of writing, however the DNA spokesperson said the party remains committed to contest the next general election—constitutionally due March 2023—with a full slate of candidates.- OBSERVER NEWSCO

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The football fraternity is in mourning, following yet another fatal shooting incident.

Yesterday morning, former national youth footballer, 22-year-old, Kobe Shepherd was shot and killed in his hometown of Greenfield, St Michael.

It is reported that Shepherd, a utility player for the University of the West Indies (UWI) Blackbirds, received multiple gunshots from a pillion rider on a motor bike.

Last weekend Shepherd scored one goal and assisted another for UWI in their quarterfinal encounter of the Barbados Football Association (BFA) Republic versus Dover Market/Phillips Bakery Paradise FC.

The former Pro Shottas and St Leonard’s Boys’ School graduate was in sublime form during the current tournament, registering two hat-tricks and displaying his trademark high work ethic.

The BFA paid their respects to Shepherd last night during the semifinals of the BFA Republic Cup at the BFA Wildey Turf via a moment of silence before both matches.

However, the tribute did not end there. At the end of the second moment of silence, you could hear sections of the 2000-plus audience shouting Shepherd’s nickname; “Square”.

The tributes were extended on social media by teammates, friends, coaches and teachers.

National under-17 boys coach and teacher at the St Leonard’s Boys’ School Fabian Massiah said in his post; “I can’t believe this has happened. Many said I favoured you; you always told me I was too hard on you, but you always knew it was to make you a better person.

“I saw you mature on and off the football field.

“I now know what it feels like to lose a child, because you were like my son.

“You served your school, Pro Shottas and the Blackbirds well. I will miss you; we will miss you.

“This one cut me deep, SIP Kobe. Love you always.”

Former schoolmate and teammate at Pro Shottas and UWI, Niall Reid-Stephen, who now plays for Chicago State University, said, “I really wish I could of play your last game with you brother”.

While entertainer and long-time friend Jamal “J Slo” Slocombe said he will miss the random calls from Shepherd, who often checked on his welfare, delivered banter and planned social events at any opportunity they were both free.

Shepherd’s death was Barbados’ 36th murder for the year.

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