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A Paris, la musique à l’unisson contre la drépanocytose

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Guadeloupe FranceAntilles

Pour la  treizième édition du Drépaction, qui a vu le jour au Zénith de Paris en 2009, Jenny Hippocrate-Fixy et ses 90 bénévoles se sont mobilisés pour ce concert, en donnant carte blanche à Jean-Claude Naimro et ses invités chanteurs (M’Toro Chamou due Mayotte, Stacy de la Martinique, Milca de la Guyane, Rachelle Allisson de la Guadeloupe, Eloisha de la Cote d’Ivoire, Missie Kako et Tronixx, et Mainy-K’Reen), ont célébré la vie avec des belles chansons et des messages forts.

Les musiciens dirigés par le chef d’orchestre, Tony Chasseur, n’ont pas hésité une nouvelle fois à s’ngager pour cet élan de solidarité en faveur de la drépanocytose.

Une combattante

Treize, un chiffre porte-bonheur pour la présidente de l’APIPD. Jenny Hippocrate-Fixy, la combattante contre la drépanocytose était là, debout, contente pour célébrer la vie. ” Il y a eu deux ans de Covid, on revient à la Cigale, après la pandémie, dans cette salle mythique, pour célébrer la vie. Je suis vraiment contente “. Elle se bat au quotidien depuis plus de trente contre une maladie qui ne se guérit pas vraiment, sans vrai médicament et pour laquelle il reste un gros travail à faire au niveau de la recherche clinique. Elle avance en disant : ” On a beaucoup insisté sur la partie physique, la douleur de la drépanocytose et aussi tout cette partie phycologique, cette partie sociale. La maladie fatigue empêchant de travailler normalement, d’avoir une vie amoureuse normale. L’idée de la mort rode tout temps. La drépanocytose désocialise et tue. En premier ce qui tue, c’est la laxisme et l’immobilisme du pouvoir publique. C’est compliqué et très difficile. C’est une maladie racialisée “. Jenny Hippocrate-Fixy, son fils Taylor et le vice-président de la région Ile de France, Patrick Karam, qui est là depuis le début à leur côté, sont venus apporter leur message d’espoir, d’encouragement et de solidarité aux malades.

Un bon moment de musique

Dans cette salle de la Cigale bien remplie, les musiciens ont donné à ce concert tout leur professionnalisme, leur chaleur pour assurer l’ambiance et enflammer la scène. Coté public, venu assez nombreux, c’était l’effervescence, l’explosion, la joie, les applaudissements… L’ambiance était au rendez-vous ce samedi soir.

Le parrain de cette édition, Jean-Claude Naimro, a félicité la présidente et l’encouragé dans sa lutte. ” J’espère que cette treizième édition portera chance à l’association. Je suis un parrain qui portera la bonne parole. Mais ce qui est important, ce sont les dons “, a expliqué le musicien ému.

Ce samedi soir, il y avait beaucoup d’amour sur scène et dans la salle pour briser le silence et célébrer la vie. Ils ont envoyé un message d’espoir et de solidarité pour réchauffer les cœurs de ceux qui souffrent en attendant un lendemain meilleur.

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St. Kitts Tourism Authority Return From Successful Marketing Mission to Canada

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: ZIZ Broadcasting Corporation

Basseterre, St. Kitts, 30 September 2022 – A St. Kitts Tourism Authority delegation led by Ellison “Tommy” Thompson, CEO, and Melnecia Marshall, Deputy CEO, recently returned from a successful marketing mission to Canada as part of the destination’s tourism rebound strategy.

The purpose of the mission was to unveil the destination’s exciting new brand campaign, Venture Deeper, engage with the Canadian diaspora, host the travel trade media and industry partners, and participate in an integrated consumer event activation in collaboration with the SKTA Canada-based team. The multi-day visit incorporated three events, strategy meetings, multiple media interviews and in-person meetings with key business partners.

“The Canadian marketing mission was a long-awaited opportunity for us to re-connect with the travel industry at large and excite the market on the destination’s immersive attractions, distinctive cultural offerings and authentic Caribbean travel experiences,” said CEO at the St. Kitts Tourism Authority, Mr. Ellison “Tommy” Thompson. “The Canadian market is a huge priority for us as it was on an upward trajectory prior to the pandemic with almost 10,000 Canadians visiting each year. We know there is significant opportunity in Canada and we have an aggressive strategy in place to reignite this market.”

Upon arrival, the St. Kitts team hosted the local diaspora at a reception on 26 September at the Hilton Hotel in downtown Toronto, which also included specially invited guest Ms. Brenda Foreman, Honorary Consul of the Consulate of St. Kitts and Nevis.

“The opportunity to engage with the diaspora was an important moment for the destination,” said Mrs. Marshall “As we aim to be more visible and competitive in the region, and recognize the need to forge partnerships with both the public and private sectors, the chance to meet face-to-face was an invaluable opportunity.”

During the visit, the delegation met with critical partners, Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations, to discuss the upcoming seasonal direct route restart on 5 November 2022 and the potential for expanding airlift to the destination. With Canadians ranked among some of the most passionate foodies in the world, the team also met with key consumer business partners to support a multi-year Canadian culinary strategy that commenced in 2021.

“Our marketing is data driven and the data strongly indicates that culinary serves as an effective marketing driver in Canada,” said Mr. Thompson. “Incredible food experiences are absolutely on the hearts and minds of Canadian travellers as they make their holiday plans, and we recognize that highlighting our restaurants, chefs and unique dining experiences is a way to introduce and build brand awareness for St. Kitts in Canada – it’s the entry point to create that conversation.”

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NCRA appeals to block makers to maintain standards Loop Jamaica

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Jamaica News Loop News

The National Compliance and Regulatory Authority (NCRA) is making a special appeal to block makers to ensure that standards are maintained in their production processes.

Inspector-in-Charge, Import and Domestic Commodities Inspectorate, NCRA, Dr Wendell Richards, said checks carried out by inspectors have revealed substandard blocks from some block makers.

Speaking at a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) ‘Think Tank’, Richards reminded block makers that there is a compulsory standard.

“Note, as well, that Jamaica sits on a fault line (and) we spend more time in a building than outside; therefore, the blocks have to be compliant,” he emphasised.

Richards explained that substandard hollow blocks can be the result of not using the correct material, not using material in the right quantities, among other factors.

These deviate from the existing compulsory standard JS 35:2011 for standard hollow concrete blocks, which Richards said puts “fellow citizens, your own family, friends and loved ones at risk”.

Though the authority does not offer consultancy services, it is open to pointing interested block makers in the right direction to ensure guidance from the Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ) and adherence to regulations.

“If you don’t know what to do, come to us. We will put you in conversation with the right experts, and they are going to guide you through. When you speak to us, as well, we will guide you through the regulatory process, so that you become compliant,” said Richards.

He advised that persons who are interested in the block-making business should make three blocks and present them to the BSJ for testing. The results should be taken to the NCRA and after registration, an inspector will be assigned to conduct a site visit.

There are three main block sizes – 100 mm or four inches; 150 mm or six inches; and 200 mm or eight inches. The NCRA will inspect a sample of 10 blocks; therefore, if a block maker applies to make all three sizes, a sample of 30 blocks must be prepared for testing.

Richards stressed that the samples must meet the minimum specifications to be passed, but block makers should aim to exceed the minimum specifications.

“The most important specification is the compressive strength of seven megapascals. That is the minimum you should meet. (Do not simply) try to meet seven megapascals, because if anything goes wrong you will fall below that,” he said.

The Import and Domestic Commodities Inspectorate of the NCRA works at all major ports of entry and throughout retail outlets within the domestic space. In the domestic market, they conduct targeted inspection and monitoring work in five product categories, one of which is construction and material units.

To access the list of standards for building and associated materials, persons can visit the NCRA’s website at ww.ncra.org.jm.

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LISTEN: PM Browne denies involvement in the murder of Nigel Christian

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Antigua News Room

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PNM, UNC MPs quote scripture in budget debate

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

News

Parliament’s procedural clerk Keiba Jacob Mottley, from left, Port of Spain South MP Keith Scotland and Finance Minister Colm Imbert at the reception of the ceremonial Opening of the 3rd Session of the 12th Republican Parliament on September 12. Scotland quoted Psalm 1 in the budget debate on Saturday. – File photo/Sureash Cholai

Church came a day early for some parliamentarians as PNM and UNC MPs in their budget presentations took from the word of the Lord to preach to the other side.

MPs Dr Rai Ragbir and Keith Scotland both quoted scripture on the second day of debate on the 2022-2023 budget which was read on Monday last.

Ragbir, the Cumuto Manzanilla MP, opened his parliamentary sermon with Acts, Chapter 2, verse 14.

“Peter was a unreliable leader,” he said. “His bravado however was his downfall and he even denied Jesus. Jesus forgave him and he filled with the holy spirit. Then he displayed confidence, humility and boldness and he became a powerful dynamic speaker. Deputy Speaker, I am here today filled with the holy spirit.”

“Let my words resonate in the hearts and minds of everyone that is suffering, that you would pray it will be a better day tomorrow.”

Not to be outdone, Scotland, the MP for Port of Spain South, had scripture of his own.

“The honourable member of Cumuto/Manzanilla said he’s filled with the holy spirit. And he sits on the other side while quoting scripture. So I’ll quote scripture for you.”

Quoting from Psalm 1, he said: “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the council of the ungodly. Nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.”

Scotland then moved on to knock the Chaguanas East MP, Vandana Mohit ,for unfair remarks about the state of the country.

UNC Cumuto/Manzanilla MP Dr Rai Ragbir quoted from Acts, Chapter 2 during the budget debate on Saturday. – File photo/Sureash Cholai

“Madam speaker, the honourable member for Chaguanas East in her presentation spewed a cacophony of words that began with ‘dis’. But what the honourable member forgot to mention in her discourse is that since September 2015, TT is disinterested in the UNC. Therefore, at the polls we treated them with disdain. Under the distinguished leadership of the Prime Minister and the discipline and financial stewardship of the Minister of Finance this country need not despair.”

“Members of the other side stop your persistent peddling of gloom and doom in TT. Stop dissing our country.”

Ragbir spoke on one of the highlights of the budget, in which Finance Minister Colm Imbert said government allotted $200 million for healthcare workers as thanks for their efforts during the pandemic. He said the nurses most of all, needed the money.

“Nurses account for 59 per cent of our healthcare professionals. I hope they get the money soon.”

Also during the debate, Communications Minister Symon De Nobriga knocked what he called “misinformation” by the Opposition, saying that it is a threat to the nation’s democracy.

“Unfortunately, much of the misinformation that emanates from those opposite is spread on social media and in such an environment; it is increasingly difficult for citizens to judge the integrity of information being spewed at them on a daily basis.”

He responded to Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s claim on Friday about spoke an alleged strategic plan to axe 2,500 WASA workers. He said that the PNM had no such plan.

“The only strategic plan that I know that has been authorised and approved by this government (is) for Strategic Action Plan, dated January 2022,” he said. “The member for Siparia spoke about what she had seen on page 53. So I turned to that. On page 53 of this report, Mr Deputy Speaker there is no conversation anywhere around retrenching, letting people go or sending people home.”

However, he said he came across a letter from May 2012 during the PP administration where then CEO of WASA, Ganga Singh proposed to reduce staff from 4,736 people to about 2,500 over a period of 48 months.

“They offend this country in general and its supporters in particular, with a consistent diet of misinformation…When we do this, where are we going as a nation? What do we expect to see? We saw what happened in jurisdictions much further north than on January 6 (the storming of Capitol Hill in the US). Is that what we are trying to get this country to? I make a simple claim that in my opinion, this Opposition with the misinformation campaign is a threat to the democracy.”

Ragbir responded saying that government did in fact review a programme for retrenchment. He also referred to the Finance Minister’s “they haven’t rioted yet” comment in 2016.

“You laughed as the fuel price went up five times,” he said.

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CDB, CARICOM & OECS Launch Teacher Training To Tackle COVID-19 Learning Loss – St. Lucia Times News

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: St. Lucia Times News

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15,000 educators across the region, will have the opportunity to benefit from capacity building in key components of the Learning Recovery and Enhancement Programme (Let’s REAP) for Caribbean Schools, an intervention designed to address the learning loss that occurred or worsened due to COVID-19.

Launched in July 2021, Let’s REAP was developed by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the CARICOM Secretariat and the OECS Commission to provide school leaders and teachers across the region with a roadmap to bridge gaps and accelerate learning outcomes for all students, while improving inclusion.

The course focuses on three core drivers: implementing communities of practice focused on student learning, using formative assessment and differentiated instruction to drive effective teaching, and leadership for learning.

COVID-related school closures in the Caribbean affected approximately 1.7 million children across 21 countries, disproportionately impacting marginalised and vulnerable students.

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The certification programme, which was developed by The Eastern Caribbean and Western Joint Boards of Teacher Education, seeks to address these impacts in the short-term and increase equitable access to quality education and training in the medium to long-term.

Addressing the launch, CDB’s Vice-President (Corporate Services) and Bank Secretary, Mrs. Yvette Lemonias Seale said, “The Caribbean Development Bank, in its commitment to strengthening social infrastructure as a means of promoting human capital and socio-economic development in the region, is strategically investing in the Learning Recovery and Enhancement Programme … to empower schools to improve the quality of teaching and learning.”

CARICOM’s Assistant Secretary-General, Ms. Allison Drayton said, “Let’s REAP as a response to put regional progress against the CARICOM Human Resource Development Strategy (HRD) 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goal 4, back on track is timely and urgent. Capacity building for educators in formative assessment and differentiated instruction; building communities of practice focused on student learning, and leadership for learning will go a long way towards improving student success and addressing academic trajectories and well-being.”

OECS Commission’s Director General, H.E. Dr. Didacus Jules explained that in response to the ‘generational catastrophe’ caused by COVID-19, the OECS Commission, developed and implemented an Academic Recovery Programme (ARP) in 2020.

He said, “Understanding the direct link between teacher quality and student learning outcomes, this recovery strategy focused on the capacity of teachers, hence aproximately 700 primary school teachers have been certified in Effective Pedagogy in Distributed Teaching and Learning. Ultimately, almost 40,000 students in the region benefitted from this programme. The Let’s Reap progamme builds on the ARP which will further support teaching and learning. Nonetheless, we know that addressing learning loss will require interventions even beyond what we have started and are currently embarking on. It will necessitate diagnosis and assessment, meeting learners at their level, access to psychosocial support, and a multi-sectoral approach.”

The 45-hour certification course will be implemented over a two-year period (August 2022-March 2024) and has been designed for blended delivery and flexible pacing for participants.

It is expected that five mixed cohorts of approximately 3000 educators each, including principals, teachers and Ministry of Education officials will complete the course over a 6-to-10-week period.

The programme is in line with CDB’s mission to reduce poverty and transform lives through sustainable, resilient and inclusive development, and advances the goals of the CARICOM HRD, as well as the OECS Education Sector Strategy.

The first cohort of 3000 educators will commence training in October 2022.

SOURCE: CARICOM Today. Headline photo: Stock image.

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‘Robotics heeft impact gehad op mijn leven’

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: De Ware Tijd Online

Tekst en beeld Ricky Wirjosentono PARAMARIBO — Eleanor Lokhai maakt deel uit van het robotics team van Suriname dat wordt

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156 millions d’électeurs brésiliens sont appelés aux urnes Guyaweb, site d’information et d’investigation en Guyane

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Guyaweb

A l’issue d’une campagne électorale très tendue, ils doivent choisir aujourd’hui le président de la République ainsi que les gouverneurs, les députés et un tiers des sénateurs.

Le scrutin présidentiel est dominé par le duel entre l’ancien président de gauche Luiz Inácio Lula Da Silva et le président d’extrême-droite sortant Jair Bolsonaro.

Les derniers sondages publiés hier donnaient une large avance à Lula crédité de 50 à 51 % des voix et qui pourrait donc être élu dès le 1er tour ce dimanche, contre 36 à 37% pour Bolsonaro.

Ce dernier a constamment attaqué ces sondages ainsi que le système de vote électronique et les autorités électorales, menaçant de ne pas reconnaître les résultats en cas de défaite.

Les bureaux de vote seront ouverts de 8h à 17h (heure de Brasilia et de Cayenne) et les résultats du premier tour de scrutin devraient être connus dans la soirée de ce dimanche 2 octobre.

Retrouvez ici nos articles consacrés à l’élection présidentielle au Brésil.

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Incroyable !!! Carimi est de retour le 15 octobre ? Paris

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Le Nouvelliste

Annonc? depuis plus de deux ans et renvoy? ? chaque fois ? cause de la pand?mie de Covid-19, le show aura bel et bien lieu cette ann?e enfin ? l’Accor Arena le 15 octobre 2022. Les trois comp?res se sont m?me illustr?s dans un mini-clip de 15 secondes pour confirmer la nouvelle. La trilogie CaRiMi va rena?tre le temps d’une soir?e. Pour les <>, pour la <>, cette annonce est une bouff?e d’air frais.

C’est Fritz Hyacinthe lui-m?me, aka Fito Farinen, l’?ternel manager papa poule, le seul et unique depuis tant?t 20 ans, qui s’exprime encore au nom du groupe. Si apr?s la scission, il a rejoint Richard Cav? pour former le groupe musical Ka?, afin de bien g?rer ce retour et de ne pas m?langer les r?les, c’est en tant que porte-parole et partenaire de la soir?e qu’il nous accorde l’entrevue. <>, confie Fito d’un ton tranquille.

Et pourquoi Paris, vous demandez-vous ? <>, r?pond-il, le sourire dans la voix. <>, assure Fito.

Avant de se mettre d’accord sur cette date, les organisateurs avaient propos? le 21 mai 2022. Cependant, les musiciens jugeaient que le d?lai ?tait trop bref puisqu’ils n’avaient ? ce moment que six semaines pour se pr?parer. <>, poursuit M. Hyacinthe. Et ? en croire ses dires, tout se d?roule comme sur des roulettes au niveau des pr?paratifs. <>, soutient-il encore.

Sur ce point de vue, les trois mousquetaires aussi tombent d’accord. <>, assure Carlo Vieux. Ce dernier, quasiment absent de la sc?ne musicale ha?tienne depuis la dislocation du groupe, n’a jamais ?t? un grand bavard. Pourtant c’est d’un ton enjou? qu’il nous parle concernant la r?union. <>, assure le keyboardiste.

Oh et pour ceux qui en doutait, le format Carimi ne va pas changer. M?me si depuis le temps Richard s’est mu? en un v?ritable frontman, tout le monde retrouvera sa place au sein du groupe. Carlo et Richard reprendront donc leur keyboard et Mickael sera le chanteur principal. <>, promet l’ex-manager du trio. Le grand retour de Carimi ? Paris le 15 octobre prochain permettra de marquer le 20e anniversaire du groupe qui aurait d? ?tre c?l?br? en 2021, si le groupe avait tenu.

De son c?t?, MG parle <>. Apr?s que plus d’un l’a rendu responsable de la s?paration, le chanteur vedette ?tait revenu sur la sc?ne musicale avec un nouveau groupe que le grand public avait tout de suite accept? sans rancune. <>, confie Mickael Guirand. <>, affirme le chanteur.

Avec une capacit? de 20 300 places, faire salle comble ? l’Accor Arena ne sera pas chose facile. <>, explique Fito dans un sourire contrit.

Pour Richard Cav? aussi, ce sera une nuit remplie d’?motions. <>, affirme celui qui a r?ussi le pari de se transformer en un frontman total kapital.

Peut-on esp?rer que cette r?union donnera lieu ? une tourn?e ? <>, r?pond Fito, cat?gorique. <>, assure Fritz Hyacinthe.

R?agir ? cet article

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WIPL wants level playing field; says Robinson’s query misguided Loop Jamaica

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Jamaica News Loop News

‘Why are we being victimised and forced to spend our resources to fight for a level playing field?’

Loop News

13 hrs ago

Danville Walker, Senior Vice President of WIPL (left) and Opposition Spokesman on Finance Julian Robinson.

NEWYou can now listen to Loop News articles!

Regional energy company, West Indies Petroleum Limited (WIPL) has described as curious and misguided questions asked in Parliament by Opposition Spokesman on Finance Julian Robinson about a Common External Tariff (CET) waiver it was granted.

WIPL said it had to contend with an extended delay before accessing the relief which was automatically granted to a host of international companies which also legally qualified for the exemption.

Robinson used Parliament last week Wednesday to enquire of Finance Minister Dr Nigel Clarke whether WIPL had received a CET waiver and the rationale behind the granting of the relief.

The Opposition Spokesman also demanded disclosure of the value of the waiver in terms of revenues foregone by the Government of Jamaica. Clarke is to respond to the questions at the expiration of 21 days.

WIPL pushed back in a statement to the media on Sunday saying the company finds the enquiry by the Opposition Spokesman “curious and misguided because it is of the view that the pertinent question is “why was WIPL for a protracted period of time denied the waiver when the relief was automatically granted to a range of players in the market”.

Loop News sources said several other major fuel importers, including Petrojam which is owned by the Government of Jamaica, along with at least three privately owned international multi-national corporations are reportedly accessing similar relief. However, WIPL did not reveal which other companies have been granted the CET waiver.

“The fact is despite WIPL – which is a Jamaica-based company owned by Jamaicans – having qualified for the waiver, baseless and legally unsound reasons were put forward to deny the company the relief that was approved for several other companies which also qualified for same,” WIPL explained in its statement which was issued by its Senior Vice President Danville Walker.

WIPL said when the waiver was to be renewed, inexplicably, it had to wait four months while obstacles were placed in its way to deny it the relief that was given to several other international companies.

“Why is it easy for overseas companies to get every opportunity to do business in Jamaica, but it appears that obstacles are invented and placed in the way of established Jamaican-owned companies?” the bunkering entity queried in its statement.

“We are also compelled to question why is it that we are being victimised and forced to spend our resources to fight for a level playing field in its own country,” WIPL said.

WIPL said it would be good if Robinson would indicate whether he believes that the CET should be reimposed for all players in the market or the WIPL should continue to be victimised and discriminated against.

The company said the fact is if the CET is reimposed across the board on all importers, then the price at the pumps will increase and in addition, all players would be getting the same treatment in the industry.

WIPL said it insists on a level playing field and further pushed back against Robinson.

According to West Indies Petroleum, Robinson should indicate whether he believes the CET waiver should be applied evenly and fairly, including to Jamaican-based and owned companies, or whether what it described as “an unjust atmosphere of victimisation and discrimination” should be allowed to prevail.

The WIPL said that in the interest of full transparency, it has decided to detail the below chronology of events which includes its appeal of the decision of the Minister of Finance and the Public Service to deny WIPL the waiver. This was done through an appeal of the decision of the minister relying on legal and legitimate grounds, the company said.

CHRONOLOGY

On February 1, 2021, WIPL submitted its application for suspension of the Common External in respect of Mogas 84 and 88 to the Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology (MSET).WIPL sought an extension of the tax relief to be granted for the period January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2021.After submission of the application, the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce (MIIC) contacted WIPL and advised it to revise its application in several respects and to direct the revised application to MIIC.On February 2, 2021, WIPL redirected its revised application to the MIIC. The revised application sought a suspension of the Common External Tariff (CET) for the period February 15, 2021 to February 14, 2022.Subsequent to WIPL submitting its application, the MIIC requested several documents in furtherance of the approval process. WIPL complied with all the requests.On February 2, 2021, WIPL received an email from MIIC which requested that our company complete a Caricom Approved Suspension Form.WIPL complied with the request and submitted the Caricom Approved Suspension Form. On or about April 7, 2021, WIPL was verbally informed that its request was denied by the Ministry of Finance and Public Service (MoFPS). WIPL did not understand why its application was denied given the COTED/Secretary General’s Approval.WIPL, therefore, requested an audience with the MIIC, MSET and MoFPS in order to be informed of the reason for the decision and press its case having regard to the Caribbean Community law.WIPL was advised for the first time of the reasons for the decision and directed to Appeal to the Minister of Finance & Public Service.

WIPL was forced to engage its legal team to make the appeal to the Ministry of Finance and its portfolio Minister.

Submissions Made by WIPL Concerning Its Qualification for Suspension Of CET

WIPL noted that it has complied with the procedure required for the Application for the suspension/waiver of the CET which includes the procedure set out in Caribbean Community Law.WIPL also challenged the reasons for the decision to deny it the waiver which was that a. The applicant must have been a consistent customer of a regional supplier, prior to Petrotrin closing its operation; or b. The applicant is new; or c. the applicant was benefiting from a concessional arrangement in the past.WIPL noted that the reasons proffered lack credible basis because the conditions alluded are not consistent with Caribbean Community law and in particular Article 83(2).WIPL also argued that the conditions cited by technocrats for denying it the waiver are ultra vires, arbitrary and discriminatory. WIPL objected to being completely excluded from obtaining a benefit which had been expressly outlined under CARICOM law and is applicable to our company.Our attorney also pointed out that local suppliers of fuel who compete with WIPL currently enjoy the tax relief.The criteria imposed by the Minister of Finance & Public Service, therefore, puts WIPL at a significant disadvantage in the fuel market. We were therefore concerned that the measures may be designed to keep WIPL out of the fuel market.

We also note several additional factors:

The CET on the relevant products was suspended by the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) in 2018.WIPL will never qualify for the suspension of CET if conditions not supported in law which were cited by the Finance Ministry are upheld.WIPL has never been a consistent customer of a regional supplier prior to Petrotrin closing its operations.In 2016, WIPL applied to be registered as a Petrotrin customer. It took a period of two years for the approval to be processed and granted.WIPL was approved to buy from Petrotrin in January 2018.It was not until March 2018 that Petrotrin sent WIPL an offer to buy Gasoline and Diesel.During the period of delay, it was only reasonable for WIPL to have sourced its petroleum product from other external sources.By November 2018, Petrotrin closed its business. Given this development, WIPL was not afforded an adequate opportunity to become a consistent customer of Petrotrin;WIPL is not a new company and was not benefitting from a concessional agreement in the past.

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