September 27th 2019
SVG ESTABLISHES NEW DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS
Three new countries have now been added to the list of diplomatic allies of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines with the signing of documents establishing diplomatic relations.
These developments occurred on September 24th, 25th and 26th, during the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly currently being convened at the headquarters of the UN in New York. Prime Minister Dr. Hon Ralph E Gonsalves who is leading the local delegation attending the Session represented this country at the signing. On Tuesday September 24th 2019, this country established diplomatic relations with The Republic of San Marino, a micro state sur- rounded by north-central Italy. The signing of agreement establishing diplomatic relations was done during a bi-lateral meeting between Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves and the Foreign Minister of San Marino Nicola Renzi. Members of both national delegations witnessed the signing and offered congratulations as the leaders.
The bi-lateral meeting between Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves and the Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko, took place on Wednesday September 25th 2019. During this meeting, Dr Gonsalves signed the agreement establishing diplomatic relations on behalf of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Prystaiko signing the agreement on behalf go his country. On Thursday 26th September, 2019 the Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyz’s- tan) became the third country to establish diplomatic relations with Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The Joint Communiqué establishing diplomatic relations, was signed by Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves on behalf of this country while the Foreign Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic Chingiz Aidarbekov signed on behalf of his country.
The establishment of diplomatic relations with these new countries is a testament of the principled and progressive foreign policy of the government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines that allows this country to engage nations regardless of their ideology. The government and people of this country look forward to working with these new allies to advance the principles of the charter of the United Nations and working towards the achievement of global peace and security.
DIVISION OF TEACHER EDUCATION MARKS 55THANNIVERSARY OF ST.V TEACHERS COLLEGE
As the Division of Teacher Education of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College continues to mark the 55th anniversary of the founding of the St. Vincent Teachers’ College on October 28th, 1964, it will hold an Open Day on Friday 27th October, 2019.
The Open Day will give: teachers, Ministry of Education officials, principals, students, aspiring teachers and past students of the institution an opportunity to view the work that is being done by students and faculty of the Division. Those who are interested in becoming teachers will be able to obtain information regarding the various programmes of training offered at the Division of Teacher Education. The event begins at 9.30 a.m and ends at 3 p.m, at the Teachers’ Building of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College campus at Villa.
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTHS COMMENCE ON SEPT 28TH.
Activities to observe Breast Cancer Awareness month will commence this weekend. The SVG Medical Association said that the month of September is observed as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and it will be merging activities as the month winds down.
This Saturday September 28th the association will be having a series of activities at the Victoria Park as they seek to always raise awareness for Prostate Cancer. President of the SVG Medical Association Dr. Rosalind Ambrose is encouraging everyone to support the event which will be held with the Slogan “Tug Against Prostate Cancer” on Saturday Afternoon.
The Unity Labour Party ULP North Leeward Women’s Arm will this weekend host a women’s conference under the theme “Empowering Our Women”.
The conference will be held on Sunday September 29 th 2019, commencing at 3:00pm at the Rose Hall Community Center. Speakers at Sunday’s conference will include President of the ULP Women’s Arm Hon Rene Baptiste, who is also Speaker of the OECS Assembly, Rochelle Forde Deputy Chairperson of the ULP and Senator Mrs. Deborah Charles, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education.
Dr. Mineva Glasgow, Motivational Speaker and former Deputy Director of the National Insurance Services NIS will deliver the keynote address. Several women from the community will also be honored at Sunday’s conference.
GIRL GUIDES ASSOCIATION OF SVG CONTINUE 40THANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATIONS
The Girl Guides Association of St. Vincent and the Grenadines continues celebrations for the 40th anniversary of independence in St. Vincent and the Grenadines this weekend with the hosting of “A Vincy Food Fair: Forty Things Vincentians Eat” at the Girl Guides Headquarters in Level Gardens on Friday 27th September, 2019 from 12:00 p.m to 5:00 p.m.
At the Vincy Food Fair, Girl Guides from across St. Vincent and the Grenadines will showcase and sell local foods, fruits and juices. Bim-Bim Packs, Brownie Guide Packs, Girl Guide Companies and Ranger Guide Units will also present a cultural package from 3:30p.m. to 4:30 p.m to highlight various aspects of Vincentian culture.
Chief Commissioner of the Girl Guides Association of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Mrs. Laura Browne shared that “the Girl Guides Association recognises the importance of our members and by extension the Vincentian community being able to appreciate local food and culture.” Mrs. Browne further shared that “the Vincy Food Fair is a great educational opportunity for everyone as some of the foods that have been traditionally Vincentian are not as popular and the older persons can have a taste of delicacies that they may not have had for a long time, while young persons have the opportunity to be exposed to these foods and other elements of unique Vincentian culture”.
The Vincy Food Fair will also provide an opportunity for patrons to buy commemorative t-shirts for the 40th anniversary of independence in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
On Saturday, 28th September 2019, the Association will host the annual “Cardio Confidence” in an attempt to bring together members of the Girl Guides Association of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines as well as the general public in an effort to encourage participants to pursue healthy lifestyles to enhance productivity of Vincentian citizens. The walk will begin at the Calliaqua Playing Field from 3:00 p.m. and end at the Victoria Park where the SVG Medical Association will host its annual tug-of-war competition to bring awareness to Prostate and Breast Cancer in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
REGIONAL
BANK OF GUYANA BLOCKS PLAN BY RBFH TO TAKE OVER SCOTIABANK
The Bank of Guyana has blocked a plan by Republic Bank Financial Holdings (RBFH) to take over the operations of Scotiabank in the South American country, a local media report says.
The state-run Guyana Chronicle reports that Guyana Central Bank Governor Doctor Gobind Ganga told the newspaper that the denial of the application for takeover by RBFH branded as Republic Bank was due largely to the high level of concentration of the banking system.
Ganga said it would lead to “systemic issues” which would have affected the health of the financial system in Guyana, according to the Guyana Chronicle. Stabroek News quoted Finance Minister, Winston Jordan as saying that the Scotiabank issue was discussed at cabinet.
The sale of Scotiabank to Republic Financial Holding Limited (RFHL) has already been approved in six Eastern Caribbean countries. Discussions continue between the Canadian bank and the Government of Antigua and Barbuda.
Earlier this month the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), in consultation with the ECCB Monetary Council, announced approval of the application for the transfer of the assets and liabilities of the Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) to RFHL in Anguilla, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines, pursuant to Section 43 of the Banking Act.