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  • Antigua and Barbuda joins region in temporary ban on poultry from the United Kingdom

Antigua and Barbuda joins region in temporary ban on poultry from the United Kingdom

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There has been an outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N8) in the United Kingdom (UK).

It has therefore been decided by the CARICOM Chief Veterinary Officers that a temporary regional ban shall be imposed on all poultry from the UK.

Antigua and Barbuda was represented at this meeting by Dr. Nneka Hull James of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Barbuda Affairs.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Barbuda Affairs in conjunction with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Immigration are in full support of this ban to protect our nation and by extension our region’s poultry sector.

Please note the following:

  • Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N8) is a strain of the avian influenza virus which can result in catastrophic effects to the poultry sector in Antigua and Barbuda and across the region. This virus has zoonotic potential (i.e. it can be spread between animals and humans) and is highly virulent and highly pathogenic (i.e. a small amount of the virus can rapidly spread across massive numbers of birds in a short period of time). Entry of this virus can result in sudden death of birds for entire farms and flocks and devastate poultry farms within 48 hours.
  • A harmonised approach across the region is vital to secure the poultry sector across CARICOM. This preventative approach has been taken as research and analysis has shown that this virus is on trend to continue its spread; particularly due to the imminent winter season in which flocks of wild birds migrate across the globe with the potential to spread the virus.  A preventative approach has therefore been taken to safeguard people, food and the overall poultry sector of our nation and by extension the region.
  • Effective November 25, 2020, a temporary regional ban has been placed on all poultry from the United Kingdom (i.e chicken, duck, turkey, geese, guinea fowl, quail and squab). This includes all fresh, chilled and frozen poultry products; live birds and hatching eggs.
  • Processed poultry products (canned or hermetically sealed) shall be accompanied by an International Veterinary Health Certificate attesting that it was treated to destroy the avian influenza virus.
  • All importers of poultry meat were invited to a virtual emergency meeting held on November 27th, 2020 to discuss the ban and its potential effects.
  • No import licences shall be granted by the Veterinary and Livestock Division in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Barbuda Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Immigration to import poultry from the UK into Antigua and Barbuda. The Veterinary and Livestock Division will continue to monitor this dynamic situation and will update our importers accordingly.
  • Antiguan poultry importers are therefore encouraged to utilize other markets such as the US and Brazil. Poultry importers are also encouraged to support local producers who are able to assist in filling this void created in the market.

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REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES – INDIVIDUAL SELECTION)

 

OECS MSME Guarantee Facility Project

Loan No.: IDA-62670, IDA-62660, IDA-62640, IBRD-88830, IDA-62650

Assignment Title: Senior Operating Officer (SOO)

Reference No. KN-ECPCGC-207852-CS-INDV

 

The Governments of Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines have received financing in the amount of US$10 million equivalent from the World Bank towards the cost of establishing a partial credit guarantee scheme, and they intend to apply part of the proceeds to payments for goods, and consulting services to be procured under this project. 

The consultant will serve as the “Senior Operating Officer (SOO)” for the ECPCGC and should possess extensive knowledge of MSME lending with some direct experience lending to Micro, small and medium-sized businesses, knowledge of the internal control processes necessary for a lending operation and the ability to design and implement risk mitigation procedures. The ideal candidate should possess an Undergraduate Degree from a reputable college or university, preferably in Business, Accounting, Banking or related field, with a minimum of 5 years’ experience in lending, inclusive of MSME lending. The initial employment period will be for two years on a contractual basis. Renewal of the contract will be subject to a performance evaluation at the end of the contractual period. The assignment is expected to begin on September 30th, 2021.  The consultant will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer of the ECPCGC.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be viewed by following the attached link below. 

 

https://bit.ly/3iVannm

 

The Eastern Caribbean Partial Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECPCGC) now invites eligible “Consultants” to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have:

  • An Undergraduate Degree from a reputable college or university, preferably in Business, Finance, Banking or related field; and
  • Minimum of 5 years’ experience in MSME lending. Applicants should also have:
  • The ability to design and implement risk management procedures 
  • Extensive knowledge of MSME lending with some direct experience lending to small and medium-sized businesses
  • Extensive knowledge of MSME banking operations
  • Knowledge of the internal controls necessary for a lending operation and the ability to design and implement risk management procedures
  • Experience developing and presenting information in public, including responding to questions in real-time
  • Experience lending to MSMEs located in the ECCU
  • Knowledge of marketing and communicating with the MSME sector
  • Ability to draft procedures to be used in a lending operation
  • Familiarity with the mechanics of a loan guarantee program
  • Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills, and
  • Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office suite.

The attention of interested Individual Consultants is drawn to Section III, Paragraphs 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers July 2016, [revised November 2017] (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Approved Selection Method for Individual Consultants set out in the clause 7.34 of the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers. 

 

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 0800 to 1700 hours:

Eastern Caribbean Partial Credit Guarantee Corporation

Brid Rock, Basseterre,

St. Kitts.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form by e-mail by August 11th, 2021, to [email protected]

 

For further information, please contact:

Carmen Gomez-Trigg                                                            Bernard Thomas

Chief Executive Officer                                                          Chief Financial Officer

Tel: 868-620-8144                                                                  Tel: 869-765-2385

Email: [email protected]                                          [email protected]