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BREAKING: Number of COVID-19 cases in Antigua jumps to 66
Antigua and Barbuda has now recorded 66 cases of COVID-19, health officials reported Monday. The Ministry of Health says that between June 25 and 29, it received results from 55 samples that were sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA). Of the 55 samples, two returned positive. The first was a repeat test in…
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Gonsalves pens letter to LIAT employees
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WHO warns worst is ‘yet to come’ on coronavirus
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned the world that the “worst is yet to come” in the Covid-19 pandemic. WHO head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the virus would infect many more people if governments did not start to implement the right policies. His message remained “Test, Trace, Isolate and Quarantine”, he said. More than…
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Caribbean reopening in time for summer beach vacations
North American travelers may not be able to head to the Mediterranean, Greek Isles or other iconic European destinations this summer for that idyllic beach vacation, but a dreamy seaside escape isn’t out of reach. Some Caribbean islands, world-renowned for their miles of unspoiled beaches and crystal-blue waters, are cautiously and carefully reopening their borders…
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Journalists are not the ‘enemy of the people,’ they are the people
Journalism students are used to bracing themselves when revealing their chosen field of work. At the dentist? Sigh when they say, “I hope you’re one of the good ones.” At a family event? Chuckle at your uncle’s “fake news” one-liners and, once you’re alone with the chips and guacamole, seriously ask yourself if you should…
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Dominica pledges support for new regional airline
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit says Dominica will provide “whatever support within our means” to any new entity that emerges following the winding up operations of the regional airline, LIAT. Skerrit said that the Antigua-based regional airline had served the island and indeed the Caribbean “well” despite its financial problems. The major shareholder governments – Antigua…
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Hispanic woman writes apology letter as deportation looms
The Hispanic woman at the center of the self-quarantine controversy has apologized after she was threatened with deportation. Here is the full letter: My name is Marielis Horsford, now referred to as “Spanish Girl” by Antigua residents. To start, I would like to apologize for any inconvenience that this situation may have cause you and…
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World Bank provides US$15M additional financing for Eastern Caribbean health sector
The World Bank Board of Executive Directors approved US$15 million in additional financing for health sector projects in the Eastern Caribbean. The financing replenishes funds that were redirected from these projects to support the countries’ immediate emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “The World Bank provided speedy financing to Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Saint…
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LIAT workers owed $94 million – Gonsalves
The Antigua-based financially strapped regional airline, LIAT, owes its staff an estimated EC$94 million (One EC dollar=US$0.37 cents) in severance and holiday payment, which it is unable to pay, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has said. Gonsalves, who is the chair of its shareholder governments of the airline, gave an…
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CanSino’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate approved for military use in China
China’s military has received the greenlight to use a COVID-19 vaccine candidate developed by its research unit and CanSino Biologics (6185.HK) after clinical trials proved it was safe and showed some efficacy, the company said on Monday. The Ad5-nCoV is one of China’s eight vaccine candidates approved for human trials at home and abroad for…
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Cuban medics depart Antigua today. Students in Cuba will be on return flight
More than 20 Cuban medical officials, who have been in Antigua since March 27, will return to Cuba today. The 27 nurses and two doctors were brought in from the Spanish-speaking country to help the twin island state in its fight against the COVID-19. Prime Minister Gaston Browne announced over the weekend that their tour…
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]