Antigua Breaking News

Day: September 2, 2021

  • Antigua records 8 new cases of COVID-19

    Antigua records 8 new cases of COVID-19

    The most recent report received by the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment from the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre has revealed eight ( new laboratory confirmed COVID-19 cases in Antigua and Barbuda as of Wednesday 1st September 2021 at 6pm. Sixty (60) samples were processed at Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre. Consequently, the…

  • Man found dead in Freetown

    Man found dead in Freetown

    The body of 44-year-old Kwayana James, aka “Gucci” was discovered dead inside his home at Freetown today. The discovery was made by a friend who visited him around 9:20 a.m. James was last seen alive on Wednesday, Sept. 1 around 1:30 p.m. A medical doctor arrived on the scene and pronounced the body dead at…

  • Barbuda records first COVID-19 death

    Barbuda records first COVID-19 death

    A 64-year-old man has become Barbuda’s first COVID-19 fatality and the country’s 46th overall. The man who had underlying conditions, died at his home this afternoon. His oxygen levels were being monitored. His death came on the heels of the death of a 60 year old man at Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre Thursday morning.

  • Ask for COVID vaccine proof, face a $5,000 fine in Florida

    Ask for COVID vaccine proof, face a $5,000 fine in Florida

    Florida will start issuing $5,000 fines to businesses, schools and government agencies that require people to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill earlier this year that banned vaccine passports. The fines will start Sept. 16 if people are asked to show proof of a vaccine. COVID-19 infections in…

  • U.S. Immigrant Visa COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement Update

    U.S. Immigrant Visa COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement Update

    All U.S. immigrant visa applicants are required to complete a medical examination as part of the normal application process. Effective October 1, a completed COVID-19 vaccine series is a new CDC requirement for U.S. immigrant visa medical examinations. The U.S.  Department ​of State is currently working with the CDC ​to implement this requirement. This requirement does not apply to non-immigrant visa…

  • Ethiopian Orthodox Church denounces claims made by Anthony Joseph

    Ethiopian Orthodox Church denounces claims made by Anthony Joseph

    September 1, 2021 St. Mary of Zion Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Diocese of Antigua & Barbuda To whom it may concern; On behalf of the Parish Council Committee and the congregation of the St. Mary of Zion EOTC located in Bendals. We are denouncing any claims made by Anthony Joseph (Wolde Hiwot) from Trinidad, a…

  • Serpent tests positive for COVID-19

    Serpent tests positive for COVID-19

    Observer NewsCo has announced that owner and opposition politician Algernon Serpent Watts has tested positive for COVID-19. They made this announcement on their Facebook page. ‘Managing Director of News Co Limited, Algernon “Serpent” Watts has tested positive for Covid-19. We wish him a speedy recovery. Watts said he has felt unwell since Sunday and now…

  • Body found in All Saints

    Body found in All Saints

    Acting Assistant Superintendent of Police, Inspector Frankie Thomas says the body of a 79-year-old woman was found inside her home in the latter stage of decomposition on Wednesday. This occurred around 11:15 a.m. and the woman was officially pronounced dead at 1:50 p.m. A businessman reported a foul stench coming from a nearby building to…

  • 60-year-old man is Antigua’s latest COVID-related death

    60-year-old man is Antigua’s latest COVID-related death

    Statement on behalf of Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre Dr. Albert Duncan, SLBMC Medical Director said: “We can confirm that sadly, a male patient, age 60, who had underlying health conditions, has passed away at Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre on September 2, at 6:32 a.m. He had tested positive for COVID-19. Our thoughts and…

  • ECAB acquisition of assets in Bank of Nova Scotia

    ECAB acquisition of assets in Bank of Nova Scotia

    DEAR EDITOR: The Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda has been consistent in his behaviour and policies when it comes to his country and its citizens. He is prepared to put Antigua and Antiguans first and upfront in almost every initiative and vision he pursues. Most visibly has been his approach and directives as they…

  • Poultry farmers defend increase in the cost of eggs

    Poultry farmers defend increase in the cost of eggs

    PRESS RELEASE FROM Antigua and Barbuda POULTRY FARMERS ASSOCIATION Several months ago, the Antigua & Barbuda Poultry Farmers Association commenced dialogue with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Barbuda Affairs to review the cost of producing eggs and broiler meat in Antigua & Barbuda. The executive of the ABPFA was charged with the responsibility of…

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]