Antigua Breaking News

Day: October 14, 2021

  • Lovell rips into Browne Administration for its economic giveaway

    Lovell rips into Browne Administration for its economic giveaway

    Harold Lovell, the Political Leader of the United Progressive Party (UPP), has described the recently signed Special Economic Zone Agreement as disgraceful and says it offers no economic benefits to this country. Therefore, Lovell says the deal is one that all Antiguans, Barbudans and residents should be concerned about. The manner in which the Gaston…

  • Bar, Club owners to meet with sub-committee of Cabinet next week

    Bar, Club owners to meet with sub-committee of Cabinet next week

    CABINET NOTES: Bar owners and Club owners are to be invited to a zoom meeting with a sub-committee of Cabinet next week, to discuss the terms of their re-opening. The October 15, 2021, opening up of the economy is affirmed. Especially important is the opening of restaurants, allowing dining-in services, commencing Friday. All patrons entering…

  • 38 post-graduate scholarships from People’s Republic of China

    38 post-graduate scholarships from People’s Republic of China

    The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in conjunction with the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Committee has announced the offering of 38 fully funded Post Graduate scholarships to commence studies in China in 2022. The scholarships which include airfare to and from the People’s Republic of China, free accommodation, free insurance, free tuition, along with…

  • Cabinet agrees to return of 4th and 5th Form students to classroom

    Cabinet agrees to return of 4th and 5th Form students to classroom

    CABINET NOTES: The Director of Education and the Deputy proposed, on the basis of their analysis of the current vaccination status of teachers and students, that 4th and 5th Form students ought to be allowed to return to face-to-face learning. Following an intense debate on the impact which might result, the Cabinet agreed to the…

  • Prime Minister Mottley and US Vice President hold talks

    Prime Minister Mottley and US Vice President hold talks

    The strong, important relationship among the United States (US), Barbados and the Caribbean was emphasised when Prime Minister Mia Mottley and Vice President of the US, Kamala Harris, met on Tuesday. Before going into the high-level meeting, Mottley said the countries faced common threats together, and the world had never been more “precariously placed” in…

  • Unvaccinated man, 49, succumbs to COVID-19

    Unvaccinated man, 49, succumbs to COVID-19

    Statement on behalf of Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre (SLBMC): Dr. Albert Duncan, SLBMC Medical Director said: “We can confirm that sadly, a patient, who tested positive for COVID-19, has died at Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre. Here are the details: Sex: Male Age: 49 (with comorbidity) Admitted: October 2 (severe respiratory distress, requiring immediate…

  • Moderna or Pfizer booster works better for people vaccinated with J&J – study

    Moderna or Pfizer booster works better for people vaccinated with J&J – study

    WASHINGTON, United States (AFP)— People who received Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine may benefit from a booster dose of Pfizer or Moderna, preliminary results of a US study published Wednesday showed. The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), was eagerly awaited in the United States because it looked at the possibility of “mixing” vaccines…

  • Disaster Risk Reduction needs a more central position in development process

    Disaster Risk Reduction needs a more central position in development process

    Disaster Risk Reduction needs to take a more central position in the development process in Antigua and Barbuda. That’s the message sent on International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) celebrated on Wednesday. According to Minister of Social Transformation with responsibility for disaster management, Dean Jonas, vulnerable developing states need to be proactive and capitalise…

  • CABINET NOTES of Oct. 13, 2021

    CABINET NOTES of Oct. 13, 2021

    The Cabinet met both virtually and face-to-face, one member being absent. The meeting commenced at 10:30 am with prayers and ended its work at approximately 6:00 pm. 1.The Chairman called upon the Minister of Health to report on the latest finding regarding Covid-19 in Antigua and Barbuda and to inform the Cabinet if any restrictions…

  • Chris Gayle: ‘I have no respect for Curtly Ambrose whatsoever’

    Chris Gayle: ‘I have no respect for Curtly Ambrose whatsoever’

    Chris Gayle had stern words for Curtly Ambrose after the former West Indies fast bowler said that the batter wouldn’t be his automatic pick in the West Indies XI for the upcoming T20 World Cup, which begins on Sunday in UAE. Gayle hit back at Ambrose saying he has “no respect” for the former player…

  • 13 new cases of COVID-19

    13 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 and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) revealed thirteen (13) new laboratory confirmed COVID-19 cases in Antigua and Barbuda as of Tuesday 12th October 2021 at 6pm. One hundred and twenty-one (121) samples were…

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]