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Antigua and Barbuda passport remains strong

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The Antigua and Barbuda passport remains one of the strongest travel documents in the region, according to the latest ranking compiled by the international firm, Henley and Partners. The firm, which specializes in global citizenship, ranked the Antigua and Barbuda passport at number 28 of a total of 191 passports.

Only three CARICOM states ranked higher than Antigua and Barbuda. These are Barbados (23), St Kitts-Nevis (25) and the Bahamas (26). At the 28 ranking, holders of Antigua and Barbuda passports have visa-free access to one hundred and fifty-one countries. The country’s passport has fluctuated in ranking between a high of 27 to a low of 30 over the past five years.

The Henley Passport Index is the original ranking of all the world’s passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa.

The ranking is based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which maintains the world’s largest and most accurate database of travel information, and enhanced by ongoing research by the Henley and Partners Research Department.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Anthony Liverpool, welcomed the ranking, noting that it reflects the work the ministry has been doing in attaining more visa-free access for holders of the Antigua and Barbuda passport. “Antigua and Barbuda, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and our embassies and diplomatic missions, will be redoubling our efforts in 2021 to get more visa-free access for holders of the country’s passports to more countries in Asia and Europe. This is an ongoing effort by the ministry to attain more visa-free access so that our passport holders can have easier access to countries around the world,” he stated.

Liverpool revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic has created a challenge for the ministry but nonetheless it will press on. He explained that visa requirements form part of the security of a country and while Antigua and Barbuda may make a request, the final decision on whether the request is granted is up to the country.

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Additionally, Liverpool noted that having a passport that ranks at number 28 makes it a very attractive document for those seeking to acquire the passport through the Citizenship by Investment Programme.

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One response to “Antigua and Barbuda passport remains strong”

  1. One hundred and fifty one visa free countries?

    You know a short time ago, I do recall when it was at least 152! that is until the government made certain decisions that has made it difficult for Antiguans and Barbudans to fly visa – free to Canada.

    Work on getting that back!

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]