Antigua Breaking News

Category: Business

  • US regulators OK genetically modified pig for food, drugs

    US regulators OK genetically modified pig for food, drugs

    US regulators have approved a genetically modified pig for food and medical products, making it the second such animal to get the green light for human consumption. But the company behind it says there are no imminent plans to sell it for meat. The pig is genetically engineered to eliminate the presence of alpha-gal, a…

  • Tourism Authority Chairman awarded Doctorate in Business Administration

    Tourism Authority Chairman awarded Doctorate in Business Administration

    Dr. Lorraine Headley-Raeburn was awarded the Doctorate in Business Administration in December 2020 from the Sagicor Cave Hill School of Business and Management, University of the West Indies. Her research focused on how companies, particularly those in the hospitality industry, can use customer perspectives and feedback to boost the quality of their services and products,…

  • Barbados gained $300 million from exports despite COVID-19

    Barbados gained $300 million from exports despite COVID-19

    Barbados has gained almost $300 million from certified exports between January and November this year, despite the disruptions to trade caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. And although this is below the 2019 tally of $333 million, Minister of International Business and Industry, Ronald Toppin, believes that the 2020 achievement is “worthy”, given the circumstances. He…

  • Antiguan wins highest CIBC FirstCaribbean performance award

    Antiguan wins highest CIBC FirstCaribbean performance award

    Antigua banker Michael Roach has topped the region as CIBC FirstCaribbean’s Annual Achievers Winner 2020. Roach was adjudged the Number 1 Sales Specialist in the area served by the bank’s Barbados Operating Company, consisting of Antigua, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and St. Vincent,  and 6th place overall for the entire region. The first…

  • Aviation commentator calls on LIAT officials to ensure all is in order before return to the skies

    Aviation commentator calls on LIAT officials to ensure all is in order before return to the skies

    The former head of the Antigua and Barbuda Airport Authority is calling on LIAT officials to ensure that they “dot their I’s and cross their T’s” as efforts continue to restore the carrier. Gatesworth James said that these measures are important due to the nature of the aviation industry. “… It is sophisticated and highly…

  • LIAT has some things to sort out – PM Gonsalves

    LIAT has some things to sort out – PM Gonsalves

    The former shareholder countries of LIAT (1974) Ltd have nothing to do with the company’s new structure in Administration. And while there is no question that the government of St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) welcomes LIAT (1974) Ltd in Administration to operate in the country, there are several administrative things that must be addressed.…

  • Cabinet disappointed at treatment of LIAT by 2 CARICOM neighbours

    Cabinet disappointed at treatment of LIAT by 2 CARICOM neighbours

    Cabinet Notes: The Cabinet expressed its disappointment at the treatment which LIAT has received by two CARICOM neighbours. The Cabinet rejected the notion of LIAT 1974 Ltd. having to re-apply for landing rights or be required to pay landing fees in advance; the reasons were characterized as “subterfuge and trickery”, intended to ensure that LIAT…

  • Reduced wait times coming for arriving passengers at VCBIA

    Reduced wait times coming for arriving passengers at VCBIA

    Cabinet Notes: The Head of the Airport Authority was invited to Cabinet in order to discuss and to implement new practices at the V.C. Bird International Airport that will significantly reduce the waiting time which visitors are now enduring, after deplaning. It is agreed that Health workers, fully adorned in PPEs, can help to move…

  • Cabinet mulls elimination of any third party employing hotel workers

    Cabinet mulls elimination of any third party employing hotel workers

    Cabinet Notes: The Solicitor General was asked to render an opinion on the lawfulness of hotels creating employment agencies to act as middlemen, employing the staff who work on hotel compounds. The hotels, in an attempt to avoid the build-up of equity which an employee enjoys in his/her own right, and which is measured in…

  • Antigua and Barbuda is now more connected with global investment markets

    Antigua and Barbuda is now more connected with global investment markets

    As announced by the World Business Angels Investment Forum, A’Shante O’Keiffe Co-Founder of Amplify Caribbean, has been appointed as International Partner for Antigua and Barbuda. As an International Partner, A’Shante will represent Antigua and Barbuda at the Grand Assembly of the World Business Angels Investment Forum (London). With this new appointment, Antigua and Barbuda has…

  • Digital Nomad programme picking up steam

    Digital Nomad programme picking up steam

    Five months after its launch, the Nomad Digital Residence (NDR) programme is beginning to show positive results. A report prepared by the Immigration Department, which manages it, noted that since its launch in August, the programme has attracted people from countries in South East Asia, North America, Northern Europe, The Middle East, West Africa and…

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]