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Tourism stakeholders discuss plans for re-opening

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As Tourism Officials prepare for the restarting of tourism activity in Antigua and Barbuda, the Ministry of Tourism is meeting with tourism stakeholders to discuss the development of protocols required to ensure the safety of the Antigua and Barbuda population and future visitors.

“The impact of COVID-19, has been felt directly by most if not all of our tourism partners. Going forward it will change the way that we have traditionally done business. Health and safety will come under close scrutiny as we put in place additional measures to protect those who reside in Antigua and Barbuda, our tourism workforce, and those who visit our shores, while balancing this with ensuring that we continue to provide the same personable service, and warm hospitality that we are known for,” said Tourism Minister Charles Fernandez.

“And, at this time, it will take all of our collective efforts to restore the industry.”

On Thursday, a ‘Tourism Recovery Task Force’ set up by Fernandez, addressed possible courses of actions for creating a safe environment, across their respective sectors.

The task force is presently comprised of representatives from the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Health, the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, the Antigua and Barbuda Airport Authority, the Antigua Port Authority, The Antigua and Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association, The Antigua Airlines Association, Global Ports Holding – Antigua Cruise Port and The Antigua Workers Union.

The tourism taskforce is expected to meet regularly to discuss re-opening measures and will be responsible for ensuring stakeholder interests are factored into future plans.

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The Ministry of Tourism, and the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority will also discuss the re-opening of the destination for tourism, with tourism industry stakeholders during a virtual industry meeting to be held on Monday, May 11.

The Tourism Industry meeting, which is open to all tourism sector partners, will allow for private-public sector dialogue, as the discussion focusses on readying the destination.

“Antigua and Barbuda’s successful re-opening for tourism, will require industry buy-in and collaboration. Our aim with the meeting, is to provide our stakeholders with information that they need; to have them share their ideas, and to allow us all to go through the various phases of re-opening together,” said the Tourism Minister.

Joining Fernandez as speakers at the meeting will be CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority Colin C. James, and travel industry experts from the USA, United Kingdom and Canada.

Agenda topics for discussion will include, ‘The consumers expectations as travel resumes’, ‘Best practises for tourism businesses’, and tourism/health protocols.

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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]