iNews Briefs
Cayman Islands Government Statement by Portfolio of the Civil Service on Phase V of the Rationalisation Programme
The Government has recognised that the public service has become increasingly diverse with over 80 core-government entities; 25 statutory authorities and government companies and numerous boards, committees and commissions.
Historically the Government of the Cayman Islands provided most public services as there was not a mature private sector. The Cayman Islands economy has grown considerably and the Government seeks to evaluate opportunities to engage the private sector where this would result in improved service delivery and greater efficiency.
To this end, following a competitive bid process the Government has selected Ernst & Young at a fee of CI$155,000.00 plus expenses to:
· Undertake a strategic overview of the public service and identify those functions that would better be carried out with private sector involvement;
· Review the number of bespoke government entities to identify opportunities to streamline Government’s structure;
· Review governments assets and recommend those that could be sold where a fair market exists;
· Assess those recommendations which have not yet been implemented arising from prior internal and external reports; and
· Develop a roadmap for execution.
This process will include stakeholder consultation and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is assisting by providing strategic advice.
Cayman National Gallery Extends Deadline for Ivan Photo-Expo
The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands will accept submissions for the “Remembering Ivan” photography exhibition until 5.00 pm, 30 April 2014. For details and a copy of the application form visit the National Gallery website: https://www.nationalgallery.org.ky/Exhibition-NGCI/IvanRemembered/upcomingexhibitions
15-year-old boy reunited with mother in Cayman
On the 11th February 2014, the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS) reported to the media that a 14-year-old boy had not returned from a vacation and was believed to have been in Mexico with a relative. This matter was reported to the RCIPS on the 30th January 2014. Yesterday, Monday, 28th April 2014, the boy (now 15-years-old) returned to Grand Cayman and was reunited with his mother, apparently in good health.
The RCIPS and Immigration working with The Deputy Governor’s Office, Interpol, the US and Mexican authorities repatriated the boy over this weekend from Mexico.
Statement by the Ministry of Home Affairs on Unrest at Cayman Islands Immigration Detention Centre
The Ministry of Home Affairs has enhanced security at the Immigration Detention Centre, following an escape by a number of detainees earlier today (Friday, 25 April 2014).
All individuals have been recaptured. Meanwhile to ensure public safety, Immigration authorities, in collaboration with the Police and Prison Services, will work to supplement the efforts of the private company which is responsible for security at the IDC.
Officials report that calm has been restored following this morning’s incident where detainees threw rocks at security guards and climbed the fence that surrounds the compound.
There are presently 30 Cuban migrants housed in the detention centre. These detainees have said they are unhappy with the length of time that it has taken for them to be processed to return to Cuba.
UK’s Culture boss’s bonus was ‘paid offshore’ (Cayman Islands]
By Alexix Mostrous From The Times UK
Sajid Javid, the new culture secretary, received a substantial banker’s bonus channelled through the Cayman Islands, it was claimed yesterday.
The Tory MP, 45, was promoted to the cabinet this month. In his previous post as a treasury minister he declared that the government was “closing down all avenues for tax avoidance”.
However, while a senior executive at Deutsche Bank in 2003, Mr Javid was among a group of staff paid bonuses worth at least 50,000 British pounds each through shares in a Cayman Islands company, The Mail on Sunday reported.
For more: http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/politics/article4074323.ece
Anwar: Why has 1MDB banked in RM18b in Cayman Islands?
From Kinitv
Opposition Leader, Anwar Ibrahim today questioned the wisdom and reasoning behind the government backed investment firm 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) parking RM18 billion in funds in an offshore account in the Cayman Islands. He says no answers had been forthcoming from the government so far, on who has control over these accounts, and why is the money not invested in Malaysia.
For more: http://www.kinitv.com/video/6251O8
Ogier provides BVI and Cayman advice on $350m IPO by Nord Anglia Education
Ogier in Cayman and the British Virgin Islands (BVI) has acted with Mibank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy to represent the the underwriters, led by Credit Suisse, Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan, on the $350m (£210m) initial public offering (IPO) by Nord Anglia Education, a Cayman company and the parent company of the Nord Anglia group of companies, on the New York Stock Exchange.
Nord Anglia Education is a premium schools organisation comprising 27 international schools, providing education to more than 17,000 students from pre-school through to the end of secondary education.
Ogier concurrently represented joint lead arrangers Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Credit Suisse and HSBC on a senior secured $515m term loan B facility and $75m revolving credit facility that closed alongside the IPO, refinancing substantially all of Nord Anglia’s outstanding indebtedness. The term loan B is believed to be the largest such syndication to date for a company headquartered in Asia.
The Ogier Cayman transaction team was led by senior associate Mark Santangeli with partner James Bagnall. The Ogier BVI transaction team was led by senior associate Christopher Newton with partner Ray Wearmouth.
Pennsylvania bride kills niece after wedding reception
From Jamaican Observer
NEW BRIGHTON, Pennsylvania (AP) — A Pennsylvania bride fatally shot her niece with her new husband’s handgun during an argument over who would be the designated driver after their wedding party, police said.
Police said 30-year-old Christina George-Harvan, of Conway, shot 21-year-old Katelyn ‘Kaytee’ Francis of Fairmont, West Virginia around 10:00 pm in the parking lot of a bar in in New Brighton, about 30 miles north of Pittsburgh.
Their wedding was held earlier in the day.
“We believe all three were arguing over who was going to be the designated driver,” New Brighton Police Chief Charles Vanfossan told TV station WTAE.
George-Harvan is being held in the county jail without bond. No attorney was listed on court papers.
“Everybody in the bar noticed that there was something going on with the people, but nobody knew exactly what was happening,” witness James Botinovich told TV station KDKA. “The next thing you know we heard someone got shot.”
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 2.
For more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/latestnews/Bride-kills-niece-after-wedding-reception
Cayman has new concrete company
Supermix,is a new Cayman Islands company producing readymix concrete.
The company started poring concrete over a week ago and according to Supermix manager, David Rankin Cayman’s building operations is beginning to pick up. The company has currently 20 employees he said.
Cayman’s Progressives open Bodden Town office
The governing Cayman Islands party, The Progressives, have opened their new offices in Bodden Town close to the Countryside Shopping on Monday (28)
Premier Alden McLaughlin was there for the ribbon cutting ceremony.
District Family Fit Camps in honour of International Day of Families
Date of Event: 15 May 2014
Time of Event: 6-8 pm
Locations of Events: WB, GT, SAV, BT, NS, EE
Purpose, details or description of event:
- The Family Resource Centre (FRC) and the newly established YMCA are partnering to deliver an evening of family wellness in every district. This will be an awesome opportunity for the whole family to come out and engage in something active and invest in the physical and emotional well-being of their family.
- We are planning on making this event completely free and would appreciate any community sponsors wishing to be involved.
- This will be a unique programme because it will be offered in every district and if the District’s turnout is good, the YMCA has committed to delivering these fit camps in EVERY district on an ongoing basis.
- The Fit Camp will consist of a fun group class, followed by circuit training led by the YMCA, an emotional wellness session facilitated by the Family Resource Centre and then a healthy meal provided by a sponsor.
- FRC and YMCA are so excited about this remarkable partnership and the launching of this great programme. Family Fit Camps have shown effectiveness worldwide and have proven to lower obesity rates and increase overall sense of well-being. We encourage interested participants, possible sponsors and individuals wishing to volunteer to call or email for more information.
Website | Facebook | Twitter: www.facebook.com/familyresourcecentre
Contact for further information on event: Family Resource Centre (Miriam Foster) or YMCA Greg Smith
Email Family Resource Centre: [email protected]
Email Cayman YMCA: [email protected]
Phone: 345-949-0006/916-5548 (FRC) or 345-928-5987 (Greg Smith)
Drug Commissioners of the Americas and Caribbean to meet in Washington
by realfmGrenada
The Organization of American States (OAS) says drug commissioners of the Americas, including the Caribbean, will meet in Washington this week to discuss issues related to micro-trafficking and other emerging themes.
The OAS said the discussions will be held, from Monday through Thursday, during the 55th Regular Session of the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD).
Among the main topics to be discussed are the trafficking of drugs in small quantities and national responses to drug markets; alternatives to incarceration for drug dependent offenders and others in conflict with the law for issues related to drugs; and the challenges and impact of the regulation of cannabis.
Volunteers took to Cayman’s streets for annual clean up
Hundreds of volunteers were out last Saturday (26) as part of the Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce Annual Earth Day Roadside Clean up.
Teams of volunteers were out from 7am to 10am and when they were finished the Chamber hosted a post cleanup brunch for all their volunteers.
Columbus Networks awarded “2013 Best Caribbean Wholesale Carrier”
BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS, Apr 29, 2014 (Marketwired via COMTEX) — Columbus International Inc. (Columbus), one of the largest telecommunications service providers in the Caribbean, announced today that its subsidiary Columbus Networks has been awarded “Best Caribbean Wholesale Carrier” at the 2013 Global Carrier Awards.
The Global Carrier Awards brings the industry’s best and brightest together to celebrate innovation, vision and excellence in technology. Established in 2004, the Global Carrier Awards is now regarded as the biggest and most prestigious event of the wholesale telecoms calendar.
According to Paul Scott, Columbus Networks’ president & coo, “We are extremely honoured to receive this award. It recognizes the hard work and dedication of our team and their unwavering commitment to better serve our carrier clients and their customers through continuous investment and improvement in broadband infrastructure connectivity throughout the region. We are proud of what we have built and are even more proud that we have created such unmatched opportunities for progress in the region.”
In selecting Columbus Networks as the winner, the judges noted that the company operates one of the largest subsea networks in the pan-Caribbean region, serving over 260 local, regional and international carriers. Its diverse IP backbone, including dozens of peering partners, along with its in-Country fibre backhaul and local terrestrial networks that are continually expanding throughout the region were also key factors that impressed the selection committee. In addition, the Committee noted the beneficial impact to the region from Columbus’ recent subsea joint venture with Cable & Wireless that has enabled unmatched scale and reach spanning some 42,000 km of subsea network and 42 countries.
This year, judges utilized a new scoring system designed to ensure that shortlisting remained objective and transparent. Professor Dieter Lange, who served as a judge, stated, “The new marking system allows a very distinct evaluation of the carrier initiatives and ensures that all relevant aspects are taken into account.”
The 2013 Global Carrier Awards attracted more entries and higher profile attendance than ever before, with more than 300 of the most influential industry executives congregating at the Hotel Okura in Amsterdam in November. For additional information visit www.capacitymagazine.com/Capacity-Awards.html
Legendary London- born DJ wowed the Cayman’s crowds at the weekend
Legendary DJ Paul Oakenfold, who was born in London, England, thrilled a huge crowd of people at the Royal Watler Cruise Terminal, on Friday (25).
He followed that up with another performance aboard a boat on Saturday.
Oakenfold’s career spans nearly 40 years and is a multi-album superstar.
CHTA Partners with OBM International To Assist With Sustainable Tourism Projects
From Hotel News Resources
OBMI Staff Member to Serve as CAST Technical Director
The Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) has entered into a one-year Strategic Partnership with OBM International (OBMI),one of the world’s leading international architectural and planning firms with seven global offices.
As part of the agreement, OBMI will provide one of their staff members, Denaye Hinds, to serve as the technical director for CHTA’s Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST). OBMI will assist CHTA in making resources available to its membership in the area of sustainability.
Hinds is the joint head of OBMI’s Green Matters Studio where she leads initiatives within the sustainability sector.
“As an experienced 77 year old architecture firm born and bred in the Caribbean, we have a long history with CHTA. We embrace this partnership and the many prospects to further the success of the resort and tourism industries through innovative designs, cultural place-making and thought leadership,” said Tim Peck, OBMI’s chairman, who serves as co-chair of CAST and lends his expertise to projects by analyzing the cultural and environmental influences of a project.
“The knowledge of OBM International’s leadership in the areas of sustainability, resort design, master planning and tourism will be an asset to CHTA members as OBMI lends their expertise on CAST related projects throughout the region,” said Jeffrey Vasser, CHA, director general and CEO of CHTA. “OBMI has been a great supporter of our association as we look forward to the many opportunities this partnership will bring to the Caribbean hotel and tourism industry,” Vasser added.
CHTA Strategic Partners are leading organizations and companies involved in a wide range of industry sectors and activities in the Caribbean. While each plays a unique role and brings to the table its own individual benefits and specializations, all CHTA Strategic Partners share one common purpose – an unwavering commitment to the Caribbean hotel and tourism industry.
In addition to OBM International, CHTA Strategic Partners include HVS, Interval International, MasterCard, Tambourine and Travelzoo.
For more: http://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article77583.html
Cayman bank and NG offer scholarship to budding artists
The Deutsche Bank in the Cayman Islands and the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands are jointly offering a scholarship to send an aspiring local artist to university.
The scholarship is offered on a bi-annual basis and students are being encouraged to apply. The bank funds the four-year arts scholarship, worth up to US$20,000 per year.
Applicants need to contact the National Gallery.
Winner of the 2014 Caribbean Cup to Reap Huge Reward
From Jamaica Football Federation
The 2014 Caribbean Cup will be the 17th edition of the Caribbean Cup. Jamaica has won the tournament 5 times and most recently winning it in 2010 in Martinique.
The Preliminary round is set to get underway in May; however the final round which will have (8 teams) is scheduled for 9–18 November which will be hosted in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
For the first time, the competition and its qualifying stages have been scheduled to take place during officially sanctioned FIFA international match periods. The change was made to assist the national Football Associations selecting high profile Caribbean players whose clubs would be otherwise reluctant to lose the players service while on international duty. Previous editions of the competition have taken place on non-FIFA calendar dates. Horace Burrell, the Jamaican Football Federation President stated that the change would “ensure the tournament has star power”
The top four teams qualify for the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup automatically while the fifth place team will play a playoff match against the fifth place team from the 2014 Copa Centroamericana tournament. This is the first time that the two overall fifth-place teams compete to qualify for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, previously five teams from Central America and four from the Caribbean have qualified for the Confederation’s competition.
Now the big reward for the winners of the 2014 Caribbean Cup is a spot in the 2016 Copa America in addition to an appearance at the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Jamaica will look at this opportunity as one they would not want to miss out on.
Jamaica playing alongside the likes of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay would not only give valuable playing time ahead of the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers but also added exposure and experience. These South American teams have produced some of the World’s most elite players and which Jamaica rubbing shoulders with a few it can be a massive psychological lift moving forward in their development
For more: http://www.jamaicafootballfederation.com/v1/winner-2014-caribbean-cup-reap-huge-reward/
[Dominica President] Medina off to Caribbean summit in Mexico
From Dominica Today
Rome.- President Danilo Medina is slated to fly from San Isidro Airbase to Merida, Mexico at 12noon today to attend the 6th Summit of the Association of Caribbean States (AEC).
The heads of State will discuss cooperation, the prevention of serious risks to the Caribbean; sustainable tourism, transportation infrastructure and initiatives that benefit the region.
They’ll also analyze the Petion Ville Action Plan, a basic agreement forged during the previous Summit held in Haiti, and will add France’s Overseas Departments Guadeloupe and Martinique, as new ACS members.
The AEC’s 25 members: Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Dominican Republic, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago and Venezuela.
Visit to Costa Rica
Medina also plans to visit Costa Rica to attend the inaugural of President elect Luis Guillermo Solís on May 8.
For more: http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/economy/2014/4/29/51308/Medina-off-to-Caribbean-summit-in-Mexico
The Dart FCIA deal deadlocked with Cayman government
The Cayman Islands Government has confirmed there has been no progress in the negotiations with Dart Realty over the ForCayman Investment Alliance (FCIA) that had been negotiated with the previous United Democratic Party government.
No side is saying what the stumbling blocks are.
Volunteer in Cayman’s Blue Iguana Recovery Programme died of sunstroke
Daniel Hamilton (21), who had only just arrived in Cayman from Purdue, Indiana, USA died from severe sunstroke on June 3rd 2011.
Hamilton was preparing a reserve for the release of the endangered species when he became overcome from sun exposure.
At the inquest on Monday (28) a jury returned a verdict of death by misadventure.
Caymanian businessman’s trial for drug offences will take place August 15
Caymanian businessman Bryce Merren, 47, accused of drug trafficking and money laundering, will face a trial in Puerto Rico on 15th August.
Merren has been charged with three counts of conspiracy and attempting to possess and distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine, as well as money laundering connected to the alleged activity. He has pleaded “Not Guilty” to all the charges.
Merren is being held at a US federal prison in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico.
Default judgment sought by US woman allegedly assaulted by captain of Cayman vessel
Attorneys for the American woman who reported to Cayman Islands police she was attacked in a George Town waterfront building in July 2012 by the captain of Cayman Style Ocean Adventures she and a friend had taken a day-trip with, have asked a U.S. court to order a default judgment in a lawsuit filed by the woman, after neither the suspect nor his former employer responded to court deadlines for the suit.
Shawn Mourao (45) was charged with three counts of indecent assault. He is subject of an Interpol warrant seeking his arrest and is believed to be in South Africa.
Special Olympian died in Cayman Islands of natural causes
Pablo Jose Perez Iarza (41), a member of the Uruguay Special Olympics swimming team died in Grand Cayman last year of natural causes, a coroner’s jury determined last week.
Iarza was taking part in an 800-meter sea swim on May 25th, 2013, when he was pulled unconscious from the water approx. 25 minutes after the swim began at Governor’s Beach near the Avalon Condominiums, on Grand Cayman.
RAK Ceramics says major shareholder to sell 30.6 pct stake
(Reuters) – Ras Al Khaimah Ceramics said on Tuesday that its founding shareholder had agreed to sell 30.6 percent of his stake in the company to Samena Limestone Co, a company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands.
Sheikh Saud bin Saqr al-Qasimi, a member of the ruling family of Ras Al Khaimah, which is one of the seven United Arab Emirates, has agreed to sell 250 million shares in the company, RAK Ceramics said in a bourse statement.
The ruling family had been exploring the sale of its shares in RAK Ceramics, sources had told Reuters in March. The sale still needs UAE regulatory approvals. (Reporting by Praveen Menon; Editing by Andrew Torchia)
For more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/04/29/rakceramics-sale-idUSL6N0NL1ET20140429
Cayman’s Public Transport Board issues more taxi permits
It would appear the Cayman Islands are experiencing a boom in tourism as the Cayman Islands Public Transport Board has issued 30 new taxi permits and six new tour bus permits.
Tourism officials said the new permits would mean at least 36 new jobs immediately.
Lime launches LTE for iPhone users in Cayman Islands
From telecompaper
Lime has launched LTE services for iPhone users in Cayman Islands. Lime Cayman Islands initially launched LTE in November 2013 and has continued to expand its portfolio of 4G devices. Lime is offering the iPhone 5S for a starting price of KYD 299. Customers who port their number to the Lime network will be able to acquire the iPhone 5S for KYD 199.
For more: http://www.telecompaper.com/news/lime-launches-lte-for-iphone-users-in-cayman-islands–1010635
St. Maarten Rotarians in the Cayman Islands
By Steven CyrillienFrom sxmislandtime
PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Deputy Governor of Rotary Club District 7020, Rebecca Low is heading a delegation to the Cayman Islands.
They are to attend the general meeting of Rotary Clubs from District 7020 from throughout the Caribbean region.
During the meeting which is set to start today (Mon28) and concludes on May 3rd, Rotarians will be discussing issues of importance for the development of the various clubs in the region.
The incoming Governor will also be sworn in. Speaking to our news department prior to departure, the Deputy Governor who has also been given the mandate to serve for another term; Rebecca Low stated that she is looking forward to the discussions in the Cayman Islands.
Artemis brings pan-Europe hedge fund to UK audience
By Nick Reeve From FT Adviser
Artemis is plotting the launch of a Pan European Absolute Return fund later this year, to be run by Tim Steer and Paul Casson.
The launch is subject to regulatory approval and will be a Ucits-compliant fund based on a Cayman Islands-domiciled hedge fund run by Mr Steer since 2009. The hedge fund was initially invested purely in UK equities, but the hire of Mr Casson in 2013 saw it expand its remit.
The group said it planned to launch the new product in the third quarter of 2014 with sterling share classes. The clean fee share class is to be priced at 0.75 per cent and a performance fee will apply.
The giant telescope Carnival of Latin America and the Caribbean
From Fausta’s Blog
Telescope in Puerto Rico Detects Strange, Rapid Bursts of Radio Waves
Director of the Astronomy Section at Arecibo Observatory, a part of the National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center, Fernando Camilo said the phenomenon has been detected at least seven times through the radio telescope in Australia, but the importance of this one is that for the first time it has been documented at another observatory, which confirms that this is an astronomical reality and cannot be attributed to some peculiarity of a particular instrument.
“The question now is the nature of this phenomenon,” said the scientist, who for years studied astronomy in the United States.
“This could be a powerful burst of radio waves faraway in the universe, a kind of signal never detected before,” which appears to come from outside our galaxy.
The Arecibo telescope was one of the James Bond locations in GoldenEye (1995).
For more: http://faustasblog.com/2014/04/the-brazilian-riots-carnival-of-latin-america-and-the-caribbean/
Cayman Islands NWDA Community Outreach Dates for May
This Following is released on behalf of the National Workforce Development Agency (NWDA).
The NWDA in an effort to provide improved customer service to its clients in their job seeking efforts, will have a representative at the district libraries to provide:
• Opportunities to register online with the NWDA.
• Opportunities to search the online job portaland self-referring for jobs.
• Assistance with preparing resumes.
• Assistance with preparing for an interview.
Dates, Hours and Locations:
• East End Ubrary Branch:Monday,Sth May· 10:00am-1:00pm
• Bodden Town Ubrary Branch:Wednesday, 7th May ·2:00pm -5:00p
• North Side Library Branch:Monday, 12th May- 10:00am-1:00pm
• West Bay Library:Wednesday, 14th May – 10:00am-1:00pm
For more information call 945-3114
