Coconut Bay Beach Resort and SPA announces the closure of its property for a period of one month.

The closure of the property will run from September 1 to 30, 2013 during which time renovation and upgrading works will be undertaken in order to enhance visitor experience and comfort.

Management explains that the works to be undertaken during the period of closure will include: renovation and upgrade of the main restaurant, repainting of all room blocks, and the repair and enhancement of all pools and water slides along with general maintenance works.

The hotel will re-open on October 1, 2013 for business with its full complement of staff.

During the month-long period, line staff will be accorded the opportunity to be engaged in a supporting role as related to the renovation and upgrading works. All staff is anticipated to continue with the hotel when it reopens for business in October. In addition the hotel will be employing a cadre of new employees to meet manpower needs for the upcoming peak season.

In line with its policy in inclusiveness, hotel management has discussed details pertaining to arrangements for staff with the National Workers Union which is the representative body for workers.

Digicel Business announced today that it has achieved a Customer Satisfaction Excellence Gold Star from Cisco. This designation recognises Digicel Business for delivering outstanding customer service to its customers across the Caribbean, Panama and El Salvador

CEO of Digicel Business, Tom Carson, said; “Corporate customers across the world demand the highest level of customer service – and exceeding their expectations is something we pride ourselves on. As such, we are delighted to be recognised by Cisco for Excellence in Customer Satisfaction – the highest distinction a partner can achieve within the Cisco Channel Partner Programme. This is a testament to the quality of our staff and the focus on excellence in training and customer experience.

“We are seeing strong demand across all our markets for innovative and cost reducing communications solutions and, by bringing real value in cost reductions, we are also delivering improved levels of customer experience and helping them do the same for their end customers – a real ‘Win Win’,” concluded Carson.

Cisco measures the customer satisfaction levels achieved by its Gold, Silver, and Premier Certified partners based on regional target goals, providing a weighted average of a partner’s pre- and post-sales support over a rolling 12-month period. Partners that achieve outstanding customer satisfaction are awarded the Customer Satisfaction Excellence Gold Star and can be found using the advanced search menu in the Cisco Partner Locator.

The Cisco Resale Channel Programme provides a framework for partners to build the sales, technical and Cisco Lifecycle Services skills required to deliver Cisco solutions to end customers. Through the programme’s specialisations and certifications, Cisco recognises a partner’s expertise in deploying solutions based on Cisco advanced technologies and services.

Using a third-party audit process, the programme validates partner qualifications such as technology skills, business best practices, customer satisfaction, and presales and post-sales support capabilities – critical factors in choosing a trusted partner.

Chief Education Officer Mr. Marcus Edward presenting Nysa Pierre with her scholarship along with Digicel’s Merlika Alcindor

Digicel, for the past seven years created a scholarship fund, which has assisted young, intelligent and focus St. Lucian youth entering the first year of Secondary School education.

This new academic year 2013/2014 was no exception as Digicel presented scholarships to twenty students across the island.

Digicel, committed to the support of education and development amongst St Lucian youth, on Monday presented fifteen less fortunate students with a financial scholarship for the new school year assisting their parents with purchasing books, uniforms and other educational materials that are vital to navigate the new life as Secondary School students. This scholarship programme which began in 2006, has to date provided over one hundred scholarships to students island wide.

A portion of this year’s lucky recipients came from families nominated by a few Digicel team members. The children showed much promise in their studies during their primary school education and disserved the financial assistance Digicel was offering.

In addition to these fifteen kids Digicel also had scholarship disbursements given to the top three ranked students of the 2013 Common Entrance Examinations. These five students earlier last month received brand new laptops from Digicel as the first part of their congratulatory gifts and were now receiving the monetary scholarships as their second part.

Scholarship recipients pictured with parents and Digicel staff.

According to Marketing Manager Kerchelle Jn Charles, “Digicel is committed to this educational scholarship initiative which gives students a fair opportunity to be educated. This significant contribution is in keeping with our continued efforts to assist the youth as we recognize their value to the future of St. Lucia.”

The presentation took place at the Bay Garden Hotel and was attended by the lucky Students and their parents, Digicel Staff as well as the Chef educational Officer Mr. Marcus Edward who represented the Ministry of Education, Human Resource Development and Labour.

“The ministry is fully advocating the financial help given by Digicel because education is very expensive”, said Mr. Edward. “Businesses like Digicel need to be commended for their actions as the support given to these twenty kids will resonate throughout the year, and will aid parents to meet the financial obligations that come with secondary education”, he further said.

Digicel is pleased to have presented these extraordinary kids with scholarships as they continue to excel at school.

Digicel’ s Sergin John Baptiste pictured with the coach and four players heading to Jamaica

Digicel this summer, supported the St Lucian Tennis Association Inc. in this year’s COTECC Team championships in Jamaica.

The St Lucia Tennis Association Inc. is set to send four young up and coming talented tennis players to represent St Lucia in the ITF/GSDF English Caribbean Wilson 12&U COTECC Team championships in Jamaica.

Team St Lucia is made up of Mr. Ron Blanchard – Coach and Manager, Meggan William and Shadel Joseph for the Girls Team and Adriel Bousquet and Nathan Francis for the Boys team. They are set to leave island on Saturday 31st August 2013 and are excited to do battle and showcase their skills.

Digicel is always ready and willing to give its support to the development of youth in St Lucia. We realize that there is extraordinary within all kids and an opportunity to showcase their extraordinary is all that is needed. The St Lucia Tennis Association was thrilled Digicel was able to provide financial aid to the success of this trip as there was a great cost attached.

As commented by Marketing Manager Kerchelle Jn Charles, “Digicel’s financial contribution to this regional tournament is a continuation of the avid support given to the youth in St Lucia and their success. Digicel is confident these four players will represent their country and by extension Digicel with distinction as we anticipate a favorable outcome from the tournament.”

Each team has to be composed of a maximum of two (2) players of the same country and players must be at least 10 years old on the day the competition. All members of Team St Lucia are 12 years of age and can’t wait to show their counterparts the skill they have acquired in the sport.

The team is expected to be in Jamaica from the 01st – 08th September where they will be playing against their counterparts from Anguilla, Bahamas, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Belize, Turks & Caicos Islands, Barbados, and Curacao to name a few.

Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony.

Chairmanship of the Monetary Council of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) will be transferred to Dr. Kenny D Anthony, Council member for Saint Lucia, during the official handing-over ceremony on September 4 at the Sandals Grande St Lucian Resort, Saint Lucia.

Prime Minister Anthony will succeed the outgoing Chairman, Dr. Denzil L Douglas, Council member for St Kitts and Nevis. Chairmanship of the Council is rotated alphabetically each year among the eight ECCB member countries.

The Monetary Council is the highest decision-making authority of the ECCB and comprises the eight ministers for finance of the ECCB member governments.

Following the ceremony, the Council will convene for its second special meeting for 2013. Following the meeting, the newly appointed Chairman, Prime Minister Anthony, will present the communiqué, and along with the other members of the Council, will field questions from media representatives in Saint Lucia.

The management of G4S Secure Services Ltd. and officials from the National Workers Union (NWU) met at a two -hour long meeting at the company’s head office at Choc on Monday, September 2, 2013.

This meeting was to defuse an industrial situation among security guards employed with the company.

As a result of the meeting, the company has agreed to pay overdue overtime compensation in the following manner:

First payment – Thursday, September 5, 2013
Second payment – first week in October 2013; and
Third and final payment – in the first week of November 2013

Since these scheduled dates of payments were agreed by the NWU, a high level of stability in the level of service among the employees on the job has been realized.

The company and the NWU meet subsequently to revisit their industrial protocol to measure its effectiveness and consistency.

Rossini George showing off the MyPlan app to an interested customer

LIME has transformed the telecommunications industry again, with the launch of MyPlan, a game-changing mobile offering that gives customers the opportunity to sign up for a flexible postpaid plan that includes voice, text messages and data, and also gives them the option to customize the plan with bolt-ons.

With MyPlan, postpaid mobile customers sign up for the core plan that provides a combination of voice, text messages and data for one low monthly fee. Customers can then add additional voice, text and data bundles to suit their needs and lifestyle. They can choose the add-ons individually or collectively, and they can also change the package combination monthly.

In addition, when customers sign up for a 12 or 24 month MyPlan contract, they can purchase a 4G-enabled Nokia Lumia 620 smartphone for just $499, or enjoy discounts on phones from Alcatel, BlackBerry, Huawei, iPhone or Samsung, among others.

Customers who already own a phone but who don’t want to commit to a long-term contract can sign up for a rolling one-month plan, which allows them to enjoy the same value and benefits available with the MyPlan long-term plans.

MyPlan also allows customers to share their plans with friends and family. For a low monthly fee you can add extra people to your account

The minutes in the MyPlan packages can be used for calls to any LIME mobile and landline network locally and regionally, to other local operators (landline and mobile) as well as to the USA, Canada, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands (USVI) and to UK landlines only. The text component can be used for local, regional and international text messages.

Brenda Cozier helps a customer find his mobile personality with the MyPlan app

LIME General Manager Chris Williams said the company understands that telecommunications in Saint Lucia and the wider Caribbean is constantly evolving, hence the reason for the new enhancement of its mobile offerings.

“LIME is changing the way customers think about mobile calling. Our introduction of MyPlan makes mobile calling more affordable than ever,” said Chris.

“With this groundbreaking new offer, we are giving customers the freedom and the flexibility to communicate any way they like by choosing only the services they need and can afford, and they still enjoy the same great value. If they don’t need minutes and have a greater need for data, they don’t have to buy minutes, they can simply buy a data bolt-on. There are no hidden costs or additional charges. You only pay for what you need.

“This puts customers in control of their spend while offering them the added convenience of making adjustments to their plans at any time during the course of the contract. Moreover, with a rolling one-month contract, customers get the same great value without committing to a long term plan

All these fantastic benefits coupled with our offer of a big discount on a number of excellet handsets including the Nokia Lumia 620 for customers signing up for 12 to 24-month plans, means you will always be better off with LIME!” Chris added.

LIME Back-to-School winner Peter Cepal gets his Lenovo Netbook from Tania Ernest

The first of four lucky LIME customers has plenty of reason to celebrate after becoming the first big winner in the LIME Back-to-School promotion.

Mr Peter Cepal has won a Lenovo Thinkpad Edge E420 after qualifying for entry into the Back-to-School draw by signing up for broadband Internet service. A 34-year-old construction administrator from Balata, Peter signed up in August.

With the re-opening of school just days away, the prize could not have come at a more opportune time for Peter. He is absolutely delighted with his new Lenovo Thinkpad.

“I’m proud to be a LIME customer,” said Peter, “and winning a computer just by signing up for Internet service with the best provider in Saint Lucia is a great bonus. I’m enjoying my Internet service, and now I will get even more out of it.”

LIME is offering huge discounts and specials on all its services as a way of helping families obtain their back-to-school necessities.

New customers signing up for broadband Internet get a free basic modem and a chance to win a Lenovo Thinkpad Edge E420. There are still three more to be won. Upgrading to a wireless modem costs only $99.50.

Customers can text QUIZ to 2929 for a chance to win a BlackBerry Z10. New customers signing up for postpaid mobile service qualify for a chance to win a Nokia Lumia 620.

New customers signing up for landline service get free installation, a free landline phone, free voicemail and call-waiting, and 80 minutes of free calls to LIME landlines monthly.

New customers signing up for LIME TV get 25 percent off the basic pack for 12 months, the first set top box is free and they get 50 percent off additional boxes for 12 months, for up to 4 boxes. Installation and activation are free, plus customers get a waiver on the monthly fee for one month.

One lucky LIME TV customer will win three months of free rental for the basic pack from October to December 2013.

Customers switching to LIME TV digital service get free activation, the first set top box is free, plus they get 50 percent off additional boxes for 12 months, for up to 4 boxes.

A LIAT aircraft

The Management of LIAT is compelled to respond to a Barbados Nation Newspaper article of Sunday, September 1, 2013, carried in the Sunday Sun, entitled “AIR PAIN – LIAT cost us millions, says CPL founder” in order to clarify the involvement of LIAT as it relates to the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

LIAT was first contacted by CPL concerning the logistics of transporting their teams and crew in late July and a meeting was held on July 25, 2013, a mere five days before the official start of the tournament.

During that meeting, the CPL representatives indicated that they were seeking guarantees from LIAT for timely transportation of players, crew and baggage. As this request came at the 11th hour and at a time when we were experiencing several challenges with delays and cancellations, LIAT made it clear to the CPL representatives that while it would do its best to transport the teams and crews on time, no guarantees could be offered since many of the challenges that were being experienced were beyond the airline’s control.

LIAT’s representatives also noted that the only way to offer the guarantees that were being requested was to charter several aircraft and at the time LIAT was unable to offer these services as all aircraft were currently being utilized.

LIAT representatives indicated to the CPL team that, with an event the size and magnitude of the CPL, contact should have been made with the airline several months in advance in order set the necessary mechanisms in place for the management of the event.

Reference was made to the 2007 Cricket World Cup and the fact that the International Cricket Council contacted airlines at an early stage and established an air transportation committee comprising LIAT and other carriers.

Separate and special arrangements were made to transport cricketers and baggage. At the end of that tournament not a single cricketer was left behind and not one bag lost. In the case of the CPL event, cricketers were booked in the same manner as members of the travelling public and contact with LIAT was made only when there was a problem.

In the article, the CPL official reportedly spoke of “…the travesty of what we had to deal with in the transportation of players and equipment showing up 30 minutes before the game starts,” without acknowledging that CPL chartered the services of another airline to transport players between Trinidad and Antigua.

It is that flight which arrived 30 minutes before the commencement of the match on August 12, 2013. LIAT transported cricketers for all matches held in its network and they arrived well in advance of the planned start time. LIAT had indicated to CPL beforehand its limitations in transporting bags for the players.

It is grossly unfair that neither the CPL official nor the Barbados Nation reporter has specified how “LIAT cost tournament organizers millions of dollars in additional expenses.” LIAT looks forward to the CPL becoming a permanent fixture on the West Indies cricket scene, and would be privileged to be part of a transportation solution. However, it is naïve and unreasonable to expect the airline to take on the full responsibility, given such late notice, even under the best of circumstances.

LIAT is undergoing a period of massive change as we renew our entire fleet of aircraft to provide a better product offering to our customers. As a leading regional carrier, LIAT is willing to work with the CPL for the purpose of bringing cricket to the people of the region. For the success of future events, this will necessitate that LIAT is included in all transportation plans at an early stage.

CIBC FirstCaribbean staff with students.

Four successful Common Entrance candidates found a ready sponsor in CIBC FirstCaribbean.

The Bank, which has committed to supporting the cause of youth, youth achievement and education in Saint Lucia, has stepped forward to relieve the pressure from the families of these worthy students whose hard work and impressive performance have inspired the Bank’s offer of support.

Nicholas Toussaint, Shanells Jn Baptiste, Destini Deligny and Tchai Jn Baptiste excelled in this year’s Common Entrance Exam which earned them a place at the St. Mary’s College, Castries Comprehensive Secondary School, Micoud Secondary School and Castries Comprehensive Secondary School, respectively.

The CIBC FirstCaribbean scholarship programme is an annual initiative by the bank that facilitates parents and students with the purchasing of school supplies.

Students with cheque

In selecting candidates for the award of scholarships this year, a deliberate focus was placed on spreading the support across the island; another was academic excellence. In that regard, this year’s recipients originate from Beausejour, Gros Islet; Bexon, Soufriere and Cantonement, Vieux Fort.

Country Manager for CIBC FirstCaribbean, Mauricia Thomas-Francis, noted, “A core function of our operations at CIBC FirstCaribbean is being able to enhance and make a lasting impression on the lives of persons in our communities. This year we have particularly focused on impacting the education of our young people. Not only providing scholarships to these four promising students, but also through our Adopt-a-Cause Programme, where our employees have assisted schools with refurbishing and preparing for the start of the new school year.”

Mrs. Francis also noted the significance of the scholarship for both students and their parents “Without a doubt, each year, there is additional pressure for parents to provide all that is needed for their children to have a productive school year. Our aim with these scholarships is to facilitate the provision of school supplies ensuring that students are well equipped throughout the year. We plan on maintaining an on-going relationship with our scholarship students; we want to see them excel in their studies and flourish in extracurricular activities during their formative years.”

The National Workers Union (NWU) has received and has accepted an invitation to meet with the recently elected Political Leader of the United Workers Party (UWP), Mr. Allan Chastanet.

While a date, time and venue for the proposed meeting is yet to be agreed upon, the National Workers Union plans to select a six man delegation from the union to represent the NWU at the said meeting.

The NWU says the invitation did not come as a surprise. In the past, the National Workers Union has met a number of political leaders of parties at the local, regional and international levels.

The newly appointed Chairman of the Eastern Caribbean Monitory Council and Prime Minister of Saint Lucia Dr Kenny D Anthony has expressed confidence in the management of the region’s fiscal space and the banking system but he says there are some major adjustments which are necessary.

Despite the lingering effects of sluggish growth in the global economy, the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) continues to perform credibly by maintaining adequate foreign reserves and a stable EC dollar, pegged at an exchange rate of US$1 to EC$2.70.

In his inaugural speech as chairman on Wednesday, September 4 ,the Saint Lucian leader told his regional counterparts that the Central Bank will continue to address the main policy issues which confront member countries namely: financial stability, fiscal and debt sustainability and growth and competitiveness.

“The bank will continue to take a proactive approach to addressing vulnerability in the financial system and will accelerate the implementation of the strategy for strengthening the resilience of the financial sector, where instability and danger lurks especially in the face of un-wise and imprudent corporate behavior.   We will not hesitate to act to protect investors and the stability of our shared financial space.”

Cognizant of an extreme high level of non-performing loans in various ECCB member territories,  Prime Minister Anthony says the case for integrating the region’s indigenous banking sector is now more compelling.

Dr. Anthony says while it has been a difficult period for banks and their customers, the problems may be resolved through a review and upgrade of the archaic and obsolete banking legislation which the region inherited from Quebec, Canada.

“I welcome the decision of the Monetary Council to unify the legislation governing the realisation of mortgage collateral across member states through consultation,  through member countries.  While this is a necessary and sound initiative it is essential that such legislation provide adequate protection to borrowers.  It cannot be right for example that a borrower who have paid 15 or more years of a 20-year mortgage is dispossessed of a home because of sudden financial difficulties not of his or her making.”

The newly appointed chairman of the Eastern Caribbean Monitory Council also pledged to work with all interests to advance and execute the mandate of the Monetary Council efficiently.

He also applauded outgoing Chairman and Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis Dr. Denzil Douglas for his stellar chairmanship of the Council.

Over the years Consolidated Foods Ltd has placed emphasis on Education as one of the pillars for youth development in St. Lucia through its corporate support of school and educational related programmes.

Beyond this and closer to home every year as a means of assistance to its staff and as a reward to the top performing children, CFL makes available three full scholarships and five grants to the children of its employees.

This year’s awardees of the CFL Scholarship and Grants Programme and their parents visited the company’s head office on their first day of school. Deputy Managing Director, Martin Dorville shared a few words with the very eager and excited group.

“The fact that you are here today is no small accomplishment, I want you to know that the sky is the limit. If you can dream it, just believe it and you will achieve it. If you do the right things you will get the right results.” Mr. Dorville also took the time to reinforce the company’s commitment to the training and development of its employees and their families through the company’s Supermarket Career Institute and the CFL Scholarship and Grants Programme.

CFL’s Training and Development Manager; Chairmaine Dick also had some words of encouragement for the recipients.

“ This programme is an investment into CFL’s most valuable asset; our employees, and by extension it is investment into this country’s most valuable resource; its people.  With each passing year new students are integrated into the Scholarship and Grants Programme; we are proud to be part of your academic journey.”

She also took the time to encourage the students to continue striving for success and to begin this chapter of their education with the end in mind. “ All is possible, set a goal and keep at it. Having a dream is not only for extraordinary people; it is the thing that makes people extraordinary.”

This year’s recipients are Pernege Eugene (Vieux Fort Comprehensive), Shania Nelson (Castries Comprehensive), Stacy Innocent (Castries Comprehensive, Jade Toulon (Castries Comprehensive), Chloe Brouet (Castries Comprehensive), Lisa Paul (Vieux Fort Comprehensive), Sannica Samuel (Castries Comprehensive), Chloe Thomas (Corinth Secondary) and Alstan Estephane (Corninth Secondary).

Consolidated Foods Ltd congratulates the 2013 awardees and wishes them success as they continue along the academic journey.

The CFL Scholarship and Grants Programme was initiated in 2004. To date over seventy five (75) children of the company’s employees have benefited from the programme.

Goretti Lawrency (blue shirt) with LIME tertiary scholarship recipients with parents

Four young people are taking up studies at the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College this term with financial support from the island’s leading telecommunications service provider.

LIME awarded new full tertiary scholarships to the students this week, bringing the number of LIME scholarships to 22.

Scores of students have benefited from the programme since it was established in 1995 to help LIME colleagues cover the cost of school supplies, including textbooks and uniforms for their children. Earlier this summer, six new secondary scholarships were presented under the LIME Scholarship Award Programme. This time around, it was the turn of the new tertiary students.

Raheem Paul and Mayanna Desmangles will study computer systems engineering at the Division of Technical Education and Management Studies (DTEMS). Patrick St Juste, also at DTEMS, will work towards his motor vehicle mechanics qualification.

Miguel Duplessis will take up studies at the Division of Arts, Science and General Studies in physics, math and digital media. Miguel, son of Retail Manager Vernette Edward, attended St Mary’s College. Both Raheem and Patrick attended Leon Hess Comprehensive.

Goretti Lawrency presents to Christopher Paul, father of scholarship recipient, Raheem

Raheem’s father is regional purchasing operation manager, Christopher; Patrick’s mother, Patricia, is a service support and delivery agent. Mayana, a St Joseph’s Convent alumna, is daughter of Senior Software Specialist Mitchelson Phillip.

The latest LIME scholarship recipients, of course, have all been successful at the CSEC examinations, attaining top CXC grades.

LIME hosts an annual Common Entrance workshop to help students prepare not just for the secondary school entrance exam but also to help instill proper study habits, which reflect in their subsequent results.

Now the company is considering expanding the programme to include more hands-on involvement in the students’ lives with mentorship and tutoring components.

LIME Head of Human Resources for the Windward Islands, Goretti Lawrency, made the presentations to the parents and students, and professed the company’s pride in the achievements of these young people.

“We consider these students part of our family,” she explains. “We see them sometimes on a daily basis, and we watch them grow and develop. As a corporate citizen, we are committed to investing in youth and education, and as a responsible employer, it is important for us to play our part in ensuring that we help our colleagues in whatever way possible, and that includes helping to provide for their children’s education.”

Canada’s High Commissioner designate Richard Hanley *thedominican.net

Canada’s High Commissioner designate Richard Hanley visited Saint Lucia to present his Letter of Introduction to Prime Minister, Dr. Kenny Anthony.

Hanley gave his assurance of Canada’s continued support in Saint Lucia by explaining that Canada will continue to improve upon the already harmonious relationship between our two countries by working closely with Saint Lucia to increase its economic prosperity, improve security and strengthen cooperation.

“Canada and Saint Lucia have a long-standing relationship. We have been good friends over the years. We have economic ties, family ties, academic exchanges and deep people to people engagement.”

Canada continues to support projects in St. Lucia through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives such as the Saint Lucia Development Bank’s Youth Enterprise Equity Fund. This project works towards training young entrepreneurs to understand the components of an accounting system.

While in St. Lucia, High Commissioner Hanley will also attend the graduation ceremony of the Regional Security System Supervisory Management Course, an initiative funded by the government of Canada to provide law enforcement officers with the skills and knowledge to function as efficient supervisors.

Canada will continue to work with Saint Lucia, as friends, toward a more prosperous and secure hemisphere.

Laurencia Cadette, Head of Marketing & Corporate Communications

Since the beginning of July when LIME launched its 1000 Anywhere SMS offer, the company’s prepaid mobile customers have been enjoying huge savings on texting, both locally and regionally.

As an introductory offer, the service was absolutely free for the first two months, and tens of thousands of customers took advantage.

1000 Anywhere SMS is now available full time for the low cost of just $10 per thirty days, or a mere one cent ($0.01) per message. Anywhere SMS is a text bolt-on that lets prepaid mobile customers send up to 1000 text messages to anyone, anywhere, on any network in Saint Lucia and 25 other Caribbean territories.

You can activate Anywhere SMS by dialling *130*1# to get 1000 free text messages to use over a 30-day period. You get an SMS notification one day before the service is due for automatic renewal and a confirmation message when it is renewed. You can check your renewal date by dialling *130*0# or dial *130*2# to unsubscribe.

“LIME understands that value is what customers are looking for and we have delivered. This offer is yet another way for our customers in Saint Lucia and throughout the region to stay connected with friends and family and still continue to enjoy big savings!” said LIME Head of Marketing & Communications, Laurencia Cadette.

Camp Kalinago was powered by LIME!

LIME has won praise from the National Youth Council for its generous assistance provided in support of the NYC’s recently held Lucian Leaders Summit and Kalinago Heritage Camp.

Some 40 community group and secondary-school students’ council members from around the island took part in the Leadership Summit which was held August 19-23 at the Grande Riviere Primary School.

They participated in a series of interactive and engaging sessions that covered areas such as leadership roles, personal development, democracy and governance, financial literacy, and health and wellness.

The NYC also organized a Kalinago Heritage camp at Aupoye Park, Fond Gens Libre during which some 50 youths got the opportunity to learn about the lifestyle, history and culture of the Kalinago people who were among the Saint Lucia’s earliest inhabitants. Both events were organized as part of the NYC’s annual summer activities.

LIME donated shirts, water bottles and bags to the camp participants and the company also provided tents for the Leadership Summit, which were used for the duration of the activity.

Ms Karen Scott, the NYC Administrative Officer said LIME’s sponsorship contributed greatly to the success of the NYC’s summer activities.

“We at the NYC would like to thank LIME for facilitating the use of the tents throughout the entire week of the Lucian Leaders Summit, and also supporting the Heritage camp. The camp was a resounding success and the tents were a great help in getting everyone together at different points during the session. We are very grateful for LIME’s continued assistance and look forward to working with them again in the future.”

LIME Head of Marketing & Communications, Laurencia Cadette said, “We were proud to be partnering with the NYC for this year’s youth summer activities. We know that such events help the youth who attend improve their knowledge, self-esteem and confidence and we are glad we could help make this year’s activities a success.”

Single young mothers  under the SMILES programme continue to reap benefits from local company Celestial.

Regional Communications Limited’s Cellestial is a local manufacturer of tablets, computers and cellular phones for export and domestic consumption.

Celestial continues to fulfil its corporate responsibility by supporting the government’s Single Mothers in Life Enhancement Skills (SMILES) programme.

During a tour this week of Celestial with Minister for the Public Service, Sustainable Development, Energy, Science and Technology, Dr. James Fletcher, owner of Celestial George Benson explains how SMILES participants benefit from the daily operations of his company.

“Everybody you’ll be meeting is a single mother through the SMILES programme. So they are kind of a recruiting company for us. They will be chosen for an initial three-week training. If they are really good, they go on to become an apprentice for six months. And then after that they go on to international certification. International certification is done through institutes in the UK and the United States.”

After attaining accreditation,  participants will continue to gain success. Benson notes the progress the single mothers have made and the scope for further opportunities. Cellestial has also aided in the island’s education system.

“And we just went through a session here where seven of our ladies were internationally certified -  five at level one cellular engineer and two at level three cellular engineers. So they have the freedom, options and accreditation to do anything they want in their lives right now. One of our ladies was the leader, Saint Lucian leader for the Duke of Edinburgh Award that just ended in Barbados after one month; so we sponsored her there. Then we adopted Vide Bouteille Secondary. And now we have adopted Vide Bouteille Combined. And they get a free laptop every month.”

The company which was established in February this year has  received the Prime Minister’s Award for Innovation and won among thousands of regional participants in Compete Caribbean’s $1.3 million grant competition.

Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony.

Saint Lucia and other member states of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union are forecast to record marginal economic growth estimated at 1.5 percent in 2013 and 2.2 percent in 2014.

The economic performance of the region continues to be hampered by the global recession and is linked largely to growth in the economies of major source markets like the United States and Europe.

Chairman of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) and Prime Minister of Saint Lucia Dr. Kenny D Anthony says it is imperative that member countries adopt effective strategies to stimulate growth of at least 3.5 percent between now and 2015 and at least eight percent in growth thereafter.

“We are conscious of the need to stimulate growth as this is linked to the achievement of financial stability, fiscal and debt sustainability and ultimately sustainable employment for our citizens.  In this environment we must pursue efforts to return our economies on a path of growth by carefully selected investment initiatives.”

In recognition of the need to aggressively address the region’s debt situation, the Eastern Caribbean Development Bank (ECCB) is collaborating with the Centre For Latin American Monetary Studies to develop a proposal to address the peculiar circumstances of small, middle income and highly vulnerable countries.

Prime Minister Anthony says member states are also receiving assistance to strengthen their technical capacities to actively manage their debt portfolios .

“The challenges in the 2013/2014 financial year are expected to be similar to those experienced over the last three years, but I am confident that the Monetary Council will rise above these challenges and the exchange rate arrangement and stability of the banking system will be maintained. Unquestionably the times have been difficult for our people, our government and our financial institutions but we have survived.”

The chairman of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union says despite the challenging environment Eastern Caribbean States have and will continue to be proactive in developing an effective approach to address the impacts of the financial crisis.

Digicel’s Online Top Up winning customer Sonia Spechtmeyer with her $500.

As Digicel’s “Back to School” online promotion comes to a close one more lucky customer, Sonia Spechtmeyer, received her cash reward of $500 complements Digicel.

Parents and customers who topped up online across St. Lucia have been responding positively to the cash rewards under the Digicel ‘Back to School Online Top Up’ promotion. Many have benefited with cash giveaways as Digicel continued to ease the financial squeeze with everyone who has children returning to the classrooms for the 2013/14 academic year.

Digicel prepaid customers have the convenience of replenishing their accounts in several ways. With so many choices available, one way which allows customers the opportunity to win and receive cash is by use of the Digicel website.

By logging on to www.digicelstlucia.com, prepaid customers who top up $51.75 or more instantly qualify for the “Back to School” promotion to win $500 cash as well as receive double their top up giving them more value.

To date Digicel has rewarded four ‘Online Top Up’ customers with $500 cash for assisting with their Back to School preparations. Spechtmeyer is the latest lucky winner who walked away smiling with cash payout.

When she received the phone call from Digicel’s Marketing Executive Sergin Jn Baptiste, Spechtmeyer expressed their gratitude and was ecstatic about her winnings.

Marketing Manager Kerchelle Jn Charles said: “Digicel is delighted to continue to give back in such a profound way to loyal customers who top-up online. This tangible reward of cash back in such a significant amount will no doubt greatly assist customers, many of whom are parents, with young ones going to school.”

The grand prize winner of $3,000 cash will be reveled soon, so customers who top up online you just might get that winning call. Keep your Digicel handsets charged and close by as you just might be the next extraordinary Digicel winner!

Keep topping up on www.digicelstlucia.com and be a winner with Digicel.