Dominica
In a groundbreaking initiative for the region, the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Social Services in Dominica, in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), is launching a five-day program aimed at educating health professionals about their vital role in achieving universal health coverage and access to healthcare. This mission also focuses on ensuring that pharmaceutical products and services are accessible through a strong pharmaceutical supply chain system.
Access to medications is a fundamental aspect of any pharmaceutical policy and a key priority in public health. To guarantee the availability of essential medicines and health technologies, including vaccines and biologics, a well-organized system must be developed. This system will encompass the selection, financing, demand forecasting, procurement, storage, distribution, and rational use of pharmaceuticals, tailored to meet the population’s needs.
Leading this mission will be Pablo Alcocer Vera, Regional Advisor for Supply Systems at PAHO/WHO; Dr. Vishwanath Andy Partapsingh, Health Systems and Services Advisor at the PAHO/WHO Office for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean; Gabriel Cunha, an International Consultant specializing in Supply Chain Management Regional Revolving Funds (RRF); Hon. Kent Edwards, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Health and a pharmacist with over 26 years of experience; PAHO Country Program Specialist Dr. Nicole Slack-Liburd; and Supplies Manager Ms. Aliyah James-Shillingford, along with other senior officials from the Ministry.
At the mission’s opening ceremony, Hon. Dr. Cassandra Williams, Minister of State in the Ministry of Health, reaffirmed the Dominica government’s dedication to ensuring that all citizens have access to pharmaceuticals. She stated, “In an effort to ensure the optimal health and wellness of the population of Dominica, this government is committed to ensuring that there is a robust Supply Chain Management System that guarantees adequate procurement, distribution, and financing of pharmaceuticals are maintained.”
Dr. Williams highlighted that the government has allocated $81.9 million for recurrent health expenditures and $7.5 million for capital projects in the 2024-2025 budget. She emphasized that enhancing the system for managing the procurement and distribution of medical supplies is a key strategy for improving patient outcomes.
“As we work to further strengthen our commitment of Partnering to build the platform for sustainable growth and development, which was the theme of this year’s budget presentation, we are pleased to continue our longstanding partnership with PAHO in this week’s initiative, which has been preceded by several fact-finding and planning sessions commencing in February 2024. This week’s agenda includes the implementation of self-assessment tools, focus groups and site visits to hospitals and health centres, which will examine several aspects of SCM such as financing, procurement, information systems and legislative frameworks,” she stated.
Over the years, universal access to essential medicines has increasingly been recognized as a fundamental human right. Thus, enhancing the management of the pharmaceutical supply chain in Dominica to ensure access to safe, high-quality essential medicines and health technologies aligns with the right to health.
Throughout the mission, there will be discussions with stakeholders involved in health policy and financing, as well as meetings with procurement staff and the Information Technology Department responsible for the Logistics Management Information System (LMIS) and other health technologies. Site visits will take place at the Dominica China Friendship Hospital, including the Central Medical Stores, National Laboratory, Pharmacy, Marigot Hospital, district health centers, and the Roseau Seaport.
At the conclusion of the mission, PAHO delegates will present an overview of an effective and integrated supply chain management system for medicines and health technologies. This will cover governance, regulatory frameworks, financial aspects, quality assurance, essential medicines selection, demand estimation, procurement, inventory management, distribution, and rational use. They will also identify areas for technical cooperation to enhance the supply chain management system in accordance with WHO GSDP/MQAS standards and introduce the PAHO Revolving Funds as a mechanism for pooled procurement.
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Caribbean
(Castries, Saint Lucia) – The Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation (CARILEC) will host its prestigious Engineering and Procurement Conference and Exhibition at the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, St. Maarten from July 21 – 24, 2024.
The annual Engineering and Procurement Conference and Exhibition offers a valuable opportunity for professionals in the fields of engineering and procurement to convene to collaboratively address challenges impacting the regions energy sector, and to engage with cutting-edge technological advancements, and innovative solutions being presented by over thirty exhibitors.
This year’s conference will be held under the theme “Leveraging Technology and Process Innovation with Enhanced Procurement for a more Resilient Caribbean Power Sector.” The Caribbean power sector is undergoing a steady transformation in its energy transitioning, marked by an increased focus on grid resilience initiatives and infrastructure development. As secure, clean, and affordable solutions and technologies continue to evolve, there is an increasing demand for competitive, cost-effective, and timely procurement practices, coupled with innovative processes. The Engineering and Procurement Conference and Exhibition will therefore examine and distil best practices and experiences, as well as develop new solutions and innovative approaches for a more resilient Caribbean energy sector.
The conference will begin with an Opening Ceremony on Sunday, July 21, which will feature a keynote address by the distinguished former Governor of Sint Maarten, and former Chairman of the supervisory board of NV GEBE, Drs. Eugene Bernard Holiday.
Throughout the three-day conference, participants will engage in a diverse range of panel discussions, workshops, and technical presentations, covering a comprehensive agenda which will impart pertinent knowledge on trending topics within the electric utility engineering and procurement areas. These topics include energy modelling approaches, electric vehicle (EV) charging, flexible generation, and Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contracts for grid infrastructure, generation or storage capacities.
To register for this year’s Engineering and Procurement Conference and Exhibition, or to learn more, visit the event page at https://carilec.org/event/engpro2024/.
The 2024 Engineering and Procurement Conference and Exhibition would not have been possible without the invaluable support of the Association’s generous sponsors. Platinum Sponsor: Aggreko; Emerald Sponsor: MSHS; Gold Sponsor: Accelleron; Silver Sponsors: American Wire Group, and Classic Controls Inc.
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Barbados
The Barbados Ministry of Energy and Business is currently hosting a three-day Procurement Design Workshop with key stakeholders including RELP – Renewables for All, the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet, the Inter-American Development Bank, Deloitte, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and the International Finance Corporation. The workshop being held at the Warrens Office Complex represents the final stage of the collaborative efforts by a consortium of storage systems experts. These experts have been assisting Barbados since early 2024 to tackle the gridlock issue and promote the transition to renewable energy.
One of the main outcomes is the announcement that Barbados will soon launch procurement process to acquire Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) which are vitally needed to support the grid and allow the many stalled solar photo voltaic (PV) systems to proceed. The electric grid is currently at capacity with Barbados Light and Power unable to connect new PV systems to the grid without additional storage.
Speaking at the opening of the workshop, Senator Lisa Cummins, Minister of Energy and Business said: “This has been an absolutely urgent priority for our Government, and the partners have spent a lot of time collaborating with my amazing team because they understand how critical this is….
“The discussions over the next few days will take us into closure on the process where we can get battery energy storage systems into the country. In many ways this is a watershed moment that many have been waiting for.”
Since the beginning of this year, a consortium of experts has been supporting Barbados in its advancement with renewable energy, and the resulting pressures and demands on the electrical grid. Minister Cummins praised the work being done by the various partners which has included a grid characterisation study, with the findings presented last week:
“What they have shared with us and will share with the market over the coming days in market sounding sessions will take us a far way towards completing the design for a cost effective and price competitive battery energy storage system for Barbados. We hope to launch the first BESS procurement shortly, based on the timelines that we have seen coming into the development plan.”
She noted that local agencies have also played an active role, including the Fair Trading Commission, the Barbados Central Bank, Government Procurement, GEED, the Bankers’ Association and other relevant associations.
The workshop and meetings will conclude on 30th July with local industry stakeholders invited to a market sounding session. Once the procurement of the BESS systems is concluded, new residential and commercial PV projects will once again be able to connect to the grid.
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Bahamas
THE government must be more transparent about its spending, said Opposition leader Michael Pintard yesterday, saying that the FNM will not support any “additional revenue measure” until the Davis administration fully implements the Freedom of Information Act and abides by the Public Procurement Act.
“First, this Davis-led PLP administration should not come to the Bahamian people with any proposed
significant tax measure unless it is accompanied by a clear and documented plan to contain government spending and eliminate the wasteful and gratuitous spending by public officials and public entities,” said Mr Pintard.
“Second, the FNM will not support any discussion on additional revenue measures until this administration fully implements the Freedom of Information Act and begins to follow the provisions of the Public Procurement Act which would provide the public with the details on who are getting government contracts and in what amounts. No more blank cheques for the Davis administration. They must show the Bahamian people how they are spending their tax dollars before asking for more.”
On Monday, the Davis administration released its draft domestic minimum top-up tax bill for consultation revealing its plans to implement a Pillar 2 corporate tax.
The 15 percent corporate tax on profits will apply to large multinational enterprises (MNEs) with at least €750m in annual turnover and is intended to ensure The Bahamas complies and fulfills its obligations as one of 140 countries that have signed on to the G-20/ Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD).
The consultation process will end on September 16, with the bill anticipated to be submitted for Parliament approval on October 9.
Mr Pintard criticised the Davis administration for not undergoing “robust public consultation and education” about the corporate minimum tax since its green paper was published last year and said the FNM did not receive a “substantive” response when it offered feedback on its implementation.
“This Green Paper was supposed to be the start of a fulsome national conversation and dialogue on major tax and fiscal reform. As is convention, the Green Paper ought to have been followed with robust public consultation and education – after which a White Paper should have been published with a clearly articulated policy and related strategy for tax and fiscal reform that would be informed by the outcomes of the national discourse and debate ” said Mr Pintard.
“Unfortunately, after we in the opposition and other stakeholders provided written feedback on the Green Paper as requested, the government abandoned the national consultation. We never received a substantive response. No public engagement was undertaken. No White Paper was prepared.”
In a letter addressed to Simon Wilson, Financial Secretary on July 31, 2023, Mr Pintard said he did not oppose a corporate income tax in principle given the international pressures and The Bahamas’ commitment to the G-20/OECD 15 percent “global minimum tax” drive. However, he added that the implementation of such a tax must be accompanied by “fulsome reform…. that would abolish” the current business licence fee regime that is levied on companies’ gross turnovers as opposed to net profits.
Mr Pintard added that The Bahamas has an “obligation to get it right” on tax reform through wide consultation, conducting the necessary empirical studies and seeking expert advice.
Also calling for a system of tax credits and incentives to be created for Bahamian firms that hire more workers, or invest in expansion, under a corporate income tax, Mr Pintard argued that should such a levy be implemented it must “respect” Freeport’s free trade zone status and not be imposed on the city’s businesses.
And the Opposition leader added that any tax reform, whether corporate income or otherwise, needed to align with the government’s fiscal targets and objectives of eliminating the annual deficit and cutting the debt-to-GDP ratio to 50 percent by generating sufficient revenues.
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Guyana
Guyana Power and Light, a publicly owned utility, has kicked off a tender to select an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor for three solar plants with battery energy storage. The deadline for applications is Sept. 26.
Guyana Power and Light has launched a tender for an EPC contractor to build three solar plants in Guyana with a combined 15 MWp capacity and 22 MWh of battery storage. Applications are due by Sept. 26, according to the tender documents.
The publicly owned utility company is executing the tender on behalf of the national government. Financing for the projects will come from funds under the Guyana-Norway partnership.
A complete set of bidding documents can be purchased for a non-refundable fee of GYD 20,000 ($95). Bids must be received via post by Sept. 26.
Guyana had 8 MW of deployed solar at the end of last year, according to figures from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
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