Articles | Project Calls

CDB Supporting Regional Food Security Thrust and Agri-Trade in Guyana

April 18, 2024 by Mayra Bonilla Lopez 0 comments

Guyana

The Caribbean is one of the major food importers paying close to USD 6 billion for 80% of its food imports. While there is latent capacity within the agriculture sector, the region’s farmers are constrained by several factors including the absence of clear guidelines and protocols for the movement of plant and animal products. This gap affects everyone involved in intra-regional agri-food trade from the small community farmers to traders to retailers by limiting their ability to capitalise on trade opportunities within the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). Consumers are also negatively affected as their access to nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables produced within the region is also curtailed. Connectivity, cooperation and integration are therefore key in reducing not only the massive food import bill but also in reducing the cost of produce and manufacturing inputs.

The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) is supporting agriculture and rural development, and business competitiveness with two new projects in Guyana targeting national and regional food security. The Strengthening Surveillance Programmes for Bovine Tuberculosis and Bovine Brucellosis in Guyana and the Development of a Food Products Traceability System for Pineapples and Leafy Greens in Guyana projects are tools with which the Bank is assisting Guyana, the region’s food basket, to improve not only productivity and market linkages but also aspects of CARICOM’s 25 by 2025 initiative.

According to Lisa Harding the Bank’s Acting Head of the Private Sector Division, “We’re committed to supporting all our Borrowing Member Countries with instilling good agricultural practices and compliance procedures among stakeholders of the agri-food supply chain, and the development of regional public goods to strengthen agriculture health and food safety and increase intra-regional trade.”

CDB’s work in the Caribbean also emphasizes agri-business as a critical area for investment. Through collaborations with development partners, agriculture stakeholders inclusive of farmers are being empowered to adopt cutting edge technology to enhance production. Beyond human capital development, CDB is also pursuing cluster and value chain development focused on priority commodities and offering financing to small farmers and Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs). The Bank recently partnered with CARDI on a sweet potato, value chain project and has supported several initiatives for farmers focused on climate resilient agriculture with financing from the United Kingdom’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office. Initiatives in trade through the ongoing EPA & CSME Standby Facility financed by the European Union are addressing challenges related to trade barriers, standards and certification in 14 countries. In addition, the Bank is supporting projects to improve transportation, logistics, road and drainage infrastructure in response to climate change which has had significant impacts on the sector.

At the national level, Guyana, one of the largest producers of agricultural products in the region, and whose President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali has been championing efforts to bolster agri-food trade, will receive the added benefit of two new initiatives to contribute to the Cooperative Republic’s and CARICOM’s longer-term food security objectives. Commenting on the project Agriculture Minister, Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha, recently stated that these projects address critical areas needed for a reliable agri-food system.

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Three-Day Elevate Procurement Conference Set for April

March 28, 2024 by Mayra Bonilla Lopez

Jamaica

The inaugural staging of the ELEVATE Procurement Conference is slated for April 23 to 25 at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, in St. James.

An initiative of the Office of Public Procurement Policy in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, ELEVATE aims to create and advance a new procurement paradigm that responds to client needs and global changes.

Addressing Thursday’s (February 15) media launch, held at the AC Hotel by Marriott, in New Kingston, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Senator the Hon. Aubyn Hill, underscored that procurement is vital to Jamaica and the process will need continuous improvement as circumstances change.

He noted that the Infrastructure Committee of Cabinet approves government contracts valued at $60 million and more and the total amount recommended to the Committee for its approval was US$134.4 billion last year.

Senator Hill argued that for Jamaica to achieve a fair, efficient, equitable and transparent procurement process, it must be founded on the tenets of peace, productivity and prosperity.

“Public procurement, when conducted transparently and with integrity, creates an environment of peace and stability within our society. Effective public procurement practices are instrumental in driving productivity across all sectors of our society. By leveraging economies of scale and encouraging innovation among suppliers, we can deliver goods and services more efficiently and cost-effectively,” Senator Hill said.

He added that by investing in infrastructure projects and other strategic initiatives, the Government is creating conditions necessary for sustained productivity growth that will raise living standards and improve the quality of life of Jamaicans.

“Public procurement has the power to unlock new opportunities for economic prosperity and national development. When we prioritise investment in key sectors such as healthcare, education and infrastructure, we can lay the groundwork for long-term prosperity and inclusive growth,” Senator Hill said.

Meanwhile, Chief Procurement Policy Officer in the Ministry, Andrei Bennett, said there is an exciting line-up of speakers, panels and fireside chats for the three-day conference, which will be held under the theme ‘Elevate: Innovate, Create’.

“We’ll delve into topics ranging from digital transformation to risk management, to cross-border procurement through regional trade agreements and others. Our aim is to equip each participant with the knowledge, tools and insights needed to navigate the complexities of modern procurement, whether you’re a supplier or you’re a procurement practitioner,” he noted.

Mr. Bennett reasoned that ELEVATE will connect people, change the narrative, generate ideas and solve problems.

“ELEVATE Procurement Conference is going to make sure that the interactions we have with public procurement are positive ones, not only about allegations of corruption or malfeasance but positive experiences, because the procurement system is working and it’s working well,” he said.

For his part, President of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), Metry Seaga, said the conference underscores the importance of collaborative efforts in achieving a procurement system that aligns with best practices and propels Jamaica towards economic efficiency and transparency.

“An efficient procurement system is the backbone of a vibrant economy. It ensures that the public and private sector investments are made wisely with a focus on quality, value and sustainability,” he emphasised.

Admission for the conference is US$50 per day or US$135 for three days.

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Government of Belize signs contract for grant to construct San Pedro General Hospital

March 28, 2024 by Mayra Bonilla Lopez

Belize

Тоdау, Рrіmе Міnіѕtеr Ноn. Јоhn Вrісеñо аnd Мr. Јаmеѕ Нѕіао, Gеnеrаl Маnаgеr оf thе Таіwаn Оvеrѕеаѕ Еngіnееrіng аnd Соnѕtruсtіоn Соmраnу (ОЕСС), ѕіgnеd а UЅ$16,678,680 соntrасt fоr thе dеѕіgn, соnѕtruсtіоn аnd еquірріng оf а gеnеrаl hоѕріtаl fоr Ѕаn Реdrо Тоwn аnd Сауе Саulkеr. Тhіѕ рrојесt іѕ fundеd bу а grаnt frоm thе Gоvеrnmеnt оf thе Rерublіс оf Сhіnа (Таіwаn).

Тhе соntrасt ѕіgnіng іѕ іn furthеrаnсе оf thе соореrаtіоn аgrееmеnt ѕіgnеd bу Веlіzе аnd thе Rерublіс оf Сhіnа (Таіwаn) іn Јаnuаrу 2023 tо ѕtrеngthеn bоth соuntrіеѕ’ mutuаl соореrаtіоn.

Іn thаnkіng Н.Е. Lіlу Нѕu, Аmbаѕѕаdоr оf thе Rерublіс оf Сhіnа (Таіwаn), fоr hеr соuntrу’ѕ gеnеrоuѕ grаnt, Рrіmе Міnіѕtеr Вrісеñо nоtеd thаt thе hоѕріtаl wіll соntrіbutе tо іmрrоvеd ассеѕѕ tо hеаlth саrе fоr thе rеѕіdеntѕ оf Ѕаn Реdrо аnd Сауе Саulkеr аnd wіll аlѕо еnhаnсе Веlіzе’ѕ tоurіѕm рrоduсt оn thе hіghlу vіѕіtеd іѕlаndѕ.

Іn аttеndаnсе fоr thе ѕіgnіng wеrе Ноn. Кеvіn Веrnаrd, Міnіѕtеr оf Неаlth & Wеllnеѕѕ; Ноn. Аndrе Реrеz, Аrеа Rерrеѕеntаtіvе fоr Веlіzе Rurаl Ѕоuth; Ніѕ Wоrѕhір Wаllу Nunеz, Мауоr оf Ѕаn Реdrо Тоwn; Мrѕ. Nаrdа Gаrсіа, СЕО іn thе Оffісе оf thе Рrіmе Міnіѕtеr; Мrѕ. Wеn Сhоu, Соunѕеlоr аt Еmbаѕѕу оf thе Rерublіс оf Сhіnа (Таіwаn); Мr. Тоnу Сhаng, ОЕСС Dерutу Gеnеrаl Маnаgеr; аnd Мr. Јаѕоn Lіn, ОЕСС Gеnеrаl Маnаgеr Аѕѕіѕtаntt

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Major infrastructure works out to tender

March 28, 2024 by Mayra Bonilla Lopez

Turks and Caicos Islands

Road repairs, drainage works, and other major infrastructure projects will commence on all islands within the coming months.

To this end, the government announced on January 24, that several major infrastructure works are now out to tender and encouraged interested parties to visit gov.tc/publicservice/government-tenders for more information on the projects.

For the 2023/2024 fiscal year, the Ministry of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development is working with a $65m budget for ongoing and new capital projects across the Turks and Caicos Islands.

While many infrastructure projects are currently underway across the islands, new tenders are out for Providenciales for drainage projects, road paving & repair, and recreational park upgrades: Blue Hills, Five Cays, Kew Town and The Bight.

For North and Middle Caicos, tenders are out for Bambarra Beach Vendor Market Renovation, the Horse Stable Beach Renovation, and the Bottle Creek Community Centre upgrade.

Additionally, for South Caicos, a tender is out for the Conch Ground Enhancements Redevelopment of Regatta Village and road repairs.

The Project Management Division of the public works department which is responsible for managing all Capital Development Infrastructure Projects undertaken, is expected to manage several projects for FY 2023/2024, with an overall total of $19.6m.

These projects include highway and community road improvement projects, remediation works to ponds and bridges, drainage improvement works, and community enhancement and restoration works. (Olivia Rose)

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$2.9million Contract Expected To Stop Fires At Providenciales Landfill

March 28, 2024 by Mayra Bonilla Lopez

Turks and Caicos Islands

The nagging fires at the landfill in Wheeland, Providenciales, are expected to be a thing of the past when a new local company which was awarded a $2.9million contract, takes over management of the site.

During a press conference on Thursday, January 18th, 2024, Minister of Health and Human Services, with responsibility for Solid Waste, Shaun Malcolm revealed that the three-year contract has been awarded and fully executed as of January 5th 2024 to TCI Green Ecological Corporation Ltd, to manage the waste disposal site on the island of Providenciales.

TCI Green Ecological Corporation (TCI-Green) is owned by brothers, Richard Gibbs and Delroy Gibbs of Turks and Caicos Islands.

Asked by The SUN, does this means an end to the fires at the landfill, Richard Gibbs assured that once their company takes over, the fires will stop.

“Our company has already strategized the proper way of managing the fires on the landfill. We will be providing that information to the Environmental Department, but I can assure you that once our company TCI Green Ecological Corporation takes over the landfill, the fires will stop. That’s not going to be a concern for the community and especially for the people of the Wheeland community,” he said.

Meantime, Malcolm stated that at the end of their three-year contract, government will be in a position to offer more contracts in the foreseeable future.

Asked what happens after the three years, Malcolm said, “We have moved on to the Interim report of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and based on the emergency issues that is going on down at the land site…but we will shortly be receiving a comprehensive report that will not only address the landfill situation in Providenciales, but the whole Turks and Caicos Islands. At the end of the three years, we will be in a position to offer more…contracts that will go into the foreseeable future.”

He continued: “We know that the issues at the land site are nothing that just started two years ago when we arrived in government. It has been a sore issue that was not addressed for a long time. We came into office and we zeroed in right away on fixing this issue, starting from our first minister of Health Honorable E. Jay Saunders and of course the Honorable Jamell Robinson took it another long stretch and I guess I am the end game. It is a big issue and we promise that we will do something about it.”

Malcolm further stated that his government is well advanced in fixing what they promised and said that they would do at the Providenciales land site. Over the years, the Providenciales Landfill site has become a focal point for various issues, ranging from unsightliness and odors, and to more concerning problems like fires, smoke from past fires, increased vectors, human scavenging, and associated crimes.

He added: “The current state of the landfill reflects a mix of waste types that demands our immediate attention and careful management. From mixed waste to green waste, sewage, dead animals, inert waste, derelict vehicles and boats, electronic waste, medical and pharmaceutical waste, scrap metals and tires – each category requires proper handling to mitigate the impact on our environment and the well-being of our residents and visitors.”

Previously, Malcolm said, the government entrusted a private company with the operations and management of the Providenciales Landfill. This contract came to an end in 2018. Since the conclusion of the contract, the Environmental Health Department along with the Ministry of Health, have been working tirelessly to ensure sustainable management of the site was in place.

“To ensure that works were being carried out on the Landfill, the management of the waste disposal site on the island of Providenciales was executed through short-term contracts, this was not only unsustainable, but presented many health and safety challenges such as fires and an increase of scavenging,” he added.

“In response to these challenges, the Public and Environmental Health Department, through lessons learnt from the previous contract, developed an ITT for tendering, this document took into consideration the strategies needed to enhance the aesthetics of the site, and also protect the public health of the population, particularly those who reside close to the Landfill site.”

According to Malcolm, as of April 2019, the department estimated a daily solid waste production of approximately three hundred and thirty-five (335) tons per day. However, the site, covering approximately sixty-six (66) acres, has the potential for expansion to accommodate the growing waste management needs of our community.

“To further enhance the Providenciales Landfill, the Environmental Health Department through the Ministry of Health and Human Services in its efforts to improve the Providenciales Landfill site, we are pleased to announce that the Perimeter fencing works are ongoing to secure the premises of the landfill site, this work is key in terms of preventing scavengers for entering the site. The access road around perimeter of the landfill has been completed, in the event access is needed from a different location, we now have that ability,” Malcolm added.

Additionally, a new weighbridge has purchased and should be fully be installed during the month of February 2024. This will assist the department in recording data in terms of the amount of waste being collected on the site which will be used to develop future policies.

“I am also pleased to advise that the Environmental Health Department currently have in stock, indoor air quality monitors which are being used to tests offices or homes once a request is made to the Department. In addition to the in-door air quality monitors, we have procured out-door air quality monitors, these are essential for the Providenciales Landfill in Providenciales, the outdoor monitors are expected to be in country by the end of February,” he said.

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