NEWS
Used car dealers: Wrong timing for liberalisation of fuel industry
President of the Automotive Dealers Association (TTADA) Visham Babwah is calling on Government to delay plans to liberalise the fuel industry. He said the timing is wrong and would further devastate the economy which has taken a covid19 beating. Babwah views the liberalisation as another form of taxation to impose on the already burdened taxpayer. Read more here
Suspect in Flament case sent to St Ann's for evaluation
The female suspect held in connection with the disappearance of Princes Town resident Kadijah Flament is now being treated at the St Ann’s Psychiatric Hospital. This follows an incident on Friday, captured on videos that have been circulating on social media, where the woman was seen acting erratic and had stripped herself naked. The woman had been in COVID-19 quarantine under police guard at her home when her actions were recorded by persons nearby, who subsequently posted videos and photos on social media. Read more here
POLITICS
Trade Ministry publishing monthly reports
The Ministry of Trade and Industry has started the publication of monthly reports on the operations of various border agencies as part of its trade facilitation agenda and to improve trade and customs border transparency. In a statement, the ministry said the reports will include information about various border agencies which play a critical role in processing the importation of goods under their respective legislative responsibilities. Read more here
T&T left out Barbados’ travel bubble programme
Trinidad and Tobago is not part of the Caribbean travel bubble expected to the instituted at the end of the month in Barbados. Over the weekend, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley announced the new travel bubble coming into effect at the end of this month for fully vaccinated travellers with negative PCR tests. Travellers from countries named in the bubble will not be required to do PCR tests or quarantine upon arrival in Barbados. However, citizens from T&T, Jamaica, Belize, Guyana and the Bahamas were not included in this rejuvenated travel bubble, which means vaccinated citizens from these nations will still be tested at the Grantly Adams Airport and unvaccinated travellers will be required to go into a five-day quarantine. Read more here
BUSINESS
Sagicor refinances high-cost debt
SAGICOR Financial Company announced last week that a subsidiary had issued a notice of redemption for the US$188 million balance of 8.875 per cent senior notes due in 2022. In a news release, the company said it expects the 2022 notes will be redeemed on August 11, 2021, in accordance with the terms of the agreement governing the 2022 notes. The notes will be redeemed at an aggregate redemption price of approximately US$188 million, which is 100 per cent of the remaining principal amount of the 2022 notes being redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest. Read more here
REGIONAL
Contract awarded for design of US$17.5M upgrade to hospitals
The Government of India has approved for Guyana a US$17.5 million (GY$3.6 billion) Line of Credit to execute modernisation works on three of the country’s primary health care facilities. According to High Commissioner of India to Guyana, Dr. K.J Srinivasa, the contract has already been awarded for the preparation and submission of designs for the upgrades, which will take effect at three hospitals – the Suddie Regional Hospital in Essequibo, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); the West Demerara Regional Hospital in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and the Bartica District Hospital in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni). Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Tokyo 2020: Up to 10,000 Japanese fans will be permitted at Olympic venues
Up to 10,000 Japanese fans will be permitted at Tokyo 2020 Olympic venues, despite warnings from health bosses. Overseas spectators are already banned but organisers said domestic fans could attend providing crowds did not exceed 50% of a venue's capacity. Fans will not be allowed to shout or speak loudly, and must wear face masks at all times while in venues. The Olympics are scheduled to begin on 23 July, while the Paralympics follow a month later, from 24 August. Spectator numbers for the Paralympics will be confirmed by 16 July, said a joint statement from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), the Tokyo 2020 organising committee, the Tokyo metropolitan government and the government of Japan. Read more here
Witness describes aftermath of horrific crash that left 9 children and 1 adult dead in Alabama
Nine children and one adult were killed in an accident involving multiple vehicles on Interstate 65 in Butler County, Alabama, on Saturday, according to Butler County Coroner Wayne Garlock. Eight of the children killed, ranging in age from 4 to 17, were in a vehicle from the Tallapoosa County Girls Ranch, Garlock said. The youth ranch provides a home for neglected or abused school-age children, according to the Alabama Sheriffs Youth Ranches, the nonprofit that manages the Tallapoosa County girls ranch and others across the state. A 29-year-old father and his 9-month-old daughter who were in another vehicle were also killed, Garlock said. Read more here
21st June 2021