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Bachelor new Calypso King
St. Lucia's last Calypso King of the 20th century is Bachelor. A newcomer to the calypso tents, he won the jurors' approval with a satirical rendition targeting the weaknesses of religious ministers, entitled 'Hypocrite'.
Tens of thousands of people are taking to the streets in what is to be a week of partying all over St. Lucia. Carnival fever in the island steadily increased since the Calypso semi-finals night, two weeks ago, in the 'big yard' - the Marchand Grounds. Last Saturday, Invader was crowned Soca Monarch and earlier last week, North Stars Steel Orchestra dethroned last year's winning steelband, Diamond Steel in a well-attended Panorama event. For the first time in years, St. Lucia's carnival is being celebrated in July, in an attempt to attract more overseas visitors. Although so far, weather conditions have not been conducive, Jam Time '99, climaxing with the carnival bands' parade in the streets of Castries on Tuesday, is expected to attract a big turn-out. St. Lucia Carnival is attracting a fair amount of attention from the American and English media. New York City's 'WPAT 930' broadcasts the Calypso Monarch competition (17 July) live, and five of the station's reporters are on location to cover the week's events. In the UK, 'Choice FM' pays attention to Jam Time '99.
Governor-General receives knighthood and honorary doctorate
Governor-General Dr. Calliopa Pearlette Louisy has been knighted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Her Excellency received the Grand Cross of St. Michael and St. George during an audience with Her Majesty on Friday 16th July. Dame Dr. Louisy is currently in the UK to receive an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Bristol University. Her Excellency is a native of Laborie. Her achievements in the field of education have been widely recognised. Before assuming the office of Governor-General, in 1997, she served as prinicpal of the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College. She is also involved in the development of the use of the Kweyol language, and in the arts and culture of St. Lucia.
Sainsbury's to buy organically grown tropical fruit
British supermarket chain Sainsbury's is looking into buying organically grown exotic fruits such as bananas, mangoes, star fruit and passion fruit directly from the Windward Islands of St. Lucia, Dominica, St. Vincent and Grenada. According to a report in The Crusader (17 July), Sainsbury's is currently conducting studies to examine the opportunities of converting at least one of the Windward islands to organic production. Results of the study are expected in November. In collaboration with the Windward Islands Banana Development & Exporting Company (WIBDECO), Sainsbury's is also considering developing dedicated areas on each of the islands to grow organic produce. The partnership, which is thought to be the first of its kind, highlights the growing popularity of organic products with the British public.
Shares in National Bank overwhelmingly popular
The privatization of the National Commercial Bank of St. Lucia (NCB) has been an overwhelming success. As of now, 3042 St. Lucians, 171 OECS-nationals, 14 non-OECS nationals and the Government of St. Lucia are shareholders of the bank - with the Government being the main shareholder with sixty percent. The initial offering was for a total of $19 million, with the bank having the right to increase the amount to $20 million, but NCB received subscriptions in excess of $32 million. The NCB is particularly pleased with the response to the offering from the St. Lucian public, which in aggregate subscribed for over $11 million. Regional indigenous banks subscribed for $10 million and regional private life insurance companies and government insurance schemes for $5 million in aggregate. Under the terms of the offering, in allocating subscriptions, priority has been given to local and small investors.
Leaders agree: visa requirements for Martinique must go
The stiff visa requirements that Martinique imposes on St. Lucians and other CARICOM travellers must be abolished says Dr. Kenny Anthony. Elected political leaders of Martinique's General Council agreed with St. Lucia's Prime Minister, when he paid an official visit to Martinique earlier this week. President of the General Council, Mr. Lise said: "It is both impossible and unacceptable that there cannot be free travel and movement between our two islands". Dr. Anthony reinforced Mr. Lise's words, stating: "Surely, persons wishing to receive medical care, students on educational visits, artists engaging in cultural activism and media practictioners must not suffer the indignity or rejection or the frustration of a truncated stay. Dr. Anthony also revealed he had raised the matter with French President Jacques Chirac, during a meeting last month in Brazil. According to Dr. Anthony, Chirac has proposed "a way to approach the question" but Dr. Anthony declined to explain, as yet, exactly how the visa issue might be resolved, or within what timeframe .
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