 Coming to you from our GIS studios, I am Anicia Antoine and this is your midday news brief. The agricultural sector in St. Lucia continues to reap great benefits from the collaboration between the government of the Republic of China Taiwan and the government of St. Lucia. The president of the Republic of China Taiwan during her state visit visited the IRDC to witness firsthand the impact of the Banana Productivity Improvement Project on the agricultural sector in St. Lucia. The project consists of a variety of sub-projects and initiatives in areas such as education and pest control to achieve banana production at an optimum level. Over the past three years, the number of banana farmers has increased from 230 to 643 farmers and the number of farmers exporting fruits to the United Kingdom has also increased from 195 to 291 farmers currently. The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Physical Planning, Natural Resources and Cooperatives Honourably Zika Joseph informed that despite the hindrances caused by climate change, last year recorded the highest rate on banana export during the period of 2014 to 2018. Minister Joseph expressed gratitude to the Taiwanese government for their continued support. Prime Minister Hon. Alan Chastney has extended congratulations to the new United Kingdom Prime Minister, the right Hon. Boris Johnson. Tuesdays this week, Mr. Johnson was elected new Conservative leader in a ballot of party members and became UK Prime Minister on Wednesday, July 24th, 2019. In his congratulatory message, Prime Minister Chastney said, quote, on behalf of the government and people of St. Lucia, I congratulate and welcome the new UK Prime Minister, Mr. Boris Johnson. We have a great relationship with the UK and hope to continue to build on that relationship and dialogue with the new Prime Minister about issues which impact and benefit both our countries. End quote. The 7th annual North American Showcase is being hosted here by the St Lucia Tourism Authority against a booming local tourism industry. The North American Showcase is a platform for tour operators from the USA and Canada to engage with hotels, tours, attractions and other tourism products on the island. It is also an opportunity for tour operators to see the latest updates on the destination and learn about new products. This has been your Midday News Brief. Thank you for watching.