 Welcome to the NTN Nightly. I'm Nisha Charles. This edition stops stories. The president of the Republic of China Taiwan deems the partnership in public infrastructure undertakings here a foundation for sustainable development. The Chamber of Commerce gets a first-hand look at an innovative productivity tool. St. Lucien's in the diaspora continue to demonstrate interest in their homeland. All that plus the latest in youth development, sports, and the NTN Nouvelle Arquéon. President of the Republic of China Taiwan, Her Excellency Tai Ing-wen, ended an official visit to St. Lucia on Friday 19 July 2019 as she closed off a tour of Caribbean allies. President Tai praised the relationship between St. Lucia and Taiwan as one of mutual benefit and development. On Thursday 18 July, President Tai addressed St. Lucia's parliament in a special sitting. Speaking to the various projects St. Lucia and Taiwan have been engaged in, the Taiwan leader said public infrastructure is a foundation for sustainable development in any country. In addition to the St. Jude Hospital, we have also begun work of the International Airport as well as a national road system. These projects do more than build Brazilian infrastructures. They also create high quality jobs. That is also an important element of the SDGs. While project loans will come from Taiwanese banks, the work will be contracted to St. Lucia's companies through Taiwan's overseas engineering. This means we will be hiring local workers and using local materials. This model of cooperation ensures that both our peoples can participate and reap the benefits. There will be no issue of debt traps, unlike some other corporation models. Meantime President Tai has commended Prime Minister Hon. Alan Shastney for his persistence and dedication to rebuilding the St. Jude Hospital. The Taiwan President says together her government and St. Lucia are ensuring health and wellness for people of all ages. Ten years after the initial fire that destroyed the hospital, the government of St. Lucia and the government of Taiwan have promised the people of the south that their new hospital is on its way. The Minister for Health and Wellness, Senator Hon. Mary Isaac expressed confidence in the government of the Republic of China Taiwan to bring the project to fruition. The St. Jude Hospital is not just a hospital in the south of the island. That will serve the people, tourists, family, friends and foreigners. It is not just another necessary project. It is not just a project that we have waited long and spent millions of scarce dollars to complete. No, it is not. It is a monument of faith. It is a monument of hope. It is a monument of charity to the people of St. Lucia. Faith is that the God we serve must have seen the catastrophic effects of the fire that was wheeled on a structure much in need of repair and replacement and the people with little and insufficient funds to do so. Funding for the hospital includes 10 million U.S. dollars which was left over from an existing loan with Taiwan and an additional 20 million U.S. dollars totaling 30 million U.S. dollars. The Taiwanese President, Her Excellency Tai Ing-wen, has long hoped to support the reconstruction efforts. Since taking office, Prime Minister Shastane has pushed hard for improvements to St. Jude Hospital and combined efforts of both our governments and public-private partnership we can finally begin to realize the dreams that the people of St. Lucia have looked forward to for such a long time. So I find it especially meaningful to be participating in the groundbreaking ceremony for St. Jude Hospital's renovation and delighted to be able to witness this important moment alongside distinguished guests and the people of St. Lucia today. This redevelopment will not only improve healthcare quality for people in the southern part of St. Lucia but also contribute toward the UN SDG of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages. Government has appointed the OECC's Engineering and Construction Corporation, the OECC, as the main contractor to build the new hospital. Prime Minister Hon. Alan Shastane says that given the OECC's track record he's confident that the project will be delivered on time and within budget. The initial attempt at reconstruction had not, we regret to say, been successful. In fact, it has produced very disappointing results. But this town of U4 needs and deserves a modern hospital to serve this southern part of the island. And this is what we are embarking on today. This project must be completed once and for all. The 90 bed facility will cater to both inpatient and outpatient services and will see the construction of a new wing to incorporate all the functions and services of the existing east and surgical wings. There will be integration through retrofitting of some existing buildings to achieve a fully functioning hospital which will match the services of a level 4 hospital. With the assistance of the Government of the Republic of China Taiwan, the Grusley constituency boasts a modern human resource development centre. Anise Antoine reports on the dedication ceremony held Thursday. The Government of St. Lucia with assistance from the Government of Taiwan have refurbished the Grusley Human Resource Development Centre. The freshly opened centre is equipped with facilities such as an auditorium, a restaurant, a music studio, a conference room and office spaces. Parliamentary representative for the constituency of Grusley, Hon. Leonard Montout, explained that the centre can be used to enable a roof of creativity which can be highlighted as an extension of the Grusley Friday night experience. I envision inclusion as the showcasing of plays or musical performances become part of the social and cultural life of this constituency. Further, my ministry holds the responsibility to work towards endowing and fostering independence through training and the development of skills in the adult population. This is a responsibility that we take seriously and I am pleased at the availability of the training room which will facilitate more thorough and organised training experiences covering a wide range of areas of expertise. I view this centre therefore as a catalyst for growth and development of Grusley and the neighbouring communities. The Republic of China Taiwan has completed over 2,400 projects across St. Lucia via the constituency development programme. The President of the Republic of China Taiwan, Her Excellency Tai Ing-wen, during her state visit was a guest of honour at the opening ceremony. The President stated that the centre will be essential in achieving tourism policy goals set by the Government of St. Lucia. People will be able to take part in classes to learn crucial job skills. The centre will also provide the community with a space for young people to come together and hone their artistic talents. So with the completion of one project, we are helping to bolster economic growth, revitalise local culture and spur tourism. I can see that Grusley is a vibrant community and the addition of this centre will help to bring the community closer together and better showcase your cultural diversity. The opening ceremony took place on Thursday, July 18, 2019. From the Government Information Service, I am Anisia Antoine reporting. The Chamber of Commerce got a first-hand look at an innovative product created by the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council designed to measure productivity within their business. Measuring productivity is critical to a business as it is a measure of the efficiency of a firm in utilising its production inputs to provide a given level of output. More from Glenn Simon. ProTool. Measuring productivity and building efficiency in business was the title of a presentation made to the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce by the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council during the Chamber's quarterly event called HR Connect. Executive Director of the NCPC Fiona Hingson explained that businesses are required to measure their performance, particularly their productivity. This is in an effort to sustain efficient operations, ensure proper allocation and time management, identify weak areas, provide timely feedback, track progress, which can lead to profitability of the business. The NCPC was very excited today to present to the Chamber of Commerce the membership about the ProTool. It is an interactive software that the NCPC has been working on. The ProTool basically helps firm measure the level of productivity, assess the qualitative aspects of the business in terms of business processes, innovation, leadership and management and so on, and also give them right away recommendations on the areas that they can improve. The NCPC laments the insufficiency of data on business productivity in St. Lucia, attributed mainly to the inability of small and micro businesses to measure their level of productivity, which the ProTool is designed to capture. This tool will be able to measure not only productivity of labour, it can measure productivity of capital, productivity of raw materials, energy productivity, any type of input that the firm uses in the production, the tool will be able to give a specific measure of it. Executive Director of the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce, industry and agriculture, Brian Luisi, said the Chamber is keen on working with its members to improve the productivity of their workers and operations to ensure they remain competitive and profitable. We thought that the work of the NCPC in developing the ProTool needed to be shared with members and members should be given the opportunity to learn more about the ProTool and actually use it. So within the ProTool gives the members an opportunity to measure their performance, measure the level of productivity, identify gaps in diet value, opportunity for enhancement and improvement and so we thought bringing members together for the presentation, explanation and exposition on the ProTool would be a very useful exercise. Chairman of the NCPC, Jared Begas noted that the presentation demonstrates very clearly that the NCPC is out there in the market seeking to improve the lot for businesses in St. Lucia and the nation as a whole. We don't compete only in St. Lucia, we compete globally and if we are not trying to be more productive and getting more out of less, if we are not continually trying to do that then we are actually moving backwards. The St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce plans to work closely with the NCPC to promote the use of the ProTool among its members and the wider business community. The presentation was held on July 10th at Coco Palm Hotel's conference room. For the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council, Glenn Simon reporting. And this is the NTN Nightly. Ryan O'Brien is up next. The problem starts with finding a suitable spot. It extends to double parking. Offloading zones are ignored, thus inconveniencing commercial activity. Handicapped spots are occupied by drivers who use the quick errand excuse. And of course there's the constant fear of parking tickets. In an effort to curb these and other parking related issues, the Castery City Council will be implementing short-term paid parking. $3 an hour can save you $500 in parking tickets. Short-term paid parking, coming soon. Welcome back. We join Ryan O'Brien for the latest happenings in youth development and sports. Thanks Nishio. Welcome everyone to another update from the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports on the NTN Nightly News. I'm Ryan O'Brien. As the 2019 edition of the Winner Island Schools Games approaches and destined for Dominica, the director of sports in the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports, Patrick Matrae, says the schedule of disciplines to be contested will be similar to those competed in St. Lucia last year. As usual, we have not changed in terms of the sports that we have. We have volleyball, male and female, basketball, male and female, football, and of course track and field. So those are the components, those are the aspects of the Games. I'm sorry about also netball. And basically St. Lucia for the last few years have won the netball component and we expect more of the same. Our greatest worry has been with the male basketball. They seem to be very inconsistent. But as for the coaches and what they have done, it seems that we're more prepared and we would see St. Lucia coming, not in the cellar position but somewhere up, hopefully first. But we feel a bit more confident this year for our team because of the preparation. And the good thing about it is that we have retained a lot of the team from last year. So almost 50% of the team is still there. And so they have had the experience. They know what to expect. And as you would know that Dominic has always had a task because they come for St. Lucia specifically. But this time around, I think we're ready. The director of sports in the ministry of youth development and sports, Patrick Mattrain, he added that one of the good things going for St. Lucia this year is the fact that half of the team members from last year would have been retained for this year's Games. Secretary General of the Caribbean Community, Karikom, Irwin Narok has hinted there can be other sporting events other than the Karikom 10K that can be staged around the annual Heads of Government meeting. He made the comments following this year's Karikom 10K held here in St. Lucia. We've had walks for the Heads. It doesn't get any publicity, but we've had them. We had a walk in Antigua and Barbuda. We had a walk in Suriname. We had a walk in St. Kitts and Nevis and the Heads participated fully. So we just have to put it into the planning and try and get it done and so on. But yes, it's something that is always, we spoke about it, but it's something that's always on our program to get done. Karikom Secretary General Irwin Narok and in that item we have come to the end of your segment from youth development and sports for today. I'm Ryan O'Brien. Thanks Ryan. St. Lucia's in the diaspora continue to demonstrate interest in the socio-economic development of their homeland. Here's Chanel Norville with the latest example. St. Lucia National and Registered Nurse Virginia Wolfe and husband Lloyd Wolfe extended their generosity to the Castries East elderly home care program. The couple recently made a donation of equipment and other items. Virginia Wolfe explained the initiative. I started to work on the project of assisting the elderly and bringing getting blood pressure machines and glucometers, adult diapers and chucks on the pads, nightgowns and anything medical that would help our elderly. And I also helped sponsor four kids at the Seventy Adventist Academy. Two of them graduated and one of them was the valedictorian. And I'm very grateful for the opportunity to be able to do it. St. Lucia Social Development Fund, SSDF's representative attached to the Home Health elderly care program and Selma Cauldron thanked the individuals for their generosity. Occasionally we tap into the assistance of individuals who could assist us in making the program even better. Because if left to SSDF alone, there is so much that could be accomplished that wouldn't. So we want to thank individuals like those who will be introducing to you in a little bit who were able to take time off their busy schedule, who were able to sacrifice some of their finances to be with us to ensure that the program is able to benefit and expand. Ambassador for Diaspora Affairs Dr. Joyce Lynn-Clarke Fletcher threw her support behind the initiative. And this is what we're trying, the message we're sending out here to our diaspora, that you are important, you are valuable, you matter to St. Lucia. This is why the Government of St. Lucia have decided to implement what has been on the backbone for a number of years. All of them are interested in it, but it is now being implemented. And we are reaching out to the diaspora saying, look, the Government of St. Lucia appreciates you. You can give back with your skills, you can give back with your talents, you can give back with your finances, you can invest in St. Lucia for your business, you can do trade. We are now willing to partner with you, to work with you to make it happen. The Ministry of Tourism, Information and Broadcasting, Culture and Creative Industries, with responsibility for culture and creative industries, Honourable Fortuna Bell Rose, indicated how such an initiative can benefit the people of St. Lucia. The Care for the Elderly is a program that our Government, even this year, have expanded because you recognize that there's so much need on the ground in communities. But we will never be able to meet all the needs. And so, contributions like yours, you know, St. Lucia's in the diaspora like you, are free to continue to contribute. And we really much appreciate the assistance that you've given. It is making a difference and you talked about visiting the people on the ground and actually getting involved in them, actually getting the medical attention. That's the kind of thing we want. We still, you are connected. You live abroad but you're able to come back home and contribute in a significant way. And I think we're quite happy and we want to continue to encourage you to give that support. The couple pledged their continued support to the people of St. Lucia. For the Government Information Service, I am Genelle Norville. And stay with the NTA nightly. Up next, Primus Hutchinson is here with the NTA Novel Arqueo. It is absolutely necessary to wash your hands if you want to keep good health. And even if you don't wash your hands often, it will make you feel better. Listen. Wash your hands often and clean them thoroughly. After a while, you will feel better. For example, if you don't wash your hands, you can change your way of life. Your previous life, the type of people who are injured and ill, the type of animals and the type of animals you want to eat. And if you don't wash your hands often, it will make you feel better. Wash your hands often and clean them thoroughly. It is a good way to keep good health. For more information, go to the NTA Novel Arqueo. Welcome back. We join Primus Hutchinson for the NTA Novel Arqueo. Thank you very much. Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister, the University of Sambaliti, for the information and government of the CIGIS, the National Peer and National Television Association, for the NTA Novel Arqueo, for the Primus Hutchinson. We have a big ceremony to take place for the construction of the Nef Hospital, the 8th construction of the Nef Hospital, St. Jude, and the 4th Ministry of University of Sambaliti for Economic Development. We asked Joseph to deal with the quality of the facilities that affected the total number of people in the Nef Hospital, St. Jude. We asked Joseph to do some results for the project to go down this important level because I was surprised to see that there were a lot of people who deserved to be involved. We have Joseph T. Delivered Address Salar, make it a pass. During visitation, President of the Republic of China, that pay Taiwan, he visited this place, Madame Tsai Lingwen. Minister Joseph, he said that during the time he was in trouble, he had to find a construction, hospitals and so on. He declared that the government had to consider seriously the contributions that were already made by the other government that was cleaning up this place. Mr. Commitment Salar, it was one of the 20 million dollars that the government, the public patient of Taiwan, to help finish the construction of the St. Jude Hospital. That's why we have Joseph T. Delivered Address Salar, the government made a decision to rebuild the hospital on the other side of the country. He said that it would be necessary to rebuild it. The Minister declared that the St. Jude Hospital would have the capacity and facility to discuss whether it would be possible to rebuild the hospital and whether it would be possible to visit the hospital. The Minister of Economic Development said that the construction of the hospital would be complete. It would be necessary to have all the facilities and all the facilities that would be available to the business of the construction of Taiwan and the St. Jude Hospital. Thank you, Mr. President, for putting this place so close to the government and for the country and the government. We can't do anything to rebuild the hospital that was completely finished. We can't do anything to start the construction of the St. Jude Hospital so that it can be completed completely. We can't do anything to complete the construction of the hospital in the future. President Wibbubrikshin, the Taiwan Sai Ling Meng, and adversely, complimented government setlesi for FOIO, ecla.TV, reconstruction, hospitals, and jude. Madam President Sai, Felicity setlesi for the Degui Initiative Cooperation and Depays Ala. President Taiwan won 4C Commitment to continue supporting setlesi, particularly in the diverse Poujé and Tang, and mainly in the small hospitals and jude. President Sai said that Ika Kueh, the hospital that plays a role, is not only to address certain issues, but also to support the Degui that supports the Poujuei assistance setlesi for Nijian and the Pliguan in the south of the country. President Sai said that Ika Kueh, Poujé Sai said that Ika also won 4C Commitment to continue supporting setlesi for Taiwan, and mainly to support the Degui Initiative Cooperation and Depays Ala.TV. Prime Minister setlesi, we have Alan Shastri, an adversely, Divan ceremonial, and we thank the Taiwan government for their support for the Poujé-Degui assistance setlesi for the construction of hospitals and jude. Thank you very much to the Taiwan Government for their technical support for the medical晚上 and together, at the completed hospital, it is for the peace, easy I'm I'm I'm We have we have we have we have we have This is the first time we have seen such a large number of people. Thank you, Prime Minister. And here's a look at what's happening to us weather-wise. Weak and stable conditions in the wake of a tropical wave will continue to cause a few showers over the lesser Antilles Friday afternoon. Saharan dust trailing this wave is expected to reduce the visibility and shower activity around the eastern Caribbean region for the next couple of days. Three tropical waves located over the central and eastern tropical Atlantic are moving westward near 15 miles per hour or 24 kilometers per hour. Tropical cyclone formation is not expected over the tropical Atlantic during the next five days. The seas are moderate with waves 4 to 6 feet or 1.2 to 1.8 meters. The sun will rise Saturday at 5.44 a.m. And that brings us to the end of the NTN Nightly. Join us next time at 7 p.m. with a repeat at 7 a.m. You can also catch up with us anytime on the San Lucia Government Facebook page or YouTube channel. I'm Nisha Charles.