BCSI

Category: News

  • “Technical Assistance & Grant Proposal Writing Workshop Series”

    “Technical Assistance & Grant Proposal Writing Workshop Series”

    The Barbados Coalition of Service Industries Inc. (BCSI) invites you to the take advantage of the “Technical Assistance & Grant Proposal Writing Workshop Series,” which is scheduled to take place from September 10th- 13th, 2012 between 8:00 am to 12:00pm at the BIDC Conference Room located at Building # 2 opposite Oran Limited. The workshop features the following key donor and development support agencies;

    • Inter- American Development Bank (IADB)
    • Caribbean Export Development Agency (CEDA)
    • Caribbean Development Bank (CDB)
    •  Barbados Investment and Development Corporation (BIDC) and the association of
    • Caribbean Institute of Certified Management Consultants (Barbados Chapter)

    This workshop will provide participants with direct information on the grant proposal writing process. Registrants will also have the opportunity to gain in-depth insight into and knowledge on the specific grant and development support funding windows which are best suitable to their individual needs. Participants will be guided step by step through the grant proposal writing process. Emphasis will also be placed on completing specific grant applications, the evaluation of development funding windows, the development of effective proposal writing and the preparation of the budgetary components of the grant application process.

    All interested persons will be required to pay a minimum contributory fee of $50.00 (BBD) for non-members and $35.00 (BBD) for members of the BCSI. This registration fee includes access to the requisite donor funding information and resource packages and it also covers a lite liquid and refreshment break. Participants can also indicate on their registration forms which workshops they will like to attend. These sessions are specifically geared towards business professionals and entrepreneurs who require donor funding to increase the competitiveness of their businesses.

    All interested persons are asked to complete the attached Registration Form and submit it to the BCSI Secretariat via email to Ms. Meshia Clarke at email address mclarke@bcsi.org.bb copied to Ms. Sophia Clarke at email address sclarke@bcsi.org.bb or via fax to telephone number 429-5352 as there are a limited number of spaces available. For further information on the “Technical Assistance and Grant Proposal Writing Workshop Series” please feel free to contact Ms. Meshia Clarke at telephone number(246) 429-5357.

  • The New Financial Landscape — What It Means for Emerging Market Economies

    The New Financial Landscape — What It Means for Emerging Market Economies

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    The New Financial Landscape: What It Means for Emerging Market Economies

    Authors: Otaviano Canuto, Catiana García-Kilroy, and Anderson Caputo Silva

    As the year 2012 unfolds, its main legacy will be its game changing impact on global financial markets. Waning global growth along with central banks’ bold monetary easing policies in advanced economies (AEs) to try to reverse it are changing market dynamics in unexpected ways, across both AEs and emerging market economies (EMEs). The combination of monetary stimulus, fiscal austerity and hesitant structural economic policy reforms in AEs, particularly in Europe, is taking the global financial system into increasingly uncharted territory. How the European Union will address the future of the eurozone, including uncertainties over its banking sector, as well as how the United States handles its Fiscal Cliff, will weigh heavily on economic balances across all economies worldwide. This seems to be a significant point of inflection on the speed of the rebalancing of economic relevance of AEs in favor of EMEs taking place over the last 12 years. Under this scenario, the ability of EMEs to handle their own fiscal, financial, and real economy weaknesses is critically tied to their ability to weather external shocks and take advantage of growing global savings while searching for yield and growth opportunities.

    The Economic Premise notes are produced by the Poverty Reduction and Economic Management (PREM) Network Vice-Presidency of the World Bank. The views expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the institution.

    To read previous Economic Premise notes, please click here: www.worldbank.org/economicpremise

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    To subscribe to this Economic Premise update click here, to unsubscribe click here, or to send comments email us at economicpremise@worldbank.org.

  • BCSI Launches Green Project

    BCSI Launches Green Project

    TO BRING LOCAL construction professionals into the green economy while creating a new construction services niche and generating export opportunities, Barbados Coalition of Service Industries Inc. (BCSI) has launched a new project.

    With support from the German Agency for International Cooperation and the Caribbean Export Development Agency, service providers ranging from architects, engineers, contractors, interior designers, urban planners, real estate developers and policymakers will benefit from support to gain their Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Associate and Accredited Professional designation.

    BCSI executive director Lisa Cummins noted that as more countries embraced the conversion to a green economy, professionals involved in major building projects were required to have a LEED credential and to undertake construction in a sustainable way.

    “With very few professionals on island with the credential, we found that a large percentage of the market – both actual and potential – was closed off to our service providers.

    “Additionally, they were unable to bid on major and residential projects with large overseas firms because too few of our service providers had the certification. This project was developed to address that challenge, create new opportunities and enable our construction services providers to enter that green building market space confidently and competitively,” she said.

    The executive director further noted that “these are extremely difficult economic times and we have to look at innovative ways of securing our existing market share even while expanding our market base in order to stimulate economic growth, promote business development, and support exporting”.

    She said that BCSI was committed to doing its part, particularly in the non-traditional sectors where there is high growth potential, and was therefore appreciative of the unwavering support of its development partners who have continued to invest in efforts to promote private sector development.

    “Supporting our construction professionals to gain LEED certification is part of a much bigger process which will roll out later this year,” Cummins added.

    The entire CARIFORUM region has bought into the five-year project and the BCSI is leading not only Barbados, but also the region in developing a critical mass of professionals who can compete with their counterparts around the world on an equal footing.

    Thirty-five professionals from across the region will take the LEED Green Associate exam each year for three years and 35 more will take the specialized Accredited Professional programme.

    Participants will benefit from online preparation for the LEED exams, provision of all training materials, study guide and support for successful applicants to take the qualifying exam. Two years of the project will be dedicated to credential maintenance

  • A BCSI Professional Development Initiative Opportunity (LEED Online Training & Examination Program)

    A BCSI Professional Development Initiative Opportunity (LEED Online Training & Examination Program)

    As one of the follow up initiatives from last year’s Green Build Conference held in Toronto, Canada. The Barbados Coalition of Service Industries Inc. (BCSI) has developed a project proposal for regional building and construction professionals to gain their Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Associate and Accredited Professional Designation.

    This credential provides an opportunity for construction professionals to bid on contracts, access markets and capitalize on business opportunities in the specialized area of green building. Without such a certifiable credential building professionals across the region will be excluded from entering such markets where this designation has been mandated.

    Coalitions from the CNSC are invited to extend this opportunity in their own countries and among their own members and coordinate submission of regional delegates to the BCSI.

    The participants who register to take part in the first phase of this regional project will have the opportunity to benefit from financial support provided in the areas of online training and examination for the LEED GA certification. Interested professionals who enroll in similar programs which provide on line training and move on to take the LEED examination pay a total out of pocket cost of over US$625.00 not including travel and accommodation.

    The support provided by the BCSI will allow for participants to engage in a one (1) day a week online training program for one (1) month in preparation for the examination. Participants enrolled in this regional project will benefit from resource materials and study kits which include;

    1. LEED Pre- Course Materials
    2. LEED Green Associate Comprehensive Study Guide
    3. LEED Study Score Card
    4. Green Step Practice Exam
    5. Definitions Worksheet

    Registered participants will also have the full cost of their examination fee covered, participants taking part in this program will only have to pay a minor contributory fee of US $175.00 which will go towards the online training and participant application fee. All building and construction professionals interested in taking part in this regional initiative are asked to read the attached documents carefully and sign and complete the Participant Agreement Form. All forms must be submitted to the BCSI Secretariat no later than Friday August 31, 2012 at 5:00 pm as this is a regional initiative and space is limited. Registration for this program will be on a first come first serve basis.

    All completed registration forms are to be returned to the BCSI Secretariat to Ms. Meshia Clarke at email address mclarke@bcsi.org.bbcopied to Ms. Sophie Clarke at email address sclarke@bcsi.org.bb or via fax (246) 429-5352. The BCSI looks forward to the active participation of the regional coalitions in this capacity building initiative.

    PARTICIPANT AGREEMENT- LEED GA Online and Exmination Program

    Administrative Note- LEED GA Online and Examination Program-(final revised)

  • Trade In Focus

    Trade In Focus

    This bulletin is presented as part of the Private Sector Trade Team’s efforts to deliver more current and succinct information to the business community in Barbados. Our articles will provide the latest information on trade and economic developments from around the world, and will focus on those that could impact favorably or negatively on Barbados and the CARICOM region.

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  • Call for Expressions of Interest – The Caribbean Leadership Project

    The Caribbean Leadership Project (CLP) is soliciting expressions of interest from suitably qualified consultants to serve as leadership development facilitators in its leadership development programme for senior public servants and leaders of key regional institutions. Expressions of interest must be submitted electronically by 16:00 hours (Eastern Time) on August 31, 2012. For further information please download the call for Expression of Interest.

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  • Automotive Art Entrepreneurship Competition Launched

    Automotive Art Entrepreneurship Competition Launched

    Entrepreneurship, the pursuit of opportunity beyond the resources you currently control, is one of today’s hottest trending subjects across a wide variety of fields and forums. From new venture creation to social ventures, entrepreneurship has become a discipline in today’s world that is sought after by both global powerhouses and garage start-ups, and is an essential skill for anyone looking to make their mark in today’s competitive business world.

    Automotive Art is a company born from entrepreneurial vision, and is fueled by the passion of entrepreneurship for over twenty years. This entrepreneurial legacy is entrenched in the cultural DNA of the company, and has allowed the organization to evolve and adapt from very humble beginnings in Barbados, into a global player. According to Dereck Foster, Executive Chairman and Co-Founder of Automotive Art, “We consistently challenge our team members to undertake entrepreneurial initiatives that will have real impact in the marketplace and create significant value for all stakeholders, which continues to fuel our development on the world stage.”

    As a consequence of the company’s entrepreneurial pedigree and success, the company has founded the Automotive Art Entrepreneurship Competition in an effort to propagate and highlight entrepreneurship in Barbados. “Whether you are a University Student, or an independent Barbadian entrepreneur, this competition will give individuals and/or teams the opportunity to work in turning innovative ideas into real businesses, and win some valuable cash prizes that could be put towards turning their entrepreneurial dreams into reality,” Mr. Foster went onto say.

    The competition, which was launched on Aug 22nd will allow the top five winners in the competition to share in over $20,000 in cash and prizes., with competitors being judged by some of the top entrepreneurs in Barbados, including Andrew Bynoe, CEO of Carlton and A-One, Chiryl Newman, CEO of Champers, Roger Cave Investment Director of Fortress, Adrian Meyer Deputy Chairman of Cidel, as well as Doug Armstrong, CEO of Automotive Art, and Dereck Foster, Automotive Art’s Executive Chairman.

    Complete rules and guidelines for the competition can be seen by visiting www.automotiveart.com/entrepreneurship.

    Click here to see the entire Press Release announcing the launch of the competition.

    Click here for 2012 Competition Rules.

     

  • InfoDev Initiative

    InfoDev Initiative

    The intention of the InfoDev Initiative was to meet with relevant stakeholders on several islands in order to understand the challenges facing women entrepreneurs, and specifically of those that are growth-oriented. Antigua, Barbados, Jamaica and St Vincent were included in the mission since they represent different sized islands and preliminary research indicated that in all of them, women business owners are running predominantly smaller companies compared to men, suggesting that there are constraints to growing women-led enterprises.

    The scoping mission found there is a demand and need to warrant designing and implementing a program to support women entrepreneurs, and we have since designed a multi-year program for this purpose.

    Attached is a draft project implementation plan that the team would like to share, both to provide updates on the findings coming out of this mission, and to ask for comments on whether a program such as this would be useful in supporting women entrepreneurs expand their business.

    In addition, we are looking to hire a locally based consultant in the Caribbean for up to 110 days from October 2012 to June 2013 to assist with the implementation of this program. Attached is a terms of reference for this position available to anyone who might be interested in applying for the role.

    Qualified applicants should submit resumes and cover letters electronically through The World Bank Group eConsultant2 website (https://wbgeconsult2.worldbank.org/wbgec/index.html). The selection number is 1080256 and can be found by clicking on the “BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES” tab.  Applications close on September 2, 2012.

    WINC Program – TOR – Short Term Consulting Assignment

    WINC Draft Program Implementation Plan

     

  • Services Scoop

    Services Scoop

    Services Scoop is the pioneering trade magazine of the Caribbean. With the emphasis on ‘trade in services’, this magazine highlights the critical, yet underrated role the services sector plays in our economic development. Services Scoop explores how the region can better realize trade in services, seize regional and international opportunities, and highlights examples of success. The objective of this publication is to raise awareness on the value of the services sector and the potential of trade in services and thereby encourage more support in the enhancement of both.

    This world-class, informative magazine is the annual publication of the Caribbean Network of Service Coalitions.

    Click here to view magazine.

  • CSI Announces Election of Citigroup’s Samuel A. Di Piazza, Jr. to CSI Board Chairman

    CSI Announces Election of Citigroup’s Samuel A. Di Piazza, Jr. to CSI Board Chairman

    Washington, D.C. – The Coalition of Service Industries (CSI) announced today that Samuel A. Di Piazza, Jr., Vice Chairman of Citi’s Institutional Clients Group, has been elected Chairman of CSI’s Board of Directors. Di Piazza succeeds William J. Toppeta, former President, MetLife International, who now serves as Senior Advisor at the Promontory Financial Group in New York.

    “I am honored and very excited to take on the Chairmanship of CSI. The global economic environment has struggled in the past few years and the improvement of free trade overall, especially in the services sectors, is critical to the recovery. Services dominate global trade and this is the right time to make the best use of new opportunities to secure liberalization on an international scale. The International Services Agreement being considered in Geneva, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and the US-EU High-Level Working Group dialogue are especially rich opportunities for progress,” Di Piazza said.

    Di Piazza has enjoyed a very distinguished business career. Prior to joining Citi as a Senior Banker serving institutional clients in May 2011, he served as global chief executive officer of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited. He has served as a trustee and member of the executive committee of the International Accounting Standards Committee Foundation as well as a trustee of the US Financial Accounting Foundation. He is past chairman of the World Business Council on Sustainable Development, serves on the USA Foundation board of the World Economic Forum, and is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Mayo Clinic. He is the past global chairman of Junior Achievement Worldwide as well as The Conference Board and currently serves as a member of the executive committee of both the New York Inner City Scholarship Fund and the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, among other notable activities.