Page 1Friday, October 25, 2013 g

CORRECTION:Fingers crossed - Geothermal news

Price $3.00Vol. XXVIII No. 34

Today’s Scripture

Week Ending Friday, October 25, 2013

God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” - Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)

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Bank of MontserratYour Bank. Your Future.

www.bankofmontserrat.ms

MONEY TRANSFER SERVICES

(664) 491-3843Bank of Montserrat

Your Bank. Your Future.

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Sending money anywhere just got so much easier!

Kids’ Korner...pg 4

ECCB Business Symposium...pg 5

IMF & the Caribbean...pg 6

Prince George christened...pg 2

Montserrat farmers...pg 3

Public Service Appraisal System...pg 2More

cont’d. on page 2

Headlines...

Our airport, land-ing strip and our

air services

We apologise to our readers, especially those who could not fi nd the continuation of the 2nd lead story on the front page in last week’s issue dated October 18, 2013.

The story showed, cont’d on page 12 (which did not exist) and should have read ‘cont’d on page 6’, under caption Geothermal Progress.

The article captioned here invoked much discussion online. We present in its entirety for our readers, the com-ments that went back and forth on the topic, which is one of great interest, brings much to the attention of all concerned.

14 Exchanges - Our airport, landing strip and air servicesTravel Industry Consultant says: Interesting article, and well presented. I have visited Montserrat

a couple of times, and have been surprised, as you point out, that it is not a GDS destination. Checking with aviation industry colleagues, I understand that FlyMontserrat has made initial approaches to join one of the GDS networks, and should be joined within a few weeks. No word of ABM taking similar steps. On a related subject, I have enquired infor-mally about through-ticketing from British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.

My understanding is that with the tight window between Antigua arrival and departure, neither airline is keen to pay for overnight accommodation in Antigua should their fl ights be even slightly late arriving, which is often the case. This situation could be avoided if Montserrat airport could remain open after sunset to receive British and other European visitors the same day they depart London. I understand that the airport is equipped for night-fl ights, but these have so far have never been implemented for some reason.

Gloria says: Hi Travel Industry Consultant A tight window for connection should not be allowed to

hamper our development. Connections have been tight since the 1970�s in the days of Liat/BA connections. A delayed international fl ight is the exception not the rule. What we need is an airline who will have ticket and baggage interline agreements with one or more international carriers. It would negate the Antigua taxes. Winair has this, no reason why Fly Montserrat does not. Even W.H. Bramble airport did not have scheduled night fl ights.

Travel Industry Consultant says: Gloria – you say “A delayed international fl ight is the excep-

tion not the rule.” London to Antigua I’m afraid is a very poorly performed route. British Airways make only 50% on time, Virgin a little better, but they have also recently changed to a later departure, making an onward same-day daylight connection to Montserrat even harder. For stats see http://mobile.fl ightstats.com/go/FlightRating/flightRatingByRoute.do?departureAirportCode=LGW&arrivalAirportCode=ANU&groupByCarrier=falseAnd you say “What we need is an airline who will have ticket and baggage interline agreements with one or more international carriers.”. Certainly possible, but would add 10-15% on to the cost of the Antigua – Montserrat fl ight, standard industry fi gure

visit: http://www.themontserratreporter.com for daily updates

Passengers leaving `WINAIR twin otter aircraft - January 2010

Page 2 Friday, October 25, 2013

Prince William and Kate hold private christening for new prince

Public Service Appraisal System: No ownership of the current system

cont’.d from page 1

ISLAND OF MONTSERRATA.D. 2013

[PROBATE DIVISION]LEGAL NOTICE

In the Estate of IRENE ISABEL RILEY, deceasedNOTICE is hereby given that after the expiration of 14 days from the date of this notice, an application will be fi led at the Registry, High Court of Justice for a Grant of Letters of Administration of the Estate of IRENE ISABEL RILEY deceased, late of 400 McCowan Road, Suite 404 Scarborough, Ontario Canada, N1J 1J5 who died on the 19th day of February 2007 be issued to HEATHER DUBLIN of 117 The Beckers, Rectory Road, London N16 7QT, England, daughter and personal representative of the deceased and the only person entitled to the Estate.

ALL persons claiming to be benefi cially interested in the Estate are requested to send written particulars thereof to the undersigned within 14 days from the date of this notice.

FURTHER, any person objecting to the issuance of a Grant of Letters of Administration to the said applicant should notify the Registrar of High Court of Justice whose address is: Offi ce of the Registrar General, Brades, Montserrat not later than fourteen (14) days from the publication of this notice.

Dated the 17th day of October, 2013.

Heather Dublin- Applicant-

Our air services

cont’d. on page 8

cont’d. on page 8

OVERSEAS TERRITORY OF MONTSERRATIN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE

A.D. 2013IN THE ESTATE OF RUFUS ADOLPHUS TRANT also known as RUPERT TRANT

LEGAL NOTICENOTICE is hereby given that after the expiration of fourteen (14) days from the date hereof, application will be made in the Registry of the High Court of Justice for an Order that Letters of Administration in the Estate of RUFUS ADOLPHUS TRANT also known as RUPERT TRANT late of Lookout, Montserrat, who died on the 10th day of September 2013 at Mount St. John’s Medical Centre, St. John’s, Antigua be granted to CHIVONE GERALD of Allen Markham & Associates, Banks, Montserrat, the Lawful Attorney of HILBERT JEROD TRANT the son and Personal Representative of the deceased and one of the persons entitled to share in the Estate.

ALL persons claiming to be benefi cially interested therein are requested forthwith to send particulars to me the undersigned.

FURTHER, any person objecting to the issuance of a Grant to the Applicant should notify the Registrar of the High Court of Justice no later than fourteen (14) days from the date of the notice.

DATED the 16th day of October 2013.

Chivone GeraldALLEN MARKHAM & ASSOCIATES

His Excellency Governor Adrian Davis wants the current Public Service appraisal system discarded and replaced with one, “that people can feel ownership of.”

The Governor addressed the issue at his monthly press confer-ence on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 in his opening and introduc-tory remarks to the media.

The Governor said he has concerns with the civil service ap-praisal system as established for some three to four years now and has been operable for the past two

By Belinda Goldsmith(Reuters) - Britain’s Prince

George was christened on Wednes-day in a service attended by just 21 guests, a small and private cer-emony for a baby whose parents want to shield him from too much media intrusion.

Prince William, whose moth-er Diana was hounded by paparazzi and died in a car crash in Paris in 1997, and his wife Kate invited only very close family and god-parents to the ceremony in the 16th century St. James’s Palace in central London.

Television pictures gave the public the fi rst glimpse of the baby - third-in-line to the throne - since his parents carried him out of the London hospital where he was born on July 22.

In the arms of his mother as she left the palace’s Chapel Royal, George was dressed in a long cream satin robe that was a replica of an 1841 gown made for the christening of Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter.

Kate, a style icon whose outfits often increase sales of similar garments, wore an off-white, ruffl ed skirt-suit, made by British fashion house Alexander McQueen, and pillbox hat by Brit-ish milliner Jane Taylor.

Queen Elizabeth, her husband Prince Philip, heir apparent Prince Charles, his wife Camilla, and William’s brother Harry attended the service in which Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby baptised the prince with water from the River Jordan.

“George is being brought up in a world very different from Prince William’s childhood but the royal couple really is obsessed by privacy and I hope that does not impinge too much on their lives,” said Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine and author of “A Century of Royal Children”.

FANS AND FAMILYThe parents named six

friends and William’s cousin Zara Tindall as godparents, breaking with the tradition of choosing

mostly royal dignitaries, a deci-sion that continued their effort to portray a more informal, modern image to austerity-hit Britons.

Kate’s parents, Michael and Carole Middleton, and her sister Pippa were among the guests. A friend of Princess Diana, Julia Samuel, was one of the godmoth-ers alongside Kate’s schoolfriend Emilia Jardine-Paterson.

Clarissa Campbell, historian of monarchy at Anglia Ruskin University, said scaling back the number of royals at events and putting Prince William and Prince Harry at the forefront had boosted the royal family’s popularity that fl agged after Diana’s death and a several royal marriage break-downs.

“It’s also very much Her Majesty’s wish that the royal family is not seen as an expensive institution in these days,” Camp-bell told Reuters.

Although the service was held behind closed doors, well-

for interline agreement. And why would BA / Virgin enter into such an agreement with a good chance of having to pay for a hotel for their late arriving onward passengers ? Of course night fl ights (or after sunset) into Montserrat would entail costs too: staff overtime at Montserrat airport, and two pilots instead of one for the Islanders that both airlines use (statutory requirement).

David Goodhall says: Short memory Gloria, Winair

was awful with delays, cancella-tions and lost bags. What we have now is much, much better being reliable and Montserrat based. If the Travel Industry Consultant is right then FlyMontserrat, our own airline, will have GDS soon and that’s brilliant. I agree we need to be able to book with travel Agents from anywhere in the world. My sources say that

Winair where heavily subsidized with seat guarantees, I thought that was common knowledge. I don’t know if the existing airline is though. To discribe St. Barths and Montserrat as dangerous is wrong, they jus diffi cult. bring on the night arrivals please.

Gloria says: Hi DavidI mentioned all the diffi culties

and complaints. They were not forgotten. Also suggested that you research dangerous airports of the world. These decisions come from pilots who fl y to them(not from me) John A Osborne/Geraldscould be thought by the layman as “dangerous” because of the several mishaps which have oc-curred there recently, though not listed in the ten most dangerous airports. Even W.H. Bramble had no scheduled night fl ights (emergency only). Lets continue to hope.

HHH says: Been trying to get through-

fl ights for a long, long time, no-go. As stated above BA and Virgin don’t want to pay for people to overnight if even slight delay. When we travel to Montserrat next time we have to stay over-night in ANU, Virgin now doesn’t depart it’s fl ight from LGW until 11.30am. Some fl ights 10.10am, still too late for Fly Montserrat connection. Some friends who are coming out to stay in Montserrat went to their travel agent, and yes you’ve guessed it – “there are no fl ights, only a ferry”. Needless to say, I booked their fl ights directly for them from Fly Montserrat website (I have to say in praise their website has improved vastly). Early evening fl ights might help save this exasperating problem of stopovers.

Gloria says: Hi HHHWhat a nuisance. Your

friends I am sure would have found it easier to get all their tickets from

an airline or their travel agent.There are still so many potential tourists who prefer to have an airline or travel agent do their ticketing for them. Many pick up a brochure and take it to an airline offi ce to get schedules and fares prior to deciding to visit.

HHH says: Hi Gloria, you say my friends

would have found it easier to get all their tickets from airline or travel agents. They did go to their travel agents! The travel agents could have booked their fl ight to ANU but could fi nd no trace of any fl ights onward to Montserrat; they told them there was only a ferry. That is why I went online and booked all their flights for them. As Virgin now leaves later (not sure about BA) they have

to overnight in Antigua. The only people who are gaining from this are the Antiguans.

Gloria says: Hi HHHMy argument is that if we

had an airline Antigua to Montser-rat who was in a Global Distribu-tion Service (GDS) virtually any airline or travel agent anywhere in the world would be able to not only book to Montserrat but issue tickets as well. Fly Montserrat is not in a GDS hence the problem. Winair is in a GDS and that is why you could book and purchase tickets from virtually anywhere in the world to Saba or St. Barts. Winair provides their air services. The object of my article is to either get Winair to provide our services or have one of our present provid-

ers to get into a GDS. You might wish to read my article again. We did not have this problem when Winair was our airline. There are very few airlines who do not have GDS capabilities.

Welsh Pond says: Well done, Gloria, for spot-

lighting such an important issue. There are many facets to

your views, and FlyMontserrat would like to expand on a few of them.

Guidance or instructions on the use of an airport have to be un-der constant review and changes are made in the light of consulta-tion between airport regulators, government, management and airlines. The “instructions” have changed considerably in the years

years. He describes the system as one that has fi ve categories, with outstanding and excellent at the top, followed by good, fair and satisfactory. He says that with fair and satisfactory at the bottom and no category to suggest that anyone is performing poorly, the number of categories, “should be reduced and more clearly defi ned and distinct from each other.”

“The form is cumbersome and is about 19 pages instead of the normal two or three pages,” he said, and the categories should be reduced to three, as used in

the UK.The Governor notes that only

about only 30% of the appraisals are returned, and he is not sure how well they are used. To have the system properly running, there needs to be agreement between the deputy governor, human resources and the unions, “for a much better and has a more focused form and system that people can relate to and fi ll-in ef-fectively and feel ownership of,” concluding, “I don’t think anyone feels ownership of the current system.”

Governor’s weekly press conference

Page 3Friday, October 25, 2013 g

Sci-Tech watch, 6: Hot Dry Rock, engineered/enhanced geothermal

electricity generation systems and the Montserrat case...

The Present MomentMordecai [told] Esther, “Who

knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this.” - Esther 4:14 (NRSV)

Last summer I was in Africa where I gained a completely new understanding of time. One day we were expected at events in two different churches. When we got to the first church I asked my host, „When will we need to leave here in order to get to our next appointment on time?‰ He answered, „We will leave here when we are ready! We need to give our full attention to these people here now, and we cannot do that if we are already thinking about where we are going next.‰

After pondering the hostÊs answer, I realized just how difficult it is to live in the present. I love to reflect on the past or dream about the future, but the present can pass me by all too easily. TodayÊs Bible reading from the Book of Esther speaks about living in the present moment. Esther understood that by leaving the past behind and not being afraid of the future, she was able to give herself completely to the present moment and to those people who needed her at that particular time.

Nicola Vidamour (London, England)

Prayer: Dear Lord, give us this day our daily bread. Amen.

Our Scripture Verse TodayOur Scripture Verse Today

Letters/Opinion

Published by: Montserrat Printing & Publishing, Inc. - Editor: Bennette Roach - Offi ce: Davy Hill, Mailing Address: P.O. Box 306, Davy Hill, Montserrat, W.I.Typeset and Printed by Montserrat Printing & Publishing, Inc. - monp_p@candw.ms.Tel. (664) 491-4715 Fax: (664) 491-2430 E-mail: editor@themontserratreporter.com or monrep@candw.ms - Web Site: http://www.themontserratreporter.com

The Montserrat Reporter

E D I T O R I A LApproach 20 years with knowledge,

execution now, plans for a secure futureThe March 29, 2013 Editorial, was captioned, “Know the past, fi nd the

correct path to progress for the future”. We reminded that since 1996, HMG (Her Majesty’s Government), promised that they would provide the necessary funding to develop the safe-north “after seeing Montserratians’ determina-tion to remain in Montserrat, in spite of the volcano, which was increasing in its ferocity, he (HMG) concluded that the north of the island was safe…”

Much has happened between that time and now. The entire southern half of the island including the capital where the majority of the population habituated, lived, along with the majority of the rest of the island worked, was completely destroyed.

Including times of indifference the promise has been repeated in many various ways. Finally, in December 2011, Minister of State Alan Duncan admitted previous governments’ neglect and went further to promise that his 18-month-old government, “will reverse what we feel is the neglect of the Overseas Territories (OTs) over the last decade…” confi rming earlier statements of Secretary of State Andrew Mitchell.

He was speaking with special reference to Montserrat when he made statements twice within 24 hours (at Government House and later in a press interview at the Governor’s offi ce). He recalled the “double whammy” of the hurricane and the volcano, announcing, “We have a duty to you which we appreciate and want to turn it into practical effect.”

Later he said “…Montserrat has had unique diffi culties; there is nowhere else in our responsibility which has had its main capital town swamped in by a volcano…so there are special challenges… We have this duty care and we are going to exercise it properly and responsibly,” adding a ‘but’, “but also raise an eye on value for money and results we are going to get from spending tax payer’s money at a very diffi cult economic time.”

There are no excuses, the message was clear, accompanied already by evidence. It was time to take stock. However, so far the fear to do so has lead only to another kind of corruption, killing any integrity, while the resil-ience turned to jelly, wobbly and without substance. So, we rushed without deliberate and informed discussion into acceptance of dream plans with no solid consequence. HMG has made promises, which they will keep, but not commit to for unsure outcomes. They have so warned.

Having come through this entire period living and observing the mistakes, the diffi culties, the hardships, corruption, inept politics, overshadowing the good, we have called on governments to spend time and refl ect. To look at the mistakes, good and the bad, for an accounting, with a view to bring everyone still living and those who have joined to a state where minds can be healed, refreshed and eyes opened to the future that the crisis afforded the island.

Our Economic director of over 20 years, along with DFID private sector development expert, dug up the 1997 plans for a port at Carr’s Bay and are putting it into use. The same can be true with all the rest that went along with the tragedies of the crisis, physically, socially, and spiritually (life).

If the right people were present and participating at the recent fi nancial, economic (whichever) modeling workshop recently held with the Public Ser-vice and the MDC (Montserrat Development Corporation), it would have been diffi cult for the conclusion to be other than what we told the Governor after he gave a brief report. Take a re-look to the Strategic Growth Plan (SGP) as it relates to Little Bay and Carr’s Bay. He begged to reject the suggestion saying we have been looking at the Strategy since 1997 (he probably meant since 1998, when the fi rst Sustainable Development Plan was crafted and signed).

We say again, reopen the breadbasket of the economy, feel its fresh-ness again, enjoy the benefi ts. Do not jump into unnecessary competition with our neighbours. Build on our unique exclusivity. Let all ideas contend, especially now, before the stench chokes the possibilities. Tell us why not!

What must be very clear to those responsible, there has to be a conver-sation about the stress volcano people suffers. How can a people, stressed, as they must be, address the success for the future without understanding or knowing where they are and what they have experienced? Where is the collateral they need to face the loans counter whether it is for personal, health or business reasons? How can they know how to build or benefi t from an economy they cannot actively participate in?

It’s just as bad or worse than the farmers’ price

Mr. Editor, I agree with you, BUT this

has been happening for some time now, However it is much worse now than then.

I remember a local business man Mr. Riley, used to import some really beautiful carrots, cabbages, grapes etc. in the early 90’s before the Volcano, and sell them out of the back of his car, and as stated above, they were about half the price of what those same locally grown produce cost in the super-markets and public market.

I have seen a big change in the Montserratian farmers and people.

NOTE: We also have a lot of plagiary larceny, stealing of farmers’ produce, and they are selling it to street vendors, and supermarkets.

As quoted above imagine a watermelon for $100 or $150 for a pumpkin, it takes two or less minutes work, to steal them.

I have seen acres of bananas on the way up to Duck pond and see more trees above there, yet I DO NOT SEE any or very little ripe bananas for sale and when I do

see them, the person selling them want around $6 to $7 plus dollars a pound.

Now similar to the carrots etc. above highlighted, in America and Canada, bananas are between 39 to 59 cents a pound. Well most of those bananas come from either Guatemala or Honduras and are sold to buyers, then sorted, packed/boxed and put in a container, shipped by truck, Sea, trucked again from the ports to the whole-salers and on to the supermarkets, and as stated above, all get their mark up, yet still sell to the public for such a small sum! Also, to be noted, is that all those bananas, do not or hardly have a blemish/mark on them, they are beautiful.

Mr. Editor, I would like to call you and your readers attention to our local supermarkets, and the DEPLORABLE state of MOST of the produce offered to us the customers, it is very sad that the potatoes (white),plantains, garlic, onions etc. appear to be (as called overseas) SECONDS; POOR or REJECT quality, YET the Supermarkets are charging us, a Premium Price for these products,

as they literally have us customers/citizens over a barrel, to feed our families, we have to sort through the produce, just to find a half decent one.

I asked a supermarket owner, why his garlic was always so small and with bad sections, his reply was, with a shrug of his shoulders, quote: that is what they sent to me! Well I ask, does he NOT CARE, (or) is the price he pays for these reject produce so low that, if they don’t sell he does not loose?

Question - How long do we have to be treated like second class citizens in this Emerald Isle Mont-serrat! Is our Government, Health Dept., and price control people going to accept this and WHY do they not do anything about the POOR Quality of produce offered?

QUESTION - When was the last Health inspection of the super-markets and ESPECIALLY THEIR STORE ROOMS? Their findings made public and the store/super-market fi ned, they do that every-where else in the world.

God Please Bless our Mont-serrat.

Johnnie Howe

Article at: http://kairosfocus.blogspot.com/2013/10/sci-tech-watch-6-hot-dry-rock.html

Energy and its link to long term sustainability of development are major concerns for a Caribbean region that is largely dependent on imported oil for its commercial energy sources.

(Cf. Montserrat Energy Policy, here.)

Though, it must be noted that the the degree of offi cial interest in alternatives to the volatile oil market in an era of concern about

fossil energy use and impacts on global weather patterns tends to wax and wane accordingly as oil price surges or falls back, as well as, as the degree of interest (or otherwise) of political leadership similarly waxes and wanes.

In this context, one of the emerging hot topics -- especially here in Montserrat -- is Geothermal energy, [GT energy]; that is, energy stored in hot rocks and associated water-based fl uids in the Earth’s crust that are reasonably acces-sible to drilling similar to drilling for

oil. (There are of course signifi cant differences relating to the different geology: in effect, it is a diffi cult challenge to try to catch a 2-inch crack fi lled with hot water a mile or more down, and the wells involved are now multi-million dollar tosses of the dice.)

In the past several years, im-proved geo-imaging technology has allowed for a higher confi dence in hitting a resource. In Montserrat’s case after a fi eld investigation, it was suggested that odds of hitting

cont’d. on page 7

Page 4 Friday, October 25, 2013

Kids time - In your own korner

One day Firefly came to Anansi the Spider’s house and invited him to go egg hunting. “If you would like to go with me, then come to my house late this evening.”

Anansi was very excited and immediately agreed to go.

When it was dark enough, they went out into the fields. Firefly would open his wings a little and his light would illuminate the eggs lying hidden in the grass.

Then Anansi would jump forward and yell, “Mine, I saw it first,” and toss it in his sack.

They continued like this for the rest of the evening. Anansi was so rude that he grabbed every single egg and Firefly didn’t get a single one. Soon Anansi’s sack was so full he could barely pull it.

Finally, Firefly said, “Goodbye, Anansi,” and flew quickly back home.

Anansi was left alone in the dark with no idea how to get home. Slowly he began to fumble his way back to his house.

He couldn’t see a thing, but eventually he bumped into a house. He didn’t know whose house it was, so he thought up a scheme.

“Godfather,” he called out. A deep, gruff voice answered back, “Who is that

outside of my house?” Anansi called out; “It is I, your godson Anansi!” Just then Tiger stuck his huge hairy head out of the

door and glared down on the little spider. Tiger knew that he had no godsons, and he knew that Anansi had tricked him many times in the past.

But Tiger was also clever, and said, “Come in, God-son,” and shut the door behind Anansi. Tiger had his

Hello everyone – It is kid’s time with Auntie Lyka “In Your Own Korner”. We are in the second half of the school term can you believe it. I hope you have started studying for your end of term examinations. Time and tide waits for no man. Remember “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” So do your preparation . Read a book a you go along.

Colour by Number

Connect the dots

wife put a big copper kettle of water on the fire so they could boil the eggs.

When they were ready, Tiger, his wife, and all of their children started to eat them hungrily.

“Anansi, my godson, would you like some eggs?” Tiger asked.

Anansi nervously shook his head. “No thank you, Godfather.”

When the eggs were all gone, Tiger put a lobster in the kettle and then covered it in some leftover shells, so that it looked like there were more eggs inside. He then put the kettle on the floor and said, “You should stay for the night, Godson,” and grinned so that all of

his sharp, gleaming teeth were showing. During the night, when everyone fell asleep, Anansi

crept over to the kettle and reached inside. As soon as he did so, the lobster pinched him hard

and he yelled out in surprise. “Godson,” Tiger called out, “are you alright?” Anansi answered back, “I was bitten by a dog-flea.

Please excuse me, Godfather!” After a few minutes he tried again to grab an egg

and received another pinch. “Godson, are you sure that you are alright?” Anansi responded, “Oh, Godfather, these dog-fleas

are eating me alive.” Tiger sat up and shouted at the top of his voice,

“Dog-fleas?! How dare you accuse us of having dog-fleas in this fine house, after we have fed you and given you a place to sleep!”

Tiger jumped out of bed roaring and started to come after Anansi.

Anansi then flew out of bed and raced out the door, terrified for his life.

Tiger came to the door and smiled to himself as he watched the poor little spider running away.

Anansi never went back to Tiger’s house and every time he went to visit Firefly, his wife told Anansi that her husband was gone and to please come back next month.

Anansi never did figure out where the field was where all of the eggs were hidden, and he had much time to think about how his greediness had left him with nothing.

Pre-School CornerIdentify the different shapes below and follow the instructions to

color. the shapes the right colors. Enjoy.Color the triangles red

Color the squares blue

Color the rectangles yellow

Color the ovals green

Color the circles purple

Color the Diamonds orange

Anansi, Firefly, and Tiger

See you next week right here

In Your Own Korner. Where we will have funKids write your stories, tell us about your-selves. Email or post - Write to Aunty Lyka, at P.O. Box 306, Davy Hill, or send email to: kidstime@themontserratreporter.com

Page 5Friday, October 25, 2013 g

ECCB celebrates Financial Information Month - Business Symposium

Head Teacher Edith Duberry, Lecturer Marsha Allen and Miss Natisha Allen Wilson

The East Caribbean Cen-tral Bank (ECCB) has been con-ducting Financial Information Month (FIM) since 2002, all this month of October under the 2013 Theme - “Reshaping Our Future. Starting Now.

The Bank Authority planned several activities for the month and one such was the

Business Symposium and In-novation Forum, which was held on October 22, Tuesday evening from 4.30 p.m. over a three-hour period. Videoconferencing transmission through the islands has become almost the norm as the forum in-cluded the territories making up the Authority’s Currency Union, held at the ECCB headquarters in St. Kitts.

The forum opened with a brief overview words from the Gov-

ernor, Sir Dwight Venner. He noted the big turn out at the headquarters and the distinguished panelists and presenters, Mr. Denzil Crooke, CEO/Consultant of Quantum Con-sulting, St. Kitts; Dr. Luz Long-worth, Director of the UWI Mona Western Campus, Jamaica; and Mr. Rawlinson Isaac, Buisinessman, Financial Consultant, Nevis.

This was to be a dynamic and interactive event to provide a medium for the exchange of ideas and perspectives, and the tabling of challenging ‘yet practical’ solutions to address sustainable, resilient business growth in the OECS.

On the Symposium theme: “Identifying solutions to address business challenges in the OECS within the construct of a global economy,” they presented on the topics Creative Business Leader-

ship, Business Competiveness and Strate-gic Business Models for ECCU Businesses. Each presentation was followed by an open discussion and questions.

The idea of FIM is the conduct of a regional fi nancial, economic, business and entrepreneurial education campaign executed in the ECCU. It incorporates a series of initiatives designed to support the attainment of the goal of, “a fi nancially developed and bivrant ECCU region that fosters strong and sustainable economic growth and the improved well-being of the citizenry.”

· Strategic business models for ECCU businesses that would allow for effective responses to present chal-lenges and seizure of present and future opportunities.

The symposium will feature speak-ers who will approach the topics with practical insights from their respective fi elds. This dynamic and interactive event will provide a medium for the exchange of ideas and perspectives, and the tabling of challenging ‘yet practical’ solutions to address sustainable, resilient business growth in the OECS.

by Bennette Roach

On the following day Wednesday, ECCB hosted a fi nanial clinic exhibition of the fi nancial institutions on the island. There came many visitors.Students as shown from priary schools and the MSS were in strong attendance ,

Page 6 Friday, October 25, 2013

Latin America and the Caribbean: growth still in low gear

CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY SECRETARIATSTAFF VACANCY

Applications are invited from interested and suitably qualifi ed nationals of the Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM) of African, Caribbean and Pacifi c (ACP) States and Associate Members of the Caribbean Community to fi ll the following with assigned duty station in Guyana:

(i) Trade in Goods Specialist, EPA Implementation Unit, CARIFORUM Directorate

Full details of this position may be obtained by accessing the following web sites-www.caricom.org; www.caribank.org; www.oecs.org; www.crnm.org and www.caribbeanjobsonline.com.

Applications in English Language with full curriculum vitae details, including nationality, work experience, educational qualifi cations and/or expertise, language profi ciency, coordinates (including email addresses) of three referees (at least two of whom must be familiar with the applicant’s work), and other relevant information, should be addressed to the Executive Director, Human Resource Management, Caribbean Community Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana and sent by email to applnhrm@caricom.org.

The deadline for the submission of applications is 3 November 2013.

SALE BY CHARGEENotice is hereby given that the immovable property hereinafter described will be put up for Sale by Public Auction , by the Bank of Montserrat Limited, on the 28th. day of October 2013 at 10:00AM

The Public Auction will take place on the said site.

The purchase money shall be payable as follows:1. The Offi cer conducting the Sale shall require from the Bidder a deposit

equivalent to 10% of the fi nal successful bid payable by cheque or payable in cash.

2. The Purchaser shall pay to the Bank the Purchase price less the deposit within six months of the date of Sale. In default of such payment the deposit paid by the Purchaser shall be forfeited and shall be applied towards the respective Debt.

SCHEDULEBLOCK 12/4 PARCEL # 176Approximately one acre of land situated in Beachettes and registered in the Land Registry of Montserrat as Block 12/4 Parcel # 176 and bounded as follows:-

On the North by developed residential propertyOn the west by undeveloped residential propertyOn the East and South by a public road known as Olveston Estate Drive,or howsoever otherwise the same may be bounded.

The whole containing one acre of land and shown on the plan of survey dated 26th. November 1985 by B.B. Burke, Chief Surveyor of the Colony of Montserrat as sheet #11/4

TITLE: Noel Fenton and Frances Fenton as joint owners

UPSET PRICE: $70,000.00Potential buyers may inspect the Land which is situated directly opposite SALEM GATE SOUTH Road. The Land has been “brushed” and the boundary pegs located for easy inspection. Potential buyers who need help locating the land should check with the Manager at the Bank.

BANK OF MONTSERRAT LIMIEDBRADES, MONTSERRAT

TMR: At the ECCB re-cent Financial Information Month (FIM) recent presenta-tion of a Business Symposium and Innovation Forum, it was noted that the Caribbean and Latin America is being grouped for some time now as ‘one’ in financial and economic reports.

Although Montserrat en-joys guaranteed ‘reasonable’ support from the UK govern-ment as stipulated frequently, and in the IMF, and Standard and Poors rating report, these reports and fi ndings are valu-able and cannot be ignored.

IMF Survey

Region expected to grow by 2¾ per-cent in 2013 and 3 percent in 2014

Weaker growth in emerging markets, rise in U.S. interest rates are biggest concerns

Key challenge is to preserve macroeco-nomic and fi nancial stability in leaner times

The economies of Latin America and the Caribbean remain in low gear, held back by a less favorable external en-vironment and, in some cases, domestic supply constraints, the IMF said.

Output in the region is projected to expand by 2¾ percent in 2013, the low-est rate in four years, with domestic demand remaining the main driver. Going for-ward, growth will edge up

emerging economies. In China, a key market for Latin America’s commodity exports, growth is projected to ease further to 7¼ percent in 2014 from 7½ percent this year. Lower medium-term growth expectations for China have been a key driver of the decline in commodity prices since the beginning of the year, although they remain at relatively high lev-els from a historical perspective.

Another concern is the un-certainty regarding the pace of normalization of U.S. monetary policy, which may cause new bouts of market volatility and more intense capital outfl ow pressures. If these risks materialize, policies in emerging markets may have to strike the right balance between supporting domestic demand and containing capital outfl ows.

“In addit ion, fai lure to promptly raise the debt ceiling in the United States next week could infl ict a serious damage to the global economy,” Werner said.

Reform, not stimulusAs the twin tailwinds of high

commodity prices and very low external fi nancing costs subside, the key challenge for policymakers is to manage a smooth transition to more sustainable growth rates. This adjustment to leaner times requires efforts in several areas, the report pointed out.

First, macroeconomic poli-cies need to be calibrated ap-propriately. Policymakers should resist the temptation of adopting

to 3 percent in 2014 as external demand strengthens gradually, but remain below the average growth rate of the last decade, the IMF said in its Regional Economic Outlook Update for the Western Hemisphere, released October 11 in Washington, D.C.

In the fi rst half of this year, Mexico suffered an unexpectedly sharp downturn in activity, while Brazil continued to recover gradu-ally from a slowdown that started in mid-2011, the report indicated. In the rest of Latin America, eco-nomic activity has moderated.

Growth has been restrained by sluggish external demand and, in some cases, domestic supply constraints, which have proven more binding than previously anticipated. Domestic demand growth is also moderating from cyclical highs.

“The main challenge for our region in the coming years is to preserve macroeconomic and fi nancial stability in what is likely to be a less favorable external envi-ronment, and to build strong foun-dations for sustainable growth,” said Alejandro Werner, Director of the IMF’s Western Hemisphere Department, at a press briefi ng as part of the IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings.

Risks on the horizonAccording to the report,

downside risks continue to domi-nate the outlook. Of particular concern is the possibility of weak-er-than-expected growth in large

expansionary fiscal policies to counter the growth moderation. Output is close to potential in many countries, external current account defi cits have continued to widen, and fi scal balances are generally weaker than they were before the global fi nancial crisis. Thus, gradual fi scal consolidation remains appropriate for most countries.

Second, strong fi nancial sec-tor regulation and supervision will be critical to safeguard domestic fi nancial stability in an environ-ment of slower growth and more volatile capital fl ows.

Third, countries should ad-vance structural reforms to raise productivity and stimulate domes-tic saving in order to boost poten-tial growth in the medium term.

In Central America, gradual fi scal consolidation is necessary to reduce public debt and increase fi scal space in most countries. The authorities will have to exercise expenditure restraint, including a reduction in untargeted oil subsi-dies. In some counties, mobilizing revenues to meet infrastructure and social needs will also be important.

In the Caribbean, fiscal, external, and financial vulner-abilities remain signifi cant in the tourism-dependent economies. Fiscal consolidation is inevitable but will have to be supported by measures to address chronically weak competitiveness to unlock the region’s growth potential.

Page 7Friday, October 25, 2013 g

cont’d. from page 3

Montserrat’s geothermala resource in a target zone were maybe 80%, quite up from the 20 - 25% industrial average rate of success for exploratory wells identifi ed by the US NREL only several years ago.

So, after prodding, UK’s DfID was able to obtain grant funding for risky exploration, perhaps GBP 8 - 9 millions so far. (The potential payoff is signifi cant and Montserrat is both struggling to recover from volcanic devastation and has few options.)

Over several months two wells were drilled, about 2500 - 3000 m. There was a bit of excitement in August, over noise and a steam cloud, which seemed on investigation to be due to injected water boiling off.

A clue.(The powers that be are being fairly cagey about developments and plans. But, it seems we are facing

lack of permeable rocks full of fl uids.) Traditionally, Geothermal energy has tapped existing fl ow-fi elds of hot liquids, and hot dry rock engineered/

enhanced GT has been a focus for pioneering research and demonstration projects since the idea was fi rst

advanced in the 1970’s. Following The Economist:Wiki explains:Until recently, geothermal power systems have

exploited only resources where naturally occurring heat, water, and rock permeability are suffi cient to allow energy extraction.[1] However, by far the most geothermal energy within reach of conventional techniques is in dry and im-permeable rock.[2] EGS technologies enhance and/or create geothermal resources in this hot dry rock (HDR) through ‘hydraulic stimulation’.

When natural cracks and pores do not allow eco-nomic fl ow rates, the permeability can be enhanced by pumping high-pressure cold water down an injection well into the rock. The injection increases the fl uid pressure in the naturally fractured rock, mobilizing shear events that enhance the system’s permeability. As there is a continuous circulation, neither is a high permeability required, nor are proppants required to maintain the fractures in an open state. This process, termed hydro-shearing,[3] perhaps to differentiate it from an equivalent procedure. Nevertheless it is substantially the same as hydraulic tensile fracturing used in the oil and gas industry.

Water travels through fractures in the rock, capturing the rock’s heat until forced out of a second borehole as very hot water. The water’s heat is converted into electricity using either a steam turbine or a binary power plant system.[4] All of the water, now cooled, is injected back into the ground to heat up again in a closed loop.

EGS technologies, like hydrothermal geothermal, can function as baseload resources that produce power 24 hours a day, like a fossil fuel plant. Unlike hydrothermal, EGS ap-pears to be feasible anywhere in the world, depending on the economic limits of drill depth. Good locations are over deep granite covered by a 3–5 kilometres (1.9–3.1 mi) layer of insulating sediments that slow heat loss.[5] EGS wells are expected to have a useful life of 20 to 30 years before the outfl ow temperature drops about 10 c (18 f) and the well becomes uneconomic.

EGS systems are currently being developed and tested in France, Australia, Japan, Germany, the U.S. and Switzer-land. The largest EGS project in the world is a 25-megawatt demonstration plant currently being developed in Cooper Basin, Australia. Cooper Basin has the potential to generate 5,000–10,000 MW.

Notoriously, this is pioneering. Indeed, a few years ago, “traditional” GT was such that about a dozen seasoned operators existed globally, and much of the knowledge base was proprietary. Hot Dry Rock is even more pioneering. (As in, this is not a fi eld where decision-making is routine and one can hire and fi re expertise at will.)

Indeed, there currently seems to be only one commer-cial development, in Landau, Germany. That one depends on a major government subsidy for exploratory energy initiatives. Others are research or exploratory.

Commercialisation is at pioneering stages.

Worryingly, in Dec 2006, a similar effort in Berne was brought to a halt as the expected earthquakes from injecting water in one well to crack and shear rocks to induce an artifi cial fl ow fi eld went out of control. After quake hit the red light level, peaking at 3.4 ML, the development was stopped. The man in charge then actually faced criminal charges for damage and endanger-ment through triggered ‘quakes. Sounds a lot like what happened to seismologists in Italy recently, over failing to “predict” a quake.

Understandably, emphasis falls on remote sites, less likely to cause harm if something goes wrong. Unfortunately, that means power trans-mission costs will go up. (And, for those wanting to suggest that GT developments can be used to export electrical power to neighbouring islands, note that a plausible cost could be US$ 2 mn/mile of cable, and that for various reasons there is a signifi cant breakage rate and it credibly takes a couple of months on average to mobilise a repair effort due to need for specialised ships; so that it would be wise to run two separated cables.)

Nevis, next door to Montserrat, has explored GT, in the more traditional form, partnering with a speculative developer not on the list of a dozen

or so. Hot fl uids were hit, but development seems to have stalled. A cautionary tale, especially if one is looking at even more pioneering technology that rests on a fi eld of scientifi c research that is still very much a work in initial progress.

Another factor must be borne in mind, levellised costs to the producer then onwards the consumer for each kWhr of electricity -- each “unit” -- consumed or produced.

The Economist article already linked remarks: A typical American geothermal power station produces electricity at a cost of around $0.10/kWh.

[--> NB: A 1 GW Coal plant, a typical benchmark, is often rated at about US$ 0.04/kWh] That makes geothermal power competitive with many other technologies, especially with added fi nancial incentives such as America’s production tax-credit for renewable-energy projects, currently about $0.02/kWh. (Producing electricity from coal or gas also costs around $0.10/kWh. [--> in Europe, probably part of the Euro-zone’s global competitiveness problem. I think costs in North America are creeping up too, and California may be at a European level. IIRC, US$ 0.13/kWh was a comparable number for Jamaica some years back. I stand to be corrected on these fi gures.] )

The same cannot be said for EGS, at least for the foreseeable future . . . The equipment on the surface costs about the same for EGS as it does for conventional geothermal power, but the drilling costs can be twice as much or more for EGS. [--> Here in Montserrat, HMG has borne the fi rst drilling and exploratory costs as a grant, and we seem to have hit resources at 2,500 - 3,000 m.] Dr Wyborn estimates that electricity from EGS could initially cost an additional $0.09/kWh over conventional geothermal, or about $0.19/kWh. [--> So we may be looking at costs at the plant of maybe US$ 0.10/kWh, and it is reasonable to suggest that this might double or thereabouts by the time we see it as consumers. That would of course still be signifi cantly below current electricity costs, but it is not down at 4 cents. However, we are not talking about heavy industry as our focus for development, so it would help.] That would make EGS economic only in places with strong fi nancial incentives, such as Germany, where operators of renewable-energy projects receive generous subsidies in the form of feed-in tariffs—currently $0.31/kWh for power from EGS.

Economist continues:Technological improvements, such as cheaper and better methods for drilling, creating reservoirs and

improving water-fl ow rates, could cut the cost of EGS. Well productivity is especially important. “You want to get as much extracted energy as possible for that set of wells you’ve drilled, to maximise the return on your investment,” explains Jefferson Tester, associate director of the Cornell Centre for a Sustainable Future and lead author of the MIT report. So far most EGS projects have achieved fl ow rates of only around 25 litres per second, far short of the 50-100 litres per second that is required to operate geothermal projects profi tably. [--> this is a key warning point, and we will need to look closely at fl ow-rates. 100 litres/s is about 25 gal/s.] Both AltaRock and Geodynamics are working on creating more fractures per well, which they hope will increase both the fl ow rate and heat absorption from the rocks. [--> Notice, still a subject of research.]

Sobering background. But not without rays of hope.In Montserrat’s case, a current news article reports:On September 10, at Governor Davis’ most recent press conference Dr. Kato Kimbugwe reported when

asked for the short-term update said: “I am up to date with it and I think what I can say at the moment and again just being cautious and conservative is that we need to wait for all the test to be fi nalized.”

He said that said morning he was advised the tests will be completed, “by the end of October.” He referred to the short term testing on which we were seeking information doesn’t give as much information.

“…because the testing period, you have the initial ten day test but that doesn’t give you as much informa-tion about the whole characteristics, until you’ve done the more longer term test which tells you the size of the resource and how much power can be produced.”

The DFID private sector expert, then suggested, “I think it’s proper for us to be a little bit more patient and wait until the experts in the fi eld,” remarking that he is, ‘not an expert (geothermal),’ who can then come back and tell us we’ve crunched our numbers, we’ve looked at the evidence and based on what we’ve seen this is the output on well number 1 and this is what is happening.”

Finally, “I’m not engaging in any sort of discussion on what the results are because I don’t have anything in writing that tells me that this is the evidence,” he said.

Given the concerns above, that caginess is understandable, but perhaps overdone. Surely, it can be stated in summary -- a simple press release would do -- that Well 1 of bore R was drilled

dates A to B, reaching depth D, and so far it is dry and hot, measured temp being T. Well 2 was similarly drilled with similar details, and has a status S2. We are looking at the technologies for this kind of dry rock resource (with intent to use one well as fl uid injector and one as production well, M metres away), and will provide more details as they come in. Or if in fact natural fl uids have been detected, they are at such and so temp and fl ow rate to date.

A second concern is the debate that has sprung up on ownership of the investment. The same article notes that:

[The UK Government,] HMG has been saying that when the next phase of the geothermal development becomes available, they would seek private investor interest and the Montserrat Geothermal Power Co. (MGPC) [--> a corporation formed by a local pressure group, CRM] has for some time expressed an interest to, “on behalf of the people of Montserrat provide a bid for the geothermal power complex in response to an Expression of Interest (EoI) or any other legally authorised tender” . . . .

[Premier Meade, on the third hand:] “What we are saying and the stance which we are taking with the DFID minister in the UK, let us spend the money and develop that as a national resource. Let’s not get the foreign investor involved. Let government deal with it with MUL and therefore the savings and the benefi ts will then come to government and the people of Montserrat.”

The immediate concern here is that there does not seem to be a suffi cient acknowledgement of the ongoing technical challenges involved and the narrowness of the global base of proved expertise with a seasoned, proved developer.

On fair comment, under these circumstances, a too-quick jump to issues of ownership, profi t-making and possible cost savings seems to run a risk of overlooking the need to have a mutually acceptable agreement to develop, operate GT energy and build up local technical capacity in a context of gradual technology and man-agement transfer with a credible, seasoned operator. (Cf. remarks on effective practices for GT development in the linked Energy Policy document.) And if indeed we are looking at hot dry rock approaches with a lifespan limited sharply by the fairly narrow zone of heat exchange down below, that puts constraints on what is possible -- economically, fi nancially and technically.

Photo – hut stuff Wiki gives a broader picture, that lets us see the scale of what we are looking at:

From Wiki: Enhanced geothermal system 1 Reservoir 2 Pump house 3 Heat exchanger 4 Turbine hall 5 Production well 6 Injection well 7 Hot water to district heating 8 Porous sediments 9 Observation well 10 Crystalline bedrock

Such would possibly also tip the balance in favour of so-called binary fl uid technol-ogy for a power plant, as this works with low temperature resources:

A defi nite possibility.However, resort to such

a plant is a double-whammy on effi ciency, as (i) low tempera-ture sets a lower physical limit on effi ciency per the Carnot Theorem, and (ii) a heat ex-changer is inherently a source of further ineffi ciency.

So, this live case of Sci and Tech in action bears fur-ther watching! Binary Cycle plant, designed for lower temperature resources (HT: Darling)

Page 8 Friday, October 25, 2013

Prince George christening...cont’d. from page 2

cont’d. from page 2

www.themontserratreporter.com

Montserrat’s air services

since the airport was fi rst built, and will continue to change.

The debate on what needs to be done to the airport to make it safer is ongoing, and UK Regula-tors have made recommendations, some of which have already been implemented. The John A. Osborne Airport is not dangerous, but it is challenging, and has its limitations. FlyMontserrat would welcome the opportunity to provide night fl ights on island, if and when approval is granted.

Many airlines that have oper-ated from Montserrat have come and gone, usually because the route is uneconomic. Fares (or fares plus subsidy) are typically not suffi ciently high to cover their costs. Airlines cannot continue to service routes when they cannot cover their costs. Winair pulled out in 2011 because, even with the subsidy, it could not make a profi t on the route.

GDS (Global Distribution Sys-tem) is an important aspect of an access policy as it is the platform used by travel agents all over the world to make bookings. If visitors are to be enticed to visit Montser-rat, every reasonable means should be made to do so, assuming the results are commensurate with the costs. Participation in GDS is certainly a ready-made, on-line system that could be employed and should be implemented as rapidly as practicable to aid the Sustainable Development Plan. FlyMontserrat has certainly led the way by opening the dialogue with the Government of Montserrat, and the Government has been very receptive to it’s ideas.

For several years FlyMont-serrat has had its schedules listed in OAG (which feeds information into the GDS) so flights have been visible even if they could not be booked directly by an agent. Montserrat could be benefi tting from the exposure of full GDS participation within eight weeks with airline participation in Sabre (for the US market), Amadeus (for Europe) and Galileo.

There are drawbacks as well as benefi ts to GDS. It is not the only way to make bookings, and the number of travel agents using GDS has fallen by 23% in the last 12 years as the number of people booking direct with the airlines has increased. It also has a

investment. See the Bermuda (a thriving island) situation http://bermuda-online.org/airlines.htm where Former Tourism Minister Wayne Furbert says subsidies are “just part of the cost of doing business. What we have in place is a minimum revenue guarantee, which kicks in when the airlines don’t make that certain particular load.”

“In February 2013 it was announced that with air passenger numbers flagging, the Bermuda Government had to pay out millions to airline companies to cover the cost of North American routes in 2011 and 2012. Canadian airline WestJet alone received more than $3.6 million in three separate payments made between August 2011 and June 2012. In Febru-ary 2012, American Airlines was given $361,536 to cover a revenue shortfall for the fi scal year ending November, 2011. “

Gloria says: Hi WelshWith the funds that are spent

on brochures for the Montserrat market and the scores of potential tourists in the world today, a good brochure will create interest which will be dampened if it appears even difficult for an airline or travel agent to tell them how to get here. With so many countries now riddled with political turmoil we are missing our opportunities. An airline like Winair flying to Montserrat even one day a week would give us the necessary expo-sure with their GDS capability. No

wishers gathered to watch guests drive in and out of the palace commissioned by King Henry VIII.

“We’re dying to see Prince George but I totally respect their decision (for privacy). It’s their child,” said Maria Scott, 42, draped in a British flag, who travelled 300 miles (500 km) from Newcastle in northern England for the day.

Media access to the christen-ing was blocked, with the palace appointing Jason Bell, 44, known for his portraits of r ock stars and Hollywood actors, as the sole of-fi cial photographer.

As well as the christening, Bell was expected to shoot the fi rst portrait of four generations

of the royal family in more than 100 years, with the queen and her three direct heirs, Charles, William and George.

A tier of a cake made for William and Kate’s 2011 wedding was to be served at a private tea held after the christening.

(Additional reporting by Joshua Franklin; Editing by Robin Pomeroy)

h t tp : / / uk . r eu te r s . com/art ic le /2013/10/23/uk-br i t -a in - roya l -chr i s ten ing - idUK-BRE99M0GP20131023

Britain's Prince William carries his son Prince George as they arrive for his son's christening at St James's Palace in London October 23, 2013.

Britain's Prince William carries his son Prince George, as he arrives with his wife Catherine, Duch-ess of Cambridge for their son's christening at St James's Palace in London October 23, 2013.

signifi cant set up cost and ongoing charges that will increase the cost of a ticket to passengers booked through the GDS.

The idea, however, that GDS helps the market increase just by being easily visible to travel agents is somewhat misleading. It works if people are looking for a fl ight to a destination. The misperception might arise from the counterargu-ment that people do not look for a flight just because it exists. Typically, booking a reservation is preceded by a rationale for visiting the place; there must be a reason for wanting to visit. This point was made in the updated Sustainable Development Plan and key to this is the Government and Tourist Board working to set the stage and provide those reasons. Without good reasons to visit there will be no increase in arrivals.

The Sustainable Develop-ment Plan’s goal of providing suffi cient access has already been achieved. There is an oversupply of seats to Montserrat. The passen-ger load factors – used to measure utilization – on the ferry and on the airlines are way below sustainable. FlyMontserrat schedules three to four of the fi ve to six fl ights coming in every day, and the ferry visits six times a week – all with too many empty seats. FlyMontserrat alone could bring in 200 passengers a day with its existing fl eet. This is at a time when total arrival statis-tics for January to June this year are running at an average of about 37 passenger arrivals a day – just over 1000 a month – for ferry and airlines combined.

The bit that is missing in this supply is getting it to be “sustain-able”. To be sustainable it has to survive which means its ticket price has to cover its cost. This can be covered by the passenger or a combination of passenger and subsidy. But if the subsidy does not pick up the difference between what the passenger pays and the cost, it is not sustainable. This shortfall is the reason Winair pulled out.

So the problem is not cur-rently one of supply (other than making it sustainable) but of demand. This problem with lack of demand was recognized in the Sustainable Development Plan noting that Montserrat’s economy is ‘demand defi cient’ and without sustainable access by air and sea

its development will stagnate. Sus-tainability is key to going forward; it’s also the most diffi cult aspect of the access strategy.

This was also highlighted in the Access Coordinator’s ‘Access Strategy Report’ of June 2011 in which Vincent Hippolyte said de-mand development which “focuses on generating and sustaining high levels of actual demand is critical and urgent”.

Mr. Hippolyte also said that the reduction in subsidies must be linked to a plan that increased de-mand. Unfortunately in 2011-12, air subsidies were reduced, but there was no extra demand to pick up the shortfall. Mr. Hippolyte was absolutely right. Tackling lack of demand has to be a priority. Supply follows demand and at such time as the number of visitors increases, so will supply.

Actions of other Govern-ments also impact Montserrat’s visitor numbers. Antigua’s new Airport Administration Charge of US$75 on a day trip to Montserrat implemented in November 2012 killed this market overnight. The Antiguan government should be lobbied to exempt Montserrat from this tax; particularly for day trips.

In many countries there is what is called the ‘golden triangle’ to make access to a destination work. The three participants be-ing the Tourist Board, the Airport Authority and the Airline, or service provider, working in partnership. The Tourist Board provides the de-mand – the passengers, the airport provides incentives and services that make it easy for passengers to get through the gateway, and the service provider tailors the trans-port to the demand. With advance notice of peaks in demand the airlines can respond accordingly to facilitate seamless and increasing travel demand. The solution for balancing demand with passenger seating capacity is a work in prog-ress, although seating is currently in generous supply.

FlyMontserrat very much wants to be part of the solution in making Montserrat a viable desti-nation and looks forward to helping the island develop sustainably.

Travel Industry Consultant says:

I’m not sure why subsidies are seen as a bad thing by UK’s Dfid and they aim to abolish them. They could be seen as an

international carrier knows how to get here. Refer to HHH above. Only those people with contacts in Montserrat know how to get here. Fly Montserrat need ticketing and baggage agreements with a few airlines. Too many are still inclined to put all the blame on our airport.

David Goodhall says: GDS comes at a cost. Some-

where between US$20 –25 per booking. On a long sector like New York to Antigua the percentage is small, but on the Antigua to Mont-serrat sector it could be as high as 25%. That is why the large airlines are moving off GDS to direct sales. BA says that 68% of its bookings come direct via its website, low cost carriers get over 90% of their bookings from their site. GDS is great for marketing Montserrat but the cost will be high. I also checked my old reservations to Bramble and can confi rm that both LIAT and MONTSERRAT AIRWAYS scheduled fl ights at night during the winter months. That facility would solve the Antigua overnight issue that as someone has pointed out will be more common this year due to later arrivals of inter-continental fl ights into Antigua. Interline agreements are fraught with problems and most airlines are discontinuing them due to their cost. Even if interline agreements were possible (unlikely) the ticket price would have to rise to cover that cost. Travel Industry Consul-tant is right when he say that no airline is going to pay the hotel costs as a result of late arrivals.

Government subsidies are normal for isolated communities all over the world. We should also listen to Welsh Pond when he spells out that on Montserrat supply of seats currently exceeds demand.

Gloria says: Hello DavidCan you substantiate your

fi gures? (Except for the low cost carriers). I imagine that those with a vested interest in one of our existing airlines would be negative and use fi gures to support their argument. And use sweeping statements that “no airline is going to pay hotel costs as a result of late arrivals” Winair has interline agreements with BA, Virgin, DL and several other airlines. Thanks for allowing that GDS is great for marketing Montserrat, that and in-terline agreements (TPEs) was the object of this discussion. Have you ascertained approximate increased costs to Montserrat Airways for these conveniences to Montser-rat’s travelling public? It (interline agreements) might be less than the Antigua tax. There could be other areas where it is a little more dif-fi cult, i.e. clearing house etc. But if Montserrat Airways really plan to be Montserrat’s airline and grow with us certain issues associated with airlines will have to be ad-dressed.

Obviously we need to create more demand and with the (hope-fully) increased and professional efforts of the tourist board and an airline with all the requirements, we will soon have more demand.

visit: http://www.themontserratreporter.com for daily updates