On Monday 1st December 2014, SLHTA EVP Noorani Azeez, along with fellow members of the Board of Directors of the Saint Lucia Marine Management Authority (SMMA) met with representatives of the GIZ to discuss the Caribbean Aqua Terrestrial Solutions Project (CATS) being implemented by GIZ and CARPHA in several Caribbean countries including St. Lucia.  The Department of Fisheries is the focal agency in St. Lucia and SMMA Inc. and is the executing agency.  The meeting with the CAT C2 Project Implementation Team (PIT) discussed, among other matters:

• Recent developments at the SMMA/CAMMA and related assistance received from CATS C2
• Presentation of the current SMMA/CAMMA Management Plan Zero Draft and related Communication Strategy and Action Plan
• Current status of project implementation and outlook into 2015
• Current programme/project implementation issues and suggestions for action

CATS is an umbrella program that follows a 'Ridge-to-Reef Approach' by bringing together two topical projects, namely one on "Adaptation of Rural Economies and Natural Resources to Climate Change", and the other on the "Management of Coastal Resources and Conservation of Marine Biodiversity".  CATS is a regional development cooperation program between the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany. 

The implementing agencies are the Environmental Health and Management Unit of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and the German Government's Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ).

The meeting was held at the Ministry of Agriculture's conference room from 10 am -1 pm.

On Wednesday 3rd December 2014, SLHTA representatives Noorani Azeez and Zina Haynes met with CEO of the CGM Gallagher Group Matthew Pragnell and their Chief Operating Officer Saundra Bailey to review efforts to date on the SLHTA Group Medical Insurance Plan and to finalize next step.  Having selected a plan, the next stage involves receiving final approval from the SLHTA's Board of Directors to proceed.  SLHTA member companies interested in participating in the Group Medical Plan are asked to contact Zina Haynes at marketing@slhta.com for further information. 

CGM Gallagher Group, a member company of the SLHTA, was formally engaged to provide these services earlier this year.  The Group has successfully partnered with a number of other regional hotel associations to implement similar plans in other territories.  The SLHTA Group Medical Insurance Plan is exclusive to SLHTA members and will seek to provide medical insurance for their employees at a significantly reduced premium.  The plan is expected to be fully operationalized by 15th January 2015.

Waste Matters: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

On Thursday 4th December 2014, the SLHTA attended a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Saint Lucia Solid Waste Management Authority.  The meeting discussed administrative matters related to the Authority as well as governance issues and strategies to raise advocacy for more responsible waste disposal matters.  Effective stewardship of the environment continues to be a very high priority at the SLHTA.  

The SLHTA takes this opportunity to remind its members to continue to practice safe and responsible waste disposal habits, particularly during the festive season.  Companies are also encouraged to remind staff of their key role in managing waste disposal at home and at work.  For more information visit http://www.sluswma.org/

 KEEPING ST.LUCIA CLEAN AND BEAUTIFUL IS UP TO ALL OF US. THE SLUSWMA INVITES YOU TO GET INVOLVED ... TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.