LIAT, begins its commercial schedule today 30th November with flights operating to a limited number of destinations. The airline will operate flights five days a week to seven destinations across the LIAT network. The seven destinations are: Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, and St. Vincent. LIAT will announce shortly the addition of other destinations to the schedule for December 2020.
 
LIAT, The Caribbean Airline, is currently under Administration. The Administrator is Mr. Cleveland Seaforth of BDO Antigua & Barbuda. The airline is headquartered in Antigua & Barbuda and operates to several destinations across the Caribbean.
 
The report states that the airline completed all the necessary training and regulatory requirements for the territories for the November 30th start. Also, several new procedures have been implemented to ensure the safety of staff and passengers as well as reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19. These include the mandatory wearing of masks at check-in and onboard, enhancement in its cleaning and sanitization protocols and new boarding procedures.
 
Passengers will be able to book flights via the LIAT website (www.liat.com) or the Reservations Call Centre. The airline has also published its policy for persons who will want to utilize their credits to book flights during the new limited schedule. However, passengers seeking refunds will have to await the outcome of the Administration process.

​Forestry Officer with responsibility for the National Parks Division Jacqueline Andre says there is a consultant on island looking at the financial aspect of the parks and protected areas.
 
The consultant she says states there are proper systems in place, however maintenance revenue is not being collected. Andre believes locals should be paying a fee for using the parks.

Meanwhile, Andre says the National Parks is making attempts to go into the e-payment, whereby every visitor coming to the site would use this method.

​Forestry Officer with responsibility for the National Parks Division, Jacqueline Andre.

Minister for Culture Roslyn Paul has now added her voice to the calls for inclusion of the Creole language in the schools' curriculum.
 
Her call comes following the passing of Creole Icon Felix Henderson, who was laid to rest on Saturday. Paul said it would be remiss of her to not agree to make the call in her capacity.

​Minister for Culture, Roslyn Paul.

 
General Secretary of the Dominica Public Service Union Thomas Letang reiterates the need for a Trade Union Congress (TUC). He says the DPSU will take up the responsibility to ensure that all Trade Union Leaders are brought together to review the work already done on the draft constitution and to find out what is holding back the process.

Meanwhile, Letang says Steve Joseph was re-elected as President of the DPSU, with Vice Presidency going to Delia Cuffy-Weekes. He lists the other positions.

​General Secretary of the Dominica Public Service Union, Thomas Letang.

Manufacturers in Dominica will now be better able to smooth the progress of regional trade with the creation of the CARICOM Manufacturers Association (CMA).
 
Vice Chair of the newly formed CARICOM Manufacturers Association & President of the Dominica Manufacturers Association John Robin says with the formation of CMA, manufacturers will be able to collaborate with the rest of the region by doing projects jointly.
 
The Dominica Manufacturers Association is among 6 which founded the CMA to advance and promote Caribbean Manufacturers.

​Vice Chair of the newly formed CARICOM Manufacturers Association & President of the Dominica Manufacturers Association, John Robin.

Registered Nurse, Executive member of the DPSU and Former President of the Dominica Nurses Association, Rosie Felix, warns advises Dominica’s Leaders that Citizens must have a say in policy frameworks designed by Government, and especially in Health Policy.
 
Speaking to Q95 FM recently, Felix said Dominican Leaders need to strike a balance of male nurses within the Nursing field, in efforts to follow the recommendation from the International High-Level Commission – which is to maximize women’s economic participation and foster their empowerment through institutionalizing their leadership, addressing Gender Biases and Iniquities in Education and the Health Labour Market, and tackling Gender Concerns through health reform processes.

​Rosie Felix draws an example of an area which needs to be addressed in Dominica, based on this recommendation.

​Registered Nurse, Executive member of the DPSU and Former President of the Dominica Nurses Association, Rosie Felix

​Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Award Recipient Mr Michael Murphy is considering passing on the mantle to the younger generation to carry the mission forward.
 
Mr. Murphy made that revelation at the Ministry for Youth Development & Empowerment, and Dominicans with Disabilities International Men’s Day Awards Recognition Ceremony.
 
In his address, Mr. Murphy expressed his appreciation and stated that he is nearing retirement from the field, but there is one young man who he feels is more than capable of filling that position.  That young man is none other than Loik Charles, who was also a recipient of an International Men’s Day Award.

​Meantime, Mr. Loik Charles also expressed his appreciation for both the award, and the recognition by Mr. Murphy.

​Mr. Loik Charles

​Discover Dominica expressed gratitude for the wonderful partnership between Air Antilles and Dominica. Speaking at a Virtual press conference with Air Antilles, CEO of Discover Dominica, Mr. Colin Piper, highlighted the long-standing relationship between Dominica and the Airline, as well as the introduction of some of the new travel destinations presented by Air Antilles.

​Piper said this shows the flexibility of the Airline, and its willingness to work with Dominica as a destination.

​CEO of Discover Dominica, Mr. Colin Piper

​Finesse Beauty House of Fashion launches its Finesse Makeover Fashion Line and claim it transcends the contemporary designs. Launching their product on Friday, Finesse Beauty House of Fashion introduced designs and creations that are said to exemplify the definition of Finesse.
 
Longest standing employee of Finesse Beauty, Ms Rashida Gachette gave an insight on the creative mindset and processes of the House of Fashion. 

​Longest standing employee of the Finesse Beauty, Ms. Rashida Gachette
 
Meantime, Founder of Finesse Beauty Mrs Kimara Matthew quoting Napoleon Hill said, “Every adversity, every failure and every heartache carries with it a seed of equivalent and greater Benefit.” She expressed satisfaction with the launch.

​Founder of Finesse Beauty, Mrs. Kimara Matthew
 
Mrs Mathew went on to explain the process and mindset going into the transformation of the product, and one of the recipients of the Finesse Beauty Package Ms. Caryl Augustus expressed satisfaction with it.

Recipient of a Finesse Beauty Package Ms Caryl Augustus and Finesse Beauty Founder, Ms. Kimara Matthew

The Dominica Association of Industry & Commerce (DAIC) has partnered with Dominica Electricity Corporation (DOMLEC) on a Business Christmas Lighting Competition to be held this Christmas season, to bring joy and cheer to the general public.
 
In light of the severe challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, this initiative seeks to encourage the business community to exercise their corporate responsibility to spread Christmas cheer by lighting up their storefronts.
 
Executive Director of the DAIC, Lizra Fabien explains that Businesses will be judged based on the most elaborate and innovative storefront lighting designs. The Dominica Electricity Corporation will provide electricity concessions valued at $1000, $750, and $500 for first, second, and third places winners, respectively.  

​To participate in this initiative, businesses must register by submitting a photo of the lighting of their storefront by 4:00 PM on 16th December.

Executive Director of the DAIC, Lizra Fabien