APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN FOR THE GRACEKENNEDY JAMAICAN BIRTHRIGHT PROGRAMME

Homage to Reggae King Bob Marley – Participants in the 2015GraceKennedy Jamaican Birthright Internship Programme pay a visit to the Bob Marley Museum. Seen here (from left) are Janae Bell, Jamila Turner Dell’Acqua, Ukpong Etang and Kira Starks.

KINGSTON, JAMAICA, September 9 -  After reviving its popular Jamaican Birthright programme in 2015, GraceKennedy has announced that applications for the 2016 period are now open. The aim of the programme is to expose second and third generation Jamaican university students to a diversified Jamaican experience through music, social activities and professional tutelage through internships at GraceKennedy.       

“The programme this year was a huge success. Our 2015 Birthright interns had an unforgettable and rewarding experience,” said Executive Director of the GraceKennedy Foundation, Caroline Mahfood, who has oversight for the project. She continued, “With the help of our partners Sandals, Digicel and the Jamaica Tourist Board, the interns not only experienced the professional aspect of Jamaica but also the rich cultural heritage, from cuisine to music, sports and more. They really got the chance to get up close and personal with Jamaica.”

Diaspora Partnership in Action   GraceKennedy Limited led the successful relaunch of its Jamaican Birthright Internship Programme in partnership with Sandals Foundation, Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) and Digicel Jamaica.     Pictured at the relaunch of the Programme on July 6, 2015 at GraceKennedy’s head office in Kingston (from left) are Heidi Clarke, Director of Programmes, Sandals Foundation; Don Wehby, GraceKennedy Group CEO; Birthright Interns Janae Bell and Ukpong Etang; Sandra Scott,  Deputy Director of Tourism, JTB; Birthright Interns Kira Starks and Jamila Turner Dell’Acqua; and Neil Lawrence (right) Diaspora Manager, Digicel Jamaica. 

2015 Birthright Interns, Janae Bell, a freshman at Harvard University, Kira Starks, a  graduate of the University of Baltimore, Jamila Turner Dell’Acqua, a  graduate of the University of East London, and Ukpong Etang, a junior at Concordia University in Montreal, received an all-expenses paid, five week trip to Jamaica to participate in the programme. They all expressed appreciation for having had the opportunity. According to Janae, “I really developed a love and appreciation for Jamaica on this trip. I was able to experience the life and culture as a resident rather than a tourist. The GK Birthright Programme is one I recommend all students of Jamaican heritage take part in.”

The GraceKennedy Foundation is ensuring that students have that chance. Applications are open to second and third generation Jamaicans (of Jamaican parentage or grand parentage) between the ages 18 – 25 years, who have not lived in Jamaica for more than six months, and who are seeking an opportunity to learn and explore their Jamaican heritage. They must be pursuing either an undergraduate or graduate degree and must have a Grade ‘B’ average or higher.   Applications will be accepted online from September 7 to November 30, 2015, after which four persons – two from the United States, one from the United Kingdom and one from Canada - will be chosen to participate in the Birthright Programme for 2016.   GraceKennedy Limited will host the four university students from July 2 to August 6, 2016, giving them hands-on experience in their chosen career fields.   

Application forms are available online at www.gracekennedy.com. For further information, email gkfoundation@gkco.com or call 1876 9

DIGICEL COMMITS OVER US$500,000 IN SUPPORT OF DOMINICA’S RELIEF EFFORTS ( - As the first operator to be functioning across the entire island, it has provided free call credit to all mobile customers & Digicel Play TV service is also being provided free of charge to all customers for the month of August )

Friday 4^th September 2015 – Roseau, Dominica

Digicel today announced that it has committed over US$500,000 in support of the relief efforts in Dominica following the devastation that was left behind when Tropical Storm Erika hit the island last week.

Having confirmed the safety of all staff, Digicel’s immediate focus moved towards ensuring its networks were restored and operational as quickly as possible, enabling customers to communicate with friends and family throughout other parts of the island and abroad. With the mobile network now 98% operational, Digicel has given away free call credit to customers across the island.  On the Digicel Play side, the network has been restored in all of the main areas and Digicel is today announcing that as a result of the disruption, customers will not be charged for their TV service for the month of August, also easing the financial burden at this time.

In tandem, Digicel has been supporting the relief efforts on the island in partnership with aid agencies as well as directly with those communities most affected. To date, it has delivered US$150,000 in food supplies, blankets, mattresses, stoves and handsets to staff and residents in the worst affected communities and continues to work closely with the Red Cross – donating supplies as well as a boat to provide access to those who are cut off by road.

The team is also assisting various groups with handsets and credit including the Police Head Quarters, Dominica Air and Sea Port Authority, and the Meteorological Office. In addition, Digicel has launched a text to donate line across all 32 markets – from which all funds will be donated directly to Dominica’s relief efforts.  

Paul Osborne, Digicel Regional CEO, said; “We are deeply upset and concerned by the devastation left behind in the wake of Tropical Storm Erika and are doing everything we can to support the much-needed relief efforts. In the coming days, my team will be at Roseau Grammar School and Grandbay where they will be serving food and hosting the evacuated families in these locations.”

“We hope that others will also step up to support the people of Dominica by providing aid to assist with the recovery and rebuilding efforts that are now needed on the island,” concluded Osborne.

ENDS

About Digicel Group

Digicel Group is a leading global communications provider with operations in 33 markets in the Caribbean, Central America and Asia Pacific. After more than 14 years of operation, total investment to date stands at over US$5 billion worldwide. The company is renowned for delivering best value, best service and best network.

Digicel is the lead sponsor of Caribbean, Central American and Pacific sports teams, including the Special Olympics teams throughout these regions. Digicel sponsors the West Indies cricket team and is also the title sponsor of the Caribbean Premier League. In the Pacific, Digicel is the proud sponsor of several national rugby teams and also sponsors the Vanuatu cricket team.

Digicel also runs a host of community-based initiatives across its markets and has set up Digicel Foundations in Haiti, Jamaica, Papua New Guinea and Trinidad and Tobago which focus on educational, cultural and social development programmes.

DIGICEL JUMPSTART CLINICS OFF TO A GREAT START

BVI’s players and coaches learned invaluable skills and techniques from the NBA coaches during the Digicel Jumpstart Clinics

Friday 28^th August 2015 – Kingston, Jamaica: Young basketballers from the British Virgin Islands (BVI) showed tremendous skill and class during the Digicel Jumpstart Clinics which visited the island for the first time this week.

As the aspiring young players ran up and down the court at a frenetic pace, the official NBA coaches were impressed by the athletes’ level of technical ability and basketball IQ. Senior Director of International Basketball Operations at the NBA, Troy Justice, said; “The boys were smart, fast and very athletic. They played a fast-paced style offense but were still technically sound and kept to their fundamentals. The point guards were instinctive and distributed the ball all around the court. We were impressed.”

The local basketball coaches in the BVI were also given an opportunity to learn from and share ideas with the NBA coaches. Troy Justice commented; “It’s always good to share ideas with other coaches. The coaches were open to learning new ideas, both offensively and defensively. I also bounced some ideas off them and learnt a bit myself. It was my pleasure working with them.”

The Digicel Jumpstart Clinics is a once in a lifetime opportunity for young players to showcase their talent and learn from official NBA coaches. It also teaches importance of work ethic, values, proper sportsmanship and motivates children to be the best they can be on and off the court.

The Digicel Jumpstart Clinics launched in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) and saw the island’s best basketball players being put through their paces by NBA-certified coaches

At the end of the Clinics, BVI’s top five players were selected to represent their country at the Elite Camp to be held later this year in Trinidad and Tobago

ABOUT DIGICEL

Digicel Group is a leading global communications provider with operations in 33 markets in the Caribbean, Central America and Asia Pacific. After almost 14 years of operation, total investment to date stands at over US$5 billion worldwide. The company is renowned for delivering best value, best service and best network.

Digicel is the lead sponsor of Caribbean, Central American and Pacific sports teams, including the Special Olympics teams throughout these regions. Digicel sponsors the West Indies cricket team and is also the presenting partner of the Caribbean Premier League. In the Pacific, Digicel is the proud sponsor of several national rugby teams and also sponsors the Vanuatu cricket team.

Digicel also runs a host of community-based initiatives across its markets and has set up Digicel Foundations in Haiti, Jamaica, Papua New Guinea and Trinidad and Tobago which focus on educational, cultural and social development programmes.

The NBA coaches said the players in BVI showed great technical ability and tenacity on the court

The Digicel Jumpstart Clinics seek to unearth basketball talent across the Caribbean and the players from BVI did not disappoint

Visit www.digicelgroup.com for more information.

GRACEKENNEDY HALF YEAR REVENUES UP $5.6b OR 16.5% OVER PRIOR YEAR ( - Company says performance better than planned; cites factors which had adverse impact )

KINGSTON, JAMAICA, July 31 

The GraceKennedy Group is reporting a ‘better than planned’ performance for the second quarter of 2015. Unaudited results show the Group achieving revenues of $39.3 billion, a 16.5% or $5.6 billion increase over the corresponding period.  Net profit declined by $380.9 million or 20.1% compared with the corresponding period of 2014.       The expectation is that there will be improved profitability for the rest of the year. Among the factors which negatively impacted the business are the transition of its new US Food operations – GraceKennedy Foods USA LLC, recognition of the total asset tax liability in the period, lower foreign exchange gains and higher finance costs.

GraceKennedy Group CEO noted, “The performance of our Foods business in Jamaica is the best it has been in many years, both in revenue and in profit.”  The ‘Grace on The Move’ campaign in Jamaica was credited with driving volumes for both the company’s manufacturing and distribution arms in Jamaica. The company’s Canadian and UK operations continue to expand distribution through prominent retailers in Canada, Germany and The Netherlands.  

Overall, the Food Trading segment was negatively impacted by the integration of the company’s US operations. “We made the investment in this acquisition and we knew that we were investing for growth. We knew that there will be challenges but we have the strategic and execution plans in place to ensure that our objectives are met,” said Mr Wehby. He noted that revenues have been good, and that the focus for the rest of 2015 is margin management and expense control.  “I remain very optimistic that this acquisition will be a game changer for the GraceKennedy Group,” he said.

First Global Bank recorded increased profits, delivering higher net interest and non-interest income, supported by growth in its loan and deposit portfolios. The Money Services segment had higher revenues as a result of higher remittance transactions in Jamaica. Profits were however flat due to investments in technology and efficiency reviews during the period. These investments are expected to yield even more benefits in the future.  The segment also received regulatory approval for a pilot of Mobile Wallet, an electronic payment service that will allow for payment transactions to be conducted via cellular phones, to be launched in September 2015.

In May 2015, GraceKennedy re-branded Jamaica International Insurance Company Limited and First Global Insurance Brokers Limited in Turks and Caicos to GK General Insurance Company Limited and GK Insurance Brokers Limited respectively. The Insurance segment had increased revenue, with GK General Insurance delivering higher underwriting results largely due to an improvement in claims. The segment was however impacted by lower foreign exchange gains.

Mr Wehby disclosed that as part of the Group’s strategic focus of expanding in the Food and Financial Services sectors, the decision was taken to sell its shares in Hardware & Lumber Limited. The GraceKennedy Group now comprises four business segments – Food, Finance, Insurance and Money Services - in keeping with the growth drivers of GK.   

Group CFO Frank James disclosed that on July 30, 2015 the Board of Directors approved a second interim dividend of 83 cents per stock unit to be paid on September 30, 2015, an increase of 6.4% over the corresponding period in 2014.  

In speaking to the results, the Group CEO said that GraceKennedy has invested for growth, and is confident that the investments will pay off.  “We have made significant strides in our goal of becoming a Global Consumer Group, as we continue to expand our reach in the North American and African food markets and our financial services division continues to offer innovative solutions to customers in the Caribbean region. We remain focused on ‘winning customers’ hearts and minds through great people’ and we thank all our stakeholders for their continued support, as we continue to be guided by our values of honesty, integrity and trust.”

SPECTACULAR OPENING TO SPECIAL OLYMPICS WORLD GAMES ( - Digicel SportsMax to carry highlights of the Games )

Tuesday, July 28, 2015 - Los Angeles, California

Contingents from 22 Digicel markets paraded before a packed Los Angeles Coliseum for the Opening of the Special Olympics World Games on Saturday, July 25 and were met with thunderous applause as they made their way along the red carpet to their respective seats. Over 500 athletes from Digicel territories in Latin America, Asia Pacific and the Caribbean were represented at the pinnacle event of the special needs sports realm. 

 Many territories sought to show off their national costumes and dances as they made their way into the Coliseum, much to the delight of the crowd. Many fans and families were dressed in team colours to  support their own – among them many celebrities from the acting and sporting fraternities.

cross-section of the estimated half million spectators who crammed into the Los Angeles Coliseum for the Opening of the World Games

For the first time in 16 years, the World Games, the brainchild of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, returned to the US and features 6500 athletes from 177 countries, competing in 25 sporting disciplines, ranging from track and field to basketball and bocce.  The half-million estimated spectators were treated to an opening that included performances by Latin singing sensation J Balvin, Cassidy Pope, Stevie Wonder and a gripping rendition of the US National Anthem sung by Nicole Scherzinger among others. 

 Over the next seven days at venues across Los Angeles, fans, coaches and families will watch athletes with a variety of intellectual disabilities including cerebral palsy, autism and Down’s Syndrome, competing against one another, as well as alongside non-disabled participants in a series of ‘unified sports’ contests, as the Special Olympics boosts its inclusion agenda.

In a first, Digicel through Digicel SportsMax will carry highlights of the Games each day as well as interesting human interest features.

Digicel as an avid supporter of Special Olympics has contributed significantly in terms of sponsorships and activations across its markets.to support the athletes and their journey to the 2015 World Games. Now that the Games are finally here, the company is delighted that the athletes can have their once in lifetime experiences and realise their dreams.

The Jamaican contingent parading into the Los Angeles Coliseum at the Opening of the Special Olympic World Games 2015

ENDS

About Digicel Group

Digicel Group Limited is a leading global telecommunications provider with operations in 33 markets in the Caribbean, Central America and Asia Pacific. After 14 years of operation, total investment to date stands at over US$5 billion worldwide. The company is renowned for delivering best value, best service and best network.  

Digicel runs a host of community-based initiatives across its markets and has set up Digicel Foundations in Jamaica, Haiti, Papua New Guinea and Trinidad and Tobago which focus on educational, cultural and social development programmes. 

Digicel is the lead sponsor of Caribbean, Central American and Pacific sports teams and individuals including the world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt and Special Olympics teams throughout these regions. Digicel also sponsors the West Indies cricket team. 

Visit www.digicelgroup.com for more information.

DIGICEL HOSTS CELEBRATION DINNER IN LOS ANGELES FOR FAMILIES AND VOLUNTEERS OF SPECIAL OLYMPICS WORLD GAMES 2015 ( - Jamaican Prime Minister sends letter of gratitude )

Sunday, July 26, 2015 – Los Angeles, California

Digicel showed its appreciation to hundreds of families, volunteers and Local Organising Committees from 23 countries in a celebration event in Los Angeles, California at the Westin Bonavenure Hotel on Friday, July 24. The dinner, held on the picturesque rooftop of the hotel was held to acknowledge the tremendous effort made by their guests over the past two years to get their respective teams to the Summer Games. 

Volunteers and Special Olympics officials who took time off from the whirlwind pace of the Games to attend the event, were treated to a night off to relax before going into the Opening Ceremony to be held at the Los Angeles Coliseum on July 24. Many took the opportunity to reconnect with previous Games participants, swap stories and tokens ahead of the Games. 

Digicel’s support of Special Olympics has been prolific over the past 15 years in many of its markets, with major financial injection in terms of athlete facilities, coaching, equipment, social inclusion projects through unified sporting activities such as the Digicel KickStart Clinics and the Caribbean Premier League tournaments and awareness programmes to advance the causes of those with special needs.

John Delves, Digicel’s Regional CEO, noted that; “Digicel’s involvement in Special Olympics and programmes for those with special needs has been filtered throughout the organisation from the helm – with the passion for special needs causes being championed by Digicel Chairman, Denis O’Brien. Digicel has prioritised special needs through our Foundations and in many of our other markets. However, the effort that we put in pales in comparison to the work of the coaches and volunteers and the relentless support of the families. It is Digicel’s honour to treat you and congratulate you for the great job you have done with the athletes both on and off the field.”

The celebration event was attended by several worldwide dignitaries who included: Samoa’s Minister for the Ministry of Women, Hon. Tolofuaivalelei Falemoe Leiataua; Her Excellency Ann Anderson, Irish Ambassador the US; Mary Davis, President of Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia and several delegation heads and countrypatrons. 

In a moving presentation, Lorna Bell, Chairperson of Special Olympics Jamaica and Professor Alldrick McNabb, Patron of Special Olympics Jamaica (Football) presented a letter from the Jamaican Prime Minister, Portia Simpson Miller to Denis O’Brien and accepted on his behalf by John Delves – expressing her gratitude for Digicel’s support of the Jamaican team and their Special Olympics programmes. Ms. Bell and Mr. McNabb also presented photo montage of the highlights of the Jamaican contingent leading up the Games.

ENDS

About Digicel Group

Digicel Group Limited is a leading global telecommunications provider with operations in 33 markets in the Caribbean, Central America and Asia Pacific. After 14 years of operation, total investment to date stands at over US$5 billion worldwide. The company is renowned for delivering best value, best service and best network. 

Digicel runs a host of community-based initiatives across its markets and has set up Digicel Foundations in Jamaica, Haiti, Papua New Guinea and Trinidad and Tobago which focus on educational, cultural and social development programmes.

Digicel is the lead sponsor of Caribbean, Central American and Pacific sports teams and individuals including the world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt and Special Olympics teams throughout these regions. Digicel also sponsors the West Indies cricket team. 

Visit www.digicelgroup.com for more information.

2015 HERO CARIBBEAN PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCH REPORT 32 ( - Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel (109-4) beat Guyana Amazon Warriors (108-9) by six wickets with nine balls to spare )

Saturday 25th July – Port of Spain, Trinidad

The Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel secured a place in the final of the Hero Caribbean Premier League with a win over the Guyana Amazon Warriors thanks to a brilliant bowling display from Samuel Badree and yet more wickets for Dwayne Bravo. Lendl Simmons top scored for the Amazon Warriors but his half century was a lone effort as no other batsman scored more than 12. Kamran Akmal made his highest score of this year’s event for the victors as the Red Steel secured victory with nine balls to spare.

Having won the toss and elected to bat the Amazon Warriors got off to a steady start, making it to 40-1 in their Powerplay. Assad Fudadin was replaced at the top of the order by Trevon Griffith but the move was not a successful one. Griffith managed one boundary before holing out on the mid-wicket boundary for five. That brought Denesh Ramdin to the crease, but it was Lendl Simmons that was doing the run scoring.

Ramdin never got going, eventually dismissed for six runs off 15 balls when he looped a catch back to the bowler, Sulieman Benn. Things got worse for the Guyana side when the experienced Brad Hodge smashed a ball straight to the man on the square leg boundary off Samuel Badree as they lost the benefit of the Powerplay.

In an attempt to reintroduce some impetus to their flagging innings, the Amazon Warriors promoted Sunil Narine up the order, but the spin bowler lasted just two balls before he was bowled by Badree for a duck. Things got even worse for the visitors when Umar Akmal also departed for no score, caught at first slip off Benn, as they slumped to 56-5 at the halfway point of their innings.

On a pitch that was taking turn the Amazon Warriors needed to give their excellent spinners a total that they could defend and Simmons stood firm on his way to 64, the best score by a distance. The only support that he got throughout the innings was from Christopher Barnwell who made 12 before he was run out by Dwayne Bravo.

Simmons departed, run out in the 20^th over, but he had at least given his team a chance. Badree finished with figures of 2-9 off his four overs and Dwayne Bravo continued his wicket taking form with two more to take his tournament tally to an incredible 28 victims.

The Amazon Warriors got to three figures, setting the Red Steel 109 to win. Jacques Kallis and Cameron Delport opened the batting and it wasn’t long before Delport was gone, bowled by Veerasammy Permaul for three.

Kamran Akmal replaced the South African opener and immediately took a liking to the Guyana seamers as he smashed five successive boundaries off David Wiese. While Akmal was motoring, at the other end Kallis was struggling, eventually departing for eight, dismissed by Devendra Bishoo.

That wicket could well have seen a collapse in the Red Steel batting line up, but Akmal and Darren Bravo found the boundary regularly. Despite there being a number of dot balls strung together by the Amazon Warriors spinners, those shots getting to the rope removed the pressure on the batsmen.

Darren Bravo fell to the bowling of Marchant de Lange when he skied a catch to long on and Akmal also departed in the next over, bowled by Narine for 45, but the match had already become a formality by that stage. The Red Steel were able to keep the risks they needed to take against the tricky Amazon Warriors spinners to a minimum.

Dwayne Bravo and Jason Mohammad knocked off the remaining runs required, but Mohammad should have departed for a two ball duck when he edged the ball to slip but the umpire turned down the appeal. Mohammad made the most of his good fortune as he guided his side to victory.

The Red Steel have gone about getting to the final the hard way, having finished third in the group stage they have needed to beat the Jamaica Tallawahs and then get past the Amazon Warriors. The Barbados Tridents qualified automatically so have not played in a week. The Red Steel have played three matches since the Tridents last took the field so will certainly not have the problem of lacking match practice, but they may be weary.  

Sunday’s Hero CPL Final takes place at Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain at 4:30pm (EST) and will be preceded by a Brian Lara Masterclass from the West Indies legend.