CARIBBEAN: CCC completes preliminary examination of CWC’s agreement to acquire Columbus

Wednesday, July 1st, 2015 at 3:07 PM

The CARICOM Competition Commission (“the Commission”) hereby provides an update to its statement published on 28 January 2015 on www.caricomcompetitioncommission.com and issued to media organisations in Member States throughout the region, regarding the agreement by Cable and Wireless Communications Plc (“CWC”) to acquire Columbus International Inc. (“Columbus”).

Pursuant to Article 176.1 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (RTC), the Commission has completed its Preliminary Examination of the agreement and has reached the conclusion that an investigation is warranted.

In this regard, the Commission will now undertake to complete the remaining procedural steps under Article 176 of the RTC to further progress this matter.

Given that the findings of the Preliminary Examination indicate that an investigation is required, in accordance with Article 176.4 of the RTC, the Commission will hold consultations with the Member States concerned to determine and agree on its jurisdiction to investigate the business transaction.

Article 176.5 further states that: “If there is a difference of opinion between the Commission and the Member State regarding the nature and effects of the business conduct or the jurisdiction of the investigating authority, the Commission shall:

(a) cease any further examination of the matter; and

(b) refer the matter to COTED for its decision.”

Article 176.6 further provides that: “Nothing in this Article shall prejudice the right of the Member State to initiate proceedings before the Court at any time.”

Article 176.7 then concludes by stating that: “Where there is a finding that the Commission has jurisdiction to investigate the matter, the Commission shall follow the procedures set out in paragraphs 5, 6, 7 and 8 of Article 175″.”

The Commission expects this consultation phase with the Member States to be completed in a timely manner. The Commission will then provide an update on its next steps.

Stocks & Securities CEO for Old Harbour Chamber Business Mingle

http://www.oldharbournews.com/index.php/business/item/640-stocks-securities-ceo-for-old-harbour-chamber-business-mingle

CARIBBEAN LOTTERY AFTER SCHOOL ADVANTAGE PROGRAMME MAKES ISLAND ACADEMY ITS SECOND HOME

St. John’s, Antigua, June 25, 2015

Today, a newly equipped state-of-the-art computer lab was officially opened at the Island Academy. In order to assist the school to further improve its academic offerings, 20 new computers were installed and the lab refurbished through the Caribbean Lottery™ After School Advantage Programme. Since 2001, Island Academy has been fulfilling its mission of providing world-class education to a student body which represents 20 different nations.

The After School Advantage Programme sponsored by Caribbean Lottery and International Game Technology PLC, (IGT) (formerly GTECH), is the company’s signature global corporate philanthropic initiative. The Programme provides non-government agencies with well-equipped computer centres for their facilities, with a keen focus on the globalised educational development of young people aged 5-18. The Company works with more than 250 After School Advantage Centers that successfully operate worldwide.

ISLAND ACADEMY HAS A NEW COMPUTER LAB: With scissors in hand, Bernadette Sherman (right), Founder of Island Academy, officially opens the second Caribbean Lottery™ After School Advantage Centre in Antigua. Sharing in the moment are Brendan Hames, Account Development Manager of International Game Technology (IGT, formerly GTECH) Antilles Lotteries Division and Jacqueline James, Corporate Counsel & Senior Manager at Caribbean Lottery. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at Island Academy in St. John’s, Antigua on Thursday, June 25. The After School Advantage Programme sponsored by Caribbean Lottery and IGT, is the company’s signature global corporate philanthropic initiative. The company opened its first centre at the Good Shepherd Home for Girls in October 2014. For each After School Advantage centre up to US$15,000 is spent on state-of-the-art computers, online technology, educational software, and employee volunteer hours.

NEW COMPUTER LAB:  On Thursday, June 25, a newly equipped state-of-the-art computer lab was officially opened at Island Academy in St. John’s, Antigua. Twenty new computers were installed and the lab refurbished through the Caribbean Lottery™ After School Advantage Programme. It is sponsored by Caribbean Lottery and International Game Technology PLC, (IGT) (formerly GTECH).  Island Academy is home to the company’s second After School Advantage Centre in Antigua, with the first being opened in October 2014 at the Good Shepherd Home for Girls. For each After School Advantage Centre up to US$15,000 is spent on state-of-the-art computers, online technology, educational software, and employee volunteer hours. The Company works with more than 250 After School Advantage Centres that successfully operate worldwide.

Island Academy is home to the Caribbean Lottery’s second After School Advantage Centre. The company opened its first centre at the Good Shepherd Home for Girls in October 2014. For each After School Advantage centre up to US$15,000 is spent on state-of-the-art computers, online technology, educational software, and employee volunteer hours.

“I am encouraged to learn that almost half of Island Academy’s students receive scholarships to attend the school. This factor, combined with a requirement for students to dedicate significant hours per year for community service, greatly influenced our decision and level of commitment to partner with Island Academy through our After School Advantage Programme. It certainly helped to know that we were choosing the right long-term partner for Caribbean Lottery’s After School Advantage Programme,” remarked Brendan Hames, Account Development Manager of IGT’s Antilles Lottery Division.

More than half of the computers in the lab were over 15 years old. Dorlan James, IT instructor at the school, noted that with the new computers he will be able to introduce new programmes that include graphic design, audio and video production.

“The computers will make a vast difference in our classroom infrastructure. I will be able to have better control of what goes on the computers from the students, the use of better antivirus and firewall programmes without the system running very slowly. I will be able to install all the latest software and this will contribute to the students’ learning experience. All that being said, the students and myself can rest assured that any work, data, assignments done on the systems would not be lost due to a system failure,” said an appreciative James.

HIGH FIVE! Brendan Hames, Account Development Manager of International Game Technology (IGT, formerly GTECH) Antilles Lotteries Division, gives a ‘high five’ to Madison Hadeed, Member of the Island Academy Glee Club. Looking on are: Jacqueline James (2^nd left), Corporate Counsel & Senior Manager and Arlene Alexander, Office Manager both from Caribbean Lottery. Occasion was the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the launch of the Caribbean Lottery™ After School Advantage Programme at Island Academy in St. John’s, Antigua on Thursday, June 25. The After School Advantage Programme sponsored by Caribbean Lottery and IGT, is the company’s signature global corporate philanthropic initiative. The company opened its first centre in Antigua at the Good Shepherd Home for Girls in October 2014. For each After School Advantage centre up to US$15,000 is spent on state-of-the-art computers, online technology, educational software, and employee volunteer hours.

 

ALL SMILES: Jacqueline James (right), Corporate Counsel & Senior Manager at Caribbean Lottery shares lens time with Bernadette Sherman (centre), Founder of Island Academy and Careisha Whyte, Island Academy, class of 2012 and Midwestern State University Scholarship Recipient. They are seen in the newly equipped state-of-the-art computer lab courtesy of The After School Advantage Programme sponsored by Caribbean Lottery and International Game Technology PLC, (IGT) (formerly GTECH).  The lab was officially opened on Thursday, June 25, with Careisha Whyte serving as the keynote speaker. Island Academy is home to Caribbean Lottery’s second After School Advantage Centre. The company opened its first centre at the Good Shepherd Home for Girls in October 2014. For each After School Advantage Centre up to US$15,000 is spent on state-of-the-art computers, online technology, educational software, and employee volunteer hours.

The Caribbean Lottery’s After School Advantage Programme is a long-term commitment, and a special efforts are made to upgrade and re-equip centres periodically. The company will continue to look for other non-governmental organizations to partner with to expand its After School Advantage program in Antigua. The Company installs a wide variety of equipment to meet the unique needs of each of its partner centers. This includes: desktops, laptops, tablets, printers, projectors and screens, and specialized educational software. Caribbean Lottery’s employees volunteer their time to equip and upgrade the computer room. It is their staff’s participation that ensures the success of the After School Advantage Programme.

Since 2011, IGT and its subsidiaries have opened and upgraded 30 After School Advantage locations in the English-speaking Caribbean. In Jamaica, there are 10 IGT After School Advantage centres. IGT in Trinidad & Tobago has made 15 donations in computer equipment, educational software, building refurbishment and employee volunteer hours to open new or upgrade existing After School Advantage centres. Caribbean Lottery and IGT have equipped one After School Advantage center in each of these locations; St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Kitts and Barbados.

-END-

About Caribbean Lottery :

Caribbean Lottery is a trade name registered and used by Caribbean Lottery Services, Inc. and affiliates that are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Providence, Rhode Island-based IGT, formerly known as GTECH. Caribbean Lottery™ is the trade name for companies under common ownership, which individually hold long-term licenses to operate lotteries in Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Maarten, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Caribbean Lottery has an exclusive license to operate the lottery. As a full service lottery, Caribbean Lottery operates with the highest standards of security and transparency serving lotteries in Antigua and Barbuda and in the Eastern Antilles. The company provides a full-suite of services including: product and technology development; communications channels; data storage and data center operations; financial transactional records in line with industry and worldwide best practices; and sales and marketing support.

The Caribbean Lottery has business partnerships with more than 40 retail stores across the country and made EC$3.2 million in Prize Payments to Players in 2014.

About IGT :

IGT (NYSE:IGT) is the global leader in gaming. We enable players to experience their favorite games across all channels and regulated segments, from Gaming Machines and Lotteries to Interactive and Social Gaming. Leveraging a wealth of premium content, substantial investment in innovation, in-depth customer intelligence, operational expertise and leading-edge technology, our gaming solutions anticipate the demands of consumers wherever they decide to play. We have a well-established local presence and relationships with governments and regulators in more than 100 countries around the world, and create value by adhering to the highest standards of service, integrity, and responsibility. IGT has more than 13,000 employees. For more information, please visit www.merger.igt.com.

2015 HERO CARIBBEAN PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCH REPORT 7 ( - St Kitts and Nevis Patriots (143-8) beat Barbados Tridents (142-7) by one run )

Saturday 27th June 2015 – Bridgetown, Barbados

The Barbados Tridents lost for the first time in this year’s Hero Caribbean Premier League as they were defeated by the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots. A superb innings of 82 from Keiron Pollard was not enough to see the Tridents to victory as they suffered only their second home defeat in CPL history. The highest score in the Patriots innings was just 27 but a cameo innings from Carlos Brathwaite and early wickets for Sheldon Cottrell gave the Patriots their first win. 

The Tridents started well and were delighted to get Martin Guptill early, the New Zealand opener mistiming a drive to Jason Holder at mid-on. The big Kiwi had hit two sixes in his innings of 23 off 15 balls and was looking dangerous prior to his dismissal. 

His opening partner, Evin Lewis, could have been removed when he was completely deceived by a Ravi Rampaul slow ball bouncer that he top edged into the leg side but it landed short of the fielders in that region.  The young Trinidadian survived that close call but couldn’t make the most of the life as he was out when he top edged another pull shot off Rayad Emrit to be dismissed for 19 off 25 balls.

Marlon Samuels promoted himself up the order to bat at three having been at five in the last match where he finished undefeated on 52. Here he gave himself more time to make an impact but the move didn’t work as he slashed the ball to third man just two balls after Lewis was dismissed. Emrit could have had three wickets in the over when Jason Holder failed to take a tricky catch over his shoulder that could have dismissed Orlando Peters. 

Some tight bowling and early wickets meant that the Patriots limped to 63-3 off the first 10 overs of their innings. As hard as they tried to break the shackles the Patriots could not increase the scoring rate. Peters became the highest scorer of the innings on his way to 27 off 22.

Devon Thomas was out bowled by Jeevan Mendis attempting a slog sweep and Peters himself was dismissed by Keiron Pollard to leave the Pakistani pair of Shahid Afridi and Sohail Tanvir batting together. 

Afridi hit one of the largest sixes that you will see when he blasted Rampaul all the way onto the Kensington Oval practice pitches. He repeated the trick the very next ball with another massive Hero maximum. Being Afridi he went for three in a row only to be caught on the mid-wicket boundary.

Some late order hitting from Brathwaite took the innings run rate above a run a ball as his 22 off 10 balls lifted the Patriots total to 143-8 from their 20 overs. 

At the beginning of the Tridents innings Cottrell bowled with real pace and aggression asking questions of both Smith and Dilshan Munaweera. However it was Tanvir that got the break through when Munaweera top edged a pull shot to the wicket having made two runs off 12 balls. Cottrell eventually got his reward for some superb bowling when he dismissed Smith and Jonathan Carter in the space of three balls, giving his trademark salute to celebrate. 

That left the Tridents 15-3 at the end of the Powerplay and under pressure for the first time in this year’s CPL. At the halfway stage the Tridents had made only 36-3 needing more than 10 an over. Shoaib Malik and Keiron Pollard were together with a huge amount to do. 

Both men are hugely experienced and with eight overs to go they began to accelerate. Cottrell came back to finish his four overs, ending up with outstanding figures of 2-13 that included a maiden.

A brief shower held up progress and upon the resumption the Tridents continued their come back with Pollard reaching his half century off 40 deliveries. Malik also found the boundary, but Pollard’s power and placement was incredible. One four threaded a gap between two men on the cover boundary that were only 30 yards apart. 

Afridi picked up the wicket of Malik to leave everything in Pollard’s hands, even more so when Jason Holder departed well caught in the deep by Brathwaite. Robin Peterson was out first ball and Pollard was running out of partners. 

The equation going into the final over was 19 to win with Pollard on strike. He missed the first ball but then hit a six and a four before a no ball from Peters left the Tridents needing eight from three balls. A single from Pollard brought Nevin Stewart on strike to face his first ball. Stewart hit that for four to leave the Tridents needing three off the last ball. He could only manage a single as the Patriots won by one run. 

With two last ball finishes in two matches this year’s Hero CPL has really caught fire.

ENDS

2015 HERO CARIBBEAN PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCH REPORT 3 ( - Barbados Tridents (161-4) beat Jamaica Tallawahs (145-9) by 16 runs )

Tuesday 23rd June 2015 – Bridgetown, Barbados

The Barbados Tridents made it two wins from two in defence of their Hero Caribbean Premier League title in front of a packed home crowd at the Kensington Oval. The Appleton Estate Jamaica Tallawahs struggled to keep up with the rate chasing 162 to win as Robin Peterson proved to be a match winning wicket taker for the second time in two matches. This victory leaves the Tridents sitting pretty at the top of the table at this early stage in the tournament. 

The Tridents got off to a steady start as they made it to 48 without loss off their six over Powerplay. Both Dwayne Smith and Dilshan Munaweera were untroubled by the Tallawahs attack which bowled too many bad balls to release the pressure on the opposition opening pair. It was Smith that took the role of aggressor, hitting seven boundaries including two sixes in his innings of 56. Munaweera on the other hand was much more happy to look for singles and give his partner the strike. 

It took the introduction of the bowling of Nikita Miller to build some pressure when his excellent first over went for just four runs. In the very next over Rusty Theron picked up the first scalp for Jamaica when he had Munaweera caught on the mid-wicket boundary for 24 off 25 balls. 

The run rate continued to drop, and having been going at eight runs an over in the Powerplay, by the halfway stage of their innings the Tridents rate was down to a run a ball. They had wickets in hand but needed to accelerate to set a defendable total. 

Smith showed his intention to press on in the 11^th over when he struck Krishmar Santokie for 13 runs in just four balls but he never really found his best shot making in this innings. Between them Smith and Shoaib Malik discovered some of the impetus that was lost putting on a partnership of 60 runs in just 48 balls. 

Theron was fantastic throughout the middle overs, conceding just 19 runs off his full allocation and picking the important wicket of Munaweera. However, it was Andre Russell that finally dismissed Smith who couldn’t keep out a yorker. While Smith’s 56 runs were valuable they came off 53 balls leaving a lot to do at the death to push the score past 150. 

Kieron Pollard, man of the match in the first game of the tournament, couldn’t reproduce his form in this one. He was brilliantly caught in the deep by Theron who dived at full length to dismiss the Tridents captain for just five.  

Shoaib Malik stuck around to make 42 off 28 deliveries while some excellent late order hitting from Jonathan Carter and West Indies limited overs captain Jason Holder took the Tridents to a respectable total of 161-4.  

Chris Gayle and Chadwick Walton took their time to get themselves set. As ever Gayle was circumspect early on, backing himself to accelerate once he was in. As the leading run scorer in the history of Twenty20 cricket the approach is one that tends to work. This time it didn’t, when Gayle tried to cut loose he skewed a high catch off Rayad Emrit that was well taken by Holder. Gayle made nine runs off 15 balls. 

The introduction of Robin Peterson into the attack brought wickets yet again as Walton was dismissed when he missed a ball that drifted into his pads that bowled him. Just two balls later Mahela Jayawardene was out stumped to a ball that turned past his outside edge. 

As the wickets fell the required rate went up, but Australian Chris Lynn managed to keep the target within sight with some proactive running and aggressive stroke play. In combination with Horace Miller he put on 51 runs in 35 balls as the two batsmen ran brilliantly between the wickets. 

Just as Lynn looked like he was going to get his side home Peterson picked up another wicket, his sixth of the tournament, to leave the Tallawahs needing 10 an over with their top four batsman back in the shed. 

When Andre Russell smashed Ravi Rampaul straight into the waiting hands of Pollard it left the Tallawahs needing a miracle performance from Horace Miller who was playing just his fifth T20 match. Miller managed to make it to 30 before he fell going for one big shot too many, his highest score in this format of the game. 

In the end the Tridents won by 16 runs in a game that had looked to be quite tight for most of the contest. The Tallawahs next game will be against the St Lucia Zouks on Sunday while the Tridents face the Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel on Thursday.

2015 HERO CARIBBEAN PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCH REPORT 2 ( - St. Lucia Zouks (179-6) vs Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel (10-0) NO RESULT ) ( - For a ‘No Result’, both teams get a point each )

Sunday 21^st June 2015 – Gros Islet, St Lucia

The St. Lucia Zouks and Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel got their Hero Caribbean Premier League underway, but unfortunately a game that was well poised was ruined by a rain storm that left the field unfit for play. The home side would have been confident of victory having set the Red Steel a target of 180 to win. Only five balls were bowled in the second innings of the game so no result was possible.

The Zouks got off to a phenomenal start on an excellent pitch at the Beausejour Cricket Ground that offered pace and bounce reaching 53-1 inside the Powerplay overs. Andre Fletcher was in brutal form from the very start on his way to a swashbuckling 57. He nearly departed in the first over when he chipped the ball to midwicket off the bowling of Dwayne Bravo but it fell agonisingly short of the diving fielder.

While Fletcher was in fine fettle Johnson Charles could not match his returns. The best of his shots came off the bowling of Jacques Kallis whom he smashed down the ground for four. Off the next ball he chipped a Kallis off cutter into the waiting hands of Johan Botha at a short mid-wicket, dismissed for just 16 off nine balls. 

That brought Kevin Pietersen to the crease who didn’t play with the same force with which Fletcher was hitting the ball, but he looked in excellent touch and seemed to be timing the ball well. He was happy to work the ball around and give the strike back to Fletcher.

The Red Steel spinners, Botha and Sulieman Benn, tried to combine to keep the scoring under control in the middle overs but both Fletcher and Pietersen were able to rotate the strike and find the boundary. They brought up a 50 partnership in just 37 balls, getting there when Pietersen launched Benn for a huge six over wide long on.

That shot off the tall off spinner seemed to be the catalyst to Pietersen moving through the gears, although there was an extremely close LBW shout when the Englishman tried to switch hit Kevon Cooper. Pietersen departed for 42 off 26 balls when he tried to hit Samuel Badree for six into the wind only to get caught on the boundary.

Fletcher’s excellent innings came to an end when he became the second wicket for Kallis when he was caught by Botha at long on. The Kallis spell of 2-31 was the best return for any Red Steel bowler and although it has been some time since he last played competitive cricket he clearly has not forgotten how it is done.

Some lusty blows from Darren Sammy and a well-made 27 off 16 balls by Henry Davids got the Zouks up to a very competitive total of 179-6. They would have felt confident of defending that score with a bouncy track and three fast bowlers at their disposal.

The Red Steel began their chase well enough, with Jacques Kallis scoring 10 runs in the five balls that he faced. Both came from boundaries. The first a glorious straight drive for four and the second a flicked six over midwicket.

Unfortunately that was when the rain came and despite the best efforts of the ground staff a heavy downpour then turned to persistent drizzle. It stopped raining but the ground was not fit for play before the official cut off time and the game had to be abandoned.

ENDS

ABOUT THE HERO CARIBBEAN PREMIER LEAGUE

The Hero Caribbean Premier League is a franchise-based T20 format cricket tournament that combines two of the most compelling aspects of Caribbean life – dramatic cricket and a vibrant Carnival atmosphere.  The Barbados Tridents are the defending champions from 2014.

KKR OWNERS TO ACQUIRE TRINIDAD & TOBAGO FRANCHISE IN THE CARRIBEAN PREMIER LEAGUE (CPL)

Tuesday 16^th June 2015 – Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago

The Hero Caribbean Premier League is today thrilled to announce that the owners of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), one of the top franchises in the IPL, intends to acquire the Trinidad & Tobago franchise, subject to all the regulatory and board approvals.

KKR were IPL champions in 2012 and 2014 and ranked by Forbes earlier this year to have the highest brand value in the IPL. They will be hoping to replicate their IPL success with the T&T franchise that boasts high quality players including captain, Dwayne Bravo and South African legend, Jacques Kallis, who played with great success for KKR for several years and continues to be a mentor and batting consultant.

The involvement of KKR, led by Bollywood’s most popular film star, Shah Rukh Khan, will propel the CPL to new heights in India. ‘SRK’ joins Hollywood stars, Mark Wahlberg (Barbados Tridents) and Gerard Butler (Jamaica Tallawahs) as the latest high-profile CPL franchise-owner. Khan also has a fanatical following in Trinidad & Tobago, and their fans will be flocking to the Queen’s Park Oval to watch their side play in their home games from 14^th – 19^th July.

Mr. Shah Rukh Khan, commenting on the proposed acquisition, said: "This is in line with our vision to expand globally and we are thrilled to become part of the great cricketing tradition of Trinidad & Tobago. The passion for franchise cricket in the Caribbean is evident with the success of CPL and we hope to bring all the best practices of KKR to the T&T franchise." 

Venky Mysore, CEO of KKR, said, “We have been fortunate to be recognized as one of the most professionally managed franchises in IPL. Our positive experience in building a successful franchise has encouraged us to expand globally. The success of CPL and the Trinidad & Tobago franchise in particular, makes it a very good fit for us.”

Damien O’Donohoe, Chief Executive Officer, Hero CPL, said: “This deal represents yet another great step forward in the story of the CPL as it grows in status and popularity around the world. KKR are a huge franchise in the world of cricket, so for a brand like theirs to choose to invest in the CPL proves that we are doing all the right things and heading in the right direction. It’s a really positive step for the competition and for Caribbean cricket in general.”

Pete Russell, Chief Operating Officer, Hero CPL, said: “We are delighted to welcome the KKR ownership on board. Shah Rukh is a huge name around the world and is also very popular in Trinidad & Tobago, so this is a perfect fit. Trinidad & Tobago is one of the heartlands of Caribbean cricket, and a hugely important market for the CPL, and this will help the franchise, as well as the wider competition, continue to grow both at home and around the world.”

CPL 2015 runs from 20^th June to 26^th July. Last year’s tournament attracted a global audience in excess of 65 million and this year is set to be even higher as fans across the world continue to be drawn to the high quality action on the pitch and the unique party atmosphere off it.

ENDS

ABOUT THE HERO CARIBBEAN PREMIER LEAGUE

The Hero Caribbean Premier League is a franchise-based T20 format cricket tournament that combines two of the most compelling aspects of Caribbean life – dramatic cricket and a vibrant Carnival atmosphere.  The Barbados Tridents are the defending champions from 2014.