The United Progressive Party (UPP) will launch Tackling Covid 19: The Impact on the Economy on Tuesday October 19, 2021 at 7:30 PM. This is the final forum in a weekly five-part series that addresses the impact of the pandemic in a range of areas including: Prevention and Protection, Mental Health and Wellness, Education and Workers.
Not only has the COVID-19 pandemic created a public health crisis, it has also caused major disruption in public services, employment and trade opportunities. This has had an adverse effect on households and businesses, leading to an unprecedented global economic slowdown. However, while social distancing and lock downs have worked successfully to drive infection rates down, widespread business closures have dealt a severe blow to the economy’s capacity to produce goods and services. In fact, the more prolonged the COVID-19 crisis, the greater likelihood of bankruptcies that will starve the economy of well needed credit for recapitalization.
A panel moderated by Dr. Jacqui Quinn will discuss actionable ideas and collective action that can potentially boost competitiveness and generate robust economic recovery. The distinguished panel of local, regional and international experts will comprise:
Prof. Justin Robinson
Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences
Pro Vice-Chancellor for The Board for Undergraduate Studies
University of the West Indies
Martin Cave
Executive Director
A & B Chamber of Commerce
Cassandra Simon
Business Consultant, Accounting Solutions
Erica Henry-Jackman
Coordinator of Foreign Director Investment, Africa and the Caribbean
City of Brampton, Canada
Tourism, the largest income earner in Antigua and Barbuda, accounting for more than 70% of our GDP, is one of the sectors most severely impacted by COVID-19 worldwide. Every aspect of this vast value chain has been affected, leading to a major contraction in the vulnerable small business sector, which faces major declines in revenues and overall business activity.
With the mandatory vaccination policy advocated as the main pathway to economic recovery, Antiguans and Barbudans are eager to implement the best COVID-19 recovery strategies that will lead to job creation, investments, innovation, digital transformation and business growth.
The UPP continues to demonstrate its commitment to providing public education about COVID-19 to increase knowledge and help the public make more informed decisions, not just about their personal health, but the overall quality of life in their communities. Throughout the pandemic, there has been a growing interest in targeted public education, services and support to address the specific needs of various sectors of society.
About the Tackling COVID-19 Virtual Forums
These interactive virtual forums are hosted on Tuesdays at 7:30 PM and broadcast on Progressive Radio 107.3 FM and live streamed via the MYUPP Facebook Page. Experts explore a range of topics, innovative strategies and best practices that have been used both locally, regionally and globally, to address the impact of COVID-19 and the recovery process. The discussion ends with a guided Q & A session that is designed to field questions from the audience to address public concerns and information gaps.
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I logged on for 2 of the sessions and the discussions were good. I applaud the UPP. I see the DNA is also having virtual meetings and I also look forward to hearing their speakers. We have to continue the discussion to make people more comfortable with the vaccine.
Nothing wrong with playing Dolly House. While the big people are running the country.
I agree. The problem is when the big people running the country like a dolly house. So instead of pulling up his pants like an adult, the PM acts like he is pulling up his pampers and engaging in children’s melee. Now that is a real catastrophe.
Ship still not sinking. We are going strong. And soon the country opening, and we’ll get back were we left off.
Listen the UPP was invited to be part of the ERC. They refused. But they now want to give suggestion as to how to run the country. Well they can practice in the dolly house. They got their chance in 2004 and run it into the ground straight in the arms of the IMF. And up until now their only answer is to go to the IMF for a loan. As if they haven’t learned from the past.
Gaston will also go to the IMF like many Caribbean islands. He is already talking about it. He will take the UPP’s advice.
Last resort. And we are far from the end of the rope. So you guys keep on wishing and hoping for the worst.
And you keep hoping for magic. Where else can he go for money at this time. The man jinx himself when he cuss out the IMF lady. Karma eh!!!
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