Minister of Economic Affairs Kyle Hodge, Premier Cora Richardson Hodge, Jeison Bryan Ministerial As-sistant Sports, Youth and Culture and Minister of Infrastructure, Jose Vanterpool.
ANGUILLA--At the government Press Conference on Monday July 20 Premier Cora Richardson Hodge gave an update on the Sovereign Wealth Fund and its development that she described as one of the most important steps being taken by the government. She said it will convert today’s strong revenues, particularly those generated by the .ai domain, and secure prosperity for the people of Anguilla for the future.
She reported that in June a technical team from the IMF was in Anguilla working closely with the Ministry of Finance on the institutional design of the fund and creating a strong legislative framework that will be finalised by the end of this quarter. She said that the revenue today is an extraordinary opportunity and it is the government’s responsibility to ensure it becomes a permanent source of strength resilience and prosperity for the island.
The premier also noted the government’s extension of the fuel surcharge and the import duty that are protecting families from the full force of the increased cost of living. Legislation is in place for the next three months at a cost of EC$19 million to the government. She said that the public debt at the end of June was EC$278 million.
Minister of Economic Affairs Kyle Hodge reported that the EC$2.4 million grant from the ECCB (Eastern Caribbean Central Bank) given last year for food security has been repeated this year. Last year the grant assisted in importation of sheep and goats, the procurement of ten additional shade houses, bringing the total to 30, the importation of fruit to establish a fruit orchard, and the purchase of an industrial shredder. He said that a meeting was held to identify the best use of the grant this year for both the farmers and fishers.
Jeison Bryan Ministerial Assistant Sports, Youth and Culture reported on behalf of the minister Shellya Rogers. He said that a summer camp has started for 42 campers. He said two turf football fields are to be established – at the Vivien Vanterpool Primary School and The Valley Primary School. Government has to prepare the subbase, and FIFA will fund the installation and maintenance of the fields. It is hoped these can be completed before the next school term.
Minister of Infrastructure, Jose Vanterpool reported that four new SUVs have been received on is-land for the Royal Anguilla Police Force. He said that six new school buses have been purchased and will be in the fleet by the start of the next school term. The island CCTV project will be completed by the end of November in thirty locations. In the meantime CCTV cameras have been installed prior to the Summer Festival celebrations. He said that a street light audit is being carried out by ANGLEC. Revenue from .ai for June amounted to EC$29.8 million. So far for the year EC$196.8 million has been received.
