Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Sustainable Development and Culture, Carlos James has lauded the appointment of Rodney Small as CEO of the Carnival Development Corporation and Tamira Browne to act as permanent secretary in his ministry.
“These are two extremely talented and intelligent, dedicated young people to St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” he told a press conference in Villa on Monday.
“Their appointments are going to really drive this ministry, drive our development, drive forward and propel economic growth in St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” James said.
The announcement of Small’s appointment was a mere formality, confirming what has been making the rounds for weeks.
Browne’s appointment was announced on the ministry’s Facebook page on March 3.
“Dr. Browne brings a wealth of expertise, leadership, and passion to this role, with an impressive track record in foreign policy, international relations, and strategic development,” the post said.
It said that she holds a doctorate in public administration, and undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in administration, banking and finance, integration studies, and international development.
Before acting as permanent secretary, Browne served as Director of Foreign Policy and Research in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Consumer Affairs.
James told the media:
“And I want my ministry to be one of the leading ministries, not just in St. Vincent, but across the region. When you talk tourism, when you talk culture, when you talk sustainability and development, when you talk civil aviation and its regulatory role within the framework of air connectivity in the region, you must talk about St. Vincent and the Grenadines.”
He further stated:
“When you have a ministry that is really one of the key drivers of economic growth, you have to aspire to attract the best and right talent.”
James said that Annette Mark, had joined the Tourism Authority — as CEO – and had come in with additional staff within the Tourism Authority, including a senior marketing officer.
“… and we’ve looked at amplifying and expanding the roles of other persons within the Tourism Authority and to bring in new and fresh talent.”
Speaking of Browne, he said:
“She’s a young lady, and I don’t think in the entire civil service, there’s anyone that is most deserving of this role and this position, because within the framework of what I’m building for tourism and in my ministry, I want the best of the best to work within our sector, and I’m happy with her appointment in this capacity.”
Meanwhile, the minister said he had been waiting patiently for the Board of Directors of CDC to announce Small’s appointment.
“And I can’t wait too long on these sorts of things. We have a lot of work that we have to get done and a lot of things that we have to move and I want to use this opportunity as well to congratulate Mr Rodney Small on his appointment,” he said at the press conference.
“So in my quest to do that, it is simply to draw out the talents, the best, the innovation that is within our young people, and we’re bringing them on board and working with them and grooming them, because they are the next generation of leaders and the next generation of senior persons in the civil service,” James said.
“And they will continue to do excellent work within not just as I said, our own development as a people, but the region and that is the level and the pressure that I’m putting on them. That is at that level where the work that they do is work that is going to be recognised regionally and internationally. And I did the same thing with the CEO of the Tourism Authority …”
Well, let’s see if people get able to live better. The World bank and IMF are the beneficiaries of all your efforts.