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London, England – On Saturday 4th August,
a selection of hand picked exceptional Carib-
bean designers will present their collections
as part of the Fashion Engage series of events
sponsored by the Caribbean Export Develop-
ment Agency (Caribbean Export).

Showcasing designers include Phelicia Dell
of Haiti whose range of handbags were cho-
sen by Diane Von Furstenburg to be sold
across her global chain of stores, Trinidadian Bahamas opposition wins poll amid job and
designer Meiling, who has worked closely on crime fears mapTourism is key to the economy
a number of successful projects with Emmy of the Bahamas archipelago.
Award-winning costume designer Peter
Minshall, Jamaican designer Arlene Martin Bahamas’ opposition Progressive Liberal Party has won the gen-
whose designs have been worn by Jamaican eral election, amid concerns over a stalled economy and rising
supermodel and American Vogue favourite crime.
Jaunel McKenzie, Haitian designer David Party leader Perry Christie hailed a “magnificent victory” but said
André, Guyanese designer Sonia Noel, Lux- the country faced big challenges.
ury Suriname Jewelry brand Atelier Doré and Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, in office since 2007, conceded
victory and said he was bowing out of politics.
Trinidadian jewellery designer Kirie Bain.
The Bahamas, home to 350,000 people and heavily dependent on
tourism, has seen unemployment rise to nearly 15%.
Mr Christie, 69, returns to the post of prime minister, which he
held from 2002 to 2007.
“This has been a bitterly contested election and now it is over, it is
time for national healing to begin,” he said.
Analysts had predicted a close race between the Progressive Lib-
erals and Mr Ingraham’s Free National Movement.
The two parties have dominated political life in the Bahamas since
independence from Britain in 1973.
The election campaign was dominated by worries over unemploy-
ment and a rising crime and murder rate.
Another key issue was oil exploration in Bahamian waters, which
may contain some 1bn barrels, according to analysts.
Opponents fear drilling could harm the tourism industry that is
vital to the 700-island archipelago.
Mr Christie has said he supports exploration but also vowed to
protect the tourist sector.

“ G O L D “ in Haiti
year. A windfall of locally produced wealth
aiti’s land may hold the key to re-
could pay for roads, schools, clean water
Hlieving centuries of poverty, disaster
and sewage systems for the nation’s 10
and disease: There is gold hidden in its
million people.
hills — and silver and copper, too.
“If the mining companies are honest and if
A flurry of exploratory drilling in the past
Haiti has a good government, then here is
year has found precious metals worth
a way for this country to move forward,”
potentially $20 billion deep below the
said Bureau of Mines Director Dieuseul
tropical ridges in the country’s northeast-
Anglade.
ern mountains. Now, a mining company PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (defend.ht) - Monday night at the
“The gold in the mountains belongs to the Sylvio Cator stadium PAP, the under-17 Haitian National Soccer
is drilling around the clock to determine
people of Haiti,” he said, “And they need team defeated the Dominican Republic to lead the group of St
how to get those metals out.
it.” Lucia, D.R., Curacao with 9 out of 9 points.
In neighboring Dominican Republic,
Haiti’s geological vulnerability is also its Jean Wisner Dérival scored a goal in the first half and another by
workers are poised to start mining the
promise. Massive tectonic plates squeeze Philippe Terson came in the second half (67th minute) and with
other side of this seam later this year in only one goal form the Dominicans, Haiti closed out the group
the island with horrifying consequences,
one of the world’s largest gold deposits: qualify for the second round of the Caribbean competitions in
but deep cracks between them form con-
23 million ounces worth about $40 bil- preparation for the U-17 World Cup that will be held in the United
venient veins for gold, silver and copper
lion. Arab Emirites in 2013.
pushed up from the hot innards of the plan-
The Haitian government’s annual budget Haitians took control of the game, particularly after the break, led
et. Prospectors from California to Chile
is $1 billion, more than half provided by a very aggressive midfield attacking game.
know earthquake faults often have, quite Dominicans scored in the 79th minute through their best player,
by foreign assistance. The largest single
literally, a golden lining. Quesada, who had a free kick.
source of foreign investment, $2 billion,
Until now, few Haitians have known about
came from Haitians working abroad last
this buried treasure. CNM | CARIBBEANNETWORKMAGAZINE.COM 115