Dear Editor,
The Urban Development Corporation (UDC) wishes to clarify information contained in an article carried in the Daily Observer of July 16, 2015, entitled 'MoBay Convention Centre continues to bleed', in which it was stated that an amount of US$300,000 was used for operational expenses. This emanated from the UDC's presentation to the Public Administration and Appropriations Committee (PAAC) of Parliament on July 15, 2015.
The UDC wishes to state that the US$300,000 contribution from the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) was put in place last December 2014, and was used for a special marketing programme for the convention centre, as was intended, and not for operating expenses as stated.
The point made in the presentation was that, despite this support for marketing, much more was required in order to position the convention centre to realise the objectives for which it was conceptualised.
For further clarification, we also wish to advise that there is a pledge from TEF for annual payments, with the first amount received as stated.
We trust that the Observer will make the necessary clarification in the interest of ensuring the accuracy of your news product.
Desmond Malcolm
General Manager
Urban Development Corporation
12 Ocean Boulevard
Kingston
The Urban Development Corporation (UDC) wishes to clarify information contained in an article carried in the Daily Observer of July 16, 2015, entitled 'MoBay Convention Centre continues to bleed', in which it was stated that an amount of US$300,000 was used for operational expenses. This emanated from the UDC's presentation to the Public Administration and Appropriations Committee (PAAC) of Parliament on July 15, 2015.
The UDC wishes to state that the US$300,000 contribution from the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) was put in place last December 2014, and was used for a special marketing programme for the convention centre, as was intended, and not for operating expenses as stated.
The point made in the presentation was that, despite this support for marketing, much more was required in order to position the convention centre to realise the objectives for which it was conceptualised.
For further clarification, we also wish to advise that there is a pledge from TEF for annual payments, with the first amount received as stated.
We trust that the Observer will make the necessary clarification in the interest of ensuring the accuracy of your news product.
Desmond Malcolm
General Manager
Urban Development Corporation
12 Ocean Boulevard
Kingston