Stanford
SUNDAY SUN:
ALLEN STANFORD, the Texan billionaire who brought Caribbean Star and Caribbean Sun to the regional travel industry, says he will soon unveil "one of the biggest initiatives" in regional history.
"I have some major plans which I will unveil in July," Stanford told the Sunday Sun.
"There is going to be a major announcement about Caribbean Star and Caribbean Sun and it is going to be something that has never been done in the history of the Caribbean.
"It is going to be an amazing thing I am getting ready to do with some great people I have brought on board with the airlines. I will unveil that in July.
FURTHER INTO THE CARIBBEAN
"We are going to make the announcement two to three weeks into the Stanford 20/20 Cricket Tournament in Antigua. It will take the airlines further into the Caribbean and beyond ... into North America and Europe.
"It's going to be great news for the people of the Caribbean. Stay tuned," he said.
The last time Stanford promised a "major announcement," he unveiled the US$28 million Stanford 20/20 Cricket Tournament which offers US$1 million as the top prize the biggest in the history of the game.
Stanford, who heads 62 companies in 11 countries, also had words for business leaders and governments in the region.
"I happen to love the Caribbean in terms of the people and the geography ... It is one of the best places in the world.
"What really is lacking here in the Caribbean is the commitment to pay the young people a First World wage, so they don't have to rush off to New York, London, Miami or Houston to earn that wage.
"What we need to do is ... enjoy the benefit of living in our great societies - but think like a First World nation.
"There are just as many bright, young people running around in the West Indies as there are percentage-wise anywhere else in the world. They are just as hard-working and committed and deserve the opportunities.
"There is great untapped potential here, and the Caribbean is a wonderful place to grow a business. I would know, I have been here for over 20 years, and I have a multi-billion dollar business right now in Antigua; and I have done it with West Indian talent.
"It takes a long-term commitment and it takes paying people what they are worth," he said.
