MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falkland Islands: Weekly Penguin News update

Headlines: Frankenstein and Dracula in love duel? It must be panto season!; 'FIG needs economic rethink' Former Economic Advisor urges: 'Take a longer term view; ' Fishing company's application fails; Battle Day parade and holiday.

Frankenstein and Dracula in love duel? It must be panto season!THE Mount Pleasant Amateur Theatrical Society is performing a pantomime with a difference next week. Rather than stick to the traditional fairy tale, the ambitious group have opted to present Frankenstein the Panto, by David Swann, at the Gull and Penguin Club on December 13-15. Full of traditional slapstick humour and of course a pantomime dame, the tale pits the lovable Frankenstein against the sinister duo of Count Dracula and his evil Granula in a battle over innocent Heidi. Tickets are selling fast and it is recommended that people wishing to see the show reserve tickets in advance. Costing £4 or £2 for children under 12 years, seats can be reserved by calling Richard on 76537. Performances start at 7.30pm on December 13, 14 and 15, with a matinee performance at 2.30pm on December 15. 'FIG needs economic rethink' Former Economic Advisor urges: 'Take a longer term view'THE Falkland Islands Government (FIG) has done a good job of managing tight budgets in recent difficult financial times, but it has taken its eye off the bigger economic picture. So says Dr Mike Harte, former Economic Advisor to FIG and author of a report commissioned by the Chamber of Commerce into the government's economic policy. He believes FIG now needs to take a broader, longer term view of the economy and develop a comprehensive strategy in partnership with the private sector, that accelerates economic development and growth in the Islands. The Chamber of Commerce commissioned the report following comments on future taxation policy made in the last budget round by councillors and the Financial Secretary during which they increased tax by 5% with no consultation as to the possible effects on the economy. Dr Harte told Penguin Newsa tax increase out of the blue like this sent the wrong signals to successful businesses and workers. He commented: "It says we have no long-term plan to increase FIG revenue from a fixed share of a growing economy, instead we will increase our revenue at your expense. "The sad thing is the tax increase resulted in little extra money to FIG, but caused many businesses and people to doubt that FIG is committed to supporting the private sector." The private sector, he said, is the future of the economy and cannot be used as "a convenient cash cow" for FIG during difficult financial times. In his report, Dr Harte recommends a major independent review of the Falkland Islands Meat Company and the sustainability of the meat export industry be commissioned before any further capital investments are made by FIG. Rural spending?As for investment in the Camp, Dr Harte commented: "Camp is an important and vibrant part of the Falklands. There are many success stories and successful businesses in Camp. FIG will always have to undertake investment in Camp infrastructure and can't be judged in terms of profitability. This investment should be done in the most cost effective way possible." Of much more concern, he said, are the "high profile, big ticket" business initiatives that have proven to be a "financial sink hole" for FIG and the Islands: "Even worse, these projects are encouraging Campers to invest in farming activities that have no hope of ever being profitable and will require ongoing significant FIG subsidies. This is at a time when FIG increasingly finds it hard to finance health and education initiatives and Falkland Islands children do not even have a football pitch to play on." The government needs to have a radical rethink of its approach to the Camp economy, Dr Harte believes: "It needs to support small to medium scale Camp enterprises in farming, tourism and other activities that have sound business plans and the promise of long-term profitability. These should be projects that Campers themselves want and support." Continued on page 2Fishing company's application fails FALKLANDS fishing company South Atlantic Marine Services Ltd (SAMS) has failed in its application for a judicial review. SAMS sought to have two decisions made by the Governor regarding quota allocation quashed. The company claimed that their catch during the three year period upon which the quota allocation was calculated was depressed by it having lost a vessel through fire and that to make no adjustment to reflect the fact was unfair, unreasonable and irrational. The hearing took place over three days before Chief Justice Christopher Gardner QC. In his judgment released this week he said he was unable to accept that the decisions could be categorised in such a way and that in effect the Governor considered that making an exception in SAMS's case could undermine the administration of the fishing industry as a whole. More next week.Battle Day parade and holiday A PARADE will be held tomorrow, December 8, to mark Battle Day. Monday will be a public holiday in lieu of the occasion.