The Falkland Islands Government confirmed on Thursday that, to thank Falklands Veterans Foundation for their support in accommodating residents from the KEMH during the pandemic, it has made a donation of £10,000 to the charity.
On Wednesday 22 September, the Falkland Islands 'Executive Council, ExCo agreed on the provision of a capital grant of up to £1m and a loan facility of up to £750,000 to support the Falkland Islands Museum & National Trust (FIMNT) to progress the development and construction of the new Lookout Gallery and Exhibition Hall. The package is designed to mitigate ongoing financial pandemic pressures, including the continued absence of international tourism.
The Falkland Islands Government yesterday published its budget for the upcoming financial year, describing it as a prudent budget that focuses on stability and continuity. The budget forecasts operating expenditure of £78.3m and revenues of £92.2m, as well as a capital programme totalling £53.5m for the upcoming financial year.
Reuters has reported that the Falkland Islands got its first sovereign credit rating, an investment-grade A+ score from S&P Global on Monday, as the tiny British-run territory looks to dip into borrowing markets to pay for improvements to its main port.
The Falklands ocean coastal ecosystems are one of its biggest assets and, “its value is beyond measure,” commented Islander Josh Peck speaking against the introduction of a salmon-farming industry to the Falkland Islands, at last Tuesdays workshop on an environmental strategy held at the Chamber of Commerce, as reported by the Penguin News.
Falkland Islands' lawmakers discussed on social media and in the Legislative Assembly late in 2020 a need for a ‘pre-election program’ to encourage members of the public to stand for election as a Member of the Legislative Assembly late in 2021.
An Argentine businessman, president of one of the country's largest corporations, has been awarded the Order of the British Empire, OBE, for “his services to relations between the United Kingdom and Argentina.”
A Falkland Islands mini budget looks much less likely now, based on what Financial Secretary Tim Waggott told MLAs (lawmakers) at a meeting of the Standing Finance Committee.
Falkland Islands members of the elected Legislative Assembly have approved financial support for the Falkland Islands Museum and National Trust to bring forward the build program for the Lookout Gallery and Exhibition Hall.
Support for the Falklands' tourism sector in the face of Covid-19 was an issue closely examined in the Legislative Assembly this week. Questions were put to the House by Member of Legislative Assembly MLA Roger Spink and answered by Member of Legislative Assembly Mark Pollard.