Carib Scope

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  • ICAB: Timely implementation key to Barbadians reaping benefits of Budget

    ICAB: Timely implementation key to Barbadians reaping benefits of Budget

    The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Barbados (ICAB) has issued comprehensive guidance to help citizens navigate the practical implications of the recently announced 2026 Budget measures. In a detailed release following their weekly ‘Talking Business with ICAB’ radio program, CEO Lisa Padmore emphasized that while budget summaries are widely accessible, many households require clearer interpretation of how these fiscal policies will affect their daily lives.

    ICAB’s analysis underscores a crucial caveat: the success of these economic interventions hinges entirely on execution efficiency. The organization stressed that policy announcements merely signal governmental intent, whereas actual impact depends on the rapid deployment of supporting regulations, administrative protocols, system modernizations, and public education campaigns. Businesses require operational clarity for planning purposes, taxpayers need precise filing instructions, financial institutions demand updated compliance frameworks, and households rely on predictable implementation timelines.

    Key budget components analyzed include government’s short-term strategy to buffer electricity cost fluctuations driven by global fuel volatility. While consumers should still anticipate increased utility bills, the measure aims to decelerate the rate of hikes. Similarly, maintained VAT caps and excise tax controls on fuel function as protective mechanisms against soaring oil prices, though they don’t reduce pump prices outright.

    Regarding food inflation, ICAB explained that revised customs duty calculations—applying charges to goods’ value or capped freight amounts—eliminate a potential price driver but don’t ensure lower retail costs. Tax adjustments featuring elevated tax credits and marginal income tax rate reductions could bolster disposable income for low-to-middle income earners.

    Social support measures received particular attention, including temporary monthly payments for seniors below specific income thresholds (covering pensionless individuals), targeted grants for families with multiple births addressing the unique financial pressures of raising twins or triplets, and the Barbados Republic Child Wealth Fund providing $5,000 investments for children born since November 2021 as a long-term wealth-building initiative.

    ICAB committed to ongoing monitoring of regulatory developments and providing neutral, professional guidance as implementation details emerge.

  • Increased oil price, production accelerating ExxonMobil’s cost recovery

    Increased oil price, production accelerating ExxonMobil’s cost recovery

    ExxonMobil Guyana has announced a significant acceleration in recovering its historic exploration and production costs from the Stabroek Block, moving the timeline forward from 2027 to this year. This expedited recovery is attributed to the current favorable market conditions, with oil prices hovering around $100 per barrel and production exceeding 900,000 barrels per day.

    Company President Alistair Routledge confirmed the development during a recent press conference, stating that the combination of robust production levels and strong global oil prices has created an optimal financial environment. “What we’re now seeing in this price environment is that [recovery] will accelerate. If you stay at the current oil price, then it will happen this year,” Routledge explained.

    The historic costs, dating back to the original 1999 contract with Guyana, currently stand at approximately $5 billion out of a total cost bank estimated at $40 billion. Under the Production Sharing Agreement, up to 75% of gross revenues can be allocated to cost recovery.

    Routledge emphasized that this accelerated cost recovery marks a pivotal moment for Guyana’s revenue prospects. Once these historic costs are fully recovered, Guyana’s share of profit oil will increase substantially beyond the current 14.5% (including 2% royalty). The exact percentage increase will depend on ongoing market conditions, production volumes, and operational expenditures.

    The ExxonMobil executive described this transition as moving into “a much more dynamic world” regarding national revenue, noting that the country’s financial trajectory remains “positive.” This development also reinforces the Production Sharing Contract’s effectiveness in encouraging continued investment in the Stabroek Block’s development.

    ExxonMobil has committed to spending up to $60 billion in capital expenditure throughout its operations in Guyana, in addition to annual operating expenses amounting to billions of dollars.

  • Inter-school Gardening Competition Concludes Across the Twin-Island State By: Tyreke G Thomas-Horsford

    Inter-school Gardening Competition Concludes Across the Twin-Island State By: Tyreke G Thomas-Horsford

    Antigua and Barbuda’s educational landscape has been transformed through the recently concluded Interschool Gardening Competition, an initiative spearheaded by the Ministry of Education that engaged students across preschool, primary, and secondary levels in a nationwide display of agricultural creativity and environmental awareness. The competition turned school campuses throughout the twin-island nation into vibrant hubs of sustainability and innovation, showcasing the next generation’s commitment to ecological responsibility.

    Over several weeks, students demonstrated remarkable ingenuity in their garden designs, incorporating recycled materials, efficient irrigation systems, and culturally significant planting techniques. A distinguished panel of judges from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Lands & Blue Economy, along with external stakeholders, conducted thorough evaluations based on creativity, sustainability, plant diversity, and thematic alignment.

    The preschool category proved particularly inspiring, with young children enthusiastically explaining their gardening techniques and demonstrating daily care routines for their plants. One preschool participant captured the spirit of the event by declaring, ‘This is my plant! I water it every day, and it’s growing big and strong!’

    Older students displayed more sophisticated agricultural understanding, implementing crop rotation systems, composting methods, and innovative farming solutions that addressed real-world challenges. Joshua Henderson, a student from Jennings Secondary School and 2025 Ministry of Agriculture intern, emphasized the competition’s educational value: ‘Agriculture is not just about getting your hands dirty, but learning about where food comes from and understanding its importance in our daily lives.’

    Many schools developed creative thematic names for their gardens that reflected their institutional identity while reinforcing the competition’s core messages about sustainability and food security. The initiative successfully blended practical agricultural education with lessons in teamwork, responsibility, and environmental stewardship.

    The competition represents a significant investment in Antigua and Barbuda’s agricultural future, fostering awareness about food security and local farming practices. While winners await official announcement, the Ministry of Education’s initiative has already achieved its broader objective: planting seeds of knowledge and passion that will continue growing long after the competition concludes.

  • Goddard-McCarthy selected by IOC to cover Youth Olympics

    Goddard-McCarthy selected by IOC to cover Youth Olympics

    Nathan Goddard-McCarthy, a 23-year-old sports journalist from Barbados, has achieved international recognition by securing a coveted spot in the International Olympic Committee’s Young Reporters Programme. He stands among only 15 young media professionals globally chosen for this prestigious initiative from an initial pool of 271 applicants aged 18-24 worldwide.

    The programme will see Goddard-McCarthy covering the upcoming World Youth Olympics in Dakar, Senegal, scheduled from October 31 to November 13. His selection marks a significant milestone as he becomes the sole Caribbean representative in this year’s cohort, particularly notable given Barbados’ population of approximately 280,000 people.

    Goddard-McCarthy, a former athlete and Combermere School alumnus, has built a substantial following through his digital platform ‘Natesportstalk’ on Instagram. What began as a spontaneous passion project during a beach outing with his camera has evolved into a respected hub for Caribbean sports journalism, particularly focused on track and field coverage.

    The application process required candidates to submit comprehensive portfolios including written articles, photography, and videography samples, along with essays detailing their career aspirations and vision for impacting the media landscape. The programme offers specialized training in photography, broadcasting, and journalism techniques.

    Reflecting on his achievement, Goddard-McCarthy described the moment as “surreal,” emphasizing the honor of representing both Barbados and the wider Caribbean region. His primary objective for the Dakar Olympics involves showcasing Caribbean athletic talent and demonstrating that smaller nations can achieve global sporting prominence.

    The young journalist follows in the footsteps of fellow Barbadian Anmar Goodridge-Boyce, who participated in the same programme in 2018. Goddard-McCarthy attributes his success to resilience and patience, having pursued Sports Education at the University of the West Indies while exploring various sports-related disciplines before finding his calling in sports media.

    Looking beyond the Olympics, Goddard-McCarthy plans to expand into podcast production, aiming to document stories of Barbadian athletes both past and present. He acknowledges the support of his family, girlfriend, and mentors Terry Finisterre and Taahir Bulbulia, along with his growing audience who have supported his digital journey.

  • Historic Catholic School to Become National Art Gallery

    Historic Catholic School to Become National Art Gallery

    In a landmark decision for cultural development, the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has greenlit the creation of The National Art Gallery of Antigua and Barbuda. The institution will occupy the historically significant former Catholic School building situated near Government House in St. John’s, marking a transformative reuse of heritage architecture.

    Prime Minister Honourable Gaston Browne championed the initiative, recognizing it as a pivotal advancement for the nation’s cultural and creative sectors. The gallery will officially be named the Christopher Holder National Art Gallery of Antigua and Barbuda, honoring the substantial philanthropic support extended by the Maria Holder Memorial Trust for the building’s restoration and rehabilitation.

    A strategic collaboration between the Halo Foundation Inc. and the Maria Holder Memorial Trust will drive the project forward. Philanthropic funding will cover the complete restoration of the historic edifice, guaranteeing its preservation and conversion into a premier cultural institution.

    Upon completion, the gallery will function as a permanent venue for exhibiting and celebrating visual arts from Antigua and Barbuda. It is also designed to promote artistic growth and educational programs. This development directly addresses persistent appeals from local artists and cultural advocates for a dedicated national space to display the country’s creative output.

    Key anticipated benefits of the National Art Gallery include:
    – Establishing a premier national institution focused on visual arts
    – Reinforcing cultural identity and fostering national pride
    – Promoting youth involvement in arts and creative industries
    – Boosting cultural tourism and enriching St. John’s cultural offerings
    – Facilitating partnerships with regional and international art organizations

    Furthermore, the gallery will synergize with other cultural infrastructure initiatives, such as the proposed National Performing Arts Centre, aiding the formation of a dynamic cultural district in the capital city. The government reaffirms its dedication to nurturing the cultural sector as a fundamental component of national development and identity.

  • Kim Jong Un Wins “Perfect” Election Amid Rare Dissent

    Kim Jong Un Wins “Perfect” Election Amid Rare Dissent

    In a meticulously orchestrated electoral process, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been re-elected to the Supreme People’s Assembly with an officially proclaimed 99.93% endorsement from voters. The March 15 election, which recorded a purported 99.99% participation rate, marks Kim’s fifteenth term in the authoritarian regime’s parliamentary body.

    For the first time in nearly seven decades, state-controlled media outlets acknowledged a marginal fraction of opposition votes, with 0.07% of ballots reportedly cast against the leader. This rare admission has ignited waves of speculative commentary and sardonic humor across international online platforms, highlighting the unprecedented nature of this disclosure within North Korea’s political landscape.

    The election process itself functions under the absolute dominance of the Workers’ Party of Korea, which maintains stringent control over candidate selection, media representation, and public discourse. While the system technically permits voters to reject official candidates, this requires participating in a separate, non-confidential voting procedure that inevitably exposes dissenters to potential scrutiny and repercussions.

    Political analysts interpret the minimal opposition figure as a calculated gesture rather than genuine political liberalization. The inclusion of dissenting statistics appears designed to project an illusion of limited electoral freedom while simultaneously reinforcing the leadership’s unwavering authority. The Supreme People’s Assembly is scheduled to convene shortly in Pyongyang to formalize leadership appointments and potentially deliberate on constitutional amendments, following what observers characterize as Kim’s strategic restructuring of the assembly to replace established power centers with unquestionably loyal supporters.

  • Dominica bets on Thea LaFond-Gadson for World Athletics Indoor Championships 2026

    Dominica bets on Thea LaFond-Gadson for World Athletics Indoor Championships 2026

    The small Caribbean nation of Dominica will be represented by its most decorated athlete at the 2026 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Poland, with Olympic and World Indoor champion Thea LaFond-Gadson leading the charge in the triple jump competition.

    Scheduled for Friday, March 20 at 2:38 PM local time, LaFond-Gadson’s participation marks a significant moment for Dominican athletics as she faces elite global competitors in one of track and field’s most prestigious indoor events. The championship, organized by World Athletics, brings together over 150 nations for what promises to be a showcase of world-class athletic excellence.

    In preparation for the competition, LaFond-Gadson expressed both confidence and gratitude: ‘I’m coming into this part of the season feeling powerful and eager to bring back some hardware for Team Dominica! Most importantly, I’m grateful to be feeling healthy and pain free.’

    The Dominica Athletics Association emphasized the importance of this event for the nation’s international sporting presence, noting that officials and supporters across the island will be rallying behind their star athlete as she continues to elevate Dominica’s profile on the global athletics stage. The association’s statement highlighted how LaFond-Gadson’s continued success represents growing opportunities for Caribbean nations to compete at the highest levels of international sport.

  • SRD Check gratis toegankelijk voor Telesur-klanten, ook zonder internet

    SRD Check gratis toegankelijk voor Telesur-klanten, ook zonder internet

    In a significant move toward consumer protection and market transparency, Suriname’s Ministry of Economic Affairs, Entrepreneurship, and Technological Innovation (EZOTI) has made its SRD Check price control tool completely free for all Telesur mobile network customers. The groundbreaking initiative eliminates all access barriers by requiring neither airtime credit nor active data bundles to utilize the service.

    The innovative application allows consumers to verify whether retail prices align with official government guidelines without consuming their mobile data. Even when users have exhausted their data allocation or lack account credit, the service remains fully accessible. This ensures continuous availability for citizens to check current prices of essential goods and exchange rates at any time.

    The official launch ceremony occurred at G-Sale Supermarket on Johannes Mungrastraat, where Minister Andrew Baasaron personally activated the tool by scanning a QR code with his mobile device. The implementation represents a technological advancement in consumer protection measures, enabling real-time price verification against established market guidelines.

    Retail establishments will receive promotional flyers containing QR codes that provide direct access to the SRD Check platform. The system not only empowers consumers but also supports compliant businesses by building customer trust through demonstrated price transparency. Meanwhile, the tool serves as an early detection mechanism for potential market irregularities.

    This development forms part of the ministry’s broader policy framework aimed at fostering a more transparent and equitable business environment while strengthening consumer safeguards in the digital age. The web-based platform remains accessible through https://ez.gov.sr/ for comprehensive price verification services.

  • First track titles decided at Island Champs

    First track titles decided at Island Champs

    The Daren Sammy Cricket Ground erupted in excitement on Wednesday, March 18th, as the 2026 Island Champs commenced with a spectacular display of youthful athletic prowess. The event witnessed the crowning of its first champions in a series of gripping middle-distance finals, setting the stage for an electrifying weekend of sprint showdowns.

    Neah Mortley of Leon Hess Comprehensive Secondary School (LHCSS) seized the spotlight in the Under-14 girls’ 1000m, delivering a strategic performance to clinch gold with a time of 3:37.8, narrowly outpacing Hailey Charles from Vieux Fort Comprehensive. Not to be outdone, Aiden Biscette of the Saint Lucia Sports Academy (SLSA) dominated the boys’ 1200m, securing victory in 4:01.6 ahead of Railey Thomas of Corinth Secondary.

    The 1500m events proved equally thrilling across multiple divisions. St. Joseph’s Convent (SJC) celebrated a double victory as Aniyah George triumphed in the Under-16 category (5:46.8) and Leneese Robinson claimed the Under-18 title (6:00.2). McKayla Olivier of Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC) topped the Under-20 women’s podium with a 5:54.6 finish. In boys’ competition, Jaelen McDonald of St. Mary’s College (SMC) won the Under-16 race in 4:53.7, while Soufriere Comprehensive’s undefeated sensation Chaz Alexander blazed through his division with an impressive 4:40.4. SALCC’s Omarion Edwin rounded out the distance events by capturing the Under-20 boys’ crown in 4:44.6.

    With middle-distance finals concluded, attention now turns to Sunday’s highly anticipated sprint finals following compelling semifinal performances. An epic Under-18 girls’ 100m confrontation is brewing between Barbara-Marie Maximin of Beanefield Comprehensive (12.4s) and SJC’s Destinee Cenac. Micoud Secondary’s Mylee Chaddie emerged as the athlete to beat in Under-16 girls, posting leading times in both the 100m (12.5s) and 200m (26.8s).

    Boys’ sprint events promise equal excitement. Jermario Actille of Beanefield won his heats in the Under-18 100m and 200m, though Curtis Auguste of Anse Ger TVET Institute posted the overall fastest times (10.8s and 22.7s). The Under-16 division features a quartet of contenders—Renard Bernard, Randall Monroe, Armani Phillips, and Leonel Mathurin—who dominated their respective events. Monroe particularly impressed by adding top 400m (52.8s) and 200m (23.50s) times to his previously won long jump and high jump titles.

    Defending team champions St. Mary’s College (boys) and St. Joseph’s Convent (girls) enter Sunday’s finals positioned strongly, though they face formidable challenges from Vieux Fort Comprehensive, Soufriere Comprehensive, and the Saint Lucia Sports Academy in what promises to be a climactic conclusion to the championship meet.

  • Alexander slams Rowley over ‘irresponsible’ comments on police use of force

    Alexander slams Rowley over ‘irresponsible’ comments on police use of force

    Trinidad and Tobago’s political landscape has been rocked by a heated exchange between current Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander and former Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley over law enforcement policies and gender-based insults.

    Minister Alexander launched a scathing critique of Rowley’s recent statements suggesting that law enforcement might be encouraged to use lethal force against suspected individuals on land. This came in response to Rowley’s interpretation of legal advice obtained by the Attorney General regarding US kinetic strikes against drug trafficking vessels in international waters.

    Alexander emphasized that the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service operates under a strict ‘use of force’ policy that clearly delineates when deadly force may be employed within legal boundaries. He characterized Rowley’s comments as “irresponsible and reckless” and suggested they could embolden criminal elements while undermining police authority.

    The controversy deepened as Alexander condemned Rowley’s use of the term “jamette” to describe Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. The Minister expressed profound disappointment as an African male, highlighting the importance of respecting women and condemning derogatory language in political discourse. He questioned whether Rowley would use such language toward his own family members and emphasized the cultural values of honoring women.

    Rowley’s original comments stemmed from his concerns about the government accepting legal opinion that justified US maritime strikes against drug boats as acts of self-defense under international law. The former PM extrapolated this reasoning to suggest it could create an “inducement” for security forces to employ similar tactics on land without proper judicial oversight.

    The exchange also touched upon historical procurement decisions regarding Offshore Patrol Vessels and accusations between political parties about responsibility for the country’s crime situation, revealing deep political divisions in addressing national security challenges.