Belize is making significant strides in its digital transformation journey, aiming to transition from a traditional Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) hub to a competitive Global Digital Services center. With the BPO sector currently supporting nearly 20,000 jobs, the country is leveraging the Orange Economy to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving digital landscape. On November 20, 2025, government officials, industry leaders, and international partners convened for a high-level strategy workshop to outline Belize’s future in the global digital economy. Narda Garcia, CEO of the Office of the Prime Minister and Ministry of Investment, emphasized the urgency of this transformation, citing the dual threats of artificial intelligence (AI) and protectionist foreign policies. Garcia highlighted the need to view AI as a tool rather than a threat, advocating for skills diversification to ensure job security. Lincoln Blake, Director of the Investment Policy and Compliance Unit, echoed this sentiment, stressing the importance of training the workforce to master emerging technologies like AI and 3D printing. Consultant Luis Parrilla, leading the development of Belize’s Global Digital Strategy, outlined six key pillars: legal reform, incentive reform, education and capacity training, visibility and export, data governance, and interagency operability. The strategy aims to create a robust environment for sector growth, equipping the workforce with high-demand digital and soft skills. Victoria Tun, Vice-President of the BPO Association, acknowledged the challenges posed by AI but expressed optimism about the industry’s future, emphasizing the importance of upskilling employees. Belize’s five-year Global Digital Strategy reflects the government’s commitment to adapting to technological advancements and ensuring the workforce is prepared for the future.
作者： admin
-
Abinader begins U.S. agenda with bilateral meeting with MySilicon Compass CEO
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – President Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic initiated his official engagements in California on Thursday with a pivotal bilateral discussion aimed at elevating his nation’s position within the global semiconductor supply chain. The high-level meeting featured Ian Steff, Chief Executive Officer of MySilicon Compass, with deliberations centered on advancing current collaborative projects and identifying new avenues for growth in semiconductor manufacturing and development.
The session, convened in The Westin San Jose Hotel’s Santa Cruz room, saw President Abinader accompanied by a high-powered delegation. This included Víctor Bisonó, the Minister of Industry and Commerce; María Isabel Castillo, the Dominican Ambassador to the United States; and a consortium of prominent business figures comprising Samuel Conde, René Grullón, María Waleska Álvarez, Felipe Herrera Cabral, and Marino Auffant. This delegation represents a concerted, strategic effort by the Dominican government to integrate the country into the high-technology semiconductor industry, a critical and lucrative global sector. The discussions underscore a national strategy to attract investment, foster technological innovation, and create economic diversification through high-value manufacturing partnerships.
-
Security : High-level meeting of the Technical Working Group with the Haitian National Police
On November 19, 2025, the 5th meeting of the Technical Working Group (TWG) for the Joint Support Programme for the Haitian National Police (PNH) convened at the PNH Headquarters in Clercine. The event, organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), brought together key technical and financial partners, including representatives from Germany, Canada, the United States, Italy, Japan, the European Union, Brazil, France, and Mexico. Vladimir Paraison, Acting Director General of the PNH, chaired the meeting, paying tribute to officers recently killed in the line of duty and providing an update on Haiti’s security challenges. Diallo Oumar, Senior Technical Advisor for UNDP, and Paraison presented progress in strengthening territorial and specialized units, improving equipment and logistics, and developing training and infrastructure. The meeting outlined PNH priorities for the next 12 months, focusing on officer training, increased police presence, and territorial expansion. These efforts aim to address national challenges such as gang eradication, electoral security, and the deployment of the Gang Repression Force (FRG). Partners reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the PNH through the Joint Programme, aligning with national and institutional priorities.
-
FLASH : Varreux oil terminal blocked, no shortage but…
Since November 17, 2025, Haiti’s largest fuel depot, the Varreux oil terminal, has faced a critical blockade. Armed groups have taken control of key access routes, including National Route 1, Batimat Road, La Saline, and Route 9, preventing tanker trucks from refueling and delivering to service stations. This disruption has led to dwindling fuel stocks at service stations across the country. Despite no official fuel shortage being reported, some opportunistic service station owners have exploited the situation by inflating prices and spreading rumors of scarcity, prompting consumers to stockpile fuel in yellow jerrycans. In response, the General Directorate of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry issued a press release on November 20, 2025, assuring the public that sufficient fuel supplies are available nationwide. The Ministry acknowledged localized disruptions caused by non-compliant practices and announced plans to deploy inspection teams across the country. These teams, working in coordination with the Haitian National Police (PNH), will conduct spontaneous checks at service stations and distribution points to enforce pricing regulations and penalize speculative or illegal activities. On November 20, the Ministry’s inspection service already verified fuel availability at over a dozen service stations in the metropolitan area, aiming to maintain order and ensure the proper functioning of the fuel supply system.
-
Abinader arrives in California to attend Semiconductor Annual Meeting
San Jose, California – President Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic arrived in San Jose, California, at 1:19 p.m. local time yesterday, marking the start of a pivotal two-day visit centered around the Semiconductor Annual Meeting. The visit underscores the Dominican Republic’s strategic push to position itself as a key player in the global semiconductor supply chain. Abinader’s itinerary is packed with high-profile engagements, including exclusive meetings with top executives from leading global semiconductor companies and bilateral discussions aimed at fostering stronger partnerships.
-
Government requires exotic pets to be registered
The Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources has introduced a compulsory registration system for privately owned exotic animals. Spearheaded by the Vice Ministry of Protected Areas and Biodiversity and its Biodiversity Directorate, this initiative aims to strengthen oversight, promote responsible management, and safeguard exotic species in alignment with the nation’s environmental legislation. Owners are granted a three-month window from the announcement’s publication to complete the registration process. Key requirements include submitting a formal application to the Vice Ministry, providing documentation that verifies the legal acquisition of the animals—such as prior permits—and permitting technical inspections by the Biodiversity Directorate when deemed necessary. The Ministry has issued a stern warning that unregistered exotic animals may face detention, seizure, or administrative actions under Laws 64-00 and 333-15, among other pertinent regulations. Authorities have urged public cooperation, highlighting its critical role in preserving biodiversity and ensuring the responsible stewardship of exotic species across the country.
-
PM Gonsalves’ wife, children’s properties being investigated in Trinidad
An investigation has been initiated in Trinidad and Tobago concerning the acquisition of two properties and the rental of another by Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves’ wife, Eloise Gonsalves, and their adult children, Storm and Soleil Gonsalves. The properties were obtained through the state-owned Housing Development Corporation (HDC), with Gonsalves asserting that all procedures were followed without any special favors or preferential treatment. He has referred the matter to a senior counsel in Trinidad and Tobago for further review.
-
Gemaskerde rovers lossen schot Nieuwzorgweg
A violent street robbery unfolded on Nieuwzorgweg in the Latour district, where two masked assailants targeted a victim inside his car. According to police reports, the suspects fired a shot during the robbery, likely intended to intimidate the victim. The criminals managed to steal a necklace with a pendant before fleeing the scene. Witnesses reported that the perpetrators entered a red sedan and sped off toward Hiraweg. Local law enforcement, including the Latour police and other units, have launched an intensive investigation to identify and apprehend the suspects. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward to assist in the ongoing manhunt.
-
Unpaid and overlooked: Mental Health staff deserves better!
In an anonymous letter, several staff members from the nation’s sole mental health facility have raised concerns about an unresolved issue that has persisted for months and warrants public scrutiny. Earlier this year, a group of mental health professionals were tasked with providing care to a mentally ill inmate at the Belle Isle Correctional Facility, a high-risk environment that required them to step beyond their usual responsibilities. To motivate their participation, the government promised an incentive payment. The staff fulfilled their duties, delivering professional care and ensuring the safe management of the patient. However, despite their commitment, the promised payment has yet to be disbursed. When questioned, the government dismissed their request as “too much,” despite having initially proposed the terms. This response has left the staff feeling undervalued and disheartened, especially as significant funds are being allocated for election-related events, including hiring foreign entertainers. The mental health sector in the country is already strained by staffing shortages and poor working conditions. The failure to honor the agreement has further demoralized the frontline workers, who are not seeking charity but fairness, transparency, and the fulfillment of a promise made in good faith. The staff entered the prison because the patient needed them, upheld their oath, and honored their commitment. The question remains: Is this a government that truly cares for its essential workers? It is imperative that this matter be addressed promptly.
-
Fire erupts at COP30 Climate Summit in Brazil, disrupting final hours of negotiations
The pivotal UN climate conference, COP30, was abruptly interrupted on Thursday when a fire erupted within the venue in Belém, Brazil, prompting a large-scale evacuation and potentially postponing the summit’s final agreement. BBC correspondents on-site reported witnessing flames and smoke in the pavilion area before being swiftly evacuated. Fire engines were seen speeding toward the location, a repurposed aerodrome now functioning as the conference center. Initial reports suggest the fire originated in one of the country pavilions. Witnesses described chaotic scenes, with Dr. Harshita Umesh, a speaker nearby, recounting, “It was climbing the walls and onto the ceiling. People were screaming. Then I ran, I think I tripped and fell.” Medical teams responded promptly, with emergency medicine specialist Kimberly Humphrey noting that injuries were primarily related to smoke inhalation, including one case of lung damage. Dr. Umesh confirmed that while no burn injuries were reported, some first responders inhaled toxic fumes and required oxygen masks. A woman was seen being wheeled away, though her condition’s direct link to the fire remains unclear. The incident occurred during the summit’s critical final hours, where nearly 200 nations were striving to reach consensus on climate action. The fire has effectively paused negotiations, with several delegations, including the UK’s, seeking shelter outside under a nearby petrol station’s roof. Hundreds of attendees were left sitting outdoors in sweltering heat and humidity, while others opted to leave the venue entirely. The UN, overseeing the climate talks, confirmed that fire safety checks are underway, with Brazilian authorities temporarily managing the summit. The fire is expected to delay the finalization of COP30’s agreement.