Carib Scope

作者： admin

  • Bermuda announces plans to become world’s first fully onchain national economy

    Bermuda announces plans to become world’s first fully onchain national economy

    BERMUDA LAUNCHES HISTORIC DIGITAL ECONOMY INITIATIVE AT DAVOS

    DAVOS, SWITZERLAND – In a groundbreaking announcement at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, the Bermuda government revealed its ambitious strategy to become the world’s first fully onchain national economy. This transformative initiative is being developed in collaboration with leading digital asset companies Circle and Coinbase, marking a significant milestone in global financial innovation.

    The partnership will leverage Circle and Coinbase’s advanced digital asset infrastructure and enterprise-grade tools to revolutionize Bermuda’s financial ecosystem. The comprehensive rollout will extend to government services, local banking institutions, insurance providers, SMEs, and individual consumers. Additionally, both companies will implement nationwide digital finance education programs and technical onboarding support to ensure seamless adoption.

    According to official government statements, transitioning to an onchain economy represents a fundamental shift toward utilizing digital assets as primary financial infrastructure. This move addresses critical challenges faced by Bermuda’s entrepreneurial economy, where traditional payment systems have proven costly and restrictive. The island’s classification alongside Caribbean jurisdictions has historically resulted in elevated processing fees and compressed merchant margins through conventional banking channels.

    Central to this transformation is the integration of USDC (USD Coin), Circle’s dollar-pegged stablecoin distinct from central bank digital currencies. This technology enables merchants to process rapid, low-cost transactions denominated in US dollars, providing unprecedented efficiency for daily commercial activities.

    Government officials highlighted multiple successful local implementations already demonstrating how onchain digital payments facilitate local transactions, support economic growth, and maintain regulatory compliance through modernized systems.

    This announcement builds upon Bermuda’s established leadership in digital asset regulation, dating back to 2018 when the territory implemented the pioneering Digital Asset Business Act – among the world’s first comprehensive regulatory frameworks for digital assets. Both Circle and Coinbase were early licensees under this legislation and have subsequently expanded operations within Bermuda’s growing digital finance ecosystem.

    The current partnership follows a significant demonstration at the Bermuda Digital Finance Forum 2025, where organizers executed a large-scale USDC airdrop distributing 100 USDC to each attendee for use with newly onboarded merchants. Subsequent developments have seen additional Bermudian businesses embracing digital payments, while local financial institutions have expanded their utilization of stablecoins and tokenized finance solutions.

  • First-time farm worker aiming to ‘rise and shine’

    First-time farm worker aiming to ‘rise and shine’

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — A new chapter begins for 24-year-old Andre Hollinzed from Clarendon as he joins the first contingent of Jamaican workers departing for Canada under the longstanding Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme (SAWP). The ambitious young farmer, speaking with JIS News during a farewell ceremony at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security’s Overseas Employment Centre, expressed profound gratitude for the opportunity to transform his family’s circumstances through international employment.

    Hollinzed credits his agricultural background and his mother’s encouragement as driving forces behind his application. ‘My mom is a farmer, my dad is a farmer, so we all grew up in a farming area,’ he shared. ‘She motivated me to get a farm-work ticket. Now that I got through, it’s my time to rise and shine.’

    The determined participant has prepared meticulously for the Canadian climate, packing ample warm clothing to combat the harsh winter conditions. Beyond physical preparation, Hollinzed carries a deeper motivation: rebuilding his family’s home and livelihood devastated by Hurricane Melissa, which destroyed crops, livestock, and their roof. With four younger brothers depending on him, his aspirations extend beyond immediate earnings to establishing a solid foundation for his family’s future.

    Minister of Labour and Social Security Pearnel Charles Jr. offered inspirational guidance to the first-time participant, emphasizing the program’s transformative potential. ‘This is not only an opportunity to earn money but to help you restart and rebuild,’ Minister Charles noted. He highlighted the program’s dual benefit as both a skills development initiative and a cultural exchange, urging Hollinzed to maintain exemplary conduct as a Jamaican ambassador.

    The SAWP, celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, represents a significant bilateral agreement between Jamaica and Canada that enables temporary agricultural employment while providing Jamaican workers with lawful employment, income security, and exposure to international practices. The 182 workers departing on January 6-7 will spend eight months working on farms across Ontario, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland, contributing to greenhouse operations and fruit and vegetable cultivation while supporting their families back home.

  • Dakar delights in Senegal parade honouring AFCON champions

    Dakar delights in Senegal parade honouring AFCON champions

    DAKAR, Senegal — The streets of Senegal’s capital transformed into a sea of national pride on Tuesday as the triumphant national football team embarked on a victory parade following their dramatic Africa Cup of Nations championship victory against Morocco. The Lions of Teranga, carrying their hard-won trophy aboard an open-top bus, navigated through massive crowds of ecstatic supporters that stretched across Dakar’s diverse neighborhoods.

    The celebration commenced in the working-class district of Patte d’Oie, where thousands of fans clad in team jerseys created a cacophony of cheers, vuvuzela blasts, and whistles that echoed throughout the city. The parade route showcased a cross-section of Senegalese society, with citizens of all ages and backgrounds lining highways, scaling buildings, and even perching on billboards to catch a glimpse of their returning heroes.

    This monumental welcome followed the team’s late Monday arrival aboard a special flight from Morocco, where they were greeted at the airport by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. The presidential reception underscored the national significance of Senegal’s second AFCON title, achieved through a contentious 1-0 extra-time victory against the host nation on Sunday.

    The championship match in Rabat had been marred by controversy when Senegalese players temporarily left the pitch in protest of a penalty decision. Team captain Sadio Mane played a crucial peacemaking role in convincing his teammates to return to play, ultimately leading to goalkeeper’s crucial save against Brahim Diaz’s Panenka attempt and Pape Gueye’s spectacular winning goal.

    Despite the Moroccan Football Association’s formal complaints to CAF and FIFA regarding the match’s contentious finish, Senegalese fans remained focused on celebrating their team’s resilience. Street vendor Amath Ndiaye exemplified the tournament’s economic impact, having successfully switched from selling tissues to marketing patriotic merchandise throughout AFCON and its celebratory aftermath.

    The parade culminated with an official presidential palace reception, cementing the Lions of Teranga’s status as national icons who have now reached three finals in the last four AFCON tournaments.

  • Dr Nicole Solomon joins Children’s Life Fund board

    Dr Nicole Solomon joins Children’s Life Fund board

    In a significant development for Trinidad and Tobago’s healthcare sector, Dr. Nicole Solomon, an accomplished consultant paediatric nephrologist at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, has been formally appointed to the board of management of the Children’s Life Fund Authority (CLFA). The appointment was officially confirmed through a press release issued by the authority on January 20.

    Dr. Solomon brings exceptional expertise in paediatric renal care, with specialized knowledge in dialysis and transplantation services for children. Her professional background includes playing a pivotal role in advancing paediatric renal transplantation capabilities within Trinidad and Tobago through her collaborative work with the Transplant Links Community (TLC), an international medical charity.

    Beyond her clinical responsibilities, Dr. Solomon serves as a lecturer in child health at the Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, further demonstrating her commitment to medical education and knowledge transfer.

    CLFA Chairman Dr. Kevon Dindial expressed enthusiasm about the appointment, stating: “Dr. Solomon’s distinguished career in paediatric nephrology and her profound dedication to improving children’s health outcomes perfectly align with CLFA’s mission and strategic vision. Her compassionate approach and clinical insights will be invaluable as we develop innovative, child-focused solutions for the communities we serve.”

    Echoing this sentiment, CLFA CEO Vernessar Cummings noted: “We are delighted to welcome Dr. Solomon to our board. Her extensive expertise and commitment to public service will significantly enhance our ability to make meaningful impacts across the communities under our care.”

    The current CLFA board composition includes Chairman Dr. Kevon Dindial alongside directors Matthew Allahar, Dianne Baker-Henry, Nabila Greene, Dr. Rajindra Parag, Afeisha Sampson, and Stephanie Toolsie.

  • Belize sugar cane harvest and milling season starts

    Belize sugar cane harvest and milling season starts

    BELMOPAN, Belize – The 2026 sugarcane harvest and milling season has officially commenced in Northern Belize, signaling the beginning of what industry leaders project to be a remarkably productive crop year characterized by strengthened collaboration, improved agricultural conditions, and promising output forecasts.

    Prime Minister John Briceño delivered an inspiring address during the season’s inauguration, praising the resilience of sugarcane farmers who persevered through significant challenges including disease outbreaks, labor shortages, climate change impacts, rising operational costs, and scheduling delays. “Rather than retreating in the face of adversity, you demonstrated remarkable entrepreneurship by continuing to plant, maintain, and prepare your fields,” Briceño stated. “Your dedication has sustained families and communities across the region, earning the nation’s gratitude.”

    The season opening ceremony gathered government representatives, members of the Belize Sugarcane Farmers Associations, and milling company executives. Officials reported substantially healthier cane fields, superior harvest quality, and enhanced operational preparedness throughout the industry compared to previous seasons.

    Comprehensive preparatory efforts by farmers, associations, millers, and technical partners have established the foundation for a timely, efficient, and productive harvesting and milling process. These measures include advanced field management protocols, intensified disease surveillance systems, and beneficial weather patterns that have collectively contributed to a more stable and promising agricultural outlook.

    Early performance indicators already demonstrate improved cane quality and a more streamlined initiation of milling operations, suggesting favorable economic outcomes for both agricultural producers and the broader Belizean economy.

    The 2026 crop exemplifies unprecedented coordination across the entire sugarcane value chain, encompassing harvesting, transportation, and milling activities. This integrated approach is expected to enhance operational efficiency and strengthen industry resilience throughout the season.

    As harvesting and milling operations commence, the sugarcane sector begins with renewed confidence, unified purpose, and widespread optimism for achieving a safe, productive, and successful harvest for all stakeholders involved.

    This development follows December’s interim agreement between the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association and American Sugar Refinery/Belize Sugar Industries Ltd, which facilitated the current season’s launch. Authorities anticipate the season will yield approximately 1.3 million tonnes of sugarcane for processing.

  • NGC, EOG sign gas supply agreement

    NGC, EOG sign gas supply agreement

    In a significant development for Trinidad and Tobago’s energy sector, the National Gas Company (NGC) has finalized a major natural gas supply arrangement with upstream producer EOG Resources Trinidad Ltd. The agreement, announced on January 16, represents a strategic move to ensure sustained and reliable gas delivery to the domestic energy market.

    NGC Chairman Gerald Ramdeen characterized the agreement as a milestone achievement that demonstrates the company’s determined efforts to collaborate with upstream partners in securing commercially viable natural gas supplies. This development follows closely on NGC’s recent acquisition of the Trinidad Region Onshore Compressor (TROC) asset, collectively forming part of a comprehensive strategy to stabilize gas availability and restore profitability to the company’s core operations.

    The successfully negotiated arrangement concludes what both parties describe as mutually beneficial terms. However, the announcement contained pointed criticism of previous energy policies, noting that the current administration has adopted a fundamentally different approach to gas allocation compared to the former government.

    Specifically, the release cited the bpTT Cypre project as an example of previous failed policy—a project delivering 250 million standard cubic feet of gas daily at peak capacity without guaranteeing any portion for domestic market needs. The new policy ethos embraced by both NGC and the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries mandates that future natural gas exploration must include proportional allocations for domestic consumption.

    The additional gas supply will enable NGC to meet its contractual commitments to Atlantic LNG while simultaneously increasing availability for downstream customers. Negotiations were spearheaded by acting NGC president Edmund Subryan, supported by specialized legal and commercial teams, who continue to advance additional gas supply stabilization initiatives with board-level and ministerial support.

  • Financial unit, Inland Revenue agree to share info

    Financial unit, Inland Revenue agree to share info

    In a significant move to combat financial crimes, Trinidad and Tobago’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIUTT) and the Inland Revenue Division (IRD) have formalized a renewed cooperation agreement through a memorandum of understanding signed this week. The agreement establishes an enhanced framework for intelligence sharing and collaborative action against financial offenses.

    The newly signed MoU replaces a previous arrangement dating back to 2010, signaling an upgraded approach to financial security. Under this partnership, both agencies will operate within their respective legislative mandates to voluntarily exchange critical financial intelligence or provide information upon formal request.

    Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo characterized the agreement as “a critical pillar in the government’s approach in protecting the integrity of our financial system.” He emphasized that the collaboration creates “a formidable front against money laundering, terrorism financing and proliferation financing” by bridging the gap between financial intelligence gathering and tax administration.

    The FIUTT operates under specific legislation that empowers the unit to collect, analyze, and disseminate financial intelligence to law enforcement authorities, including the IRD. Meanwhile, the IRD maintains responsibility for investigating and prosecuting tax offenses and money laundering cases through civil, criminal, or administrative channels.

    This coordinated effort represents Trinidad and Tobago’s latest measure to strengthen its financial regulatory framework and combat increasingly sophisticated financial crimes that threaten economic stability.

  • Govt negotiates sale of CL Financial shares to Proman, ends Privy Council appeal

    Govt negotiates sale of CL Financial shares to Proman, ends Privy Council appeal

    The Trinidadian government has reached a landmark settlement to terminate a high-stakes Privy Council appeal concerning the controversial 2009 sale of CL Financial assets, a case described as posing a “serious threat to the country’s economic well-being.”

    The Office of the Attorney General announced on January 19 that the state, as majority shareholder and largest creditor of collapsed conglomerate CL Financial Ltd (CLF), has opted to discontinue the appeal process involving Proman Holdings Barbados Ltd. The decision follows extensive consultation with King’s Counsel in London regarding litigation risks and prospects before the nation’s highest appellate court.

    The dispute originated from a February 2009 purchase agreement where CLF, under then-chairman Lawrence Duprey, attempted to transfer a 51% stake in Clico Energy Company Ltd (now Process Energy Trinidad Ltd) to Proman for US$46.5 million. The transaction was subsequently invalidated by High Court Justice Devindra Rampersad in September 2021, who ruled the company had been “grossly undervalued.” This decision was later upheld by the Court of Appeal, which further characterized the transaction as fraudulent.

    Under the settlement, CLF—with court approval and agreement from its liquidator—will formally transfer the disputed shares to Proman Holdings Barbados Ltd. This compromise allows the government to recover significant funds while avoiding substantial financial and legal risks associated with continuing the litigation. The disputed judgment was valued at over TT$2 billion, encompassing both the original purchase price and dividends collected since 2009.

    Attorney General John Jeremie stated the settlement “balanced the national interest, the prospects of success and the need to protect public finances,” bringing finality to one of the most significant disputes arising from CLF’s collapse. The government has spent an estimated TT$28 billion rescuing CLF and its subsidiaries, with an additional TT$3-4 billion incurred in related legal and administrative expenses.

    In related developments, the Central Bank has sought an adjournment in its long-running lawsuit against former CLF directors, including Duprey (who died in August 2024), to review the newly published Coleman Commission report. Simultaneously, activist Kendal Dolly has filed Freedom of Information requests seeking transparency regarding the substantial legal fees incurred by the state throughout the protracted CLF litigation matters.

  • Holy Faith Convent, Penal – 2026 secondary schools’ Panorama champs

    Holy Faith Convent, Penal – 2026 secondary schools’ Panorama champs

    In a spectacular display of musical excellence, Holy Faith Convent Penal (HFCP) secured the secondary schools title at the National Schools’ Panorama Finals 2026 with a breathtaking performance at Skinner Park, San Fernando on January 19. The talented ensemble closed the competition with an electrifying arrangement of Kes and David Rudder’s 2012 hit “Live Yuh Life (Like Yuh Playing Mas),” earning a winning score of 274 points.

    Under the leadership of captain Amaya Cedeno and vice-captain Kai Cruikshank, with musical direction by Neil Simon and drill mastery by Lydia Seecharan, the HFCP steel orchestra delivered what education officials described as “a powerful and polished presentation” that captivated both judges and audience members. This victory continues the school’s remarkable competitive journey, having first entered the National Junior Panorama in 2024 and immediately claiming a maiden title with their performance of “Savannah Grass.

    The 2026 competition marked a historic milestone as the first time both primary and secondary school finals were held in south Trinidad. Education Minister Dr. Michael Dowlath hailed the event as significant, emphasizing that “music teaches, heals, and gives people a voice and identity.”

    NAPS Combined Steel Orchestra placed second with 270 points for their rendition of Aaron ‘Voice’ St Louis’s “Peace of Mind,” while Presentation College, San Fernando took third with 257 points. In the primary school category, St Margaret’s Boys’ Anglican Primary School successfully defended their title with Voice’s “Year for Love.”

    The Ministry of Education celebrated the achievements on social media, noting that “these victories are a testament to the dedication, discipline and musical excellence of the students, arrangers and supporters who worked tirelessly behind the scenes,” adding that “the future of pan is shining bright through these young musicians.”

  • One Drop beat drives Garfield Cowan’s Roots Rock Reggae Riddim

    One Drop beat drives Garfield Cowan’s Roots Rock Reggae Riddim

    In an era where roots reggae had largely faded from mainstream prominence, producer Garfield Cowan found inspiration in the genre’s foundational One Drop rhythm. His Florida-based Natures Way Entertainment, in collaboration with Sweet Waters Spawn Music, has now released “Roots Rock Reggae Riddim,” a nine-track compilation that consciously resurrects this iconic 1970s beat.

    The album features established reggae artists including Zamunda/Fantan Mojah, Anthony B, Ginjah, and Iba Mahr, each contributing tracks that blend traditional sounds with contemporary consciousness. The project originated with the recording of Zamunda and Fantan Mojah’s title track, whose positive energy ultimately inspired a full-scale compilation.

    Cowan explained the selective curation process: “We sought artists recognized for their authentic consciousness, vocal prowess, and cultural respect. The vision centered on voices that could genuinely embody the One Drop tradition with conviction rather than mere stylistic imitation.”

    Notable tracks include Anthony B’s “Like A Mirror,” Ginjah’s “Lover Not A Fighter,” and Iba Mahr’s “Heavy Load.” Founded in 2010, Natures Way Entertainment emerged from Cowan’s admiration for 1990s smooth reggae pioneers like Beres Hammond and Garnet Silk.

    While the label previously achieved commercial success with the Sweet Personality Riddim (featuring hits by Wayne Wonder and Jah Cure), Cowan emphasizes that replication isn’t his objective. “Sweet Personality was an organic classic. With Roots Rock Reggae, our focus remains on purposeful, quality music rather than recreating past achievements,” he stated.