Carib Scope

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  • $1.6M in Small-Business Loans Issued to 36 Applicants

    $1.6M in Small-Business Loans Issued to 36 Applicants

    In a significant move to bolster local economic development, a total of $1.6 million in small-business financing has been successfully allocated to 36 qualified applicants. This strategic capital infusion represents a crucial lifeline for emerging enterprises and established small businesses seeking expansion opportunities within the community.

    The comprehensive funding initiative was administered through a specialized lending program designed to address the unique financial challenges faced by small businesses. Each recipient underwent a rigorous evaluation process assessing business viability, economic impact potential, and job creation capabilities.

    Financial analysts highlight that such targeted lending programs serve as economic catalysts, particularly in the post-pandemic recovery landscape where small businesses continue to face capital accessibility hurdles. The distributed funds are projected to generate substantial ripple effects throughout the local economy, potentially creating new employment opportunities and stimulating ancillary business activities.

    This development occurs amid ongoing discussions about the critical role small businesses play in national economic health, accounting for approximately 44% of U.S. economic activity according to recent Small Business Administration reports. The successful deployment of these funds demonstrates effective public-private partnership models that can be replicated in other regions facing similar economic development challenges.

    Recipients represent diverse sectors including technology startups, retail establishments, service-oriented businesses, and manufacturing operations, ensuring broad-based economic impact across multiple industry verticals.

  • Atkinson Village receives funding for return of traditional ‘Sewenal’ festival after 7 year hiatus

    Atkinson Village receives funding for return of traditional ‘Sewenal’ festival after 7 year hiatus

    The cultural heartbeat of Atkinson Village will pulse once again as the Sewenal Festival returns on December 21, 2025, following a seven-year absence. With substantial backing from the Dominican government, this revival celebrates both Christmas traditions and indigenous Kalinago heritage through vibrant musical performances and community gatherings.

    Honourable Cozier Frederick, Parliamentary Representative for Salybia Constituency, formally presented a $30,000 governmental contribution to festival organizers during a ceremony attended by Atkinson Village Council officials. The funding was delivered on behalf of Prime Minister Dr. Roosevelt Skerrit, demonstrating administrative support for cultural preservation efforts.

    Festival organizers promise an immersive cultural experience featuring traditional Jing Ping bands from across Dominica, alongside dynamic performances by Swinging Stars and Signal Band. The event serves as a living repository of Dominican Christmas customs intertwined with Kalinago cultural legacy.

    During the funding presentation, Hon. Frederick emphasized the government’s commitment to community festivals as catalysts for cultural conservation, economic stimulation, and social cohesion. He noted the festival’s return after seven years underscores the resilience of Dominican traditions against modern challenges.

    The Atkinson Village Council expressed profound gratitude for the prompt financial assistance, confirming these resources will be strategically allocated toward event coordination, production requirements, and community mobilization efforts.

    Anticipated to draw both residents and international visitors, the 2025 Sewenal Festival positions Atkinson Village as a focal point of Dominica’s national cultural calendar during the holiday season, potentially boosting local tourism and cultural visibility.

  • Fernandez Reports Major Runway and Digital Upgrades Advancing at VC Bird Airport

    Fernandez Reports Major Runway and Digital Upgrades Advancing at VC Bird Airport

    Antigua and Barbuda’s primary aviation gateway is undergoing its most substantial transformation since the inauguration of its new terminal, with significant progress reported on both physical and digital modernization fronts. During the recent 2026 Budget Debate, Tourism and Aviation Minister Charles ‘Max’ Fernandez provided a comprehensive update on the ambitious redevelopment program at VC Bird International Airport.

    The centerpiece of this infrastructure overhaul is a landmark $50 million runway rehabilitation project, which officials confirm is now 20 percent complete. Minister Fernandez revealed that construction experts had identified deficiencies in previous runway work, noting that subsurface analysis showed prior construction ‘was not 100% up to what it should have been.’ The government anticipates full completion of this critical aviation infrastructure project by the conclusion of 2026, coinciding with steadily increasing air traffic volumes.

    Concurrently, the airport authority has embarked on a comprehensive digital transformation initiative through a strategic partnership with CETA, an international aviation technology provider. This collaboration will see the complete modernization of passenger processing systems, including upgraded flight information displays, advanced airline kiosks, and state-of-the-art check-in counter computers. These technological enhancements aim to significantly improve both operational efficiency and passenger experience.

    Additional infrastructure improvements are underway, including the installation of new water-cooled chilling systems to enhance terminal climate control. These systems are scheduled to become operational in early 2026, further elevating traveler comfort at the expanding aviation hub.

  • WINDREF Invitation to Bid: Design Services for Shoreline Stabilisation Works

    WINDREF Invitation to Bid: Design Services for Shoreline Stabilisation Works

    The Windward Islands Research & Education Foundation (WINDREF) has initiated a landmark coastal preservation project to address severe climate-induced erosion in the Grenadian community of Telescope, St. Andrew. The Telescope Living Shoreline (TLS) Project represents a strategic response to decades of environmental degradation that has threatened both local livelihoods and critical marine ecosystems.

    Historical sand mining operations, once the primary sand source for Grenada’s construction industry, precipitated devastating coastal erosion and habitat destruction until the government enacted a complete ban on beach sand mining in 2009. This environmental crisis has been compounded by the systematic deterioration of the region’s coral reef system, which has historically served as a natural barrier against wave energy. Scientific assessments indicate the reef crest has experienced substantial lowering while live coral coverage has dramatically decreased, crippling the ecosystem’s regenerative capacity.

    The coastal retreat has reached alarming rates of approximately 65 centimeters annually in certain areas, with eroded sediments adversely affecting nearby seagrass beds and remaining coral formations. Additional pressures include agricultural runoff and inadequate drainage systems from informal settlements. These cumulative factors have transformed Little Bay from a premier recreational destination to a landscape of environmental emergency, where homes, infrastructure, and human safety face imminent threat.

    WINDREF is now soliciting professional design and construction supervision services for innovative shoreline stabilization works through a competitive bidding process. The implementation period for the successful bidder is established at 32 weeks, with selection procedures following the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund’s Procurement Guidelines using the Quality Cost Based Selection (QCBS) methodology.

    Interested firms must submit electronic proposals by 3:00 PM on January 12, 2026, with technical proposals to be unveiled virtually at 3:15 PM the same day. Comprehensive bidding documentation is available upon request via specified email channels using the reference code RFP No. TLS/QCBS/CS/03. WINDREF explicitly retains the right to accept or reject any submission without incurring liability for preparation costs incurred by bidders.

  • CCJ Clarifies Principles on Disregarding Companies’ Separate Legal Personality

    CCJ Clarifies Principles on Disregarding Companies’ Separate Legal Personality

    The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has delivered a seminal judgment establishing definitive legal parameters for disregarding the separate legal personality of corporate entities. This landmark ruling provides crucial guidance to regional judiciaries on the contentious doctrine of ‘piercing the corporate veil’.

    The court’s comprehensive analysis clarifies that the foundational principle of corporate separateness remains inviolable under normal circumstances. However, the CCJ enumerated specific exceptional conditions where courts may justifiably lift this protection. These include instances of fraudulent misuse of corporate structures, deliberate evasion of existing legal obligations, or situations where maintaining corporate separation would produce fundamentally unjust outcomes.

    Justice Winston Anderson, writing for the bench, emphasized that mere control of a subsidiary by its parent company doesn’t automatically justify piercing the corporate veil. The ruling establishes that plaintiffs must demonstrate actual abuse of the corporate form rather than simply establishing common ownership or management structures.

    This precedent-setting decision arose from a complex commercial dispute involving allegations of asset shielding through corporate restructuring. The judgment provides much-needed regional harmonization on a doctrine that has previously suffered from inconsistent application across Caribbean jurisdictions.

    The CCJ’s ruling balances corporate protection needs with judicial remedies against abuse, potentially influencing corporate governance practices throughout the Caribbean Community. Legal experts anticipate this decision will become the cornerstone for future litigation involving corporate structures and liability questions in the region.

  • Close of 2025 Primary School Debate Competition

    Close of 2025 Primary School Debate Competition

    Grenada’s educational landscape witnessed an extraordinary display of youthful intellect as the 2025 IMA Grenada/SPYO Primary School Debate Competition concluded with resounding success. The landmark event, orchestrated through a strategic collaboration between St Patrick’s Youth Organisation and the Investment Migration Agency Grenada, culminated in a grand finale at the GBSS Auditorium on December 3, 2025.

    Nineteen primary institutions from four parishes—St Patrick, St John, St Andrew, and St David—engaged in multiple rigorous debate rounds spanning several weeks. The competition’s framework, built upon the visionary theme “Empowering the Future: Youth Leadership as the Key to Nation Building,” challenged participants to articulate sophisticated perspectives on sustainable development, youth governance, artificial intelligence, and national leadership.

    The championship round featured a compelling resolution: “Be it resolved that Grenada should focus primarily on strengthening its partnerships with African countries for cultural exchange and sustainable development.” After intense deliberation, St Patrick’s RC School claimed the championship title with 1,264 points, securing a $6,000 prize. St John’s Anglican School followed closely with 1,226 points, earning $4,000, while River Sallee Government School captured third place with a $3,000 award.

    Individual excellence shone through Xana Fraser of St Patrick’s RC School, who received the Best Debater honor for her exceptional clarity and persuasive delivery. Nathan Olive, from the same institution, garnered the Best Rebutter award for his analytical prowess and comprehensive understanding of complex issues.

    Rea Burke, Marketing and Communication Officer at IMA Grenada, emphasized the transformative nature of the initiative: “We are not just sponsoring an event, we are shaping futures, creating opportunities and nurturing a generation who will become the leaders, thinkers and innovators of tomorrow.”

    Karena Noel, Vice President of SPYO, praised participants’ courage and intellectual determination, noting that all competitors had already achieved remarkable accomplishments regardless of final rankings.

    The closing ceremony featured special remarks from Honourable Joseph Andall, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade & Export Development, who invoked Nelson Mandela’s wisdom: “You’re either a winner or a learner,” encouraging students to value participation above all.

    The event’s success was made possible through support from Rubis Caribbean, Grenada Cooperative Bank, Republic Bank Grenada Limited, Glenelg Spring Water, True Blue Bay Resort, and the National Lotteries Authority. Organizers extended gratitude to teachers, parents, coaches, adjudicators, and volunteers whose dedication proved instrumental in fostering academic excellence and leadership development across Grenada.

  • Barbadian PM Mia Mottley named in Forbes’ 100 Most Powerful Women

    Barbadian PM Mia Mottley named in Forbes’ 100 Most Powerful Women

    Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley has achieved another international milestone with her inclusion in Forbes’ 2025 World’s 100 Most Powerful Women ranking, securing the 99th position among global leaders spanning politics, business, and philanthropy. The prestigious recognition underscores her growing influence on the world stage.

    Forbes specifically highlighted Mottley’s climate advocacy, diplomatic prowess, and transformative leadership during Barbados’ constitutional evolution. Her profile details her historic 2018 election as Barbados’ first female prime minister and her subsequent emergence as a vocal climate activist, particularly referencing her impassioned 2021 United Nations General Assembly address demanding urgent environmental action.

    The publication noted her 2021 designation as a United Nations Environment Programme ‘Champion of the Earth for Policy Leadership’ and her instrumental role in Barbados’ transition to a parliamentary republic that same year, which formally ended the British monarchy’s ceremonial governance.

    Mottley joins an elite group of global power brokers including top-ranked European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Central Bank chief Christine Lagarde, and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The Forbes ranking, now in its 22nd year, assesses candidates through four key metrics: financial resources, media presence, tangible impact, and spheres of influence. This year’s cohort represents 17 nations wielding approximately $37 trillion in economic power and influencing over one billion people worldwide.

    Her political journey began decades earlier with her 1994 appointment as Minister of Education, Youth Affairs and Culture, establishing the foundation for her subsequent regional and international prominence. Forbes emphasized that Mottley’s consistent appearance on major global rankings solidifies her status as the Caribbean’s most visible political figure, renowned for her uncompromising stance on climate justice, economic reform, and global equity.

  • LIVE ON DNO: December 16th,17th and 18th from 6PM Teaching on advent with Bishop Kendricks Forbes

    LIVE ON DNO: December 16th,17th and 18th from 6PM Teaching on advent with Bishop Kendricks Forbes

    The spiritual community of Roseau is preparing for a significant pre-Christmas observance as Bishop Kendricks Forbes announces a special three-night teaching and prayer series focused on the Advent season. Scheduled for December 16th, 17th, and 18th, 2025, these evening sessions will commence at 6:30 p.m. each night within the historic Roseau Cathedral.

    Advent, representing the four-week period leading to Christmas, serves as a time of spiritual preparation and anticipation for Christian congregations worldwide. Bishop Forbes’ teachings will delve into the theological significance of this liturgical season, exploring themes of hope, reflection, and preparation for the celebration of Christ’s birth.

    The extended format across three consecutive evenings offers parishioners and visitors an uncommon opportunity for deep engagement with Advent’s spiritual dimensions through collective prayer and doctrinal instruction. Such multi-day ecclesiastical events are particularly valued within religious communities as they provide sustained periods of worship and learning outside regular Sunday services.

    The selection of Roseau Cathedral as the venue carries its own significance, as cathedral churches traditionally serve as the central church of a diocese where the bishop’s official seat is located. This architectural and spiritual landmark will provide the appropriate setting for what many anticipate will be a spiritually enriching experience guided by Bishop Forbes’ leadership.

    Community response indicates strong interest in the event, with many local faithful marking their calendars for what has become a highlight of the Christmas liturgical calendar. The teaching series represents part of the broader seasonal programming that churches typically organize during December to help congregations spiritually prepare for Christmas beyond the commercial aspects of the holiday season.

  • Machado urges pressure so Maduro understands ‘he has to go’

    Machado urges pressure so Maduro understands ‘he has to go’

    Venezuelan opposition leader and newly crowned Nobel Peace Prize recipient Maria Corina Machado has issued a forceful appeal for intensified international pressure against the administration of President Nicolas Maduro. In a preview of her upcoming interview with CBS News’ ‘Face the Nation,’ Machado emphasized the necessity of compelling Maduro to relinquish power, asserting that his time has conclusively ended.

    The political figure, who recently executed a daring escape from Venezuela under circumstances resembling an espionage thriller, addressed questions regarding potential U.S. military involvement. While acknowledging no specific knowledge of American plans, Machado clarified that Maduro’s removal would not constitute conventional regime change. ‘We conducted an election where over 70 percent of the population mandated political transition,’ she explained. ‘Our requirement is support to implement that democratic decision.’

    Machado’s reference concerns the 2023 presidential election where Maduro secured a controversial third term amid widespread opposition claims of electoral manipulation. The government subsequently prohibited Machado from political participation, forcing her into hiding before her extraordinary extraction from Caracas.

    Codenamed ‘Golden Dynamite’ in homage to Alfred Nobel, the operation involved Machado disguising herself with a wig and navigating through ten military checkpoints undetected. Her journey from a northern Venezuelan beach involved a deliberately dilapidated fishing vessel that subsequently malfunctioned, causing significant delays. According to multiple media investigations, treacherous maritime conditions further complicated the escape, resulting in GPS equipment loss and two hours of directional uncertainty that created genuine mortal peril.

    Despite these harrowing circumstances, Machado successfully rendezvoused with U.S. Army veteran Bryan Stern on open waters before ultimately reaching Oslo via private jet from Curaçao. The opposition leader declined to elaborate on escape specifics during her interview but emphasized the Nobel Prize’s symbolic importance as recognition of Venezuela’s courageous resistance against what she termed ‘a criminal, narcoterrorist structure.’

    Machado concluded with a commitment to return the honor to the Venezuelan people promptly. The Trump administration’s continued pressure campaign against Maduro has included substantial naval deployments and airstrikes against alleged drug-trafficking operations, resulting in nearly 90 fatalities. The complete interview will air Sunday on CBS.

  • Ocho Rios advance to Ben Francis Cup quarter-finals

    Ocho Rios advance to Ben Francis Cup quarter-finals

    DRAX HALL, St Ann — In a tightly contested Friday match, Ocho Rios High School clinched a decisive 1-0 victory against Old Harbour High, securing their position as the second qualifier for the ISSA Ben Francis Cup quarter-finals. The critical goal was delivered by Kaneil Brown during the latter stages of the game, ensuring his team’s advancement to the next round scheduled for Tuesday, December 16.

    This achievement places Ocho Rios High alongside Manchester High, which dominated William Knibb Memorial with an overwhelming 5-0 triumph the previous day. Additionally, Mannings School and Garvey Maceo High have automatically progressed to the quarter-finals due to the withdrawal of their scheduled opponents, Maggotty High and Maldon High, respectively.

    The remaining four slots in the tournament will be determined following Saturday’s concluding matches in the daCosta Cup competition. Teams that do not advance to the daCosta Cup semi-finals—two from each group—will earn entry into the Ben Francis Cup bracket.

    Notably, McGrath High, who claimed the Ben Francis Cup title two years prior, is anticipated to join the contenders after experiencing defeats in their initial two quarter-final games against Cornwall College and Glenmuir High in Group B.