Carib Scope

分类： business

  • Look toGuyana forfeedstock tosave forex

    Look toGuyana forfeedstock tosave forex

    A critical examination of Trinidad and Tobago’s foreign exchange allocation has revealed staggering financial commitments to poultry feed imports, prompting calls for strategic regional collaboration. Recent disclosures from Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo indicate that poultry-related enterprises accessed over US$150 million in forex reserves between 2020 and mid-2025, representing a substantial national investment in sustaining imported animal feedstock.

    This revelation emerges alongside transformative agricultural developments in neighboring Guyana. The Caricom partner has successfully cultivated approximately 12,000 acres of corn and soya in 2024, with ambitious expansion targets of 25,000-30,000 acres by 2025-2026. Guyana’s strategic initiative aims not only at achieving self-sufficiency in livestock feed production but also at positioning itself as a grain exporter to fellow Caricom nations.

    The convergence of these developments presents a pivotal opportunity for Trinidad’s poultry industry. Industry analysts now question whether major integrators, feed millers, agricultural experts, and relevant government agencies have initiated formal engagement with Guyanese authorities. Such collaboration could establish long-term supply agreements for Guyanese corn and soya, potentially priced in mechanisms that gradually reduce Trinidad’s forex exposure.

    Parallel to negotiation efforts, an urgent domestic assessment appears necessary. Evaluating port infrastructure, storage capabilities, handling procedures, quality assurance protocols, and potential legislative adjustments would be essential for transitioning from distant suppliers to regional partnerships. This strategic pivot could transform Guyana’s agricultural emergence into a concrete, lower-risk intra-Caricom supply chain for poultry feed.

    The scale of forex expenditure on poultry feedstock demands more than routine reassurances—it necessitates a coordinated regional strategy where private sector initiative and government facilitation converge to maximize forex efficiency and regional economic integration.

  • American Airlines adds four new routes from Punta Cana to the U.S.

    American Airlines adds four new routes from Punta Cana to the U.S.

    In a significant boost to Caribbean air connectivity, American Airlines has announced a major expansion of its operations in the Dominican Republic. The carrier has inaugurated four new seasonal routes from Punta Cana International Airport to key U.S. metropolitan centers: Indianapolis, Nashville, Pittsburgh, and Raleigh-Durham.

    This strategic enhancement reinforces the airline’s five-decade presence in the Dominican market, substantially improving accessibility between the popular tourist destination and the United States. The new Saturday-exclusive services, operating through April 4, 2026, will utilize Boeing 737 aircraft configured with 172 seats.

    Oliver Bojos, American Airlines’ Regional Operations Manager for the Central Caribbean, emphasized that these additions make Punta Cana “increasingly accessible” to American travelers. The expansion received enthusiastic endorsement from Punta Cana Airport executives, with Giovanni Rainieri highlighting the positive implications for regional tourism development and national economic growth.

    The route expansion forms part of a broader winter season capacity increase that will see American Airlines operate up to 95 weekly flights from Punta Cana to 11 U.S. cities. The airline is boosting its Punta Cana capacity by over 12% and increasing overall operations by 13% for the season.

    Concurrently, American Airlines is strengthening its footprint across the Dominican Republic, with plans to operate more than 162 weekly flights to five Dominican destinations. In a complementary move, the carrier will launch a new Philadelphia-Santo Domingo service commencing December 18, 2025, further expanding connectivity options between the two nations.

  • Abinader inaugurates Dreams and Secrets Playa Esmeralda hotels

    Abinader inaugurates Dreams and Secrets Playa Esmeralda hotels

    MICHES, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – In a landmark event for the nation’s tourism sector, President Luis Abinader has officially inaugurated the Dreams and Secrets Playa Esmeralda hotel complex. This dual-property development, representing a monumental investment of RD$23 billion, establishes a new benchmark for luxury hospitality in the Eastern corridor and is poised to transform Miches into a premier global destination.

    The inauguration underscores a pivotal achievement in the government’s strategic plan to decentralize tourism and stimulate substantial economic growth beyond traditional hubs. The project is a testament to a successful public-private partnership model that has rapidly accelerated development in the region.

    Tourism Minister David Collado heralded Miches as ‘the new tourist destination of the Dominican Republic,’ attributing its swift ascent to the synergistic collaboration between government initiatives and private enterprise. This concerted effort has yielded the construction of over 2,000 new hotel rooms in a relatively short timeframe, with the Inversora Playa Esmeralda complex being the latest and most significant addition.

    Demonstrating exceptional market confidence, Minister Collado revealed the resort’s remarkable performance metrics. Despite the absence of a local airport, which is often considered critical for accessibility, the property has achieved occupancy levels surpassing 80%. This figure is projected to climb to 85% in December, indicating robust demand and validating the strategic bet on Miches’s potential. The immediate commercial success signals strong investor and consumer confidence in the government’s vision for the area.

  • Column: SLM op IC – vluchtroute richting mortuarium

    Column: SLM op IC – vluchtroute richting mortuarium

    Surinam Airways (SLM) has reached a critical inflection point, with a recent diagnostic assessment revealing the national carrier’s condition to be far more dire than previously acknowledged by officials. The airline, which has been operating as an intensive care patient for years, now faces an existential crisis that demands immediate and decisive intervention.

    The comprehensive review exposes decades of systemic failures including political indecision, financial mismanagement, and operational neglect that have brought the carrier to the brink of collapse. Despite employee dedication and national pride, the airline has operated with an aging fleet, excessive costs, and inefficient operations that rendered it more reminiscent of a aviation museum than a modern airline enterprise.

    President Jennifer Simons now confronts the formidable task of making determinations that previous administrations consistently avoided. The assessment makes clear that superficial changes—board reshufflings or leadership musical chairs—will not address fundamental structural deficiencies. The aircraft’s corroded fuselage cannot be remedied by rearranging personnel.

    The core challenges remain stark: without substantial funding, clear vision, strong political backing, and executable recovery strategy, no meaningful transformation can occur. The playing field itself requires renovation, not merely player substitutions. More than 500 employees deserve certainty about their future.

    Suriname’s emotional attachment to maintaining a national carrier conflicts with economic realities. While SLM once symbolized national pride and global connectivity, sentiment cannot finance fuel costs, lease payments, maintenance, or millions in accumulated debt. Aviation operates on rigorous business principles, modern fleets, operational discipline, and financial sustainability—not nostalgia.

    The president must now make painful choices regarding which components merit preservation, which require privatization, and where to draw the line between national pride and financially strangling prestige. The assessment, while not simplifying these decisions, makes them unavoidable.

    The time for political poetry has passed. The nation requires clarity instead of delay, courage rather than sentiment, and a future where aviation connects rather than financially constricts the country.

  • Guyana proposes to supply high quality food to Grenada

    Guyana proposes to supply high quality food to Grenada

    In a significant move to bolster Caribbean food security, Guyana has formally proposed establishing a comprehensive agricultural partnership with Grenada. President Irfaan Ali announced the initiative during the official opening of Grenada’s Consulate in Guyana, signaling a new chapter in bilateral relations between the two Caribbean nations.

    President Ali revealed that Guyana is preparing to supply Grenada with high-quality agricultural produce through an elaborate bilateral agreement targeted for signing in the first quarter of next year. “We are investing heavily in regional food security and we hope that our two sides can sit down and sign an agreement where Guyana can be your most trusted partner in supplying quality, consistent food at consistent prices to Grenada,” President Ali stated during the ceremony.

    The Guyanese leader emphasized substantial investments in infrastructure and technology, noting collaboration with several international players to enhance agricultural capacity. Beyond basic food supplies, the proposal includes joint investment opportunities to revitalize Grenada’s spice industry, particularly in developing processing and packaging capabilities for regional and international markets.

    The newly established consulate, headed by Honorary Consul Komal Singh—a prominent Guyanese businessman—will serve as a crucial bridge for economic cooperation. Singh expressed commitment to stimulating greater awareness among Grenadians about opportunities in business, investment, education, and cultural exchange. “This office will serve as a bridge; a place where connections are made, support is given, and initiatives are built that benefit both nations,” Singh affirmed.

    The diplomatic advancement comes against the backdrop of Guyana’s substantial support following Hurricane Beryl’s devastation in 2024, which Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell described as “rock hard” assistance. Mitchell emphasized the strategic importance of strengthening ties with regional partners rather than distant nations with limited common interests. Direct flights between the two countries already facilitate transportation and exchange.

    Both leaders identified the removal of artificial trade barriers as essential for regional progress, noting that outdated laws and regulations remain significant obstacles to Caribbean economic integration. The partnership represents a concrete step toward deeper diplomatic, political, and economic cooperation within CARICOM, with Guyana positioning itself as both a reliable food security partner and gateway to South American markets.

  • BEL Chairman Marshalleck Resigns After Five Years

    BEL Chairman Marshalleck Resigns After Five Years

    Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) has announced the forthcoming departure of its Board Chairman, E. Andrew Marshalleck, S.C., effective December 31, 2025. Marshalleck will conclude his five-year leadership tenure that witnessed substantial advancements in the nation’s power infrastructure.

    Appointed to the Board in December 2020, Marshalleck’s chairmanship was marked by significant strategic achievements. Under his guidance, BEL executed critical enhancements to the national grid, most notably expanding generation capacity by 30 megawatts and boosting transmission substation capacity by 92 MVA. These infrastructural investments yielded a dramatic improvement in system reliability, reducing network outages by more than 30 percent compared to pre-2021 performance metrics.

    A landmark accomplishment during his term was the finalization of Belize’s inaugural power purchase agreement for a utility-scale solar energy facility, signaling a strategic pivot toward renewable energy sources.

    In a formal statement reflecting on his service, Marshalleck expressed gratitude for his tenure, stating: ‘I am grateful for the opportunity to have served and for the chance to meet and work with many of the talented managers and employees of BEL … they, together with the people of Belize, deserve a truly successful BEL.’

    The company’s announcement did not specify reasons for the leadership transition. Marshalleck’s successor will be Lyn Young, the former Chief Executive Officer of the utility company.

  • Services, vehicles, guns, ammo excluded from VAT-free shopping

    Services, vehicles, guns, ammo excluded from VAT-free shopping

    The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has unveiled comprehensive operational guidelines for the nation’s inaugural VAT Zero-Rated Day scheduled for this Friday, marking the New Democratic Party administration’s first implementation of this fiscal policy measure. This temporary tax suspension represents a significant consumer stimulus initiative targeting non-commercial purchases across multiple retail sectors.

    The tax exemption framework specifically applies to transactions involving VAT-registered businesses supplying eligible tangible goods to non-commercial consumers. Critical eligibility requirements mandate that all tax-exempt products must be physically present in merchant inventory at close of business on Thursday, with both sale and full payment processing occurring exclusively during Friday’s designated tax holiday period.

    Comprehensive eligibility categories encompass consumer electronics (televisions, computers, smartphones), household appliances (refrigerators, stoves, washing machines), food and beverages including alcoholic items, clothing and footwear, furniture selections, building materials, automotive parts excluding complete vehicles, cosmetics and toiletries, alongside general merchandise including toys, books and kitchenware.

    The exclusion list maintains several significant categories outside the tax relief program. All service-based transactions remain fully taxable, including tourism and hospitality services. Prepared meals and beverages from restaurants, hotels and similar establishments remain subject to standard VAT rates. Additional exclusions encompass motor vehicles, tobacco products, firearms and ammunition, with hire purchase arrangements similarly excluded from tax exemption benefits.

    The IRD has expressed anticipation for seamless implementation of this economic stimulus measure, encouraging public participation while emphasizing strict adherence to published guidelines for both retailers and consumers.

  • Could Netflix-Warner Bros. $82 Billion Deal Mean Higher Prices for Subscribers?

    Could Netflix-Warner Bros. $82 Billion Deal Mean Higher Prices for Subscribers?

    The monumental $82.7 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. by streaming titan Netflix has triggered significant regulatory attention and consumer advocacy concerns regarding potential market consolidation effects. Announced on December 5, 2025, this landmark transaction would transfer control of Warner Bros.’ extensive entertainment portfolio—including film and television studios, HBO, and HBO Max—to the streaming platform giant.

    This unprecedented merger combines Netflix’s global distribution infrastructure with Warner Bros.’ century-spanning content library, encompassing legendary franchises from Harry Potter and DC Universe to Game of Thrones and The Big Bang Theory. Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos emphasized the strategic value, stating the union would enhance content delivery by merging Warner’s iconic collection—from classics like Casablanca to contemporary hits—with Netflix’s culture-defining original programming.

    Despite the expanded content offering, industry analysts warn subscribers could face increased subscription fees following the consolidation. This concern amplifies existing consumer apprehensions, particularly as Netflix implemented price increases earlier in 2025.

    The transaction has drawn critical responses from prominent political figures. Senator Elizabeth Warren condemned the merger as ‘an anti-monopoly nightmare,’ cautioning that reduced market competition could diminish consumer choice and elevate costs. Simultaneously, former President Donald Trump expressed reservations about the combined entity’s substantial market dominance, indicating his intention to participate in regulatory review processes.

    The acquisition now faces impending scrutiny from antitrust regulators who will evaluate its potential impact on market competition and consumer pricing in the rapidly consolidating streaming industry.

  • Chambers call for fair forex distribution as Eximbank CEO axed

    Chambers call for fair forex distribution as Eximbank CEO axed

    In the wake of Navin Dookeran’s abrupt termination as CEO of Eximbank, Trinidad and Tobago’s business chambers are urgently calling for fundamental reforms in foreign exchange allocation policies. The newly appointed board, chaired by Edwin Chariah with Suresh Maharaj as deputy chairman, now faces mounting pressure to establish more equitable distribution mechanisms that serve a broader spectrum of the business community.

    Vivek Charran, President of the Confederation of Regional Business Chambers, emphasized the critical nature of this transition: ‘Our primary concern is ensuring this new administration develops a fair and balanced approach to forex distribution for our most vulnerable enterprises. We’re discussing generational family businesses and retail SMEs that are fundamentally fighting for survival.’

    The business community’s consensus reveals deep-seated frustrations with the previous system’s limitations. Ramon Gregorio of the Greater Tunapuna Chamber of Industry and Commerce noted the essential balancing act required: ‘This is about reconciling the needs of large manufacturers with enabling SMEs to develop into larger organizations. Achieving proper equity and balance remains our central advocacy point.’

    Baldath Maharaj of the Chaguanas Chamber of Industry and Commerce stressed the institutional requirements for effective reform: ‘Our chamber consistently emphasizes fairness, predictability, and transparency in allocation processes. Whatever strategic direction emerges, businesses must have confidence in an equitable and accessible system—this stability is indispensable for investment, growth, and national development.’

    The chambers collectively expressed hope that the new directorship would expand forex allocation policies beyond the manufacturing sector to include goods and services industries frequently excluded from the equation. Gregorio added, ‘We urgently need a holistic approach that addresses the distinct challenges all sectors face in securing foreign exchange.’

    Despite understanding the underlying forex shortages and national challenges, business leaders highlighted the practical realities: many retailers and manufacturers depend on Eximbank’s window to maintain operations, meet payroll obligations, and settle long-pending foreign supplier invoices. Charran revealed that during previous meetings with bank officials and former Finance Minister Colm Imbert, chambers were explicitly told no forex was available despite the operating window—with indications that stricter controls might be implemented.

    Regarding leadership transition, chambers expressed confidence in the board’s diligence in selecting a replacement CEO while emphasizing the need for continuity. Maharaj noted, ‘History demonstrates that leadership transitions involve adjustment periods. We need a CEO with substantial expertise in export development and manufacturing who can maintain operational continuity while addressing the immediate needs of the business community.’

    Dookeran, when contacted for comment, referred to a previous article expressing pride in his accomplishments since his 2019 appointment but declined further statement. The business community’s unified message remains clear: systemic reform, not personnel changes, represents the true path toward resolving Trinidad and Tobago’s foreign exchange distribution challenges.

  • SFBA welcomes refinery restart as government reviews reactivation plan

    SFBA welcomes refinery restart as government reviews reactivation plan

    The San Fernando Business Association (SFBA) has enthusiastically endorsed the Trinidadian government’s decision to recommission the Pointe-a-Pierre petroleum refinery, characterizing the move as a crucial economic stimulus for southern Trinidad and a transformative development for national prosperity.

    SFBA President Daphne Bartlett, in an official December 7 statement, expressed the association’s profound satisfaction with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s administration for honoring its campaign commitment to restart refinery operations. Bartlett emphasized that the facility’s 2018 closure severely disrupted foreign exchange revenues, paralyzed ancillary industries, and exacerbated resource allocation challenges.

    “During its operational peak, the refinery generated substantial profitability through aviation fuel exports and international sales, earning critical foreign currency,” Bartlett explained. “Domestically, we utilized Trinidad and Tobago dollars for fuel purchases while bitumen by-products maintained our road infrastructure. Since the shutdown, we’ve been forced to import these commodities with limited foreign reserves, directly contributing to our deteriorating road conditions.”

    Bartlett further highlighted the reactivation’s potential to revitalize adjacent communities historically dependent on Petrotrin and its supply chain for employment. “Economic activity generates commercial vitality. Enterprises throughout the San Fernando region will experience renewed growth, and secondary operations will reactivate. This initiative represents a comprehensive national advantage,” she affirmed.

    Addressing feedstock concerns, Bartlett noted the refinery’s historical reliance on imported crude to supplement domestic production. With emerging oil producers like Guyana and Suriname, plus potential Venezuelan supply partnerships, she expressed confidence in sustainable operational continuity. “The reopening illuminates a prosperous future. We appreciate the Prime Minister’s exemplary seasonal offering,” Bartlett concluded.

    The business endorsement coincides with governmental advances in the reactivation process. Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar convened with the refinery recommissioning committee—chaired by former energy minister Kevin Ramnarine—at the Diplomatic Centre on December 5 to evaluate progress. She reiterated commitments to procedural transparency and assured citizens that national interests would remain paramount.

    Photographs from the December 4 meeting depicted Persad-Bissessar, Energy Minister Dr. Roodal Moonilal, and committee members examining interim strategic recommendations. Moonilal previously indicated that technical feasibility evaluations would conclude in early December, informing decisions regarding implementation schedules, financial investments, and capital needs.

    Preliminary estimates suggest partial production could restart within 12-18 months, with complete operational restoration anticipated within three years. “We expect the assessment to deliver thorough analysis and a definitive strategic roadmap,” Moonilal stated, emphasizing that fiscal allocations and capital investments remain pivotal factors.

    The refinery, formerly a cornerstone of Trinidad and Tobago’s economy, ceased operations in November 2018 during Petrotrin’s restructuring into Trinidad Petroleum Holdings Ltd. Its restoration constitutes one of the current administration’s most significant industrial projects, drawing intense scrutiny from energy sector participants, labor organizations, and regional allies.

    As committee deliberations continue, the Prime Minister has guaranteed ongoing public updates—a commitment aligning with SFBA’s advocacy for economic confidence and regional rejuvenation in southern Trinidad.