Carib Scope

分类： business

  • TTMB, TTUTA sign MOU for special rates, benefits

    TTMB, TTUTA sign MOU for special rates, benefits

    In a significant development for Trinidad and Tobago’s education sector, the Trinidad and Tobago Mortgage Bank (TTMB) has forged a strategic alliance with the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers’ Association (TTUTA) through a formal Memorandum of Understanding. The agreement, finalized on January 8, establishes preferential financial arrangements for the union’s 11,000 members, encompassing special mortgage rates and additional benefits specifically designed for education professionals.

    The ceremonial signing witnessed participation from key representatives including TTUTA President Crystal Ashe, Treasurer Dillon Harracksingh, and TTMB’s Acting CEO Brent Mc Fee. Both institutions articulated their commitment to enhancing the socioeconomic standing of educators through this collaborative initiative.

    This partnership framework guarantees equitable access to tailored financial products, housing opportunities, and educational resources for TTUTA members. The arrangement aligns with TTMB’s broader mission to promote financial literacy, facilitate generational wealth accumulation through property ownership, and bolster support for the nation’s workforce.

    Mc Fee emphasized the symbolic importance of the agreement, stating: ‘This covenant demonstrates TTMB’s dedication to serving the educators who mold our future generations. Our collaboration with TTUTA reinforces our commitment to creating substantive opportunities that both empower individuals and strengthen community foundations.’

    The MOU represents TTMB’s continuing expansion of institutional partnerships with major organizations, consolidating its position as a pivotal contributor to national development and community advancement initiatives across Trinidad and Tobago.

  • Mod1 vacancy: Network Administrator

    Mod1 vacancy: Network Administrator

    Technology solutions provider Mod1 has announced an opening for an experienced Network Administrator to strengthen its team of high-performing IT professionals. The position centers on delivering premium managed services to a diverse clientele across multiple industries.

    The successful candidate will assume responsibility for designing, implementing, and maintaining both simple and complex network infrastructures. Key duties include the ongoing management and monitoring of client networks to ensure optimal performance and preempt potential issues. This involves the configuration and installation of critical networking hardware such as routers, switches, firewalls, and VPN solutions.

    A core aspect of the role is providing advanced technical support to swiftly resolve service incidents and outages. The administrator will also be instrumental in upholding rigorous network security standards, implementing firewalls, intrusion detection systems, systematic patching protocols, and access controls to protect sensitive client data and systems.

    Additional responsibilities encompass facilitating seamless client onboarding processes and offering technical mentorship to support teams to foster professional development and continuous learning. The position requires the individual to remain abreast of emerging industry trends and technological innovations to identify opportunities for enhancing service delivery.

    Mod1 has outlined specific qualifications for the role, mandating a minimum of five years of direct experience in network administration. Candidates must possess a deep understanding of networking protocols—including TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VPN, VLANs, and routing protocols—along with proficiency in managing hardware from leading vendors like Cisco, Juniper, and Fortinet. Essential attributes also include exceptional organizational skills, the ability to multitask effectively, and a strong commitment to exemplary customer service.

    Interested professionals are invited to submit their CV along with at least two professional references to [email protected] using the subject line ‘Network Administrator Application’. The deadline for applications is January 23, 2026.

  • Antigua set for record cruise arrivals as 17,000 passengers expected in one day

    Antigua set for record cruise arrivals as 17,000 passengers expected in one day

    The twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda experienced an extraordinary surge in maritime tourism activity, marking one of its busiest cruise days on record. A total of six vessels simultaneously docked at the nation’s harbors, delivering over 12,000 passengers to its shores and showcasing its robust port infrastructure.

    The logistical operation was split between two key ports: five ships berthed at the St. John’s Harbour, with a sixth arriving at Falmouth Harbour. This coordinated arrival demonstrated the ports’ advanced capabilities in efficiently managing substantial visitor influxes during high-demand periods, a critical factor for maintaining a positive passenger experience.

    According to statements from Antigua Cruise Port, this significant influx generated a palpable economic ripple effect. The areas surrounding St. John’s and adjacent communities witnessed a dramatic increase in commercial activity. Local enterprises, including retailers, restaurants, and tour operators, benefited from the elevated foot traffic, providing a substantial boost to the broader tourism ecosystem.

    Cruise tourism is a cornerstone of the national economy, directly fueling growth by creating heightened demand across interconnected service sectors. This includes transportation providers, souvenir shops, and guided excursion companies, all of which see a direct correlation between passenger numbers and revenue.

    Looking ahead, port authorities have projected an even more ambitious milestone. Officials anticipate shattering the current record on January 23rd of the upcoming year, with a staggering forecast of more than 17,000 passengers arriving in a single day. This figure represents the highest daily passenger volume ever predicted for the destination.

    These latest metrics underscore a dual achievement: they solidify Antigua Cruise Port’s ascending status as a preeminent hub in the competitive Caribbean cruise circuit and reaffirm the vital, continuing economic contribution of cruise tourism to the nation’s financial stability and growth.

  • New One Communications CEO appointed

    New One Communications CEO appointed

    In a significant leadership transition, Guyana’s telecommunications sector witnesses the appointment of Abraham Smith as the new Chief Executive Officer of One Communications. The announcement, made on January 7, 2026, positions Smith to steer both residential operations and the corporate division Brava through a period of accelerated national development.

    Smith brings substantial regional expertise to the role, boasting over twenty years of executive experience across Caribbean and Latin American markets. His most recent position was as Strategic Advisor at ATN International, the parent company of One Communications, following his tenure as CEO of Digicel Trinidad and Tobago which concluded in July 2025.

    The appointment follows the departure of Richard Stanton, who held the CEO position for less than one year. Company Chairman Brad Martin emphasized the critical timing of this leadership change, noting Guyana’s ongoing dynamic economic expansion requires robust telecommunications infrastructure.

    “Abraham recognizes the profound responsibility that comes with leading telecommunications during a nation’s transformative growth period,” Martin stated. “His proven leadership, cultural understanding, and commitment to balancing commercial objectives with community value make him ideally suited to reinforce One Communications’ role as a developmental partner to Guyana.”

    Smith’s mandate focuses on three primary objectives: enhancing customer experience for both commercial and residential clients, strengthening network resilience, and expanding enterprise partnerships throughout the region.

  • Veel uitdagingen voor nieuwe rvc van de SMS

    Veel uitdagingen voor nieuwe rvc van de SMS

    Suriname’s state-owned Shipping Corporation (SMS) is undergoing a strategic transformation under new leadership, with Transport Minister Raymond Landveld outlining an ambitious vision for the company’s role in the nation’s emerging oil and gas sector. During the official installation of the new Board of Commissioners at the Cabinet of the President on Tuesday, Minister Landveld emphasized the corporation’s shifting focus from traditional vessel operations toward specialized services including bunkering operations for Staatsolie N.V.

    The minister highlighted significant opportunities arising from Suriname’s growing oil and gas developments, noting that maritime transport will play a crucial role in supporting extraction operations. “With increased gas and oil exploitation underway, vessels will become essential transportation assets,” Landveld stated, pointing to the sector’s potential for substantial growth.

    A key development mentioned was the November 2025 agreement between Suriname and French Guiana concerning the ferry La Gabrielle, which currently facilitates cross-border transportation with SMS personnel operating the vessel. Landveld also identified pressing needs for expanded domestic ferry services, particularly between Paramaribo and Meerzorg in Commewijne, where existing smaller ferries struggle to meet commuter demand.

    However, the minister acknowledged significant challenges in vessel acquisition and operational readiness. “Substantial investments are required for cargo transport to drilling platforms,” he noted, referencing aging vessels that demand considerable resources to become service-ready.

    The newly appointed board, led by President-Commissioner Lenie Josafath-Eduards, includes members Richenel Vrieze, Ritesh Khoesial, Charisma Bijlhout, Ajay Piarelal, Ceraïf Petres, and Geving Weeks. Their primary mandates include optimizing financial management and capitalizing on emerging opportunities within the maritime sector.

  • When sanctions enforcement creates new risks for shipping – Splash247

    When sanctions enforcement creates new risks for shipping – Splash247

    The global shipping industry faces mounting pressure to combat illicit trade practices, placing international ship registries at the center of an escalating regulatory paradox. According to Graeme Morkel, Deputy International Registrar of Shipping and Seamen at the St Kitts and Nevis International Ship Registry, flag states are increasingly caught between enforcement obligations and operational risks.

    Sanctions evasion, flag hopping, and complex ownership structures have evolved from peripheral concerns to critical challenges threatening the integrity of the global fleet and the credibility of maritime administrations. While open registries are frequently characterized as part of the problem, many have actually become frontline enforcers in the battle against illegal shipping practices.

    A fundamental tension has emerged through recent stakeholder engagements: flag states cannot simultaneously serve as enforcement agents and bear sole responsibility for consequences. Registries are now expected to execute intelligence-driven decisions carrying significant operational and human impacts, yet the supporting frameworks surrounding these decisions remain underdeveloped.

    Progress has emerged through collaborative initiatives like the Registry Information Sharing Compact (RISC), which enables flag states to exchange intelligence regarding vessels denied registration or under sanctions investigation. This mechanism addresses the deliberate strategy of flag hopping—where operators shift registrations to avoid compliance scrutiny—rather than treating it as merely an administrative loophole.

    Modern registries maintain close cooperation with international enforcement and intelligence agencies, frequently making registration decisions based on directives from organizations specializing in sanctions enforcement and national security. However, when vessels are removed from registries following such directives, the action is often mischaracterized as abandonment, wrongly attributing responsibility to the flag state.

    This misrepresentation creates dangerous operational and reputational risks. Enforced removals conducted in support of sanctions compliance constitute legitimate regulatory actions, not abandonment. The current disconnect underscores the urgent need for clearer alignment between the United Nations, International Maritime Organization, and flag states regarding definitions and communications protocols.

    Encouragingly, international recognition of this imbalance is growing. Discussions regarding sanctions frameworks and enhanced IMO cooperation indicate increasing awareness that effective enforcement requires shared responsibility and consistent accountability. The fight against illicit maritime trade ultimately depends on trust, transparency, and cooperation—with flag states requiring consistent support when implementing difficult enforcement decisions.

  • NTUCB Youth Vanguard Eyes Unionization of BPO Sector

    NTUCB Youth Vanguard Eyes Unionization of BPO Sector

    A significant labor movement is gaining momentum in Belize as the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) launches a groundbreaking initiative to unionize the country’s rapidly expanding Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector. Through its newly established Youth Vanguard division, the organization is championing the rights of thousands of young employees who form the backbone of this critical industry.

    The BPO sector, which provides steady employment for recent high school graduates through data management and customer service roles, faces mounting criticism regarding worker treatment. Despite offering air-conditioned facilities and regular paychecks, many employees report feelings of disenfranchisement and vulnerability within their workplaces.

    Ashley Longford, Director of the Youth Vanguard, has emerged as the central figure in this campaign. She characterizes the current situation as resembling ‘modern-day slavery,’ citing consistent patterns of worker disconnection and powerlessness. The unionization drive focuses primarily on educating young workers about their legal rights and labor protections under Belizean law.

    Proponents argue that collective bargaining would establish crucial accountability mechanisms and provide essential safeguards for workers aged 18-30 who dominate the sector. They maintain that union representation would create a balanced power dynamic that ultimately benefits both employees and employers through structured dialogue.

    However, the proposal has sparked intense debate across Belize’s economic landscape. Critics express concerns about potential impacts on foreign investment and job growth within this highly competitive global industry. These opposing viewpoints have set the stage for complex negotiations between labor advocates and industry stakeholders that have yet to formally commence.

    The outcome of this movement could fundamentally reshape labor relations in one of Belize’s most important economic sectors, with implications for thousands of young workers and the nation’s broader economic development strategy.

  • CARIB Brewery (Grenada) Ltd installs solar system

    CARIB Brewery (Grenada) Ltd installs solar system

    CARIB Brewery (Grenada) Limited has achieved a significant milestone in sustainable manufacturing with the successful commissioning of a 300-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system. This substantial renewable energy investment marks a pivotal advancement in both the company’s environmental initiatives and Grenada’s national transition toward clean energy solutions.

    The newly activated solar array is projected to substantially decrease grid electricity dependency while enhancing overall energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This strategic alignment with Grenada’s clean energy objectives demonstrates the brewery’s commitment to national sustainability targets.

    As an integral component of the ANSA McAL Group of Companies, CARIB Brewery operates within a corporate framework where Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles are fundamentally integrated into strategic planning and operational execution. This solar project directly advances the Group’s comprehensive sustainability agenda, reinforcing its dedication to environmental stewardship, operational excellence, and long-term value creation for all stakeholders.

    The technical implementation focuses on achieving multiple benefits: improved energy efficiency, reduced operational expenditures, and substantial decreases in carbon emissions associated with electricity consumption. By generating clean renewable energy on-site, the brewery enhances both its operational resilience and contribution to Grenada’s sustainable development.

    As Grenada’s premier beverage manufacturer producing iconic brands including Carib, Stag, Guinness, and Ting for local and regional markets, this renewable energy integration ensures sustainable production practices while maintaining product quality and supply chain reliability.

    This investment reflects ANSA McAL Group’s broader corporate strategy of embedding sustainability across all operating entities through renewable energy adoption, efficiency enhancements, and robust governance frameworks. The solar project commissioning underscores CARIB Brewery’s role as an environmentally responsible corporate citizen committed to supporting sustainable community development. The company remains dedicated to initiatives that strengthen operational resilience, promote environmental sustainability, and deliver enduring value to employees, consumers, shareholders, and the Grenadian community.

  • Co-op Bank: Annual Shareholders’ Meeting on 29 Jan 2026

    Co-op Bank: Annual Shareholders’ Meeting on 29 Jan 2026

    The Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited has officially announced its upcoming Annual Shareholders’ Meeting, with advanced registration required through a dedicated Zoom platform. The banking institution has directed shareholders to complete their registration via the official link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/649HqU4_Tl6enYFkqsj82w.

    In a notable disclaimer, NOW Grenada media outlet has clarified its non-responsibility for opinions, statements, or media content presented by contributors during the meeting. The publication has additionally implemented an abuse reporting mechanism, encouraging users to ‘click here to report’ any concerning content.

    The meeting announcement carries significant tags including ‘agm,’ ‘annual general meeting,’ ‘dividend,’ and references to Tanya Lambert, suggesting key leadership participation and potential dividend discussions. The digital approach to shareholder engagement reflects contemporary trends in corporate governance and financial institution operations within the Caribbean banking sector.

    This development represents the bank’s continued commitment to transparent shareholder communication and modernized corporate practices, potentially setting precedents for regional financial institutions in their annual reporting and stakeholder engagement methodologies.

  • Alberg nieuwe directeur van SAIL: Focus op herstel visverwerking en export

    Alberg nieuwe directeur van SAIL: Focus op herstel visverwerking en export

    Suriname American Industries Ltd (SAIL NV) has ushered in a new era of leadership with the formal appointment of Ifuel Alberg as its Managing Director. The ceremonial presentation, held today, positions Alberg as the executive tasked with revitalizing the financially distressed state-owned enterprise.

    In his inaugural address, Alberg expressed both pride and determination in accepting the leadership role. He characterized his appointment as a pivotal new beginning for an organization many had considered beyond redemption. “My fundamental objective is to restore perspective and viability to SAIL, for the enterprise itself and for its dedicated workforce,” Alberg declared.

    A cornerstone of his revival strategy involves resuscitating the company’s fish processing operations. Alberg emphasized the critical need to return to SAIL’s traditional operational model, which encompasses in-house processing, domestic sales, and direct export channels. “Reestablishing this integrated chain is absolutely essential for achieving a sustainable recovery,” he stated in comments disseminated by Suriname’s Communication Service.

    The new director also highlighted significant external challenges, particularly geopolitical tensions involving Venezuela. These have disrupted the supply chain for key species like red snapper, partly due to SAIL’s dependency on fishing vessels affiliated with the Venezuelan state enterprise NOA (Nueva Organización de Atunes).

    Beyond operational restart, Alberg pledged to bring greater organization to Suriname’s fish sales sector. While acknowledging everyone’s right to livelihood, he stressed that all commercial activities must adhere to stringent hygienic and orderly standards. As a certified enterprise, SAIL intends to play an active role in guaranteeing healthy and safe fish products for Surinamese consumers.

    To achieve this, Alberg plans to forge robust collaborations with the Fish Inspection Institute, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, and other relevant stakeholders.

    Looking ahead, Alberg outlined ambitious two-year goals: first, to firmly reestablish SAIL’s presence in the domestic market, followed by resuming independent export operations. “SAIL must reclaim control over its production and export functions,” the director asserted, committing to keep the public informed through timely and transparent updates. “We invite all stakeholders to participate in the regrowth and redevelopment of SAIL.”

    The appointment ceremony was attended by District Commissioner Glenda Kranenburg, representatives from various state-owned enterprises, and members of the Board of Commissioners, led by Chairman Gordon Touw Ngie Tjouw.