Carib Scope

分类： business

  • Jetour Jamaica officially launches, unveils new vehicles

    Jetour Jamaica officially launches, unveils new vehicles

    On Sunday, May 24, 2026, Chinese automotive brand Jetour held a grand official launch ceremony at its new Mary Brown’s Corner showroom in St Andrew, Jamaica, formally cementing its place in the country’s competitive automotive retail space. The event brought together a diverse cross-section of attendees, from top business leaders and local government officials to opposition representatives, automotive enthusiasts, loyal pre-launch customers, and members of the national media, all gathering to mark the brand’s official entry into the Jamaican market.

    The partnership between Jetour and local dealer Tyre Warehouse Automotive came after months of extensive market research to identify a brand that aligned with local consumer demand, according to Elijah Buddhan, head of operations for Tyre Warehouse Automotive. Buddhan explained that the team set out to find an automotive marque that balanced accessible pricing with premium, luxury-adjacent features that would make owners feel they had invested in a high-value vehicle. What they found in Jetour checked every box, he noted, adding that the brand has already claimed the title of Jamaica’s best-selling new car marque since November 2025, months ahead of its official full launch.

    Among the high-profile guests in attendance was retired Jamaican Olympic sprinter Asafa Powell and his wife Alyshia Powell, who joined the celebration of the brand’s local expansion. Delano Seiveright, Minister of State in Jamaica’s Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, offered official praise for the brand’s rapid growth and thoughtful market approach over its first 20 months of operating in Jamaica prior to Sunday’s launch. Seiveright highlighted Jetour Jamaica’s marketing strategy as unparalleled in the local market, noting that the brand’s strategically placed billboards feature clear, practical messaging that includes all key details consumers need—from vehicle pricing and warranty terms to monthly payment plans and contact information. He called the campaign the most sensible, well-executed advertising he has observed in the Jamaican market in years.

    At the core of the launch event was the public unveiling of six all-new 2027 models tailored to meet the diverse mobility and lifestyle needs of Jamaican consumers: the T2, G700, T1, X70 Plus, Dashing, and X50. As a brand focused primarily on SUV and crossover production, Jetour designed each model to balance modern integrated technology, premium interior comfort, class-leading advanced safety features, and unbeatable market value, company representatives emphasized during the presentation. Following the official unveiling, event guests had the opportunity to explore the full new lineup in person, walk through the updated showroom, and speak directly with brand representatives to learn more about the technology and customer benefits included with every Jetour purchase.

    Jetour is part of a growing wave of Chinese automaker that are expanding their footprint across Jamaica’s automotive market, all built around a core value proposition of accessible affordability, modern styling, and innovative design that undercuts traditional established brands on price while matching or exceeding their feature offerings. A key competitive differentiator for Jetour Jamaica is its industry-leading warranty package, which far outpaces the coverage offered by longer-standing global brands in the market. Purchasers of a new Jetour receive a six-year or 150,000-kilometre vehicle warranty, plus an additional three years or 42,500 kilometres of complimentary service, and a full year of connected vehicle monitoring—extra perks included at no additional cost by local dealer Tyre Warehouse Automotive. Jetour is not the only Chinese marque growing its local presence; other popular brands including BYD, MG, and BAIC have also expanded their retail footprint and customer base in Jamaica in recent years.

  • Russell returned unopposed as MoBay chamber president

    Russell returned unopposed as MoBay chamber president

    ST JAMES, Jamaica — In a unanimous confirmation of confidence in his leadership, local businessman Jason Russell will serve an additional one-year term as president of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce. The announcement came following Wednesday evening’s annual general meeting, hosted at the University of the West Indies’ Western Jamaica Campus, where Russell secured re-election without any opposing candidates.

    Russell first stepped into the presidential role 12 months ago, taking over from former leader Oral Heaven, who opted not to pursue another term in office. Since assuming his position, Russell has earned widespread praise across the local business community for his approachable, grounded leadership style — particularly for his steady guidance through the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, when the chamber played a critical role in supporting affected local enterprises.

    Joining Russell on the executive leadership team for the coming term will be three re-elected vice presidents, all of whom also ran unopposed: Paulette Neil will remain in the post of first vice president, Nadine Spence retains her role as second vice president, and Richard Burrowes continues as third vice president.

    The full executive body will be backed by a 14-member board of directors. Eight of these board members are returning to their positions to provide institutional continuity, while the remaining six slots will be filled by first-time directors bringing new perspectives to the chamber’s work supporting Montego Bay’s business ecosystem.

  • Caribbean Week opens in New York on June 1

    Caribbean Week opens in New York on June 1

    Leading tourism and political leaders from across the Caribbean are preparing to gather in New York City for the 2024 iteration of Caribbean Week, a major annual industry event set to kick off on June 1, hosted by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO). The high-profile delegation bringing together top officials from multiple Caribbean jurisdictions includes Albert Bryan Jr., the elected Governor of the United States Virgin Islands, Dr. Natalio Wheatley, Premier of the British Virgin Islands, and Ian Gooding-Edghill, Barbados’ Minister of Tourism and International Transport, who also serves as the current chairman of the CTO.

    The Barbados-headquartered regional tourism body confirmed that this year’s event marks the return of Caribbean Week to New York, with the timing intentionally aligned to overlap with the start of Caribbean American Heritage Month. Designed to showcase the breadth and diversity of Caribbean tourism offerings to global audiences, the 2024 gathering has been framed around the unifying theme “One Caribbean: Infinite Experiences”.

    In a statement ahead of the event, CTO Secretary-General Dona Regis-Prosper emphasized the outsize importance of New York’s Caribbean Week as a foundational platform for the regional tourism sector. “Caribbean Week in New York is a critical platform for collaboration, strategy development and celebration of our region’s tourism industry,” Regis-Prosper said. “We are delighted to welcome Governor Bryan, Premier Wheatley, Minister Gooding-Edghill and senior tourism leaders from across the Caribbean as we highlight the strength, resilience and infinite potential of our destinations.”

    Ahead of the week’s full schedule of events, organizers have confirmed key speaking roles for the attending leaders. Governor Bryan, who currently serves as the ninth elected governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands, will deliver the official opening address at the event’s opening ceremony. CTO chairman Gooding-Edghill is tapped to give the gathering’s keynote address, while Premier Wheatley will take part in a featured breakout session titled “Around the Caribbean in 60 Minutes”.

    Beyond the opening remarks and keynote addresses, the full Caribbean Week agenda is packed with targeted strategic discussions focused on the most pressing issues and future opportunities for Caribbean tourism. Topics on the agenda include tourism sector leadership, next-generation destination marketing strategies, expanding and improving airlift connectivity to regional destinations, advancing more inclusive tourism practices, building long-term sustainability across the sector, and fostering innovation to power the next generation of Caribbean tourism growth.

  • Air Peace Says Antigua Flight Was Suspended For Commercial Reasons, Not Ebola Fears

    Air Peace Says Antigua Flight Was Suspended For Commercial Reasons, Not Ebola Fears

    Nigeria’s leading private airline Air Peace has moved quickly to debunk widespread circulating rumors that linked the temporary suspension of its Antigua-bound flights to public health fears over the Ebola virus. In an official statement released to the public and aviation stakeholders this week, the carrier emphasized that the suspension was a purely commercial decision, driven by operational data and business considerations rather than any health-related panic.

    The airline launched its Antigua route just months ago as part of its ambitious expansion strategy to connect West Africa to the Caribbean and North American markets, a move that was widely celebrated as a milestone for growing air connectivity between the regions. However, after reviewing early operational performance and passenger demand trends, the airline’s leadership concluded that adjusting the route network was necessary to maintain the company’s long-term financial sustainability.

    Multiple industry analysts note that new long-haul international routes often face unpredictable demand in their initial operating phases, as airlines work to build brand recognition and a loyal customer base in new markets. The false rumors about Ebola, which spread rapidly across social media platforms over the past week, created unnecessary public confusion, leading many frequent travelers to question travel safety across the region. By issuing a clear public clarification, Air Peace aims to eliminate any misperceptions about both the route suspension and broader travel safety on its services.

    A company spokesperson added that the airline has not ruled out reactivating the Antigua route in the future once commercial conditions align with the carrier’s growth targets. For the time being, the airline will redirect resources to its existing high-demand routes across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe to better serve its core customer base and optimize operational efficiency.

  • Saint Kitts and Nevis Invites the World to Connect, Collaborate and Invest in the Future of Global Africa at ACTIF 2026

    Saint Kitts and Nevis Invites the World to Connect, Collaborate and Invest in the Future of Global Africa at ACTIF 2026

    In a major step forward for cross-regional economic collaboration, the Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis, in partnership with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), has officially launched the dedicated website for the 2026 Fifth Annual Africa-Caribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF 2026). The announcement, made from the Federation’s capital Basseterre, marks a key milestone in preparations for the landmark gathering, opening global registration for stakeholders across the world to join the event.

  • Economy : 66th Meeting of Governors of Central Banks of CARICOM (BRH Speech)

    Economy : 66th Meeting of Governors of Central Banks of CARICOM (BRH Speech)

    Against a backdrop of growing global economic and financial volatility, the 66th Meeting of CARICOM Central Bank Governors gathered this week in Belize, bringing together regional monetary leaders to address shared challenges and advance collective growth. Among the participants was Ronald Gabriel, Governor of the Bank of the Republic of Haiti (BRH), who joined the hybrid-format gathering to contribute to discussions that hold major stakes for small and developing economies across the Caribbean.

    This year’s meeting centered on a defining priority for the region: strengthening economic resilience while advancing coordinated, collaborative action across member states. Participants emphasized that in an era of interconnected global shocks, regional solidarity is not just a strategic advantage, but an essential tool to tackle overlapping economic challenges and lay the groundwork for long-term, widespread stability across the Caribbean.

    For Haiti, the outcomes of these discussions carry particular urgency. Fragile economies like Haiti’s bear the brunt of external pressures that have rippled across global markets in recent years, from escalating geopolitical tensions and volatile energy price swings to persistent inflationary spikes. These shocks disproportionately harm low-income and vulnerable populations, making coordinated regional support and policy alignment even more critical for the country’s ongoing efforts to stabilize its economy.

    Attendees reaffirmed three core pillars of regional progress: deepened cross-border cooperation, enhanced financial integration, and a unified collective voice to advocate for the unique interests of small island and developing economies within global financial and governance institutions. The meeting also featured detailed conversations on three high-priority initiatives: the ongoing development of the CARICOM Payment and Settlement System, the digital transformation of regional financial services, and improving interoperability between national payment infrastructures. These talks reflect a shared regional ambition to build a Caribbean financial ecosystem that is more modern, seamlessly connected, and robust enough to withstand future shocks.

    Speaking on behalf of Haiti’s central bank, Governor Gabriel reaffirmed the BRH’s long-term commitment to advancing the region’s collective goals. Domestically, the institution continues to advance key priorities including payment system modernization, expanded financial inclusion for underserved communities, and targeted support for priority economic sectors — all to advance sustainable macroeconomic stability and more inclusive development across Haiti. Gabriel’s full remarks from the meeting are available for public download as a French-language PDF via the HaitiLibre official website.

  • Dollar Vans Will Soon Costs Three Dollars!

    Dollar Vans Will Soon Costs Three Dollars!

    By the end of May 2026, ongoing spikes in global fuel prices have created cascading pressure across Belize’s entire public transportation sector, leaving both service providers and daily commuters grappling with unavoidable cost increases. The crisis first boiled over earlier this month, when independent bus operators blocked the Tower Hill Bridge in Orange Walk District to demand fare adjustments to offset skyrocketing fuel expenses. After emergency negotiations involving bus operator representatives, the Belize Bus Association, the Ministry of Transport, and the Office of the Prime Minister, a deal was reached to lift the blockade and restore normal traffic flow — but the agreement came at a tangible cost for commuters, with short routes seeing 50-cent hikes and long-distance fares jumping by as much as $1 Belize dollar.

    Now, the next segment of Belize’s shared transit industry, the iconic dollar van services that carry thousands of low-income and daily commuters across Belize City, has followed suit with its own price adjustment. In an interview with local outlet News Five, Belize Dollar Van Taxi Association President Richard Swift confirmed that starting June 1, adult fares on dollar van routes will rise from $2 to $3 Belize dollars, with children’s fares unchanged. According to Swift, the fare hike is a direct, unavoidable response to the relentless upward trajectory of fuel costs that has squeezed drivers’ already thin profit margins.

    “Most of our members are already taking a loss right now because gas keeps going up,” Swift explained, noting the urgent need to adjust fares from $2 to $3. “It all comes down to the rising price of fuel.” As of late May 2026, a single gallon of regular gasoline in Belize costs nearly $15 Belize dollars — a price point that most drivers cannot absorb without passing some costs along to riders. To put the impact in perspective, Swift shared his own daily expenses: just a few years ago, he spent $100 Belize dollars a day to refuel his van for daily routes. Today, that same daily refueling costs $150, a 50% increase that cuts straight into his earnings.

    Sherriff Salau, a veteran dollar van driver with years of experience on Belize City routes, echoed Swift’s comments, acknowledging that commuters will not welcome the price increase but urging them to recognize the necessity of the change. Salau noted that many regular riders have already shared that they may adjust their travel habits in response, with some saying they will switch to walking or cycling for shorter trips to avoid the higher fare. Still, drivers say the alternative — going out of business entirely and leaving commuters with no shared transit option — is far worse for the public.

    Beyond fuel costs, Swift also highlighted a second ongoing challenge for association members: unregistered, non-member operators who run unregulated van services along established dollar van routes, undercutting regulated fares and siphoning passengers away from licensed providers. The association is currently in active discussions with the Belize City Council to address this gap, calling for stricter oversight of informal transit providers and requirements for all vans operating fixed routes to meet the same standards and regulations as association members. Swift noted that if the city council can help crack down on unregulated competition, association drivers could even roll back the fare hike eventually, but without action, price increases are the only way to stay operational.

    Moving forward, the Belize Dollar Van Taxi Association plans to continue negotiations with local government officials and stakeholders to identify long-term solutions to the dual challenges of rising fuel costs and unregulated competition, while also working to upgrade service quality for commuters across the city. Britney Gordon contributed this report to News Five.

  • High-End Mexican Market Within Reach for Belize Beef

    High-End Mexican Market Within Reach for Belize Beef

    Dated May 25, 2026, Belize’s cattle industry stands at the cusp of a transformative growth opportunity, with a lucrative high-end beef market in neighboring Mexico now within actionable reach, according to former Agriculture Minister Jose Mai — a lifelong cattle rancher who remains deeply engaged with the sector six months after stepping down for health reasons.

    Mai says local producers have already proven they can meet the strict quality standards required by Mexico’s niche premium beef market, following a successful small-scale trial launched after an industry connection proposed the idea during an international cattle show. The initiative traces back to a conversation at a Mexican cattle event, where Guatemalan industry contacts suggested Belize ranchers raise specialty Japanese cattle breeds such as Akaushi, which command premium price points in exclusive global and regional markets.

    Two local industry pioneers stepped forward to launch the experimental project: Abram Froese, a long-time member of the Belize Livestock Producers Association (BLPA) who has long advocated for innovation to grow the cattle sector, and Henry Peters, a feedlot owner. Froese used artificial insemination to introduce the Akaushi genetics to his cattle herd, and the first resulting animals were raised and finished in Peters’ feedlot ahead of a tasting to assess meat quality and palatability. Though Mai was unable to attend the tasting after being hospitalized for sudden illness, he says photographs of the finished product confirmed it matched the premium quality niche Mexican buyers actively seek. “The demand is already there in Mexico,” Mai notes. “The only question that remains is whether Belizean producers can scale production to meet that demand and capitalize on this economic opportunity.”

    To unlock the full export potential of this new market, Mai emphasizes Belize must first invest in a modern, state-of-the-art domestic slaughterhouse — a critical infrastructure upgrade to meet international food safety and quality standards for cross-border exports.

    Alongside outlining the new industry opportunity, Mai addressed growing public speculation surrounding his 2025 resignation from the agriculture ministry, which was initially announced as tied to the need for urgent back surgery. In recent weeks, the public has questioned the shifting narrative around his procedure, after Mai ultimately underwent right knee surgery in Guatemala rather than a back operation.

    Mai explained the full sequence of his health issues to clarify the confusion: doctors in Guatemala identified that his long-standing bowlegged condition had forced him to shift his weight unevenly when walking, straining his spine and causing herniated and dislocated discs that led to persistent back and hip pain. The planned initial back surgery was re-evaluated when doctors determined correcting the knee alignment would resolve the posture imbalance that caused the spinal strain in the first place. After the first knee procedure, Mai developed severe pain in his right knee after it took on extra strain while the other leg recovered. He says ongoing physical therapy is addressing the residual discomfort, and he remains on track for a full recovery.

    Even while recovering from surgery on the sidelines of official government, Mai has stayed deeply involved in Belize’s agricultural policy and development. He remains an active member of the Ministry of Agriculture’s internal WhatsApp group, regularly offering input and advice to current ministry leadership and staff. He praised his successor, Minister Rodwell Ferguson, saying “Minister Rodwell is holding the fort very well. He has surrounded himself with an excellent technical team, and any leader is only as good as the people around you.”

    As a trained agronomist and third-generation agricultural stakeholder (with his own son now also working as an agronomist), Mai called agriculture a core part of his identity, saying “it’s in my veins, I can’t step away even if I wanted to.” He expects to return to lead the Ministry of Agriculture after completing at least eight months of post-surgery recovery, confirming he remains committed to advancing Belize’s agricultural growth and economic opportunity for local producers.

  • FLASH Sunrise Airways New direct route between Cap

    FLASH Sunrise Airways New direct route between Cap

    Haiti-based carrier Sunrise Airways is set to launch a groundbreaking nonstop air link connecting Cap-Haïtien’s international airport (CAP) to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) on June 1, 2026, marking a major step forward in boosting transportation ties between northern Haiti and the densely populated New York-New Jersey metropolitan region.

    For decades, Haitian diaspora members living in the northeastern United States have faced inconvenient layover requirements to reach northern Haiti, typically routing through connecting hubs in Florida or other parts of the U.S. This new direct service eliminates that extra travel time and hassle, creating a more streamlined connection between the community and their home country.

    Gary Stone, chief executive officer of Sunrise Airways, emphasized the deep significance of the new route for the global Haitian community. “With this direct route between Cap-Haïtien and Newark, Sunrise Airways is strengthening a vital link between Northern Haiti and one of the largest Haitian communities in the United States,” Stone explained. “We are proud to offer the diaspora a simpler and more direct connection to Haiti.”

    Strategically located just outside the core of New York City, Newark Liberty International Airport stands out as one of the most accessible major air hubs on the U.S. East Coast. It provides seamless connections to Manhattan, dozens of surrounding suburban and urban centers across New Jersey and Connecticut, and integrates directly into the region’s expansive highway, rail, and public transit networks. This makes the new route convenient not just for travelers departing from the New York area, but also for those connecting from other parts of North America.

    The new round-trip CAP-EWR-CAP route aligns with Sunrise Airways’ long-term corporate growth strategy, which centers on building robust air connections between Haiti and the large Haitian diaspora population settled across North America. Beyond simplifying travel for family visits, the airline expects the route to drive tangible economic benefits for Cap-Haïtien and the broader northern region of Haiti, supporting growth in local tourism, cross-border commerce, and small business development that relies on easier travel links.

    Flights will be operated using Airbus A320 family aircraft, with an estimated scheduled flight time of roughly 3 hours and 45 minutes for the transoceanic journey. The new service will operate on a weekly schedule: the outbound flight from Cap-Haïtien to Newark departs every Monday, while the return flight from Newark to Cap-Haïtien departs every Tuesday.

    Travelers interested in booking tickets can purchase fares through multiple channels, including Sunrise Airways’ official website www.sunriseairways.net, the airline’s dedicated mobile application, by contacting customer support representatives directly, or by visiting any authorized Sunrise Airways sales outlet.

  • Air Peace route hailed as boost for tourism, trade

    Air Peace route hailed as boost for tourism, trade

    A new chapter in inter-regional connectivity between West Africa and the Caribbean has officially opened, after Nigerian flagship carrier Air Peace completed its maiden direct flight from Lagos, Nigeria to Barbados’ Grantley Adams International Airport this past Sunday. Touching down with more than 280 passengers on board, the flight marked the first ever direct air link between the two regions, a development that industry and government leaders are hailing as a game-changing opportunity for economic growth.

    Addressing an official launch ceremony for the new service at Bridgetown’s Hotel Indigo on Monday, Barbados’ Minister of Tourism and International Transport Ian Gooding-Edghill framed the route as a transformational development for both Barbados and the wider Caribbean bloc. He emphasized that Nigeria, as Africa’s largest economy with a population exceeding 220 million and a fast-growing, affluent middle class, represents a largely untapped high-value tourism market for the island nation.

    “Nigerian travelers are discerning – they seek quality, authenticity, and one-of-a-kind travel experiences,” Gooding-Edghill noted. “Barbados delivers all of those in spades, and we are ready to compete for and capture this growing market.” Beyond tourism, the minister pointed to the far-reaching connectivity benefits created by Air Peace’s existing regional network, which spans multiple West African countries. This single route, he explained, gives Barbados access to a far larger pool of potential visitors beyond Nigeria’s borders, unlocking substantial economic upside if the island executes its growth strategy effectively.

    Gooding-Edghill added that Barbados’ entire tourism ecosystem – from hotels and restaurants to cultural attractions and hospitality services – is fully prepared to capitalize on this new opportunity, with the goal of delivering exceptional experiences that drive repeat visits and powerful organic word-of-mouth promotion.

    Okey Ihejirika, Chief Operating Officer of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), which championed the new route initiative, echoed the minister’s optimism, noting that inadequate air connectivity has long held back mutually beneficial exchange between Africa and the Caribbean. “For decades, the lack of a direct, reliable transportation link between our two regions has constrained trade growth, capped tourism flows, slowed business exchanges, and limited opportunities for deeper people-to-people connections,” Ihejirika explained. “Current inter-regional trade volumes between Africa and the Caribbean are negligible at best, but this new route marks a definitive turning point.”

    He added that expanded cross-regional connectivity is expected to unlock new opportunities across multiple sectors, including commerce, tourism, foreign direct investment, innovation, and cultural exchange. The initiative aligns with Afreximbank’s broader strategic goal of deepening trade and cooperation between African and Caribbean economies.

    For its part, the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. has already laid out a strategy to grow Barbados’ brand presence across Africa, rolling out targeted market education campaigns and forging new local partnerships to build awareness of the island as a premier travel destination.

    Air Peace will operate the bi-monthly service on a seasonal schedule from May through September. The route runs from Lagos to Barbados, then continues onward to Antigua, with the return leg departing the following day. This new service marks Air Peace’s third international destination outside the African continent, joining existing routes to London and Antigua.