In a significant enforcement action, the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) and the Financial Investigations Division (FID) have successfully prosecuted two individuals for attempting to leave Jamaica with undeclared large sums of cash, violating Section 101A of the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA). This development underscores the intensified efforts to regulate cross-border financial movements and combat illicit activities.
分类： business
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Caribbean Airlines appoints acting successor after CEO steps down
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Caribbean Airlines has announced the appointment of Chief Operating Officer (COO) Nirmala Ramai as its acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO), following the unexpected resignation of Garvin Medera. The airline’s board of directors confirmed the decision on Monday, emphasizing that the move is designed to maintain operational continuity, stability, and accountability. The board assured stakeholders that the airline’s full schedule would remain unaffected during this transition period. In a formal statement, the board expressed gratitude to Medera for his contributions and leadership. Medera, in turn, extended his thanks to employees, partners, and customers, wishing the company continued success. To facilitate a smooth transition, the board outlined five strategic priorities: employee support, operational efficiency reviews, enhanced customer service, the development of a sustainable growth plan, and comprehensive audits of departments and processes. Additionally, Caribbean Airlines reiterated its commitment to promoting internal candidates for career advancement before considering external hires. The board also pledged to maintain transparent communication with employees and stakeholders throughout this period of change.
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Ramona Samuels celebrates milestone of Voicebox brand
Ramona Samuels, a dynamic broadcaster and media entrepreneur, exudes an unmistakable aura of quiet confidence and determination. Her journey with Voicebox, a pioneering voice-over and personality brand, marks a significant 15-year milestone, celebrating her relentless drive and innovative spirit. Since its inception on September 2, 2010, Voicebox has become synonymous with professionalism, creativity, and international appeal, carving a niche in Jamaica’s media landscape. Samuels’ vision extended beyond offering a service; she aimed to create a sustainable platform where voice talent could thrive as a standalone business. Her early career as a voice artist saw her lend her distinctive voice to campaigns for global brands like Heineken UEFA Champions League, ATI, and Kingston Restaurant Week, as well as international clients in the Cayman Islands, Russia, the USA, and Canada. Recognizing the potential to monetize her talent, Samuels transformed her voice work into a multifaceted business model. Over the years, Voicebox has evolved into a comprehensive media outlet, offering voice-over services, event hosting, production coverage, and content creation. The brand’s tagline, “The Voicebox Makes You Heard,” encapsulates its mission to amplify voices and stories. Today, Voicebox is not only a trusted name in voice-over production but also a content powerhouse through Ramona Samuels TV on YouTube, which boasts over 3,000 followers. The platform delivers independent coverage of cultural events, entertainment stories, and social commentary, all infused with a distinctly Jamaican perspective. Samuels has also ventured into public relations, leveraging her experience and insights to provide strategic counsel in a noisy marketplace. Looking ahead, Voicebox aims to expand its digital footprint, foster international collaborations, and remain steadfast in its mission to elevate voices and brands. Samuels’ entrepreneurial journey offers valuable lessons: treat clients’ resources with care, focus on impactful strategies, and embrace ideas from all sources. She emphasizes the importance of integrity in PR, a profession that, while unregulated, demands the highest ethical standards. Samuels’ story is a testament to the power of innovation, resilience, and unwavering commitment to excellence.
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Kintyre Holdings expands real estate portfolio with $110m Stony Hill investment
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Kintyre Holdings has made a significant move in the real estate sector with the acquisition of a prime property in Stony Hill, St Andrew, for $110 million. The purchase, executed through its subsidiary, Parallel Real Estate Ventures Limited, marks a strategic expansion of the company’s portfolio. The property is set to be transformed into a high-end residential development, featuring two luxury villa lots and three modern townhome lots. Each lot will come with pre-approved architectural plans and covenants, offering buyers turnkey investment opportunities or build-ready options.
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Tancoo prays to deliver a budget to improve citizens’ lives
In a moment of reflection and prayer, Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo sought divine intervention as he prepared to present the United National Congress (UNC) government’s inaugural National Budget on October 13. Tancoo, who also serves as the Member of Parliament for Fyzabad, shared a heartfelt message on social media, accompanied by a photo of himself in his office at the Eric Williams Financial Complex in Port of Spain. He expressed his hope that the decisions made during the budget presentation would enhance the lives of all citizens and pave the way for a prosperous future for Trinidad and Tobago. The budget, scheduled for delivery at 1:30 PM in the House of Representatives, marks a significant milestone for the UNC administration under Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s second term. Tancoo has previously indicated that the budget will likely reflect a deficit, a continuation of the fiscal trends established by the previous People’s National Movement (PNM) government over the past nine years. The 2024/2025 budget had projected revenues of $54.224 billion, expenditures of $59.741 billion, and a fiscal deficit of $5.517 billion. As the nation eagerly anticipates the budget’s unveiling, many are hopeful that the government will deliver on the promises that secured their victory in the April 28 general election.
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Tancoo announces $1 cut in super gas price
In a significant move aimed at easing the financial burden on citizens, Trinidad and Tobago’s Finance Minister, Davendranath Tancoo, has announced an immediate $1 reduction in the price of super high-octane gasoline. This decision, unveiled during the 2026 national budget presentation on October 13, marks the first measure of the new fiscal plan designed to benefit all citizens of the nation. Tancoo emphasized that the reduction was a direct initiative of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, reflecting the government’s commitment to restoring affordability and fostering economic fairness. ‘This is the first announcement by this caring government in this budget that would benefit every single citizen of TT,’ Tancoo stated. The price cut took effect immediately, offering broad-based relief to the public. The move aligns with the United National Congress (UNC) administration’s campaign promises to review energy pricing and ensure citizens are not unfairly overcharged. It also reverses part of the previous People’s National Movement (PNM) administration’s phased removal of fuel subsidies, which had led to consistent increases in pump prices over the past decade. The announcement underscores the current government’s focus on addressing economic disparities and providing tangible benefits to the populace.
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Tancoo: CAL spent $60m on audits but filed no accounts
Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo has launched a scathing critique of the previous government’s handling of Caribbean Airlines Ltd (CAL), labeling it as ‘criminal negligence.’ During his 2025/2026 budget presentation in Parliament on October 13, Tancoo revealed that CAL had spent over $60 million on audits conducted by international firms Ernst & Young and PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) but failed to submit any audited financial statements for nearly a decade. Despite this lack of transparency, the former finance minister repeatedly approved funding for CAL in 2017, 2018, 2019, and as recently as March 2025 to address operational pressures. Tancoo condemned this oversight, stating that the former administration turned a blind eye as CAL descended into inefficiency, non-compliance, and fiscal indiscipline. To address these issues, Tancoo announced the appointment of a new board tasked with making the tough decisions necessary to restore accountability and efficiency in the national airline. Additionally, the Ministry of Finance is updating the ‘obsolete’ State Enterprise Performance Monitoring Manual, replacing outdated frameworks with modern governance standards to ensure corporate governance, transparency, and value for taxpayers’ money.
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BIR & Customs to embark on recruitment drive
In a significant move to enhance tax collection and streamline government revenue, Trinidad and Tobago’s Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo has announced a comprehensive hiring initiative for the Board of Inland Revenue (BIR) and the Customs and Excise Division (CED). The announcement was made during the presentation of the 2025/2026 national budget, with the aim of optimizing revenue collection and improving the ease of doing business.
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Saint Lucia receives automated passport control kiosks from OECS Commission
The soaring costs of regional travel within the Caribbean continue to burden commuters, with high taxes on airline tickets being a primary culprit. These taxes, often exceeding the base airfare, have made intra-Caribbean flights significantly more expensive compared to regions like Europe and Southeast Asia, where lower aviation taxes and government support have fostered the growth of budget airlines. This disparity has created a challenging environment for Caribbean travelers and the tourism industry alike. Locals are increasingly priced out of flying between islands, while tourists face unexpectedly high costs, dampening demand for regional travel. The financial strain is also felt by local airlines, which struggle to compete with subsidized foreign carriers. Among these is LIAT Air, a new entrant in 2024, which faces the dual challenge of distancing itself from its failed predecessor, LIAT 1974, and navigating the heavy tax burden. LIAT Air CEO Hafsah Abdulsalam highlighted these issues during her address at the State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) 2025, emphasizing the need for efficiency and government collaboration to reduce costs. Abdulsalam also revealed LIAT’s ambitious plans to expand connectivity to South America and Africa, underscoring the potential benefits of increased travel volume for local airlines, airports, and tourism-dependent businesses. However, achieving this vision requires a concerted effort from regional governments to address the tax issue and foster a more supportive environment for aviation. Whether the discussions at SOTIC 2025 will lead to actionable steps remains uncertain, but the stakes are high for the Caribbean’s most vital industry.
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SEC en overheid bundelen krachten voor Local Content Conference 2025
In a significant step toward advancing Suriname’s energy sector, Ashwin Adhin, Chairman of the National Assembly (DNA), highlighted the critical importance of collaboration between parliament, government, and the private sector during a meeting with the Suriname Energy Chamber (SEC). The discussion, held in preparation for the upcoming Local Content Conference 2025 scheduled from October 21 to 23, focused on refining the local content policy to drive national development. The conference, organized by the SEC in partnership with Afreximbank, the Energy Authority Suriname (EAS), and the Surinamese government, aims to produce actionable recommendations, including a national definition of local content and a comprehensive roadmap for its implementation. Adhin emphasized that local content is a vital tool for Suriname’s economic growth, with DNA’s legal staff and parliamentary committees actively engaging to identify necessary legislative support. SEC Chairman Orlando Olmberg underscored the broader vision of local content, stating that it extends beyond oil and gas to encompass collaboration, knowledge sharing, and economic diversification. A key objective of the conference is to identify projects worth $200 million that align with the $5 billion in available funding for sector development, facilitated by Afreximbank. Additionally, the initiative aims to foster joint ventures between Surinamese and foreign companies, further boosting the country’s energy sector and economic prospects.