Carib Scope

分类： business

  • Hydro-Comp Enterprises Ltd. vacancy: Systems/Support Engineer

    Hydro-Comp Enterprises Ltd. vacancy: Systems/Support Engineer

    Hydro-Comp Enterprises Ltd., a prominent global provider of specialized consulting services and enterprise software solutions tailored for the water utility sector, has announced an opening for a full-time on-site Systems/Support Engineer in Grenada as part of a planned expansion of its Product Services Division, fueled by continued international growth.

    The successful candidate will take on a critical role supporting the implementation and ongoing operation of EDAMS, Hydro-Comp’s flagship enterprise platform built exclusively for water and sanitation utility providers. This integrated platform covers a full suite of core utility operations, including customer billing and customer relationship management, network asset tracking, and end-to-end operations and maintenance workflows.

    Working in direct collaboration with local and international utility clients, the hired engineer will be responsible for ensuring uninterrupted performance of EDAMS installations, guiding new system deployments, and providing day-to-day guidance for end-users navigating the platform.

    To be considered for the position, applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a closely related technical field, along with hands-on experience working with Microsoft Windows Server environments. Proficiency in MS SQL Server and a strong working knowledge of structured query language (SQL) is also required. Additional core qualifications include exceptional analytical and problem-solving abilities, proficient written and verbal communication skills in English, and the capacity to work independently in fast-paced, evolving technical settings. Prior experience working with geographic information systems (GIS), Crystal Reports or business dashboards is considered a distinct advantage, and the company prefers candidates with 1 to 3 years of relevant professional experience.

    Key responsibilities outlined for the role include delivering multi-channel technical support to end-users via on-site assistance, phone consultations, and remote access tools; installing, configuring, and performing routine maintenance on EDAMS platform installations; managing and supporting underlying infrastructure including MS SQL Server databases and Crystal Reports tools; assisting clients with resolving operational issues and troubleshooting technical errors; delivering customized training for all tiers of end-users, from operational staff to senior managers and system administrators; and developing and maintaining custom reports and SQL scripts to meet client-specific needs.

    Hydro-Comp offers a competitive remuneration package tied to the successful candidate’s relevant experience, with a 1-year renewable contract structure and clear pathways for long-term career advancement within the organization. The role also provides unique opportunities to gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge international projects and leading industry technologies, alongside access to ongoing professional training and skills development.

    Interested applicants are required to submit their application materials via email to [email protected] no later than June 30, 2026. All submissions must include the subject line: “Grenada – Systems/Support Engineer – [Your Full Name]” to be considered. This job posting is hosted by NOW Grenada, which notes that it is not responsible for the content, opinions or statements shared by contributing organizations. Users may report any abusive content related to the posting directly through the platform’s reporting channel.

  • Executors, administrators and AML risk in estate administration

    Executors, administrators and AML risk in estate administration

    For decades, estate administration has been widely understood as a straightforward legal process centered on three core tasks: cataloging a deceased person’s assets, settling any outstanding debts, and distributing remaining property to designated heirs. But according to industry expert Kevon K K Charles, Managing Partner at Trinidad-based KC Legal Consultancy, this traditional description no longer captures the full complexity of modern estate practice, particularly across the Caribbean, where shifting regulatory expectations have redefined the role of executors and administrators.

    Charles notes that the work of estate professionals extends far beyond simply identifying which assets fall into a deceased’s estate. Beyond basic asset collection, practitioners are now routinely required to verify formal ownership of property, confirm asset valuations, cross-verify beneficiary identities, and meet strict institutional requirements before any assets can be accessed or transferred. While this process follows predictable, routine steps for many estates, it can quickly become complicated for assets with non-traditional holding structures.

    Common scenarios that trigger extended due diligence include when a deceased held bank accounts across multiple international jurisdictions, owned property through a corporate entity, or held assets through informal, unrecorded arrangements that persisted for decades. In these cases, executors are forced to answer a series of probing questions that go far beyond basic asset gathering: Who holds the ultimate beneficial ownership of the asset? Can the original source of funds be fully documented? Are all beneficiaries clearly identifiable with official paperwork? Do existing records meet the strict requirements set by banks and regulatory bodies?

    Charles emphasizes that these complications rarely point to intentional wrongdoing. Across the Caribbean, many long-standing family and property arrangements were established generations before modern anti-money laundering, transparency, and compliance standards became embedded in global legal and financial practice. What was once accepted as a common informal arrangement now must fit into a formal regulatory framework, creating unforeseen hurdles for estates.

    One of the most common points of friction in modern estate administration comes from interactions with financial institutions. Many executors and beneficiaries grow frustrated when faced with extensive documentation requests, especially when family relationships and entitlement claims are undisputed and well-known. But from the perspective of financial institutions, these requirements are not arbitrary: global regulatory rules now mandate that banks verify all parties to asset transfers and confirm the legitimacy of fund sources to mitigate financial crime risk.

    As a result, institutions now routinely request a broad suite of materials that were not required in past decades, including government-issued identification for all beneficiaries, proof of residential address, full documentation of the source of funds used to acquire estate assets, corporate records for assets held through business entities, and formal legal verification of each beneficiary’s entitlement. What was once handled as a private family matter is now processed through a highly structured, regulated compliance environment.

    Even the basic task of identifying beneficiaries can become far more complex than many families anticipate. In some cases, beneficiaries live abroad, lack standard official identification, or hold entitlement through informal family arrangements that were never formally documented with legal records. The challenge is rarely a question of legal entitlement itself, Charles explains; the obstacle is proving that entitlement in the formal format required by financial institutions and regulators.

    For estate practitioners across the region, these shifting requirements reflect a fundamental redefinition of the estate administrator’s role. No longer confined to just collecting and distributing assets, modern executors must also navigate overlapping due diligence mandates, institutional compliance protocols, and broad new transparency and verification requirements. This shift does not inherently make estate administration an adversarial process, Charles notes, but it does require a level of advance planning and procedural structure that was not necessary for past generations of practitioners.

    In closing, Charles reflects that while estate administration has always depended on responsibility and public trust, verification has become an increasingly central core of the work. While this added layer of process can create delays and frustration, it is an unavoidable new reality for modern estate practice across the Caribbean. This commentary is part of an ongoing series examining the evolving intersection of wealth, property rights, and regulatory compliance across the Caribbean region.

  • DDA launches ‘Summer the Nature Island Way’ initiative to showcase diverse visitor experiences

    DDA launches ‘Summer the Nature Island Way’ initiative to showcase diverse visitor experiences

    The Caribbean island nation of Dominica is ramping up its tourism growth strategy with the launch of a new seasonal travel program, designed to highlight its unrivaled natural and cultural offerings while driving inclusive economic benefits for local communities. The Discover Dominica Authority (DDA), the country’s official tourism governing body, announced the rollout of “Summer the Nature Island Way” in an official press release, a new curated experience initiative nested under the destination’s broader flagship “Nature of Love” marketing campaign.

    At the core of the new program are eight custom-built travel itineraries, crafted to cater to a wide spectrum of traveler preferences, from adventure seekers and wellness enthusiasts to couples seeking romantic getaways and families looking for memorable shared experiences. The collection is split evenly between four multi-day vacation packages and four single-day exploratory tours, designed as a hands-on planning resource to help visitors navigate the island’s diverse attractions, extend their length of stay, and deepen their interactions with local communities across the country.

    Marva Williams, Chief Executive Officer of the Discover Dominica Authority, emphasized the core mission behind the new initiative in a statement accompanying the launch. “Summer the Nature Island Way highlights the many ways visitors can experience Dominica,” Williams said. “These itineraries provide inspiration and practical guidance for exploring the island while connecting with our people, culture, and natural environment. Whether visitors are seeking adventure, wellness, romance, or quality time with loved ones, Dominica offers experiences that create meaningful and lasting memories.”

    The launch of this new initiative comes at a moment of growing international acclaim for Dominica’s unique approach to nature-focused experiential tourism. The DDA press release highlighted the island’s recent string of high-profile industry recognitions: it was named among National Geographic’s 2026 Best Places in the World to Travel, secured the top spot on BBC Travel’s 2025 ranking of the 25 best global travel destinations, and was singled out by Caribbean Travel Trends 2026 as the strongest-performing tourism destination across the entire Caribbean region.

    Beyond simplifying trip planning for visitors, the program carries clear economic benefits for local tourism stakeholders across the island. Every itinerary is structured to direct travelers to small businesses, local tour operators, community attractions and service providers across every region of Dominica, spreading tourism revenue more broadly beyond major resort hubs. The initiative also reinforces Dominica’s growing global reputation as a premier wellness travel destination, centering experiences that tie together outdoor recreation, immersion in untouched natural landscapes, cultural connection, and holistic personal well-being.

    Breakdown of the four multi-day itineraries reveals options tailored to every travel style: a four-day family-focused package that showcases iconic waterfalls, coastal marine activities, and interactive cultural attractions; a five-day romantic getaway designed for couples; a six-day adventure itinerary centered on challenging hiking, canyoning, and river exploration; and a five-day wellness retreat focused on relaxation, mindfulness, and sustainable healthy living. The four single-day tours round out the offering, highlighting distinct regional attractions across the island: the Roseau Valley Day Tour, which explores landmarks in and around the UNESCO-listed Morne Trois Pitons National Park; the Northern Treasures Day Tour, which combines old-growth rainforest hikes, cultural heritage experiences, and scenic coastal stops; Calibishie Indulgence: Rum, Rocks & Relaxation, which highlights the unique offerings of Dominica’s northeast coast; and City Treasures & Jungle Gems, which pairs historic walking tours of the capital city of Roseau with nearby tropical natural attractions.

    Travelers can access the full “Summer the Nature Island Way” itinerary collection, including booking details and activity information, through the official Discover Dominica Authority website.

  • Tobago new airport terminal soon OPENS

    Tobago new airport terminal soon OPENS

    After months of incremental progress and post-completion preparations, the billion-dollar new terminal at Tobago’s ANR Robinson International Airport has cleared its final administrative hurdle, bringing the long-awaited infrastructure project one step away from welcoming its first commercial passengers.

    The milestone was marked Wednesday, when the National Infrastructure Development Company (NIDCO) formally transferred the full set of required operational documentation—including all official certifications, equipment warranties, and technical operating manuals—to Trinidad and Tobago’s Ministry of Transportation and Civil Aviation and the local Airports Authority (AATT). This handover formalizes the transition from the terminal’s partial completion, which was reached back in March 2025, to full operational readiness, closing the gap that has separated the project from public opening for months.

    Key government and industry stakeholders were on hand to receive the documentation, including Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Eli Zakour, Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly Farley Augustine, and senior AATT representatives. Also in attendance were Tobago’s Secretary for Tourism Zorisha Hackett, alongside NIDCO’s chairman and president. Works and Infrastructure Minister Jearlean John confirmed to reporters that stakeholders have already collaboratively set a firm opening date, with a formal launch imminent.

    Addressing lingering concerns around aircraft fueling capacity, John assured the public that a workable short-term solution has already been finalized, and will not delay the terminal’s opening. A cross-stakeholder meeting scheduled for this week will finalize remaining logistics around the temporary arrangement, she added. Beyond operational logistics, Tobago’s leadership is already preparing a bold marketing push to capitalize on the new terminal’s capacity. John noted that Chief Secretary Augustine has prioritized an aggressive marketing strategy designed to draw millions of new visitors to Tobago, leveraging the island’s natural beauty and diverse tourism offerings. Tourism authorities have aligned on this goal, with planning already translated into immediate, short-term action, and national Cabinet has been fully briefed on the terminal’s operationalization timeline.

    The new terminal holds all required international aviation, safety, and environmental certifications to operate legally, including two Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) accreditations from the U.S. Green Building Council, and full compliance with global standards set by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). All core building systems are covered by valid contractor and manufacturer warranties to protect the public investment behind the project, and comprehensive technical manuals outline standardized procedures for daily operations, maintenance, and safety management.

    “What is transferred today is a certified, commissioned and fully documented terminal building,” John stated in remarks following the handover. “The certifications are its legal authority to operate, the warranties protect the public’s investment, and the operating manuals must guide every maintenance decision from this day forward.”

    In the months between the terminal’s March 2025 partial completion and Wednesday’s handover, NIDCO oversaw an extensive program of final works to bring the facility up to operational standards. Key tasks completed during this period included paving of taxiway asphalt, installation and commissioning of the full airfield lighting system, integration of constant current regulators with the air traffic control tower, testing and commissioning of all mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems, and calibration of baggage handling and security inspection equipment.

    A key component of the preparation phase was the Operational Readiness, Activation and Transition (ORAT) program, led by Munich Airport International. This initiative brought together all core operational stakeholders—from immigration, customs, police, fire, and public health agencies to ground handler Swissport, carrier Caribbean Airlines, and plant quarantine officials—to co-develop standard operating procedures, train frontline staff, and run full trial operations ahead of the public opening.

    With documentation now transferred, the terminal will officially enter its operational phase under the management of the Ministry of Transportation and Civil Aviation and the AATT. The completion of the handover process marks a major milestone for Tobago’s long-term economic development, delivering a modern, world-class international aviation gateway designed to support growing tourism and trade.

    Local business leaders have expressed cautious optimism ahead of the opening. Curtis Williams, chairman of the Tobago branch of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce, noted that the only remaining uncompleted step is fitting out commercial concession spaces, which are required to fully activate the terminal. Williams projected that opening could come within two to three months, and emphasized the critical importance of launching in time for the upcoming winter tourism peak season. “We need to get things going. We want for the upcoming winter season [that] the terminal building is open and we are using it—that’s very, very important,” Williams said. Reginald Mac Lean, president of the Tobago Hotel and Tourism Association, echoed this sentiment, reiterating the tourism sector’s eagerness for the new facility to open.

  • Chamber: Cut red tape, boost growth

    Chamber: Cut red tape, boost growth

    As the government of Trinidad and Tobago prepares for its upcoming mid-year budget review, the head of the Greater San Fernando Chamber of Commerce (GSFCC) is calling on policymakers to seize this critical moment to reinvigorate business confidence and build a more robust foundation for sustained national economic expansion.

    In an exclusive interview with local outlet Express on Wednesday, GSFCC President Kiran Singh outlined the business community’s clear priorities for the budget adjustment, emphasizing that local entrepreneurs and industry leaders are waiting for actionable, growth-focused policy measures that support business scaling, strengthen national competitiveness, and set Trinidad and Tobago on a path toward long-term economic prosperity.

    While Singh recognized that recent evaluations from major international financial bodies have delivered moderately positive signals about the country’s economic trajectory, he did not shy away from highlighting the ongoing headwinds that still hold many local businesses back. Persistent structural barriers, from restricted access to hard currency and steadily climbing operational costs to widespread public safety concerns and slow, cumbersome bureaucratic processes, continue to hinder business activity and deter new investment, Singh explained. Resolving these long-standing frictions, he added, is a non-negotiable prerequisite to upgrading the national business climate and unlocking greater capital inflows.

    Among the GSFCC’s key policy asks are targeted support programs for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which form the backbone of the local private sector. The chamber is also pushing for expanded access to affordable financing and foreign exchange, tax and regulatory incentives to encourage private investment and company-wide digital transformation, and sustained, coordinated efforts to diversify Trinidad and Tobago’s economy beyond its traditional core sectors. Singh specifically highlighted growth opportunities in manufacturing, agro-processing, tourism, and non-energy exports, areas that could create new jobs and reduce the country’s economic vulnerability to global energy market volatility.

    Singh also voiced support for a targeted, limited-time tax amnesty scheme that would allow businesses and individual taxpayers to bring their outstanding tax obligations into compliance without facing crippling, excessive penalties. According to Singh, this policy would deliver triple benefits: it would improve overall national tax compliance rates, provide much-needed breathing room for businesses already struggling to stay afloat, and generate immediate additional revenue for the government to fund public investments. He added that delayed VAT refunds remain a particularly pressing pain point for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across the country, a problem the government must address to keep small businesses operational.

    Beyond fiscal measures, Singh emphasized that stronger national security enforcement, streamlined and digitized government services, and a transparent, clearly articulated long-term roadmap for fiscal stability and inclusive economic development are all critical to attracting both domestic and foreign direct investment, and to creating high-quality, sustainable employment opportunities for local workers.

    Repeating the business community’s core message, Singh stressed that local industry is not looking for piecemeal or symbolic policy changes. What stakeholders need is practical, targeted action that removes barriers to growth, strengthens competitiveness, and positions Trinidad and Tobago to compete and thrive in the post-pandemic global economy. The mid-year budget review, he said, is the ideal opportunity for the government to deliver on these priorities and signal its commitment to private sector-led growth.

  • Wereldbankgroep pompt miljoenen in Caribisch fonds; ook Suriname komt in aanmerking

    Wereldbankgroep pompt miljoenen in Caribisch fonds; ook Suriname komt in aanmerking

    On June 14, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector investment arm of the World Bank Group, announced a landmark commitment of up to $15 million to a new regional investment fund designed to drive inclusive economic growth, expand employment opportunities, and advance climate-resilient development across 13 Caribbean nations, including Suriname.

    Named the Caribbean Community Resilience Fund (CCRF), the initiative was developed by the Caricom Development Fund (CDF) and will be managed by Sygnus, a regional Caribbean investment firm. Unlike traditional funding mechanisms that focus on small, micro-level projects, the CCRF is tailored to deliver financing to mid-sized enterprises, critical infrastructure projects, and broad-based development initiatives that strengthen the overall economic resilience of Caribbean island and coastal states. This investment marks the first time the IFC has directly invested in the Caribbean through a regional debt fund, a historic shift in the institution’s regional engagement strategy.

    IFC leaders project that their $15 million anchor investment will catalyze additional interest from global and regional private investors, with the ultimate goal of growing the fund’s total assets to between $75 million and $125 million. The launch of the CCRF addresses a long-standing, crippling gap in the Caribbean’s financial ecosystem: World Bank Group data confirms that the region currently faces a total financing shortfall exceeding $22 billion, as most local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-sized projects are locked out of long-term capital. Commercial banks across the region typically avoid funding projects that are too large, too high-risk, or require long repayment timelines, stifling growth in production capacity, innovation, and business expansion across the region.

    For Suriname, the fund opens new access to capital for businesses operating in 13 priority sectors, including agriculture, energy, transportation, affordable housing, water management, financial services, and information and communications technology. Projects focused on climate adaptation and long-term sustainable development also qualify for CCRF financing, a critical benefit for Suriname, which is classified as one of the most climate-vulnerable nations in the Western Hemisphere. Unlike traditional funding sources tied to the country’s emerging oil and gas sector, the CCRF offers a diversified, complementary capital stream that can support growth across non-extractive sectors of Suriname’s economy.

    A core overarching goal of the CCRF is to mobilize private capital to rebalance the Caribbean’s development financing model. For decades, regional economies have relied heavily on public sector spending, multilateral loans, and international development aid to fund growth. By attracting private investment to underserved market segments, the fund’s backers aim to broaden and diversify the region’s economic base, building greater capacity to withstand future economic shocks and climate-driven natural disasters. “Companies in small island and coastal states need flexible, long-term financing to grow and build resilience against economic volatility and climate disasters,” noted Elizabeth Martínez de Marcano, IFC Regional Director for the Caribbean.

    The CCRF launch arrives at a pivotal moment for the Caribbean, where governments and private sector leaders are actively seeking new capital sources to fund large-scale planned investments in renewable energy, climate-resilient infrastructure, and digital transformation. For Suriname in particular, successful access to CCRF capital could unlock widespread benefits: if local enterprises can secure this funding, analysts project it will drive new investment, expand business activity, and create sustained new employment opportunities across the country’s non-extractive economy.

  • Record arrivals and ‘Tourism 3.0’ shared at BHTA awards

    Record arrivals and ‘Tourism 3.0’ shared at BHTA awards

    Barbados’ tourism industry has capped off a landmark year of recovery and expansion, hitting a historic record for total visitor arrivals that underscores the sector’s central role in the island nation’s economy, Tourism and International Transport Minister Ian Gooding-Edghill announced Saturday.

    Speaking to an audience of industry stakeholders at the Gallagher BTMI BHTA Tourism Awards Gala, the minister highlighted the extraordinary resilience of Barbados’ tourism ecosystem and the success of targeted efforts to expand international air access to the island. The final 2025 data showed that Barbados welcomed 727,310 long-stay visitors and 817,950 cruise ship passengers over the course of the year — figures that represent the highest combined visitor volume the country has ever recorded.

    As Gooding-Edghill emphasized, tourism is far more than a signature industry for Barbados: it directly contributes roughly 45 percent of the country’s total gross domestic product, making it the undisputed backbone of the national economy. Beyond the headline numbers, the record-breaking visitor totals have translated into tangible benefits for everyday Barbadians, supporting thriving local small businesses, keeping cultural entertainers fully booked, and maintaining steady demand for taxi and transport services across the island.

    The strong growth momentum from 2025 has already carried into the early months of 2026, with first-quarter visitor data pointing to a standout start to the year. Industry projections forecast a 22 percent increase in cruise traffic for the upcoming winter season, which is on track to draw more than 800,000 additional cruise passengers to Barbadian shores.

    To turn this post-pandemic recovery into long-term, inclusive prosperity, Gooding-Edghill used the gala event to unveil the government’s new strategic framework: Tourism 3.0. Where previous iterations of the country’s tourism strategy — labeled Tourism 1.0 and 2.0 — centered on growing overall visitor volume, the new model refocuses policy priorities on three core goals: boosting per-visitor spending within Barbados, increasing local Barbadian participation in the sector, and expanding domestic ownership of tourism-related businesses. This shift is designed to ensure that the benefits of tourism growth spread more broadly across the national economy, rather than just flowing to external stakeholders.

    Even as the government celebrates this historic milestone, Gooding-Edghill warned against industry complacency, noting that the sector still faces significant ongoing headwinds from global economic pressures. Spiking international fuel prices, persistent global inflation, and escalating geopolitical tensions all create uncertainty for international travel and tourism. To mitigate these risks, the minister confirmed that he is currently engaged in active negotiations with major international air carriers, including U.S.-based JetBlue, to secure additional airlift capacity that will support continued growth in visitor arrivals in the coming months and years.

  • NISSS moves to join BiMPay

    NISSS moves to join BiMPay

    Barbados is taking a major step forward in modernizing its public benefit delivery system, with plans to integrate the National Insurance and Social Security Service (NISSS) into the country’s new national instant payment infrastructure, BiMPay, during the platform’s second rollout phase. The integration is designed to cut wait times and streamline access to funds for pensioners and other NISSS contributors across the island.

    BiMPay, the Central Bank of Barbados’ new real-time payment network, officially launched on Friday. Ahead of the system’s go-live, Central Bank Governor Dr. Kevin Greenidge confirmed that the platform would be expanded in subsequent months to connect all Barbadian government agencies to the unified payment network.

    Two days after the launch, NISSS Chief Executive Officer Kim Tudor confirmed the agency’s place in the second phase of integration during a media address at the 59th anniversary church service for the NISSS, held at St Matthias Anglican Church. Tudor shared that technical preparations for the integration are already well underway, noting the system will be particularly transformative for emergency and cost-of-living support disbursements.

    “We have actually started proprietary work to go live. We will be in the next phase and making good use of it, especially when we have to pay things like the cost of living cash credit. BiMPay will be very useful for things like that,” Tudor told reporters.

    Tudor issued a call to action for NISSS beneficiaries who currently receive paper cheques or do not hold traditional bank accounts, encouraging them to register for BiMPay throughout June to switch to digital fund deposits. The NISSS has already simplified the sign-up process, offering a web-based form that allows applicants to upload required verification documents and complete the switch entirely online.

    To ensure no older beneficiaries are excluded from the new digital system, the NISSS is partnering with the Ministry of Technological and Vocational Training to host targeted educational workshops that walk pensioners through basic BiMPay functionality. Minister Sandra Husbands confirmed that this training initiative aligns with the government’s broader national push to improve digital literacy across all age groups, which will roll out through 2024 and into early 2025.

    Husbands emphasized that closing the digital divide for seniors is critical to supporting independent living for older Barbadians, noting that most seniors continue to live in their own homes rather than residential care facilities. “Seniors need to know how to use digital technology to pay their bills, receive money, make payments and other things, so this will be part of the programme that we roll out this year and early next year so that our seniors are not left behind,” she said. “Every senior cannot be housed at a residential facility, and they will need to know how to operate independently at home, and that can only happen if they use technology to enable them to continue to manage their own lives and move around only when they want to.”

  • Bouva ziet kansen voor sterkere economische as tussen Suriname, Guyana en Trinidad

    Bouva ziet kansen voor sterkere economische as tussen Suriname, Guyana en Trinidad

    At a recent networking event co-hosted by the Suriname-Guyana Chamber of Commerce (SGCC) and the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA), Suriname’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Cooperation Melvin Bouva has highlighted the untapped potential of complementary economic strengths across three Caribbean nations to drive inclusive regional growth and cross-border entrepreneurship.

    Bouva pointed to the rising economic momentum across the three countries as a unique opening to deepen bilateral and trilateral trade ties, attract greater foreign and regional direct investment, and foster new collaborative frameworks between private sector actors across the region. He emphasized that long-term, sustainable economic development cannot rely solely on individual national policy efforts — it depends fundamentally on building strong, trust-based regional partnerships that leverage each nation’s unique advantages.

    The minister also extended public recognition to the SGCC and TTMA for their ongoing work in bridging private sector communities across Suriname, Guyana, and Trinidad and Tobago. According to Bouva, the strong turnout of entrepreneurs and industry representatives from a wide range of sectors at the event reflects a growing consensus across regional business communities that cross-border collaboration is a prerequisite to fully unlocking shared economic opportunities.

    Bouva further outlined Suriname’s growing strategic focus on economic diplomacy as a core tool for advancing national development. Under this strategy, the country is actively expanding and deepening economic ties with partners both within the Caribbean region and across the globe, with key existing and emerging partnerships in the broader Caribbean, South America, Europe, and North Africa, he noted.

    Turning specifically to cooperation between Suriname, Guyana, and Trinidad and Tobago, Bouva broke down the complementary strengths each nation brings to the table. Trinidad and Tobago boasts robust, well-established manufacturing and energy sectors, while Guyana is currently experiencing one of the fastest economic growth rates in the Western Hemisphere. Meanwhile, Surinamese private firms are increasingly integrating into these ongoing growth dynamics across the region, taking on new roles in cross-border projects and supply chains.

    “Together, our nations hold complementary strengths that can form the foundation of mutually beneficial partnerships that lift all our economies,” Bouva stated.

    The minister argued that regional cooperation should extend far beyond just expanding bilateral trade volumes. He called for increased joint cross-border investment initiatives, expanded knowledge sharing between industry and academic stakeholders, deeper technological collaboration, and the intentional development of integrated regional value chains that strengthen the global competitiveness of Caribbean enterprises across all sectors.

    Bouva concluded by stressing that the long-term prosperity of the entire Caribbean region will depend on how successfully governments and private sector actors can build durable, sustainable collaborative frameworks. “The future prosperity of our region will not come from isolated, individual national efforts. It will come from meaningful cooperation between governments and businesses that recognize the inherent value of cross-border partnership,” he said.

    The networking event drew attendees from a diverse array of sectors, including manufacturing, logistics, construction, infrastructure development, energy, agriculture, technology, education, and professional services. Members of the international diplomatic corps based in Suriname also participated in the accompanying reception.

  • Investor says SVG’s cruise traffic could ‘triple within 5 to 7 years’

    Investor says SVG’s cruise traffic could ‘triple within 5 to 7 years’

    St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) has taken a major step toward transforming its cruise tourism sector after the government signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Global Ports Holding (GPH), the world’s largest independent cruise port operator, to launch a 30-year concession for the redevelopment of the Kingstown Cruise Terminal. The deal paves the way for up to EC$250 million in infrastructure investment, unlocking what GPH leadership calls massive untapped potential in the Caribbean island nation.

    The agreement was formalized in Kingstown on Wednesday by SVG Prime Minister Godwin Friday and GPH Chairman Mehmet Kutman. With a global footprint that includes leading cruise ports in high-traffic destinations such as Puerto Rico and Nassau, Bahamas, GPH brings decades of experience expanding cruise sector growth for emerging Caribbean economies.

    Kutman argued that SVG remains significantly under-marketed as a cruise destination, a gap he attributes to underdeveloped existing infrastructure and limited industry brand recognition that has suppressed potential demand. He noted that while SVG’s natural appeal as a tourist location is already established, the current lack of supporting infrastructure and targeted marketing has prevented the destination from reaching its full potential in the global cruise market.

    To address this gap, GPH plans to leverage its long-standing industry relationships with major cruise lines, global marketing reach, and infrastructure investment capital to position SVG as a top Caribbean stop. Kutman projected that once infrastructure upgrades are completed, annual cruise passenger traffic to SVG could triple within five to seven years.

    GPH’s track record in the region backs up this optimistic projection. In The Bahamas, for example, when GPH took over port operations in 2019, annual passenger volume hovered between 2 million and 3 million. This year, the country is on track to welcome 6.7 million cruise passengers, with numbers set to climb to 8 million next year, cementing The Bahamas’ position as the world’s largest transit cruise port. Per-passenger spending has also surged: when GPH acquired the Nassau concession, average visitor spending stood at $56 per person. Today, that figure has reached $128 per passenger, the highest in the Caribbean, with a long-term target of $150 to $200 per person.

    Currently, SVG faces similar challenges to those The Bahamas overcame. SVG Tourism Minister Camillo Gomes (quoted alongside GPH leadership in the announcement) noted that SVG currently records one of the lowest per-passenger spending rates among Eastern Caribbean cruise destinations, averaging under 300,000 passengers annually and just $59 in per-person spending. He attributed low spending to an underdeveloped on-land product, adding that the partnership with GPH will prioritize improving shore excursions and local visitor activities to encourage longer stays and higher spending that directly benefits SVG communities.

    A core principle of GPH’s plan for SVG is its “community-first” operating philosophy, which emphasizes hiring local staff and partnering with local small businesses rather than bringing in outside workers or external operators. Kutman stressed that GPH does not intend to take over local commercial operations; instead, the company will provide training, access to financing, and operational support to help local businesses grow alongside the expanding port. He added that GPH never imports workers to manage or run port operations, emphasizing that all roles at every level will be filled by local SVG residents, and that community satisfaction is the company’s top priority.

    Prime Minister Friday echoed this commitment, noting that a recent visit to GPH’s Nassau operations during a Caribbean Development Bank meeting confirmed that the community-first model works in practice. “Everybody we dealt with, from the very top to all the middle-level people, they were Bahamians, and they were very proud to tell us that they are born and bred Bahamians,” Friday said. He added that many of the commercial spaces at the Nassau port were designed as small, affordable units for local small business owners to sell local products, proving GPH prioritizes creating opportunities for local operators rather than large corporate tenants.

    In discussions about improving SVG’s investment climate, Friday said the government is focused on streamlining unnecessary bureaucratic red tape while upholding the rule of law and full transparency. He noted that cruise tourism is a competitive industry, with destinations around the Caribbean vying for cruise line partnerships, making an investor-friendly climate a key competitive advantage. “When we talk about making the destination investor-friendly, it’s to make it so that we eliminate unnecessary red tape… and that we are a country of the rule of law… everything is transparent and above board,” Friday said. He added that his core mandate throughout negotiations was protecting SVG’s national interest and securing the maximum possible benefit for the country and its people, a goal the government pursued openly throughout the process.

    Kutman acknowledged that while SVG is overall an investor-friendly destination, the negotiations for the Kingstown concession were among the most rigorous GPH has ever conducted, a testament to the SVG government’s commitment to protecting national interests.