分类: business

  • GranMorgu-project bereikt nieuwe fase met aankomst eerste offshore apparatuur

    GranMorgu-project bereikt nieuwe fase met aankomst eerste offshore apparatuur

    Suriname’s flagship large-scale offshore energy development, the GranMorgu oil project, has officially moved into its active execution phase following the arrival of its first batch of critical subsea equipment, project leaders confirmed in mid-April 2026.

    The specialized components, part of the project’s Long BaseLine (LBL) positioning system, were delivered to Paramaribo’s Dr. Jules Sedney Port by the end of March 2026. The LBL system is an advanced underwater navigation technology that allows work vessels and installation equipment to pinpoint their exact location on the seabed using acoustic signals transmitted between transponders placed on the ocean floor. This precision technology is widely recognized as essential for accurate installation of offshore energy infrastructure, particularly in deepwater operating environments where small positioning errors can lead to costly project delays and safety risks.

    Artur Nunes da Silva, General Manager of TotalEnergies EP Suriname, noted that this delivery marks a clear transition from years of pre-construction planning to tangible offshore construction work. The on-site installation of the LBL equipment is scheduled to begin in June 2026, representing the first official offshore installation phase of the entire GranMorgu project.

    All offshore construction activities are being carried out in partnership with leading international contractors, including major energy infrastructure firm Saipem. Project stakeholders have emphasized that safety and operational efficiency are top priorities throughout all phases of development, with all work aligned to strict global industry safety and environmental standards.

    Located approximately 150 kilometers off Suriname’s coastline, GranMorgu stands as the country’s first large-scale offshore oil development, built on the back of the earlier Sapakara and Krabdagu oil discoveries. The project will center on a floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) unit with a planned production capacity of 220,000 barrels of crude oil per day. Recoverable oil reserves at the GranMorgu field are estimated at more than 750 million barrels.

    Backed by a total investment of roughly $10.5 billion, the GranMorgu project is expected to deliver transformative benefits to Suriname’s national economy, driving new job creation, supporting the growth of local supporting industries, and expanding government revenue streams. First commercial oil production from the project is on track to launch in 2028, according to current development timelines.

  • Spain leads foreign investment in Dominican Republic

    Spain leads foreign investment in Dominican Republic

    New data released by the Central Bank of the Dominican Republic, analyzed and published by the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, confirms a notable shift in the Caribbean nation’s foreign direct investment landscape: Spain has overtaken the United States to claim the position of the largest single source of inbound FDI for the previous year.

    Spain’s total FDI contribution to the Dominican Republic hit US$1.086 billion in the reporting period, accounting for 21.5% of all foreign capital flowing into the country that year. The United States, long a dominant investment partner for the Dominican Republic, landed in second place with a total inbound investment of US$1.042 billion, a figure just marginally below Spain’s total.

    Overall, the Dominican Republic saw a healthy expansion in total foreign direct investment last year, with aggregate inflows reaching US$5.03 billion. This represents an 11.3% year-over-year increase compared to the prior year, signaling growing international confidence in the Caribbean nation’s economic stability and growth potential.

    Government officials and business leaders from both countries point to Spain’s deliberate, long-term investment strategy as the core driver of its top position. For years, Spanish investors have prioritized deepening economic ties with the Dominican Republic, focusing commitments on high-impact sectors that drive sustained national growth.

    The bulk of Spanish investment is concentrated in two key areas: tourism, a foundational pillar of the Dominican Republic’s economy, and renewable energy, a fast-growing sector that supports the country’s decarbonization and energy independence goals. Beyond these core areas, Spanish investors are increasingly active in real estate development, infrastructure construction, financial services, and bilateral trade, spreading their impact across multiple layers of the domestic economy.

    Other major international investors in the Dominican Republic include Italy, Panama, and Mexico, but all three recorded far lower FDI volumes than either Spain or the United States. This gap underscores the outsized influence Spain now holds in supporting the Dominican Republic’s ongoing economic modernization and expansion, as bilateral economic ties continue to deepen year over year.

  • Afreximbank, St Kitts And Nevis Sign Hosting Deal For ACTIF 2026 – News Agency Of Nigeria

    Afreximbank, St Kitts And Nevis Sign Hosting Deal For ACTIF 2026 – News Agency Of Nigeria

    In a landmark move to strengthen interregional economic collaboration, the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has formalized a hosting agreement with the government of St Kitts and Nevis for the fifth iteration of the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF 2026). The partnership was announced in an official statement released Tuesday by Vincent Musumba, Afreximbank’s Communications and Events Manager.

    Musumba emphasized that the new agreement reflects a mutual dedication to deepening long-standing ties between African and Caribbean nations, with a core focus on expanding bilateral trade and boosting shared economic development. Scheduled to run from July 29 to 31, 2026, the upcoming forum will be hosted at the St. Kitts Marriott Beach Resort, Casino & Spa in Basseterre, the capital of St Kitts and Nevis.

    The 2026 forum is designed to deliver actionable outcomes for cross-regional cooperation, featuring a packed program of expert panel discussions on priority trade policy issues, targeted explorations of untapped investment opportunities, and collaborative sessions to launch new joint economic initiatives. It will convene a diverse cross-section of stakeholders, including senior government officials, institutional investors, private sector chief executives, development finance bodies, local entrepreneurs, and diaspora leaders, all working to map out sustainable growth trajectories amid widespread global economic volatility.

    George Elombi, President and Chairman of Afreximbank’s Board of Directors, framed the fifth ACTIF as a critical reunion for African and Caribbean communities bound by shared heritage. “At the fifth edition of ACTIF, we will once again reunite with our fellow Africans across the Atlantic,” Elombi said. “We will reflect on our shared development challenges and recommit to implementing strategic programmes that advance our collective aspiration for self-determination and self-reliance.” He added that ACTIF 2026 will prioritize identifying high-impact cross-regional projects and putting in place clear frameworks to ensure their successful delivery, laying the groundwork for inclusive shared economic growth.

    Terrance Drew, Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, welcomed the agreement as a transformative milestone for advancing Africa-Caribbean economic ties. “We are honoured to host the fifth edition of the ACTIF. This agreement signals our strong commitment to strengthening economic ties between Africa and the Caribbean,” Drew said. “We are not just a beautiful destination; we are a gateway for investment, a hub for enterprise, and a proud partner in the Renaissance of Africans.” Drew noted that the forum will act as a powerful catalyst for expanded trade and investment flows, generating new opportunities for businesses and households across both regions. “This forum will create lasting pathways that will benefit our citizens, our region, and the entire African continent for generations to come. We look forward to welcoming delegates from global Africa to St Kitts and Nevis,” he added.

    Since its launch, ACTIF has grown into a leading flagship platform for connecting African and Caribbean economies, designed to mobilize new capital, foster durable cross-sector partnerships, and accelerate progress toward deeper economic integration. During the 2025 forum, stakeholders secured five cross-border deals across three Caribbean nations, totaling $291.25 million in value. The deals spanned a range of high-priority areas, including trade and investment finance, corporate lending, project preparation support, and export development capacity building.

    Afreximbank has rapidly expanded its presence across the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in recent years. Since opening its regional office in Barbados two years ago, the bank has approved more than $700 million in financing for projects across the bloc. The funding has supported a diverse portfolio of initiatives spanning climate adaptation, tourism infrastructure, general public works, small and medium enterprise development, and energy sector projects, delivering widespread benefits to local communities across the region.

    Additional information about ACTIF 2026, including registration details and program updates, is available on the forum’s official website at https://actif2026.afreximbankevents.com.

  • Afreximbank, Government of St Kitts and Nevis sign hosting agreement for AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF2026) – Realnews Magazine

    Afreximbank, Government of St Kitts and Nevis sign hosting agreement for AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF2026) – Realnews Magazine

    In a landmark move designed to strengthen economic bonds across the Atlantic, the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has formally signed a hosting agreement with the government of St Kitts and Nevis for the fifth iteration of the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum, slated to run July 29–31, 2026 at the St. Kitts Marriott Beach Resort, Casino & Spa in Basseterre.

    The signing ceremony marks a mutual commitment to deepening long-standing collaborative ties between African and Caribbean nations, with both parties framing the 2026 forum as a critical step toward advancing shared development goals. Dr George Elombi, Afreximbank’s President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, emphasized that the upcoming gathering will bring African and Caribbean stakeholders together to address common development hurdles and reaffirm dedication to strategic initiatives that drive collective self-determination and economic self-reliance. “Through ACTIF2026, we will identify priority projects and programmes and dedicate ourselves to effective execution. This will be the pathway to our shared economic development,” Elombi stated.

    For St Kitts and Nevis, the opportunity to host the premier AfriCaribbean economic event represents more than a diplomatic win—it positions the small island nation as a strategic hub for cross-Atlantic investment. Prime Minister Dr Terrance M Drew shared that the government is deeply honored to welcome delegates from across global Africa, noting that the agreement underscores the country’s unwavering commitment to expanding Africa-Caribbean economic linkages. “We are not just a beautiful destination; we are a gateway for investment, a hub for enterprise, and a proud partner in the Renaissance of Africans,” Drew said. He added that ACTIF2026 will act as a powerful catalyst for new trade and investment flows, generating inclusive opportunities for local and regional businesses and communities, and building long-term collaborative pathways that will benefit current and future generations across both regions.

    Attendees of the 2026 forum can expect a robust schedule of engagement, including targeted panel discussions on regional trade integration, dedicated sessions to explore underutilized investment opportunities, structured networking opportunities with public and private sector leaders, and deep dives into existing initiatives designed to boost cross-regional economic cooperation. As a convened platform by Afreximbank, ACTIF has established itself as the leading space for mobilizing capital, forging actionable public-private partnerships, and accelerating inclusive economic integration between the African continent and Caribbean nations. It will bring together heads of government, institutional investors, private sector CEOs, development finance leaders, emerging entrepreneurs, and diaspora stakeholders to map out resilient growth strategies for Global Africa amid ongoing global economic uncertainty.

    The 2026 forum builds on a track record of tangible, impactful outcomes from previous ACTIF events. In 2025, the forum secured five cross-Caribbean deals totaling $291.25 million across three nations, with investments spanning trade and investment finance, corporate finance, project preparation, and export development. Afreximbank’s growing footprint in the Caribbean also underscores the long-term momentum of its engagement: since opening its regional office in Barbados two years ago, the institution has approved more than $700 million in critical financing across the CARICOM region, supporting a diverse range of priority projects including climate adaptation infrastructure in Saint Lucia, sports and tourism development in Barbados, small and medium enterprise financing in the Bahamas, sustainable tourism projects in Grenada, and energy development initiatives in Suriname.

  • Afreximbank and Government of St Kitts and Nevis Sign Hosting Agreement for ACTIF2026

    Afreximbank and Government of St Kitts and Nevis Sign Hosting Agreement for ACTIF2026

    In a landmark development for Caribbean-African trade and economic cooperation, the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and the Government of the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis have formally signed a hosting agreement for the 2026 edition of the African Caribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF). The agreement, announced via Antigua.news, a regional Caribbean news outlet, cements St Kitts and Nevis’s role as the host nation for one of the most anticipated cross-regional economic gatherings of the mid-2020s.

    ACTIF was established to create structured dialogue, build sustainable business connections, and unlock new trade and investment opportunities between African and Caribbean economies. The 2026 forum is expected to bring together hundreds of key stakeholders, including heads of state, senior government trade officials, private sector leaders, fintech innovators, and development finance institutions from both regions. Discussions at the event will likely center on priority areas such as blue economy collaboration, climate-resilient infrastructure investment, digital trade facilitation, small and medium enterprise (SME) empowerment, and value chain integration between the two regions.

    For St Kitts and Nevis, securing the hosting rights for ACTIF2026 represents a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to position itself as a leading hub for regional and international economic events in the Caribbean. The forum is projected to deliver widespread economic benefits to the federation, ranging from increased international tourism exposure during the event to long-term investment opportunities in key local sectors including hospitality, logistics, and financial services. This partnership also deepens the growing strategic relationship between Afreximbank and Caribbean nations, as the bank continues to expand its engagement to support intra-Africa-Caribbean trade flows and address shared development challenges across both regions.

  • BEL’s Sick and Elderly Ex-Employees Protest for Severance

    BEL’s Sick and Elderly Ex-Employees Protest for Severance

    On April 14, 2026, a determined group of aging, medically vulnerable former employees of Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) gathered outside the utility’s headquarters in Belize City under the blistering midday sun, staging a urgent protest to demand long-overdue severance benefits they say they earned through decades of service. Organized under the banner of Belize Energy Workers for Justice (BEWJ), the demonstration is far more than a demand for back wages — for these workers, it is a fight for basic survival and human dignity, with many facing declining health that leaves them with little time to wait for redress.

    The protesters point to a landmark 2025 ruling by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) that backs their legal claim: that their monthly pension payments do not fulfill BEL’s legal obligation to pay separate severance. BEWJ organizer Shawn Nicholas, a 31-year veteran of the company who has survived three strokes, explained that the court has already confirmed pensions do not count toward the required severance packages that remain unpaid. Fellow organizer Dorla Staine, who dedicated 40 years of her career to building BEL, echoed this frustration, noting that workers themselves contribute to their pension funds, meaning BEL’s argument that pension contributions count toward severance amounts to the company using workers’ own money to cover its obligations. Staine, who lost a kidney to kidney stones and struggled to access even a portion of her reduced pension benefits through the COVID-19 pandemic, said that company leadership has ignored her repeated pleas for help, showing no sympathy for her medical crisis.

    The small group of protesters gathered on the steps of BEL’s office represents a far larger community of former workers who cannot join them. Staine shared that dozens of other ex-employees are too sick, disabled — some are blind or deaf — or even hospitalized to attend the demonstration, with two members currently fighting for their lives in medical care and several more recovering at home. These are the very workers who built BEL from the ground up, organizers stress, and they should not be forced to beg for benefits they were promised.

    Protesters are calling on Belize’s Minister of Labor Kareem Musa, a trained lawyer who understands the CCJ ruling, to intervene immediately. Nicholas says the law is already on the workers’ side, and Musa has the power to resolve the dispute without forcing sick and elderly people to protest in dangerous heat. The organizers also expressed quiet disappointment that current BEL employees have not joined their cause, noting that they intentionally scheduled the protest during lunch hour to avoid disrupting operations or harming the company many of them still love. They warn that current workers will face the same unfair treatment when they retire, and collective action now could protect their own future benefits.

    In a revelatory development that has intensified the dispute, News Five has obtained internal documents confirming that BEL senior executives have already received large, undisclosed severance payouts when they left the company — even as ordinary frontline workers are denied the same benefits. The exposé has confirmed what the former workers have long suspected: a two-tier system at BEL that prioritizes wealthy leadership at the expense of the rank-and-file employees who built the company. Staine recalled that this double standard dates back decades: when workers first demanded severance in 1999, leadership instead offered a restructured pension system, while quietly paying out large severance and bonuses to top executives behind closed doors. Staine added that even the pension benefits ordinary retirees receive have been cut in half, with many waiting years to access even the reduced funds they are owed.

    For these aging, ill workers, time is not an unlimited resource. Their core message is clear: justice delayed is justice denied, and they need the severance they earned right now to cover medical costs and basic living expenses as they enter the final stage of their lives.

  • Stake Bank Legal Battle Moves Forward in London

    Stake Bank Legal Battle Moves Forward in London

    A high-stakes legal conflict over the mothballed Stake Bank cruise port development project has moved forward in London’s courts, even as uncertainty about the project’s future continues to roil stakeholders in Belize. At the heart of the dispute are founding developers Michael and Melita Feinstein, who have launched a legal claim against prominent Honduran businessman Guillermo Bueso Anduray. The Feinsteins allege that Bueso leveraged his substantial influence over Belize’s Atlantic Bank to illegally seize control of the multimillion-dollar infrastructure project and force the original founders out of the venture. The claimed damages in the case exceed 10 million British pounds, equivalent to roughly 27 million Belize dollars. To date, the court has not yet begun to examine the substantive merits of the founding pair’s allegations. Instead, the proceedings have been held up by a foundational jurisdictional challenge: Bueso’s legal team has argued that the English court has no authority to adjudicate the dispute at all, pausing any review of the core claims. A consent order issued by the court in March confirms that both parties have agreed to extend existing filing deadlines in the case. All formal legal submissions are scheduled to be completed by September, with a public hearing on the jurisdiction question expected to take place before the end of 2026. This London-based proceeding is the latest chapter in a years-long conflict that has already been fought through Belize’s national court system and multiple international arbitration panels. For the foreseeable future, the fate of one of Belize’s most controversial planned development projects remains unresolved. As the legal fight unfolds overseas, no final ruling on the project’s ownership or future is on the immediate horizon, leaving the stalled initiative in continued limbo.

  • Anique Goodwin: Championing People-First Leadership and Inclusive Workplace Excellence

    Anique Goodwin: Championing People-First Leadership and Inclusive Workplace Excellence

    For more than three decades, certified Human Resources and Industrial Relations expert Anique Goodwin has centered her career on a simple yet transformative philosophy: prioritizing people to drive organizational success. Today, that approach continues to reshape workplace culture at Curtain Bluff Resort, where her decades of hands-on experience have fostered a respectful, growth-focused environment for staff and leadership alike.

    Goodwin’s journey in human resources began unexpectedly early, at the age of 17, when she took her first role at World Wide Tele Sports (WWTS). It was there that she cut her teeth in core HR functions, from recruiting new talent to designing initiatives that keep teams engaged and connected to their work. Even in those early years, she developed a knack for balancing what an organization needs to grow with what employees need to thrive—a skill that would become the cornerstone of her decades-long career.

    Over the years, Goodwin has built expertise across nearly every discipline of modern human resources. Her skill set covers end-to-end talent acquisition, strategic performance management, organizational restructuring, executive coaching, team development, employee conflict resolution, and large-scale change management. She also brings deep experience designing competitive compensation and benefits frameworks, as well as rolling out comprehensive workplace wellness, health, and safety programs that put employee well-being front and center.

    What sets Goodwin apart, however, is her deep-seated passion for growing the next generation of leaders and team members. She is dedicated to equipping both managers and entry-level staff with the tools they need to adapt to fast-changing, constantly evolving business landscapes. Rather than focusing solely on existing skills, she makes it a priority to spot untapped potential, nurture emerging talent, and create clear pathways for internal growth that empower individuals to hit their professional goals.

    When Goodwin made the move into the hospitality industry, her people-centered philosophy only grew stronger. At Curtain Bluff Resort, she has led the development of an organizational culture rooted in mutual respect, accessible opportunity, and continuous learning. This intentional investment in staff has paid tangible dividends for the resort: it has built extraordinary employee loyalty, fostered a collaborative environment where team members lift each other up and lead by example, and created a more consistent, positive experience for guests.

    In Goodwin’s view, hiring and growing talent is about far more than checking boxes for required skills. “It’s more than just skills—it’s about personality and potential,” she says. “When you invest in people, they invest in you.” She also emphasizes that consistent recognition of employee work is a non-negotiable foundation for a healthy, productive workplace: acknowledging the effort and contributions of team members builds trust and buy-in that cannot be replicated through policies alone.

    As a leader in the regional hospitality industry, Goodwin’s story is being highlighted as part of a series from the Antigua and Barbuda Hospitality and Tourism Association (ABHTA), which celebrates the professionals who strengthen and grow the nation’s tourism sector. Audiences can watch Goodwin’s full story on ABHTA’s official digital platforms to learn more about her approach to people-first leadership. Through her unwavering commitment to putting people first, Goodwin continues to be a driving force behind building resilient, inclusive, high-performing organizations across the Caribbean hospitality industry.

  • NBD Celebrates 48 years of service with a month of community impact and customer appreciation

    NBD Celebrates 48 years of service with a month of community impact and customer appreciation

    ROSEAU, DOMINICA – April 14, 2026 – What began as a milestone celebration for one of Dominica’s leading financial institutions has grown into a sweeping demonstration of corporate commitment to national progress, as the National Bank of Dominica Ltd. (NBD) wrapped up a full month of community-centered activities to commemorate its 48th anniversary, which officially fell on March 15, 2026.

    Unlike conventional corporate anniversary events focused solely on internal milestones, NBD structured its 48th birthday observance around three core values that have defined its nearly five decades of operation: deep community engagement, accessible financial education, and intentional gratitude for the customers that have supported its growth. From the start, organizers framed the celebration not as a victory lap for the bank, but as an opportunity to reinforce NBD’s role as more than a financial service provider – it is a dedicated partner to local communities across the island.

    The cornerstone of the anniversary programming was a series of targeted community outreach initiatives designed to uplift two often-overlooked groups: young learners and elderly residents. NBD’s team of financial educators led interactive awareness sessions at two local institutions – Isaiah Thomas Secondary School and Oasis Preschool – introducing early foundational concepts of saving, budgeting, and long-term financial responsibility to young Dominicans. For many participants, these sessions marked their first formal introduction to healthy money management, a skill bank organizers say is critical to building long-term individual and national prosperity.

    Beyond education, NBD delivered tangible, practical support to institutions in need. Oasis Preschool received an unrestricted cash donation to fund operational and infrastructure needs, while Isaiah Thomas Secondary School added a new microwave and projector to its classroom resources, upgrades that will directly improve daily learning experiences for students. Administration and staff at both schools have publicly expressed their sincere gratitude for the bank’s targeted investment in local education.

    The bank’s outreach also extended to elderly residents at the Mahaut Senior Citizens Home, where NBD staff delivered essential grocery supplies and a cash donation to cover the facility’s daily operational costs. Team members spent hours interacting with residents, sharing conversations and creating small, joyful moments that left a lasting impression on both guests and volunteers. Organizers of the initiative noted that the widespread smiles from residents and home staff stood out as one of the most memorable highlights of the entire anniversary month.

    In a nod to NBD’s belief that corporate impact should extend far beyond traditional banking transactions, the bank’s own employees led three volunteer-driven “Beyond Banking” community improvement projects throughout the celebration period. The projects included the development of a new 4-H Club school garden at St. Mary’s Academy, a full beautification upgrade at the Social Centre Model Preschool, and a broad recreation and education enhancement initiative at Coulibistrie Primary School.

    All three projects were completed through collaborative partnerships between NBD employees, local school leaders, parents, students, and community volunteers. Each initiative was tailored to address a specific local need, from upgrading under-resourced learning spaces to fostering greater collective community pride among residents.

    To close out the month of activities, NBD hosted a dedicated Customer Appreciation Week to honor the loyalty and trust that have sustained the bank through 48 years of operation. The appreciation campaign included interactive in-branch events for visitors and engaging social media challenges that invited customers to share their own experiences with NBD, creating space for two-way connection between the bank and the community it serves.

    Reflecting on the 48-year milestone, NBD senior leadership reaffirmed the institution’s long-term commitment to strengthening local communities, empowering individual customers, and advancing inclusive, sustainable national development across Dominica through responsible banking practices.

    As NBD looks ahead to its 50th anniversary and beyond, the bank said it will remain focused on three core priorities: driving innovative financial solutions for customers, delivering exceptional service quality, and continuing to make meaningful, targeted investments in communities across the island. In closing, NBD extended heartfelt gratitude to its customers, employees, institutional partners, and the wider Dominican public for their ongoing confidence and support over the past 48 years.

  • Insurance Association’s Business Conference set for April 20 and 21

    Insurance Association’s Business Conference set for April 20 and 21

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s leading insurance industry representative body, the Insurance Association of Jamaica (IAJ), has announced plans to host its flagship Business Conference across April 20 and 21, 2026. The upcoming event, centered on the forward-looking theme “Charting the Future Together – Strengthening the Insurance Ecosystem”, is set to unite a diverse cross-section of industry stakeholders, from top sector leaders and regulatory officials to government policymakers and pioneering tech innovators, all aligned to examine the evolving trajectory of Jamaica’s domestic insurance industry.

    Hosted at Kingston’s renowned Pegasus Hotel, the two-day gathering will dive into the most pressing strategic priorities currently shaping the sector’s development. Key topics on the agenda include advancing modern risk management protocols, rolling out more effective industry-wide fraud prevention frameworks, and accelerating inclusive digital transformation across all segments of the local insurance market.

    As the official umbrella organization for Jamaica’s insurance sector, the IAJ has long held a core role in upholding strict ethical operating standards, fostering collaborative action across industry players, and elevating public understanding of insurance as a foundational pillar of household financial protection, national disaster resilience, and sustained long-term economic growth for the country.

    “The IAJ Business Conference has established itself as a vital platform for driving collaborative dialogue and targeted action across every corner of our sector,” noted Everton McFarlane, Executive Director of the IAJ, in an official press release issued Wednesday. “Against a backdrop where both local households and businesses face growing exposure to financial volatility and climate-related environmental risks, it is more critical than ever that we strengthen cross-sector collaboration, embrace innovative solutions, and reinforce the defensive systems that protect Jamaica’s economy.”

    The conference agenda will feature a lineup of high-profile keynote addresses and panel discussions covering a range of timely issues, from the growing economic burden of insurance fraud to much-needed regulatory reform, and the integration of emerging digital technologies to boost operational efficiency and elevate customer experience for policyholders.

    Confirmed featured speakers bring a wealth of cross-sector expertise to the event. They include Courtney Campbell, President and Chief Executive Officer of VM Group, who will deliver insights on how technology adoption and purpose-driven leadership can strengthen the national insurance ecosystem; Sanya Goffe, a partner at leading Jamaican law firm Hart Muirhead Fatta, who will share perspectives on building a robust, sustainable national pension ecosystem; Matthew Samuda, Jamaica’s Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, who will address the growing urgency of climate risk management and industry-wide sustainability adoption; and Steven Whittingham, Chairman of the Jamaica Stock Exchange and CEO of GK Financial Group, who will draw on his experience leading GraceKennedy’s regional strategic expansion and company-wide digital transformation.

    Beyond the main keynote and plenary sessions, targeted breakout workshops will offer attendees the chance to explore actionable, practical strategies for upgrading enterprise risk management frameworks, enhancing AI-powered fraud detection systems, and leveraging cutting-edge digital tools to deepen customer engagement and streamline core operational performance.

    In addition to structured educational and discussion sessions, the conference is designed to create extensive opportunities for strategic networking and cross-stakeholder partnership building, bringing together public sector regulators and policymakers together with private sector industry leaders to build a more coordinated, adaptive, and resilient national insurance ecosystem for Jamaica.