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  • Grenada Building & Loan Association Notice of AGM 2026

    Grenada Building & Loan Association Notice of AGM 2026

    Grenada Building & Loan Association (GBLA) has officially issued a public notice detailing the logistics and agenda for its upcoming 97th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of shareholders, set to take place on Wednesday, 13 May 2026. In a flexible arrangement designed to accommodate diverse shareholder needs, the meeting will operate as a hybrid event, combining in-person attendance at the Presbyterian Church located on Grand Etang Road in St. George’s with a parallel virtual session hosted via the Zoom video conferencing platform. The meeting is scheduled to kick off promptly at 4:30 pm local time.

    Full login and access details for virtual participants will be distributed to registered attendees in advance of the meeting date, per the association’s planning. Any shareholder seeking additional clarifications or further information about the AGM, registration processes, or event logistics is encouraged to reach out to GBLA’s administrative office through multiple contact channels: phone at 473440-2108, WhatsApp at 459-2103, or email at [email protected].

    The official AGM agenda covers a full suite of routine and critical governance items for the association. The meeting will open with an invocation, followed by the first formal order of business: confirming the official minutes from the 96th AGM, which was held on 2 April 2025. Next, attendees will receive and review the association’s annual statement of accounts for the 12-month period ending 31 December 2025, alongside the annual report from GBLA’s board of directors.

    Per GBLA’s internal governing rules, the meeting will proceed with board elections. Rule 18 (a) and Rule 8 of the association’s bylaws require that a subset of directors retire by rotation, and eligible candidates will stand for election to fill these rotating seats. Per accompanying notes to the notice, incumbent directors John Miller and Adrian Francis, who are completing their rotation-mandated terms, have confirmed their eligibility and have put themselves forward for re-election. Beyond board member elections, the agenda also includes votes to elect a new association President and Vice-President, approve the appointment of one or more independent auditors, and grant the board of directors authority to set the auditors’ remuneration. The meeting will close with a discussion of any other general matters that are relevant to the association’s operations and membership.

    To ensure transparency and compliance with GBLA’s Rule 32, all eligible shareholders may request access to copies of the audited annual statement of accounts, balance sheet, and related supporting documents no later than seven days prior to the meeting date. Requests can be submitted directly to the Acting Secretary/Manager Coline Joseph, either in person at the GBLA office or via email. This public notice was issued by Coline Joseph in her capacity as Secretary/Manager (Acting) of GBLA.

  • Grenada recognised as regional leader in fiscal planning

    Grenada recognised as regional leader in fiscal planning

    Against a backdrop of rising global economic, climate and geopolitical uncertainty, small island economies across the Caribbean are prioritizing robust fiscal governance to sustain growth and resilience. At the forefront of this regional movement is Grenada’s innovative Medium-Term Fiscal Framework (MTFF), which has been selected as a centerpiece model for the Caribbean Regional Technical Assistance Centre’s (CARTAC) ongoing regional capacity-building initiative. Designed as the government’s core fiscal planning instrument, the MTFF operates on a three-year rolling cycle that guides public expenditure strategy, sovereign debt management, and broad macroeconomic stabilization, embedding a disciplined, forward-looking culture into national fiscal policy decision-making. Recent macroeconomic performance has underscored the effectiveness of this framework. In its April 2026 World Economic Outlook report, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimated that Grenada’s real gross domestic product expanded by 4.4% in 2025, and projects steady 3.1% growth for both 2026 and 2027. This places Grenada among the fastest-growing economies in the Caribbean, a track record that the IMF attributes in large part to the consistent, disciplined fiscal approach anchored by the MTFF. Building on this strong economic momentum, Grenada is set to host an in-person regional fiscal policy workshop from April 27 to 30, 2026. The gathering will bring together senior fiscal policy analysts and technical fiscal officers from 13 Caribbean jurisdictions, with a shared goal of strengthening regional institutional capacity, entrenching cross-border fiscal discipline, and upgrading regional fiscal risk management frameworks. Over the four-day event, participants will work directly with international fiscal experts, conduct a hands-on case study of Grenada’s operational MTFF, and exchange actionable lessons across countries on fiscal planning, macroeconomic forecasting, and systemic risk assessment. The upcoming workshop builds on a recent CARTAC technical assistance mission to Grenada, held from March 25 to April 1 this year. During that mission, technical teams focused specifically on integrating the IMF’s Fiscal Risk Assessment Tool (FRAT) into Grenada’s national budgeting processes, and deepening the analytical rigor of the country’s existing fiscal risk management systems. Working in close collaboration with specialists from the IMF’s Fiscal Affairs Department (FAD), the Macroeconomic Policy Unit (MPU) within Grenada’s Ministry of Finance advanced key updates to the MTFF through intensive, on-the-ground technical collaboration. Chevanne Britton-Telesford, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Grenada’s Ministry of Finance, emphasized the framework’s central role in protecting the country’s economic stability and advancing long-term inclusive development. “The MTFF is a critical tool guiding fiscal decision-making in Grenada, ensuring that the economy remains resilient in the face of increasing economic, climate, and geopolitical uncertainties,” Britton-Telesford said. “By providing a clear and structured approach to budgeting, the framework strengthens accountability and reinforces a people-centred approach to public finance management. It ensures that we balance economic sustainability with long-term nation-building, while advancing our national development priorities and supporting the personal development and well-being of every Grenadian.” As member states of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) work collectively to upgrade their own medium-term fiscal planning systems, Grenada’s successful implementation of the MTFF highlights the tangible value of coordinated, risk-informed policymaking for small open economies. Through sustained technical collaboration with regional and international partners, and a firm commitment to deepening regional economic integration, Grenada is actively contributing to the adoption of harmonized, evidence-based fiscal practices across the ECCU, and supporting the build-out of collective economic resilience for all member states. Today, Grenada continues to strengthen its institutional capacity to anticipate, quantify, and mitigate a broad range of fiscal risks, while improving the credibility of its fiscal projections and policy decisions. This progress has earned international recognition: IMF Executive Directors recently praised Grenada for its effective navigation of elevated global uncertainties, noting that the country’s proactive fiscal governance has been key to its sustained economic momentum. Ultimately, this ongoing work to refine the MTFF and share its lessons across the region does more than strengthen Grenada’s own economic foundations. It equips the government to plan responsibly for the future, deliver sustained social and economic benefits to all Grenadian citizens, and set a benchmark for effective fiscal management across small island developing states. Reported by the Ministry of Finance, Grenada. Disclaimer: NOW Grenada is not responsible for the opinions, statements or media content presented by contributors. In case of abuse, click here to report.

  • Four Points by Sheraton hotel commissioned

    Four Points by Sheraton hotel commissioned

    On Thursday evening, Guyanese President Irfaan Ali officially opened the newly constructed Four Points by Sheraton Georgetown, located at Houston Yards along Heroes Highway, marking a major milestone for the South American nation’s rapidly growing tourism and hospitality industry, according to official reports from Guyana’s Department of Public Information.

    Developed with a total investment exceeding $30 million US dollars, the 172-room property takes a unique approach to luxury hospitality: it blends the global service and operational standards of the Marriott International brand with intentional, immersive incorporation of Guyanese cultural heritage across every area of the property.

    Indigenous Amerindian craftwork is a core design feature throughout the hotel, appearing in everything from guest room bedside lampshades and lobby furniture to custom wall art for every floor and the striking backdrop of the main reception area. The on-site restaurant draws inspiration from traditional Guyanese culinary traditions and native spices, while all interior finishing and architectural selections were chosen specifically to highlight the country’s people, cultural customs, and abundant natural ecosystems.

    In his inauguration address, President Ali explained that Guyanese identity is woven into even the smallest details of the property. “When you go in the rooms, you will see black shades that represent Guyana, represent nature, forest, represent sustainability, resilience,” he said. “You will find in every section of the hotel… pieces of Guyana that inspires you and make you …feel a sense of pride as a Guyanese.”

    The president extended public gratitude to the project’s international and domestic investors, noting that their decision to commit capital to Guyana has earned them goodwill among the Guyanese public. He emphasized that the new hotel could not have come at a more critical moment, as the country is seeing a sharp surge in regional and local interest for major events, with bookings already confirmed for a series of high-profile gatherings in the coming weeks—headlined by the annual GT Challenge.

    Across 2026 alone, Guyana is scheduled to host 11 national and international conferences alongside six major sporting events. “We are now positioning Guyana to be a premier hosting destination because we now have greater capacity and capability,” President Ali stated. “And the confidence of the private sector is igniting greater confidence at the policy level to the extent that we are going after larger opportunities.”

    Beyond expanding the country’s hospitality capacity to draw more visitors and events, the Four Points by Sheraton project has already delivered widespread economic benefits to local Guyanese workers and businesses, the president noted. Long before the hotel welcomed its first guest, the construction phase created hundreds of local jobs across a wide range of trades, including engineers, masons, carpenters, welders, electricians, plumbers, painters, heavy machinery operators, truck drivers, security staff, landscapers, cleaners, and site supervisors. Local domestic suppliers also saw major gains from the project, with contracts for cement, steel, furniture, building fixtures, fuel, and on-site construction catering all going to Guyanese businesses.

    Now that the hotel is fully operational, it will continue to generate long-term employment and economic spin-offs for local communities, supporting the government’s broader goal of building a diversified, visitor-focused tourism economy as one pillar of the country’s ongoing growth.

  • Kooyman hosts Home Fest at Kendal Hill location this weekend

    Kooyman hosts Home Fest at Kendal Hill location this weekend

    Kooyman, Barbados’ leading one-stop destination for building supplies, hardware, and home improvement products, is gearing up to launch its most anticipated in-person consumer event of the year—Kooyman Home Fest—scheduled to take place on April 25 and 26 at the retailer’s flagship Christ Church megastore.

    Marking the company’s first in-store experiential event tailored to inspire casual homeowners, passionate do-it-yourself (DIY) hobbyists, professional contracting teams, and local families, the two-day expo is completely free for all attendees. Beyond exclusive, event-only discounts on a wide range of home goods, the gathering will pack in actionable home improvement tips, live product demonstrations, and previews of cutting-edge home product innovations.

    The 10,000+ square foot Kendal Hill location will be completely reimagined as an interactive learning hub, with dedicated zones covering every core home category: from kitchen upgrades and bathroom renovations to interior paint, custom home decor, professional-grade tools, and outdoor living essentials. Unlike traditional trade shows that focus solely on pushing product sales, Kooyman Home Fest is designed to be a go-to source for actionable, expert-led guidance for attendees at every skill level. All activities, workshops, and complimentary in-store refreshments are open to the public at no cost.

    For members of Kooyman’s loyalty program Fun Miles, the event adds extra opportunities to win big. Any member who spends $100 or more during Home Fest will be automatically entered into the event’s Shop & Win promotion, with a grand prize of a full four-piece residential sofa set. Secondary prizes include a $500 Kooyman gift card, 10,000 Fun Miles points, branded Kooyman cooler bags, portable foldable Kooyman grills, a Milwaukee wireless jobsite radio, and wellness vouchers from local partner The Chakra Spa Barbados that cover a manicure-pedicure package and a 30-minute massage. Loyalty members will also be able to earn bonus points for event purchases and spin an in-store Spin-to-Win wheel for instant small prizes. Consumers who have not yet joined the program can sign up for free either via the official Kooyman mobile app or on-site at the event to unlock these perks immediately.

    Arlene Floro, Kooyman’s Marketing Officer, highlighted the unique value the event brings to Barbados’ local home improvement industry by facilitating cross-sector collaboration between global brands and local creators. “We’ve brought together major international names including Moen, Milwaukee Tools, Rust-Oleum, Bissell, O-Cedar, and Umbra alongside our in-house expert team, top local DIY influencer and entrepreneur Christian “ByKrishtun” Gibbs, the team behind Bajan Blend Egan Layne, wellness provider The Chakra Spa Barbados, interior designer Anna-Lysa Nicholls of Annalysed Interiors, and Chef Marvin Applewhaite,” Floro explained. “This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for both vendors and attendees—everyone gets to see how cross-industry exchange sharpens skills and drives growth, which is exactly what Barbados’ home sector needs right now.”

    Organizers project the event will draw hundreds of attendees spanning first-time homebuyers, long-time homeowners, DIY lovers, professional contractors, interior designers, and home decor enthusiasts. The packed schedule of hands-on workshops covers dozens of high-demand skills, including wall panel installation, wallpaper application, blind fitting, shelf mounting, kitchen cabinet assembly, tile laying, furniture painting, bathroom plumbing upgrades, drain maintenance, interior styling, outdoor space design, modern cleaning technology, custom closet planning, cocktail mixing, outdoor grilling techniques, and professional tool use with Milwaukee experts.

    Beyond deals, workshops, and giveaways, the weekend will also feature live music to keep the atmosphere lively for attendees. While one grand prize winner will walk away with the top sofa set prize, event organizers note that every attendee will leave with new skills, inspiration, and access to exclusive discounts, making the event a win for everyone. For a full schedule of Home Fest activities, consumers can visit the official Kooyman website at kooyman.bb or check the Kooyman Barbados page on Facebook and Instagram.

  • Dominican Republic and Guatemala create bilateral forum to strengthen economic relations

    Dominican Republic and Guatemala create bilateral forum to strengthen economic relations

    In a landmark step to boost cross-border economic collaboration, the foreign ministries of the Dominican Republic and Guatemala have formalized an agreement to establish a joint Political and Business Forum, designed to deepen trade ties and unlock new investment opportunities between the two Latin American nations.

    The memorandum of understanding was signed during an official ceremony by Roberto Álvarez, Dominican Minister of Foreign Affairs, and his Guatemalan counterpart Carlos Ramiro Martínez Alvarado. Once operational, the forum will serve as a structured, recurring platform that brings together public sector leaders and private business delegates from both countries. Its core mandates include mapping untapped commercial opportunities, streamlining access to each nation’s consumer and industrial markets, and advancing collaborative investment projects that benefit both economies.

    Beyond facilitating direct business connections, the new bilateral mechanism will also promote the sharing of critical industry data, practical policy experiences, and proven regulatory best practices across three key areas: trade process simplification, national commercial promotion strategies, and the design of competitive investment incentive frameworks.

    Per the terms of the agreement, the forum will hold full plenary meetings once every year, with the host nation rotating between the Dominican Republic and Guatemala. A permanent dedicated working group will also be established to monitor progress on agreed initiatives, coordinate follow-up actions, and ensure consistent implementation of forum outcomes.

    Lead officials from both governments have framed the new forum as a transformative milestone in bilateral relations, noting that it will not only deepen longstanding economic ties but also create more pathways for private sector engagement in shaping cross-border cooperation. Notably, the initiative is structured to maximize the trade and investment benefits already available under the Dominican Republic–Central America Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA), marking the first time the two countries have launched a standalone bilateral framework exclusively focused on expanding trade and investment collaboration.

  • Environmental Groups Back Cargo, Flag Cruise Port Expansion

    Environmental Groups Back Cargo, Flag Cruise Port Expansion

    As of April 23, 2026, a heated debate over Port of Belize Limited’s proposed expansion project has emerged, pitting environmental advocacy groups against government regulators who have already granted the initiative formal approval. Contrary to common assumptions that environmental organizations uniformly oppose large coastal infrastructure projects, a coalition of leading local NGOs is not opposing the entire scheme – in fact, it is throwing its full support behind the proposal’s cargo expansion component, which groups frame as a non-negotiable driver of long-term economic growth for Belize City and the broader nation.

    Dr. Melanie McField, founder of the prominent environmental initiative Healthy Reefs for Healthy People, outlined the coalition’s nuanced position in recent comments, drawing a clear line between the two distinct elements of the expansion plan. The most environmentally destructive component of the project, McField explained, is the proposed deepwater channel straightening work earmarked for the cruise terminal side of the expansion. Unlike standard sand dredging, this work requires cutting and excavating solid bedrock, a process that would cause far greater and irreversible harm to fragile coastal marine ecosystems. Critically, McField emphasized that this disruptive work is entirely unnecessary for the cargo expansion: while it would simplify navigation slightly, it is not a required upgrade to support the commercial cargo operations that Belize’s economy depends on.

    On the cruise terminal component of the expansion, McField argued that no final decision should be made without a full national strategic planning process, referencing a 2010 sustainable tourism framework developed by the Belize Tourism Board that already outlines clear guidelines for appropriate cruise port siting. The coalition maintains that large-scale cruise development requires a nation-wide approach to environmental and economic planning that is entirely separate from the justified expansion of commercial cargo capacity.

    Dr. Elma Kay, chairperson of the Belize Network of NGOs, expanded on these warnings, noting that Belize is rapidly approaching a tipping point for unplanned coastal development. With multiple large cruise port proposals currently under consideration across the country, Kay emphasized that existing feasibility studies consistently show Belize can only realistically support one large cruise terminal both economically and environmentally. Without a cohesive national port development strategy, Kay argued that ad-hoc approval of multiple projects would create unsustainable cumulative strain on both Belize’s natural ecosystems and its tourism economy.

    “Without a clear plan, development becomes fragmented and uncoordinated,” Kay explained. “We recognize the critical economic need for cargo port expansion, but the cruise terminal component requires far more deliberation and a public social contract to guide decision-making.”

    Despite these formal concerns raised by the environmental coalition, the National Environmental Appraisal Committee (NEAC) has already granted the expansion project approval to move forward. Government leaders have pushed back against criticism, noting that previous iterations of the proposal were rejected over unaddressed environmental flaws, and that those gaps have been resolved in the current plan.

    Prime Minister John Briceno has publicly committed to taking the coalition’s concerns seriously throughout the construction process, while Sustainable Development Minister Orlando Habet defended the government’s approval decision in recent remarks. Habet explained that the current proposal addresses all of the deficiencies that led NEAC to reject an earlier version of the project submitted by a private developer: the previous plan failed to outline adequate containment for dredged and excavated materials, a gap that has been fixed in the government’s revised proposal after the state acquired the Port of Belize. Habet also noted that regulators held extensive consultations with the local Port Loyola community, and that the government never received any formal communication or concerns from the Belize Mangrove Alliance, despite the group’s claims of being excluded from the process.

    As the project moves into the development phase, local journalists will continue to cover updates on how the government addresses outstanding environmental concerns and navigates the coalition’s calls for a national cruise development planning process.

  • No dangers in ferry service, says CEO

    No dangers in ferry service, says CEO

    A heated debate has emerged over the viability of a new inter-island ferry network linking Barbados and member states of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), after an industry consultant questioned whether the service could withstand the region’s sea conditions. Project leader Dr Andre Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of Barbados-based Pleion Group — parent company of service operator Connect Caribe — has pushed back hard against these claims, telling Barbados TODAY on Thursday that the vessels selected for the route are engineered to handle far harsher open-ocean conditions than the Eastern Caribbean ever produces.

    The controversy began earlier this week, when economic aviation consultant Jeremy Stephen raised sharp doubts about the project, arguing that frequent high swells and choppy water would make the ferry service unworkable. Thomas rejected this assessment outright, noting Stephen’s concerns lacked credible scientific backing, and outlined the design and track record of the overnight cruise ferries Connect Caribe plans to deploy.

    The vessels planned for the regional service belong to the large roll-on/roll-off passenger (Ro-Pax) vessel class, purpose-built to carry passengers, private vehicles and commercial freight across long-distance open water routes. Thomas pointed out that identical classes of ferries are already operated profitably year-round by major global shipping firms in far rougher international waters. These include DFDS’ cross-North Sea routes between Newcastle-Amsterdam and Copenhagen-Oslo, P&O Ferries’ Hull-Rotterdam service, and Brittany Ferries’ long-haul connections from Portsmouth to Caen and Santander.

    Thomas explained that the ferries earmarked for the Caribbean corridor range from 20,000 to over 60,000 gross tonnage, with deep drafts, active fin stabilizers, on-board cabins, restaurants, and dedicated full decks for vehicles and cargo. These large displacement vessels are explicitly designed for overnight open-water operation in conditions far more challenging than any recorded in the Eastern Caribbean, he added.

    “By any objective measure, the Eastern Caribbean is one of the calmest open-water ferry corridors in the world,” Thomas stated. “The claim that it is ‘too choppy’ to support a viable ferry network does not survive a five-minute look at global maritime data.” He added that modern large overnight cruise ferries operate daily, profitably, and year-round in waters that see wave heights two to five times higher than the Eastern Caribbean’s typical conditions.

    To back his argument, Thomas cited publicly available data from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Hurricane Center, which shows the Eastern Caribbean’s average significant wave heights sit between three and seven feet, or 1 to 2 meters. Even during stronger trade wind surges, wave heights only reach five to eight feet, or 1.5 to 2.5 meters — conditions that Thomas says are well within the normal operating parameters for the planned vessel class.

    Thomas also pointed to longstanding regional precedent that proves the corridor is suitable for ferry operations. Germany’s FRS Group-owned FRS Express des Îles, formerly L’Express des Îles, has run scheduled passenger services across the exact same Eastern Caribbean stretch — connecting Guadeloupe, Les Saintes, Marie-Galante, Dominica, Martinique, and Saint Lucia — for more than 37 years, carrying roughly 850,000 passengers annually. This existing operation, Thomas argues, definitively confirms both that passenger demand exists and that the region’s sea conditions are suitable for sustained ferry service.

    While smaller regional passenger ferries already operate in the area, Thomas noted that the Eastern Caribbean currently lacks a large, stable overnight cruise ferry service that connects a broader network of islands, accommodates vehicles and freight, and positions inter-island travel as a comfortable, experience-focused journey for both locals and visitors. The project leadership’s pushback against criticism comes as stakeholders work to advance the landmark regional connectivity initiative.

  • Berger Paints closes plant, 44 jobs lost

    Berger Paints closes plant, 44 jobs lost

    A decades-long chapter of local paint manufacturing in Barbados is drawing to a close this week, as Berger Paints prepares to shutter all its local production, warehouse, retail and administrative facilities on Friday, putting 44 long-tenured employees out of work. While the company will continue selling its branded products through local retail partners, all manufacturing operations will be relocated to other sites across the Caribbean region. The company publicly confirmed its restructuring plan Wednesday, confirming the full scope of facility closures tied to its transition to a third-party distribution model.

    For the affected workers, many of whom have spent well over a decade building their careers with the firm, the sudden shift has brought devastating uncertainty and financial upheaval, according to Toni Moore, who serves both as a Member of Parliament and General Secretary of the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU), the union representing the displaced employees. Moore noted that the average tenure of workers at the Berger Barbados plant ranges between 10 and 15 years, meaning most employees have structured their entire lives and livelihoods around steady employment at the company. Even though many are still within working age, their mid-career status makes a sudden job search particularly daunting, she added, and the unanticipated loss of long-term employment has taken a heavy emotional and psychological toll on workers who dedicated years of service to the brand.

    The controversy around the closure first emerged when the company announced its restructuring plans back in February, prompting immediate pushback from labor leaders and government officials over the alleged failure to follow legally mandated consultation processes. Barbados’ Minister of Labour Colin Jordan raised early concerns that the company had already finalized its decision to close the plant before starting required consultations with the Ministry of Labour and the workers’ union. Under Barbadian law, companies planning mass redundancies are required to conduct a six-week consultation period with affected stakeholders, and legal precedent mandates that these discussions must be substantive rather than procedural. Jordan argued that it is impossible to hold meaningful consultations when the final decision has already been made and is non-negotiable, adding that the pre-determined outcome undermines the entire process set out in national labor law.

    The Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados (CTUSAB) has joined the BWU in condemning the decision, calling for a formal investigation over allegations that workers’ legal rights have been violated throughout the restructuring process. CTUSAB General Secretary Dennis Depeiza emphasized that the incident exposes critical gaps in labor regulation enforcement in the country, calling for a full review of existing oversight mechanisms under the national Employment Rights Act. Depeiza argued that stronger enforcement is needed to ensure companies comply with mandatory consultation procedures when planning business closures that result in mass layoffs, to prevent employers from cutting corners at the expense of workers’ rights.

    Moore also echoed widespread public concern over the company’s post-closure business model, noting that Berger Paints will continue to generate revenue from sales in Barbados even as it eliminates all local manufacturing jobs. Currently, the company has arrangements in place to keep its products on local shelves through retail partners including Carters (operating via Blades and Williams) and Ace H&B Hardware, with all production moving to regional facilities outside Barbados. As labor groups continue to push for accountability, questions remain about whether the company followed all legal requirements for the closure, and what support will be provided to the dozens of workers who lost their livelihoods this week.

  • World Facility Management Day Conference: 13 May 2026

    World Facility Management Day Conference: 13 May 2026

    A new professional conference focused on the global facility management industry has opened registration for interested industry practitioners, stakeholders, and academic observers. The event, which is organized around the observance of World Facility Management Day, is being coordinated by Facilities Consulting Limited (FCL) in collaboration with the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) and Grenada’s Ministry of Infrastructure, with industry expert Edward Kacal set to lead key programming for the gathering.

    Those seeking to secure their spot at the upcoming conference can complete their registration via the official event portal at https://lets-meet.org/reg/b295f1301fb747ed2d. The platform is designed to streamline the sign-up process for attendees from across the region and around the world, giving participants quick access to event schedules, venue details, and additional programming updates ahead of the gathering.

    As a standard practice for independent platform hosting, NOW Grenada, the media outlet hosting the event announcement, has issued a standard content disclaimer. The outlet clarifies that it does not take responsibility for the opinions, factual statements, or third-party media content shared by event contributors who are featured in the announcement or participating in the conference itself. Users who encounter inappropriate, misleading, or abusive content related to the event announcement are invited to submit a report via the platform’s designated reporting channel to prompt a content review by NOW Grenada’s moderation team.

    The conference comes as the global facility management sector continues to grow, with increasing demand for professional standards, sustainable infrastructure management practices, and cross-border knowledge sharing among industry professionals. This gathering in Grenada represents a rare opportunity for regional practitioners to connect with global leaders in the field, align with international industry standards set by IFMA, and contribute to ongoing conversations about advancing infrastructure management across the Caribbean and beyond.

  • Condom Prices to Rise Because of US/Iran War

    Condom Prices to Rise Because of US/Iran War

    The ongoing geopolitical conflict between the United States and Iran has rippled beyond traditional energy and security sectors, creating unexpected disruption in a critical global consumer and public health supply chain. The world’s leading condom producer, Karex Bhd, has confirmed it will implement steep price increases of between 20 and 30 percent, a move directly tied to supply chain breakdowns sparked by the regional conflict.

    In an official statement shared with stakeholders, Karex Chief Executive Officer Goh Miah Kiat explained that the price adjustment is a necessary response to skyrocketing production and logistics costs that the firm can no longer absorb internally. As the world’s largest condom manufacturer, Karex churns out more than five billion units annually, serving a wide range of high-profile clients that include top global retail brands Durex and Trojan, as well as major public health entities such as the UK’s National Health Service and United Nations sexual and reproductive health aid programs.

    Goh detailed that the US-Iran conflict has upended key logistics routes and raw material markets across the Middle East, a critical transit and processing hub for the core inputs required for condom manufacturing and packaging. Essential materials including synthetic rubber, nitrile, aluminum foil, and silicone oil have both dropped in availability and jumped in cost, creating massive cost pressures for the Malaysia-based manufacturer.

    Compounding the supply-side strain is an unexpected 30 percent surge in global condom demand this year. Much of this increased demand stems from pre-emptive restocking after shipping delays depleted existing inventory, particularly in low- and middle-income developing nations that depend almost entirely on international imports and aid programs to meet their sexual health needs.

    Logistical bottlenecks have also dramatically extended delivery timelines for Karex’s key markets in Europe and North America. Where shipments previously took roughly one month to reach destination ports, current delivery times have nearly doubled to almost two months. This backlog has left large volumes of product stuck in transit, even as widespread shortages impact communities in high-need regions.

    While Karex currently maintains enough finished inventory to meet demand over the coming months, company leadership has launched efforts to scale up production capacity to close the gap between supply and elevated global demand. Even so, executives have issued a warning that if geopolitical instability in the Middle East continues to disrupt global supply chains, additional price hikes could be on the horizon in the near future.