Carib Scope

分类： business

  • Audrey Marks reacquires Digicel’s 80 per cent stake in Paymaster parent

    Audrey Marks reacquires Digicel’s 80 per cent stake in Paymaster parent

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a landmark deal reshaping Jamaica’s fintech landscape, Audrey Marks, founder of leading Jamaican payment services provider Paymaster, has bought back Digicel’s 80 percent controlling stake in APM Holdings Limited, the parent company of Paymaster. The transaction hands full ownership control back to the firm’s original founder nearly three decades after Marks first launched the business.

    Specific financial details of the acquisition have not been made public per the terms of the deal.

    Company representatives confirmed the transaction concludes negotiations that first kicked off in 2024, preceding Marks’ appointment to her current dual roles as Jamaica’s Minister of Efficiency, Innovation and Digital Transformation, and Member of Parliament for Manchester North Eastern.

    Marks first founded Paymaster back in 1997, building the business from its early days to become a cornerstone of Jamaica’s transaction services ecosystem. Today, the company delivers a wide range of services including bill payment processing and general transaction solutions for individual consumers, private businesses and government agencies across the island, operating via a sprawling network of physical locations spanning every major region of Jamaica.

    In an official statement following the deal’s closure, Marks noted that the acquisition puts the company in a position to leverage its decades-long market presence as it pursues new expansion opportunities in the fast-evolving, technology-first global payments industry. “This transaction allows the company to build on its strong foundation while positioning for future growth opportunities in an increasingly technology-driven environment,” Marks said.

    To accommodate Marks’ ongoing public sector responsibilities, Paymaster announced it will onboard dedicated strategic management support to oversee company operations. This new governance framework is designed to deliver robust operational oversight, strengthen corporate governance standards, and guide the company’s upcoming modernization initiative.

    The firm has moved to reassure stakeholders that day-to-day business operations will continue without any disruption throughout the ownership transition. Customers, billing partners, agent networks and other third-party partners can expect no changes to existing service offerings in the coming months.

    Paymaster also issued a public note of gratitude to Digicel for its years of collaboration and partnership during its time as majority shareholder. As of the latest announcement, the company has not released further details regarding planned capital investments, updated long-term management structure, or a concrete timeline for the proposed modernization process.

  • Dreams Dominicus: “La Romana is experiencing a historic level of occupancy”

    Dreams Dominicus: “La Romana is experiencing a historic level of occupancy”

    The Caribbean tourism hub of La Romana-Bayahibe is enjoying an unprecedented boom in its hospitality sector, with industry leaders reporting some of the strongest performance in the destination’s modern history. Amando Pozo, general manager of the prominent Dreams Dominicus La Romana resort, says the region’s hotel industry is reaping the benefits of shifting global travel patterns paired with unique natural advantages that set it apart from competing Caribbean getaways.

    According to Pozo, post-pandemic traveler mindsets have reshaped international vacation demand, driving the impressive surge in occupancy. “Since the pandemic passed it seems that worldwide everyone has reflected that they have to enjoy themselves, travel, have a good time and not be stingy on their vacations,” he explained in an interview with areca.com. This shift in consumer priorities has delivered widespread economic gains to the Dominican Republic’s tourism sector, amplified by external socio-political and environmental developments impacting neighboring destination rivals.

    Unusual environmental challenges in parts of coastal Mexico, which has struggled with widespread sargassum blooms on popular beaches, along with ongoing socio-political uncertainty in Cuba, have redirected growing volumes of international travelers to the Dominican Republic’s La Romana region. Pozo emphasized that these external factors, combined with the area’s pristine natural offerings, have pushed occupancy to all-time highs that outperform every pre-pandemic season on record.

    At Pozo’s own property, a 488-room resort belonging to Inclusive Collection, part of World Hyatt, current occupancy sits at a robust 92%. That strong figure comes in large part from the destination’s biggest selling point: untouched, sargassum-free shorelines. “La Romana is indeed very popular because we are grateful to have clean beaches, there is no sargassum, no seaweed and this benefits us greatly,” Pozo noted.

    Beyond its natural advantages, the resort offers convenient access to key travel infrastructure, located just 20 minutes from La Romana International Airport. It also features a purpose-built pier that can host private events ranging from weddings to birthday gatherings, accommodating up to 50 guests for standing events or 30 guests for seated occasions. With occupancy rates holding steadily above 90% and demand continuing to climb, La Romana-Bayahibe is cementing its status as one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in the entire Caribbean, with the hospitality sector positioned for sustained growth into coming travel seasons.

  • Ripton opens US$15.5 million Rogers Commercial Centre on Lady Musgrave Road

    Ripton opens US$15.5 million Rogers Commercial Centre on Lady Musgrave Road

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — A landmark new mixed-use business hub has officially launched in the heart of Jamaica’s capital, representing one of the largest injections of private capital into Kingston’s commercial landscape in recent memory. Ripton International Capital Holdings Limited has opened the doors to the Rogers Commercial Centre, a $15.5 million development located at 56–58 Lady Musgrave Road, drawing a high-profile gathering of top government officials, business leaders, and civic stakeholders to mark the occasion.

    Among the attendees in attendance for the opening ceremony were Aubyn Hill, Jamaica’s Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce; Delano Seivright, State Minister in the same ministry; Andrew Swaby, Mayor of Kingston; Commissioner of Police Dr Kevin Blake; and prominent local businessman Norman Horne, Founder and Executive Chairman of ARC Manufacturing Limited. Popular media figure Khadine “Miss Kitty” Wilkinson led the event as master of ceremonies.

    The finished project is the brainchild and property of Jamaican entrepreneur Fritzwarien “Ripton” Rogers, who developed the centre over approximately two years. Local financial institution JMMB provided the project financing, while ARC Manufacturing Limited supplied all core building materials for the construction phase.

    Speaking on behalf of the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation, Mayor Andrew Swaby opened his remarks by extending congratulations to the entire project team, framing the new development as clear proof that Kingston continues to draw strong interest from domestic and international investors. “Today marks more than the unveiling of a new building,” Swaby told the gathered crowd. “It represents vision, determination, confidence and a firm belief in the future of our city.”

    The Mayor highlighted the project’s far-reaching economic benefits beyond its physical footprint: during the two-year construction period, the development created work for more than 600 local workers, and it will sustain ongoing new employment through its diverse roster of tenants, which span retail, food and beverage, healthcare, wellness, automotive services, and professional consulting. Swaby added that the modern development is a standout addition to the bustling Lady Musgrave Road commercial corridor, and emphasized that “Kingston is open for business.”

    Minister Hill also praised the project, positioning it as a powerful example of what Jamaican entrepreneurs can deliver when given access to the right support. He used the platform to issue a call to other local contractors, urging them to scale up their operations to be able to compete for larger national infrastructure and development projects. Hill noted that billions in new financing is currently flowing into Jamaica from multilateral development partners including the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, and a significant portion of these funds must be allocated to private sector organizations. For smaller contractors that lack the capacity to take on large projects on their own, Hill encouraged collaborative partnerships to help them meet qualification requirements. “Ripton, you can be in the game, and other contractors like Ripton can be in the game,” he emphasized.

    Norman Horne, whose ARC Manufacturing supplied building materials for the project and who has counted Rogers as a close personal friend for decades, told the audience that the centre’s significance reaches far beyond its 300,000 total square feet of space. “Rogers Commercial Centre is a statement,” Horne said. “A statement that Jamaican business can create world-class development. A statement of confidence in Jamaica.”

    Like both Rogers and Hill, Horne hails from Jamaica’s parish of St Elizabeth, and he noted that the successful partnership behind the project was built on decades of mutual trust, respect, and integrity. “Jamaica needs more people like Ripton who are willing to dream big, invest big and build big,” Horne added.

    For developer Ripton Rogers, the official opening marked the fulfillment of a personal and professional dream that he first conceived two and a half years ago. Born in Jamaica and raised in Canada, Rogers explained that he chose to return to his home country to invest and contribute to local economic growth. “I wanted to show the little boy from St Elizabeth that you could come this far and achieve anything,” he shared. “It doesn’t matter where you’re from, it doesn’t matter what your background is. If you put your mind to it and work hard, you can achieve anything.”

    Rogers explained that naming the development after his family was a deliberate choice, intended to honor the long commercial history of the Lady Musgrave Road corridor, a connection that both he and Minister Hill highlighted during the ceremony. He extended heartfelt gratitude to all of his partners, financial advisors, financers, and family members who supported the project through its entire development cycle, saving special recognition for his father for his ongoing encouragement.

    Spread across 56 individual commercial units, the Rogers Commercial Centre offers 100,000 square feet of leasable space and a total of 300,000 square feet including basement parking and supporting infrastructure. Remarkably, the development hit 99% occupancy even before its official opening, and once all tenants are fully operational, it is projected to support approximately 400 permanent full-time jobs. Rogers shared his vision for the hub to grow into one of Kingston’s top destinations for entertainment, wellness, and modern lifestyle offerings, saying “I want it to be the hip strip for Kingston.”

    Looking ahead, Rogers has an aggressive pipeline of new development projects planned across Jamaica: he is set to expand into the hospitality sector with new projects in the popular resort town of Ocho Rios, and roughly half a dozen additional new developments are on track to be completed over the next two years.

  • Amber Highway: the project that will change the economic map of Santiago and Puerto Plata

    Amber Highway: the project that will change the economic map of Santiago and Puerto Plata

    For the Dominican Republic’s northern corridor, the Amber Highway is far more than an uncompleted public works project tucked into a list of pending initiatives. This long-planned infrastructure venture stands as a transformative strategic link that, if delivered to the promised technical specifications, has the potential to reshape connectivity, trade, tourism, and long-term economic growth across Santiago, Puerto Plata and the entire North Coast for generations to come. The project has recently reemerged at the center of public debate, driven by advancing bidding processes, ongoing evaluation of technical proposals, and mounting expectations from communities across the region, including Santiago, Puerto Plata, Montellano, Sosúa, Cabarete, the Gregorio Luperón International Airport and the wider North Coast tourism corridor. While most public discussion frames the highway as a simple solution to cut travel time between Santiago and Puerto Plata, its purpose extends far beyond reduced commute times: it will directly connect Cibao’s primary economic heartland to a major tourist province that is actively working to reposition itself through new hotels, large-scale real estate developments, expanded airport infrastructure and commercial growth projects. According to official data reviewed by local outlet InfoENN – El Nuevo Norte, the completed highway will stretch between 32 and 32.7 kilometers, featuring four total lanes (two in each direction) and a designed operating speed of 100 kilometers per hour. Its core goal is to establish a modern, more direct and far safer connection between the existing Santiago Northern Bypass and the Puerto Plata–Sosúa highway. A critical detail that has gone largely undiscussed in public discourse is the highway’s alignment: rather than terminating directly in central Puerto Plata, it will route to the Montellano area, linking to the Puerto Plata–Sosúa corridor near the existing transport axis that connects Puerto Plata city, Gran Parada, Gregorio Luperón Airport, Sosúa and Cabarete. This routing fundamentally changes the project’s impact, repositioning Montellano from a forgotten transit town to a strategic hub for road transport, tourism, logistics and real estate development. From this new hub, vehicles departing Santiago will be able to access Puerto Plata, Sosúa, Cabarete, Playa Dorada, Maimón, the airport, Punta Bergantín and other key North Coast destinations without being forced onto crowded, outdated traditional routes. Traversing a rugged mountainous region, the Amber Highway breaks from the pattern of narrow, slow, curve-heavy mountain roads common to the area. Available technical plans outline a mixed engineering approach that incorporates open roadway sections, terrain cuts, embankments, retaining walls, bridges, viaducts, interchanges, overpasses and two purpose-built tunnels. The tunnels stand as one of the project’s most defining features: one will measure approximately 1.8 kilometers long, while the second will span roughly 0.7 kilometers, engineered to cut through mountain barriers, minimize sharp curves and steep grades, and reduce overall driving hazards. This modern design sets the new highway apart from the existing Gregorio Luperón Tourist Highway, a long-serving but notoriously challenging route marked by tight curves, steep slopes and elevated driving risks. The new corridor is designed to deliver a smoother, faster and safer route for passenger vehicles, tourist shuttles, intercity buses, commercial trade, cargo transport, business services and airport connections. The project’s greatest potential impact lies in broad regional economic development, rather than just improved transport. It promises to deliver direct, lasting benefits to the economies of both Santiago and Puerto Plata: Santiago acts as the commercial and industrial core of the Cibao region, while Puerto Plata ranks among the Dominican Republic’s top tourist destinations, with world-class beaches, established hotel infrastructure, commercial ports, an international airport, growing real estate development and a coastal corridor with massive untapped expansion potential. A high-speed link between the two provinces will boost domestic visitor flows, streamline freight transport, ease commutes for workers, cut overall logistics costs, and lift land and property values across corridor-adjacent areas. In Puerto Plata, growth will likely be concentrated in Montellano, Gran Parada, Sosúa, Cabarete, the zone surrounding Gregorio Luperón International Airport and developments tied to the Punta Bergantín project. A wide range of local stakeholders stand to benefit, including suppliers, construction firms, tour operators, transport companies, investors, merchants, hoteliers, restaurateurs and residential real estate developers that rely on improved connectivity to Santiago and the rest of the country. One largely underreported aspect of the project is how the Amber Highway aligns with Puerto Plata’s planned new regional tourism map. Punta Bergantín has been positioned as one of the most ambitious projects to revitalize tourism across the North Coast, and large-scale success for the development hinges on reliable, high-speed land connectivity. A modern highway from Santiago will streamline access for investors, visitors, employees, suppliers, construction contractors and supporting service providers heading to the development, while also strengthening Gregorio Luperón International Airport’s position as a more convenient travel terminal for residents and visitors across the Cibao region. If the airport can establish an effective high-speed link to Santiago, Puerto Plata will be able to compete far more effectively as a combined air and tourism gateway for much of the Dominican Republic’s northern territory. The project is being advanced by the Dominican Ministry of Public Works and Communications through the RD Vial Trust. The national public tender, identified as FIDEICOMISO-CCC-LPN-2025-0010, aims to award a contract for both the design and construction of the full highway. Initially, the deadline for proposal submission was set for March 2026, but officials extended the deadline to May to encourage broader participation and strengthen competition among interested construction groups. Following the extension, RD Vial confirmed that it had received and opened technical proposals (Envelope A of the bidding process) from three competing consortia: Consorcio Autopista del Ámbar, Consorcio AutoAmbar, and Consorcio Ruta del Ámbar. To ensure transparency, the bid opening stage included oversight from a Citizen Oversight Commission, public notaries, bidder representatives and members of the Purchasing and Contracting Committee. As of the latest update, no final award has been announced. The process has advanced to evaluation of the submitted technical proposals, with opening of financial bids from qualified participants and the final contract award still pending. The total estimated cost of the Amber Highway project exceeds RD$32 billion, making it one of the largest and most impactful road infrastructure investments in the Dominican Republic’s recent history. However, the project’s value extends far beyond its construction price tag. Its true significance lies in its potential to reshape economic development across the North, integrate two of the country’s most important provinces, and unlock tourism growth in a region rich with natural, cultural and real estate assets. For Santiago, the highway delivers a long-sought direct route to the Atlantic coast. For Puerto Plata, it creates a far stronger connection to the Cibao region’s economic engine. For Sosúa, Cabarete and Montellano, it could open the door to an entirely new era of growth and development. Even as regional stakeholders express enthusiasm for the project, success will require proactive planning to address emerging challenges. A project of this scale will bring transformative development, but also complex new pressures. Municipalities across Montellano, Gran Parada, Sosúa and Cabarete will need to update land use planning, enforce zoning controls, upgrade drainage infrastructure, expand road safety measures, regulate new access points, strengthen environmental protections and expand public services to accommodate incoming growth. As connectivity improves, pressure from real estate, commercial and tourism development will rise. When managed strategically, this growth can deliver a once-in-a-generation economic boost, but unplanned growth can lead to urban disorder if local governments are not prepared to accommodate new development. The Amber Highway has the potential to redraw the Dominican Republic’s northern economic map, but its long-term success will depend on far more than just asphalt. It will require intentional planning, sustained transparency, high-quality construction, and collaborative effort to help local communities integrate new development opportunities effectively.

  • BiMPay praised as credit unions call for further reform

    BiMPay praised as credit unions call for further reform

    Barbados has entered a new era of digital finance with the official launch of BiMPay, the nation’s first domestic instant payment system, an initiative celebrated by financial leaders across the country even as key sector representatives highlight unresolved structural barriers holding back cooperative and small business growth. The launch event, hosted Friday evening at the Central Bank of Barbados, brought together major stakeholders from commercial banking and the credit union movement to mark the milestone. Glendon Belle, chief executive officer of City of Bridgetown Co-operative Credit Union Limited—one of the largest credit unions in Barbados—opened his remarks by framing BiMPay as a transformative step forward for the island’s financial inclusion goals. For credit unions, which center their mission on serving community members rather than just maximizing shareholder profits, innovation is defined not by raw financial returns, but by expanding access to financial tools and delivering measurable improvements to members’ daily lives, Belle explained. Against that backdrop, he called BiMPay a major win for the entire sector. Even with the progress represented by the new payment platform, Belle emphasized that long-standing structural challenges continue to stifle the growth of Barbados’ credit union movement. The most persistent issue, he noted, is the widespread reluctance among many Barbadian employers to route employees’ salary deposits directly into credit union-held accounts. This practice artificially restricts membership growth, blocks efforts to expand financial inclusion across the country, and holds back the expansion of credit unions, which focus heavily on serving working people and small community businesses. To address this gap, Belle argued that BiMPay offers a workable workaround: its secure, real-time transaction infrastructure creates clearer, more connected links between employers, workers, and all types of authorized financial institutions, reducing friction that has kept credit unions sidelined for years. Turning to the critical role of micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in Barbados’ economy, Belle noted that more than half of the island’s MSEs generate less than $100,000 in annual revenue, with many operating on thin profit margins or sustaining consistent losses. Far from being peripheral players, these small businesses are the backbone of the national economy, representing every local community and driving grassroots employment, he said. This reality makes clear that access to capital alone is not enough to support small business growth; MSEs also need efficient, low-cost, fast financial infrastructure that enables them to improve their bottom lines and scale over time. To unlock further growth, Belle called on policymakers to grant credit unions formal access to Barbados’ Credit Guarantee Fund. He explained that this access would allow credit unions to expand responsible lending to viable small businesses, while lowering the financing barriers that currently prevent many promising MSEs from growing. Belle also praised ongoing efforts to integrate foreign exchange transaction capabilities into the evolving BiMPay framework, noting that this feature will let small Barbadian businesses engage more easily and effectively in regional and international trade. When paired together, these policy and infrastructure advances will position credit unions as full-service, comprehensive financial partners for all segments of the Barbadian economy, Belle said. Beyond benefits for businesses, he added that instant payments through BiMPay will cut transaction costs for merchants, speed up cash flow via immediate transaction settlement, simplify routine financial operations for small operators, and give individual consumers real-time control over their personal finances. Shimon McIntosh, president of the Barbados Bankers Association, joined Belle in celebrating the launch, calling the new system a landmark achievement for the entire Barbadian financial sector. “Today we celebrate a watershed moment in Barbados’ financial journey,” McIntosh said, crediting months of cross-sector collaboration between the Central Bank of Barbados, licensed commercial banks, and participating credit unions for turning the BiMPay project from a concept into a fully functional platform. Delivering a nationwide instant payment system was no small feat, McIntosh emphasized: teams across sectors worked countless long hours and overnight shifts to integrate disparate existing banking and credit union platforms, complete rigorous third-party and user testing, and ensure BiMPay meets the most stringent global security and performance standards. McIntosh stressed that BiMPay is far more than a routine technological upgrade for the island’s financial system. Instead, it acts as a catalyst for expanded economic opportunity, greater financial empowerment for all Barbadians, and broad-based national progress. Drawing a comparison to globally recognized, high-impact instant payment systems including Brazil’s Pix and India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI), McIntosh noted that Barbados is now part of a fast-growing global movement of nations leveraging real-time digital payments to drive economic transformation. The Barbadian banking sector views BiMPay as a pivotal leap forward for the country, he added, and it reflects the entire financial industry’s shared commitment to innovation, cross-sector collaboration, and keeping Barbados’ financial system competitive in an increasingly digital global economy.

  • Antigua and Barbuda Strengthens MICE Presence at FIEXPO Latin America 2026

    Antigua and Barbuda Strengthens MICE Presence at FIEXPO Latin America 2026

    Against a backdrop of growing global competition in business tourism, Antigua and Barbuda is making a strategic push to expand its share of the international meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) market, with its participation in FIEXPO marking a key milestone in this effort. The industry gathering serves as a critical networking hub, bringing together international meeting organizers, professional association leaders, and top decision-makers from the global business events sector. For the Caribbean nation, this platform opens new doors to forge mutually beneficial partnerships and draw an increased stream of high-value business events to its shores.

    Addressing attendees and stakeholders, Minister of Tourism Hon. H. Charles Fernandez formally welcomed all participants to the country’s exhibition space, and emphasized the outsized role the MICE segment plays in the nation’s long-term tourism development roadmap. Unlike traditional leisure travel, business events drive consistent off-season visitation, higher per-visitor spending, and cross-sector economic spillovers that align with the government’s goals for sustainable, diversified tourism growth, Fernandez noted.

    Antigua and Barbuda’s participation in FIEXPO comes on the heels of a prestigious industry accolade that underscores its rising standing in the global MICE space: the country was recently named Caribbean’s Leading Meetings & Conference Destination 2025 by the World Travel Awards, one of the most respected recognition programs in the global travel and tourism industry. This award not only validates the nation’s ongoing investments in modern event infrastructure and high-quality hospitality services but also cements its reputation as a top-tier destination capable of hosting world-class business gatherings of all sizes.

  • Warning against ‘attacks without proof’

    Warning against ‘attacks without proof’

    In the wake of controversial parliamentary remarks from Trinidad and Tobago’s Attorney General John Jeremie, top leaders from the American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago (AMCHAM T&T) have publicly pushed back against unsubstantiated attacks on societal groups, while renewing longstanding calls for systemic accountability to address white-collar crime and rebuild public trust in national institutions.

    Jeremie drew widespread attention Wednesday during a parliamentary address when he revealed that the U.S. government had revoked visas for multiple individuals linked to what he labeled the “1%” group in the country. Citing the nation’s Anti-Gang Act, which defines a gang as any grouping of two or more people, Jeremie explicitly framed the so-called 1% as a criminal gang.

    Speaking to reporters Tuesday following AMCHAM T&T’s 33rd annual general meeting and business forum held at Port of Spain’s Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre, AMCHAM T&T CEO Nirad Tewarie pushed back against the claims, warning that baseless attacks on any organized group create unnecessary division that undermines collective progress toward a stronger Trinidad and Tobago.

    “Every group, no matter how it is defined, will always have a small number of outliers who act outside shared norms,” Tewarie said. “But by and large, the Trinidad and Tobago business community is deeply invested in this country’s success, and we remain committed to working toward shared prosperity for all residents now and in the years ahead.”

    Beyond its response to Jeremie’s comments, the chamber used its annual forum to amplify urgent calls for decisive action against white-collar crime, arguing that consistent, high-profile prosecutions and greater institutional accountability are the only paths to restoring eroded public confidence in the nation’s justice system and government bodies.

    AMCHAM T&T President Anna Henderson noted that a small number of successful, public convictions of prominent white-collar offenders would make an outsize difference in rebuilding trust, at a moment when large swathes of the public already doubt whether core national institutions are functioning properly. Over recent years, the organization has put forward multiple policy proposals to strengthen the country’s Financial Intelligence Unit, implement robust public procurement regulations, and overhaul the criminal justice system to improve outcomes.

    Henderson’s call echoes previous demands from former AMCHAM T&T president Stuart Franco, who made tackling white-collar crime a core priority during his tenure in early 2024. Franco repeatedly emphasized that transparency and accountability are non-negotiable foundations for boosting investor confidence and repairing public trust in national leadership.

    A key urgent priority the chamber highlighted is addressing crippling staffing shortages in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Henderson referenced recent public comments from DPP Roger Gaspard, SC, confirming the office continues to grapple with severe understaffing that delays cases and undermines the delivery of timely, fair justice.

    “We again urge the government to prioritize fully staffing the DPP’s Office, as this is a critical, non-negotiable step toward building a properly functioning criminal justice system that delivers fair, timely justice for all,” Henderson said.

    Henderson explained that the push for accountability stems from broader, growing societal concerns: plummeting public confidence in institutions and rising frustration across all segments of the population.
    “Families are buckling under the pressure of skyrocketing living costs, young people can see few clear pathways to economic opportunity, and communities across the country remain gripped by fear of violent crime,” she said. “Beyond the daily headlines and economic data, there is a deeper, widespread sense that meaningful progress is slipping out of reach for too many people.”

    She stressed that crime, economic insecurity, public distrust, and social frustration are deeply interconnected challenges that demand coordinated, collaborative solutions from both the public and private sectors. At their core, these issues stem from a simple public desire: to know that national systems work as intended, that leadership is credible, and that hard work still creates opportunities for upward mobility.

    “Trust cannot exist without transparency, and confidence cannot grow without accountability,” Henderson emphasized. “If we want citizens to believe in their institutions again, institutions must prove they are worthy of that belief. If we want businesses to invest confidently in our future, we need a policy environment that is stable, transparent, and efficient.”

    Turning to the country’s economic outlook, Henderson noted that Trinidad and Tobago is entering a make-or-break period, with new projections pointing to expanded natural gas supplies over the next three years. While economic diversification remains a key long-term goal, the energy sector will continue to anchor the nation’s economy for the foreseeable future, and this emerging opportunity cannot be wasted.

    “This is a critical window of opportunity for our country, but opportunity alone is not enough,” she said. “We must act immediately now to turn possibility into tangible, lasting success. That means building the stable conditions that make long-term investment viable, securing reliable markets for our natural gas, and working collaboratively across borders when needed to ensure upstream producers, LNG operators, domestic downstream industries, and all participating partner countries share in the benefits of this growth.”

  • BiMPay goes live: Barbados launches instant digital payments system

    BiMPay goes live: Barbados launches instant digital payments system

    Barbados has marked a major milestone in its digital economic evolution with the official launch of BiMPay, the country’s first national instant payment infrastructure, which now enables round-the-clock, real-time money transfers for individuals, private businesses and public sector agencies across the island nation.

    The launch ceremony, held as an informal “Go-Live Pyjama Party” on Friday evening, saw Prime Minister Mia Mottley complete the system’s first public live transaction: purchasing a burger from a local small business owner. In her remarks shortly after the transaction, Mottley emphasized that in an always-connected global economy, a country that restricts financial transactions to standard business hours cedes critical economic opportunity.

    Calling the launch a source of national pride, the Prime Minister noted that BiMPay is just the latest in a string of new digital public and private services rolled out across Barbados in recent weeks, with more initiatives planned to fully integrate the island into a comprehensive digital national framework in the coming months.

    Mottley pointed to other ongoing digital transformation projects already delivering results for Barbados, including telemedicine partnerships that have cut through a critical backlog of diagnostic reads at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Through a collaboration with medical specialists in India, the country has leveraged cross-border digital connectivity to significantly reduce wait times for X-ray and CT scan reviews, addressing gaps created by a persistent domestic skills shortage.

    “Addressing our national skills deficit is my top ongoing priority,” Mottley explained. “We do not have enough skilled workers locally to meet all our needs, so we are turning to technology to augment our capacity and keep our economy moving. Beyond closing skills gaps, digital infrastructure like BiMPay makes it possible to do business at any time, breaking down the old barriers of clock and calendar.”

    The Prime Minister also outlined two key public benefits of the new instant payment system: it will reduce opportunities for financial-related crime by cutting reliance on unrecorded cash transactions, and it will build a formal digital transaction history for micro-enterprises and informal workers who have historically struggled to access formal credit from financial institutions. From neighborhood shopkeepers and auto mechanics to itinerant coconut vendors, Mottley emphasized that BiMPay was designed to serve marginalized groups that have long been excluded from formal financial infrastructure.

    Dr. Kevin Greenidge, Governor of the Central Bank of Barbados, added that BiMPay has been two years in development, with plans for ongoing expansion to eventually fully integrate all government agencies into the system. Currently, six commercial banks, three credit unions, the Barbados Stock Exchange and the Accountant General’s Office have already connected to the new infrastructure.

    Greenidge noted that a modern, competitive economy cannot thrive on outdated payment infrastructure. “Whether it is a family sending funds to a child studying abroad, a small vendor waiting for payment to restock inventory, or a business needing immediate access to working capital, people and enterprises can no longer afford to wait days for transactions to clear,” he said. “Beyond improving daily financial activity, BiMPay creates the foundational infrastructure we need to grow a dynamic, competitive fintech sector that will drive future economic growth for Barbados.”

  • Chamber Says Business Community Been Preparing For OSH

    Chamber Says Business Community Been Preparing For OSH

    Nearly a month of gridlock in the Belizean Senate has left the landmark Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Bill in limbo, but government officials and private sector leaders are aligning on a path forward for the landmark worker protection legislation. As the bill advances through committee review, Attorney General Anthony Sylvestre has confirmed that the administration is proceeding with deliberate caution, noting that outstanding technical details — particularly provisions tailored to the domestic worker sector — still require final negotiation and refinement.

    While legislative negotiations wrap up, Belize’s business community has already invested substantial time and capital to align with the bill’s new requirements, according to top leaders of the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI). William Usher, BCCI Vice President, told reporters that the private sector has been deeply involved in the drafting and consultation process from its earliest stages, meaning the business community is far from unprepared for the law’s rollout.

    “This legislation isn’t coming as a surprise to any of us,” Usher explained. “It has gone through years of extensive stakeholder consultation, with heavy input from the private sector at every turn. The BCCI has conducted deep, line-by-line reviews of the full text of the bill, and we recognize that any comprehensive regulatory framework of this scale will require ongoing adjustments and open dialogue between government and industry.”

    Throughout the multi-year consultation process, the BCCI has prioritized connecting with its member network to collect on-the-ground feedback, flag implementation challenges, and ensure small and medium business perspectives are included in final negotiations. While Usher acknowledged that preparation levels vary across sectors and business sizes — with smaller operations facing a steeper climb to meet new standards — he emphasized that a majority of business owners recognize the long-term value of upgrading national workplace safety standards, and have begun adapting their policies accordingly.

    Notably, many of Belize’s largest established firms have already adopted safety protocols that go beyond the minimum requirements laid out in the current version of the bill. “Companies like BEL, Santander, and BSI have already invested in robust safety frameworks that exceed what this legislation mandates,” Usher noted. “These leading firms show that higher safety standards are not just achievable, but beneficial for businesses across the country.”

    The BCCI is not only tracking the bill’s passage through the Senate, but also pushing for clear, phased implementation guidance to help businesses adjust. All provisions of the OSH Bill will not take effect simultaneously once passed, a structure that the Chamber has supported to give businesses time to adapt to new requirements.

  • BYD Launches SUV Promising Relief at Pump

    BYD Launches SUV Promising Relief at Pump

    As Belizean consumers grapple with steeply rising fuel prices and growing uncertainty over long-term fuel supply, Chinese automotive giant BYD has officially launched its latest plug-in hybrid midsize SUV in the Central American nation, positioning the new model as a accessible, cost-cutting solution for everyday drivers.

    The launch, held on June 12, 2026, comes at a critical juncture for Belize, where sudden fuel price hikes have put unprecedented financial strain on household transportation budgets. BYD Belize, the official authorized distributor for the BYD brand in the country, introduced the BYD Song Plus—a plug-in hybrid electric SUV designed to combine the emissions and cost benefits of electric driving with the flexibility of a traditional gasoline engine for longer trips.

    In an interview following the launch, BYD Belize Managing Director Ryan Marin, a 14-year veteran of the new vehicle industry, emphasized that the timing of the brand’s market expansion could not be better matched to Belize’s current energy challenges. “Not only is fuel prices an issue, but the availability of fuel down the road,” Marin noted. “BYD is actually inventing a product that solves a serious problem. And the solution is to have electrified mobility that customers can have a charger installed at their home or use the public network and basically be free of having to go the gas station or depend on the high gas prices plaguing us right now.”

    Marin highlighted a key gap the brand aims to fill in Belize’s auto market: for years, affordable, reliable new vehicles with strong after-sales support have remained out of reach for many consumers. BYD’s core goal, he explained, is to expand accessible options for local buyers, delivering safer vehicles backed by a dedicated local support team. Unlike fully electric vehicles that may cause range anxiety in smaller markets with uneven charging infrastructure, the BYD Song Plus is engineered as an electric-first vehicle with a backup gasoline engine, allowing drivers to travel across any region of Belize—from coastal Placencia to northern Corozal and southern Punta Gorda—without worrying about charging access or range. The gasoline engine only activates when needed, delivering exceptional fuel efficiency for daily and long-distance use.

    As the official authorized distributor, BYD Belize customers are eligible for a manufacturer-backed 8-year or 150,000-kilometer warranty, providing long-term peace of mind for buyers making the switch to electrified mobility. Industry observers note that the launch marks a growing shift toward alternative energy vehicles in small Caribbean and Central American markets, where volatile global fuel prices have made electrified transportation an increasingly attractive option for cost-conscious consumers.