Carib Scope

分类： business

  • Frankfurt to Belize: Germany Gets Its Own Flight to the Jewel

    Frankfurt to Belize: Germany Gets Its Own Flight to the Jewel

    Belize’s tourism sector is set for a major European boost with the announcement of a brand-new direct air connection linking Frankfurt, Germany, and Belize City, set to launch in December 2027. The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) made the official confirmation this week, revealing that Germany’s Discover Airlines, a leisure-focused carrier under the Lufthansa Group umbrella, will operate the groundbreaking route.

    The service is structured as a seasonal offering, aligned to capitalize on peak travel demand between the two regions. Starting December 16, 2027, flights will run twice weekly, every Thursday and Sunday, continuing through mid-April 2028. This timeline is no coincidence: it matches perfectly with Belize’s popular dry season, when warm, sunny weather draws international visitors, and coincides with the winter holiday and travel period for European tourists looking to escape colder climates.

    For Belize, this new route marks a key milestone in the country’s long-term tourism strategy. Anthony Mahler, Belize’s Minister of Tourism, Youth, Sports and Diaspora Relations, emphasized that the connection directly supports the nation’s goal to diversify its international tourism source markets and expand its global air access network.

    “This new service carries profound strategic weight for Belize’s tourism industry as we work to grow our source market base and improve international connectivity,” Mahler explained. “Strengthening our footprint across Europe has been a core priority for our team, and this direct link from Frankfurt opens unprecedented doors to attract more travelers from Germany and surrounding European countries. At the same time, it makes it far simpler for visitors to experience everything Belize has to offer, from our globally famous Barrier Reef and untouched tropical islands to our dense, biodiverse rainforests, centuries-old ancient Maya archaeological sites, and our vibrant, one-of-a-kind cultural heritage.”

    Beyond just adding a new travel option, the route creates a permanent new gateway for European travelers accessing Belize, connecting the Central American nation to a network of key European travel markets through Frankfurt’s major international hub. Discover Airlines, which launched operations in summer 2021 and already operates regular leisure flights from both Frankfurt and Munich across the globe, was selected as the ideal partner for this expansion.

    Moving forward, the BTB plans to collaborate closely with Discover Airlines and local and regional tourism industry stakeholders to raise Belize’s profile across the European travel market, drive increased visitor numbers from the region, and capitalize on the new connection to deliver long-term economic benefits for Belize’s tourism-dependent economy.

  • CJIA retains top regional ranking in airport service quality survey

    CJIA retains top regional ranking in airport service quality survey

    Guyana’s Cheddi Jagan International Airport Corporation (CJIAC) announced on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 that its primary international gateway has maintained its title as the highest-rated airport for service quality across Latin America and the Caribbean. The ranking comes from the latest third-quarter 2026 results of the global Airport Service Quality (ASQ) survey, an industry-leading benchmarking program managed by the Airports Council International (ACI) to measure real passenger satisfaction with airport operations worldwide.

    In an official statement, CJIAC explained that the top ranking is drawn from direct passenger feedback across a full range of critical service metrics. These metrics cover the entirety of the passenger travel experience, including the efficiency of check-in and security screening processes, overall facility cleanliness, in-terminal climate comfort, clarity of directional signage, and the attitude and helpfulness of on-site frontline staff.

    Ramesh Ghir, Chief Executive Officer of CJIAC, called the consecutive top regional ranking a landmark achievement for every stakeholder that contributes to the airport’s daily operations. Ghir attributed the continued success to the consistent dedication of frontline employees, security teams, immigration officials, and partnering airline carriers. He reaffirmed that as passenger volumes through the airport continue to rise alongside Guyana’s growing global connectivity, CJIAC remains unwavering in its commitment to upholding the highest service standards for all travelers.

    Deodat Indar, Guyana’s Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, noted that the recognition is also a reflection of the national government’s sustained investment in aviation infrastructure and its long-term strategy to establish Guyana as a leading regional aviation hub. Indar stressed that ongoing infrastructure investment, paired with continuous efforts to refine on-the-ground services, is foundational to delivering consistently positive travel experiences for both domestic and international passengers.

    This top ranking comes amid a period of aggressive infrastructure expansion and modernization at Cheddi Jagan International Airport, all designed to accommodate rapidly growing international passenger traffic. Current improvement projects include full rehabilitation of airport runways and taxiways, expansion of total terminal passenger capacity, upgrades to modernized boarding bridges, installation of automated baggage handling systems, and comprehensive enhancements to airfield and security infrastructure.

    Additional upgrades to in-terminal commercial retail and dining spaces, premium executive lounges, and parallel growth of hospitality offerings in the surrounding airport area are all supporting the airport’s broader modernization agenda, positioning it to handle further growth in passenger volumes in coming years.

  • Radisson Grenada Beach Resort opportunity: Executive Chef

    Radisson Grenada Beach Resort opportunity: Executive Chef

    One of Grenada’s prominent hospitality destinations, Radisson Grenada Beach Resort, has announced an opening for a seasoned, results-driven Executive Chef to join its leadership team and elevate the property’s culinary offerings. This key leadership role is centered on delivering welcoming, high-quality service for both guests and internal staff, with the successful candidate taking ownership of every aspect of the resort’s culinary operations, team management, quality assurance, and financial performance.

    The core responsibilities of the position cover a broad range of culinary and operational tasks. On a day-to-day basis, the Executive Chef will direct all kitchen activity across every dining outlet on the property, working to uphold consistent, efficient, and premium food service standards. They will also be tasked with developing and rolling out creative seasonal menus, paired with refined plating and presentation concepts that align with the resort’s luxury brand identity.

    Financial stewardship is a core pillar of the role: the Executive Chef will manage food costs, portion sizing, and inventory levels to optimize kitchen profitability, while conducting daily line checks and food tastings to ensure every dish meets strict standards for flavor, quality, and visual consistency. Strict adherence to global food safety protocols is non-negotiable, with the role requiring ongoing enforcement of HACCP regulations, local public health policies, and the resort’s internal hygiene and sanitation standards.

    As the leader of the kitchen team, the successful candidate will be responsible for scheduling, training, performance management, payroll administration, and ongoing professional development for all culinary staff. They will also oversee the maintenance and security of all kitchen equipment and property, proactively reporting maintenance issues and tracking repairs until they are fully resolved. Beyond kitchen operations, the Executive Chef will collaborate closely with the resort’s executive leadership team to align culinary strategy with the property’s broader business goals, coordinate with the inventory department to monitor stock par levels, address slow-moving items, uphold FIFO inventory standards, and prepare annual and quarterly budget projections.

    The role also requires close partnership with the human resources department, providing input on hiring decisions, promotions, staff transfers, and disciplinary actions. Above all, the Executive Chef is expected to embody the Radisson brand’s “Yes I Can!” service philosophy, delivering professional, personalized, service-focused interactions with all guests and team members to consistently exceed visitor expectations, while regularly reviewing and updating departmental policies and operational procedures to improve efficiency.

    To be considered for the position, candidates must meet a set of clear minimum requirements. Academically, applicants need to hold a recognized culinary degree or diploma, and possess in-depth knowledge of HACCP guidelines, public health regulations, and safe food handling and storage practices. They must have expert-level command of professional cooking techniques, recipe development, seasonal menu design, large-scale buffet arrangement, and plating aesthetics, alongside a thorough understanding of food cost budgeting, portion control principles, par level management, and standard inventory practices. Familiarity with departmental payroll management, staff scheduling, attendance tracking, and formal performance management processes, as well as knowledge of Radisson’s brand operating procedures, hospitality service frameworks, and brand identity guidelines, is also required.

    Key soft and technical skills for the role include proven ability to lead multicultural kitchen teams and provide mentoring, coaching, and skills training to junior staff, strong menu engineering and food costing ability, expertise in guest experience management, excellent communication, creative problem-solving, adaptability and innovation, and intermediate-level proficiency with common digital and computer tools.

    Candidates are required to have 7 to 10 years of professional experience working in the culinary industry. The role also has specific physical requirements: candidates must be able to stand for extended working periods, occasionally lift, push or pull items weighing up to 50 pounds, and interpret technical instructions and diagrams accurately.

    The recruitment process for this position is being managed exclusively by J’s HR Consultancy. Interested applicants must submit their application, including a cover letter, curriculum vitae in either Word or PDF format, and contact details for three professional references (preferably past employers), via email only to opportunitiesnow6@gmail.com with the subject line “Executive Chef”. The submission deadline for applications is 6 November 2026. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further interviews. This posting is featured on NOW Grenada, which notes that it is not responsible for the opinions, statements or content shared by contributing recruiters, and provides a reporting channel for any abusive content associated with the posting.

  • Braganza: Uitblijven grootschalige landbouw in Suriname gemiste kans

    Braganza: Uitblijven grootschalige landbouw in Suriname gemiste kans

    As neighboring Guyana makes notable progress expanding regional agricultural exports, a major Surinamese agribusiness is calling attention to costly delays in its own plan to launch large-scale commercial farming, warning the nation is missing a critical opportunity to boost food security and claim a share of the Caribbean market.

    Lionel Blokland, director of Braganza Marketing Group NV, told local media outlet Starnieuws that his firm has spent more than four years trying to move forward with a large-scale maize and soy production project in partnership with Mennonite farmers, but is still waiting for clarity and formal support from the Surinamese government. The project, planned for development in the Tibiti and Kabalebo regions, would target both domestic demand and potential regional export opportunities, aligning with a broader regional shift toward cutting import dependence and boosting local food production.

    Blokland pointed to Guyana’s recent milestones as proof of the untapped potential Suriname is leaving on the table. Last week, Guyanese Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha announced the country had officially launched maize and soy exports to Barbados, marking a key milestone in the nation’s strategy to cut reliance on imported food and position itself as a leading regional agricultural supplier. The shift is already delivering tangible economic benefits: Guyana saves an estimated $40 million annually by reducing imports of these core commodities and their derived products, government data shows.

    Guyana’s agricultural expansion has already reduced national imports of high-demand fresh produce including cauliflower, lettuce, bell peppers, broccoli, and carrots by roughly 90 percent, and the country is now working to scale up domestic onion production to cut onion imports as well. It has even ended imports of bananas from Suriname, a shift that underscores rising competition within the Caribbean’s agricultural sector. Blokland noted that Guyana has rapidly emerged as the de facto breadbasket of the Caribbean, and argued Suriname holds the same potential to scale domestic output and capture a significant share of the regional market.

    “Our goal is to supply the Surinamese people and local manufacturing sector with food products, and export any surplus – we shouldn’t have to rely on neighbors or Barbados to meet our own needs,” Blokland explained.

    Local communities in Suriname’s Sipaliwini district have publicly thrown their support behind the project. Earlier this week, Blokland joined representatives of the Witagron community as they submitted a formal petition to the national government and National Assembly, urging officials to back the partnership between Braganza, Mennonite farmers, and local residents. Petition organizers highlighted the project’s potential to create new local jobs, upgrade regional infrastructure, and drive inclusive economic growth for local communities, while emphasizing the project will fully comply with all national regulations including mandatory environmental impact assessments.

    The petition will be debated in parliament, according to NDP parliamentary leader Rabin Parmessar, who noted he was still awaiting key project documents from the firm. Blokland pushed back on this claim, confirming that Braganza has already shared all required documentation with Parmessar, and says the company stands ready to provide any additional materials that may be requested to move the process forward.

    For Suriname, the stakes of the decision are high, Blokland emphasized. A green light for the project would strengthen the nation’s food security, support domestic industrial development, and create new revenue streams through regional exports. With neighboring Guyana already moving aggressively to capture regional market share, Blokland says the Surinamese government cannot afford to delay the project any longer.

  • Gas prices for Octoer 2026

    Gas prices for Octoer 2026

    The Ministry of Finance of Grenada has issued an official public announcement outlining adjusted retail prices for key petroleum products across the island nation, including its sister islands Carriacou and Petite Martinique, which will go into effect starting Sunday, October 18, 2026.

    Under the new pricing framework, two of the country’s most widely used transportation fuels, gasoline and diesel, will retain their current retail price of $17.00 per Imperial Gallon (IG) with no changes. The third processed fuel, kerosene, will see a modest 14 cent per IG increase, bringing its standardized retail price to $17.00 per IG across the entire nation. This adjustment aligns with a key policy commitment made in the 2023 national budget speech, which called for full price harmonization of gasoline, diesel, and kerosene across Grenada’s territory.

    For liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), commonly referred to as cooking gas, pricing adjustments vary by container size and island location. On mainland Grenada, the 20-pound LPG cylinder will keep its current $40.00 price tag, while the larger 100-pound cylinder will rise by $29.95 to a new retail price of $350.00. Bulk-purchased LPG on the mainland will see a 30-cent per pound increase from $3.30 to $3.60 per pound. In Carriacou and Petite Martinique, 20-pound cylinders also remain unchanged at $49.00, while 100-pound cylinders get a $16.00 increase to $363.00, and bulk LPG follows the same 30-cent per pound increase seen on the mainland, climbing to $3.60 per pound.

    Officials from the Ministry of Finance confirmed that the new retail prices were calculated using established transparent methodology. Prices for gasoline, diesel, and kerosene are derived from the average of actual procurement costs, plus freight and insurance rates accumulated during the assessment period from September 14 to October 9, 2026. For LPG pricing, regulators used the average Caribbean market postings from Platts, a leading global energy price benchmark provider, over the same assessment window.

    As all petroleum products remain classified as price-controlled goods in Grenada, the announcement stresses that no licensed retailer is permitted to deviate from the officially posted prices. To protect consumers from arbitrary price hikes, the government has encouraged residents to immediately report any suspected cases of overpricing to the Price Control and Consumer Affairs Unit, housed within the Ministry of Legal Affairs, Labour and Consumer Affairs, via the dedicated hotline at 435-1459.

    The Ministry added that it will maintain continuous monitoring of global and regional petroleum market trends, and stands ready to implement policy interventions if market conditions push benchmark prices for gasoline, diesel, or kerosene above the $17.00 per IG threshold, to keep consumer costs stable.

    This announcement was published via NOW Grenada, which notes it is not responsible for any third-party contributor content, and provides a channel for users to report abusive content.

  • Firms to decide whether to remain VAT-registered

    Firms to decide whether to remain VAT-registered

    A planned increase to Barbados’ mandatory value-added tax (VAT) registration threshold, originally scheduled to launch on October 1, has been pushed back as legislative drafting work remains ongoing, Finance Minister Ryan Straughn has confirmed. The reform, first announced as part of the March 16 national budget presented to the House of Assembly, would raise the minimum annual turnover requiring mandatory VAT registration from the current $200,000 to $350,000, but procedural adjustments have delayed its implementation.

    Straughn revealed to local outlet Barbados TODAY that the bill enacting the threshold adjustment is still being finalized, with competing policy priorities forcing a shift in the government’s legislative timeline. Despite the delay, he projected that the regulatory change will be completed within the coming weeks, in advance of the start of the next national financial year. Until the new legislation is formally enacted, the existing $200,000 threshold remains fully in effect, meaning any business with an annual turnover exceeding that figure is legally required to register for VAT. For context, Straughn cited the example of a firm earning $300,000 in annual turnover: even though this falls below the proposed $350,000 threshold, the business must still register for VAT under current rules.

    Once the higher threshold does take effect, currently registered businesses that fall below the new $350,000 cap will be given the option to opt out of VAT registration. New startups with turnover below the higher limit will also not face mandatory VAT registration based on revenue, though Straughn emphasized that all businesses, regardless of size, are still required to register with the Barbados Revenue Authority (BRA) to meet other core tax obligations, including corporate income tax and payroll tax withholding for employees. All registered businesses receive a universal tax number that covers all tax types, and turnover only determines whether mandatory VAT registration applies.

    In a key clarification for businesses considering opting out, Straughn warned that any firm that chooses to leave the VAT system is prohibited from continuing to charge VAT to customers. Continuing to add VAT to consumer pricing after opting out constitutes fraudulent activity, the minister stressed. He added that the decision to stay in or leave the VAT system after the threshold increase is a business calculation: many firms below the current threshold already choose to register voluntarily, because VAT registration allows businesses to reclaim VAT paid on operational inputs, a benefit that can outweigh the administrative burden of VAT compliance for many enterprises.

    Straughn also noted that it is impossible to predict exactly how many businesses will choose to opt out of VAT registration once the threshold is raised, because the final number will depend on individual firms’ cost-benefit analyses of voluntary registration. Official data on the number of businesses remaining in the VAT system will only become available after the reform is fully implemented. The minister described the overall process for adjusting VAT registration status as straightforward, once businesses have completed their internal calculations on the costs and benefits of staying registered.

  • PG Residents Demand Answers as Tropic Air’s Last Flight Nears

    PG Residents Demand Answers as Tropic Air’s Last Flight Nears

    On the morning of October 19, 2026, hundreds of residents and stakeholders from Punta Gorda, a coastal community in Belize’s Toledo District, gathered peacefully at the local airstrip to press authorities for urgent answers about upcoming changes to regional air connectivity. The gathering comes just 12 days before Tropic Air, one of Belize’s leading regional airlines, operates its final scheduled flight into the town on October 31, a shutdown that has left local communities and business leaders facing deep uncertainty.

    Residents and sector representatives stress that their concerns extend far beyond the impact on tourism—reliable air access is a lifeline for the entire Toledo District, enabling emergency medical evacuations, consistent access to critical off-island essential services, and reliable travel for local residents who rely on air links to connect with the rest of Belize. To date, the national government has not released a clear, detailed plan outlining what air services will replace Tropic Air’s existing routes after the end of October, leaving the community in the dark about future connectivity.

    Local tourism industry leaders, who depend on air access to attract international visitors to the district’s remote eco-lodges and coastal attractions, have been particularly vocal about the risks of losing the service. One senior tourism stakeholder explained that most high-end guests to Punta Gorda arrive via air, noting that the overland route to the town is long and arduous for travelers already coming off long international flights from major hubs across the United States. For luxury properties like the Copal Tree Lodge and Garbutt’s, which cater to high-spending international visitors, a lack of convenient air access would be a major deterrent that could drive tourists to other regional destinations, he added.

    Another stakeholder emphasized that scheduled air service to Punta Gorda is non-negotiable for the long-term health of the local tourism economy, calling on the entire community to unite behind efforts to preserve connectivity. Multiple stakeholders placed responsibility for resolving the crisis on the national government, noting that Tropic Air has publicly stated it is ceasing operations to the route due to ongoing financial losses, a business decision that leaves government to facilitate a replacement solution.

    Wil Maheia, a prominent local tourism stakeholder, outlined the lack of progress on negotiations to date. More than two weeks prior, stakeholders held a large coordinating meeting at the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) office, after which the local area representative left to hold talks with leadership from Tropic Air and rival carrier Maya Island Air in San Pedro. The representative committed to follow up meetings with the Tropic Air CEO and present the community’s demands to the national Cabinet, but as of October 19, no official update or response has been shared with stakeholders. Maheia also pointed out a critical gap in the existing plan: even as officials suggest Maya Island Air could take over the route, no infrastructure has been prepared at the Punta Gorda airstrip to support Maya’s expanded operations with less than two weeks remaining before Tropic Air exits.

    Earlier in October, the Belize Airport Authority stated that discussions with Tropic Air had not concluded, and that the agency remains committed to collaborating with the airline, local stakeholders, and other carriers to develop a viable long-term solution for Punta Gorda. As the deadline for service changes approaches, community members say they will continue pressing for a swift, clear resolution to avoid a catastrophic gap in air connectivity for the entire Toledo District.

  • Rising costs, tighter credit squeeze fisherfolk

    Rising costs, tighter credit squeeze fisherfolk

    For generations, fishing has been more than an industry in Barbados—it is a cornerstone of cultural identity, a communal livelihood woven into the fabric of coastal communities like Oistins. But today, a perfect storm of spiking operating expenses, restricted access to capital, and systemic industry changes is pushing small-scale local fisherfolk to the edge of viability, according to interviews with long-time industry operators carried out by Barbados TODAY.

  • Chinese economie groeit 4,5 procent in derde kwartaal, ondanks zwakke binnenlandse vraag

    Chinese economie groeit 4,5 procent in derde kwartaal, ondanks zwakke binnenlandse vraag

    New official data released by China’s National Bureau of Statistics on Monday shows that the world’s second-largest economy delivered stronger-than-forecast growth in the third quarter of 2026, expanding 4.5% year-on-year. The reading marked an acceleration from the 4.3% growth recorded in the second quarter, outpacing the average 4.4% growth forecast by a consensus of economists. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, GDP growth climbed to 1.2%, up from 0.9% in the preceding three-month period.

    For the first nine months of 2026, cumulative economic growth reached 4.6% year-on-year, putting China firmly on track to hit its official full-year growth target of between 4.5% and 5%.

    A deep dive into the growth drivers reveals that the expansion has been heavily fueled by robust exports and a booming high-tech manufacturing sector. Through the first three quarters of the year, total goods exports jumped 16.4% to approximately 23.2 trillion yuan, with machinery, electrical equipment, and other technology-related products leading the gains. Surging global demand for semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI)-related production has further propped up industrial output: the value added of high-tech manufacturing grew 14.3% year-on-year in the first nine months, outpacing the overall industrial production growth of 5.3% for the same period. In September alone, industrial output rose 5.5% year-on-year, with exports also posting a strong monthly gain. The photo accompanying this report shows cargo containers stacked on a vessel at the Ningbo-Zhoushan Port in eastern China’s Zhejiang Province, captured by AFP.

    While this strong export performance has buffered China’s economy against persistent domestic headwinds, it has also left the country exposed to external risks. Dependence on overseas demand makes the economy vulnerable to shifting global trade tensions, potential foreign import restrictions, and any sudden cooling in global demand for technology products, analysts note.

    Domestically, the recovery remains uneven and fragile. Domestic consumer spending has been slow to regain momentum, with retail sales – a key barometer of household consumption – growing just 1.1% year-on-year in September. Cumulative retail sales growth for goods and services through the first nine months hit only 2.6%. This soft consumption growth is closely tied to lingering household economic uncertainty and prolonged troubles in the real estate sector. The ongoing downturn in the housing market has weighed heavily on both consumer and business confidence, leading to more cautious attitudes toward large purchases and capital investments.

    Fixed asset investment, a key indicator of long-term capital spending, also paints a mixed picture. Total fixed asset investment – which covers spending on infrastructure, factories, machinery and property – fell 7.2% year-on-year in the first nine months, with real estate development investment plummeting 20.6% over the same period.

    These figures confirm that China’s current economic expansion is not broadly distributed across all sectors. While advanced technology manufacturing and export-focused industries are booming, traditional growth engines remain under significant pressure.

    The stronger-than-expected Q3 reading has made China’s full-year growth target achievable, but it has also sparked new debate over the long-term sustainability of the current growth trajectory. Economists point out that Beijing must address the economy’s overreliance on export-led growth, as sustained weak domestic demand could eventually drag on long-term development, particularly if global demand for Chinese goods slows in the future.

    Chinese authorities have already rolled out a series of targeted support measures to shore up the economy, including assistance for homebuyers and more favorable credit conditions for key sectors. To date, however, no large-scale new stimulus package has been announced.

    The core challenge facing Beijing now is to maintain steady growth while rebuilding confidence among consumers and private businesses. The third-quarter data offers some temporary relief, but it does not signal a broad, sustained economic recovery. The final quarter of 2026 will prove whether strong exports and high-tech production can fully offset headwinds from the struggling real estate sector, cautious consumer spending, and falling fixed investment.

  • Qatar waarschuwt voor verdere wereldwijde energieschok door oorlog met Iran

    Qatar waarschuwt voor verdere wereldwijde energieschok door oorlog met Iran

    As regional tensions sparked by the ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict continue to roil global energy markets, Qatari Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani has issued a stark warning that the worst economic and energy supply disruptions are still yet to come. Speaking at the Global Security Forum hosted in Doha on Monday, October 19, the senior Qatari official, who also serves as Minister of State for Defense, highlighted that persistent instability in the Strait of Hormuz — the world’s most critical chokepoint for global energy trade — will likely amplify disruptions to energy supplies, international commerce and global economic growth in the coming months.