Carib Scope

分类： business

  • NCB launches Voluntary Separation Programme

    NCB launches Voluntary Separation Programme

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — The National Commercial Bank (NCB) has announced the introduction of a Voluntary Separation Programme (VSP) for eligible staff members across its operations and wholly-owned subsidiaries in Jamaica. The initiative, which will be available from September 23, 2025, to September 29, 2025, is entirely optional and aims to assist employees who are considering alternative career paths or opportunities outside the bank.

    Participants in the VSP will be entitled to a comprehensive package of financial and transitional benefits. These include severance payments, extended health and life insurance coverage, concessions on staff loans, flexible pension options, and the continuation of existing scholarships. NCB has clarified that the programme is not a replacement for redundancy provisions and is unrelated to employee performance. Approval for participation will be contingent on the bank’s business needs.

    In a statement, NCB emphasised its commitment to fairness, transparency, and respect throughout the process. ‘We deeply value the contributions of all our employees and remain dedicated to supporting our team members during this transition,’ the bank stated. The VSP reflects NCB’s proactive approach to workforce management while maintaining its focus on operational efficiency and employee welfare.

  • An AI action plan for business

    An AI action plan for business

    Small Business Week (SBW) 2025 has officially commenced, marking another pivotal moment for the small business sector in Barbados and the wider Caribbean. This year’s theme, ‘Navigating Business in the Age of AI and Digital Trade,’ underscores the urgent need for strategic dialogue and actionable policies to address the transformative impact of artificial intelligence and digital commerce on small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

  • DETAILS: Contour Airlines new flight routes in Dominica start tomorrow

    DETAILS: Contour Airlines new flight routes in Dominica start tomorrow

    Dominica is set to mark a significant milestone in regional aviation as Contour Airlines introduces its first-ever nonstop flights connecting Cyril E. King Airport in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, to Douglas–Charles Airport in Dominica. The inaugural flight, scheduled for September 24, 2025, will be celebrated with a water cannon salute and an official ceremony at the VIP Lounge of Douglas–Charles Airport. This historic route is part of Contour Airlines’ broader initiative to enhance Caribbean connectivity. Starting September 25, 2025, the airline will also launch a round-trip nonstop service between Douglas–Charles Airport and Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Both routes will utilize the airline’s 30-seat regional jets, offering passengers enhanced comfort, in-flight amenities, and reliable connections across the Caribbean and beyond. Hon. Denise Charles-Pemberton, Minister for Tourism, Ports and International Transportation, emphasized the transformative impact of these new routes. ‘With direct flights from St. Thomas and San Juan, Dominica becomes more accessible than ever. Families can reunite more easily, businesses can forge stronger ties, and more visitors can explore the wonders of the Nature Island,’ she stated. The flight schedule includes services from St. Thomas to Dominica on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, and from Dominica to San Juan on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays. The inaugural ceremony will be broadcast live on the Discover Dominica Authority Facebook page at 4:30 PM, allowing the public to virtually participate in this landmark event. As the sole airline offering nonstop jet services to Dominica from the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, Contour Airlines’ new routes are expected to significantly boost tourism, facilitate trade, strengthen family connections, and enhance regional mobility, fostering greater economic growth and international engagement for Dominica.

  • FOREX: $161.04 to one US dollar

    FOREX: $161.04 to one US dollar

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — The US dollar demonstrated a slight upward trend against the Jamaican dollar on Wednesday, September 24, closing at $161.04, marking an increase of 12 cents, as reported by the Bank of Jamaica’s daily exchange trading summary. This marginal rise reflects ongoing fluctuations in the foreign exchange market. In contrast, the Canadian dollar experienced a decline, ending the day at $115.52, down from its previous close of $117.50. Similarly, the British pound saw a minor dip, settling at $216.12 compared to $216.90 the day before. These shifts highlight the dynamic nature of global currency markets, influenced by a range of economic factors and international trade dynamics.

  • Gas prices down $2.60, diesel down $0.54

    Gas prices down $2.60, diesel down $0.54

    KINGSTON, Jamaica—In a welcome development for motorists, fuel prices across Jamaica are set to experience a notable decline starting Thursday, September 25. This adjustment follows the latest ex-refinery pricing data released by Petrojam, the nation’s leading oil refinery. The price of 90-octane gasoline will drop by $2.60, bringing it to $165.82 per litre, while 87-octane gasoline will also see a reduction of $2.60, settling at $158.81 per litre. Automotive diesel fuel will decrease by $0.54, priced at $167.47 per litre, and ultra-low sulphur diesel will see a $0.63 reduction, costing $173.73 per litre. Additionally, kerosene prices will fall by $0.54, making it available at $152.01 per litre. This price adjustment is expected to provide relief to consumers and businesses alike, easing the financial burden of transportation and energy costs.

  • Dushyant Savadia named global leader of the year at AsiaOne event in Dubai

    Dushyant Savadia named global leader of the year at AsiaOne event in Dubai

    DUBAI, UAE — Dushyant Savadia, Founder and CEO of Amber Group, was celebrated as the Global Leader of the Year 2025 at the 26th Asian Business and Social Forum. The prestigious event, organized by AsiaOne Magazine and URS Media, took place on September 19 at the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel in Dubai. The forum, themed ‘Celebrating the Spirit of Asia,’ brought together a diverse assembly of global business leaders, policymakers, diplomats, and investors from Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas.

    In addition to Savadia’s accolade, Amber Connect, a subsidiary of Amber Group, was recognized as one of the World’s Greatest Brands 2025. Savadia, in his acceptance speech, emphasized the importance of service in leadership, stating, ‘Success without service is meaningless. True leadership is measured not just by profits but by the lives we uplift.’

    AsiaOne Magazine lauded Savadia as a transformative figure whose contributions span philanthropy, technology, and entrepreneurship. ‘Mr. Savadia’s work exemplifies service, innovation, and resilience. He has demonstrated how technology can create jobs and address global challenges while remaining committed to local communities,’ the magazine noted.

    The forum highlighted key themes such as bilateral trade, innovation, and cross-continental collaboration. Attendees included ambassadors and dignitaries from the Maldives, Zimbabwe, Guatemala, Kenya, and Indonesia, alongside members of royal families, Emirati cinema icons, and influential business leaders. The event served as a global platform for celebrating progress and fostering international cooperation.

  • Dominican Founders Abroad: We don’t just pitch, we export power

    Dominican Founders Abroad: We don’t just pitch, we export power

    Dominican startups have long been active participants in regional pitch events across Latin America, from Bogotá to Antigua. While these platforms have provided visibility, they have also perpetuated a narrative of Dominican entrepreneurs as guests rather than leaders in the innovation economy. However, a new wave of Dominican ventures is redefining this dynamic, focusing on leverage, infrastructure, and long-term exportability rather than mere visibility.

    Take Extinguisher360, a Dominican startup co-founded by Jonathan Bournigal-Read, which recently earned a spot at Guatemala’s Volcano Summit’s Startup Avenue. While such achievements are commendable, the emerging class of Dominican entrepreneurs is charting a different course. These founders are not just seeking applause; they are architecting systems designed to attract capital, shape policy, and influence markets.

    The traditional pitch circuit, while valuable, has become a treadmill—a system that often filters rather than funds, extracts novelty rather than elevates innovation, and trains startups to seek approval abroad rather than build local ecosystems. This approach, akin to outsourcing, does little to foster sovereign economies.

    The future of Dominican tech lies in ventures that prioritize cross-border monetization, interface with regulation, and collaborate with ministries rather than just mentors. These startups are not just pitching; they are hosting summits, attracting capital, and commanding global attention.

    Three key indicators distinguish these power-building ventures: they raise capital before seeking visibility, shape market behavior rather than merely participate in panels, and create products that fundamentally alter how people spend, earn, or move. When competitors begin to study their models, it’s a sign that these startups have stopped playing the game and started writing the rules.

    As Dominican innovation matures, some startups will continue to tour Latin America’s pitch festivals, while others will focus on building exportable infrastructure that invites the world in rather than begs to be let out. By 2026, the world will fly in to witness what Dominican entrepreneurs have built, marking the transition from guest to host in the global innovation economy.

  • Global Hotelier Avi Phookan to Lead Four Seasons Resort Nevis as New General Manager

    Global Hotelier Avi Phookan to Lead Four Seasons Resort Nevis as New General Manager

    Four Seasons Resort Nevis has announced the appointment of Avi Phookan as its new General Manager, effective September 22, 2025. A distinguished hotelier with a wealth of international experience, Phookan is set to bring his expertise in luxury hospitality and sustainability to the Caribbean destination. His most recent role was as General Manager of Four Seasons Resort Lanai in Hawaii, where he spearheaded innovative guest experiences and championed award-winning environmental initiatives. Phookan expressed his enthusiasm for joining the Nevis team, emphasizing his commitment to honoring the island’s rich heritage, supporting local communities, and delivering exceptional guest experiences that embody the essence of Nevis and the Four Seasons brand. With a career spanning North America, the Middle East, Central America, and the Caribbean, including leadership roles in Grand Cayman and St. Kitts, Phookan’s global perspective and operational acumen are expected to elevate the resort’s standing as a premier luxury destination. A graduate of Institut Hôtelier César Ritz in Switzerland and holder of a certification in Hotel Real Estate Investments and Asset Management from Cornell University, Phookan’s credentials underscore his readiness to lead Four Seasons Resort Nevis into its next chapter of excellence.

  • Arajet increases its flights to the US: it opens a new Orlando Sanford-Punta Cana connection.

    Arajet increases its flights to the US: it opens a new Orlando Sanford-Punta Cana connection.

    Orlando Sanford International Airport has achieved a groundbreaking milestone in air connectivity with the official announcement of Arajet’s new direct service to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, set to commence on October 26, 2025. This marks Arajet as the first Dominican airline to operate from Central Florida and the first international commercial flight in Sanford Airport’s history. The service will feature three weekly flights—on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays—utilizing Arajet’s state-of-the-art Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, offering enhanced connectivity, comfort, and competitive pricing for travelers seeking to explore the Caribbean’s premier tourist destination. The announcement event saw the participation of key figures, including Dominican Republic’s Consul General in Orlando, Antonio Rosario, who emphasized the significance of this route for the Dominican diaspora. Sanford International Airport officials, including Executive President Nicole Guillet Martz and Board Members Kenneth Bentley and Benny Crosby, also celebrated the economic and connectivity benefits for Central Florida. Arajet’s Vice President of Communications and External Relations, Manuel Luna, reiterated the airline’s commitment to connecting the diaspora with their roots and positioning the Dominican Republic as a Caribbean hub. Jessica Weinerth, Arajet’s Vice President of Sales and Distribution, highlighted the airline’s expansive network, which now connects 28 destinations across 13 countries in the Americas and the Caribbean. Raquel Reyes, Director of the Dominican Republic Tourism Promotion Office for Central Florida, underscored the increased seat availability and the convenience of Sanford Airport for local passengers. Arajet was also honored as Company of the Year at the ninth annual Best of Sanford Excellence Awards, recognizing its leadership in international connectivity and contributions to tourism and economic development. Tickets for the new route are now available, with promotional fares offered to passengers.

  • Sunrise Airways to Launch Antigua–Barbados Flights This Winter

    Sunrise Airways to Launch Antigua–Barbados Flights This Winter

    Sunrise Airways is set to enhance its regional connectivity with the introduction of a new service linking Antigua and Bridgetown, Barbados, during the Northern Winter 2025/26 season. The airline announced that the route will commence on 29 October 2025, operating two weekly flights using Embraer ERJ145 aircraft. Departures from Antigua are scheduled for 10:00 on Fridays and 12:15 on Wednesdays, with a flight duration of just over an hour. Return flights from Bridgetown will depart at 12:05 on Fridays and 15:00 on Wednesdays. This strategic expansion underscores Sunrise Airways’ commitment to strengthening short-haul travel options across the Eastern Caribbean islands. The launch event on 1 July 2024 saw the participation of government officials, highlighting the significance of this new route for regional tourism and economic development. The airline’s move is expected to provide travelers with greater flexibility and convenience, fostering closer ties between the two popular Caribbean destinations.