Carib Scope

分类： business

  • Goud stijgt boven $4.500; zilver en platina bereiken nieuwe recordniveaus

    Goud stijgt boven $4.500; zilver en platina bereiken nieuwe recordniveaus

    Global precious metals markets witnessed unprecedented milestones as silver, gold, platinum, and palladium all reached historic price levels this trading session. Gold breached the symbolic $4,500 per ounce barrier for the first time on Wednesday, while silver achieved remarkable outperformance with a 150% annual gain that eclipsed gold’s substantial 70% advance.

    The spot price of gold climbed 0.2% to $4,494.49 per ounce after briefly touching an intraday record of $4,525.19. February-delivery gold futures in U.S. markets gained 0.4%, settling at $4,523.10. Silver reached an all-time peak of $72.70 before moderating to $72.32 with a 1.3% daily increase. Platinum surged to $2,377.50 then stabilized at $2,312.70, maintaining a 1.6% gain, while palladium retreated 1.5% to $1,830.37 after hitting a three-year high.

    Market analyst Fawad Razaqzada of City Index and FOREX.com identified multiple supportive factors: “The absence of negative catalysts combined with powerful positive momentum creates ideal conditions. Fundamental drivers include sustained central bank acquisitions, a weakening U.S. dollar, and persistent safe-haven demand.”

    This record-setting performance stems from converging economic forces: escalating geopolitical tensions driving flight-to-safety movements, and growing expectations that the Federal Reserve will implement monetary easing in 2025. President Donald Trump reinforced this outlook Tuesday, emphasizing his preference for interest rate reductions during favorable market conditions.

    Non-yielding assets like gold typically benefit from low interest rate environments. Current market pricing indicates traders anticipate two Fed rate cuts next year.

    Silver’s exceptional performance reflects robust investment demand, its recent designation as a U.S. critical mineral, and expanding industrial applications. Platinum and palladium, essential components in automotive catalytic converters, posted gains of approximately 160% and over 100% respectively, fueled by mining supply constraints, tariff uncertainties, and investment diversification from gold.

    Societe Generale analysts caution that any significant gold price correction would require reduced purchasing from emerging market central banks. Barring such developments, they project the rally will continue, potentially reaching $5,000 per ounce by late 2026.

  • Uber encouraged by ‘numerous’ local sign-ups

    Uber encouraged by ‘numerous’ local sign-ups

    Uber has reported an overwhelmingly positive response from Saint Lucia’s licensed taxi industry just over a week after opening its platform to local drivers. The ride-hailing giant, following its December 16 announcement, revealed significant registration numbers from both individual taxi operators and established associations throughout the island nation.

    The company emphasized its primary objective of providing accessible earning opportunities through its digital platform. “We are encouraged by the positive response we have already seen, with numerous sign-ups from both taxi drivers and associations in the past few days,” Uber stated in a recent communication.

    Addressing unique aspects of Saint Lucia’s taxi industry structure, Uber provided crucial clarifications regarding vehicle ownership and operation scenarios. The company specified that in cases where vehicle owners employ licensed drivers, the active operator must complete registration—provided they meet all requirements and submit necessary documentation.

    Uber’s system accommodates the common practice of shared vehicles by permitting multiple driver profiles to be associated with a single taxi registration number. However, the platform’s technical framework ensures only one driver can remain active on the app at any given time, maintaining operational integrity.

    For fleet owners managing multiple drivers, Uber offers specialized registration options that provide comprehensive visibility over all operations associated with a particular vehicle. This tailored approach demonstrates the company’s adaptability to local market conditions while maintaining its global service standards.

  • Ariza shares customers’ credit information with regional credit bureaus

    Ariza shares customers’ credit information with regional credit bureaus

    Grenada’s financial institutions are now formally implementing the Credit Reporting Act of 2017, with Ariza Credit Union becoming the second primary credit information provider to announce compliance with the legislation. In a public notice dated December 22nd, the credit union informed members that effective December 2nd, 2025, it will share customer credit data with licensed credit bureaus as permitted under the parliamentary-approved act.

    The legislative framework establishes a comprehensive credit reporting system designed to facilitate objective credit decisions through accurate information sharing. The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) serves as the exclusive licensing authority for credit bureaus, with EveryData ECCU Limited currently operating as the sole licensed credit reporting agency serving Grenada within the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union.

    Under Section 27 of the Act, credit information providers must furnish data to licensed bureaus from the date credit is provided to a data subject. The law defines ‘data subjects’ broadly to include anyone with contractual relationships with credit providers, loan applicants, guarantors, and those connected through other legitimate purposes.

    The legislation categorizes credit information providers into primary and secondary designations. Primary providers include banks, financial institutions, money services businesses, credit unions, insurance companies, and micro-finance institutions. The Central Bank may additionally designate secondary providers from sectors including telecommunications, utilities, and hire-purchase businesses when deemed in the public interest.

    Notably, existing customers of designated providers do not require separate consent forms for data sharing. Instead, institutions must display notices at physical business locations or on their websites. While credit providers may disclose both positive and negative credit information without prior consent, third parties must obtain explicit consent before inquiring about any data subject’s credit information.

    The fundamental purpose of this data collection initiative is to establish comprehensive credit histories and generate credit scores for individuals, ultimately enhancing the financial system’s integrity and decision-making processes.

  • Antigua, Barbuda welcome nearly 13,000 cruise passengers for second straight day

    Antigua, Barbuda welcome nearly 13,000 cruise passengers for second straight day

    The Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda is experiencing an unprecedented surge in its cruise tourism sector, with six vessels simultaneously delivering approximately 13,000 passengers to St. John’s and Falmouth harbors. This remarkable influx marks the second consecutive day of substantial tourist arrivals, signaling robust recovery and growth in the island’s maritime tourism industry.

    Five ships berthed at St. John’s Harbour while another docked at Falmouth, creating a spectacular maritime panorama. The fleet included renowned vessels such as Majestic Princess, Enchanted Princess, Insignia, MSC Divina, and the luxurious Explora I, representing some of the most prestigious names in the cruise industry.

    According to tourism authorities, this substantial passenger count ranks as the third-highest single-day arrival figure of the current cruise season. The data reveals that December 4 remains the season’s peak with 15,662 visitors, but projections indicate an even more significant milestone approaching. Industry forecasts predict an extraordinary arrival of over 17,000 cruise passengers on January 23, which would establish a new benchmark for single-day tourism arrivals in the nation’s history.

    The economic impact was immediately visible throughout the capital city, as the sudden population surge stimulated vibrant commercial activity. Taxi operators reported exceptional demand, while local vendors, retail establishments, tour companies, and restaurants all experienced substantially increased business volumes. The visitor distribution throughout urban centers and peripheral attractions created a comprehensive economic boost across multiple sectors, demonstrating the cruise industry’s significant multiplier effect on the local economy.

  • Grenada’s first retail bond failed to raise targeted amount

    Grenada’s first retail bond failed to raise targeted amount

    Grenada’s pioneering Retail Bond Programme has concluded its initial offering, generating EC$4.3 million in investments despite falling short of its EC$5 million fundraising objective. The landmark financial initiative, which ran from October 31 to November 21, 2025, marked the nation’s first attempt to engage retail investors through the Regional Governments Securities Market.

    The bond offering attracted participation from over 350 individual investors across the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) region. The securities were distributed on a first-come, first-served basis through brokers authorized by the Eastern Caribbean Securities Exchange (ECSE). Investment thresholds were set between EC$500 minimum and EC$50,000 maximum per investor.

    Kerry Pierre, Head of the Debt Management Unit at Grenada’s Ministry of Finance, characterized the auction as successful despite not reaching the full target amount. In a pre-recorded interview disseminated by the ministry, Pierre noted that while the EC$5 million goal wasn’t achieved, the initiative demonstrated significant public interest in government securities.

    “We have been very successful in the completion of the auction of the first pilot retail household bond,” Pierre stated during his conversation with Communications Manager Russell John. He acknowledged the learning curve associated with such pioneering financial instruments, explaining that investor participation accelerated as the auction period progressed despite initial cautious engagement.

    The two-year government-backed bonds offer investors a fixed annual interest rate of 4.25%, with semi-annual payments scheduled for May and November each year. The programme represents a significant step in financial inclusion, allowing everyday citizens to participate directly in government debt instruments previously accessible primarily to institutional investors.

    Pierre emphasized that the experience gained from this inaugural offering will inform future retail bond programmes, potentially paving the way for more successful implementations across the Eastern Caribbean region.

  • CARICOM Private Sector Reaffirms Support for Regional Integration

    CARICOM Private Sector Reaffirms Support for Regional Integration

    In a significant show of regional solidarity, seven major private sector organizations across the Caribbean Community have jointly reaffirmed their steadfast commitment to the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). This collective endorsement comes five years after the CARICOM Private Sector Organization attained associate institutional status within the regional bloc in October 2020.

    The coalition, representing business interests from Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Barbados, Guyana, OECS nations, Suriname, and Belize, has documented substantial benefits derived from the economic integration framework. According to their assessment, the CSME has generated measurable advantages for corporations and workers throughout the region, facilitating notable expansion in intra-regional commerce, reinforcing regional supply networks, and making meaningful contributions to foreign exchange revenues and economic operations across member states.

    From a strategic perspective, Caribbean business leaders emphasize the complementary nature of both intra-CARICOM trade and the Community’s robust external trading relationships, particularly with the United States as its principal collective trading partner. These interconnected economic channels collectively strengthen regional economic resilience and diversification efforts.

    Amid current global economic volatility, the private sector underscores the critical importance of stability, confidence-building, and constructive multilateral engagement among member nations. The organizations highlighted CARICOM’s continuing relevance as a vital platform for collaborative action, enabling member states to convert economic vulnerabilities into strategic assets through enhanced resilience and deliberate global economic integration.

    The signed statement recognizes the shared responsibility of all regional stakeholders in refining the CSME framework to better serve all member states and their populations. In an era marked by increasing global isolationist tendencies, the vision of CARICOM and CSME is deemed essential for collective regional sustainability.

    Business leaders specifically acknowledged the collaborative and inclusive framework established by CARICOM Heads of Government to pursue complete CSME implementation. The private sector across the region has pledged continued cooperation with governments and other stakeholders to realize this vision, while extending seasonal goodwill to all CARICOM citizens and anticipating continued constructive dialogue in pursuit of regional advancement and security.

  • Prijzen blijven stijgen: inflatie in november 2025 op 11,6 procent

    Prijzen blijven stijgen: inflatie in november 2025 op 11,6 procent

    Suriname’s economy continues to grapple with persistent inflationary pressures, as recent data from the General Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reveals a 0.8% month-over-month price increase in November 2025. The year-on-year comparison shows even more striking figures, with consumer prices surging by 11.6% compared to November 2024 levels.

    While the pace of inflation has moderated compared to previous years, the upward trajectory remains unmistakable. The sustained price pressure continues to burden households, particularly affecting essential expenditure categories. Behind the average inflation rate lies significant variation across product categories, with individual items experiencing price fluctuations ranging from a 54% decrease to an astonishing 600% increase in November alone.

    Over the extended period from December 2023 through November 2025, these disparities widened further, spanning from -67% to +600%. The most substantial price hikes continue to manifest in sectors directly impacting daily life, including healthcare, housing and utilities, food supplies, transportation, and dining expenses outside the home.

    The inflation metrics derive from the Consumer Price Index, compiled using a basket of 316 distinct goods and services. Price observations occur across approximately 630 measurement points throughout Paramaribo, Wanica, Nickerie, Coronie, Saramacca, Commewijne, and Para regions.

    Despite the less extreme price surges compared to earlier years, inflation remains structurally elevated, with many consumers continuing to experience its consequences in their daily economic activities. The data indicates that while the rate of increase has slowed, the cumulative effect of sustained inflation continues to challenge purchasing power and economic stability.

  • Banreservas affirms financial strength amid public speculation

    Banreservas affirms financial strength amid public speculation

    SANTO DOMINGO – In response to recent public discourse questioning its stability, Banco de Reservas de la República Dominicana (Banreservas) has issued a robust declaration of its financial health and operational resilience. The state-owned financial institution released an official communiqué detailing its formidable standing as of late November 2025, attributing its strength to a foundation of prudent risk management, exceptional liquidity, and robust capitalization, all of which have fueled consistent growth in its operational outcomes.

    The bank’s statement underscored that its core financial metrics—including solvency, liquidity, and asset quality ratios—not only meet but significantly surpass the stringent minimums mandated by regulators. This performance is anchored by a substantial equity base and a management philosophy dedicated to the absolute security of customer deposits and the overarching stability of the nation’s financial framework. Banreservas explicitly confirmed its unwavering adherence to the Dominican Republic’s Monetary and Financial Law and all associated regulatory statutes.

    Further solidifying its position, the bank emphasized its operational environment, which is subject to continuous and rigorous oversight by the country’s monetary and regulatory authorities. This scrutiny ensures compliance with elevated standards of corporate governance, comprehensive risk control protocols, and full transparency. Concluding its statement, Banreservas passionately reaffirmed its foundational commitment to maintaining public trust, ensuring the safety of depositor assets, and playing a pivotal role in the ongoing reinforcement of the Dominican financial system.

  • Customs recovers RD$1.59 billion in taxes after audits of Asian importers

    Customs recovers RD$1.59 billion in taxes after audits of Asian importers

    Santo Domingo – Dominican Republic’s tax authority has successfully recovered approximately RD$1.592 billion in unpaid import duties through targeted enforcement operations. The General Directorate of Customs (DGA) conducted 49 comprehensive audits focusing primarily on businesses within the Asian import sector, with particular emphasis on enterprises of Chinese origin, according to their year-end 2025 report.

    The audits represent a strategic component of the agency’s post-clearance monitoring system designed to enhance compliance with customs regulations. These measures ensure proper declaration protocols, accurate commodity valuation, correct classification of goods, and full payment of applicable import taxes.

    In a recent enforcement action, Customs officials intervened at a commercial establishment in La Vega province to verify adherence to current customs requirements. The DGA’s broader enforcement efforts between 2020 and 2025 have yielded substantial results, with 139 audits conducted resulting in total tax adjustments reaching RD$4.509 billion. The agency emphasized that legitimate trade operations continue unaffected throughout these compliance measures.

    The DGA highlighted its collaborative approach through the Roundtable Against Unfair Competition and Illicit Trade, an interagency initiative led by the Ministry of Finance and Customs. This partnership brings together public institutions and private sector representatives to combat customs fraud.

    Key implemented strategies include enhanced risk analysis during cargo processing, deployment of advanced X-ray scanning technology, utilization of body cameras for transparency, coordinated audits with the Internal Revenue Service (DGII), international cooperation with foreign customs administrations, and permanent closure of companies engaged in illicit activities.

  • Government Defers Trade License Act Rollout

    Government Defers Trade License Act Rollout

    The Belizean government has announced a significant postponement in implementing the Trade License Act, No. 19 of 2024, delivering relief to rural businesses across the nation. Originally designed to establish a unified licensing framework for both urban and rural enterprises, the legislation will now undergo a delayed rollout until the 2026 licensing period.

    This strategic deferral means the existing regulatory structure under the previous Trade License Act remains temporarily in force. Consequently, only businesses operating within incorporated towns and cities are presently obligated to pay trade license fees. Commercial entities in rural districts and offshore communities, including popular destinations like Caye Caulker, receive an unexpected reprieve from these financial obligations.

    Government officials clarified that the postponement stems from procedural necessities to fulfill all parliamentary prerequisites before formal enactment. The administration emphasized this interim period allows for thorough administrative preparation and system implementation.

    For entrepreneurs who proactively submitted application fees anticipating the 2025 changes, the government confirmed these payments will retain their validity and be credited toward future licensing under the new system. The Ministry of Rural Transformation has been designated as the primary contact for business owners seeking additional clarification regarding the revised timeline and procedural adjustments.