Carib Scope

分类： business

  • Bay Gardens rolls out Staycation, Caribcation deals

    Bay Gardens rolls out Staycation, Caribcation deals

    Saint Lucia’s locally owned hospitality brand Bay Gardens Resorts has rolled out two new limited-time promotional offers, designed to boost regional and domestic travel by opening up affordable getaways for both local residents and Caribbean visitors.

    Branded as Staycation and Caribcation, the targeted deals cut accommodation rates across all four of the group’s distinct properties: Bay Gardens Beach Resort & Spa, Bay Gardens Hotel, Bay Gardens Inn, and Bay Gardens Marina Haven. Each venue caters to different travel styles and financial plans, from budget-friendly short stays to luxury full-service retreats, giving guests the flexibility to pick an option that aligns with their needs.

    The offers are segmented to serve specific traveler groups: the Staycation promotion is exclusively for Saint Lucian residents seeking a quick local break from daily routine, while the Caribcation deal extends discounted pricing to Caribbean nationals looking to explore the island’s natural and cultural offerings.

    All bookings through the promotions also include access to the group’s popular “Stay at 1, Play at 5” guest benefit program. This package unlocks amenity access across all participating sister properties, complimentary shuttle transportation between locations, free use of non-motorized water sports equipment, and unlimited entry to the on-site Splash Island Water Park.

    Sanovnik Destang, executive director of Bay Gardens Resorts, explained that the initiative is rooted in a broader goal of encouraging visitors and locals alike to connect with Saint Lucia’s unique culture, renowned warm hospitality, and world-class attractions, while creating space for quality time with loved ones. “Whether that means relaxing on Reduit Beach, sharing meals together, enjoying local music, or simply slowing down with family, these are the moments that turn a summer trip into a lasting tradition,” Destang shared.

    Travelers can select from three booking tiers to match their preferences: room-only, bed-and-breakfast, and full all-inclusive packages. Entry-level room-only rates start at $150 USD per night, with final pricing adjusted based on the specific travel dates and chosen property.

    More details about the promotions, including booking terms and availability, can be found on the official Bay Gardens Resorts website at www.baygardensresorts.com.

  • Kookgas opnieuw duurder: prijzen van meerdere cilinders stijgen

    Kookgas opnieuw duurder: prijzen van meerdere cilinders stijgen

    Starting June 1, consumers across Suriname are facing higher costs for multiple types of cooking gas, following an official announcement made Sunday by N.V. EnergieBedrijven Suriname (EBS). The price adjustment applies to 28-pound steel cylinders and a range of composite gas cylinders, and forms the latest step in the government’s planned gradual elimination of long-standing cooking gas subsidies.

    This incremental subsidy phase-out is rooted in a national energy transition policy approved back in August 2023 by Suriname’s Ministry of Economic Affairs, Entrepreneurship and Technological Innovation, alongside the Ministry of Natural Resources. The overarching goal of the policy is to gradually align cooking gas prices with their actual market value, phasing out the decades of government subsidies that have kept consumer costs artificially low for years.

    Under the new price schedule that took effect June 1, the cost of a 28-pound gas cylinder has risen from SRD 472.50 to SRD 504.00. This will not be the final increase for this product: one last 31.50 SRD price hike is scheduled for September 1, 2026, after which the cylinder will reach its government-mandated final market price.

    Multiple composite cylinders are also seeing upward price adjustments this round. The 10-kilogram composite cylinder has moved from SRD 404.25 to SRD 420.00; the 14-kilogram variant has increased from SRD 493.50 to SRD 525.00; and the 22-kilogram composite cylinder now costs SRD 924.00, up from the previous SRD 892.50. Additionally, the 100-pound cylinder has seen a small 9.93 SRD increase, bringing its new price to SRD 1,847.43.

    Not all cooking gas products are affected by this latest round of changes. The 20-pound and 40-pound cylinders will retain their current prices of SRD 387.50 and SRD 735.00 respectively, as both have already reached the final end price set by the government as part of the transition plan.

    With the June 1 price adjustment, three product lines — the 100-pound cylinder, 10-kilogram composite cylinder, and 22-kilogram composite cylinder — have now hit their final market pricing. Only two categories, the 28-pound steel cylinder and 14-kilogram composite cylinder, will see one additional incremental increase this coming September.

    Oversight of compliance with the new price caps falls to Suriname’s Price Control Department. The agency has reminded consumers that anyone who observes retailers charging prices above the officially mandated rates can file a report directly with the department for investigation.

  • U.S. Deputy Secretary visits AES Dominicana to strengthen energy cooperation

    U.S. Deputy Secretary visits AES Dominicana to strengthen energy cooperation

    In a high-profile visit to Boca Chica this week, AES Dominicana welcomed former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Christopher Landau, current U.S. Ambassador to the Dominican Republic Leah Campos, and a cross-official delegation to the company’s sprawling Andrés energy complex, a cornerstone of transatlantic energy trade between the United States and the Caribbean. The meeting offered senior U.S. officials an up-close look at one of the most critical energy infrastructure projects in the region, which serves as the primary entry point for U.S.-sourced liquefied natural gas entering the Dominican market.

    During the facility tour, the delegation explored the complex’s core operational zones: cutting-edge LNG storage tanks, advanced regasification units, and the integrated power generation facility that powers a significant share of the Dominican Republic’s domestic energy grid. All of the natural gas processed at the site is sourced from U.S. export terminals located along the Gulf Coast in Louisiana and Texas, tying the two nations’ energy sectors closely together.

    Company leadership shared key trade data with the delegation, noting that the Dominican Republic is on track to import over 4 million cubic meters of LNG from the United States in 2025. This import volume cements the country’s standing as the largest importer of North American natural gas across all of Latin America, a milestone that underscores the growing integration of U.S. energy markets with the Caribbean and Central American regions.

    AES executives emphasized that the Andrés complex fills a unique strategic role beyond the Dominican Republic’s borders. The infrastructure not only strengthens regional energy security by reducing reliance on single-source energy supplies but also creates a stable foundation for sustained economic growth across neighboring markets. It also enables greater energy diversification, helping nations across the Caribbean and Central America transition away from heavier fossil fuels while scaling up cleaner energy options.

    Beyond its operational impact, the project stands as the single largest U.S. capital investment in the Dominican Republic, with total accumulated investment exceeding $2.4 billion in energy infrastructure to date. AES confirmed it continues to expand its footprint across the region, investing not only in natural gas infrastructure but also in utility-scale renewable energy projects and advanced energy storage solutions that will support the region’s long-term clean energy transition.

  • LIAT and Air Caraibes sign interline agreement

    LIAT and Air Caraibes sign interline agreement

    ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Two major regional air carriers, LIAT (2020) Limited, operating as LIAT Air, and Air Caraïbes, have launched a new interline agreement designed to transform air travel across the Caribbean and beyond. Announced on Monday, the partnership enables passengers of both airlines to book end-to-end journeys across the companies’ combined route networks on a single ticket, with one consolidated point of purchase.

    Interline tickets under the new agreement are accessible to consumers via registered travel agents and all authorized global distribution channels. The partnership merges two complementary route networks: LIAT Air’s far-reaching intra-Caribbean footprint, which links Eastern Caribbean islands, Guyana, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad, Barbados and other neighboring markets from its hub at Antigua’s V.C. Bird International Airport, and Air Caraïbes’ network, which includes regional services operating out of Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana, plus long-haul service connecting the Caribbean to Paris-Orly Airport in France.

    For travelers, the agreement eliminates long-standing pain points associated with connecting travel between the two carriers. Itineraries that combine flights operated by both airlines can be booked through travel agents and global distribution systems, with checked baggage automatically transferred through to a passenger’s final destination. Travelers no longer need to purchase separate tickets for each leg of their journey, re-check their baggage during layovers, or pay duplicate baggage and processing fees when transferring between LIAT Air and Air Caraïbes flights.

    Hafsah Abdulsalam, Chief Executive Officer of LIAT (2020) Limited, framed the partnership as a critical milestone in meeting long-standing demand from regional stakeholders. “This agreement is an important step in delivering the kind of regional connectivity Caribbean travellers, tourism operators and businesses have been asking for,” Abdulsalam said. “By linking our networks with Air Caraïbes, we are making it significantly easier to move between the English, French and Dutch-speaking Caribbean, and to connect from any of our island destinations onward to Europe through Paris. It is a meaningful expansion of what a ticket on LIAT Air can take you to.”

    Hugues Heddebault, Commercial Director of Air Caraïbes, echoed that sentiment, noting that cross-Caribbean travel has long been bogged down by fragmented infrastructure and overly complicated booking processes. “Travelling across the Caribbean should never mean navigating fragmented journeys or unnecessary complexity,” Heddebault said. “Our ambition is simple: to bring territories closer together and make travel smoother for those who live, work, or travel across the region. This partnership with LIAT Air makes it easier to connect destinations across the Caribbean and provides more seamless access to Paris and Europe via our hubs in Pointe-à-Pitre and Fort-de-France.”

    Heddebault added that the agreement goes beyond a standard commercial arrangement, reflecting a shared vision for regional growth. “Beyond a commercial agreement, it reflects a strong conviction: a better-connected Caribbean is a more open, more accessible, and more dynamic Caribbean,” he said.

    Both carriers emphasized that the partnership is expected to deliver broad benefits to regional tourism and economic integration. By streamlining inter-island travel and lowering associated costs, while creating more convenient connections between Caribbean communities and major European source markets for tourism, the agreement is projected to drive growth in visitor arrivals, expand opportunities for regional business travel, and make travel easier for members of the Caribbean diaspora moving throughout the region.

  • German companies explore new investment opportunities in Dominican Republic

    German companies explore new investment opportunities in Dominican Republic

    The Dominican Republic has cemented its standing as one of Germany’s most critical strategic partners in Latin America, following the successful conclusion of the inaugural German Week hosted in the capital city of Santo Domingo. The high-profile gathering brought together more than 30 leading German companies and public institutions, creating a platform to explore new collaborative opportunities and showcase the deepening bond between the two nations.

    In her remarks at the event, German Ambassador to the Dominican Republic Maike Friedrichsen highlighted that bilateral relations between Berlin and Santo Domingo are currently at their most robust level in modern history. This momentum, she explained, has been fueled by rapidly expanding economic linkages and the launch of a growing roster of cross-sector cooperation initiatives.

    Ambassador Friedrichsen shared key data showing that German direct investment in the Dominican Republic has grown 15 times over the past 10 years. This dramatic surge reflects rising German business interest in a range of high-priority Dominican sectors, including export-oriented free trade zones, regional logistics networks, large-scale infrastructure projects, advanced medical technology, and utility-scale renewable energy development. She added that the bilateral relationship will continue to deepen as both governments and private sectors work together to unlock new opportunities for inclusive business growth and sustainable development.

    Beyond economic and trade collaboration, Friedrichsen underlined that the partnership between the two countries extends to critical global and regional priorities. These include joint action on environmental protection, advancement of circular economy models, acceleration of renewable energy adoption, investment in resilient infrastructure, and support for strengthening the rule of law across the region.

    Notably, the first German Week drew official delegates and business representatives from multiple neighboring Caribbean and Central American nations. This regional participation further underscores the Dominican Republic’s evolving role as a central hub for strategic dialogue and practical collaboration between Germany and the broader Caribbean community.

    The ambassador closed her remarks by expressing sincere gratitude for the warm hospitality extended by Dominican Vice President Raquel Peña, and reaffirmed the German government and private sector’s long-term commitment to continuing to expand and deepen the multifaceted bilateral partnership between the two nations.

  • Arajet receives 16th aircraft, named ‘Pico Diego de Ocampo’

    Arajet receives 16th aircraft, named ‘Pico Diego de Ocampo’

    SANTIAGO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – Dominican ultra-low-cost airline Arajet has marked a major milestone in its regional growth trajectory, bringing its 16th commercial aircraft to Cibao International Airport in the country’s northern region. The new jet, which joins the carrier’s growing fleet, has been christened “Pico Diego de Ocampo” in a nod to one of the nation’s most ecologically vital protected areas.

    Pico Diego de Ocampo Natural Monument, the namesake of the new aircraft, is a protected conservation site that plays a critical role in safeguarding northern Dominican Republic’s native biodiversity and freshwater reserves, a choice that reflects the airline’s connection to the country’s natural and cultural heritage.

    This latest fleet expansion is a core component of Arajet’s aggressive long-term growth strategy, which centers on deepening air links between the Dominican Republic and markets across North, Central, and South America. Beyond the current fleet growth, the carrier has publicly announced ambitious plans to launch permanent, scheduled commercial operations out of Cibao International Airport by 2027. That expansion milestone will be supported by the delivery of nine additional new aircraft over the next 24 months, laying the infrastructure for increased service out of the northern hub.

    Senior company leadership emphasized that the steady growth of Arajet’s fleet is directly tailored to address skyrocketing passenger demand for affordable air travel to and from the Dominican Republic. They also noted that expanding the fleet will further cement the nation’s status as the preeminent aviation and travel hub in the Caribbean region, attracting more visitors and transit traffic to the island.

    Officials from Cibao International Airport echoed that optimism, welcoming the new aircraft and framing the expansion as a transformative win for the northern Dominican Republic. They highlighted that increased air connectivity out of the airport will drive higher tourist arrivals, create new local job opportunities, and stimulate broad-based economic development across the entire northern corridor of the country.

  • Forex: $158.44 to one US dollar

    Forex: $158.44 to one US dollar

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a quiet start to June trading on the Caribbean island, the United States dollar maintained its value against the Jamaican dollar through the close of business Monday, official data from the Bank of Jamaica shows. The central bank’s daily trading summary pegged the closing exchange rate for the greenback at 158.44 Jamaican dollars, marking no significant shift from recent trading levels. While the US currency held its ground, two other major global currencies retreated against the Jamaican dollar during the same session. The Canadian dollar closed at 114.47 Jamaican dollars, a pullback from its prior close of 117.19. The British pound also saw a downward adjustment, ending the trading day at 211.34 Jamaican dollars compared to its previous closing mark of 214.58. The daily trading update comes as small open economies like Jamaica regularly track shifts in major global currency valuations, which impact cross-border trade, tourism revenue, and import costs for domestic consumers and businesses.

  • Afreximbank advances credit approval for Abaco hotel project

    Afreximbank advances credit approval for Abaco hotel project

    During the 2026 Afreximbank Roadshow held at Nassau’s Baha Mar Convention Center last Friday, a senior executive from the pan-African export finance institution confirmed that a planned luxury hotel development in The Bahamas has successfully passed the first phase of the bank’s credit assessment process, bringing the transformative tourism project one step closer to full approval.

    Okechukwu Ihejirika, Chief Operating Officer of Afreximbank’s Caribbean regional office, shared new details about the initiative with reporters on the event’s sidelines, confirming that the proposed development is earmarked for a private island in Abaco, rather than the country’s most populous main island of New Providence. While Ihejirika declined to disclose the identities of the project developers or the exact size of the financing request, he noted that the project is designed to boost international tourist arrivals to The Bahamas and unlock the untapped economic potential of the country’s world-renowned tourism sector.

    The proposal has cleared the first of up to three sequential credit approval levels required by the bank, Ihejirika explained. The next phase of the process will involve comprehensive technical and financial due diligence, after which the proposal will advance to second and third-level credit reviews. According to Ihejirika, the final approval stage moves at a rapid pace, and full formal approval and a public announcement could come in the near term, with disbursement of funds following quickly after second-level approval is granted. “We’re advancing pretty well,” he said. “We hope that very soon we will be able to make the announcement that we are going ahead with that project.”

    The hotel project marks one of a growing pipeline of private-sector investment initiatives Afreximbank is pursuing in The Bahamas, as the institution expands its regional footprint and diversifies its portfolio beyond government-backed infrastructure projects. Just last year, the bank approved and signed a $200 million infrastructure financing facility with the Bahamian government, and Ihejirika confirmed that the total value of projects currently in the country’s pipeline nears $500 million, with the new hotel proposal separate from previously announced commitments.

    “As an institution, we don’t only work with government. We also work with the private sector. That means we also have a few private sector led initiatives that we are also engaging on,” he added.

    The 2026 Afreximbank Roadshow was organized to connect the bank directly with Bahamian business leaders, raise awareness of the institution’s growing regional presence, and walk local enterprises through the range of financing products and support services it offers. Though Afreximbank has operated in the Caribbean for roughly two years and held its global annual meetings alongside the Afro-Caribbean Trade and Investment Forum in The Bahamas in 2024, the institution remains relatively new to the region, with a $5 billion total regional financing cap to support trade and development across Caribbean economies.

    Afreximbank’s strategic partnership with The Bahamas was formalized through a 2023 Memorandum of Understanding, and has already delivered tangible benefits for the country’s economic development priorities, Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis told roadshow attendees. Beyond infrastructure projects, the partnership has delivered a $30 million lending facility via the Bahamas Development Bank to expand access to capital for local small and medium-sized enterprises, a core priority for the Davis administration.

    “One of the key priorities for The Bahamas moving forward is the creation of even more pathways to opportunity for local entrepreneurs, especially small business owners. Economic growth must translate into broader economic participation, ensuring that more Bahamians have the chance to build businesses, create jobs, and share in the country’s progress,” Davis said. “We have made some progress in this area, but continuing to strengthen access to capital through institutions such as the Afreximbank is an important part of our ongoing efforts. This roadshow also reminds us of the importance of regional and international cooperation at a time when many economies are navigating uncertainty.”

    Several large-scale Afreximbank-backed projects are already underway across The Bahamas’ out islands, known locally as the Family Islands. A $40 million financing facility supports Cat Island Infrastructure Company’s broad connectivity and development project, scheduled for full completion by August 2027. The first phase of that project, targeted for completion this coming January, includes laying 94 miles of new water mains, paving 50 miles of new roadway, and restoring an additional 45 miles of road damaged during water infrastructure construction.

    Other active commitments include a $100 million financing facility to support the expansion of local construction firm Bahamas Striping Group, which is currently carrying out 226 miles of road works across Exuma and Eleuthera, and a $200 million framework agreement focused on developing climate-resilient infrastructure that supports increased regional trade.

  • Flow prepared for 2026 hurricane season, says operators

    Flow prepared for 2026 hurricane season, says operators

    KINGSTON, JAMAICA – As the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season prepares to kick off officially on June 1, leading regional telecommunications provider Liberty Caribbean – parent brand of consumer service Flow, enterprise-focused Liberty Business, and Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) – has announced it is fully positioned to support communities, customers, and government partners across the Caribbean through extreme weather events.

    The company’s latest readiness push comes one year after Hurricane Melissa battered Jamaica, a disaster that company leadership says underscored just how critical robust, disaster-resilient communications infrastructure is for the hurricane-prone Caribbean region. In a formal public statement released Monday, Liberty Caribbean emphasized that its more than 100 years of operating across the Caribbean has guided its ongoing work to boost preparedness, systems resilience, and emergency response capacity for regional stakeholders.

    “Hurricane Melissa reminded us once again that connectivity is far more than technology. In moments of crisis, it becomes a lifeline for families, businesses, emergency responders, and governments,” said Inge Smidts, Chief Executive Officer of Liberty Caribbean.

    Smidts added that the hard lessons learned from last year’s storm have reinforced the company’s commitment to expanding regional investments in network hardening, operational preparedness, and post-disaster recovery capabilities. “We remain committed to ensuring our customers and communities can rely on us when it matters most,” she said.

    Over the 12 months following Hurricane Melissa, Liberty Caribbean has rolled out a series of strategic infrastructure investments across its multiple Caribbean market footprints to boost disaster resilience. In Jamaica alone, upgrades include a full modernization and expansion of the island’s mobile network, expanded spectrum capacity, increased transport route diversity to avoid single points of failure, hardened physical infrastructure to withstand high winds and flooding, expanded backup power systems, and additional network redundancy measures designed to improve overall service reliability and cut down on recovery time after outages.

    Beyond infrastructure upgrades, the company has also conducted a full cycle of emergency simulation exercises and response drills across all operating markets, finalized pre-season fuel stockpiling and logistics coordination plans, and aligned cross-functional response teams to enable rapid mobilization if storms trigger service disruptions this season.

    “Our teams have worked tirelessly to modernise our infrastructure, strengthen operational readiness, and improve how we respond during emergencies. While no network is immune to extreme weather events, our focus remains on building stronger, smarter, and more resilient systems capable of supporting the Caribbean through disruption and recovery alike,” Smidts noted.

    Forecasters at the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s National Weather Service are projecting a below-normal 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season, which will run through the end of November. NOAA’s outlook puts the odds of a below-normal season at 55%, compared to a 35% chance of a near-normal season and just a 10% chance of an above-normal season.

    The official NOAA forecast calls for 8 to 14 total named storms (systems with sustained winds of at least 39 miles per hour, or 63 km/h). Of those, 3 to 6 are expected to strengthen into hurricanes with sustained winds of 75 miles per hour or higher, with 1 to 3 projected to intensify into major Category 3, 4, or 5 hurricanes that carry sustained winds of 115 mph or more. By comparison, an average Atlantic hurricane season produces 14 named storms, 7 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes.

    Smidts emphasized that even with a milder forecast, Liberty Caribbean remains committed to standing by regional communities before, during, and after any storm event. “We understand the responsibility that comes with serving the Caribbean. Our commitment extends beyond connectivity alone. It is also about supporting the resilience of the communities we serve and standing beside them before, during, and after times of crisis,” she said.

    To close, the company is urging all residential and business customers across its service footprint to update and review their own personal hurricane preparedness plans, and to stay updated on official weather forecasts throughout the June to November hurricane season.

  • Three Monymusk Plantation rums win gold at 2026 Beverage Testing Institute Awards

    Three Monymusk Plantation rums win gold at 2026 Beverage Testing Institute Awards

    CLARENDON, Jamaica — Jamaican rum producer National Rums of Jamaica has turned a successful new page in the island nation’s long legacy of premium spirit manufacturing, with three expressions from its iconic Monymusk Plantation line taking home top honors at the 2026 Beverage Testing Institute (BevTest) World Spirits Championship.

    In an official press statement, the company shared that two of its rums — Monymusk Plantation White Overproof Rum and Classic Gold Rum — earned an identical score of 93 points, while the third entry, Special Reserve Rum, scored a 92. All three products were awarded Gold Medals by the competition, a Chicago-based industry contest that stands as one of the most enduring and respected spirits awards globally. Unlike many public-facing awards, BevTest’s judging process relies on blind tastings conducted by panels of seasoned trade professionals, ensuring that scores and medals are awarded based solely on product quality rather than brand recognition. The full results of the championship, including the three winning Jamaican rums, are featured in Forbes’ May 2026 roundup of the world’s highest-rated rums.

    Martha Miller, Chief Executive Officer of National Rums of Jamaica, framed the triple win as a point of national and company pride. “This recognition from the Beverage Testing Institute is a proud moment for National Rums of Jamaica, the Monymusk brand, and the entire country of Jamaica,” Miller said. “To have all three of our entries — White Overproof, Classic Gold, and Special Reserve — counted among the world’s best rums speaks volumes about the consistent quality that defines our entire product portfolio.”

    Miller emphasized that the award-winning quality of the rums is no accident, and directed praise to the in-house teams that oversee every step of production. “A tremendous amount of credit has to go to our technical, production, quality control, and blending teams, who pour enormous care into their work every single day,” she explained. “Exceptional rum is not a random outcome. It requires generations of distilled expertise, unwavering consistency, and a long-term commitment to upholding the highest possible quality standards.”

    The Forbes feature includes official tasting notes compiled from the BevTest judging panel’s evaluations. The White Overproof rum was praised for its layered aroma profile of green banana, whipped cream, and sugar cookie, paired with flavor notes of warm baking spices, ripe pineapple, and toasted coconut. Judges called it “a great overproof rum with a creamy body and subtle sweet banana esters, perfect for cocktailing.”

    For the Classic Gold rum, judges highlighted notes of dunder, charred oak wood, and fresh pomegranate, describing the expression as “a complex, fruity rum to save for special occasions.” The Special Reserve, meanwhile, was singled out as “an excellent choice for experienced rum drinkers” who appreciate the distinct character of traditional Jamaican product.

    All rums in the Monymusk Plantation portfolio are manufactured, aged, and blended entirely at the Clarendon Distillery, located in southern Jamaica’s Clarendon Parish. The line stays true to the centuries-old traditional Jamaican rum-making style, defined by extended fermentation periods, a blend of pot-still and column-still distillation, and the iconic high-ester, fruit-forward profile that rum enthusiasts around the world refer to as “Jamaican funk.”