分类： business

Flow Jamaica has successfully restored 80% of its mobile network traffic and over 40% of fixed-line services following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, according to Liberty Latin America CEO Balan Nair. In major metropolitan areas, fixed-line recovery has surged to more than 80%. However, the pace of restoration remains heavily reliant on the Jamaica Public Service Company’s efforts to restore power, which has so far reached over half of its customers. Emergency connectivity via Starlink’s direct-to-cell technology has reconnected over 140,000 users in severely affected regions as the company continues to repair infrastructure and services. Nair expressed confidence in the resilience of Flow Jamaica’s employees and their commitment to restoring critical communications for customers. Despite the progress, the company anticipates negative impacts on its Caribbean financial metrics for the remainder of 2025, including reduced revenue, fewer active customers, and increased costs for equipment and property repairs. Flow Jamaica’s recovery is bolstered by a parametric weather insurance contract, which enables faster payouts compared to traditional policies, facilitating quicker funding for repairs. Nair confirmed that the hurricane triggered the insurance coverage, with a payout expected soon. While the exact amount remains undisclosed, LILA received $44 million from similar contracts in 2024. Weather derivatives, which pay out based on specific measurements like wind speed, have proven instrumental in accelerating recovery efforts. Flow Jamaica’s 2024 annual report revealed $5.545 billion in net proceeds from weather derivatives, offsetting $1.273 billion in costs from Hurricane Beryl. Additionally, the company recorded $207 million in asset impairments due to hurricane damage. Phoenix Tower International (PTI), responsible for repairing mobile tower sites under a 2023 agreement, has deployed teams to rebuild infrastructure. Nair emphasized that network recovery will align with power restoration efforts. Despite the challenges, Flow Jamaica reported a 5% revenue growth in Q3 2024, reaching $17.17 billion, with mobile services contributing 59% of total revenue. LILA’s consolidated revenue grew by 2% to $1.11 billion in Q3, though it reported a net loss of $525.9 million for the first nine months of 2024.

Since the ATL Automotive Group acquired the BMW brand in Jamaica in 2016, BMW has emerged as the country’s top-selling premium car brand, achieving record-breaking sales for five out of the past seven years. At the forefront of this remarkable success is Jeanel Bowla, the sales manager at BMW Jamaica in Kingston, whose leadership and passion have been pivotal in steering the brand to new heights.

Bowla’s connection to BMW runs deep. Growing up in a family where the brand was a constant presence, she developed an early appreciation for BMW’s driver-centric philosophy and distinctive road feel. Her father’s 1972 BMW 2002 and his hands-on involvement with the brand left an indelible mark on her. For Bowla, BMW is more than just a car—it’s an experience, a feeling that transforms driving into a joy.

Despite her family’s automotive legacy, Bowla initially didn’t see herself in car sales. However, her career trajectory changed when she joined ATL Automotive in February 2018. Within seven months, she was promoted to sales manager for BMW Jamaica, a role she embraced wholeheartedly. Balancing her new responsibilities with pursuing an MBA at the Mona School of Business and Management was challenging, but Bowla’s discipline and time management skills enabled her to excel in both areas.

Now, over seven years into her journey with ATL Autobahn and a new mother, Bowla attributes much of her growth to her team. She has led the BMW Jamaica sales team through several high-profile vehicle launches, including the BMW M2, BMW X3 M, and BMW X4 M. One standout experience was a road trip organized exclusively for BMW M and M Performance customers, which turned into a celebration of the passion that unites the M community.

Bowla’s success is rooted in her discipline, mindset, and love for her work. As a woman in a traditionally male-dominated industry, she emphasizes the importance of learning, building confidence, and showing up consistently. She believes in humility and the willingness to ask for help as key drivers of growth.

For young women aspiring to enter the automotive industry, Bowla offers sage advice: let your work speak for itself, protect your peace, and stay grounded in what matters to you. Her leadership ensures that every customer encounter reflects both BMW’s legacy and her own dedication, leaving customers satisfied and her team proud.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA) disclosed on Friday that Jamaican manufacturers, ranging from large-scale food processors to small furniture makers, have incurred an estimated $250 billion in damages due to Hurricane Melissa. This preliminary figure, anticipated to rise, highlights the catastrophic impact on the nation’s productive sector and has prompted a unified relief and recovery initiative.

Global stock markets experienced a downturn on Friday, mirroring Wall Street’s losses as investors grappled with weak US jobs data and mixed signals from the Federal Reserve regarding potential interest rate cuts. The week’s volatility culminated in a negative close, fueled by a report from Challenger, Gray & Christmas revealing that US layoff announcements reached a 22-year high last month. This marked the worst year for layoffs since 2020, when the pandemic severely impacted the labor market. Investors, relying on private data due to the ongoing government shutdown, faced heightened uncertainty about the US economy’s health. While recent private hiring data showed an increase, concerns about the labor market persisted, pressuring the Fed to consider a third consecutive rate cut in December. However, comments from Fed officials, including Cleveland Fed chief Beth Hammack and Chicago Fed boss Austan Goolsbee, suggested that another rate reduction was not guaranteed. Hammack emphasized the need to address high inflation, calling the current policy ‘barely restrictive.’ Goolsbee expressed unease about making decisions without comprehensive data during the shutdown. Wall Street’s major indexes, particularly tech-heavy Nasdaq and S&P 500, ended the day down, with tech firms bearing the brunt of the sell-off. Asian markets, including Tokyo and Seoul, also declined, while European markets showed mixed results. The recent market rally, driven by AI investments and hopes for rate cuts, has sparked concerns about overvaluation and potential corrections. Pepperstone’s Michael Brown noted the fragility of market sentiment but maintained a bullish outlook, citing robust earnings growth and a resilient economy.