Carib Scope

分类： business

  • Unicomer Recruiting Short-Term Workers for Peak Season

    Unicomer Recruiting Short-Term Workers for Peak Season

    As the busiest shopping period of the year approaches, regional retail and consumer electronics leader Unicomer has announced a major short-term recruitment push to prepare for surging customer demand. The initiative, which targets temporary workers across the company’s network of stores, distribution centers and customer service hubs, is designed to address the typical staffing gap that emerges during peak seasonal periods such as end-of-year holidays or major regional shopping events.

    Industry analysts note that seasonal hiring has become a standard strategic move for large retail players, allowing them to scale up operations quickly without committing to long-term payroll increases. Unicomer’s recruitment drive comes as retail forecasters predict a notable uptick in consumer spending for the upcoming peak season, driven by steady regional economic activity and growing consumer confidence.

    The open roles cover a wide range of responsibilities, including in-store sales support, inventory management, order fulfillment, and customer assistance. The company has indicated that many of these positions are open to flexible scheduling, making them particularly accessible to students, part-time job seekers and individuals looking to earn additional income during the busy shopping period. Local workforce development experts have welcomed the move, noting that short-term seasonal roles often provide valuable work experience for entry-level candidates and can sometimes lead to permanent positions for high-performing workers.

    Unicomer has not yet released an exact target for the number of roles it plans to fill, but confirmed that recruitment efforts are already underway across multiple markets where the company operates. Applications are being accepted through both online career portals and in-store submissions, with the company aiming to complete all hiring and onboarding processes before the peak season begins in earnest.

  • Belize’s Shrimp Industry Stages a Comeback, Cabinet Says

    Belize’s Shrimp Industry Stages a Comeback, Cabinet Says

    After years of widespread production collapse caused by a devastating aquatic disease, Belize’s iconic shrimp industry is mounting a remarkable comeback, according to an official announcement from the country’s Cabinet released this week.

    A decade ago, Early Mortality Syndrome (EMS), a highly contagious bacterial disease that targets young shrimp in farmed populations, swept through Belize’s coastal aquaculture operations, wiping out most of the nation’s harvest and pushing the once-thriving sector to the brink of collapse. For years, producers struggled to contain the outbreak and rebuild their operations, with far lower output and stagnant export revenues.

    Today, that narrative has shifted dramatically. Cabinet officials confirmed that ongoing recovery efforts have yielded dramatic results: total national shrimp production has tripled compared to 2020 levels, and the total annual economic contribution of the industry to Belize’s GDP has climbed to nearly $25 million. The Cabinet publicly praised stakeholders across the sector for their coordinated work to reverse the industry’s decline.

    Government leaders attribute the unexpected rapid rebound to a confluence of strategic changes and new investment. Three key factors have driven the turnaround: first, the widespread adoption of disease-resistant, faster-growing shrimp genetics that cut production cycles and reduce mortality rates; second, a wave of new private and public investment that has allowed operations to upgrade infrastructure and adopt modern farming practices; and third, a strategic expansion of total farmed pond acreage, managed with cutting-edge intensive production systems that boost output while reducing environmental risk.

    Looking ahead, the Belizean Cabinet projects that these gains will set the foundation for sustained long-term growth in the shrimp sector. A key part of that growth will be the full revival of export routes, with shipments already resuming to key markets including Mexico, the broader Caribbean region, and Taiwan. Industry analysts and government officials alike expect continued expansion in both production and export volumes over the coming years, cementing the shrimp industry’s return as a key driver of coastal economic activity in Belize.

  • Dominica to establish creative economy development agency

    Dominica to establish creative economy development agency

    The Commonwealth of Dominica is set to establish a specialized government body to coordinate support for its growing creative industry, a move that marks a key milestone in the island nation’s broader economic diversification push. Finance Minister Dr. Irving McIntyre first unveiled plans for the Dominica Creative Economy Development Agency (DCEDA) during his official presentation of the 2026/2027 national budget, confirming the initiative’s place as a core priority for the current administration.

    For years, Dominica’s economic landscape has been heavily tied to traditional sectors such as agriculture and tourism, leaving the country exposed to sudden external shocks ranging from global tourism downturns to climate-related agricultural disruptions. The new DCEDA initiative reflects a growing policy recognition that the nation’s rich pool of creative talent—from local musicians, visual artists and filmmakers to product designers and other cultural workers—holds untapped commercial value that can drive long-term, resilient growth.

    “To further harness the creative talent of our people, the Government has decided to establish Dominica’s Creative Economy Development Agency,” Dr. McIntyre stated in his budget address. In the months ahead, the government will launch a broad consultation process to gather input from creators, cultural practitioners, event organizers and other key stakeholders across the sector. Administration officials emphasized that this inclusive feedback process is critical to ensuring the final structural framework of the agency aligns with the actual on-the-ground needs and long-term professional ambitions of the people it will serve.

    Once established, the DCEDA will centralize and streamline government support for creative professionals, filling gaps in coordination that have historically limited the sector’s growth. This policy move forms a core component of the government’s wider economic diversification strategy, which aims to generate new sustainable streams of income and employment for Dominicans while reducing the national economy’s sensitivity to volatile global market shifts. By investing in the creative sector, the government hopes to build a more balanced, resilient economy that leverages Dominica’s unique cultural identity as a competitive economic asset.

  • Additional EC$19 million coming for Dominica’s small businesses, say officials

    Additional EC$19 million coming for Dominica’s small businesses, say officials

    Dominica’s government is expanding its successful micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) financing initiative, adding an additional EC$19 million in low-interest concessionary funding that will become accessible to local entrepreneurs starting this December. The announcement was made by Finance Minister Dr. Irving McIntyre during his presentation of the 2026-2027 National Budget to Parliament this Tuesday.

    Under the expanded programme, the additional capital will be channeled through the AID Bank, which will manage direct lending to eligible MSMEs across the country. Dr. McIntyre outlined that the loan terms have been intentionally crafted to reduce financial strain for growing and emerging businesses: borrowers will pay a fixed 3.5 percent interest rate calculated on a reducing balance, with repayment windows stretching up to 10 years and a six-month grace period that covers both principal and interest payments.

    “These terms are designed to protect cash flow when a business is most vulnerable: during start-up or expansion,” Dr. McIntyre told lawmakers, emphasizing that the flexible structure addresses the unique financial challenges new and growing businesses face in their early stages.

    This new injection of funding builds on the success of the initial EC$27.8 million MSME Loan Facility, which supported 554 local businesses before all allocated funds were fully committed by March 31, 2026. Beneficiaries of the first round of funding spanned a wide range of key Dominican economic sectors, including agriculture, tourism, transportation, manufacturing, and various service industries.

    Dr. McIntyre noted that the rapid full uptake of the first programme’s funding sends a clear signal: local entrepreneurs are eager and ready to scale their operations when affordable, accessible financing is made available to them. He added that the Dominican government positions MSMEs as a foundational pillar of the national economy, critical to both boosting employment rates and advancing long-term economic diversification.

    “These businesses are not on the margins of the economy,” McIntyre said. “They are often where Dominicans earn their first wage, develop an idea, and build a livelihood.”

  • Santiago tourism cluster supports construction of Amber Tourist Highway

    Santiago tourism cluster supports construction of Amber Tourist Highway

    In the northern Dominican city of Santiago de los Caballeros, the leading regional tourism industry coalition has thrown its full support behind a proposed infrastructure project that promises to reshape travel and economic activity across two of the nation’s most popular tourism hubs. The Santiago Tourist Destination Cluster has publicly endorsed the development of the Amber Tourist Highway, arguing that the new roadway will fill critical gaps in regional connectivity between the provinces of Santiago and Puerto Plata, unlocking shared economic and tourism growth for both areas. Brenda Sánchez, president of the cluster, which represents a broad cross-section of local tourism-related businesses and stakeholders, framed the highway initiative as a transformative opportunity for the Dominican Republic’s northern tourism corridor. She emphasized that the project will make it far easier to cultivate multi-destination travel, a strategy that encourages visitors to extend their stays and explore more of the country rather than limiting their trips to a single location. Improved road links will also streamline travel for both domestic tourists traveling within the Dominican Republic and international visitors arriving from overseas, removing common logistical barriers that currently discourage cross-province travel. Beyond improving convenience for travelers, Sánchez noted that the highway will deepen the collaborative relationship between Santiago and Puerto Plata, two core pillars of the Dominican Republic’s $7 billion annual tourism industry. The interconnected nature of the new route will allow the two destinations to complement one another: visitors can explore the cultural and historic attractions of inland Santiago, then easily travel to the coastal resort hubs of Puerto Plata for beach getaways, creating a more well-rounded vacation experience. Sánchez added that this enhanced connectivity will also boost the region’s overall global competitiveness as a tourism destination. A more integrated, accessible corridor is likely to draw higher levels of foreign and domestic private investment into hotels, restaurants, adventure tourism operations, and other tourism-related businesses, creating new jobs and expanding tax revenues for local governments. For existing businesses across the sector, from small family-owned guest houses to large international resort chains, the improved infrastructure will translate to higher customer volumes and stronger revenue streams. In closing, the Santiago Tourist Destination Cluster reaffirmed its longstanding commitment to supporting strategic infrastructure projects that align with the goal of sustainable, inclusive tourism growth. The organization stressed that investments that improve regional mobility, expand access to tourism assets, and strengthen collaboration between complementary destinations are key to ensuring the long-term resilience and prosperity of the Dominican Republic’s tourism economy, which accounts for roughly 15% of the nation’s total GDP.

  • Punta Cana MRO Center starts operations with first aircraft from JetBlue

    Punta Cana MRO Center starts operations with first aircraft from JetBlue

    The Caribbean nation of the Dominican Republic has achieved a landmark milestone in the growth of its aviation sector, as the first commercial aircraft touched down at the newly constructed Aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Center at Punta Cana International Airport this week.

    A JetBlue Airbus A320, bearing registration number N634JB, has the distinction of being the first aircraft to enter the purpose-built maintenance facility, officially kicking off commercial operations at the site. The aviation complex is the result of a collaborative development project between Grupo Puntacana, the Dominican developer behind Punta Cana’s tourism and infrastructure ecosystem, and FL Technics, a globally recognized leader in aircraft maintenance and support services.

    This inaugural arrival also doubles as the MRO center’s first contracted commercial job, strengthening the long-standing partnership between JetBlue and Punta Cana International Airport’s expanding network of aviation infrastructure. JetBlue has long been a key operator at the Dominican tourism hub, connecting millions of annual visitors to Punta Cana from North American markets.

    The overarching strategic goal of the new MRO facility is to cement the Dominican Republic’s status as the leading regional hub for aircraft maintenance services across the Caribbean and broader Americas. Prior to the center’s launch, regional airlines were forced to divert their aircraft to far-flung international maintenance markets for specialized overhaull and repair work, incurring significant extra costs and downtime. The new facility eliminates this gap by offering local access to specialized maintenance services for carriers operating in the region.

    Situated within the Punta Cana Free Trade Zone, the MRO center occupies a total plot area of roughly 115,588 square meters, with 27,000 square meters of purpose-built maintenance and operations space completed in its first development phase. This initial stage includes five dedicated maintenance bays configured to accommodate narrow-body aircraft, the most common jet type operated on regional and short-haul routes across the Caribbean. Project leaders have already outlined plans for future expansion to accommodate wide-body aircraft as demand for services grows.

    Beyond core maintenance work, the facility will deliver a full suite of aviation services including routine scheduled inspections, heavy base maintenance, aircraft component repairs, custom cabin modifications, and a range of other specialized technical aviation work. Government officials and aviation industry leaders alike project that the new MRO center will deliver broad economic benefits to the Dominican Republic, including the creation of high-wage skilled technical jobs, expanded opportunities for local technical training programs, and long-term growth for both the country’s core aviation sector and its multi-billion dollar tourism economy.

  • LIAT Air Marks Second Anniversary With Launch of Loyalty Programme

    LIAT Air Marks Second Anniversary With Launch of Loyalty Programme

    ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – Caribbean regional carrier LIAT Air is celebrating two years of independent operations this week, marking the milestone with the official launch of a brand-new customer loyalty initiative designed to reward frequent travelers: LIAT Air Club. Unveiled to the public on Thursday, this free membership program opens up new perks for passengers who choose the airline for their regional travel, introducing a points-based system that turns every eligible purchase into redeemable rewards.

    Under the program’s structure, members accrue one point for every U.S. dollar spent on qualifying flights with the carrier. Those accumulated points can then be exchanged for a range of benefits, including free future flights, discounted or complimentary excess baggage allowance, and other travel-related perks. To cater to different levels of travel frequency, LIAT Air has structured the initiative across four tiered membership levels: Blue, Bronze, Silver, and Gold, with higher tiers unlocking increasingly valuable exclusive benefits for frequent fliers.

    As a special anniversary promotion to commemorate the carrier’s two-year milestone, LIAT Air is also extending eligibility for points to passengers who completed eligible flights with the airline in the three months leading up to the program’s launch. New members who sign up for LIAT Air Club will have until September 30, 2026, to submit claims for these retroactive points, giving travelers more than two years to take advantage of the limited-time offer.

    Hafsah Abdulsalam, Chief Executive Officer of LIAT Air, emphasized that the new loyalty program is first and foremost a gesture of gratitude to the customer base that has supported the carrier through its first two years of operations. “Today’s launch is our way of saying thank you to the thousands of customers who have supported LIAT Air throughout our journey,” Abdulsalam said in an official statement announcing the program. “LIAT Air Club is an investment in our customers, giving back to them by rewarding their loyalty while making travel even more accessible and rewarding.”

    Since launching operations two years ago, LIAT Air has steadily expanded its footprint across the Caribbean, growing its regional route network to improve connectivity between island nations across the region. Company representatives framed the launch of LIAT Air Club as a key milestone in the carrier’s ongoing expansion strategy, building on its early growth to deliver greater value to the passengers that power its operations. The program is now open for new member enrollment via the airline’s official platforms.

  • Government backs honey industry with new $1.5 million investment and branding initiative

    Government backs honey industry with new $1.5 million investment and branding initiative

    The Commonwealth of Dominica is taking bold steps to grow its burgeoning beekeeping sector, with plans to develop an official national honey brand as a centerpiece of its agricultural modernization agenda. As part of this initiative, the island’s government has earmarked an additional EC$1.5 million to scale up operations, funding the installation of hundreds of new beehives and ramping up domestic honey production.

    This new injection of capital builds on prior investments already rolled out across the country. To date, the administration has distributed 600 pre-assembled beehives, specialized beekeeping equipment, and full protective gear to apiarists working in every region of Dominica. Speaking during the official tabling of the 2026-2027 national budget, Minister of Finance Dr. Irving McIntyre confirmed that these earlier strategic investments have already doubled the nation’s total registered hive population, putting the industry on a strong growth trajectory.

    The latest EC$1.5 million allocation will advance two key priorities: rolling out hundreds of additional beehives to meet growing demand from new and existing beekeepers, and laying the groundwork for a nationally recognized Dominican honey brand that will highlight the island’s unique natural biodiversity. This investment forms a core plank of the current administration’s broader agricultural transformation strategy, which aims to shift Dominica’s farming sector away from its historical focus on raw commodity exports toward a modern, value-driven economy centered on local processing, intentional branding, and export of high-value finished goods.

    Beyond expansion of the beekeeping and honey sectors, the government is also moving forward with plans to construct a new multipurpose agro-processing facility that will support a wide range of local agricultural producers. The purpose-built facility will be designed to process popular local crops including root vegetables and a wide variety of tropical fruits, and will include dedicated business incubation space for small and medium enterprises producing everything from honey and artisanal sauces to homemade jams and jellies, as well as local herbs and spices.

    Administration officials argue that expanding domestic agro-processing capacity will deliver dual benefits for Dominica’s agricultural community: it will cut down on costly post-harvest losses that currently cut into producer profits, while opening up new higher-earning opportunities for local farmers and small business owners to capture more value from goods grown right on the island.

  • Essay I: Van Zee naar Land – Wat Suriname zelf moet weten over de Nieuwe Raffinaderij en Gas-to-Shore

    Essay I: Van Zee naar Land – Wat Suriname zelf moet weten over de Nieuwe Raffinaderij en Gas-to-Shore

    Over the past five years, Suriname’s offshore waters have delivered an energy windfall unmatched in the nation’s entire modern history: more proven oil and natural gas reserves have been discovered off its coast than were accumulated in all preceding decades combined. This geological bounty positions the small South American nation at a crossroads, where intentional policy choices will determine whether these resources translate into long-term, inclusive sustainable development, or remain a raw commodity export that delivers limited benefit to ordinary Surinamese people. In the first installment of a six-part series, veteran petroleum and energy advisor Marcel P.T. Chin-A-Lien breaks down why a new onshore refinery and a Gas-to-Shore (GtS) pipeline project are critical to unlocking the full potential of Suriname’s energy reserves for all citizens.

  • China slaat terug met sancties en strengere exportregels in handelsconflict met VS

    China slaat terug met sancties en strengere exportregels in handelsconflict met VS

    Tensions in the long-running trade and technology standoff between the world’s two largest economies have flared once again, after China unveiled a coordinated package of countermeasures on Wednesday in response to new punitive trade actions imposed by the United States. Beijing’s response includes tightened export controls on drones and related dual-use technologies bound for the US market, alongside formal sanctions on several US entities and companies.

    According to China’s Ministry of Commerce, the new measures are a direct and proportionate response to a series of recent hostile trade moves from Washington. These include new restrictions targeting Chinese technology firms, updated stringent regulatory requirements issued by the US Federal Communications Commission, and the addition of dozens of Chinese companies to Washington’s economic blacklist over unsubstantiated allegations of human rights violations in Xinjiang.

    At the core of China’s countermeasures is a sweeping overhaul of export licensing rules for drones, drone components, and dual-use technologies that have both civilian and military applications. While exports to the United States will still be permitted, all new shipments will now undergo much stricter case-by-case reviews before approval is granted. In addition, Chinese firms are barred from conducting any new commercial activities with seven US organizations that Beijing says have actively participated in Washington’s anti-China sanctions regime.

    Beijing has also suspended all cooperation with US certification bodies that carried out mandatory quality inspections for Chinese goods exported to the United States. A formal security probe has additionally been launched into potential risks posed by certain imported US-made office equipment.

    Market and policy analysts broadly view the new set of measures as a clear escalation of the ongoing technology and trade rivalry between the two global economic powers. Unlike earlier phases of the standoff that centered heavily on broad-based import tariffs, both Washington and Beijing have increasingly shifted focus to targeting strategic sectors that hold both economic and national security importance. These cutting-edge sectors include semiconductors, unmanned aerial systems, robotics, telecommunications, and other advanced dual-use technologies.

    While China’s latest countermeasures are narrowly targeted and do not amount to a full blanket trade ban on US goods and services, observers note they underscore the continued deepening of economic competition between the two powers. At the same time, both sides have signaled a continued interest in keeping tensions contained ahead of planned diplomatic engagements scheduled for later this year.

    For the South American nation of Suriname, the new measures do not carry immediate direct impacts. However, a further deterioration of Sino-US trade relations could drag down overall global economic growth, analysts warn. Over the longer term, a broader slowdown would affect global demand for raw materials, and push up international prices for key export commodities that Suriname relies on for government revenue and foreign exchange, including crude oil and gold. Disruptions to global supply chains stemming from escalated tensions could also drive up costs for imported technology and industrial goods that Suriname depends on for domestic development.