分类： business

At the CANTO Connect 2026 conference, Liberty Caribbean CEO Inge Smidts delivered a powerful address challenging Caribbean leaders to harness the region’s digital infrastructure for measurable economic advancement. Speaking as head of the telecommunications giant operating Flow, Liberty Business and BTC services, Smidts presented a strategic framework for converting connectivity into concrete opportunities.

With the conference theme ‘Elevate the Caribbean — From Connectivity to Global Competitiveness’ as backdrop, Smidts outlined three critical priorities: embedding technology within Caribbean cultural identity, constructing people-centered intelligent networks, and accelerating telecom companies’ evolution into technology platforms that generate local opportunities.

“Our foundation of connectivity is established,” Smidts declared. “The pressing question now is what we will build upon it. Combining Caribbean creativity with reliable connectivity and intelligent policy unlocks jobs, services, and businesses capable of competing internationally.”

The CEO emphasized Liberty Caribbean’s commitment to leading this transformation through investments in human capital, strategic partnerships, and technological platforms. She called for enhanced public-private collaboration models extending beyond financing to include co-regulation, regulatory sandboxes, and shared governance structures.

“Public-private partnership serves as the engine for progress acceleration,” Smidts explained. “Governments provide vision and legitimacy, industry contributes scale and technical capability, while universities and civil society offer scrutiny and social purpose. Aligned incentives produce tangible impact.”

Liberty Caribbean demonstrated its commitment through concrete offers to connect investors with developers, align government programs with cloud infrastructure, and expand apprenticeship pipelines to empower Caribbean entrepreneurs and technologists.

Smidts highlighted the company’s practical initiatives including the JUMP inclusion program, which provides subsidized access, devices, training, and entrepreneurial support to households and microentrepreneurs. She stressed that intelligent connectivity must address authentic local needs while engineered for resilience in a disaster-prone region.

“In hurricane zones, active fault lines, and volcanic regions, connectivity becomes lifesaving rather than optional,” Smidts noted. “Our emergency response work proves that industry collaboration with satellite providers and governments can restore critical communications within hours instead of days.”

The address specifically acknowledged Trinidad and Tobago’s progress driven by policy initiatives including the Blueprint Revitalisation Plan, successful investor engagement, and a $1 billion bond roadshow. National digital projects such as the ANANSI digital assistant, UNESCO/UNDP AI assessment collaboration, OpenAI partnerships for education transformation, and the Developers’ Hub for SME-government co-creation received particular emphasis as examples of the nation’s ambitious digital transformation.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Celebrating its 14th anniversary, Jamaican street-food phenomenon Bad Dawg is executing a dual expansion strategy that simultaneously grows its mobile vendor network while establishing a formal retail presence across the island nation.

The brand, originally launched as a job-creation initiative by CB Group, has evolved from its humble sausage cart beginnings into a multifaceted food enterprise. What began as a program to empower small entrepreneurs with low startup costs has matured into a hybrid business model featuring over 18 independent vendors operating islandwide, consistent presence at major public events, and supermarket distribution channels.

Alicia Bogues, CB Group’s Head of Regional Development, explained the brand’s foundational philosophy: “Bad Dawg was intentionally designed as an entrepreneurial opportunity platform, enabling individuals to become their own bosses with minimal initial investment.” This approach has not only created employment but also cultivated a devoted customer base that associates the brand with Jamaica’s vibrant social gatherings and cultural events.

The brand’s product innovation has kept pace with its operational expansion. While maintaining its signature sausage offerings, Bad Dawg has introduced streaky bacon to its portfolio, strategically broadening its culinary applications across different meal occasions.

The vendor success story of Alicia Newman and her husband exemplifies the brand’s impact. Starting with one cart three years ago as supplementary income alongside their full-time jobs, the couple now operates two carts, employs six people, and plans to launch a third unit—demonstrating the scalability of the Bad Dawg model.

Moiya Chin-Lyn, Channel Manager for Retail Experience at CB Foods, highlighted the strategic thinking behind the retail expansion: “Our move into formal retail channels allows consumers to enjoy our distinctive flavors at home while preserving the authentic street culture that established our brand identity.”

This fourteen-year journey reflects the ongoing commercialization of Jamaica’s informal food sector, with Bad Dawg successfully bridging the gap between traditional street vending and modern retail distribution without compromising its original community-oriented values.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a significant endorsement of Jamaica’s economic resilience, Fitch Ratings has maintained the nation’s sovereign credit rating at BB- with a stable outlook. This decision comes despite the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa, which struck the island nation in October 2025, causing an estimated $8.8 billion in damages equivalent to 40% of GDP.

The rating agency specifically acknowledged the government’s unwavering commitment to macroeconomic stability while confronting one of the most devastating natural disasters in Jamaica’s modern history. The hurricane particularly devastated western regions, prompting massive reconstruction efforts that Fitch projects will cause temporary economic contractions of 1.5% in 2025 and 2.6% in 2026.

Critical to maintaining the rating was Jamaica’s demonstrated financial preparedness, which Fitch characterized as ‘robust.’ The nation’s multi-layered risk management framework includes over $6.0 billion in concessional multilateral loan packages, approximately $250 million in government insurance and contingency reserves, additional credit lines, a $150 million catastrophe bond facility, and substantial anticipated private insurance disbursements.

The agency further noted the government’s pragmatic fiscal response, including the temporary suspension of the Fiscal Responsibility Law to facilitate urgent reconstruction spending. While fiscal balances are expected to enter deficit territory during the 2025-2026 period, primary surpluses are projected to return by fiscal year 2027, keeping the government on track to reduce debt-to-GDP ratios toward 60%.

Finance Minister Fayval Williams welcomed the rating affirmation, stating that Fitch’s recognition of Jamaica’s ‘strong decade-plus track record of adhering to a solid fiscal framework’ validates the government’s fiscal discipline and the sacrifices made by the Jamaican people.

A significant accounting failure at Jamaica Broilers Group (JBG) has triggered a financial crisis for one of its largest institutional investors, Mayberry Jamaican Equities Limited (MJE), erasing nearly $1 billion in portfolio value and contributing to one of the worst annual performances in MJE’s history.

The scandal emerged from JBG’s U.S. operations, where accounting irregularities necessitated a massive $46 billion restatement of its 2024 audited financial statements. This restatement, primarily involving overstated inventories and biological assets, precipitated a catastrophic 53% plunge in JBG’s stock price throughout 2025.

For MJE, the collapse was devastating. The investment firm recorded an $899 million unrealized loss on its JBG holdings, forming part of a broader $4.93 billion net loss for the year. MJE Chairman Chris Berry expressed profound shock and disappointment during an investor briefing, stating, “We still don’t really understand how it happened, why it happened… It’s a great tragedy for Jamaica, the Jamaica Stock Exchange, and for the company.”

The fallout continues as accountability remains unclear. When questioned about remedial actions at JBG’s U.S. operations, Berry declined to elaborate. MJE’s exposure to JBG grew substantially over several years, with investments exceeding $1 billion since 2022, making MJE JBG’s fifth-largest shareholder before the collapse.

JBG has implemented sweeping reforms including management overhaul, strengthened financial controls with IBM’s assistance, appointment of a new U.S. auditor, and a $24 billion refinancing package. The company’s audit committee is pursuing an electronic communication search requested by auditor PwC Jamaica, which issued a qualified opinion due to the absence of this investigation.

Despite these measures, uncertainty persists. Bruce Bowen, chairman of JBG’s audit committee, revealed no intention to pursue further recovery actions related to the U.S. operations at this time. The company continues negotiations to resolve approximately $120 million in U.S.-related debt while implementing governance reforms including a comprehensive review by Cube Corporate Support Limited.

The scandal has eroded investor confidence significantly, with JBG shares losing $22.45 billion in market capitalization during 2025, highlighting the profound impact of accounting governance failures on market stability and investor trust.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a significant investment in human capital, popular Jamaican restaurant chain Chicken & Tings commenced 2026 with an elaborate Staff Appreciation Day, temporarily suspending operations across all locations on January 26 to honor its workforce. The comprehensive celebration unfolded at Puerto Seco Beach Club followed by an exclusive dinner gathering at Plantation Smokehouse, assembling 120 employees from diverse branches and operational shifts.

The event transcended conventional corporate gatherings through curated entertainment featuring performances by dancehall luminaries Skeng, Bishop Escobar, and Ding Dong with his Ravers group. The agenda incorporated team-building games, gourmet catering, and musical festivities designed to foster camaraderie beyond workplace formalities.

Founder Emelio Madden articulated the philosophical underpinnings of this initiative to Observer Online: ‘Recognition transcends operational mechanics—it acknowledges that our enterprise thrives through people, not protocols. This ceremonial commencement establishes our annual tone: every team member represents a growth partner, not merely schedule filler.’

Madden characterized the preceding year as a ‘transformative challenge,’ citing operational hurdles, expansion difficulties, and recovery from extreme weather events. These trials underscored critical lessons in structural reinforcement, transparent communication, and systemic accountability, ultimately demonstrating organizational resilience.

For 2026, Chicken & Tings prioritizes dual objectives: corporate stabilization with planned expansion, coupled with enhanced employee development programs. Madden emphasized ‘stronger systems, advanced training, and clear career progression pathways’ as fundamental to cultivating workforce pride, security, and motivation.

The proprietor directly linked staff morale to operational excellence, noting: ‘Valued employees manifest elevated engagement, superior collaboration, and deepened loyalty. This positive dynamism functionally advances corporate targets—inspired teams deliver exceptional outcomes.’

When encapsulating the annual outlook, Madden elected ‘focused’ as the defining motif: concentration on growth benchmarks, quality standards, collaborative synergy, and collective advancement beyond prior achievements.

KINGSTON, Jamaica—Datenight.JM has unveiled an ambitious luxury partnership with Sanejo, realizing a long-developed vision for premium romantic experiences. CEO Saidah Denniser confirmed the venture’s debut aligns strategically with the 2026 Valentine’s season, despite Jamaica’s ongoing recovery from Hurricane Melissa and economic challenges.

The innovative service, branded ‘Datenight on the Dock’, transforms yacht-based evenings into curated luxury experiences. Patrons receive meticulously arranged picnic setups featuring premium blankets, cushions, and wine accessories, complemented by personalized beverage selections and customizable charcuterie boards. Denniser emphasizes this offering represents the evolution of her company’s eight-year journey from floral arrangements to comprehensive experience curation.

‘This concept embodies the true essence of date night—exuding love, passion, and premium quality for couples,’ Denniser stated. The partnership with Sanejo enabled the realization of a vision several years in development, exceeding initial customer expectations according to early feedback.

Contrary to seasonal limitations, the service will operate year-round catering to anniversaries, proposals, and birthday celebrations. Despite broader economic pressures affecting Jamaican consumers, Denniser anticipates strong demand for the 2026 Valentine’s period, noting it consistently ranks among their busiest seasons. The company is implementing expanded training programs and operational systems to maintain service quality during peak demand periods.

The 2026 launch coincides with Datenight.JM’s eighth anniversary, marking the company’s commitment to innovation and meaningful experience creation within Jamaica’s hospitality sector.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Two prominent hospitality entities within the Margaritaville Caribbean Group consortium have announced significant delays in their financial reporting schedules, attributing the postponements to operational disruptions caused by Hurricane Melissa’s recent passage through the region.

Margaritaville (Turks) Limited disclosed Thursday that its board of directors has formally rescheduled the publication of its upcoming financial report to February 27, 2026. Company officials confirmed the delay stems directly from hurricane-related complications that impaired normal accounting functions and data collection processes.

In a parallel development, Express Catering revealed similar reporting challenges, announcing the deferral of its second-quarter 2026 interim financial statements to the same revised date of February 27, 2026. The food service provider cited identical storm-related operational disruptions affecting its financial documentation pipeline.

Both organizations emphasized their commitment to expedite publication should operational conditions improve ahead of the revised timeline. The coordinated delay highlights the broader challenges facing Caribbean businesses following October 2025’s Hurricane Melissa, which severely impacted commercial activity, supply chain logistics, and administrative capabilities across multiple industrial sectors throughout the region.

The hurricane’s aftermath has created particularly complex challenges for hospitality and tourism-dependent businesses, which must simultaneously manage recovery operations while maintaining regulatory compliance. Industry analysts note that such reporting delays are not uncommon following major natural disasters, though the nearly three-week postponement indicates significant systemic disruption to financial infrastructure.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Mayberry Jamaican Equities Limited experienced a dramatic financial reversal in 2025 as widespread declines on the Jamaica Stock Exchange triggered substantial unrealized losses within its investment portfolio. The market downturn effectively erased previous gains and significantly diminished the company’s net asset value.

The investment firm reported unaudited results showing a total comprehensive loss of $5.7 billion for the twelve-month period ending December 31, 2025—a stark contrast to the $584 million gain recorded in 2024. Net losses reached $4.9 billion, with loss per share expanding dramatically to $4.10 from just 12 cents the previous year.

Notably, the losses stemmed not from operational deficiencies but from depreciating market valuations. Operating expenses actually decreased throughout the year, while dividend income from portfolio companies increased. The comprehensive loss primarily reflected declining equity prices across the local exchange, reversing valuation gains achieved in 2024.

The company’s asset value contracted by 22.4% to $18.3 billion as share prices fell. Shareholders’ equity declined by approximately one-third to $12.2 billion, reducing net asset value per share to $10.12 from $14.89 at the close of 2024.

Mayberry’s share price mirrored this downward trajectory, closing the year at $8.75—a 26.2% year-on-year decrease. The stock currently trades below its reported underlying value, indicating persistent investor caution toward the sector.

Portfolio concentration emerged as a critical vulnerability during the market downturn. More than half of Mayberry’s investment value remains concentrated in a single holding, Supreme Ventures Limited, with the remainder distributed across 24 other Jamaica Stock Exchange-listed companies. This concentration strategy, while potentially rewarding during bull markets, amplified losses during the downturn, with declines in a limited number of large holdings—including investments classified as associates—accounting for most of the portfolio’s value reduction.

The market weakness occurred despite improving macroeconomic conditions. Jamaica’s economy expanded in 2025 following hurricane-related disruptions the previous year, supported by growth in both services and goods-producing industries. However, this recovery failed to translate into equity market gains, with both the Main and Junior Market indices closing lower due to valuation adjustments, elevated inflation in the latter half of the year, and ongoing uncertainty regarding extreme weather risks.

Additional market pressures included modest weakening of the Jamaican dollar against the US dollar, prompting repeated foreign-exchange interventions by the Bank of Jamaica to stabilize market conditions.

Despite the substantial losses, Mayberry Jamaican Equities concluded the year with financial stability intact, maintaining positive shareholders’ equity and manageable debt levels without immediate signs of financial distress. However, the erosion of asset values has diminished the company’s capacity to withstand further market volatility in 2026. Future performance will likely depend less on cost control—which remained effective throughout 2025—and more on the recovery of equity prices, particularly among its largest holdings.

Scotia Group Jamaica Limited (SGJ) is undergoing significant leadership changes as board chair Anya Schnoor announces her retirement to dedicate her expertise exclusively to expanding Scotiabank’s global insurance strategy. Schnoor will conclude her five-year tenure as director by not seeking re-election at the upcoming annual general meeting scheduled for March 4th.

This transition marks the end of a groundbreaking chapter for Jamaican corporate leadership, as Schnoor made history in December 2022 by becoming the first Jamaican woman to chair Scotia Group’s board. Her banking career with Scotiabank Jamaica began in May 2006, culminating in her November 2024 appointment as Executive Vice-President of global insurance.

Vernon Douglas, current chair of The Bank of Nova Scotia Jamaica Limited, will assume the SGJ chairman role following Schnoor’s departure. This promotion triggers subsequent leadership adjustments, with Audrey Richards—currently chairing both Scotia Investments Jamaica Limited and Scotia Jamaica Life Insurance Company Limited—prepared to succeed Douglas at Scotiabank Jamaica.

The corporate reshuffling occurs as Scotia Group Jamaica prepares to host its annual meeting at Montego Bay’s Iberostar Selection Rose Hall, notably shifting from its traditional Kingston venue. This geographical change reflects the financial conglomerate’s commitment to supporting western Jamaica’s recovery efforts following the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa.

In her departure statement, Schnoor reflected on her career origins: “I started my career with Scotiabank here in Jamaica and have been proud that the first home for Scotiabank outside of North America continues to set the bar for financial performance and good corporate governance in the local market.” She expressed full confidence in the institution’s continued excellence for decades to come.