分类: business

  • 15 December Treasury Bill auction raises double projected revenue

    15 December Treasury Bill auction raises double projected revenue

    Grenada concluded its 2025 Treasury Bill offerings with a notably successful auction on December 15th, demonstrating robust investor confidence in the nation’s financial instruments. The Eastern Caribbean Securities Exchange (ECSE) reported that the 365-day Treasury Bill offering was substantially oversubscribed, attracting EC$10 million beyond the initial EC$10 million target.

    Utilizing a competitive uniform price methodology, the auction successfully raised EC$20 million at a discount rate of 4.76190%, notably below the maximum rate threshold of 5.0% initially established. This final auction of the year contributed to Grenada’s total 2025 securities market performance, where the government raised over EC$110 million through seven separate auctions comprising four 91-day and three 365-day Treasury Bills.

    Proceeds from these securities are strategically allocated toward refinancing existing Treasury bills and notes currently circulating in the market. This approach forms an integral component of the Government’s Debt Management Strategy, specifically designed to minimize borrowing costs by reducing dependency on overdraft facilities.

    Notably, investment yields from these instruments remain exempt from taxation, duties, or levies imposed by Participating Governments of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU). With the 2025 auction cycle now complete, market participants anticipate the forthcoming publication of the 2026 prospectus. Grenada maintains its traditional schedule of initiating each year’s securities auctions in February.

  • Business leaders spotlight MSME growth at 32nd GCIC Awards

    Business leaders spotlight MSME growth at 32nd GCIC Awards

    GRENADA – The Grenada Chamber of Industry and Commerce (GCIC) celebrated the nation’s most dynamic enterprises at its 32nd Annual Business Awards Ceremony on December 6, 2025. Held at the Radisson Beach Resort in Grand Anse under the theme “From Vision to Impact: Growing Sustainably Together,” the event gathered over 200 leaders from private sector, government, and civil society to honor businesses driving economic resilience through innovation and sustainability.

    Keynote speaker Bevil Wooding, Executive Director of the Caribbean Agency for Justice Solutions and renowned technology innovator, framed the awards within the broader challenges facing small island economies. “These awardees demonstrate that innovation, sustainability, and community impact are not optional extras—they are the foundation of long-term business success,” Wooding emphasized, noting how Grenadian businesses are redefining excellence while balancing global competitiveness with local value creation.

    GCIC President Collin Francis articulated the strategic vision behind this year’s theme: “Innovation without sustainability is short-lived. Sustainability without innovation leads to stagnation. Together, they point the way to business growth that creates jobs, protects our environment, and builds long-term prosperity for families across Grenada.”

    The awards ceremony highlighted a significant shift toward enterprises that successfully merge commercial performance with environmental stewardship, skills development, and community impact. Winners spanned diverse sectors including agriculture, tourism, ICT, marine conservation, and education, reflecting Grenada’s comprehensive approach to sustainable development.

    Petipha Lewis, GCIC Executive Director, emphasized the significance of this year’s recipients: “The quality and range of businesses recognized underscore the strength and resilience of Grenada’s private sector, particularly our MSMEs. These enterprises are creating opportunities, embracing technology, safeguarding our environment, and strengthening communities.”

    Notable award recipients included Fruittimoss Grenada (Excellence in Agri-Business), Metarelic People Inc. (Excellence in ICT), Grenada Blue Inc. (Marine Conservation), and Glenelg Spring Water Inc. (People’s Choice Award). The Chamber expressed gratitude to sponsors and partners including Republic Bank Grenada Ltd., The Nature Conservancy, and FLOW for their support in making the event possible.

  • GCSI is bullish about its 2026 prospects

    GCSI is bullish about its 2026 prospects

    The Grenada Coalition of Service Industries (GCSI) is charting an ambitious course for 2026 following a transformative year of organizational restructuring and strategic partnership development. Under the leadership of Chairman Jude Bernard, the coalition has successfully repositioned itself as a catalyst for service sector growth through its GCSI 2.0 initiative, encapsulated by the motto ‘Transformation through Collaboration and Innovation’.

    The coalition’s revitalization efforts have yielded significant achievements, including the establishment of seven pivotal local partnerships with key institutions: Grenada Development Bank, Grenada Bureau of Standards, Grenada Investment Development Corporation, T A Marryshow Community College, Grenada National Training Agency, Grenada Chamber of Industry and Commerce, and Caribbean Coding Academy. Notably, GCSI forged a historic regional alliance through a memorandum of understanding with the Barbados Coalition of Service Industries, marking a milestone in Caribbean economic cooperation.

    Building on this foundation, GCSI has outlined an extensive agenda for early 2026 featuring the revival of Services Week from March 21-27. The program includes the return of the signature Services Expo, Grenada’s inaugural Services Industries Award reception, and an innovative virtual Career Day targeting secondary school students.

    The coalition’s comprehensive strategy extends beyond events to include substantive capacity-building initiatives. The GATEWAY to Trade program will focus on export capacity development and acceleration for service organizations and SMEs. Simultaneously, the Bridge to Brilliance initiative by DeVry University will address regional talent pipeline strengthening through upskilling and reskilling programs designed for the digital economy.

    Additional 2026 plans encompass localized training sessions for stakeholders and collaborative activities with strategic partners, all aimed at elevating Grenada’s service producers to export-ready status and enhancing the nation’s economic development through service sector excellence.

  • St Kitts, Haiti get CAF ok as shareholder countries

    St Kitts, Haiti get CAF ok as shareholder countries

    In a landmark decision signaling expanded regional integration, the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) has formally approved St Kitts and Nevis and Haiti as new shareholder countries. The historic move was ratified during the institution’s board of directors meeting convened in Panama City on December 16 under the leadership of Chairman Davendranath Tancoo, who serves as Trinidad and Tobago’s Finance Minister.

    This strategic incorporation will enable both Caribbean nations to access tailored development financing mechanisms, specialized technical assistance programs, and knowledge-sharing initiatives specifically designed for small island developing states facing climate vulnerability challenges. The expansion effectively triples CAF’s Caribbean shareholder base compared to 2023 levels, representing the most significant regional enlargement in the institution’s history.

    Concurrently, CAF’s board authorized substantial financial commitments totaling $3.175 billion for pan-regional operations. These funds will catalyze critical infrastructure projects spanning electricity generation, water security systems, sustainable transportation networks, and support mechanisms for vulnerable communities. Additional financing will target small and medium-sized enterprises alongside productive economic sectors requiring development capital.

    The institution has demonstrated accelerated Caribbean engagement throughout 2025, having incorporated Saint Lucia in June during its Seville board meeting. This follows earlier expansions that welcomed The Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda, and Grenada into the shareholder framework over preceding twelve months. Currently, six Caribbean nations maintain shareholder status with several others advancing through various incorporation stages.

    CAF Executive President Sergio Diaz-Granados emphasized the institution’s regional philosophy, stating: ‘St Kitts and Nevis and Haiti are joining a home-grown development bank that was established by the region specifically for regional advancement.’ He characterized CAF as ‘more than a financial institution—it constitutes a strategic bridge unifying Latin American and Caribbean development objectives through contextually appropriate solutions.’

    In a parallel development, the board confirmed Barbados’ successful compliance with requirements to transition to full membership status. This elevation positions Barbados alongside Trinidad and Tobago as the second CARICOM nation to achieve full membership standing within the development bank.

    Since establishing its regional headquarters in Trinidad and Tobago in 2022, CAF has deployed extensive programming across climate finance, resilient infrastructure development, public service modernization, and digital transformation initiatives. The institution continues to expand its portfolio encompassing blue and green economy investments, cultural heritage tourism, and educational development programs throughout the Caribbean basin.

  • Naxos Trading brings quality, affordable products to Jamaica’s digital marketplace

    Naxos Trading brings quality, affordable products to Jamaica’s digital marketplace

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Naxos Trading has emerged as a significant player in Jamaica’s rapidly expanding digital marketplace, positioning itself as a premier destination for affordable quality products since its January 2025 launch. The online retailer has strategically aligned with 7Krave Marketplace, an established digital platform, to overcome traditional barriers faced by small and medium-sized enterprises in the Caribbean nation.

    This innovative partnership leverages 7Krave’s robust technological infrastructure to address critical challenges including inventory management, delivery logistics, and digital marketing. Through the integrated mobile application, Naxos Trading has accelerated its market penetration while maintaining a customer-centric operational model that prioritizes accessibility and convenience.

    The company’s product portfolio showcases an intentional blend of health-conscious and practical offerings. Shoppers can discover 100% natural deodorants, specialized personal care items including Neem Essential Care 5-in-1 Toothpaste, and Mine Botanicals Raw and Organic Skin and Hair Oils. The selection extends to globally recognized Kirkland Signature brand products such as Himalayan Pink Salt, premium olive oils, and organic virgin coconut oil.

    Beyond wellness products, Naxos Trading addresses everyday practical needs with solar lanterns, utility storage solutions, automotive supplies including synthetic motor oils, and authentic Jamaican honey. This diverse merchandise strategy reflects a comprehensive approach to serving household, automotive, and lifestyle requirements.

    Founder Mario Thomas emphasized the transformative impact of the partnership: “The collaboration with 7Krave Marketplace has provided a streamlined solution that enables entrepreneurs to list products efficiently, benefit from reliable island-wide delivery systems, and access thousands of daily platform users across Jamaica.”

    Demonstrating corporate social responsibility, Naxos Trading has implemented a hurricane relief initiative offering customers a 10% discount using promo code RELIEF10 when purchasing items to support Hurricane Melissa recovery efforts.

    Consumers can access Naxos Trading’s offerings via https://7krave.com/marketplace/stores/naxos-trading or through the 7Krave Mobile App available on major digital platforms.

  • Uber opens registration for taxi drivers in Saint Lucia

    Uber opens registration for taxi drivers in Saint Lucia

    Uber Technologies has initiated the registration process for licensed taxi operators in Saint Lucia, marking a significant step toward the official debut of its ride-hailing services on the island nation. The December 16 announcement confirms the platform will operate exclusively under the Uber Taxi framework, requiring all participating drivers to hold valid taxi licenses and certifications.

    Jorge Cordero, General Manager for Uber’s Saint Lucia operations, emphasized the strategic focus on leveraging technology to enhance earning potential for local drivers. “We’re seeking licensed taxi professionals who want to expand their client base through digital innovation,” Cordero stated. “This initiative specifically targets the growing demographic of tourists who already prefer the Uber ecosystem during their travels.”

    The company is implementing a dual approach to market entry: directly onboarding individual drivers through the Uber Driver application while simultaneously engaging with established taxi associations and transportation enterprises across the island. This collaborative model aims to integrate existing transportation infrastructure with Uber’s technological platform.

    Prospective drivers must undergo a comprehensive verification process, submitting documentation including valid driving credentials, taxi permits, insurance certifications, banking information, photographic identification, and completed background checks. The Uber Taxi model already operates successfully in multiple Caribbean markets including Barbados, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic, demonstrating the viability of this approach in similar tourism-driven economies.

    Uber’s expansion strategy focuses on connecting licensed operators with both residents and visitors, particularly targeting the substantial tourist population already familiar with the application’s functionality. The company confirms that while driver onboarding is currently underway, an official service launch date will be announced following completion of preparatory phases.

  • Dominican Republic pushed out its $3M Startup

    Dominican Republic pushed out its $3M Startup

    The recent announcement of HEVA’s $3 million pre-seed funding round reveals a troubling pattern within the Dominican Republic’s innovation ecosystem rather than celebrating another diaspora success story. Dominican-American founder Héctor Alex Terrero’s AI-native healthcare platform secured substantial venture backing only after relocating operations from Santo Domingo to the United States, despite two years of effort to build within his home country.

    HEVA represents precisely the type of venture-scale startup that Dominican institutions rhetorically support—operating at the intersection of AI, healthcare, and cross-border services that align with the nation’s promoted identity as a medical tourism hub. Yet when Terrero attempted to establish his previous fintech venture Moneda and later HEVA from within the Dominican Republic, he encountered systemic barriers rather than substantive support.

    The funding consortium that ultimately backed HEVA—including Collide Capital, Flybridge, Benchstrength, and Techstars—operates within jurisdictions equipped with modern venture infrastructure: robust investor protection frameworks, banking systems accommodating cross-border transactions, and regulatory environments that recognize technology startups as legitimate asset classes rather than novelties.

    This case study exposes fundamental weaknesses in the Dominican innovation economy:

    1. Structural deficiencies in venture capital infrastructure, including inadequate investor protections and misalignment between public policy and venture risk profiles
    2. Regulatory friction that penalizes modern corporate structures like Delaware C-corps and international banking arrangements
    3. Cultural confusion between traditional small businesses optimized for stability and venture-backed startups designed for exponential growth
    4. Predatory local investment terms offering small capital in exchange for disproportionate equity and control
    5. Disconnect between institutional rhetoric and actionable support mechanisms, with panels and networking events substituting for substantive ecosystem development

    The consequences extend beyond individual startups. The Dominican Republic loses high-skill employment opportunities in engineering, product development, and operations; forfeits regulatory learning that could inform future policy decisions; and diminishes investor confidence in local tech talent and jurisdiction viability.

    Parallel research from Successment Venture Labs examining risk modeling deficiencies reveals broader systemic issues. Outdated credit scoring mechanisms prioritize formal paperwork over behavioral data, excluding approximately half the workforce operating in informal sectors despite demonstrating reliability. This risk-aversion mentality permeates both investment decisions and institutional support frameworks.

    The solution requires moving beyond branding exercises to address technical foundations: modern investor protection laws, distinct legal and tax regimes for venture-backed startups, banking reforms accommodating cross-border capital flows, and domestic investment vehicles structured for appropriate risk-return profiles rather than control-seeking arrangements.

    Until these structural reforms occur, the Dominican Republic will continue exporting its most promising ventures while celebrating their diaspora successes—a pattern that benefits LinkedIn narratives more than domestic economic development.

  • Dominican merchants criticize new Solid Waste Law 98-25 over business fees

    Dominican merchants criticize new Solid Waste Law 98-25 over business fees

    SANTO DOMINGO – A contentious new environmental law has sparked significant backlash from the Dominican Republic’s business community, with merchant federations warning of disproportionate economic impacts on smaller enterprises. Law No. 98-25, which modifies the country’s Comprehensive Management and Co-processing of Solid Waste framework, was unexpectedly promulgated by President Luis Abinader this week, immediately drawing criticism from commercial representatives.

    Iván García, President of the Dominican Federation of Merchants (FDC), emerged as the foremost critic of the legislation, characterizing its implementation as abrupt and ill-considered. The core contention centers on the law’s uniform fee structure that imposes identical financial obligations on businesses regardless of scale or revenue. “This legislation creates an absurd scenario where a corporation declaring over RD$10 billion pays precisely the same as an enterprise selling RD$100 million,” García stated, emphasizing the regressive nature of the fee system.

    The legislation, confirmed by Executive Branch legal advisor Antoliano Peralta Romero, represents the Dominican government’s ambitious attempt to modernize waste management protocols and advance environmental sustainability objectives. The updated legal framework significantly expands the regulatory purview of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources while introducing stricter controls on waste disposal operations and landfill management.

    Key environmental provisions include progressive measures targeting pollution reduction, particularly through phased prohibitions on single-use plastics and foam containers commencing in 2026. Exemptions will apply only to products incorporating certified biodegradable additives, reflecting the government’s commitment to transitioning toward a circular economy model.

    While acknowledging the environmental merits of the legislation, business advocates argue that the current formulation fails to account for fundamental economic realities. Merchant groups contend that without structural revisions incorporating graduated fees based on enterprise size and capacity, the law could inadvertently stifle commercial activity and place undue burdens on small and medium-sized businesses—the backbone of the Dominican economy.

    The unfolding situation presents a complex policy challenge pitting environmental imperatives against economic equity concerns, with stakeholders urging dialogue to develop more nuanced implementation frameworks.

  • BEL Seeks Price Adjustment After Years of Stability

    BEL Seeks Price Adjustment After Years of Stability

    Belize Electricity Limited (BEL), the nation’s primary power distributor, has formally requested its first electricity rate increase since 2030, signaling an end to a prolonged period of price stability. The company has petitioned the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) for an adjustment exceeding five cents per kilowatt-hour to address mounting financial pressures.

    The PUC has counter-proposed a more modest increase of approximately three cents per kilowatt-hour, acknowledging the utility’s need for financial recovery while balancing consumer protection concerns. This regulatory response comes as BEL faces unsustainable operational costs exacerbated by global energy market volatility and persistent supply chain disruptions.

    Prime Minister John Briceño provided context for the requested adjustment, revealing that BEL has been operating at a significant deficit by selling electricity below procurement costs. “BEL has been selling its electricity cheaper than what it costs to buy,” Briceño stated, drawing parallels to business fundamentals: “You will not sell your fry chicken for less than what you are paying for the chicken.”

    The Prime Minister detailed extraordinary measures taken during recent crises, including negotiations with major consumers in tourist areas like San Pedro during supply interruptions from Mexico. BEL reportedly compensated businesses with generators to maintain grid stability when imported electricity costs surged to one dollar per kilowatt-hour—far exceeding domestic selling prices.

    Despite the proposed increase, Belize’s electricity rates remain competitive within the Caribbean region, though this comparative advantage has come at substantial cost to the utility’s financial health. The rate review process continues as stakeholders weigh economic realities against consumer impact.

  • Belize Targets Digital Asset Boom with New Compliance Rules

    Belize Targets Digital Asset Boom with New Compliance Rules

    The Central American nation of Belize is positioning itself at the forefront of digital asset regulation with comprehensive new legislation designed to establish robust oversight of cryptocurrency and digital asset markets. The proposed bill, currently under consideration in the House of Representatives, introduces stringent compliance requirements including enhanced customer verification protocols, secure digital record-keeping systems, and international information sharing mechanisms.

    Prime Minister John Briceño emphasized the urgency of regulatory adaptation during his address to lawmakers. “The global landscape for digital assets is changing rapidly,” Briceño stated. “While the United States previously maintained strong opposition to these activities, the current administration under President Trump has significantly shifted its stance, with substantial family investments entering this sector.”

    The legislative initiative directly responds to updated standards from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), specifically Recommendation 15, which mandates that jurisdictions implement risk-based measures to regulate emerging technologies and digital asset services. Briceño highlighted that Belize cannot afford regulatory stagnation as digital currencies achieve mainstream adoption, noting that alignment with international standards is crucial for the nation’s financial security and economic development.

    The regulatory framework aims to balance innovation facilitation with consumer protection, establishing clear guidelines for digital asset service providers while preventing financial crimes. This move positions Belize among a growing number of nations developing structured approaches to cryptocurrency regulation amidst increasing global acceptance of digital assets.