标签： Grenada

Grenada’s financial institutions are now formally implementing the Credit Reporting Act of 2017, with Ariza Credit Union becoming the second primary credit information provider to announce compliance with the legislation. In a public notice dated December 22nd, the credit union informed members that effective December 2nd, 2025, it will share customer credit data with licensed credit bureaus as permitted under the parliamentary-approved act.

The legislative framework establishes a comprehensive credit reporting system designed to facilitate objective credit decisions through accurate information sharing. The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) serves as the exclusive licensing authority for credit bureaus, with EveryData ECCU Limited currently operating as the sole licensed credit reporting agency serving Grenada within the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union.

Under Section 27 of the Act, credit information providers must furnish data to licensed bureaus from the date credit is provided to a data subject. The law defines ‘data subjects’ broadly to include anyone with contractual relationships with credit providers, loan applicants, guarantors, and those connected through other legitimate purposes.

The legislation categorizes credit information providers into primary and secondary designations. Primary providers include banks, financial institutions, money services businesses, credit unions, insurance companies, and micro-finance institutions. The Central Bank may additionally designate secondary providers from sectors including telecommunications, utilities, and hire-purchase businesses when deemed in the public interest.

Notably, existing customers of designated providers do not require separate consent forms for data sharing. Instead, institutions must display notices at physical business locations or on their websites. While credit providers may disclose both positive and negative credit information without prior consent, third parties must obtain explicit consent before inquiring about any data subject’s credit information.

The fundamental purpose of this data collection initiative is to establish comprehensive credit histories and generate credit scores for individuals, ultimately enhancing the financial system’s integrity and decision-making processes.

Grenada’s pioneering Retail Bond Programme has concluded its initial offering, generating EC$4.3 million in investments despite falling short of its EC$5 million fundraising objective. The landmark financial initiative, which ran from October 31 to November 21, 2025, marked the nation’s first attempt to engage retail investors through the Regional Governments Securities Market.

The bond offering attracted participation from over 350 individual investors across the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) region. The securities were distributed on a first-come, first-served basis through brokers authorized by the Eastern Caribbean Securities Exchange (ECSE). Investment thresholds were set between EC$500 minimum and EC$50,000 maximum per investor.

Kerry Pierre, Head of the Debt Management Unit at Grenada’s Ministry of Finance, characterized the auction as successful despite not reaching the full target amount. In a pre-recorded interview disseminated by the ministry, Pierre noted that while the EC$5 million goal wasn’t achieved, the initiative demonstrated significant public interest in government securities.

“We have been very successful in the completion of the auction of the first pilot retail household bond,” Pierre stated during his conversation with Communications Manager Russell John. He acknowledged the learning curve associated with such pioneering financial instruments, explaining that investor participation accelerated as the auction period progressed despite initial cautious engagement.

The two-year government-backed bonds offer investors a fixed annual interest rate of 4.25%, with semi-annual payments scheduled for May and November each year. The programme represents a significant step in financial inclusion, allowing everyday citizens to participate directly in government debt instruments previously accessible primarily to institutional investors.

Pierre emphasized that the experience gained from this inaugural offering will inform future retail bond programmes, potentially paving the way for more successful implementations across the Eastern Caribbean region.

The Caribbean Community’s private sector has emerged as a pivotal institutional partner in advancing regional economic integration, with the CARICOM Private Sector Organisation (CPSO) achieving formal associate status within the Caribbean Community framework in October 2020. This strategic alignment has enabled coordinated advocacy and project development aimed at realizing the full potential of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).

Regional business leaders from Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, Barbados, Guyana, and across the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States have issued a collective statement affirming the CSME’s demonstrated economic benefits. According to their assessment, the single market framework has substantially boosted intra-regional commerce, strengthened supply chain resilience, generated significant foreign exchange earnings, and stimulated economic activity throughout member states.

The vision for regional economic integration traces its origins to the historic 1989 Declaration of Grand Anse, which initiated the process culminating in the 2001 Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas that formally established the CSME. Launched in 2006, this ambitious initiative continues to represent a relevant development aspiration for Caribbean nations seeking expanded economic scale and enhanced opportunities for their citizens.

Caribbean business organizations emphasize the complementary nature of intra-regional trade and external commercial relationships, particularly with the United States as the bloc’s principal external trading partner. These dual trading dimensions are viewed as mutually reinforcing components that enhance economic diversification and resilience.

Amid current global economic volatility, private sector representatives stress the critical importance of policy stability, investor confidence, and constructive intergovernmental engagement. The collective statement underscores the particular relevance of regional solidarity expressed through the ‘stronger together’ principle, positioning CARICOM as an essential platform for transforming economic vulnerabilities into strategic assets through deeper integration.

The regional business community acknowledges its vital role in CSME enhancement efforts, recognizing the mechanism’s importance for collective sustainability in an increasingly fragmented global economy. Signatory organizations expressed appreciation for the inclusive framework extended by CARICOM leadership and reaffirmed their commitment to collaborative implementation of the single market vision.

The statement concludes with seasonal goodwill messages to Caribbean citizens and anticipations for continued dialogue regarding regional advancement and security.

A prominent Grenadian manufacturing enterprise has announced an exceptional career opportunity for an experienced Production Manager within its distillery operations. The organization seeks a dedicated professional ready to embrace the challenges of overseeing sophisticated bottling and blending processes while driving operational excellence.

The successful candidate will assume comprehensive responsibility for maximizing daily production output while maintaining stringent compliance with ISO 22000 food safety standards and quality control protocols. This leadership position demands meticulous attention to detail across all manufacturing phases, from raw material verification to finished product delivery.

Core operational duties include developing and implementing daily production schedules, optimizing workforce allocation, and minimizing equipment downtime through proactive maintenance strategies. The Production Manager will also spearhead continuous improvement initiatives, utilizing data analytics to enhance efficiency and productivity across all manufacturing segments.

Beyond technical oversight, the role encompasses significant personnel management responsibilities. The selected individual will mentor departmental staff, foster professional development, and maintain team morale while ensuring adherence to operational protocols. Budget management constitutes another critical component, requiring the formulation of both recurrent and capital expenditure proposals.

The ideal candidate must possess a Bachelor’s degree in Natural Sciences or Engineering, with postgraduate distilling qualifications considered particularly advantageous. Certification in ISO Management Systems and Food Safety Procedures is mandatory, complemented by minimum five years’ supervisory experience within distillery operations or comparable manufacturing environments.

Essential technical knowledge encompasses liquid filtration principles, packaging requirements, HACCP protocols, and Good Manufacturing Practices. Behavioral competencies should include advanced communication skills, innovative problem-solving capabilities, and demonstrated proficiency in collaborative leadership across organizational hierarchies.

Interested professionals must submit comprehensive application packages including cover letter and CV in Word or PDF format, accompanied by three business references, to the designated email address with the specific subject line ‘Application: Production Manager’. The submission deadline remains January 12, 2025, though the organization reserves the right to modify this timeline.

J’S HR Consultancy, acting as recruitment agent, confirms the legitimacy of this advertisement and the esteemed reputation of the hiring organization within Grenada’s business community. Additional enterprise details will be disclosed to shortlisted candidates during subsequent selection phases.