In a significant move to bolster the micro, small, and medium-sized enterprise (MSME) sector, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has announced a strategic partnership with the Cayman Islands Centre for Business Development (CICBD). The initiative, backed by a substantial grant of nearly US$80,000, is designed to fortify the business support ecosystem, encourage inclusive economic participation, and stimulate sustained economic growth in the Cayman Islands. Premier and Minister for Financial Services and Commerce, André M Ebanks, lauded the collaboration, emphasizing its alignment with the government’s vision for a more vibrant and dynamic business environment. He highlighted the initiative’s focus on reducing barriers, enhancing access to financing, and building resilience among Caymanian entrepreneurs, ensuring that MSMEs remain pivotal in job creation, innovation, and economic diversification. The CDB’s new policy framework will prioritize empowering women, youth, and entrepreneurs in non-traditional industries, while also boosting business confidence and investment. It aims to foster ongoing dialogue between policymakers and the private sector, ensuring that entrepreneurial voices are integral to national development strategies. Lisa Harding, Division Chief of Private Sector at the CDB, underscored the initiative’s alignment with the bank’s broader strategy to enhance competitiveness, build resilience among MSMEs, and contribute to sustainable national development. The project is also expected to yield critical insights into the role of MSMEs in GDP, employment, and revenue generation, while strengthening the government’s ability to formulate investment-friendly policies and improve service delivery by business support organizations. Additionally, the policy development process will leverage regional expertise and technical resources to conduct a thorough assessment of the MSME landscape, identify key challenges, explore growth opportunities, and provide actionable recommendations to create a more conducive environment for small businesses to thrive.
标签： Jamaica
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Haitian police confirm fatal shooting of senior gang member
In a dramatic turn of events, the Haitian National Police (PNH) announced on Thursday that they had fatally shot Wilfort Ferdinand, a former rebel leader, during a confrontation at a police checkpoint in Gonaïves. Ferdinand, also known by his alias ‘Ti Will,’ was reportedly involved in a shootout with officers who were executing a warrant in the Canal Bois area. The incident occurred when Ferdinand, traveling in a vehicle with tinted windows, approached the checkpoint, reversed, and opened fire on the police. Officers returned fire, resulting in the deaths of Ferdinand and an unidentified companion. Ferdinand was a suspected gang leader and a key figure in the 2004 uprising that led to the ousting of former President Jean Bertrand Aristide. The police operation was part of a broader effort to dismantle the Kokorat San Ras gang, notorious for its violent activities in the Artibonite region. Following the incident, heavy gunfire was reported in the area, and images of the confrontation circulated widely on social media. Ferdinand had previously led the Artibonite Resistance Front and was an ally of Guy Philippe, another prominent figure in Haiti’s turbulent political history, who was involved in the coup against Aristide in 2004.
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Fifteen-year-old boy charged with murder of 61-y-o farmer
In a tragic incident in Knowles Heights, Mandeville, Manchester, Jamaica, a 15-year-old boy has been formally charged with the murder of 61-year-old Roy Pearson, a local farmer. The incident occurred on Sunday, September 14, around 1:00 pm, when Pearson sustained severe injuries during a physical altercation with the teenager. Despite being rushed to the hospital and receiving medical treatment, Pearson tragically succumbed to his injuries. The young suspect was apprehended by the Mandeville police and officially charged on Wednesday. As of now, the court date for the case remains unannounced, leaving the community in shock and awaiting further developments.