On a tense Sunday night at Kingston’s Sabina Park, the West Indies men’s cricket team claimed a landmark 2-1 three-match T20 International series win against Sri Lanka, pulling off their highest successful run chase at the ground to seal the result. The series had been set up as a perfect decider: the Caribbean side, known universally as the Men in Maroon, took the opening match, before a resurgent Sri Lanka side bounced back to claim victory in the second fixture, leaving everything to play for in the final encounter. After West Indies captain Shai Hope won the pre-match coin toss, he elected to put Sri Lanka in to bat first, a decision that would pay off by the end of the night. The Caribbean bowling attack made consistent breakthroughs throughout the Sri Lankan innings, with young fast bowler Shamar Joseph turning in a career-best performance, taking five wickets for just 33 runs to destabilize the opposition batting order. Despite the early collapses, late-order hitting from Dunith Wellalage, who struck a rapid 43 off only 28 balls, and Vanindu Hasaranga, who contributed 21 runs from 13 deliveries, helped Sri Lanka post a competitive total of 169 all out, setting a challenging target for the hosts. The West Indies’ run chase got off to a disastrous start, with captain Hope departing for a golden duck without adding a single run to the scoreboard. Shimron Hetmyer injected much-needed momentum into the innings with an aggressive 32, but his departure left the middle order needing to rebuild the chase. That rebuilding work was delivered brilliantly by Rovman Powell and Sherfane Rutherford, who combined for an 81-run fifth-wicket stand – the highest fifth-wicket partnership in West Indies T20I history. When Powell fell with the target still out of reach, experienced all-rounder Jason Holder stepped up to finish the job. In the penultimate over of the innings, Holder smashed three monstrous sixes off the Sri Lankan bowling, finishing an unbeaten knock of 21 runs from just 5 deliveries to turn the tide firmly in the hosts’ favor. Rutherford anchored the innings with a polished half-century, ending on 54 not out, and guided the West Indies across the finish line with five wickets in hand and two full deliveries remaining. This win marks a much-needed turning point for the West Indies side: it is their first series victory in four attempts, and their first home T20I series win of 2025. Speaking after the final wicket fell, captain Hope summed up the significance of the result, noting that consistent success is built through small, repeated habits, and that “winning is a habit.”
标签： Saint Lucia
圣卢西亚
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Gunmen abduct senior security official in Haiti’s capital
Haiti’s already fragile security landscape has been jolted by the high-profile abduction of one of the country’s top law enforcement and defense officials, multiple sources confirm. James Boyard, who holds three critical roles — cabinet director for Haiti’s Ministry of Defense, inspector general of the Haitian National Police, and a leading security analyst — was taken captive by armed assailants this week, an anonymous source with direct knowledge of the incident told the Associated Press Saturday.
The kidnapping marks the most high-ranking official abduction in the gang-plagued Caribbean nation in recent memory. Local reporting indicates Boyard was seized on Thursday in Bourdon, a neighborhood in the capital Port-au-Prince long regarded as one of the few relatively secure areas in the city. Currently, an estimated 70% of Port-au-Prince falls under the control of Viv Ansanm, a powerful unified gang coalition that the United States formally designated as a foreign terrorist organization in May 2025.
A trained political scientist, Boyard has been at the center of two of Haiti’s most critical national security efforts: leading initiatives to rebuild the country’s national armed forces and conducting institutional assessments of the Haitian National Police to guide long-overdue reform. As of Saturday, no group had claimed responsibility for the abduction, and there was no public confirmation of whether the kidnappers have demanded a ransom payment.
Diego Da Rin, a senior analyst with the International Crisis Group, pointed out that a senior official of Boyard’s standing would typically be assigned a significant personal security detail. This, he argued, suggests the kidnapping was carefully planned and likely involved insider collaboration from someone within Boyard’s own security team.
Da Rin added that kidnappings are increasingly encroaching on the pockets of Port-au-Prince that were once considered safe havens from gang activity. He detailed common tactics used by assailants, including gang members disguising themselves in police uniforms to stop drivers under the guise of official law enforcement operations.
The analyst noted that gangs have increasingly shifted their targeting strategy in recent months, focusing on public officials and individuals with dual nationality. This shift, he explained, serves two key gang objectives: securing larger ransom payments to fund their operations, and applying political pressure to discourage Haitian police from launching offensive operations against gang-controlled territories where kidnapping victims are often held.
In recent weeks, Haitian security forces have launched a crackdown on Village de Dieu, a stronghold controlled by the 5 Segond gang led by Johnson Andre — widely known by his alias “Izo,” one of the most powerful gang leaders in the country. Da Rin confirmed that gangs have recently been transferring many kidnapping victims to this contested territory.
High-profile abductions in Haiti have previously targeted foreign missionaries and local Haitian journalists. Latest UN data on kidnapping trends in the country shows that 267 abductions were reported between December 2025 and February 2026, the majority of which involved male victims. For the full year of 2025, 1,268 kidnappings were recorded, representing a nearly 40% drop from the 2,058 cases reported in 2024.
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New visa requirement announced for Saint Lucia travel to Ireland
Starting Monday, June 15, 2026, all travelers holding citizenship of Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Nicaragua will be required to hold a valid visa to enter Ireland, marking the latest round of adjustments to the country’s immigration control framework. The new regulation applies even to holders of diplomatic and service passports, and will also introduce a mandatory transit visa requirement for travelers from these three countries passing through Irish airports or border checkpoints en route to a final destination in another country.
In an official statement released by Ireland’s Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Migration Minister Colm Brophy framed the policy shift as a carefully considered step toward broader regulatory alignment across Europe. “This is a carefully considered decision that brings Ireland more closely in line with the approach taken in the United Kingdom and across Europe,” Brophy noted, emphasizing that the update forms part of ongoing, routine adjustments to Ireland’s entry rules that are regularly reassessed to meet evolving security and immigration management needs.
Brophy clarified that the core goal of the change is to strike a careful balance between upholding robust, effective immigration controls and preserving access for legitimate travelers seeking to enter Ireland for tourism, employment, study, or family reunification purposes. He also acknowledged that the sudden policy shift could create disruptions for travelers who have already finalized and booked travel plans ahead of the rule change, announcing that a targeted transitional arrangement will be put in place to mitigate this impact.
This update builds on a series of recent changes to Ireland’s visa regime, including revisions to appeal processes for applicants refused short-stay visas, and a 2024 expansion of visa requirements that added four nations — Eswatini, Lesotho, Nauru, and Trinidad and Tobago — to the list of countries whose citizens require pre-entry visas.
The transitional window will run from the implementation date of June 15, 2026, through July 14, 2026, and only applies to travelers who booked their trips before the new rule goes into effect. Under this temporary scheme, eligible travelers from the three affected nations can still enter Ireland without a visa, provided they complete their travel within the one-month transitional period and carry all required supporting documentation. This documentation includes a valid passport and official proof from their travel carrier confirming key booking details: the passenger’s full name, flight or transport number, and scheduled date of travel. Irish officials note that this proof may be requested by either transport carriers during check-in or immigration officers upon arrival in the country.
All travelers using the transitional arrangement will still be subject to standard full immigration checks upon entry, and officials stressed that any bookings made after June 15, 2026, will not qualify for the exemption, even if the travel itself is scheduled before the transitional window closes on July 14. Travelers who already hold a valid Irish Residence Permit are exempt from the new visa requirement entirely, and will not need to apply for a separate entry visa.
Irish immigration authorities have issued a formal advisory to all affected passengers, urging them to review official government guidance on immigration and entry requirements before finalizing any new travel plans or altering existing bookings to avoid unexpected issues at the border.
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Family raises fears after Dennery contractor’s death
A suspicious death in the coastal community of Dennery has sparked fear and uncertainty, as local law enforcement continue to probe the passing of 52-year-old Marinus Annibaffa, a local construction contractor from Gadette. Annibaffa’s body was discovered shortly after 7:30 a.m., prompting officers from the Richfond Police Station to launch a full investigation into the circumstances of his death.
What makes the case particularly troubling for Annibaffa’s family and the wider community is the timing: his death comes just one month after the family that hired him went public with escalating threats and harassment tied to a long-running land conflict. The project at the center of the dispute is a new permanent home being built by an 18-year-old man for his mother, a property where the family says they have resided for more than 32 years.
According to the teen, tensions began to surge almost immediately after construction broke ground. He insists Annibaffa had no conflicts with anyone in the community prior to taking on this build, but hostility grew steadily once work got underway. “Since I decided to make my house for my mother, it was a lot of problem, a lot of threats saying that if we build a house there, we’re going to be in problem,” he explained in an interview after the contractor’s death.
Annibaffa, who served as the lead contractor for the project, was last seen working on the property this past Saturday, when local residents gathered to assist with the construction effort. The teen told reporters the unfinished home has already been vandalized twice, and that individuals linked to the opposing side of the dispute have openly hinted at their responsibility for the damage. He added that he has been the target of multiple threats since construction began, and despite filing formal reports about these intimidation attempts with local authorities, he said no meaningful action has been taken to resolve the conflict, leaving his family feeling abandoned and frustrated.
Family members remembered Annibaffa as a quiet, hardworking, and peaceful member of the community who kept to himself and focused on his work. A distraught female relative of the teen highlighted that the full scope of problems began the moment construction on the new home started, with constant threatening language and aggressive intimidation plaguing the project from day one. She expressed her firm belief that Annibaffa’s death is directly tied to the ongoing land conflict, which centers on two core points of disagreement: opponents’ claims that the family has no right to build on the land, and a proposed public road that would cut through the area.
Calling the entire situation devastating, she noted “This is a young boy trying to do something for his mother. That’s very sad.”
As of the latest update, law enforcement officials have not confirmed whether they suspect foul play in Annibaffa’s death, nor have they verified any connection between the fatality and the long-simmering land dispute. The investigation remains active and ongoing, with authorities yet to release any additional details on potential leads or persons of interest.
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Castries youth football league enters knockout phase
The Saint Lucia Electricity Services Ltd and Bank of Saint Lucia-sponsored Castries Youth Football League is gearing up for its highly anticipated playoff phase, set to launch this coming weekend as the tournament enters its fourth week of competition. The event, which showcases emerging young football talent across four age groups, has already reached a critical turning point: the Under-12 division has secured its top eight teams, who will go head-to-head in the quarterfinals, while young squads in the Under-7, Under-10, Under-14 and Under-17 categories continue to battle for the remaining playoff positions. Alongside team glory, individual standout players in every division are locked in a tight race to claim the league’s coveted Golden Boot award for top scorer.
Earlier match results have set the stage for this weekend’s high-stakes fixtures. In Under-7 action earlier this week, Lancers FC claimed a solid 2-0 victory over NYAH FC in a hotly contested Castries derby. The side found the back of the net once in each half, with goals from young forwards Traie Constantine and Kaylan Moise securing the win. A second lopsided result followed on Thursday, when GMC United delivered a dominant 6-0 shutout against VSADC. The GMC United attack was led by Shiloh John, Sherdan Sylvester and Shaquil Martelly, each of whom notched a brace in the commanding performance.
All eyes will turn to the Sab Playing Facility this Saturday, where a full slate of divisional matches will unfold. First up, Under-10 fixtures will see Lancers FC square off against FC Pioneers, followed by a clash between Monchy United FC and NYAH FC. Monchy United’s rising star Liam Peter, who scored five goals in the team’s previous outing, will be eager to extend his scoring streak and climb the Golden Boot rankings on Saturday morning.
In the afternoon, the Under-14 division will host three key matchups: VSADC will face FC Pioneers, NYAH FC will go up against GMC United, and Big Players FC will battle Valley Soccer Club. The Golden Boot race in this division is already neck-and-neck: Randel Francois of Lancers FC and Deandre James of FC Pioneers are currently tied on three goals apiece, leaving both hungry to find the net and claim the solo lead in this weekend’s fixtures.
The playoff action officially gets underway on Sunday, when all four Under-12 quarterfinal matches will kick off simultaneously at 9:50 a.m. The quarterfinal lineup matches Lancers FC against New Generation FC, Big Players against Flames United, Maxwell Andrew and Monchy United against NYAH FC, and VSADC against FC Pioneers.
The weekend of competition will wrap up with two decisive Under-17 matches that could largely shape the eventual league championship outcome. Valley Soccer will face NYAH FC, while Monchy United will go head-to-head against GMC United. The division’s Golden Boot race is also well underway: Curtrel Francois of Monchy United currently leads the pack with four goals, while Dacius Prince of Valley Soccer trails close behind on three, giving both players plenty to play for in Sunday’s double-header.
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Let’s Bet relaunches for FIFA World Cup
Ahead of the highly anticipated FIFA World Cup, the Saint Lucia National Lottery (SNL) has launched an upgraded version of its popular Let’s Bet online sports betting platform, giving local football fans and sports enthusiasts a revamped digital experience to engage with the tournament. The redesigned application made its official public debut on June 9 at a launch event hosted at Sandals Grande, Saint Lucia.
Already a well-established name in international sports betting circles, the updated Let’s Bet platform comes with a suite of user-centric improvements. These include a modern new brand logo, refreshed visual design elements, streamlined navigation for faster access to betting markets, a wider range of wagering options, an intuitive simplified user interface, and enhanced cybersecurity protocols to protect user data and transactions.
Camisha Richards, regional general manager for the initiative, emphasized that the overhaul represents a new chapter for the Let’s Bet brand. “From our updated logo to our fully reimagined platform, every adjustment has been crafted with the player experience as the top priority,” Richards explained during the launch. “We have now built a far more dynamic, all-inclusive experience that gives every bettor a simpler, more intuitive pathway to place sports wagers or enjoy other online gaming options.”
Coinciding with the opening match of the FIFA World Cup between Mexico and South Africa, the upgraded platform was ready to accept a diverse range of wagers from day one of the tournament. Bettors can place bets on everything from the final score of a match to the first goal scorer, and even the exact minute a goal will be scored, expanding the ways fans can interact with the tournament.
Beyond traditional football and sports wagering, the revamped platform has added new content to serve a broader audience. It now includes dedicated markets for eSports, alongside a larger selection of casual and casino-style games. To welcome both new and returning users, SNL has rolled out a variety of exclusive bonuses and promotional offers for sports fans and casino gaming enthusiasts alike.
The platform’s launch is being supported by a new national marketing campaign titled “This Is The Place”, which promotes the upgraded experience across Saint Lucia. In addition to the digital rollout, SNL has planned a series of in-person interactive events at retail outlets and gaming centers across the island, including a major activation at the popular Blast Gaming Centre in the capital city of Castries. Visitors to these on-location events will have the opportunity to enter a giveaway for a brand-new 55-inch smart television as part of the launch celebrations.
The updated Let’s Bet platform is currently live and accessible to users at www.letsbetlc.com. Eligible users can create an account immediately and start exploring the new features in time to follow all the action of the FIFA World Cup, adding an extra layer of excitement to the global tournament for Saint Lucian fans.
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Auguste left out of Windwards tournament trial squad
Cricket fans across the Windward Islands are facing an unexpected storyline ahead of the 2025 Windward Islands Super 50 Men’s Tournament: the reigning Most Valuable Player will not feature in the preliminary training squad for defending champions Saint Lucia, and is set to miss the tournament entirely due to prior regional commitments. The Saint Lucia National Cricket Association (SLNCA) announced its 30-strong trial squad earlier this week, with last year’s standout performer Ackeem Auguste notably absent from the roster.
Last year’s tournament was a breakout for Auguste, a full West Indies international who dominated the competition on home soil. The star batter compiled 346 runs at an extraordinary average of 115, and also claimed five catches – more than any other fielder in the tournament – to cement his MVP status. While Auguste will sit out this year’s event, two other standout performers from 2024’s title-winning campaign, fast bowler Keon Gaston and wicketkeeper Noelle Leo – both products of the Saint Lucia Cricket High Performance Centre, same as Auguste – have earned spots in this year’s trial squad. Reigning captain Kimani Melius is also set to return to lead the side’s title defense. Top-order batter Johnel Eugene will join Auguste on the sidelines, also sidelined by prior regional commitments.
The bulk of the 2025 trial squad is made up of returning familiar names, including Dornan Edward, Jayden Elibox, Lee John, Mckenny Clarke, Shadrack Descarte, Shawnil Edward, Tarrique Edward, Theo Edward and Tyrel Chicot. A host of emerging young talents have also received their first call-ups to the senior trial squad, including Bjorn Fanis, Bolton Sayers, Cody Fontenelle, Dane Edward, Isiah Jones, Jard Goodman, Jonathan Daniel, Kensley Paul, Khan Elcock, Liam Joseph, Nathaniel Joseph, Neil Poyotte, Qwaine Henry, Royce Paul, Joshua Cepal and Stephen Naitram.
SLNCA president Wayne Auguste expressed confidence in the depth of talent assembled for the trial process, outlining the association’s dual priorities for the 2025 tournament. “Our objective is not simply to defend the Windward Islands Super 50 title, but also to continue strengthening the pathway from national cricket to franchise and international cricket,” he explained. He emphasized the urgency of strong performances from Saint Lucian players, noting that the regional Windward Islands Volcanoes side has finished at the bottom of regional rankings over the past two seasons. “It is critical that all our players from the Windward Islands seize the opportunity and demonstrate that they are ready to make the step up to franchise level. Saint Lucia has consistently produced talented cricketers, and we want to see more of our players putting up their hands for higher honours,” he added.
The current 30-player group will go through a multi-stage selection process to narrow down to the final squad that will represent Saint Lucia at the tournament, which is scheduled to run from July 25 to August 5 in Grenada. Over the coming weeks, selected players will complete a series of structured training sessions, fitness assessments, and trial matches as selectors and coaching staff evaluate candidates for the final roster.
In an official statement, the SLNCA reaffirmed its confidence in the trial squad’s ability to carry on Saint Lucia’s proud cricketing legacy and mount a competitive title defense: “The SLNCA is confident that the players selected for the trial squad possess the talent, commitment, and determination necessary to uphold the island’s proud cricketing tradition and mount a strong defence of the championship.”
Selectors built the preliminary squad after reviewing performances across three recent domestic competitions: the Prime Minister’s Independence T20 Tournament, the Saint Lucia Premier League (SPL) T20 Competition, and the Premier League Two-Day tournament. Player fitness, disciplinary record, and long-term developmental potential were also key criteria in the selection process.
The trial period will officially get underway on June 14 with a mandatory baseline fitness test at the Saint Lucia Sports Academy, which will serve as a key benchmark for selectors moving forward. The first red-ball practice match is scheduled to kick off the following weekend at Saint Lucia’s iconic Mindoo Phillip Park. The final 15-man squad and team management will be announced to the public once the full selection process concludes.
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PDJSS, Sir Ira Simmons host career fair in Castries
On Thursday, June 11, Castries’ Vide Bouteille neighborhood played host to a community-focused career development event, organized jointly by Patricia D. James Secondary School (PDJSS) and Sir Ira Simmons Secondary School. Held on the PDJSS campus, the fair marked the latest activity under a joint Career Preparation and Awareness campaign spearheaded by the two District 2 educational institutions.
This year’s gathering centered on the core theme “Empowering Skill Development and Adaptability for Lifelong Careers”, a framework designed to align with the evolving demands of modern workplaces. While the event was primarily curated for Forms Two to Four secondary students gearing up to select subject tracks for their Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, organizers intentionally opened participation to local primary school students, turning the one-day fair into a cross-age learning opportunity for attendees of all grade levels.
More than 20 local organizations and industry partners set up interactive exhibition booths across the campus grounds, one of which was operated by regional media outlet St. Lucia Times. Each booth was tailored to introduce students to a wide range of professional pathways, with presenters sharing detailed information on the personal attributes, technical competencies, and academic qualifications required for different careers. To keep young attendees engaged, displays incorporated a mix of visual aids, hands-on samples, explanatory diagrams, interactive digital media, branded signage, and free informational giveaways.
PDJSS school counselor Lianda Aimable, who served as lead organizer for the event, emphasized the long-term value of the annual initiative for Saint Lucia’s youth. “This is a tradition we uphold every year to help our students make informed choices when it comes to selecting their CSEC subjects,” Aimable explained. “By connecting students directly with a diverse range of local institutions and organizations, we give them the context they need to align their academic decisions with their long-term career goals.”
The annual career fair is just one component of a broader ongoing commitment by the two collaborating secondary schools to systematically prepare young people for a smooth transition from the classroom to the global workforce. By bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world professional expectations, the institutions aim to equip the next generation with the clarity and adaptability they need to build sustainable, fulfilling careers.
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West Indies beat Sri Lanka in last-over finish in first T20
The West Indies have claimed an early advantage in their three-match T20 International series against Sri Lanka, securing a tense seven-wicket win in the opening fixture at Kingston’s Sabina Park on Thursday night. Despite a small turn out, the crowd in attendance created an electric, boisterous atmosphere that lingered through the final dramatic moments of the match for the West Indies, known popularly as the Men in Maroon.
Sri Lanka got off to a blistering start through their opening batting pair. Pathum Nissanka, who survived a dropped catch when he had only scored seven runs, went on to compile 43 runs, building a solid first-wicket stand with Kusal Mendis before veteran seamer Jason Holder claimed his wicket. That breakthrough triggered a steady collapse of Sri Lanka’s batting line-up, with the West Indies bowling attack tightening control over the run rate for most of the innings. A defiant half-century from Kamindu Mendis, who scored 51, stopped the lower order from folding entirely, but Sri Lanka still could only post a total of 147 runs for the loss of nine wickets from their full 20 overs.
The West Indies pace attack delivered a standout performance to restrict the visitors. Shamar Joseph and Jason Holder shared six wickets between them, with Holder finishing with economical figures of 3 wickets for 18 runs and Joseph picking up 3 wickets for 29 runs. The fixture also marked a personal milestone for Holder, who brought up his 50th career wicket in T20 International cricket during the match.
In response, the West Indies openers got their run chase off to a flying start. Captain Shai Hope, who remained unbeaten at the end of the innings, and opening partner Brandon King put on a 63-run opening stand that laid a strong platform for the home side. Shimron Hetmyer chipped in with a quickfire 17 runs from just 9 deliveries to keep the scoreboard ticking, but the run rate stalled in the middle and late overs. Roston Chase’s slow 16 runs from 26 balls epitomized the home side’s ongoing struggles in white-ball cricket: an inability to find consistent boundaries and rotate the strike effectively, an issue head coach Daren Sammy has long worked to fix with the side.
The match went all the way down to the final over, with the West Indies still requiring six runs to win off the last six deliveries. With Hope holding his ground at the non-striker’s end having carried his bat through the whole innings, Jamaican hometown hero Rovman Powell hit a decisive six when the side still needed five runs, sealing the dramatic victory and putting the West Indies 1-0 up in the series.
The two sides will return to Sabina Park for the second fixture of the series this Saturday, where the West Indies will have the chance to clinch the series with a win.
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Local businesses equipped with digital tools to compete globally
A four-day targeted digital capacity-building initiative, organized jointly by Export Saint Lucia and the Caribbean Export Development Agency, has brought together local micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and export-focused businesses across Saint Lucia to upskill their teams and prepare for the demands of the modern digital economy.
Designed to address long-standing gaps in digital adoption among Caribbean private sector groups, the bootcamp set out to deliver actionable, practical digital tools that participating Saint Lucian companies can leverage to boost their competitiveness, expand into untapped domestic markets, and break into new international export channels. More than 40 business operators signed up for the program, bringing a diverse mix of industry backgrounds ranging from manufacturing and health and wellness to hospitality accommodation and professional services.
Speaking at the official opening ceremony, Kelvin Jn Baptiste, a Technical Officer at Export Saint Lucia, emphasized that digital transformation can no longer be treated as a secondary, non-urgent priority for regional economies. “For too many years, meaningful digital inclusion has not received the focused attention it requires across our business community,” Jn Baptiste explained. “While our public sectors have made notable progress rolling out e-government services, our private sector — and especially our MSMEs — have faced significant, steep barriers to adopting digital tools. This bootcamp aims to equip these 40 local MSMEs with the exact, tailored tools needed to close this persistent gap.”
Over the course of the four-day event, participating business leaders and their teams worked through a curated curriculum covering high-impact digital topics critical to modern business operations, including core digital transformation frameworks, cloud-based productivity tools, practical artificial intelligence applications for small businesses, data analytics for customer and operational insights, e-commerce strategy for cross-border sales, and cybersecurity best practices to protect business assets. Each module was selected specifically to help participating businesses streamline internal operations, cut unnecessary costs, and maintain an edge over competitors in an increasingly digital global marketplace.
One of the flagship offerings of the program is a post-bootcamp support initiative: the top 20 performing participating businesses will receive a fully customized digital transformation roadmap, tailored to their specific industry, size, and growth goals. This roadmap will lay out clear, step-by-step actionable guidance to help these companies integrate new digital tools and strategies into their daily operations, rather than leaving them to navigate the process independently.
Jonathan Seecharan, Innovation and Digital Business Officer at Caribbean Export, urged attendees to fully engage with the resources and networking opportunities made available through the bootcamp. “We are putting powerful tools directly in your hands, but it is up to each business to put those tools to work to close the digital gap,” Seecharan noted. “There is no question that right here in this room, we have all the talent, creativity, and resilience needed to compete successfully with any business on the global stage.”
Program organizers emphasized that initiatives like this digital bootcamp fill a critical need: as rapid technological advancement continues to reshape the global marketplace, targeted upskilling support for local MSMEs ensures these businesses can adapt, grow, and capture new export opportunities rather than being left behind by digital change.