标签： Trinidad and Tobago

At just 24 years old, Seth Nurse, an entrepreneur from Arouca, Trinidad and Tobago, is spearheading the development of a ‘creative economy’ in his homeland, with aspirations to expand across the Caribbean. As the CEO and founder of Bustr Media Enterprise Ltd, Nurse has channeled his frustration with the local creative industry’s lack of structure into a thriving business that supports creators, entrepreneurs, and intellectual property (IP) owners. Bustr Media focuses on content development, creative management, media infrastructure, and cultural engagement, aiming to streamline the creative pipeline for films, games, and books. Nurse’s vision is to provide the resources and structure needed to elevate local talent to global prominence. Bustr offers two primary services: extended services, which include development, marketing, legal guidance, and distribution, and commission-based services, where the company acts as a producer for IP projects. One of Bustr’s early successes was collaborating with author Ciara Attong to adapt her novel *Dark and Cold* into a short film titled *One of Iron*. The company also partnered with Accent Game Studios to develop *Riddim Rabbit*, a steelpan-based video game set for release in 2026. Beyond these projects, Bustr is building a robust creative network through initiatives like *WI of the Future*, an online magazine showcasing Caribbean creatives, and *Bustrmrkt*, a touring platform that highlights creators’ work at various venues. Nurse’s journey into the creative industry began at age 14, with stints in drawing, acting, and music. His passion for storytelling led him to film, and he later earned an associate degree in film and video production. The challenges he observed during his studies, coupled with the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, inspired him to create Bustr as a collaborative and supportive business model. Today, Bustr is not only fostering local talent but also laying the groundwork for a sustainable creative economy that could serve as a model for the Caribbean and beyond.

Guardian Holdings Ltd has demonstrated sustained growth in its third quarter, posting a profit of $237 million attributable to equity shareholders for the period ending September 30. This marks a significant 20% increase, or $40 million, compared to the $197 million reported in the same period last year. The company’s consolidated financial statements attribute this growth to the expansion of its core insurance operations across English-speaking Caribbean nations, the Dutch Caribbean, and the Netherlands. Chairman Robert Almeida emphasized the group’s commitment to sustainable, long-term value creation, supported by operational efficiencies, disciplined cost management, and favorable market conditions. Key achievements during the quarter included a robust performance ratio, a substantial rise in earnings per share from $2.58 to $5.52, and a 28% increase in return on equity. Additionally, Guardian Holdings successfully refinanced its $1.02 billion bond by issuing a $1.05 billion secured multi-tranche bond. On October 3, credit rating agency CariCRIS reaffirmed the group’s ratings of CariAA- on the regional scale and jmAAA on the Jamaican national scale, maintaining a stable outlook. Almeida also highlighted the group’s strong capitalization and regulatory compliance. Insurance revenue for the quarter grew by $109 million, reaching $1,588 million, while other operating expenses increased by $37 million to $244 million. The board proposed a third quarterly dividend of 23 cents per share, bringing the year-to-date total to 66 cents per share, a 43-cent increase over the previous year. For the nine months ending September 30, the group reported a profit of $1,281 million, a 114% increase from the prior year, driven largely by the sale of Thoma Exploitatie BV in January. Excluding discontinued operations, the group’s profit from continuing operations stood at $630 million, a 7% increase over the previous year. Almeida noted that the core insurance operations remain robust, with insurance service results outperforming the prior year by $207 million or 34%.

First Citizens Group has officially named Jason Julien as its new Group CEO, effective October 22, as disclosed in a legal notice published on the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange’s website on October 29. Julien, a seasoned banking and finance professional with over 25 years of experience, succeeds Karen Darbasie, who retired on October 21. Julien holds an MBA from Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University, and a bachelor’s degree in management studies from the University of the West Indies. He is also a Chartered Financial Analyst and holds a Certificate of Financial Advisors from the Institute of Business and Finance. Sana Ragbir, the General Manager for Retail and Commercial Banking, will continue to serve as Group Deputy CEO of Business Generation. Darbasie’s retirement followed her approved vacation leave starting August 21, during which Julien acted as interim Group CEO. The transition occurred amidst broader organizational changes, including the resignation of the entire board of directors on October 7, just before a special general meeting to elect a new board and CEO. Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo had earlier expressed concerns about the bank’s operations and appointed a new board to First Citizens Holdings, the majority shareholder of First Citizens Group.

In an era marked by economic uncertainty, many individuals are grappling with the complexities of financial planning. Rising living costs, inflation, and significant government reforms, such as amendments to the National Insurance System (NIS), have led to widespread procrastination in making crucial financial decisions. However, delaying these decisions is not a viable strategy; it is a silent cost that undermines both financial security and peace of mind.

Procrastination in financial planning can have profound and lasting consequences. Here are four key areas where delay can be particularly detrimental:

1. **Health Cannot Be Bought Later**: Insurance products like life, health, and critical illness coverage are most effectively purchased when one is in good health. Insurability is directly tied to current health conditions. Delaying action can result in higher premiums or, in the worst-case scenario, render one uninsurable if a serious illness develops.

2. **Time Directly Affects Cost**: Age is a critical factor in determining insurance premiums. As individuals grow older, the cost of coverage increases significantly. For instance, a 33-year-old male might secure a $500,000 critical illness policy for approximately $288 monthly. By age 43, the same coverage could cost around $572 monthly—nearly double the initial amount.

3. **The Hidden Risk of Inaction**: Postponing financial planning leaves families vulnerable to life’s uncertainties. Without adequate coverage, a single unexpected event can jeopardize years of financial progress and savings. The emotional toll of losing a loved one is immeasurable, but the ensuing financial hardship can be equally devastating.

4. **Peace of Mind is Priceless**: Taking timely action to secure your family’s financial future provides invaluable peace of mind. It replaces worry with assurance, allowing life to be lived with greater ease, confidence, and purpose.

In conclusion, the cost of waiting far outweighs the cost of action. Every day of delay is a lost opportunity for growth, protection, and peace. The best time to start was yesterday; the second-best time is today.

Furness Shipping & Marketing Ltd, a subsidiary of the Furness Group, has broadened its seafood product line by introducing premium salted smoked split herring under its Atlantic Pearl brand. Known for its boneless salted fish in vacuum-sealed packaging, the brand has now ventured into smoked herring, a staple in Trinidad and Tobago’s culinary scene. At a recent launch event attended by chefs and retailers, Patrick A Ferreira, the company’s executive chairman, emphasized the popularity of smoked herring and detailed the process of importing fresh split herring, commonly referred to as kippers. Ferreira noted that kippers are favored over alternatives like bloaters or boneless versions, which can lose flavor during processing. Additionally, he revealed plans to diversify the seafood range further, including blue shark, fresh salmon, white fish, and red snapper. Leveraging its extensive expertise in cold storage, Furness ensures efficient preservation of chilled and frozen seafood products.

The global influencer industry is undergoing a seismic transformation, driven by the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), stricter government regulations, and growing public skepticism. What began as a marketing revolution rooted in authenticity and relatability is now being redefined by these powerful forces, compelling brands and creators to adapt or risk irrelevance.

For decades, traditional media like print, radio, and television dictated consumer behavior. The advent of search engines and social media disrupted this dynamic, shifting trust from corporate logos to human influencers. However, the influencer era is now giving way to a new paradigm: AI-driven, agentic shopping. Consumers are increasingly turning to intelligent assistants like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Amazon Rufus for personalized, data-driven recommendations, bypassing traditional influencer content.

AI’s impact is profound. ChatGPT, for instance, processes over one billion daily searches, a milestone it achieved nine years faster than Google. While Google still dominates with 14 billion daily searches, the trajectory suggests ChatGPT could match its scale by 2030. This shift represents one of the fastest behavioral changes in digital history, as consumers move from passive searching to engaging in intelligent, two-way dialogues with AI tools.

Simultaneously, governments worldwide are cracking down on misinformation. In China, influencers must now hold professional qualifications to discuss topics like finance, health, and education. The UAE mandates that paid influencers register, obtain permits, and adhere to advertising disclosure rules. These measures aim to restore trust and ensure transparency in the digital space.

Audiences, meanwhile, are experiencing influencer fatigue. Over-commercialization and performative authenticity have eroded trust, with many consumers feeling misled by influencers promoting products they don’t use. However, this doesn’t signal the end of content creation. The creator economy is thriving, with creators who prioritize expertise, transparency, and storytelling gaining real influence.

AI is now the bridge between the fading influencer era and the emerging creator economy, connecting consumers with trustworthy creators who deliver verified, personalized insights. For businesses and marketers, especially in the Caribbean, the challenge is not whether they can adapt but how quickly they can do so to remain relevant in this new age of authority.