Business
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CDB elects Gene Leon as new President: CARICOM BUSINESS Newsletter
The Board of Governors of the CDB has elected Hyginus “Gene” Leon to serve as the next President of the multilateral institution. Leon’s appointment will become effective on May 1, 2021. He will succeed W. Warren Smith. Leon has over 30 years of experience in economic development and has directed macroeconomic and financial policy support to government authorities in Africa,…
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Jamaica’s securities market grows by 100%: CARICOM BUSINESS
Finance Minister Dr Nigel Clarke, says Jamaica’s private securities market grew by approximately 100% between 2017 and 2020, with the value of bond issuance transactions doubling from some $200 million to $400 million. This metric was noted within the context that the banking sector recorded loan growth ranging between 16 and 35% over the period. He was speaking during the…
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Grenada regains majority shareholding in electricity provider: CARICOM BUSINESS
Grenada’s light and power company monopoly, Grenlec, will continue to operate as a private company, although the government has repurchased the majority shares owned by WRB Enterprises. Through a US$63-million settlement, which is US$12 million less than an arbitration award, the government regained control of the 50% shareholding sold to WRB Enterprises in 1994. In addition, the government has also…
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SVG’s 2020 revenues higher than 2019 — Finance Minister: CARICOM BUSINESS
In a break with tradition, the government of St Vincent and The Grenadines, in the absence of a budget for 2021, received approval from Parliament to borrow EC$125 million for capital expenditure for next year. Public Sector Investment Loan No. 2 Act 2020, presented by Minister of Finance, Camillo Gonsalves, authorises the government to raise funds to assist the government…
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Belize to launch NBB Pay e-wallet in early 2021: CARICOM BUSINESS
The National Bank of Belize (NBB) has solicited the expertise of Barbados-based financial technology firm Bitt to create and launch a digital wallet that will complement the bank’s mobile banking services. “NBB is licensing a digital currency infrastructure from Bitt to support retail and business users’ access to simple secure and efficient payment solutions as they recover from the global…
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Internet access to be declared a public good in Jamaica: CARICOM BUSINESS
The Government of Jamaica is to roll out a broadband expansion programme, dubbed the National Broadband Initiative, which will seek to provide Internet connection to every household by 2025. According to Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Daryl Vaz, the Government will make access to the Internet a public good. The objectives of the initiative are to: achieve universal access;…
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30% of tourism workers set to resume work amidst fallout: CARICOM BUSINESS
Jamaica’s Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett says since its borders reopened in June, they have welcomed 300,000 visitors yielding some US$150 million. According to Bartlett, if the current arrival trend is sustained over the winter season, then about 30% of the 170,000 workers directly employed in the tourism industry should return to work. In the meantime, tourist arrivals in Dominica have…
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Jamaica moves towards an Independent Fiscal Commission: CARICOM BUSINESS
The Government of Jamaica has initiated action to institutionalise fiscal transparency and strengthen its fiscal responsibility framework by way of an Independent Fiscal Commission. This was effected through tabling a Bill to that effect in the House of Representatives. According to Finance Minister Dr Nigel Clarke, “the fiscal commission will be the guardian and interpreter of Jamaica’s fiscal rules, monitoring…
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The CARICOM Private Sector Organization and the Caribbean Community Sign MOU 3rd December 2020 – CPSO
The CARICOM Private Sector Organization (CPSO) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), on Thursday 3 December 2020, signed a Memorandum of Understanding, which establishes the legal framework for cooperation and collaboration between the Private Sector and the Community, as mandated by the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community. Mr. Gervase Warner, CPSO Chairman, and President and CEO of…
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CARICOM Private Sector Organisation and Caribbean Community sign MOU to support Regional Growth and Development
The CARICOM Private Sector Organisation on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Caribbean Community to cooperate on the full implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), regarded as the most viable platform for supporting the Region’s growth and development. CARICOM Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque signed on behalf of the Community and Chairman Mr Gervase Warner signed…
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