Haiti’s Martelly in Panama for Talks

By: - February 6th, 2012

Above: Martelly with Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Haitian President Michel Martelly arrived in Panama Sunday night for talks with President Ricardo Martinelli, following his visit to Caracas this weekend.

The visit for Martelly aims to strengthen relations between the two states, and to negotiate a series of agreements on issues including tourism, culture and technical cooperation between the two countries.

Martelly also aims to strengthen the human rights of Haitian nationals living in Panama and to reduce visa fees for Haitian vendors.

Martelly’s visit to Venezuela, which was primarily to attend the summit of ALBA (of which Haiti is an observer), culminated in the signing of a cooperation agreement.

Panama has been increasing its cooperation with the Caribbean of late, with air carrier COPA making its inaugural flight to Montego Bay in December and and discussing potential trade and tourism links with several countries, including Barbados.

Barbados

Guyana Tightens Maritime Security after Pirate Attacks; Rescue Boat Capsizes

Above: one of the boats victimized in this weekend’s pirate attacks (Photo: GINA) By the Caribbean Journal staff A four-person fishing boat that traveled to aid one of the fishing crews victimized by this weekend’s pirate attacks capsized on Saturday night, with just one of the four fishermen aboard returning to shore thus far. The […]

Barbados

Montserrat Drafts ICT Strategy

By the Caribbean Journal staff Montserrat has unveiled the first draft of its Information and Communication Technology plan, with the first review coming last week by a consulting team from the Caribbean Telecommunications Union. The three-person team, which was led by Nigel Cassimir, CTU’s Telecommunications Specialist, discussed the elements in the plan, which came around […]

Barbados

Haiti Has Five Hotels, 763 Hotel Rooms in Development Pipeline: Report

Above: the Oasis hotel, which is under construction (Photo: Oasis) By the Caribbean Journal staff Haiti has a total of five hotels and 763 hotel rooms in the development pipeline as of the end of December, according to data from STR. The report followed Haiti’s success in November, when it led the Caribbean in projected […]

Canadian Firm Sagres to Continue Offshore Oil Exploration in Jamaica

 Above: An offshore rig By the Caribbean Journal staff Canadian firm Sagres Energy has received an extension on its licences in Jamaica, continuing the firm’s exploration according to three production-sharing agreements with the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica. The three agreements cover the right to explore and develop Blocks 9, 13 and 14, which cover approximately […]

Guyana Rescues 15 More Fishermen Following Pirate Attacks

Above: Some of the boats following the attack (Photo: GINA) By the Caribbean Journal staff Guyana’s Maritime Search and Rescue Centre has rescued 15 more fishermen in an overnight exercise, following a 24-hour spate of pirate attacks on the Pomeroon River that began on Friday. This weekend, three fishermen had been reported rescued. “Follow-ups were […]

Haiti, Venezuela Sign Cooperation Pact

 Above: An offshore rig By the Caribbean Journal staff Canadian firm Sagres Energy has received an extension on its licences in Jamaica, continuing the firm’s exploration according to three production-sharing agreements with the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica. The three agreements cover the right to explore and develop Blocks 9, 13 and 14, which cover approximately […]

Antigua Names Indian Native Its New Comptroller of Customs

 Above: Antigua’s Parliament By the Caribbean Journal staff Raju Boddu, a native of India who has been on loan from the Indian government in Antigua for the last 10 years, has been named the country’s new comptroller of customs, according to Finance Minister Harold Lovell. Boddu was formerly the Chief Forensic Accountant with the Antiguan […]