Markets

The Rebirth of Montserrat

13 Potential Caribbean Tech Hubs

COULD a Caribbean city develop into a Silicon Beach? As the Caribbean seeks to develop, it will need to be creative — and part of that means both attracting creative people and companies to its shores and supporting creative people …

Caribbean Islands Commit to Branson-Led Green Energy Challenge

Above: Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands By the Caribbean Journal staff Seven countries and territories in the Caribbean have signed on to a regional challenge aimed at transitioning the Caribbean to green energy. The agreements were signed at …

Jamaica: IDB Approves $60 Million Loan to Improve “Competitiveness”

Above: Kingston (CJ Photo) By the Caribbean Journal staff The Inter-American Development Bank has approved a $60 million loan aimed at improving “competitiveness” in Jamaica, the bank announced last week. The loan will “promote tax and land titling reforms and …

Jamaica to Receive $80 Million IDB Loan for “Fiscal Sustainability”

Above: Kingston (CJ Photo) By the Caribbean Journal staff Jamaica will be receiving an $80 million loan from the Inter-American Development Bank aimed at improving the “effectiveness and efficiency” of the country’s tax system. The loan will target “fiscal sustainability,” …

Moody’s Follows S&P, Downgrades Puerto Rico to Junk Status

Above: San Juan (CJ Photo) By the Caribbean Journal staff Moody’s Investors Service has downgraded the general obligation of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to Ba2, or “junk” status, the New York-based firm announced Friday. The move follows a similar …

Seaborne Airlines Relocating to Puerto Rico; Government Taking Equity Stake

Above: a Seaborne plane By Alexander Britell MIAMI — St Croix-based regional airline Seaborne Airlines has reached a deal with the government of Puerto Rico to relocate its headquarters to San Juan. Under the deal, the government of Puerto Rico …

Could St Maarten Become a Hub For Travel to Nevis?

Above: St Maarten’s Princess Juliana Airport By the Caribbean Journal staff Could Nevis get an airlift boost from St Maarten? That’s one of the initiatives Nevis Tourism Minister Mark Brantley is working on for the 2013/2014 season, hoping to expand …

IMF: “Tentative Signs” of Gradual Economic Recovery in Jamaica

Above: Kingston (CJ Photo) By the Caribbean Journal staff Is Jamaica on the road to recovery? Not quite, but there are signs of life, according to the International Monetary Fund completed its second review of the country’s economic performance under …

Can the Caribbean Attract Tourists From the BRICS?

Above: Union Island, St Vincent and the Grenadines (CJ Photo) By Alexander Britell MIAMI — The United States, the United Kingdom and Canada remain the primary source markets for Caribbean tourism — but with the global tourism market getting more …

Cayman Islands, United Kingdom Sign “FATCA-Type” Agreement

Above: UK and Cayman Islands officials (Photo: Ministry of Financial Services) By the Caribbean Journal staff The Cayman Islands and the United Kingdom signed what the former called a “FATCA-type” agreement on Tuesday. The agreement paves the way for Cayman …

Jamaica Concludes Trade Mission to Dominican Republic

Above: JAMPRO President Diane Edwards (centre), Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Paul Robotham and LASCO Group CEO Lascelles Chin (JIS Photo) By the Caribbean Journal staff Representatives from the Jamaica Promotions Corporation recently concluded its first-ever …

Haiti, OAS to Hold “Major” Investment Conference in Washington

Above: OAS Headquarters in Washington (OAS Photo) By the Caribbean Journal staff The OAS and Haiti are also working to facilitate a “major conference” in Washington next year. The aim of the conference is for Haiti to present its Investment …

A New Course For Caribbean Banks?

Above: the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank By the Caribbean Journal staff There are more than 36 banks listed across the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States region. Each individual holds the responsibility of licensing banks in its respective territory. But is …

A Bio-Energy Future in Guyana?

Above: Guyana By the Caribbean Journal staff Could bio-energy be a major way forward for energy production in Guyana? The country’s government has officially opened a bioethanol demonstration plant in Albion, and says there is potential for a bio-energy production …

Guatemala to Help Barbados Restructure Sugar Cane Industry

Above: Barbados (CJ Photo) By the Caribbean Journal staff Guatemala will help Barbados’s government with its proposal to restructure the sugar cane industry. The support was revealed by Guatemala Foreign Minister Luis Fernando Carrera Castro during a courtesy call with …

IMF: Trinidad Economy “Poised for Modest Recovery” in 2013

Above: Port of Spain (CJ Photo) By the Caribbean Journal staff The economy of Trinidad and Tobago is “poised for a modest recovery” in 2013, according to the International Monetary Fund. The IMF’s Executive Board recently concluded its Article IV …

Grenada Parliament Passes Citizenship By Investment Act

Above: Grenada By the Caribbean Journal staff Grenada’s Parliament has passed the Grenada Citizen by Investment Act 2013, the government announced. The act, which passed last week, would make Grenada one of an increasing number of Caribbean countries offering passports …

Can Caribbean Trade Help Tackle Hemispheric Challenges?

Above: OAS ASG Albert Ramdin (OAS Photo) By the Caribbean Journal staff Can increased trade within the Latin America and the Caribbean help the region reach its economic potential? That was the idea put forth by Assistant Secretary General of …