News

Jamaica’s Golding Won’t Seek Re-Election

State of Emergency “Well Worth It,” Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Says

Above: PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar (Photo: TGISL) By the Caribbean Journal staff Trinidad and Tobago’s State of Emergency declaration was worth the sacrifice, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said in a public statement marking the country’s 35th anniversary as a republic. “The …

Dookeran: Caribbean Nations “Innocent Bystanders” in Global Financial Crisis

Above: Finance Minister Winston Dookeran last year with IDB President Luis Alberto Moreno By the Caribbean Journal staff Caribbean nations are “innocent bystanders” in the ongoing world economic downturn, Trinidad Finance Minister Winston Dookeran told finance ministers assembled at the …

A New Life for Nassau’s Montagu

Above: Environment Minister Earl Deveaux, Montagu MP Loretta Butler-Turner and George Markantonis, president of Kerzner International Bahamas (BIS Photo/Letisha Henderson) The Bahamas officially launched its Montagu Foreshore Redevelopment project, a large-scale facelift for one of New Providence’s historic waterfront areas. …

Trinidad Approves OECS Ferry

By the Caribbean Journal staff Trinidad’s cabinet has approved the establishment of an inter-island ferry service between Trinidad and the Eastern Caribbean, Transport Minister Devant Maharaj announced yesterday. The service will be financed on a public/private arrangement with the majority …

In the Bahamas, a Look at Climate Change

Above: Minister of State, Ministry of Environment Phenton Neymour (BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna) More than 100 experts are gathering in the Bahamas to discuss the importance of climate change education for small island developing states at the UNESCO Conference on Climate …

Jamaica, Trinidad Lead World Cup Hopes

Above: Jamaica in Gold Cup play (Photo: CONCACAF) By the Caribbean Journal staff Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz, along with Trinidad, which is led by newly-appointed oath Otto Pfister, and Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz have the best chance of reaching the 2014 FIFA …

Jamaica Moves to Protect Local Brands

Following the announcement that the Jamaican government would be moving to establish a geographical indication for Jamaican rum, the country’s Intellectual Property Office announced it is moving to achieve similar protection for Blue Mountain Coffee and Jamaican Jerk. JIPO Executive …

Antigua Recognises Palestinian State

Above: PM Baldwin Spencer with UN General Assembly President, Ambassador Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser of Qatar (Photo: Antigua Government) By the Caribbean Journal staff Antigua has formal recognized an independent Palestinian state, Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer announced yesterday. The announcement comes …

Spain Gives Hand to Caribbean Agriculture

Above: Ambassador Nuno with Bahamian Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham (FP: BIS) The Spanish government has donated $30 million to establish a regional Centre for Excellence in Advanced Technology for Agriculture, aiming to give a boost to Caribbean farming. The grant …

In Grenada, Development a Balancing Act

Above: PM Tillman Thomas (Photo: GIS) For small island states like Grenada, development is balancing act, where governments must weigh the benefits of development against efforts to conserve their heritage, Grenadian Prime Minister Tillman Thomas said yesterday. Thomas, who was …

Jamaica Devising a New Building Code

Above: Kingston The Jamaican government is moving to have a proposed new National Building Act approved, Industry Minister Dr Christopher Tufton said this week. According to Tufton, the first draft of this act has been completed and reviewed by the …

In St Lucia, Trading Luxury for Security

By the Caribbean Journal staff A new piece of sunset legislation will come into effect during the course of the new financial year in St Lucia, imposing a tax of one percent on luxury goods in St Lucia. The tax …

China, Jamaica Sign Agricultural Deals

China Vice Premier Hui Liangyu pledged his government’s commitment to helping Jamaica with its economic and social development, speaking at the beginning of his visit to the country yesterday. The two countries have shared relations for 39 years, and signed …

Clinton: Haiti Could be Regional Leader

Above: Former US President Bill Clinton and Haitian President Michel Martelly (UN Photo: Logan Abassi) Haiti has the potential to be an economic leader in the Caribbean, former US President Bill Clinton said at the annual forum for his Clinton …

LaRocque, Ban Meet in New York

Above: CARICOM SG Irwin LaRocque and UN SG Ban Ki-moon (UN Photo: JC McIlwaine) By the Caribbean Journal staff CARICOM Secretary General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque met with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon this weekend on the eve of the General Assembly …

Jamaica Bets on Cocoa

By the Caribbean Journal staff Jamaica is intensifying efforts to regain its prominence in the cocoa market, with an EU- and USAID-backed plan to rehabilitate approximately 2,000 acres of production by the end of the 2011-2012 crop, and increase production …

St Lucia to Install CCTV System

By the Caribbean Journal staff The Saint Lucian police force will soon add a CCTV camera system to its arsenal, aimed at enhancing their capacity to monitor potential criminal activity on the island. The $3 million project is part of …

In Dominica, a New Look at Social Security

Above: DSS Director Janice Jean-Jacques Thomas (Photo: DIS) By Mervin Matthew Dominica’s Social Security has begun a series of consultations with stakeholders across the island, engaging in dialogue on the further development of the country’s social security scheme. “The management …