QUITO, Ecuador – The Latin American and Caribbean Energy Organization (OLACDE) says Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) countries have increased both oil and natural gas production at a time when tensions in the Middle East are heightening uncertainty over global hydrocarbon supplies and contributing to volatility in international markets.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – The Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) says it is providing a US$100,000 grant to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Private Sector Organization Inc. (CPSO) to support a study that will assess the feasibility and inform the design of a regional stock exchange.

CASTRIES, St. Lucia – Prime Minister Phillip J Pierre says the St. Lucian economy has been hit significantly as a result of the ongoing war between Iran and the United States, but that his administration will keep fuel prices unchanged for another three weeks.

WASHINGTON, DC - IDB Invest, the private-sector arm of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB Group) says it has entered into a strategic partnership with the Trinidad-based ANSA McAL Group to support investments in key productive sectors across the region.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – The Trinidad-based Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) is underscoring the need for a structured regional framework to guide the responsible development and implementation of artificial intelligence (AI).

NASSAU, Bahamas – The Bahamas government says it is engaging the United States in a bid to seek “clarification” after Washington imposed a new 12.5 percent tariff on exports from the country claiming that Nassau had failed to impose and enforce a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labour.

LONDON, UK - The United Kingdom-based African Caribbean Sustainability & Investment Initiative (ACSII) Tuesday said it has appointed David Mullings, the founder of a Bahamas-based investment holding company, as its deputy chairman.

NASSAU, Bahamas - Prime Minister Philip Davis has welcomed the decision of the New York based global financial services, J.P. Morgan to open an office in The Bahamas, saying “this is a statement of confidence.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana – Tax administrators and revenue management experts from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) grouping will meet here later this month, the Guyana-based CARICOM Secretariat announced on Wednesday.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – The Trinidad and Tobago government says while it has signed memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with United States-based companies for the proposed artificial intelligence data centre project, no final approval has yet been given.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana – The Guyana government says in an effort to strengthen its natural resources capacity, it is accelerating a new phase of oil exploration as it moves to expand petroleum activities beyond the prolific Stabroek Block, creating new opportunities for investment, employment and economic growth.

BRADES, Montserrat - The ongoing war between the United States and Iran in particular the control of the Strait of Hormuz is forcing Caribbean governments into some form of a dilemma as they seek to provide subsidies to their citizens in order to deal with the impact of the high cost of energy.