BELMOPAN, Belize – The Belize government Monday signed a US$3.6 million agreement with the Barbados-based Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Development Fund (CDF) for an investment in educational infrastructure.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana - President Irfaan Ali has called on the Caribbean shipping industry to develop an urgent policy document backed by regional and international lenders to unlock investment in Caribbean ports.

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 20 percent of small businesses in the US fail within one year of starting. Those dire statistics are consistent with global trends.

QUITO, Ecuador – The Latin American and Caribbean Energy Organization (OLACDE) says there has been a “record” increase in energy inflation in the region driven by geopolitical tensions and mounting pressure on fuel prices.

KINGSTOWN, St.  Vincent – St. Vincent and the Grenadines will on Monday sign an agreement with Global Ports Holding (GPH) as the government moves to expand cruise operations and increase the benefits the sector brings to local businesses and residents.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – The executive director of the Barbados-based Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export), Dr. Damie Sinanan says he is pleased that the Caribbean Investment Forum (CIF) has grown into “a beast of its own” and that there has been “no shortage of great ideas in the Caribbean region”.

NASSAU, Bahamas – Prime Minister Philip Davis has announced plans to establish a single, accountable governance framework for the entire Grand Bahama, marking a proposed change in how the island is administered, regulated and positioned for future development.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – Nestlé Trinidad and Tobago says it is laying off 46 employees mainly across its sales and warehousing teams as it prepares to transfer its distribution operations to the locally-based Massy Integrated Retail Ltd.

KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Jamaican government is urging Justices of the Peace (JPs) to assist small business operators affected by Hurricane Melissa in accessing grants under a J$500-million recovery programme.

PANAMA CITY, Panama – The Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB, the Bank) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening women’s leadership and technical capacity in the Caribbean energy sector, underscoring that the region’s transition to sustainable and resilient energy must also be inclusive.

BANGKOK, Thailand – The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said that growth across the Western Hemisphere has remained resilient, supported by strong United States demand, high commodity prices, easier financial conditions, robust tourism, and remittance inflows.

OTTAWA – Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Guyana’s President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali have discussed opportunities to deepen trade and investment ties between the two countries, the Canadian Government said Thursday.