Caribbean RoundUp

Barbados

As the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) marked its 50th anniversary recently, Barbados took a step towards making it a bit less expensive for nationals of the grouping’s member states to travel here.

The Lower House of Parliament passed the Airport Service Charge (Amendment) Bill, 2023 to amend the Airport Service Charge for regional travel from US$35 to US$20 from July 1 to Dec. 14, this year, in keeping with a decision announced by Prime Minister Mia Mottley.

Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Ian Gooding-Edghill, who led off the debate in the House of Assembly, said the reduction in the charge “is essentially designed to boost travel from within the CARICOM area to Barbados.”

“We felt it was absolutely necessary, based on the estimated coming out of IATA (International Air Transport Association) that over $1 billion would be paid by airlines to stakeholders annually. We felt that this was an opportunity for us to stimulate the Caribbean travel market. We recognize that we have to stimulate the local market,” he said as he introduced the bill.

Minister Good-Edghill added that while the significantly reduced operations of regional airline LIAT had impacted visitor numbers from the Caribbean to Barbados, the government was confident the reduction in the Airport Service Charge would stimulate travel within the region.

CARICOM

The United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, has stated that international financial reform to address inequalities in the region, as well as systems to improve citizens’ security, were among the organization’s top priorities.

Guterres, who is among a list of high-profile guests were in T&T for CARICOM’s 50th anniversary celebrations, made the comments during a joint news conference. Guterres stated, “You are on the frontiers of global debates around climate action, finance justice, and sustainable development.”

The UN Secretary General stated that through the organization’s local arm, efforts were being made to even the odds which regional countries have been grappling, “Our UN Country Team is working with Trinidad and Tobago on a Multidimensional Vulnerability Index-to ensure you receive the support you need in the face of immense external shocks. We are united in pursuit of multilateral solutions to global problems, from tackling widening inequalities to bolstering citizen security to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals to advancing peace, and to fight the trafficking of drugs and weapons.”

Guterres noted that considerable injection of funds into small islands developing states was necessary to address the threats of climate change.

The UN Secretary General also said that the Loss and Damage fund established during COP 27 last November must now be operationalized.

Grenada

The National Transformation Fund option of the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) legislation appears to be the main source of revenue for the Government of Grenada as the CBI Committee has not approved any new project for the year as of June 15 2023.

“There was no new project approved or gazetted for the year 2023,” was the response from the CBI office following the submission of several questions about the CBI operations sent via email to CEO Thomas Anthony.

According to the 2023 Estimates of Revenue, the Government is targeting total revenue of EC$240,461,920 for the year from the CBI program.

However, there was no breakdown as to the amount targeted through the two options of the program.

Guyana

President of Guyana, Dr. Irfaan Ali reiterated the country’s commitment to the US on the occasion of the 248th Anniversary of Independence.

In a letter to the Joe Biden administration, Ali said his administration will continue to engage at the bilateral, regional and multilateral levels on national and international issues of mutual interest and concern.

“My government remains committed to deepening cooperation with the United States of America as our most strategic and valued partner. The high-level interactions between our two states recently form an integral part of this process as we build on and advance a bilateral agenda that would rebound to the benefit of our countries.”

“Please accept, Mr. President, the assurances of my highest consideration and esteem and my best wishes for your personal well-being and the continued success and prosperity of the United States of America.”

Independence is a federal holiday commemorating the Declaration of Independence, which was ratified by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, establishing the United States of America.

Haiti

The international medical organization, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has condemned the actions of gunmen who entered one of their hospitals in Tabarre, in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area to forcibly take away a patient who was undergoing medical treatment in the operating room after being shot.

“We strongly condemn the incursion, during which our staff were threatened, and call on all parties to the conflict in Port-au-Prince to respect medical facilities. All MSF activities at the Tabarre Hospital are currently suspended due to this incident,” the MSF said in a statement, noting that at least 20 gunmen were involved in the incident.

The MSF said a series of security incidents affecting its medical teams continues to call into question it’s presence and operations.

“Our medical staff, who fight daily to save lives, are shocked by this violence and the contempt shown by these armed groups towards them.”

“We remain determined to stand by the Haitian people, who are the primary victims of the serious deterioration in the country’s security situation in recent years. Apart from the Tabarre hospital, we will continue our other medical programs in Haiti,” the MSF said.

Jamaica

Japan is providing Jamaica with J$428 million in grant to boost the mobility of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

The grant is being provided through Japan’s Economic and Social Development Program and will be used to purchase five ambulances and 33 other vehicles for the JCF.

Speaking at the signing agreement, Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. Nigel Clarke said that Japan has been a dependable and long-standing partner of Jamaica and has supported the country’s development in several areas.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kamina Johnson Smith said the grant represents another milestone in the special relationship between the two governments.

Japan’s ambassador to Jamaica, Yasuhiro Atsumi, said the agreement marks the beginning of another new co-operation on the security front, adding that the grant aid program is aimed at strengthening Jamaica’s capacity for stabilizing society.

— Compiled by Devika Ragoonanan