A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 27 February to Sunday 5 March 2023.
Monday, 27 February 2023
Digital entrepreneurs expose boating sector to innovations
Bahamas – BAHAMIAN digital entrepreneurs used the first-ever Bahamas Charter Yacht Show to showcase their products and services to potential customers in the maritime industry… more
Inside Data and Cyber Security issue in Barbados
Barbados – The accounting firm Deloitte noted that in recent years, there had been a sharp increase in cyber-attacks against businesses and organizations in Barbados and the Caribbean region as a whole… more
New ISP service vows to close the digital gap in Guyana
Guyana – WANSat Networks Inc, a local Internet Service Provider (ISP), yesterday announced that it has signed an agreement with Viasat to distribute its satellite broadband services in Guyana… more
Teleperformance targets 5,000 jobs in Guyana
Guyana – Teleperformance, an international Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) company, on Tuesday announced that it would be further expanding its operations in Guyana to hire as much as 5,000 persons… more
Freedom Of Information (Amendment) Bill, 2023, Passed In The House, Will Further Strengthen Transparency And Accountability In Government
Saint Kitts and Nevis – The Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill, 2023, received safe passage through the National Assembly during the Sitting of February 22, 2023. Attorney General and Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs, the Honourable Garth Wilkin, described the legislation as key to improving transparency, accountability, and overall good governance in public office… more
Saint Lucia’s Visitor Form Is Going Digital
Saint Lucia – Saint Lucia is digitizing its embarkation and disembarkation form for visitors, in what is hopefully part of a broader Caribbean trend… more
Strengthening cybersecurity for your business
Trinidad and Tobago – At the TT Internet Governance Forum in January convened by the TT Multistakeholder Group, cybersecurity professionals considered the essentials of hardening ICT business systems in the session The ART of Cybersecurity: Attacks, Risks and Threats… more
Tuesday, 28 February 2023
Stakeholder consultation launched for feasibility study for the development of Electronic Single Window for Trade in Belize
Belize – Оn Fеbruаrу 27, 2023, thе Dіrесtоrаtе Gеnеrаl fоr Fоrеіgn Тrаdе, thrоugh thе Міnіѕtrу оf Fоrеіgn Аffаіrѕ, Fоrеіgn Тrаdе, аnd Іmmіgrаtіоn, lаunсhеd thе Ѕtаkеhоldеr соnѕultаtіоn fоr thе fеаѕіbіlіtу ѕtudу fоr thе dеvеlорmеnt оf аn Еlесtrоnіс Ѕіnglе Wіndоw fоr Тrаdе іn Веlіzе… more
Electronic voting is the way forward
Jamaica – THE EDITOR, Madam:Digitisation of elections is now increasing throughout the world. As a developing country, the Government of Jamaica should follow suit. The upgrade is necessary. The upgrade will limit unnecessary human interaction and the so-called ‘rigged’ election cry. Implementing the technology would be a major upgrade for the Electoral Commission of Jamaica and within the Caribbean… more
Why tech startups are important to Trinidad and Tobago?
Trinidad and Tobago – I think this is an important question that we need to be asking. I think the Ministry of Digital Transformation and the government should be answering this question also. We need to have a conversation around this. We need to have time, effort and resources put towards the local tech startup ecosystem. It is in the interest of the private sector as well… more
Wednesday, 1 March 2023
DIR launches registration portal for short-term rentals
Bahamas – The government has launched a registration portal for those who own short-term rentals to register their businesses, in an effort to ensure high standards of service across vacation rentals and to ensure those owners are meeting their tax obligations, a statement released yesterday by the Department of Inland Revenue (DIR) explained… more
EBC says there was no data breach
Barbados – The Electoral and Boundaries Commission (EBC) says the publishing of the list of voters is required by law and it has no knowledge of that information being used to commit fraud… more
Eight laptops donated to Magistrates Court
Belize – То furthеr ѕuрроrt thе еffоrtѕ оf thе Маgіѕtrасу іn rеduсіng соurt саѕе bасklоgѕ, еіght lарtорѕ аnd аѕѕосіаtеd еquірmеnt vаluеd аt mоrе thаn UЅ$13,000 wаѕ hаndеd оvеr tо thе Маgіѕtrасу thіѕ mоrnіng аt thе tеmроrаrу hоmе оf thе Јudісіаrу, thе fоrmеr Nаtіоnаl Ваnk оf Веlіzе buіldіng… more
E-tagging could ease prison issues, governor says
British Virgin Islands – Electronic tagging of remanded inmates who are not “potentially dangerous” could ease crowding at His Majesty’s Prison, Governor John Rankin said recently… more
Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre launches virtual platform on climate adaptation, risks
Caribbean – The Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC), which advises on and coordinates climate change-related policies in the Caribbean Community (Caricom), and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) have launched a virtual course on climate adaptation and risk management in the region. The course will enable decision-makers and local communities to incorporate climate resilience into their planning processes… more
[cybersecurity] Novel anti-hacker law in British Overseas Territories in the Caribbean
Caribbean – The law – The Cyber (Sanctions) (Overseas Territories) Order 2020 – came into effect three years ago in 2020 in several overseas British territories including Anguilla, Cayman, Montserrat, Turks and Caicos and the Virgin Islands (British)… more
Denis O’Brien set to lose control of Digicel in $1.8bn debt-cut plan
Caribbean – Businessman Denis O’Brien is on track to cede control of Digicel under a plan agreed with a group of bond creditors to swap $1.8 billion (€1.7 billion) of the heavily-indebted group’s borrowings for an equity stake in the business… more
Teleperformance opens new branch in Georgetown
Guyana – Outsourcing company, Teleperformance, opened a second branch at a newly-constructed office block at Middle and Thomas streets, North Cummings-burg, Georgetown, yesterday afternoon… more
138 Student Living maximises digital technology services
Jamaica – The 138 Student Living (138SL) will be seeking to improve the operational efficiency of its student accommodation business at The University of the West Indies, Mona, with the introduction of the Manager Plus software… more
Thursday, 2 March 2023
Barbados Tech Founder Wins 7th Sitecore MVP – 1st Win Ever for Barbados and Caribbean Region
Barbados – Konabos, powered by community, revealed Dennis Augustine was named a Most Valuable Professional (MVP) by Sitecore®, a global leader in end-to-end digital experience management software. Our MVPs were among only 241 worldwide to be named a Sitecore MVP this year… more
Belize Energy Unit receives new IT Equipment from the European Union
Barbados – Оn Fеbruаrу 27, 2023, thе Еurореаn Unіоn (ЕU) hаndеd оvеr ІТ еquірmеnt tо thе Еnеrgу Unіt іn thе Міnіѕtrу fоr Рublіс Utіlіtіеѕ, Еnеrgу, Lоgіѕtісѕ аnd Е-gоvеrnаnсе (МРUЕLЕ) іn Веlіzе tо ѕuрроrt іtѕ mоdеrnіzаtіоn рrосеѕѕ… more
All gov’t departments to start digitising records by June
British Virgin Islands – All government departments are slated to start digitising their records by June 1 of this year… more
Cenerva Appoints Julian Wilkins as Ambassador for the Caribbean
Caribbean – Cenerva, a global specialist in training-driven ICT regulatory policy consultancy, announced today the appointment of Julian Wilkins as its Ambassador for the Caribbean. In his new role, Mr Wilkins will be responsible for building relationships with governments, regulators and regional operators to help Cenerva expand its presence in the Caribbean… more
Digicel continues eSim rollout across the Caribbean
Caribbean – Digicel is continuing to improve the digital experience of its customers by introducing the latest feature in telecommunication technology—the Electronic SIM (eSIM)—to more markets across the Caribbean… more
How SEO can help grow your digital presence
Caribbean – SEO is one of the most important activities that need to be done in 2023, yet it is one of the most undervalued activities in the Caribbean… more
Contract Signed for Electronic Health Records System
Jamaica – The Ministry of Health and Wellness, on Tuesday (February 28), signed a US$5-million contract for the implementation of an Electronic Health Records (EHR) System in the public health sector… more
Carrington builds content enterprise: Directs US nail-art provider’s social media, co-manages Jimmy October
Trinidad and Tobago – CONTENT creator Richard Carrington is working hard and dreaming big… more
Friday, 3 March 2023
ATMs, phones back online; other COB systems still unavailable
Barbados – Two weeks after suffering a cybersecurity breach, resulting in some of its services going offline, the City of Bridgetown Cooperative Credit Union Limited (COB) is reporting that its automated teller machine and telephone services are functioning once again… more
Expert predicts increase in cyber attacks as businesses fail to take security seriously
Barbados – Founder and Managing Director of Barbados-based cyber security and management firm Carisec Global Inc. Edward Millington is not convinced that companies here and across the region are taking cyber security seriously as threats become more sophisticated… more
Digital Connect Centers to support MSMEs across Belize
Belize – Оn Маrсh 2, 2023, ВЕLТRАІDЕ, undеr thе Вuіldіng Rеѕіlіеnt МЅМЕѕ – Ассеlеrаtіng Dіgіtіzаtіоn Рrојесt, іn соllаbоrаtіоn wіth thе Е-Gоvеrnаnсе аnd Dіgіtаlіzаtіоn Unіt, аnd thе Unіtеd Nаtіоnѕ Dеvеlорmеnt Рrоgrаmmе (UNDР), lаunсhеd а Dіgіtаl Соnnесt Сеntеr іn Ѕаn Еѕtеvаn, Оrаngе Wаlk… more
Advancing the CARICOM Digital Economy: Assessment of Region’s ICT Sector gets underway
Caribbean – A project to assess the Information Communication and Technology (ICT) sector in each Member State and Associate Member of CARICOM to better guide the development of CARICOM Single ICT Space, got underway this month… more
Grenada Government to Accelerate Digital Development
Grenada – Grenadian Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell this week voiced his support for the Caribbean digital revolution, and called for businesses to work with governments across the region to accelerate national development through digital transformation… more
Digicel bond yield falls as debt deal begins to emerge
Jamaica – The yield on a key Digicel bond dived towards a new low following the announcement that founder Denis O’Brien had agreed to reduce his majority control of the telecoms… more
Gov’t in dialogue with satellite Internet provider Starlink
Jamaica – Minister of Technology Daryl Vaz says discussions are being held with satellite Internet provider Starlink regarding broadband connectivity expansion in hard-to-reach areas in Jamaica… more
Data protection everybody’s responsibility
Jamaica – With the Data Protection Act set to come in effect December 1, 2023, cybersecurity experts are renewing calls for companies to educate their employees on how to protect company data… more
PBS to acquire Infotrans Group
Jamaica – Productive Business Solutions Limited (PBS) has entered into a share-purchase agreement to acquire 100 per cent of Infotrans Group Holding BV in a transaction which is set to be completed by June 30… more
Technology Minister not formally advised of Digicel’s proposed changes
Jamaica – Technology Minister Daryl Vaz says he has not yet been formally advised of proposed changes to Digicel’s structure… more
New Call Centre on Nevis to commence operations in April 2023, “good news” says Premier
Saint Kitts and Nevis – An investor will be taking over the Call Centre, which was once, Brown Hill Communications (BHC) on Nevis… more
Team Lyric Attend Startup Event In Spain
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – Luke Wilson and Cayla Morris of team Lyric who won the Open Category at the 10th edition of the National Telecommunication Regulatory Commission’s (NTRC) icode784 Competition in 2022 left to attend the ‘Four Years From Now’ (4YFN) Startup event on February 22… more
Saturday, 4 March 2023
TSTT hosts Fashionverse launch for POS Fashion Week
Trinidad and Tobago – The local fashion industry is cashing in on the Metaverse and NFT markets, and revolutionising how Caribbean designers sell their designs and access new markets… more
Sunday, 5 March 2023
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Images credit: journalismthatmatters (flickr(; Wikimedia Commons; Wikipedia; Wikimedia Commons; Caribbean Jobs; Wikipedia
