A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 29 May to Sunday 4 June 2023.
Monday, 29 May 2023
The Central Bank of Barbados Upgraded its Foreign Currency Application Portal
Barbados – The Central Bank of Barbados has added three additional forms to its foreign currency application portal, Forex Online. As a result, starting Thursday 1st June, Barbadians and other residents will now be able to complete all of their requests to purchase or transfer foreign currency electronically… more
Jamaica Lauded for Business Digital Platform
Jamaica – Jamaica has one of the best digital platforms in the region, says Managing Director of LPA Corporate Solutions (Caribbean) Limited, Elena Henckel DaCosta… more
No digital currency mandate in Jamaica – officials
Jamaica – Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) with responsibility for Information, Robert Morgan, says there is no plan by the Government of Jamaica to force its citizens to use digital currency… more
OUR Releases First Batch of New 658 Area Code Numbers
Jamaica – The Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) has released the first batch of new 658 area code numbers to telecommunication companies in the island… more
AI and your job
Trinidad and Tobago – Some things are actually simpler than they seem. Figuring out what’s likely to happen to your job in the face of artificial intelligence (AI) advances may not be as hard as you think… more
Tuesday, 30 May 2023
Central Bank announces technical developments, upgrades for mobile wallet holders
Bahamas – The Bank of The Bahamas (BOB) will soon become the latest authorised financial institution (AFI) to begin providing SandDollar wallet services to customers in a targeted and phased rollout according to the Central Bank, with the regulator also revealing technical developments and upgrades for mobile wallet providers… more
Flow inspires girls in ICT
Jamaica – Inspiration comes in various forms and leading communication and entertainment provider, Flow, took several approaches to inspire young girls during its recent Girls in ICT (GIICT) Day activities… more
Wednesday, 31 May 2023
FTX chief’s fate lies in Bahamas’ hands
Bahamas – THE FATE of embattled FTX chief, Sam Bankman-Fried, rests in The Bahamas’ hands in determining how many criminal charges he will ultimately face over the crypto exchange’s multi-billion dollar implosion, it was revealed yesterday… more
Carib$ Complementary Currency: A solution to Caribbean’s cross-border currency payment challenges
Caribbean – Movement of capital in the Caribbean has long faced challenges due to heavy reliance on foreign correspondent banks and limited USD liquidity. This dependence has resulted in expensive, slow, and de-risking-prone cross-border payments… more
Digicel parent’s bondholders agree to write-down
Caribbean – DIGICEL has received the green light from bondholders in its holding company to mark down part of what they are owed, as the group continues talks on a wider restructuring… more
Digicel completes consent solicitation on 2023 notes
Jamaica – DIGICEL Limited (DL) received the requisite consents from its noteholders to amend the terms of its 2023 senior notes at the holding company level, as the telecommunications firm seeks to restructure its US$4.55-billion debt pile… more
PM Says There Is No Attempt to Remove Cash from System
Jamaica – Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says there is no attempt from the Government to remove cash from the system or to create a cashless mandate for Jamaicans… more
Sagicor Group building digital wallet for Jam-Dex
Jamaica – SAGICOR Group Jamaica Limited (SJ) is the latest financial player to indicate its intention to roll out a digital wallet to handle Jamaica’s central bank digital currency (CBDC), Jam-Dex… more
Thursday, 1 June 2023
Orange Walk residents complete BELTRAIDE’s BPO training
Belize – Ѕеvеrаl Оrаngе Wаlk rеѕіdеntѕ раrtісіраtеd іn ВЕLТRАІDЕ’ѕ Тrаіnіng аnd Еmрlоуmеnt Сеntеr trаіnіng ѕеѕѕіоnѕ tо аѕѕіѕt thеm wіth ѕkіllѕ nееdеd tо thrіvе іn thе Вuѕіnеѕѕ Рrосеѕѕ Оutѕоurсіng (ВРО) іnduѕtrу… more
Role and function of a digital strategist
Caribbean – We know that roles in the digital space in the Caribbean are pretty new and most HR teams and companies haven’t quite got a grasp of exactly what the new roles in marketing are and what types of skills, qualifications and duties to expect from them… more
Dominican Rep to include more bands, prioritize coverage in second 5G tender
Dominican Republic – Dominican Republic telecom regulator Indotel is looking to launch a second 5G auction in August after no offers were submitted for 700MHz bands during the first tender in 2021… more
PM blasts critics spreading fear about digital transformation
Jamaica – PRIME Minister Andrew Holness has described as “dangerous, unnecessary and ridiculous” an emerging trend that he says is being stoked by individuals he classifies as “opportunists and political entrepreneurs” and who are using “fear and conspiracy theories” to pit Jamaicans against Government’s digital transformation effort… more
TATT grants concession to Starlink
Trinidad and Tobago – The Telecommunications Authority, operating on the advice of the Minister of Digital Transformation, has granted a ten-year concession to Starlink for the provision of satellite based connectivity, effective May 10, 2023… more
Friday, 2 June 2023
C&W ready for 2023 Atlantic hurricane season
Caribbean – C&W Communications, operators of the Flow, Flow Business, C&W Business, and BTC brands in the Caribbean, has confirmed the readiness of its hurricane preparations across the region ahead of the 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season, which begins on June 1… more
E-commerce transactions using DCash coming soon – ECCB
Caribbean – Consumers will soon be able to conduct e-commerce transactions using DCash, as the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) pushes ahead with the digital version of the Eastern Caribbean (EC) dollar which was launched two years ago… more
Spotlight: The digital integration of the Caribbean
Caribbean – Leaders in the Caribbean are pursuing sustainable digital transformation across the region with the aim of supporting and promoting social and economic growth… more
Education Management Information System Coming
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – “It is an integrated system because it contains two features: the school management system and a learning management system.”… more
Amcham tech summit to focus on cybersecurity
Trinidad and Tobago – For the first time in seven years the American Chamber of Industry and Commerce (Amcham) will feature panels on cybersecurity in its Tech Hub Island Summit (THIS) carded for June 29-30 at the Hyatt Regency in Port of Spain… more
Saturday, 3 June 2023
Digicel Guyana appoints new CEO
Guyana – Digicel Guyana, today announced Deonarine Gopaul as its new Chief Executive Officer… more
Digicel Guyana appoints new CEO; Dean remains as advisor
Guyana – Digicel Guyana on Saturday announced Deonarine Gopaul as its new Chief Executive Officer, and his predecessor Gregory Dean would remain as an advisor… more
‘The future for AI in T&T has started’
Trinidad and Tobago – EMBRACING and effectively utilising artificial intelligence (AI), Caribbean governments can drive economic growth, enhance public services and address societal challenges while ensuring the responsible and ethical implementation of AI technologies… more
Sunday, 4 June 2023
20 telemedicine sites to be established in hinterland communities this month
Guyana – The Government of Guyana will by the end of this month establish 20 telemedicine sites in hinterland communities, Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony said on Friday during the launch of the National Expansion of the HEARTS Initiative for the Management of Cardiovascular Diseases held at the Pegasus Hotel, Kingston… more
Digital Applications for Groovy and Power Soca Monarch Competitions
Saint Lucia – CONTENDERS for this year’s Soca titles will utilize digital applications to submit their selections for the judging criteria… more
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