A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 11 September to Sunday 17 September 2023.
Monday, 11 September 2023
Sand Dollars in circulation dip as wallet holders increase
Bahamas – The Central Bank of The Bahamas (CBOB) gave an update on its Sand Dollar project, which revealed that the number of Sand Dollars in circulation decreased by slightly less than 20,000 between June and August, while the number of consumer wallets grew by some 5,000… more
URCA investigating electronic communications outages on Family Islands
Bahamas – The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) said in a statement released yesterday that it is investigating a series of electronic communications outages throughout The Bahamas over the past few months… more
URCA launches investigation into electronic communication service outages
Bahamas – The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) has announced that it is presently conducting an investigation into a series of recent electronic communications service outages experienced throughout The Bahamas over the past few months… more
Cybersecurity expert concerned about impact of FSC data breach on SSL probe
Jamaica – Amid confirmation of a cyber attack on the agency of Government that regulates securities, pensions and insurance, at least one local cybersecurity expert is concerned that this has happened while the Financial Services Commission (FSC) is involved in a major fraud probe of a local investment firm.. more
‘Disaster’ at FSC
Jamaica – Last week’s cyberattack at the Financial Services Commission (FSC) appears to have been a more grave cause for concern than first acknowledged by the entity that oversees the regulation of Jamaica’s insurance, pension, and securities industries… more
Flow Business advocates for tech-powered entrepreneurship in thriving LATAM market
Jamaica – Telecoms provider, Flow Business, is calling on entrepreneurs to harness the transformative power of technology as a strategic imperative for successful entry into the burgeoning Latin American (LATAM) market… more
The long tail of internet content
Trinidad and Tobago – Whether it’s a considered investigative report or a press release, it would be a mistake to think of a post online the same way we think of material created for traditional media… more
Tuesday, 12 September 2023
Cable targeting ‘monumental improvement’ via Aliv refinance
Bahamas – Cable Bahamas’ top executive yesterday asserted the group is poised for “monumental improvement” in profits if it can reach agreement with the Government on refinancing Aliv’s debt at lower interest costs… more
FTX Bahamas $9bn claim is ‘redundant’
Bahamas – FTX’s US chief yesterday dismissed the $9.15bn claim submitted by his Bahamian counterparts as “invalid” and “redundant” while revealing that the crypto exchange’s local real estate holdings have been valued at up to $214m… more
FTX has $7 billion in assets, $200 million in Bahamian real estate
Bahamas – The total value of the 38 properties in The Bahamas owned by FTX’s has been assessed to be worth $199 million, according to recent court filings… more
Hope for cybercrime legislation by year end
Barbados – Chairman of the Law Reform Commission Sir David Simmons wants to see promised cybercrime legislation going before Parliament before the end of the year… more
Derrimon says its system fully restored after cyber attack
Jamaica – In a proactive response to a network breach detected on August 28, Derrimon Trading Company Limited (DTL) was able to restore its IT systems within 48 hours… more
Digital literacy in the spotlight for Seniors’ Month
Jamaica – In recognition of International Literacy Day on September 8, the Flow Foundation partnered with the National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC) to host a digital literacy awareness session with the aim of expanding what it means to be literate in our emerging digital economy… more
Digital Independence For St. Kitts And Nevis And The Caribbean
Saint Kitts and Nevis – Against the backdrop of the 26th Caribbean Network Operators Group Regional Meeting being held at the Mariott Resort in St. Kitts, Minister of Information & Communication Technology Hon, Konris Maynard, has described the possibilities of living in a digital age… more
Wednesday, 13 September 2023
Get Safe Online Launches New “Check a Website” Service in Antigua & Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda – Get Safe Online, one of the leading online safety resources in the world, is excited to announce the launch and introduction of its innovative “Check a Website” service in Caribbean countries… more
ArawakX facing solvency scrutiny by SCB
Bahamas – Crowdfunding company ArawakX is preparing to take the Securities Commission of The Bahamas (SCB) to court, the company said in a recent letter to shareholders, in which it leveled several disparaging claims against the regulator… more
ArawakX to fight solvency shut down bid ‘all the way’
Bahamas – The Bahamas’ first-ever crowd funding platform last night pledged to “go all the way to the Privy Council” if the Securities Commission moves to shut it down over “solvency” concerns following a key hearing today… more
SECURITIES COMMISSION VS ARAWAKX: Company and regulator clash amid solvency concerns and legal battles
Bahamas – The Securities Commission yesterday revealed that it was investigating ArawakX amid solvency concerns and had suspended its registration at the end of August… more
CPL renews partnership with Digicel Business as the official Fibre Internet Provider for 2023
Caribbean – Digicel Business, a leading provider of high-speed fibre network solutions said it is thrilled to announce the renewal of its partnership with the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), to provide internet connectivity at all the cricket matches to be played in Guyana… more
How E-commerce has changed business
Caribbean – IN the rapidly evolving landscape of contemporary business, E-commerce stands as a formidable force of change and innovation… more
Get Safe Online launches new “Check a Website” service in Dominica
Dominica – On September 13, 2023, Get Safe Online, a global leader in online safety resources, proudly announced the Caribbean launch of its groundbreaking “Check a Website” service, including in Dominica… more
Airbnb regulations coming
Jamaica – Discussions have begun to have the lucrative Airbnb segment of Jamaica’s tourism sector, which raked in more than US$100 million last year, become part of the “formal system”… more
C&W Business offers new data protection services
Jamaica – Regional telecommunications provider C&W Business is expanding its managed service offerings to include consultancy to and preparation of companies to comply with the Data Protection Act (DPA), which takes effect on December 1, 2023… more
JN gets green light for new digital customer experience platform — One JN passport
Jamaica – JN Financial Group, the arm of the Jamaica National Group which oversees financial entities in the conglomerate, has received approval from the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) to operationalise its flagship strategic initiative — the One JN Passport digital membership and customer experience platform. This comes after the group’s submission to the BOJ in January 2022… more
JSWIFT challenges delay import licence approval
Jamaica – The Trade Board Limited is now having challenges with the Jamaica Single Window for Trade (JSWIFT), which has resulted in a delay for the processing of import permits via the portal… more
Swallowfield and Nannyville Get Free Wi-Fi
Jamaica – Residents of Swallowfield and Nannyville in St. Andrew are now enjoying free high-speed broadband connection as the Universal Service Fund (USF) continues to bridge Jamaica’s information gap… more
Tech recruiters urged: skills over degrees
Jamaica – EMPLOYERS looking for tech workers are being advised to shift towards skills-based hiring over degrees, as they could be screening out potentially talented tech workers… more
Use AI before it uses us, says JHTA’s Russell
Jamaica – President of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) Robin Russell is urging local players to capitalise on opportunities available from artificial intelligence (AI) before they get left behind… more
St Kitts and Nevis Government Marks Digital Independence Milestone
Saint Kitts and Nevis – One week before the nation marks its fortieth anniversary of independence, St Kitts and Nevis Minister of Information, Communication and Technology, Konris Maynard has declared that the country is on a journey to digital independence… more
St Kitts and Nevis Powers Up the Caribbean’s Newest Internet Exchange Point
Saint Kitts and Nevis – It’s a big weekend for St Kitts and Nevis, with the fortieth-anniversary independence celebrations carded for September 19. And that may not be the only reason for folks there to smile… more
IMF: Fintech impact in T&T not yet broad based
Trinidad and Tobago – An International Monetary Fund (IMF) technical assistance report on T&T, has found that there is interest among private sector participants in providing crypto-broker services in this country… more
Thursday, 14 September 2023
India and Antigua & Barbuda to partner on digital transformation
Antigua and Barbuda – The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology of India and the Ministry of Information, Communications Technologies, Utilities and Energy of the Antigua and Barbuda on Cooperation in the field of sharing successful Digital Solutions implemented at Population Scale for Digital Transformation… more
ArawakX suspension extended to Monday
Bahamas – The Bahamas’ first-ever crowd funding platform yesterday saw its registration suspension extended until September 18 as it pleaded for more time to address Securities Commission concerns over its solvency… more
Technology drives tax transformation
Caribbean – Companies need to invest more in their talent and new technology if they are to survive stakeholder demands over tax disclosures… more
The role of an e-commerce specialist
Caribbean – The e-commerce specialist is a role that will be fairly new to most Caribbean businesses, even though e-commerce tools and platforms are becoming more widespread… more
Teachers in robotics training
Guyana – To bolster the Ministry of Education’s Literacy and Robotics Programme, several teachers from pilot schools in Regions Two, Three, Nine and Ten are being trained in robotics… more
Get Safe Online launches new ‘Check a Website’ service in Jamaica
Jamaica – Get Safe Online, one of the leading online safety resources in the world has introduced its innovative “Check a Website” service in Caribbean countries, including Jamaica… more
Satellite Phones Gifted To SKN Government For Emergency Use.
Saint Kitts and Nevis – While no one welcomes disasters like hurricanes, it is best to get ahead of the game and be prepared for the worst, so the gift this week of satellite phones that would work if the Internet is down was a welcome addition to the Government’s disaster communications toolkit… more
SKNIX Launched, Will Bring Cheaper, Faster, And More Independent Internet To St. Kitts and Nevis
Saint Kitts and Nevis – At the end of the two-day forum of the Caribbean Network Operators Group, the St. Kitts and Nevis Internet Exchange Point (SKNIX) was launched yesterday… more
Court of Appeal rules in favor of MER. TELEM ordered to respect arbitral award
Sint Maarten – Reference is made to the decision of the Court of First Instance of Sint Maarten (hereinafter: the Court) pronounced on 8 December 2022. The content of that decision applies as Kier inserted… more
AMPLIA brings free WiFi to St Helena Eco Park
Trinidad and Tobago – In a significant stride toward enhancing community engagement and connectivity, AMPLIA recently launched high-speed public Wi-Fi at the St Helena Eco Park in East Trinidad… more
Govt committed to fintech future
Trinidad and Tobago – In July, Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Brian Manning, delivered the keynote address at the launch of One FinTech Avenue at the Trinidad and Tobago International Financial Centre… more
Scotiabank wins Best Mobile App, retains Trinidad and Tobago’s best digital bank title
Trinidad and Tobago – Scotiabank retains its position as TT’s Best Digital Bank for the third consecutive year and cops Best Mobile Banking App award… more
Friday, 15 September 2023
India to help enhance digital technology in A&B
Antigua and Barbuda – Plans to boost the country’s digital landscape by using expertise from India have moved a step forward… more
Digital assets summit aims to ‘rebuild trust’
Bahamas – Organisers of a major digital assets conference that will be held in The Bahamas next month yesterday said the event will seek to “rebuild trust” in crypto exchanges and the industry generally following FTX’s implosion… more
Scotiabank is Barbados’ Best Consumer Digital Bank
Barbados – Scotiabank has been named Barbados’ Best Consumer Digital Bank 2023 by Global Finance (New York) for the third consecutive year… more
More than 8,000 employed by Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies in Belize
Belize – Оn Тuеѕdау, Ѕерtеmbеr 12, 2023, саbіnеt mеt durіng іtѕ rеgulаr ѕеѕѕіоn. Саbіnеt wаѕ uрdаtеd оn thе оngоіng Іntеrnаtіоnаl Моnеtаrу Fund (ІМF) ѕtаff vіѕіt… more
CARICOM Girls In ICT Partnership launches career webinar series Friday
Caribbean – The CARICOM Girls in ICT Partnership begins a webinar series on STEM/STEAM Careers on Friday, 15 September 2023… more
Digital X-ray systems commissioned at NA, Port Mourant, Mibicuri hospitals
Guyana – Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony yesterday commissioned digital X-ray systems at the New Amsterdam, Port Mourant and Mibicuri hospitals in Region Six… more
GiftMe goes after diaspora market with Ding partnership
Jamaica – E-Gifting company GiftMe, in joining forces with international mobile top-up platform Ding, said it is looking to tap into the diaspora market as both entities partner to fulfil the need for ‘purposeful remittance’ through instant gift cards… more
Scotiabank customers able to make contactless payments via Garmin Pay
Jamaica – Scotiabank says local customers are now able to do contactless payments using the mobile payment system called Garmin Pay… more
Stolen FSC data published on the internet
Jamaica – The authorities are confirming that stolen data relating to the day-to-day work of the Financial Services Commission (FSC) as a financial sector regulator, has been published on the Internet… more
Get Safe Online Launches In SVG
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – Get Safe Online, one of the leading online safety resources in the world, is excited to announce the launch and introduction of its innovative “Check a Website” service in Caribbean countries including St. Vincent and the Grenadines… more
Saturday, 16 September 2023
MIC-IT Tobago interns graduate
Trinidad and Tobago – “Level up…all the way up! Develop resiliency and a lion-like mentality!” motivational speaker and guidance and counselling officer Leandra Des Vignes advised MIC-IT’s Student Enhancement Empowerment Programme (STEEP) graduates, at the MIC-IT’s Tobago Technology Centre on September 13… more
Sunday, 17 September 2023
FSC leak
Jamaica – SEVERAL financial professionals are expressing concern following the revelation that some of the files stolen from the Financial Services Commission’ (FSC) systems have begun to appear on the dark web… more
JMMB’s digital push continues
Jamaica – THE much-anticipated JMMB’s MoneyLine app is expected to be launched this year… more
Images credit: Kaboompics.com (Pexels); Financial Services Commission, Jamaica (Facebook); Wikipedia; ArawakX; Wikipedia; Wikipedia; Wikipedia; Companies Logo
