A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 17 June to Sunday 23 June 2024.
Monday, 17 June 2024
BTC fiber build-out in Grand Bahama more than 90 percent completed
Bahamas – As Grand Bahama prepares to position itself as the first “smart city” in The Bahamas, BTC continues to move full steam ahead to install its superfast fiber technology, thus decommissioning more legacy copper services in the coming weeks… more
Ex-ArawakX principals say ‘no further steps’ over BOB battle
Bahamas – The former directors of The Bahamas’ first-ever crowd-funding platform have pledged “to take no further steps” to advance their legal battle with Bank of The Bahamas under the terms of its full winding-up… more
FTX Bahamas customers given mid-August claims deadline
Bahamas – FTX customers who have not yet submitted a Proof of Debt claim in The Bahamas process have until mid-August to do so, according to the Joint Official Liquidators. The US Bankruptcy Court is scheduled to hear the Chapter 11 Debtors’ Reorganisation Plan on June 25th… more
Aeropost and WiPay partner to allow customers in T&T to shop online using local currency
Trinidad and Tobago – Aeropost and WiPay, have partnered to enable customers in Trinidad and Tobago to use their local currency for international transactions… more
TATT announces broadband service funded by the Universal Service fund at Parlatuvier
Trinidad and Tobago – The Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) will launch its first, large-scale broadband service in St. John’s Parish, Tobago, under the Universal Service Fund. This Broadband Infrastructure Project will bring reliable, affordable Internet access to residents of Parlatuvier, L’Anse Fourmi and Bloody Bay… more
Tuesday, 18 June 2024
ArawakX joint provisional liquidators appoint registrar and transfer agent
Bahamas – The joint provisional liquidators (JPLs) of Mdollaz Ltd., trading as crowdfunding exchange ArawakX, have chosen a company to carry out registrar and transfer agent services for the companies that were successful in raising money on the now defunct crowdfunding platform ArawakX, Guardian Business has learned… more
NY judge: ‘Give FTX’s $143m back to Bahamas’
Bahamas – A NEW York judge is being urged to return $143m seized by the US federal authorities to FTX’s Bahamian liquidators who have a “superior interest” to these assets… more
At a glance: The latest Caribbean 5G deployments
Caribbean – Operators have deployed 5G in only nine of the 30 Caribbean territories followed by 5G Americas and Telegeography, establishing a total of 15 5G networks as of June 2024, not counting Digicel’s recent 5G launch in Grand Cayman… more
Corporate business leaders and tech innovators connect and collaborate at Caribbean Export’s digital accelerator workshops
Caribbean – Corporate entities, tech start-ups, and small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) were brought together to collaborate on transforming the region’s digital business landscape at several recent workshops hosted by the Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export)… more
tTech Limited reports 23.8% revenue growth for 2023
Jamaica – tTech Limited, a Jamaican-based managed IT services provider, convened its annual general meeting (AGM) at the Courtleigh Hotel in New Kingston last Thursday (June 13)… more
SVG lags behind in digital accessibility of laws
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – Editor: From Belize, the Bahamas, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St. Lucia, Barbados, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, to Guyana, all independent anglophone Caribbean countries appear to have at least one online website where persons can easily access most or all of their laws… more
iGovTT launches Cybersecurity Investment Tax allowance system
Trinidad and Tobago – The National Information and Communication Technology Company Limited (iGovTT) is excited to announce the launch of its Cybersecurity Investment Tax Allowance management system… more
Wednesday, 19 June 2024
Digitization Unit established at the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources to enable farmers and fishermen to easily access services
Bahamas – As the government advances its objective of increasing efficiency and ensuring the ease of doing business for clients both locally and internationally, the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources is doing its part to meet this goal… more
Local software developer preparing to enter Cayman market
Bahamas – A local software developer is recruiting team members in the Cayman Islands, as he readies to have his human resources (HR) and payroll software Triblock HR software on the market by the end of August… more
Central Bank’s payment system wins consumer body’s support
Barbados – A proposal by the Central Bank of Barbados to centralise the commercial banking payment system has received support from a consumer group… more
Why a content creator should add print on demand for revenue
Caribbean – FOR content creators, diving into print on demand (POD) offers a unique opportunity to leverage their creative assets and audience engagement to generate additional revenue streams… more
Akademi launches Data Science Bootcamp in Jamaica
Jamaica – Akademi, an education company dedicated to training the next generation of Caribbean technologists, is excited to announce the launch of its Data Science Bootcamp in Jamaica… more
Young People Urged to Embrace AI and its Benefits
Jamaica – Young persons in Jamaica are being encouraged to take advantage of artificial intelligence (AI) and not to be fearful about the new technology as the Government prepares for the development of a National AI Policy… more
ECA: Decent work agenda crucial in light of AI
Trinidad and Tobago – THE Employers’ Consultative Association (ECA) says it is “more crucial than ever” to maintain a decent work agenda in light of rapidly evolving technology and the possibility of job displacements owing to artificial intelligence (AI)… more
Thursday, 20 June 2024
Big data analytics: Driving informed business decision-making
Caribbean – In today’s fast-paced, digitally-driven world, businesses are inundated with an overwhelming amount of data. This data deluge, often termed ‘Big Data,’ has revolutionised the way companies operate, compete, and innovate… more
What are the top cities for fintech investment in the Caribbean?
Caribbean – As fintech continues to grow as a multi-billion-dollar industry that is revolutionising financial services, the Caribbean market is enjoying significant growth… more
Court system to go paperless
Jamaica – The Government will be introducing technology to facilitate a paperless system throughout the country’s court network… more
Gov’t to Establish Regulatory Framework for Ride-Sharing Service
Jamaica – The Government is moving to establish a regulatory framework to accommodate ride-hailing services in a manner that best serves the public interest… more
International firm offers robotics training to students from across island
Jamaica – In an effort to give a boost to Jamaica’s underperforming students by providing them with more critical thinking skills and creativity as well as fostering an appreciation for science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM), at least 100 students from across the island are to be offered robotics training from international firm Zebra Robotics… more
Online Registration Only for Data Controllers
Jamaica – Information Commissioner, Celia Barclay, is reminding data controllers that the organisation is only accepting online registrations through the My OIC portal on its website… more
TVJ expands NextGen TV signal to 66% of population
Jamaica – Television Jamaica’s NextGen TV test signal is now accessible to more than half of the Jamaican population with the installation of seven additional new transmitter sites across the island in June 2024… more
Huawei previews healthcare solutions
Trinidad and Tobago – Huawei has reaffirmed its commitment to providing innovative smart solutions to any sphere of life in T&T… more
Friday, 21 June 2024
Bastian: Technological evolution to drive significant reduction in webshop locations within the next decade
Bahamas – A prominent gaming house operator predicts a significant reduction in the number of webshop locations over the next five to ten years as technology evolves, rendering certain roles obsolete and necessitating upskilling for newer positions… more
Registrar General to launch Corporate Administrative Registry Services portal
Bahamas – The Registrar General is set to unveil its new Corporate Administrative Registry Services (C.A.R.S.) portal today… more
RCCbpo, Belize’s call center powerhouse, seeks senior talent acquisition specialist
Belize – RССbро, thе lеаdіng fоrсе іn Веlіzе’ѕ thrіvіng саll сеntеr іnduѕtrу, іѕ ѕееkіng а ѕеаѕоnеd Ѕеnіоr Таlеnt Асquіѕіtіоn Ѕресіаlіѕt tо јоіn thеіr dуnаmіс tеаm… more
RCCbpo seeks recruiters to join their growing team
Belize – RССbро, thе роwеrhоuѕе оf Веlіzе’ѕ thrіvіng саll сеntеr іnduѕtrу, іѕ lооkіng fоr nеw tаlеnt tо јоіn іtѕ ехраndіng tеаm. Wіth оvеr 2,000 еmрlоуееѕ аnd соuntіng, thе соmраnу іѕ nоt оnlу thе lаrgеѕt еmрlоуеr іn thе соuntrу but аlѕо а сhаmріоn оf lосаl wоrkfоrсе dеvеlорmеnt… more
‘ Teething’ problems delay online work permits
British Virgin Islands – The rollout of a much-vaunted initiative to put work-permit applications and renewals online has been hit by “inevitable teething issues,” Deputy Premier Lorna Smith said last week… more
New study shows LATAM Fintech ecosystem exceeds 3,000 start-ups
Caribbean – A new study has revealed that the fintech ecosystem in Latin America and the Caribbean has grown considerably to the extent that they now exceed 3,000 in 26 countries in 2023… more
Govt. launches online platform to streamline planning, building permit process
Guyana – The government, through the Ministry of Housing and Water’s Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA), on Wednesday officially launched the Electronic Planning and Development Single Window System… more
Guyana’s digital skills training programme lauded at CDB meeting – Finance Ministry
Guyana – The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) recently held its 54th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors in Ottawa, Canada which was attended by Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and the Public Service, Dr Ashni Singh, and where Guyana’s efforts at digitalisation were lauded, a Ministry of Finance release stated yesterday… more
Doubling down on BPO status quo in counter to AI
Jamaica – The impact of artificial intelligence technology on the local outsourcing sector is expected to be minimal in the medium term, says Anand Biradar, president of the Global Services Association of Jamaica, GSAJ… more
EduFocal reports $79 million loss in 2023
Jamaica – EduFocal is reporting a loss of just over $79 million for the financial year ended December 2023… more
FLOW recovers stolen copper in Riverton
Jamaica – Telecommunications company FLOW on Thursday recovered a portion of copper wires stolen from its network in an operation in Riverton, St Andrew… more
Gov’t Unveils Two Groundbreaking Virtual Platforms to Enhance Diaspora Engagement
Jamaica – The Government has unveiled two groundbreaking virtual platforms – the Diaspora Registration portal, ‘ConnectMeJa’, and the Jamaica Diaspora Engagement Model (Jam-Dem), which aim to enhance diaspora engagement and connectivity globally… more
Industry Minister Encourages Companies to Embrace Technology
Jamaica – Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Senator the Hon. Aubyn Hill, is encouraging companies to embrace the use of technology across sectors for increased productivity, to meet international demand and drive Jamaica’s global competitiveness… more
IT company PBS growing fastest in Musson Group, says PB Scott
Jamaica – Paul ‘PB’ Scott, chairman and CEO of regional conglomerate Musson Group, says its publicly listed information technology firm Productive Business Solutions Limited, PBS, is the fastest-growing company in the massive corporation… more
MSMEs sceptic but expert says payment gateways secure for business
Jamaica – Amid the increase in online scamming schemes and bank card phishing, some entrepreneurs share skepticism in using online payment methods, despite their increasing popularity and usage… more
Saturday, 22 June 2024
NCB introduces new tap-on-phone contactless payment solution
Jamaica – NCB Jamaica Limited is introducing a new tap-on-phone contactless payment solution, currently being piloted with a select number of its micro-, small-, and medium-sized (MSME) customers—marking a significant advancement in the domestic payments industry… more
St. Ann Community Gets Wi-Fi Service
Jamaica – Residents of Glasgow Lodge district in Murray Mountain, St. Ann on Friday (June 21), became the newest beneficiaries of the Universal Service Fund’s (USF) community Wi-Fi service… more
Sunday, 23 June 2024
Fintech industry grows 340% in Latin America and the Caribbean
Caribbean – The Fintech sector, which comprises companies that use technology for financial services, grew 340% between 2017 and 2023 in Latin America and the Caribbean and now exceeds 3,000 startups, according to a study published Thursday… more
Zanutix Consulting banks on AI, cybersecurity investments for growth
Caribbean – ZANUTIX Consulting Limited, a tech firm operating in Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, is making strategic investments in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and advanced cybersecurity measures — all aimed at positioning the company as a strong competitor in the regional tech market… more
WiPay allows skybox shopping with TT$
Trinidad and Tobago – Leading regional payment solutions provider, WiPay Caribbean, has put its plans to list on the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) on hold until next year, while it presses ahead with forming new partnerships and deepening its engagement with the remittance market… more
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