A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 29 July to Sunday 4 August 2023.
Monday, 29 July 2023
OKX Bahamas CEO: New digital assets bill a significant milestone
Bahamas – The Digital Assets and Registered Exchanges (DARE) Amendment Bill is a “significant milestone” in providing clarity on the regulatory requirements for the digital assets sector, according to Herman Loedolff, chief executive officer of the Bahamas office of cryptocurrency exchange OKX… more
Hippo Digital Rolls Out Red Carpet for Barbados Delegation on UK AI Study Mission
Barbados – Leeds-based tech consultancy Hippo hosted government officials from Barbados on their UK tour of AI capability, facilitated by the Global Government Forum… more
BTL Selling Property to Invest in Remote Rural Areas
Belize – Belize Telemedia Limited wants to bring connectivity to the remote areas of Belize on the same level as the urban areas. To do that, the company is selling two parcels of prime property in Belmopan… more
What Does B.T.L.’s Hurricane Plan Look Like?
Belize – At the start of every hurricane season, the National Emergency Management Organization mobilizes its hurricane preparedness plan for the country, each city, district, and village. But we haven’t heard much from the utility companies, especially the ones who are expected to keep us connected during a hurricane… more
Dutch government not funding cryptocurrency regulation
Curaçao – The Ministry of Finance is not funding cryptocurrency regulation and supervision. The Ministry has denied repeated requests from the Authority for Financial Markets (AFM) for extra funding and has even limited the contributions the regulator can ask from the sector, Financieele Dagblad reports based on documents received from the Ministry through the Open Government Act… more
Strengthening and energizing the «NUMERIS» project
Haiti – The Rectorate of the State University of Haiti (UEH), the Permanent Mission of Haiti to the Organization of American States (OAS), the Columbus Memorial Library and the University of Montreal, a member of the OAS Consortium of Universities, recently had an excellent working session on the proposal for the OAS digital project for Haiti… more
CIBC launches AI webinar series with Ignite Innovation
Barbados – CIBC Caribbean recently hosted a successful “Ignite Innovation” Data Science & AI client presentation at the Warrens Great House in Barbados… more
What leaders are doing to enable digital transformation
Trinidad and Tobago – On July 02, on the second day of AmCham’s 2024 edition of its Tech Hub Islands Summit, six business leaders discussed “Getting Digital-Ready: Leadership lessons to future-proof the digital workplace.” … more
Tuesday, 30 July 2023
Central Bank Governor: Global IT outage shouldn’t derail digitization efforts
Bahamas – Central Bank Governor John Rolle has stated that the global IT shutdown nearly two weeks ago should not be used as a justification for scaling back on the benefits of digitization, noting that the regulator has on its “radar” plans to strengthen the domestic payment system capacity… more
Rolle: Don’t worry about digitization push following tech blackout
Bahamas – Central Bank Governor John Rolle told reporters yesterday that the recent global technology blackout caused via an update of software by cybersecurity company Crowdstrike, should not cause a “pullback” from the country’s digitization push and its benefits… more
New digital cheque system ‘to speed up banking’
Barbados – Anew cheque digitisation system set to be introduced a week from Tuesday is expected to slash the time taken to clear cheques deposited with commercial banks, Central Bank Governor Dr Kevin Greenidge announced on Monday… more
Transforming Regional Healthcare Through the Pan-American Highway for Digital Health
Caribbean – The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), in partnership with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), hosted an international meeting in Kingston from July 23-25 titled “Caribbean Connect: Building the Pan-American Highway for Digital Health.” … more
MMG showcases API to developers
Guyana – Mobile Money Guyana (MMG), a lead in innovative e-commerce solutions, on Tuesday said software developers have been briefed about its new e-commerce Application Programming Interface (API) that would be used to integrate online platforms with the payment system… more
Wednesday, 31 July 2023
Eleuthera businesses express fears of digital banking
Bahamas – Quinton Carey, owner of the Tarpum Bay Shopping Center in Eleuthera, told Guardian Business said it is “scary and risky to put all of your hope into a digital platform for your banking needs”, following the technology blackout caused by a software update from cybersecurity company CrowdStrike, that affected not only banks, but airports and other essential services… more
SCB announces enactment of DARE Act, elevating digital asset regulation standards
Bahamas – The Securities Commission of The Bahamas has announced the enactment of the Digital Assets and Registered Exchanges Act, 2024 (DARE 2024) by the Bahamian Parliament, further solidifying the country’s leadership in digital asset regulation… more
Shaping the digital future of the Caribbean!
Caribbean – The Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU), in collaboration with the Government of Guyana, will host the 20th Caribbean Internet Governance Forum (CIGF) and the 3rd Caribbean Youth Internet Governance Forum (CYIGF)… more
Digital Technology forms partnership with Kares One Guyana T10
Guyana – As the countdown to the second Kares One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast nears an end, Digital Technology has gotten onboard as a key partner in enhancing the quality of the 2024 tournament… more
Artificial Intelligence to Transform the Future of Work
Jamaica – Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer science fiction. Evolving at an unprecedented pace, AI allows machines to simulate human intelligence and cognitive processes to solve problems… more
AvCom a backbone of local technology systems and public safety
Jamaica – With almost 40 years of experience, Aviation Communications Jamaica Limited (AvCom JA) has for more than a decade delivered First-World technology solutions to drive local business growth and economic development, standing as a backbone of Jamaica’s public safety… more
PBS encourages businesses to take proactive approach to ATM security
Jamaica – Productive Business Solutions (PBS), is urging domestic firms to implement robust security measures to stay ahead of criminals—in response to the recent surge in automated teller machine (ATM) attacks in Jamaica… more
TATT: TTT has exclusive Olympics broadcast rights
Trinidad and Tobago – THE Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) is reminding TV viewers that TTT Ltd is the authorised broadcaster of the 2024 Olympic Games… more
Thursday, 1 August 2023
CIBC Caribbean Bank Hosts “Ignite Innovation” Data Science & AI Webinar
Barbados – CIBC Caribbean recently hosted asuccessful“Ignite Innovation” Data Science & AI client presentation at the Warrens Great House in Barbados… more
AI career change
Caribbean – Technology will have an impact how the profession recruits and trains staff… more
ONE JN Passport will narrow financial inclusion gap, says company
Jamaica – JN Financial Group, the parent company of all financial service providers in The Jamaica National Group, says the ONE JN Passport will have a very positive impact on financial inclusion… more
Friday, 2 August 2023
Education Minister: WiPay does not need licence to operate in Grenada
Grenada – Education Minister David Andrews announced that the Government of Grenada will continue to engage WiPay Caribbean to provide cashless electronic transactions to recipients of the schoolbooks and uniform programme, although the regulatory body for financial services has revoked the company’s licence to operate in Grenada… more
Data collection infrastructure set up for police body cameras, says Blake
Jamaica – Police Commissioner Dr. Kevin Blake says the wearing of body-worn cameras by the police will soon be a permanent feature of the Jamaica Constabulary Force… more
EduFocal outsources CFO job
Jamaica – EduFocal Limited has hired financial services firm Signature Creed & Associates to take on the functions of chief financial officer, under what is generally referred to as a fractional CFO arrangement that’s utilised by start-ups and young companies as a cost-saving measure… more
Rape, cyberbullying of 14-year-old girl lands man a near 20-year jail term
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – A man was sentenced to 19 years, six months, and 23 days in prison for committing sexual and cybercrime offences against a 14 year old girl… more
Saturday, 3 August 2023
WiPay signs GovPay contract with Grenada
Grenada – WiPay Group CEO chief executive officer and founder, Aldwyn Wayne, says the regional payments provider has signed a new multi-million dollar, three-year contract with the government of Grenada to digitise payments on the island… more
Flow gives back to customers impacted by hurricane
Jamaica – COMMUNICATIONS and entertainment provider Flow Jamaica has announced several compensation measures for customers who experienced service interruptions during the recent passage of Hurricane Beryl… more
Sunday, 4 August 2023
Data protection in the age of technology
Trinidad and Tobago – Digitisation has developed to the point where the transfer of data globally—as well as the large volume of personal information or data generated about individuals—is not only enormous but also, in large part, integral to how we live and access systems around us… more
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