A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 23 September to Sunday 29 September 2024.
Monday, 23 September 2024
Digital banking drive holds week-long event
Bahamas – Bahamian financial services providers have teamed with the Central Bank for a week-long drive aimed at improving consumer confidence and understanding when it comes to digital banking… more
DEREK SMITH: AI governance vital to corporate futures
Caribbean – Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transformed industries by improving decision-making, streamlining operations and enhancing customer experiences. The risks associated with AI, however, are also substantial… more
Digitization Key Driver On Road To Security And Prosperity In Guyana.
Guyana – Guyana is driving forwards in its national digitisation efforts, which promise to improve comfort, security, and business expansion across the country, according to a recent statement by Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party… more
Paperless border management system for ports of entry – Jagdeo
Guyana – The Government of Guyana is on a quest to implement paperless system by introducing blockchain technology in some of its agencies, as part of efforts to enhance cyber security… more
Tuesday, 24 September 2024
BVI robotics team to compete in global competition in Greece
British Virgin Islands – A team of five students from the British Virgin Islands has recently departed for Athens, Greece, to compete in a prestigious global robotics competition… more
Guyana Formally Joins The EU LAC Digital Alliance
Guyana – This will unlock great opportunities for partnership and financial support through EU regional programmes for the benefit of Guyanese… more
A taxing time for all
Trinidad and Tobago – On Tuesday, Finance Minister Colm Imbert promised a solution to the problems with payment that has dogged the resumption of property tax collection… more
Wednesday, 25 September 2024
Minister Sutherland says innovative building technologies being examined
Barbados – Minister of Housing Dwight Sutherland says the government is actively working on finding innovative building technologies as it expands the island’s housing stock, and has identified one that could help reduce indoor air quality issues and reduce maintenance costs… more
(Op-ed) Leave No “Foodprint”: Technological Innovations to Prevent and Reduce Food Losses and Waste
Belize – The United Nations General Assembly established September 29 as the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste to promote policies that reduce poverty and hunger and help combat climate change… more
PAHO and MoH unveil Clinical Data Exchange Platform
Belize – A process of digitization of Belize’s health records is currently taking place in the country. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MoH), unveiled on September 19 at the Western Regional Hospital in Belmopan the Clinical Data Exchange Platform (CDEP), which utilizes a combination of open-source platforms—with funding coming primarily from the European Union (EU)… more
MoneyGram resumes operations after cyberattack
British Virgin Islands – MoneyGram BVI has resumed operational services following a days-long cyberattack that impacted the company globally… more
Principles on Right to Information for Small Island Developing States
Caribbean – Today, as a pre-International Right to Know Day event, the Centre for Law and Democracy (CLD) is releasing its Principles on Right to Information for Small Island Developing States: The Case of the Pacific… more
Large BPO firm Ibex closes two contact centres, slashes desks by a third
Jamaica – Global outsourcing company Ibex has scaled back its operations in Jamaica, closing two centres, and eliminating one-third of its contact desks, in the process… more
ORTT recipient Prof Hosein: Trinidad and Tobago must complete digital transformation
Trinidad and Tobago – ORDER of the Republic (ORTT) recipient Prof Patrick Hosein says Trinidad and Tobago needs to complete its digital transformation and build out its technological basics in order not to be left behind in an increasingly technology-based world… more
Thursday, 26 September 2024
Professor Robinson tells small businesses: Use of AI not cheating
Barbados – Small businesses must overcome the stigma associated with using artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT and Grammarly if they want to unlock greater productivity and growth, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the Five Islands Campus of the University of the West Indies, Professor Justin Robinson has declared… more
Online entry system to cut wait at ports
British Virgin Islands – Starting next week, travellers will no longer have to complete paper forms before entering the Virgin Islands, officials announced Friday… more
Bridging the digital divide
Caribbean – Dear AFETT, I’m a millennial woman. Having grown up in the 80s without technology, I am having a difficult time gravitating to the evolving digital world that we currently live in… more
Empowering MSMEs through digitalisation: Driving financial inclusion and sustainable growth
Caribbean – In today’s digital age, businesses of all sizes are increasingly aware of the need to move from manual systems to digital solutions for financial management. Not only does embracing digital technology help companies stay ahead of the curve, but it also meets the shifting consumer demands for seamless, secure, and faster digital experiences… more
LATAM and Caribbean embrace DPI, led by Guyana’s digital ID and biometrics push
Caribbean – Latin America and the Caribbean have been leveraging technology to enhance public services, drive economic growth, and improve security, with digital public infrastructure (DPI) at the core… more
Mobile apps critical to thrive in digital world
Caribbean – In today’s fast-paced digital world, mobile apps have become an integral part of business strategies, shaping how companies operate, interact with customers and drive growth… more
Telecommunications challenges halt voter registration at St George NE sub-office
Grenada – St George North-East PEO Sub Office unable to process applications due to no internet connectivity… more
Blockchain technology emphasizes rights over assets
Guyana – Dear Editor, My interest in Blockchain technology has grown since being the coordinator of the National Payment Strategy Project in Guyana. Recently, Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, at his weekly press conference, indicated that Guyana would introduce Blockchain at Lands and Survey and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC)… more
Amcham: Trinidad and Tobago’s economic development hinges on digital acceleration
Trinidad and Tobago – WITH the International Monetary Fund (IMF) projecting moderate growth of 2.4 per cent for TT, the American Chamber of Commerce of TT (AmchamTT) has called on the government to enact strategic reforms and investments to maintain this momentum… more
Friday, 27 September 2024
Senior Citizen Digital Skills Training Program Launched in Belize
Belize – A new initiative has been unveiled to enhance the digital ability of senior citizens in Belize. The Senior Citizen Digital Skills Training Program will bring together elders from all corners of the country, pairing them with tech-savvy students from the University of Belize… more
C&W to train graduates
Caribbean – C&W Communications recruited three young professionals for its highly competitive graduate programme which it said reflects its “unwavering commitment to attracting, nurturing, and developing regional talent to drive its future leadership and growth.” … more
Emerging trends and innovations in B2B management software
Caribbean – B2B or business-to-business management software depends on digital technology advances to keep competitive and moving forward in a very dynamic environment… more
Acquity BPO to close operations here
Guyana – Acquity BPO has advised employees that it is closing its operations here at Goedverwagting effective October 15 due to increased operating expenses… more
BGLC deploying tech to monitor slots amid wavering gambling revenue
Jamaica – While there has been a marginal increase in people placing bets, playing lottery games or betting in gaming lounges, the take is down, new data from the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission, BGLC, shows… more
Flow comes through
Jamaica – Dear Claudienne, I have requested your help in the past when trying to do it on my own has yielded no results. I am again reaching out to you as you have always gotten my issues resolved for me… more
Internet for cars, boats and other personal devices an emergent service in Jamaica
Jamaica – Satellite internet providers are now offering data for cars, boats and other personal devices as the internet of things – IoT – takes hold in Jamaica… more
Jamaican Seniors Told To Lively Up Themselves Over Tech Scams.
Jamaica – Jamaica’s Minister of Labour and Social Security, Pearnel Charles Jr., is saying that senior citizens need to become more technologically savvy, so that they will be less vulnerable to scammers… more
MoneyGram services resume after global network disruption — BOJ
Jamaica – MoneyGram services have been restored in Jamaica as the global network outage which resulted in the disruption of services has been resolved… more
MoneyGram service resumes
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – On Wednesday, at least two local agents of MoneyGram, an America-headquartered international money transfer service, had confirmed that their MoneyGram money transfer service had resumed and was available at all their outlets across the state… more
SVG moving to digitalise its maritime sector
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – ST. VINCENT and the Grenadines (SVG) is advancing plans to establish a Maritime Single Window (MSW) to digitalise its maritime sector. An MSW is a centralized IT platform that facilitates the exchange of information among ships and various government agencies for the efficient arrival, stay, and departure of ships at ports… more
Ministry launches D’Hub for teens to explore ICT
Trinidad and Tobago – The Ministry of Digital Transformation is launching a Developer’s Hub (D’ Hub) aimed at teenagers aged 16 and above… more
TSTT Appoints Kent Western as Chief Executive Officer
Trinidad and Tobago – The Board of Directors of Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (“TSTT”) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Kent Western as Chief Executive Officer, effective October 1, 2024… more
Saturday, 28 September 2024
Minister Caddle announces new Barbados Centre for AI Innovation and Governance with Howard University
Barbados – Barbados’ Minister of Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology and development economist Marsha Caddle visited Howard University this week to deliver the keynote lecture during a Symposium to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of Eric Williams’ ground-breaking book, Capitalism and Slavery… more
United Nations celebrates International Day for Universal Access to Information
Caribbean – Оn Ѕерtеmbеr 28, thе Unіtеd Nаtіоnѕ оbѕеrvеѕ thе Іntеrnаtіоnаl Dау fоr Unіvеrѕаl Ассеѕѕ tо Іnfоrmаtіоn (ІDUАІ), hіghlіghtіng thе сrіtісаl rоlе оf Аrtіfісіаl Іntеllіgеnсе (АІ) аnd е-gоvеrnаnсе іn еnhаnсіng ассеѕѕ tо іnfоrmаtіоn іn оur dіgіtаl аgе… more
Sunday, 29 September 2024
Barbados sets sights on citizen-driven digital transformation
Barbados – Barbados is undergoing a major shift in how public services are delivered, with a focus on making them more accessible, efficient, and citizen-driven. This is according to Mark Boyce, Chief Executive Officer of GovTech Barbados, who says this digital transformation is a part of the government’s broader goal to enhance the way it interacts with and serves its citizen… more
Drakes: SJPI ready for AI revolution
Barbados – Principal of the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology (SJPI), Ian Drakes, has suggested artificial intelligence (AI) is a central force shaping the future of industries in Barbados… more
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