A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 13 January to Sunday 19 January 2025.
Monday, 13 January 2024
Electronic immigration cards delayed as gov’t finalises vendor negotiations
Antigua and Barbuda – Cabinet is yet to announce the name of the company which will be awarded the contract to implement the new electronic immigration card system, despite earlier plans to have the transition completed by December 31 last year… more
Super Value in final testing phase of digital rewards system
Bahamas – Super Value President Debra Symonette said the grocery store chain is in the “final testing phase” of its new digital rewards system, which is set to replace paper stamps, with the former being phased in by the end of January… more
A year working in the open. Our 2024 Retrospective.
Caribbean – In our first Year Ahead reflection, What We Do Together, we shared a commitment to working more in the open. After a year of workshopping, (semi)monthly newsletters, publishing essays (many more stuck in drafts), discussion forums and talks, we wanted to close out 2024 with a retrospective… more
Doppler radar going off-line this week for repairs
Cayman Islands – The Kearney Gomez Doppler Weather Radar will be down for scheduled maintenance beginning on Wednesday, 15 January, the Cayman Islands National Weather Service (CINWS) has said… more
Concepts of a transformation plan
Trinidad and Tobago – The Ministry of Digital Transformation (MDT) published its National Digital Transformation Strategy for 2024 – 2027 and it is, in a word, an embarrassment… more
Digital financial expert: UPI can work with CBDC
Trinidad and Tobago – While the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) system has been “massively successful” in India and will be beneficial to T&T, there are other types of digital payment systems that T&T can use as the country catches up with the rest of the world in adopting non-cash systems… more
Visa Black Friday purchases increase by 27%
Trinidad and Tobago – TRINIDAD and Tobago recorded sustained growth in online and in-store purchases using Visa credentials for the holiday season, particularly for Black Friday… more
Tuesday, 14 January 2024
Digital transparency and inclusion: India’s blueprint for CARICOM’s tech revolution
Barbados – At the recently held CARICOM-India Summit in Georgetown, Guyana held on November 20, 2024, India’s Prime Minister outlined a visionary programme to strengthen ties between that country and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), emphasising the role of innovation and technology. Using the acronym C.A.R.I.C.O.M… more
BVI launches digital embarkation and disembarkation cards
British Virgin Islands – The government has modernised its travel procedures by introducing a digital Embarkation and Disembarkation (ED) Card system, effective January 1, 2025… more
T&T set to lead in Fintech and digital payments
Trinidad and Tobago – THE growth of financial sovereignty through the move towards Instant Payments, as seen in nations like India’s UPI system and Brazil’s PIX platform, sets the stage for similar advancements in the Caribbean region, particularly in Trinidad and Tobago, according to John Outridge, chief executive officer of the T&T International Financial Centre… more
Wednesday, 15 January 2024
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Thursday, 16 January 2024
Nat’l Cybersecurity Strategy and CIRT-BS highlighted at conference
Bahamas – Minister of Economic Affairs Michael Halkitis touted the nation’s National Cybersecurity Strategy during the third Annual CIRT-BS Cybersecurity Conference and ITU Regional Cyber Drill yesterday, noting that cybersecurity is a priority for The Bahamas… more
Police, cybercrime bills rushed through HOA
British Virgin Islands – Over the past 10 days in the House of Assembly, the government fast-tracked two bills designed to boost law enforcers’ authority, drawing criticism from opposition members irked by Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley’s decision to expedite each bill’s three readings in one sitting… more
Caribbean countries look to India for digital public infrastructure solutions
Caribbean – India has been pitching its solutions for digital public infrastructure (DPI) across the Caribbean region. But aside from the technology, the country also may have lessons in building legal systems that can support DPI… more
Global Tourism Conference to Focus on Building Resilience Through Technology
Jamaica – This year’s third annual Global Tourism Resilience Conference will focus on the integration of technology solutions in bolstering the resilience and sustainability of the global tourism industry… more
itel appoints new independent directors to increase financial governance
Jamaica – itel, the Caribbean’s largest homegrown business process outsourcer (BPO), today announced a strategic change in governance with the appointment of two new Independent Board Members… more
St Catherine entrepreneurs invited to register for digital Jamaica training at ‘MSMEs business roadshow’
Jamaica – The Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) is inviting Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) in St. Catherine to register for the Digital Jamaica Project training at the upcoming MSME Business Roadshow (MBR), set for January 16, at the Twickenham Park Church of the Open Bible in Spanish Town… more
First Let’s Talk of 2025 Featured Artificial Intelligence
Saint Kitts and Nevis – The First Let’s Talk Program of 2025 featured an interview between, Program host, Evered “Webbo” Herbert and Dawn Liburd. Liburd is the General Manager of Risk Management, Trust and Safety Operations of the tech giant, Microsoft. She is a Nevisian and the daughter of Deputy Governor General, Her Honour, Mrs. Hyleta Liburd and Teacher Elmo Liburd… more
Friday, 17 January 2024
C&W Communications continues support of CANTO
Caribbean – C&W Communications (CWC), the Caribbean’s leading connectivity and entertainment provider, proudly announces its role as a leading sponsor of this year’s CANTO Connect and 41st Annual General Meeting from January 26 to 28 at the Renaissance Wind Creek Resort in Curacao… more
Saturday, 18 January 2024
Cybercrime charges against Dion Bascom dismissed
Guyana – Cybercrime charges against Detective Sergeant Dion Bascom of the Guyana Police Force were dismissed on Thursday after the prosecution failed to prove its case… more
Jamaica poised to sign MOU for health simulation training centre
Jamaica – Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton says healthcare representatives from Hartford, Connecticut will be visiting Jamaica next week regarding a potential memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the creation of a health simulation training centre in Montego Bay, St James… more
Sunday, 19 January 2024
92 million jobs at risk in next 5 years globally
Caribbean – THE global labour market is on the brink of a seismic transformation, with 92 million jobs projected to be displaced by 2030 due to technological advancements, economic pressures, and demographic changes… more
The renewal of the online tag expires this Sunday
Dominican Republic – The General Directorate of Internal Taxes website states that the deadline for renewing the vehicle circulation tax or tag expires this Sunday, January 19… more
Biometric system “not feasible” for 2025 elections, cannot be used exclusively for voting- GECOM Chairman
Guyana – Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Retired Justice Claudette Singh has decided that although the law allows for the electronic capture of fingerprints for registration and voting, it would be unconstitutional to use it exclusively for voting and it would take too long to be implemented for the 2025 general and regional elections… more
Drones and robotics can play vital role in these major infrastructural projects
Guyana – Dear Editor, Guyana is at the cusp of a transformative era, with rapid infrastructure development driving economic growth and connectivity… more
Gov’t to enhance digital solutions in delivery of public services
Guyana – The government has recognised the importance of incorporating digital solutions as it seeks to enhance the delivery of public services and to this end has passed a range of legislative measures aimed at streamlining operations and improving transparency, Senior Minister within the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and the Public Service, Dr Ashni Singh, told the National Assembly on Friday during his Budget 2025 presentation… more
Simply Secure spends another $36.42 million on tTech
Jamaica – Simply Simply Secure Limited acquired another 15.62 per cent of tTech Limited for $36.42 million in its recent takeover bid of the managed services provider… more
TSTT ordered to pay $5m to workers retrenched in 2018
Trinidad and Tobago – The Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) has been ordered to compensate 500 former workers retrenched in 2018… more
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