{"id":169051,"date":"2023-09-25T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-09-25T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ict-pulse.com\/?p=169051"},"modified":"2023-09-24T11:23:33","modified_gmt":"2023-09-24T16:23:33","slug":"roundup-for-the-week-ending-24-september-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/2023\/09\/roundup-for-the-week-ending-24-september-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Roundup: for the week ending 24 September 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A roundup of the latest ICT\/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 18 September to Sunday 24 September 2023.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Monday, 18 September 2023<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ArawakX\u2019s fate now in Supreme Court hands<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas<\/em> \u2013 The Supreme Court will hear arguments from all sides on October 13 as to whether The Bahamas\u2019 first-ever crowd funding platform should be wound-up due to regulatory concerns about its solvency and operations\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

UPDATE | Should tech firms contribute to the cost of telecoms infrastructure?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Caribbean <\/em>\u2013 Major players in the global telecommunications (telecoms) industry are increasing their advocacy for technology companies to contribute to maintaining the cost of network infrastructure amid high returns and increasing user and traffic volumes, sparking a debate over net neutrality and the role of tech companies in supporting telecoms infrastructure\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Science and technology necessary to push sustainable development \u2013 Phillips<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Guyana <\/em>\u2013 Stating that at the midpoint of the agenda of 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, more than 50% of Guyana\u2019s targets are off track, a portion of which are in reverse and worse there is a US$4 trillion financing gap for implementation, double to what it was in 2015, Prime Minister Mark Phillps has suggested that the application of science, technology and innovation could be the solution to challenges such as food security, poverty alleviation, and climate change\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Vandalism of FLOW\u2019s equipment \u2018seems like it is almost an organised crime\u2019 \u2013 Price<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Vice president and general manager of Flow Jamaica, Stephen Price, says vandalism of its equipment is now averaging between 30 to 40 per week in 2023, with incidents occurring every day across the island\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Imbert: Online shopping fuelling forex challenge<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 THE foreign exchange challenges currently facing the country are not simply rooted in a supply shortage, but rather an unprecedented surge in demand, Finance Minister Colm Imbert has said\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What we\u2019re getting wrong about fintech<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 Emmanuel Daniel\u2019s first book occupies an interesting space. The Great Transition, subtitled The Personalisation of Finance is Here, doesn\u2019t shirk from considering big ideas in a turbulent and confusing business sector\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tuesday, 19 September 2023<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ArawakX hit by claim of \u2018criminal infraction\u2019<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas <\/em>\u2013 The Bahamas\u2019 first-ever crowd-funding platform has a solvency deficiency of \u201cat least $2.4m\u201d, regulators charged\u00a0yesterday,\u00a0while accusing it of \u201cgovernance irregularities, regulatory breaches and possible criminal infractions\u201d\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Crowd-funder: From $4m to $200m in 14 months<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas <\/em>\u2013 The Bahamas\u2019 first-ever crowd-funding platform purportedly increased in value from just $4.38m to an astonishing $201.75m in just 14 months, it was alleged yesterday, despite accounts revealing a $2.659m \u201cdeficit\u201d at end-July 2022\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

D3 Bahamas organizers hoping to rebuild trust in digital assets<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas <\/em>\u2013 The upcoming Finoverse D3 Bahamas Fintech conference, scheduled to be held at Atlantis next month, will hopefully help to refocus the blockchain and cryptocurrency market as the industry builds trust and clarity, especially in the regulatory space, Finoverse\u2019s Head of Strategy & Content Will Haskins told Guardian Business yesterday\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

FTX attorneys accuse Sam Bankman-Fried’s parents of unjustly enriching themselves with company funds<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas <\/em>\u2013 Lawyers for FTX Trading have filed a lawsuit accusing the parents of its founder Sam Bankman-Fried of exploiting their influence over their son to siphon millions of dollars from the company, while spending lavishly on a luxury home in the Bahamas and funneling contributions to their “pet causes” and Stanford University\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cMORE THAN SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE\u201d to shutter ArawakX, Securities Commission says<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas<\/em> \u2013 The Securities Commission is asserting that there is \u201cmore than sufficient evidence\u201d to justify the winding-up of the country\u2019s first crowdfunding platform ArawakX, citing its concerns over the company\u2019s solvency as well as alleged governance irregularities and regulatory breaches\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

SCB begins ArawakX winding up proceedings<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas<\/em> \u2013 The Securities Commission of The Bahamas (SCB) began winding up proceedings of Mdollaz Ltd., trading as ArawakX, after finding via investigations and interviews that the crowdfunding firm is insolvent, commingled company funds with investor money, and sold Mdollaz shares without SCB approval, according to an affidavit filed by the SCB\u2019s Executive Director Christina Rolle in the Supreme Court\u2019s Commercial Division\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

IDB presents first digital analytics tool for region<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Caribbean <\/em>\u2013 THE Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has presented a pioneering digital analytics platform that it says will help governments and investors identify opportunities and design cost-effective projects to close digital connectivity gaps in Latin America and the Caribbean\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flow Foundation rejuvenates seniors\u2019 activity centre<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Expanding its efforts to educate, enable and enhance the online capabilities of Jamaica’s senior citizens, the Flow Foundation has injected new life into the National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC) Activity Centre with free high-speed Internet\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ignorance is not bliss<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 IN an age where connectivity and technology have brought us closer together than ever before, the world is seemingly at our fingertips\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Robotics camp provides problem-solving skills<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 \u00a0IN a world constantly evolving and adapting to new technologies, a recent robotics camp has taken an integrated approach to education, focusing on hands-on problem-based activities\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Wednesday, 20 September 2023<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

$657k \u2018pipeline\u2019 blockage kept ArawakX insolvent<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas<\/em> \u2013 The Bahamas\u2019 first-ever crowd-funding platform was branded \u201cno longer solvent at February 2023\u201d by external auditors who warned that $656,500 in \u201cpipeline\u201d revenue could not be used to restore a \u201cnet equity\u201d position\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ArawakX dismissed top investor as \u2018over his head with Fintech\u2019<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas<\/em> \u2013 ArawakX\u2019s chairman dismissed the company\u2019s largest investor as someone who \u201ccan\u2019t use a computer\u201d and was \u201cover his head on Fintech\u201d after he turned whistleblower over its financial, governance and regulatory concerns\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ArawakX issuers await funds, investor listing<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas<\/em> \u2013 Two companies that raised equity capital through the embattled ArawakX crowd-funding platform yesterday complained that they are either still owed money or have yet to learn who their new shareholders are\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business-owners who raised funds on ArawakX tell shareholders their investments safe<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas<\/em> \u2013 Company owners who raised money through embattled crowdfunding platform ArawakX sought to assure shareholders yesterday that their investments are safe and that their businesses are growing thanks to the investments shareholders injected\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fintech festival to ignite discussions on technological revolution of financial services<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas<\/em> \u2013 The highly anticipated D3 Fintech Festival, scheduled for next month at the Atlantis Resort is poised to be a dynamic hub for discussions on how technology can revolutionize financial services and propel the industry forward, according to the event\u2019s organizers\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

FTX MEETING CLAIM DENIED BY PM OFFICE: US chief says founder\u2019s father was to meet Davis – but PM was in Egypt<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas<\/em> \u2013 The Prime Minister\u2019s Office last night refuted claims that he was due to meet Sam Bankman-Fried\u2019s father on the day FTX imploded because he was away battling on The Bahamas\u2019 behalf against climate change\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

US stock market investment app Prospuh has thousands of Bahamian users<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas <\/em>\u2013 Prospuh, the app that allows local users to invest in the US stock market,\u00a0has signed up thousands of Bahamians so far and is looking forward to opening the app up to Caribbean countries by the end of October, the company\u2019s CEO N\u2019Nhyn O\u2019Cof told\u00a0Guardian Business<\/em>\u00a0yesterday\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Connectivity, Technology in the spotlight for Small Business Week<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Barbados <\/em>\u2013 Leading telecoms provider Flow Business is continuing its focus on empowering small businesses and entrepreneurs with digital solutions, dedicated support, and the greatest possible value for their connectivity needs\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

PM\u2019s office donates computers to Disabled People\u2019s Network<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Guyana<\/em> \u2013 The Office of Prime Minister (OPM) Mark Phillips yesterday donated laptop computers to the Disabled People\u2019s Network (DPN) of Region Five\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kamla calls for removal of online purchase tax<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago<\/em> \u2013 THE GOVERNMENT must remove the seven per cent online purchase tax and make no moves to increase it, says Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar\u2026 more<\/a> \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Thursday, 21 September 2023<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

CJ restricts ArawakX operations <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas <\/em>\u2013 Chief Justice Sir Ian Winder\u00a0ordered that\u00a0ArawakX\u00a0cease all of its activities and not attempt to raise capital or investments in the company until after a October 13\u00a0winding up hearing has been completed\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Programme aims to make Grand Bahama tech hub<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas <\/em>\u2013 TECH Edge, a new upskilling tech programme, was launched in Grand Bahama yesterday to help Freeport develop into a technology and innovation hub\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will AI replace marketers?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Caribbean <\/em>\u2013 In recent years, the world has witnessed unprecedented advances in artificial intelligence (AI) technology, reshaping industries and redefining the boundaries of what machines can achieve\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Civil Servant Email address hacked, email circulating with attachment. (UPDATED)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Sint Maarten <\/em>\u2013 An email from Reginal Martina’s official email address is in circulation with an attachment. The email which looks suspicious has been sent to several persons and has the attention of the Government of St. Maarten\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Friday, 22 September 2023<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bahamian battles FTX chief on $28m aircraft<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas<\/em> \u2013 A Bahamian aviation entrepreneur yesterday launched legal action against FTX’s US chief to safeguard his ownership interest in two aircraft valued at a combined $28m\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

SBDC still exploring crowdfunding in wake of ArawakX closure<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas <\/em>\u2013 Crowdfunding for Access Accelerator\/Small Business Development Centre (SBDC) clients is being explored, but will likely not be implemented in the next two years, the SBDC\u2019s interim Executive Director Samantha Rolle said yesterday\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students delve into blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Barbados <\/em>\u2013 The wheels of progress to educate a new generation about the entrepreneurship and investment opportunities associated with Blockchain technology and Cryptocurrencies are turning, slowly, but turning nevertheless\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Digicel taps tourist market with vacation SIM<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Telecoms group Digicel following the recent roll-out of its vacation SIM cards is looking to double down on revenues from the lucrative tourist market\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

New Kingston’s smart city transformation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 THE countdown to a smarter, more connected Jamaica has begun. Six years after the visionary blueprint was unveiled in 2016, New Kingston’s Smart City Demonstration Project is now on the verge of becoming a reality, with its roll-out this year, extended through 2033\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Saturday, 23 September 2023<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

C&W Business highlights crucial role of telehealth in shaping regional healthcare standards<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Caribbean <\/em>\u2013 Youth leader and technology expert Danielle Williams is highlighting the need for agreed standards and regulations on how patient information is shared and accessed across jurisdictions, as Caribbean telehealth stakeholders continue to collaborate and share expertise\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GTT did not reconnect me efficiently<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Guyana <\/em>\u2013 Dear Editor, In today\u2019s fast-paced world, where technology is meant to enhance our lives and provide efficient solutions, GTT appears to be lagging far behind\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Flow first to offer Jamaica\u2019s new 658 area code<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Telecommunication and entertainment giants Flow became the first to offer Jamaican mobile customers the new 658 area code on Friday (September 22) following approval from the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR)\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

tTech implores Jamaican companies to implement resilient cyber infrastructure strategies<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Following a spate of recent cyber attacks in Jamaica, tTech Limited is urging local organisations to adopt a proactive approach to IT security before they face a critical cyber event\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sunday, 24 September 2023<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Saint Lucia\u2019s Robotics Team Set to Shine at First Global Competition<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Saint Lucia<\/em> \u2013 Saint Lucia\u2019s Robotics team is gearing up to participate in the prestigious First Global Competition. This global showcase of innovation and robotics excellence is scheduled to take place from October 7th to 10th, 2023 and will bring together some of the brightest young minds from around the world to Singapore\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Images credit: rawpixels (Pexels<\/a>); Wikimedia Commons<\/a>; ArawakX<\/a>; Wikipedia<\/a>; Wikimedia Commons<\/a>; Flow (Facebook<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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