Caribbean Update back issues from Tuesday, July 1:
Cuba-DR trade accord.(THE REGION)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Cuba and the Dominican Republic signed an agreement that includes joint actions to promote bilateral trade and investment during the 15th Expocaribe International Trade Fair in eastern Santiago de Cuba with the participation of 187 firms from 28 countries, reports ACN (June 5, 2008): ...
Jamaica-Cuba accord.(THE REGION)(Brief article)
Jul 01, 2008 ... The Fifth Session of the Cuba-Jamaica Intergovernmental Commission concluded in Havana with the signing of a Cooperation Protocol for the period 2008-2010, reports ACN (June 12, 2008). The accord, signed by Jamaican Deputy Prime Minister Kenneth Baugh and by the Cuban Minister of Foreign ...
Disaster insurance renewed.(THE REGION)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Caribbean governments have renewed insurance policies that provide emergency cash to islands in case of natural disaster, reports AP (June 8, 2008):. Sixteen Caribbean nations and territories pool their risk through the program, slashing individual premiums by 40%. Governments ...
Wind energy venture.(THE REGION)
Jul 01, 2008 ... NACEL Energy Corp. said May 19 it has entered into a joint venture with Ridge Partners, LLC to develop 600 megawatts (MW) of utility class wind energy in the Caribbean and Latin America. The power generation projects will ...
More cruise line visits.(THE REGION)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Princess Cruises said that three of its ships cruising the Caribbean increase their visits to the region in the 2009-2010 season, reports Caribbean Net News (May 20, 2008): The 3,110-passenger Caribbean Princess will sail from alternating seven-day itineraries out of San Juan, ...
Protected areas planned.(THE REGION)(Brief article)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Caribbean islands will create new protected areas for fish and coral reefs under a US$70 million plan that will help safeguard tourism-backed economies, reports Reuters (May 28, 2008): "This is a trust fund for the future benefit of society," said Bahamas Minister of Works & ...
Celebrity owned resorts.(THE REGION)
Jul 01, 2008 ... A list of the world's top nine celebrity-owned resorts where the famous lay out the red carpet (three of them are in the Caribbean) has been provided by Website ProfessionalTravelGuide.com, reports Reuters (May 24, 2008). The three Caribbean resorts are: 1. Richard Branson's Necker Island, ...
Best airline.(THE REGION)
Jul 01, 2008 ... LAN Airlines CEO Armando Valdivieso on June 11 said for the seventh LAN was chosen Best Airline in Central/South America and the Caribbean by the Official Airline Guide (OAG). LAN Airlines and its affiliates (LAN Argentina, LAN Peru, and LAN ...
Cell service at sea.(THE REGION)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Wireless Maritime Services (WMS), a provider of cellular service to the cruise line industry, on June 12 said it has signed a new five year contract to continue providing cellular at sea wireless service to guests and crew members on all ships from Royal Caribbean Cruises, ...
GVI security solutions expands.(THE REGION)
Jul 01, 2008 ... GVI Security Solutions, Inc. a provider of video security surveillance solutions featuring the Samsung Electronics line of products, on June 4 the expansion of its Latin American sales and marketing ...
Biofuels distribution.(THE REGION)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Infinite Holdings Group, Inc., based in Turks & Caicos Islands, on June 10 said it entered into a Letter of Intent with Pioneer Petroleum to acquire an initial license to distribute biofuels ...
TV distribution deal.(THE REGION)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Outdoor Channel on May 27 said it has inked a distribution pact with Caribbean Cable Cooperative Ltd, making its programming package available to 40 member companies in 23 countries across the Caribbean. The cooperative will offer Outdoor Channel SD, ...
Outsourcing services markets.(THE REGION)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Ireland-based Research & Markets on June 10 announced the addition of Frost & Sullivan's new report "Latin America Contact Center Outsourcing Services Markets" to its offering. It includes data on ...
Supplies for mining sector.(THE REGION)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Alderox Inc., a California-based provider of anti-stick release agents and lubricants to the mining sector, on June 10 announced several projects in the South American and Caribbean regions. Alderox, ...
Carnival cruises.(THE REGION)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Carnival Cruise Lines' on June 6 said 2,974-passenger Carnival Freedom, originally scheduled to operate 6-and 8-day Caribbean cruises from Ft Lauderdale, Fla., on a seasonal basis, will now operate the program year-round, following the conclusion of its 2008 Mediterranean program in ...
OECS TV Online.(THE REGION)(Organization of Eastern Caribbean States)(Brief article)
Jul 01, 2008 ... The Secretariat of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) has launched OECS TV Online as part of efforts to share images of OECS events throughout the region and the international community, reports Caribbean Net News (May ...
Hilton's new website.(THE REGION)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Hilton Caribbean is making one-stop-shopping even easier for travelers, with a revamped website, www.HiltonCaribbean.com. With the click of a button, travelers can book both accommodations and airfare for eight island destinations. HiltonCaribbean.com ...
Strengthening Statistics Div.(ANTIGUA & BARBUDA)
Jul 01, 2008 ... The Government has received a Technical Assistance Grant from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) to help finance consulting services for Institutional Strengthening of the Statistics Division, Ministry of Finance and the Economy (MFE), in the following: Development, coordination and ...
Eye surgery in Cuba.(ANTIGUA & BARBUDA)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Cuba and Antigua & Barbuda signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the free eye-surgery program Operation Miracle that has already benefited 1,182 patients, reports ACN (May 15, 2008). The document was signed by Cuban Health Minister Ramon Balaguer and by Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer, ...
Delta from JFK.(ANTIGUA & BARBUDA)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Delta Air Lines on June 12 launched nonstop service from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport to Antigua & Barbuda as part of its continued expansion in the Caribbean. This flight complements Delta's ...
S&P investment grade.(ARUBA)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Aruba has received an investment-grade rating of A-, the seventh-highest level, from Standard & Poor's as the island's economy grows and personal incomes rise, reports Bloomberg (May 30, 2008). The rating puts the territory of the Netherlands in line with those of the Bahamas and Trinidad ...
Self-service check-in.(ARUBA)
Jul 01, 2008 ... AAA N.V. on May 27 announced that KLM and Martinair passengers can now use the Common Use Self Service (CUSS) checkin kiosks to check in and print their own boarding passes. The CUSS program is open to all airlines whose check in software is compatible with its CUSS kiosks. When the first ...
Telecom deal.(BAHAMAS)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Calix on May 27 announced that Bahamas Telecommunications Co. (BTC), the telecom provider for The Bahamas, has selected the Calix access solutions portfolio to replace its existing access infrastructure. This paves the way for higherspeed, more widely available ...
Hotel purchase.(BAHAMAS)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Royal Island Partners, LP, an affiliate of The Staubach Co. and its development arm, Cypress Equities, said May 29 it has acquired a 50% interest in Rock House, a 9-room hideaway hotel on Harbour Island catering to celebrities and guests seeking privacy and pampering. The partnership ...
A less taxing development.(BAHAMAS)(Brief article)
Jul 01, 2008 ... The strong value of the UK pound and the Euro against the US dollar is increasing the flow of buyers looking for a second home in the Caribbean. Grand Bahama is a good choice as it has no local taxes, purchase taxes or selling taxes--a program introduced by the Grand Bahama Port Authority ...
UK meat ban lifted.(BARBADOS)
Jul 01, 2008 ... The ban has been lifted on imports of certain meat products from the United Kingdom, reports Caribbean Net News (May 22, 2008). A ban was placed on these products in Aug. 2007, in the wake on an outbreak of Foot & Mouth Disease there. The ban on beef and beef products, which has been in ...
Rice from Mexico & US.(BELIZE)(Brief article)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Government has given the green light for rice imports from Sinaloa, Mexico and the United States, reports Caribbean Net News (June 11, 2008). Starting June 10, the Belize Marketing & Development Corp, (BMDC) received the first shipment of 44,000 lbs. of rice: Roque Mai, BMDC ...
Offshore oil.(BELIZE)
Jul 01, 2008 ... American Capital Partners Ltd, Inc. on May 27 announced that Upstream Petroleum Corp., an oil and gas exploration and production company with producing properties in Louisiana, disclosed that it has opened strategic discussions with the Ministry of Natural Resources of Belize. For the past ...
Palmetto Bay Resort.(BELIZE)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Ravenspur Investments Inc. on June 4 unveiled plans for Palmetto Bay Resort at Maya Beach, in Southern Belize on 16miles of beaches and complemented by scenery of the Maya Mountains. The first phase of the gated resort, now under ...
BVI to expand cruise pier.(BRITISH VIRGIN I.)
Jul 01, 2008 ... The Ports Authority is expanding the cruise pier to better accommodate the new class of cruise ships, reports Caribbean Net News (May 15, 2008). Managing Director of the Ports Authority Victor O'Neal said an engineering firm has been engaged to complete the designs. The project will ...
Del Monte buys fruit companies.(COSTA RICA)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc., which makes fresh-cut fruit and vegetables, said it bought two Costa Rica fruit companies and an affiliated sales and marketing business for US$403 million, reports AP (June 10, 2008). The company said the businesses, which include banana producer Desarollo ...
Uniform wages scrapped.(CUBA)(Brief article)
Jul 01, 2008 ... In a new reform move, Cuba said it was scrapping salary caps long meant to underscore egalitarianism but which President Raul Castro's government says hurt productivity, reports AFP (June 13, 2008): Most Cubans, in an economy controlled by the government, earn the equivalent of ...
Soaring prices hit recovery.(CUBA)(Brief article)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Soaring fuel and food import costs have hurt Cuba's state-run economy, even as President Raul Castro works to meet a pledge to improve citizens' lives, said VP Carlos Lage in a speech to municipal government leaders, reports Reuters (June 9, 2008). Cuba imports about 50% of its minimum ...
Two level currency to be abolished.(CUBA)(Brief article)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Cuba plans to abolish its dual monetary system as it pursues timid economic reform under new leader Raul Castro, reports AFP (May 26, 2008). The island operates with the convertible peso, worth just under a US dollar, and the national peso, ...
Child sex fugitive returned to US.(CUBA)(Brief article)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Cuba sent an American fugitive back to the United States where he is wanted on charges of child sex tourism and possessing child pornography, reports Reuters (June 14, 2008). The Cuban Foreign Ministry said Leonard Auerbach entered Cuba via Mexico on April 8 and was detained on May 7 based ...
Petrobas studying offshore oil.(CUBA)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Brazilian state oil company Petrobras is studying a block in deep Cuban waters for possible exploration as part of broader cooperation, said a top advisor, reports Reuters (June 2, 2008). "We are planning to cooperate not only in exploration and production, but lubricants, refining and ...
Oil plans could put hole in US embargo.(CUBA)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Sometime next year, Cuba plans to begin drilling a major oil field off its northern coast that might do what little else has done--bring change to US-Cuba relations, reports Reuters (June 13, 2008): In a rare confluence of circumstances, oil could grease the wheels for the two ...
Brazil to help grow soy.(CUBA)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Brazil said it was providing technical assistance and seed to Cuba to grow soybeans on an industrial scale for the first time, reports Reuters (May 31, 2008). Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim, speaking in Havana, said the project represented "a new and important moment for Cuba's ...
1,550 km fiber-optics cable.(CUBA)(Brief article)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Venezuelan and Cuban specialists have finished mapping out a 1,550 kilometer highway of underwater fiber-optics cable linking the two countries, reports ACN (June 10, 2008). Two pairs of cables will run from Venezuela's state of Vargas to Santiago de Cuba province, potentially increasing ...
Rice from Vietnam.(CUBA)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Vietnam will ensure sufficient rice supply for Cuba this year, despite the significant increase in the price of rice in the world market recently, said Vietnamese commercial counselor to Cuba Nguyen Thai Binh, reports the Vietnam News Agency (June 10, 2008). Vietnam is Cuba's main rice ...
Plastic homes.(CUBA)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Cuba plans to build 14,000 plastic homes a year to help ease a national housing shortage, a government news agency said, reports Reuters (May 21, 2008). Set to begin in September, the program will use polyvinyl chloride from a petrochemical facility to be built with Venezuelan aid at a ...
Mobile operator wants in.(CUBA)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Orascom Telecom Holding SAE, the largest mobile phone company in the Middle East by number of subscribers, is looking to enter the market in Cuba, said CEO Naguib Sawiris, reports Bloomberg (May 19, 2008). "Cuba is opening up,'' Sawiris said at the World Economic Forum in Sharm ...
Sex change operations approved.(CUBA)(Brief article)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Cuba, in the latest change since President Raul Castro took office in February, will allow doctors to perform sex change operations, reports Reuters (June 7, 2008). Psychologist Mariela Castro, who is the president's daughter, has pushed for the operations, said that at least 28 people in ...
Russians praise Varadero.(CUBA)(Brief article)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Varadero beach resort has received the 2007 Star Award granted by the Russian Travel Portal travel.ru. Thousands of tourists voted on the Internet for the Cuban route as the Best Caribbean Destination, reports ACN (June 7, 2008) ....
Belgium-Cuba accord.(CUBA)(Brief article)
Jul 01, 2008 ... An accord to promote economic and commercial relations between Cuba and the Wallona region of Belgium was signed at the International Expo-Caribe Fair in Santiago de Cuba, reports ACN (June 7, 2008). Cuba and Belgium are increasing their economic ties and are exploring new business ...
1,800 centenarians.(CUBA)(Brief article)
Jul 01, 2008 ... About 1,800 Cubans are over 100 years old, making it the country with the highest rate of centenarians, reports AFP (May 26, 2008). Eugenio Selman-Housein, chairman of the 120 Years Club and previously head of former Cuban leader Fidel Castro's medical team, also said "life expectancy has ...
Americans can send cellphones.(CUBA)
Jul 01, 2008 ... President George W. Bush announced an easing of restrictions to allow Americans to send mobile telephones to their families in Cuba, which he portrayed as a challenge to the Communist authorities to advance reforms, reports Reuters (May 22, 2008). Cuban President Raul Castro, who took over ...
Dominica spurns Japan on whaling.(DOMINICA)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said Dominica is no longer voting with Japan in favor of commercial whaling. The reversal of eight years of support for Japan's position at the International Whaling Commission is "in the best interest of Dominica,'' he said, reports AP (June 8, 2008) ....
Fernandez reelected.(DOMINICAN REPUBLIC)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Dominicans gave four more years to President Leonel Fernandez and VP Rafael Albuquerque in the May 16 election, reports DR1 Daily News (May 19, 2008).. Fernandez is credited with ...
Stock exchange grows 607%.(DOMINICAN REPUBLIC)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Trading at the Dominican Stock Exchange (BVRD) in the first five months of 2008 leaped to RD$13,930, 111, 262, up 607% from the same period in 2007, reports DR1 Daily News (June 3, 2008). Trading for all of ...
Trade deficit with US grows.(DOMINICAN REPUBLIC)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Economist Luis Vargas says the DR's trade deficit with the US is up 92.1% to US$955.9 million, from US$497.7 million for the same first quarter last year, reports Hoy (June 11, 2008). He says the deficit is a combination of a 23.4% increase to US$2.27 billion in imports, plus a decline of ...
Bank opening.(DOMINICAN REPUBLIC)
Jul 01, 2008 ... BPD Bank, the New York-based affiliate of the US-incorporated Banco Popular, has opened a ...
US$42 million for electricity.(DOMINICAN REPUBLIC)(Brief article)
Jul 01, 2008 ... The World Bank has approved a US$42 million loan for the Electricity Distribution Rehabilitation Project, aimed at improving the service for EdeNorte, EdeSur and EdeEste electricity customers here, reports DR1 Daily News (May 21, 2008): "This project will help reduce technical ...
DR buys Shell's refinery share.(DOMINICAN REPUBLIC)
Jul 01, 2008 ... The DR has bought out Royal Dutch Shell PLC's share of a jointly owned oil refinery in a bid to stabilize fuel prices, reports AP (June 12, 2008): The DR paid US$110 million for Shell's stake in the Refidomsa refinery, said Treasury Minister Vicente Bengoa. Business and ...
New Wyndham resort.(DOMINICAN REPUBLIC)(Brief article)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Wyndham Hotels & Resorts on June 5 said a 497-unit Wyndham resort now being built at Cap Cana, an oceanfront community on the eastern tip of the DR near Punta Cana, is scheduled to open during the fourth quarter of this year. Green Village at Cap Cana, A Wyndham Grand Bay Resort, will ...
Renewal Energy Ruling passed.(DOMINICAN REPUBLIC)
Jul 01, 2008 ... President Fernandez issued the Renewable Energy Ruling on the occasion of Environment Day, reports DR1 Daily News (June 6, 2008). It applies to ...
Using Mexican fabrics.(DOMINICAN REPUBLIC)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Congress passed an amendment in the DR-CAFTA trade agreement that will allow the DR to use Mexican fabrics in the production and export of clothes and textiles, reports DR1 Daily News (June 6, 2008). Luisa Fernandez Duran, director of the National Free ...
Free zones alive and kicking.(DOMINICAN REPUBLIC)
Jul 01, 2008 ... President Fernandez sent a bill to Congress that seeks to strengthen free zone industry competitiveness, reports DR1 Daily News (June 6, 2008). The bill calls for 100% exemptions on income tax, ITBIS value added tax and luxury tax. Free zone companies would also be exempt from taxes on ...
Ferry port project.(DOMINICAN REPUBLIC)(Ferry del Caribe)(Brief article)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Ernesto Gonzalez, president of Ferry del Caribe, said the company will have its own terminal at the Sans Souci tourist port. President Leonel Fernandez, through decree 193-07, set aside ...
European bank lends RD$1.1 billion.(DOMINICAN REPUBLIC)
Jul 01, 2008 ... The Office of the National Coordinator for European Funds (ONFED) said the European Investment Bank (EIB) has approved a EUR20,000,000 loan, equivalent to RD$1.1 billion pesos, reports Diario Libre (June 2, 2008). The funds will be managed by the Banco Ademi, the Dominican Assn for the ...
Air Dominicana starts.(DOMINICAN REPUBLIC)
Jul 01, 2008 ... Air Dominicana (AD) on June 16 announced the start of daily flights to Caracas, Venezuela. This is the second Dominican airline to start international operations this year. The first was PAWA that began service to Aguadilla, Puerto Rico on 2 June 2008. AD president, Juan Jose Hidalgo Arena ...
Scrap metal earns $$$.(DOMINICAN REPUBLIC)
Jul 01, 2008 ... In the first four months of the year scrap metal exports totaled US$14.1 million while aluminum exports totaled US$11.6 million, said the Center for Exports & Investment (CEI-RD), reports Listin Diario (May 15, 2008): Last year exports of aluminum totaled US$290,000. Metal ...
Dam loan approved.(DOMINICAN REPUBLIC)
Jul 01, 2008 ... The Senate has approved the US$71 million loan that will be used to build the dam and hydroelectric facility at Las Placetas, reports DR1 Daily News (June 4, 2008). The loan ...
One vehicle for every four residents.(DOMINICAN REPUBLIC)(Brief article)
Jul 01, 2008 ... A total of 2,291,907 vehicles are registered with the Tax Dept (DGII) as of year's end 2007, reports DR1 Daily News (May 15, 2008). With a population estimated at 9,659,278, this means there is a vehicle for every four ...
Deputies approve IDB loans.(DOMINICAN REPUBLIC)
Jul 01, 2008 ... The Chamber of Deputies has approved a set of loans from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) for a total of US$80 million, reports DR1 Daily News (May 30, ...