Pulse of the Caribbean

#74 Caribbean News Round Up Episode #3 Week of July 7

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The Dominican Republic, CARICOM nations, Guyana, and Antigua and Barbuda have all demonstrated remarkable progress in various sectors, setting new benchmarks for regional cooperation and economic growth as highlighted in this episode of Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup. 

  • Dominican Republic's President Luis Abinader donates entire annual salary to 18 social and community organizations
  • Jamaica signs MOU with CARICOM and African Export-Import Bank
  • Barbados, Belize, Dominica, and St. Vincent to implement Free Movement of Nationals starting October 1, 2025
  • Guyana's gold production increases ahead of 2024 figures
  • Antigua and Barbuda to host 15th annual Hamptons Challenge Regatta in New York in August

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Speaker 1:

This is the Pulse of the Caribbean Caribbean News Roundup. Now today's Caribbean News Headlines.

Speaker 2:

This podcast is brought to you by Varleg Ventures for convenient airport transfers and ferry service in the US Virgin Islands and Diamond Key, marina, yosemite, british Virgin Islands, home of Foxy's Taboo and Gateway to the Bubbly Pool, a natural jacuzzi and hidden gem. Welcome to the Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup, episode 3 for the week of July 7th. Here's a look at what's making Caribbean headlines. We start our report in the Dominican Republic. The Dominican Republic's President, luis Abinadur, has donated his entire annual salary of 6,012,000 Dominican Republic pesos. Pesos equivalent to $100,236, which covers the period from June 2024 to June 2025. The monies were donated to 18 social and community-based organizations in the Dominican Republic. According to the presidency, the monies were allocated to initiatives focusing on child health, youth development, senior care, community support and to aid religious organizations. Some of the notable beneficiaries include SOS Children's Villages, the Emanuel Child Development Center, funcaf, the St Francis of Assisi Home, operation Smile and the Friends Against Childhood Cancer Foundation. Donations help groups in the National District, monte Plata, san Pedro de Macaris, santiago de los Caballeros and Santo Domingo Norte and Oeste towns. Other uses included the construction of senior centers and churches, medical help, sports competitions and pediatric cleft palate procedures. Funds also funded school transportation, nutrition initiatives and health. Efforts to combat dengue, malaria, zika and chikungunya. Efforts to combat dengue, malaria, zika and chikungunya.

Speaker 2:

In other news from the Dominican Republic, the Dominican Republic's Zero Bureaucracy Program received the Digital Transformation category at the 2025 Nova Gobi Ibero-American Excellence Awards, which were hosted in Spain. The initiative got 63 percent of the popular vote, beating Spain's Catalonia AOC program at 37%. The award recognizes the Dominican Republic government's effort to increase public administration efficiency. The program, which is being coordinated by the Ministries of Public Administration, the Presidency, the National Competitiveness Council and the Office of Government Information and Communication Technologies, aims to simplify procedures in order to save citizens and businesses money and time. Zero bureaucracy, established under Decree no 640-20 and backed by Law 167-21, is part of the Digital Transformation Agenda 2030 and the National Competitiveness Strategy in the Dominican Republic. The Nova Gobi Award Gala, organized by Nova Gobi Foundation in cooperation with Madrid, talento, gtt and Nutco, will publicly commemorate the project on December 11, 2025 in Madrid.

Speaker 2:

Now on to CARICOM. On July 8, jamaica signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Caribbean Community and the African Export-Import Bank, afrexim Bank, to officially join the partnership agreement. The ceremony was conducted at Half Moon Bay in Rose Hall, st James, as a part of the CARICOM's 49th Conference of Heads of Government, which took place in Jamaica from July 6 to July 8. The signing now officially confirms Jamaica's involvement in the deal, which aims to increase financial opportunities and develop commercial relations between the Caribbean and Africa. Jamaica's involvement in the corporation agreement results in an additional 1.5 million US dollars in financing from a Frexim bank for CARICOM. Combined with prior commitments made by other member states, the region's total available financing is now amounting at $3 billion is now amounting at $3 billion. In other news from CARICOM, four CARICOM member states will allow the Free Movement of Nationals, advancing Caribbean integration under the Single Market and Economy. For Belize, barbados, dominica and St Vincent and the Grenadines, implementation will begin on October 1, 2025.

Speaker 2:

On July 8, jamaica's Prime Minister and CARICOM Chairman, dr Andrew Holness, announced the outcomes of the 49th regular meeting of the CARICOM Conference of Heads of Government in Montego Bay. Holness said on the CARICOM single market and economy, we agree that the pace and scope of implementation were just too slow and we agree to do everything in our power to speed up implementation. He noted that four nations have stated their commitment to adopt full free movement, despite sluggish member state implementation. He said I'm pleased this year that we are now moving from applying administratively the protocol and enhanced cooperation which all member states have signed with Barbados, belize, st Vincent and the Grenadines and Dominica, reiterating their willingness to implement full free movement and protocols starting October 1st 2025. Starting October 1, 2025.

Speaker 2:

Skilled nationals of CARICOM member states can work in other member states without work permits under the Free Movement Initiative. This promotes regional labor mobility and economic integration. The program was officially launched on January 1, 2006, and was supposed to be implemented by 2015. Guyana's president, dr Mohamed Ifram Ali, said complete implementation was progressing, but some countries required time to adapt. Holness said his country wants free migration but first must address its domestic issues. Next up, gold production increases in Guyana.

Speaker 2:

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Speaker 2:

The Guyana's mining industry will continue to get assistance from the government as it pursues a daring development program. During a recent networking event, vikram Bharat, guyana's Minister of Natural Resources, addressed the Bartika business community. He pointed out that Bartika and the entire nation will benefit when mining goes well. He said, since the mining industry is essential to the growth of our nation, I want to pledge the complete support of our president and administration.

Speaker 2:

The Guyana of today was not founded on gas and oil. Mining was the foundation of it. According to Minister Baharat, it was constructed on logging in agriculture, tourism and other traditional sectors. He pointed out that 600,000 tons of stone aggregate were produced annually when the government entered office in 2020. The majority of the 3.6 million tons of aggregate that Guyana is expected to produce this year comes from Region 7. He said, compared to last year, gold production has increased and, as of July 2nd 2025, we are already over 20,000 ounces ahead of 2024. According to Minister Baharat, reunion Gold Oco West Project, one of the biggest gold mines ever constructed in Guyana, will be located in Region 7. As a part of the agreement with the government, this operation will employ locals, and here's our final note locals. And here's our final note H.

Speaker 2:

Charles Max Fernandez, minister of Tourism, civil Aviation, transportation and Investment for Antigua and Barbuda, will lead a delegation to the 15th annual Antigua and Barbuda Hamptons Challenge Regatta, scheduled for August 9th in Sag Harbor, new York. Antigua and Barbuda returns as hosts of this celebrated regatta, held in partnership with I Try, a local non-profit dedicated to empowering young women across the east end of Long Island through triathlon training and mentorship. The festivities will kick off on August 7th with a cocktail reception hosted by Argentinian-born designer Diego Benetti at his concept store Love Benetti in Sag Harbor. On August 8th, minister Fernandez of Antigua and Barbuda will host an exclusive media luncheon. The main event on August 9 will feature over 20 yachts competing in a handicap race around Noyak Bay organized by the Peconic Bay Sailing Association. The winning team will earn an all-expense-paid trip to Antigua to participate in the 2026 Antigua Sailing Week schedule for April 25th to May 1st 2026. The weekend will conclude with the Taste of Antigua and Barbuda Awards Party at Bell Harbor Anchor, a popular local establishment. For more information, go online to sailingweekcom and ferry service.

Speaker 2:

In the US Virgin Islands and Diamond Key, marina, yosvendike, british Virgin Islands, home of Foxy's Taboo and Gateway to the Bubbly Pool, a natural jacuzzi and hidden gem. Have news and information you'd like to share with us. Send news releases to news at pulseofthecaribbeancom. If you have an interest in advertising on our podcast, email us at biz at pulseofthecaribbeancom. This has been your Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup, episode three for the week of July 7th. Here's a shout out to our listeners. Thank you for listening and do spread the word and share our podcast with others across the region and the diaspora. I'm Keisha Blyden. See you next time.

Speaker 1:

For more Caribbean news stories and information, visit us online at pulseofthecaribbeancom. If you found value in this podcast, be sure to like and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and thank you in advance for choosing Pulse of the Caribbean Caribbean News Roundup as your source for Caribbean-centered news.