Pulse of the Caribbean

#91 Caribbean News Round Up Episode 4 Week of August 4

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Dive into the vibrant Pulse of the Caribbean Podcast  Caribbean News Roundup Episode 4 for the week of August 4th. From diplomatic alliances to groundbreaking inclusive agriculture, we're bringing you the stories that matter across the region.

  • Dominican Republic strengthens ties with Mexico, discussing support for Haiti and preparations for the Summit of the Americas
  • Panama's largest business delegation in a decade to visit Dominican Republic, focusing on sectors including food, construction, and logistics
  • Barbados secures $92.7 million in credit agreements with Saudi Fund for Development for healthcare and urban renewal projects
  • St. Lucia commissions groundbreaking aquaponics facility operated by persons with disabilities
  • Caribbean American Cultural Arts Foundation names Cheryl Lee Ralph as first recipient of Lifetime Achievement Award

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Send news releases to news@pulseofthecaribean.com. If you have an interest in sponsoring our podcast, email us at  biz@pulseofthecaribbean.com.

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 Victory Run Walk, sponsored by the US Virgin Islands Department of Tourism. Accommodations are now available. Register at VictoryRunWalkVIcom for the 5K, 10k and Half Marathon. Labor Day weekend, august 30th. St Thomas, 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.

Speaker 2:

Welcome to the Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup, episode 4 for the week of August 4th. Here's a look at what's making Caribbean headlines. We start our report in the Dominican Republic. Dominican Republic Foreign Minister Roberto Alvarez and Mexico Foreign Minister Juan Ramon de la Fuente discussed regional support for the Kenya-led mission in Haiti. Both officials stressed the importance of working together to restore order, including sending 150 policemen to train the Haitian police. Preparations for the 10th Summit of the Americas, including the Business Forum, were discussed to promote high-level political conversations and economic cooperation. Alvarez discussed initiatives to increase regional commerce and Mexican investment in the Dominican Republic with Mexican Secretary of Economy, marcelo Ebrard. In a separate meeting with the Mexico Environmental Secretary, alicia Barsena Ibarra, both governments suggested a bilateral conference to combat Caribbean sarcasm.

Speaker 2:

In other news from the Dominican Republic, the Dominican Republic will host Panama's largest business delegation in almost a decade, on August 20th to August 21st, to enhance economic connections and seek new business prospects. The mission will focus on food and beverages, construction, logistics manufacturing and pet food with approximately 30 companies. The move is part of Panama's Caribbean expansion strategy. Panama exported $143 million to Dominican Republic and imported $43.3 million in 2023. The business roundtables foster strategic relationships and sustainable trade between both nations. Panama's Ministry of Commerce remarked that the Dominican Republic is a major regional partner and part of a Caribbean market engagement strategy that includes trade missions to Jamaica, aruba and Puerto Rico.

Speaker 2:

Our next stop is Barbados. Barbados reached two credit agreements worth $92.7 million US dollars with the Saudi Fund for Development. The money will fund two important projects the Polyclinic Upgrade and Primary Health Care System projects at $58.5 million and an urban renewal project Phase 1, for water, housing and infrastructure at 34.2 million. Barbados' Prime Minister, mia Motley, and Saudi Fund Development CEO Sultan bin Abdulrahman Almar Rashad signed the agreements at government headquarters. Prime Minister Motley said Barbados may update numerous polyclinics and rebuild Randall Phillips and Eunice Gibson facilities using the help financing Bridgetown area towns will receive better water, housing and infrastructure from the urban renewal project. Motley stressed that the administration wants to eradicate pit toilets and improve resident facilities. She said these projects will help improve urban areas, freeing up government cash for rural ones. She called this responsible borrowing because the loans will develop the country's capacity and make debt repayment easier.

Speaker 2:

Now we head to Grenada. At Belmont Estates in northern Grenada, the International Trade Center successfully organized a two-day COCO training course under the EU-funded ACP Business Friendly Program. From July 30th to 31st. The 30-person seminar included farmers, co cocoa processors, chocolate producers and Ministry of Agriculture staff. The program promoted collaboration across the cocoa value chain and improved knowledge of sustainable cocoa cultivation, post-harvest handling and quality. The seminars promoted Grenada's fine-flavored cocoa reputation and stressed skill development for resilience and competitiveness. William Castro, representing the International Trade Center, reaffirmed International Trade Center's commitment to Grenadian cocoa, especially after Hurricane Beryl devastated the island's agriculture, the islands' aviculture. This training was a part of ITC's sector resilience support. After ITC's involvement in the Afro-Caribbean Trade and Investment Forum, caribbean and African countries explore new trade, development and partnership options To strengthen its relationship with Grenada. The International Trade Center will assist cocoa quality and production activities. The International Trade Center will assist cocoa quality and production activities. The International Trade Center wants to engage the Ministry of Agriculture in Grenada and the Grenada Cocoa Association to boost exports of high-quality chocolate. These activities aim to link technical support with market access to keep Grenadian chocolate, famous for its flavor and sustainability, next up.

Speaker 2:

St lucia officially commissions aquaponics facility operated by persons with disabilities. After this, st Thomas Virgin Islands Victory Run 2025 accommodations are now available After race registration. Book your stay and be the first occupants to stay at the Hamptons by Hilton, directly located at the start and finish line of Victory Run 2025. By Hilton, directly located at the start and finish line of Victory Run 2025. While around the bend and at the beach shore is the beautiful Westin Resort and connecting waterfront villas of the Bowie House. Both locations are family friendly and here to accommodate you with special rates, making your stay a breeze as you gear up and get ready for St Thomas Victory Run 2025 USVI. Book your stay now. This is the Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup, episode 4. For the week of August 4th.

Speaker 2:

St Lucia's National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities commissioned its aquaponics facility on July 30th, the first in St Lucia directed and maintained by individuals with disabilities. To redefine inclusion in agriculture. The facility at the National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities in Viewfort combines organic food production, sustainable technology and community empowerment. It shifts inclusion to involve individuals with impairments in innovation rather than marginalizing them. The National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities in St Lucia Design and manages the institution, which employs blind, mobility impaired and intellectually and physically disabled persons. Team members help with planting, harvesting, packing, marketing and system maintenance. The institution aims to be a national and regional inclusive agricultural development model, reduce disability unemployment, promote sustainable practices and expand aquaponics and other green technology. The initiative received funding from the Global Environmental Facility Small Grants Program, st Lucia's Electricity Services Limited, republic Bank, massey Stores and Cabot St Lucia.

Speaker 2:

And here's our final note. The Captain of the Industries Gala will be held at the Four Seasons in Atlanta on August 30th by the Caribbean American Cultural Arts Foundation. The foundation named Cheryl Lee Ralph, its first Captain of the Industry Honors, lifetime Achievement Award recipient this year. Ms Ralph, a proud Jamaican, has had a decade-long career in television, cinema and theater, receiving an Emmy and a Tony nomination. The Caribbean American Cultural Arts Foundation honors remarkable individuals of Caribbean descent at the Four Seasons Hotel in Atlanta, georgia.

Speaker 2:

Each year. The anticipated fundraising event combines Caribbean vitality, culture and elegance with diaspora greatness. The festival fundraising event combines Caribbean vitality, culture and elegance with Diaspora greatness. The festival and event features Diaspora designers and artists. All proceeds support the foundation's projects and give eligible students grants and scholarships. The captain of the industry celebration will commemorate Diaspora and multicultural influencers who have made a difference in business and society. The event funds Caribbean American Cultural Art Funds activities. These initiatives include Young STEAM, community service and climate resilience. This year's honorees also include Presha Buspite, international Reggae Ambassador and Entrepreneur, benny Dimas, international Music Director. Dr Nicole Grimes, founder and CEO of the Carabiz Network, the Honorable Lisa Cupid, chairwoman of Cobb County, georgia. The Honorable Judge Ana Maria Martinez of DeKalb County, georgia. David Mullings, ceo of Blue Maho Capital, samantha Samuels, ceo and founder of Young Dreamers International, and TK Peterson, co-founder of the Gathering Spot. For more information on the foundation event and the honorees, go online to caribbeanculturalartsorg.

Speaker 2:

This podcast is brought to you by victory run walk, sponsored by the us virgin islands department of tourism. Accommodations are now available. Register at victoryrunwalkvicom for the 5k, 10k and half marathon. Labor day weekend, august 30th. St thomas u, 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 sponsoring our podcast, email us at biz B-I-Z at pulseofthecaribbeancom. This has been your Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup, episode 4, for the week of August 4th. Here's a shout-out to our listeners in Barbados, north Carolina and France. Thanks 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.