Pulse of the Caribbean

#124 Caribbean News Round Up Episode 3 Week of October 6

• Pulse of the Caribbean

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Here are some of the stories making Caribbean headlines.

  • USVI response to halted duty-free exemptions and new Zonos prepay requirements
  • Dominican Republic’s $5B investments and hotel growth outlook
  • San Juan’s $15M plan to acquire and rehab homes for long-term rentals
  • Guyana’s eServices platform for visas and permits launched
  • Dominica–Barbados sign MOU for joint tourism marketing and guest experience
  • Antigua and Barbuda’s launch blind-free zone for early screening and treatment

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Send news releases to news@pulseofthecaribbean.com. For Pulse of the Caribbean marketplace feature opportunities email biz@pulseofthecaribbean.com.

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This podcast is brought to you by Boundless Bliss Hotel, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Diamond Key Marina, Yosmondike, 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 three for the week of October 6th. Here's a look at what's making Caribbean headlines. We saw a report today in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The U.S. Virgin Islands Government House said Tuesday that Governor Albert Bryan Jr. has initiated a coordinated territorial action to the Trump administration's Executive Order 14324, which halted duty-free exemptions for low-value imports and exports costing$800 or less or$100 or more. Last week, the governor met with senior U.S. Interior Department officials to request a territorial exemption and said he would write to the Secretary and President. Longstanding duty-free shipment exemptions for under$800 is eliminated. The new approach requires senders to calculate and pay duties via the Zonos prepay app before mailing. Declarations, ID, and QR codes for post office presentations generated by the app. The United States Postal Service cannot accept packages without these. Ryan said he wants a practical solution for residents while highlighting concerns about the U.S. Virgin Islands location outside the U.S. Customs Zone. Our next stop is the Dominican Republic. On Monday, Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader said that the Dominican Republic will receive about 5 billion US dollars in general investments this year, with 4,000 to 5,000 additional hotel rooms opening by year's end. He noted that 14,000 to 15,000 rooms are under construction, demonstrating the country's continuous expansion as a Caribbean destination. Abinader noted in his weekly press conference that continuous investment confidence would double the Dominican Republic's hotels in the next year. Minister of the presidency, Jose Ignacio Paliza, said international studies, including World Bank ones, favor the Santo Domingo Monorail project. Palizas said the initiative tackles the Capitol's growing traffic concerns and is being created with technical oversight from three specialists. He also extended bid submissions by 45 days to offer national and international enterprises more time to prepare proposals. Now on to Puerto Rico. San Juan, Puerto Rico Mayor Miguel Romero Lugo received$15 million from Home American Rescue Plan Program to conduct the property acquisition program, which would improve affordable housing and support vulnerable families. Romero Lugo said the provision strengthens the commitment to families who need the most help locating safe and suitable homes. Municipal officials said the October 1st grant letter, which confirms San Juan, Puerto Rico, was one of seven projects chosen from 22 Puerto Rico bids, demonstrating the city's technical capacity and competitiveness in securing federal resources for citizens. City officials said the plan will buy and rehabilitate abandoned or decaying houses for long-term rental to families and individuals, increasing affordable housing in the Capitol. In other regional news, Guyana's president, Dr. Ifram Ali's administration, has launched Guyana's Updated Immigration Support Services, eServices platform. The new digital platform makes it easy for everyone to access a wide range of immigration services online, including visas, extensions, amendments, cancellations, and transfers, all from their own devices at e-services.is.gov.gy. The digital site improves how the Guyana government provides important services. The technology will reduce paperwork and streamline approval to improve speed, transparency, and accessibility. Services categories supported by the platform include new and extended visitor, employment, business, and student visas, a variety of landing permits, online changes, cancellations, and transfers. In this project, Guyana pledges to use technology for national development. Next up, Dominica and Barbados have signed an MOU aimed at enhancing tourism after this. Thomas Harbor, relaxed, comfortable, and spacious with the convenience of a cooktop range, apartment size, refrigerator, dining area, and full bath. Our central location offers 180-degree scenic hilltop views, and our tropical landscape distinguishes us among the many hotels and vacation rental services. Come share a slice of St. Thomas's gorgeous tropical paradise anytime throughout the year. Stay with us in one of our Deluxe King, traditional King bedroom suites, or classic queen double efficiency units. Boundless Bliss Hotel, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, a visit carved in time. Book your slice of St. Thomas's gorgeous tropical paradise anytime. Visit us online at Boundless Bliss Hotel.com. For Pulse of the Caribbean podcast advertising or marketplace feature opportunities, email bizbiz at pulsofthecaribbean.com. Get your ads in front of our ever-expanding Caribbean and diaspora community. Contact us at BizBIZ at pulsofthecaribbean.com. Engage in networking and advertising with Pulse of the Caribbean. At the partnership's announcement, Discover Dominica Authority CEO Marva Williams stressed its strategic relevance. Williams said the Discover Dominica Authority and Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. have signed a memorandum of understanding to boost tourism in both countries and create new vacation experiences. The MOU emphasizes marketing, knowledge collaboration, concept exchange, and guest experience across both destinations. The arrangement coincides with rising interest in Caribbean travel from Europe, the UK, the United States, and Latin America. A joint working group will be formed for the MOU's implementation. And here's our final note. As the Caribbean's first blind free zone, Antiguan Barbuda is promoting early screening and treatment to prevent blindness. At the Cobb's Cross Clinic's reopening on Monday, Antigan Barbuda's help minister, Sir Mulwyn Joseph, praised Ambassador Aubrey Wepson's Pioneering Corporation, endorsed by the Ministry of Health. Residents of the selected zone will receive free eye screening diagnosis and follow-up under the government's community health plan. The minister stated the initiative seeks to prevent cataract, glaucoma, and diabetic blindness. The blind free zone supports the government's primary health care plan to rehabilitate 17 of 23 community clinics and expand diagnostic services beyond the Sir Lester Bird Medical Center. This podcast has been brought to you by Boundless Bliss Hotel, St. Thomas, U.S. 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 Pulse of the Caribbean.com. This has been your Pulse of the Caribbean news roundup, episode three for the week of October 6th. Here's a special greeting going out to our listeners in Jamaica, New Hampshire, and Belgium. Thanks for listening and do spread the word and share a podcast with others across the region and the diaspora. I'm Keisha Blyden. See you next time.

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For more Caribbean news stories and information, visit us online at pulsofthecaribbean.com. 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.