Pulse of the Caribbean

#137 Caribbean News Round Up Episode 2 Week of November 3

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This episode shares how policy, tech, and tourism combine to drive resilience and growth. Here are some of the stories making Caribbean headlines.

  • Puerto Rico Solar Companies Unite to Help Jamaica in Hurricane Recovery 
  • Dominican Republic Postpones 10th Summit of the Americas for deeper alignment
  • US Values Ties with Antigua and Barbuda on Security and Energy
  • BVI Financial Services Mission Builds Latin America Links
  • Cuban Companies Explore New Business Prospects 8th China International Import Expo  
  • Uber Officially Launched in Barbados
  • Antigua Resorts Featured on ABC Network Golden Bachelor

Antigua resorts featured on ABC Network Golden Bachelor

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Send news releases to news@pulseofthecaribbean.com. For the Pulse of the Caribbean marketplace feature opportunities, email biz@pulseofthecaribbean.com. Like and follow us on Facebook.

SPEAKER_02:

This podcast is brought to you by Diamond Key Marina, Yosvindike, British Virgin Islands, home of Foxy's taboo and gateway to the bubbly pool, a natural jacuzzi and hidden gem. To reserve moorings at Diamond Key, visit Botiball.com. Welcome to the Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup, Episode 2 for the week of November 3rd. Here's a look at what's making Caribbean headlines. We start a report with a look at recovery efforts in Jamaica. Puerto Rico's solar sector has rallied to help Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa, the third strongest Atlantic storm on record and the strongest to hit the island, damaged almost 70% of its electrical grid. Recovery may take weeks or months. At the annual Puerto Rico Solar Energy and Storage Association summit, industry members rapidly coordinated a solar-powered relief effort to support Jamaica. PowerSolar, ISOSolar, GenRA, L3C, UNIRAC, Ecoflow, Sunrun, and Tesla donated about$110,000 in solar equipment and batteries to Jamaica, along with cash gifts. This shipment from Puerto Rico follows Footprint Project's 150 solar generators, which are being used to create microgrids and distribute electricity systems alongside aid organizations and the Jamaica Renewable Energy Association. Now to Dominican Republic. After thorough consideration of regional circumstances, the government of the Dominican Republic announced a postponement of the 10th Summit of the Americas until next year. The summit was scheduled for the first week of December 2025 at Punta Cana. The U.S. government thanked President Luis Abinader for his cooperation and willingness to host the next summit of the Americas in 2026 in the Dominican Republic. The Dominican Republic government, the U.S. government, the Organization of American States, and the Inter-American Development Bank agreed to postpone the event from this year. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio thanked President Abinadir for the Dominican Republic's leadership and regional collaboration in an official statement. Rubio reiterated the United States supports the rescheduling of the summits, saying it will give countries more time to strengthen proposals and find consensus on common priorities. The goal of the 2026 Summit of the Americas is to promote democratic governance, security cooperation, regional partnerships, and sustainable development in the hemisphere. Our next stop is Antigua and Barbuda. In a statement issued for Antigua and Barbuda's Independence Day, Mark Arribio, U.S. Secretary of State, congratulated Antigua and Barbuda on its 44th anniversary of political independence and said Washington values its partnership in advancing regional energy and security. The U.S. Secretary said the United States values our partnership with Antigua and Barbuda in advancing regional security through continued cooperation to stem the flow of illegal guns and drugs, counter illegal immigration, and disrupt transnational criminal networks. Secretary Rubio stated we remain committed to working with Antigua and Barbuda to enhance commercial connections, especially energy partnerships. The U.S. views Antigua's liquefied natural gas collaboration with an American company as a model for the region that will lead to not only Antigua and Barbuda's energy security, but also new commercial opportunities between the United States and Antigua and Barbuda. American company Eagle L and G and the Hadid Group are building a Crabs L and G power station. A senior U.S. official, Michael Kozas, visited the site in June and supports the project. Now on to the British Virgin Islands. A Virgin Islands delegation led by junior minister for financial services, Lorna Smith, completed a week-long trade mission in Latin America to enhance business connections and promote the territory's financial services sector. From October 27 to October 31st, the mission visited Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina. Regional business executives and financial professionals discuss cross-border commerce, investment, and worldwide regulatory compliance. Smith was accompanied by BVI Financial Services Commission Managing Director, Kenneth Baker, and BVI Finance CEO Elise Donovan. The team held a reception at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Sao Paulo, Brazil, to discuss recent government reforms that have strengthened legal certainty and regulatory controls. Smith met with Step Buenos Aires and on title Strategic Legal Consulting to explore beneficial ownership, BVI business structures, and virtual asset legislation. She said Latin America makes up 25% of the British Virgin Islands beneficial ownership registration, and that Southern engagement is a priority. In other news from Cuba, in an interview at Chinoa News, Cuban Chamber of Commerce Associate Director Naaman Alfonso Acosta said 23 Cuban companies will explore new business prospects at the 8th China International Import Expo in Cheyenne from November 5th to 10th. This year's show will include Cuban perfumery and cosmetic enterprises and the Caribbean nations agri-food, technological, and biopharmaceutical delegation. Alfonso said Cuban participants want to sell their products in China. The China International Import Expo is crucial to this process. The signing of contracts and business agreements at last year's fair led to large sales of Cuban rum in China through e-commerce platforms, Alfonso said. Cuban company BioCubmer will showcase its biotechnology innovations at the event. Next up, Uber officially launched in Barbados after this. 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. The Eastern Caribbean's first Uber app launched in Barbados. Last week, the service launched letting Islanders book rides through Uber Taxi and connect with licensed local taxi drivers. General manager for the Andrian region, Central America, and the Caribbean, Mellon Romero, said the company was excited to start operations in Barbados. Uber Taxi lets licensed taxi drivers accept app-based travel requests while remaining independent. Real-time driver details, predicted rates, and itineraries are available. US dollars are used to display transport authority compliant fares. The software lets passengers tip drivers. Through technology, safety, and convenience, the company believes its debut will strengthen the local taxi industry. Taxi drivers will profit from greater earnings, particularly from tourists, and access to a global platform utilized by millions of riders. More than 30 in-app safety features and 24-7 support will be available to drivers. And here's our final note. Elite Island Resorts in Antigua will be featured in the last two episodes of ABC Network The Golden Bachelor. The show, which will air on US ABC Network on November 5th and 12th, will follow Mel Owens, a 66-year-old former NFL player who is now a lawyer as he searches for love. The episodes were filmed at four of Antigua's most beautiful properties. The last two episodes will show off the beautiful resorts of Galley Bay Resort and Spa, Hammock Cove Antigua, Pineapple Beach Club Antigua, and the Ronda Antigua. The day after they air, both episodes will also be available to view on Hulu. This podcast has been brought to you by Diamond Key Marina, Yosemit Dyke, British Virgin Islands, home of Foxy's Taboo, and gateway to the bubbly pool, a natural jacuzzi and hidden gem. To reserve morings at Diamond Key, visit Botiball.com. Have news and information you'd like to share with us and news releases to news at pulsofthecaribbean.com. This has been your Pulse of the Caribbean news roundup, episode two for the week of November 3rd. Here's a special greeting going out to our listeners in St. Lucia, Illinois, Maryland, Brazil, and South Africa. 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_00:

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.