Pulse of the Caribbean

#59 Caribbean News Round Up Episode 4 Week of June 9

• Pulse of the Caribbean

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Caribbean nations pursue critical initiatives to enhance regional food security, sustainable finance, and international partnerships while strengthening infrastructure and cybersecurity capabilities. Progress spans from Barbados' regional food port construction to Antigua and Barbuda's upcoming role as host for major international gatherings.

  • Barbados partnering with Guyana to construct a regional food port for transshipping and processing produce, to reduce CARICOM's food import bill 
  • Jamaica Stock Exchange and UNDP sign MOU to mobilize private financing for sustainable development 
  • Dominican Republic strengthens ties with Commonwealth countries to diversify exports, attract investments and boost tourism 
  •  University of the Virgin Islands receives $250,000 campus improvement grant from Home Depot's "Retool Your School" program 

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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 Victory Run Walk, sponsored by the US Virgin Islands Department of Tourism. Register now for the 5K, 10k and Half. Labor Day weekend 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. Welcome to the Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup, episode 4 for the week of June 9th. Here is a look at what's making Caribbean headlines.

Speaker 2:

We start our report in Barbados. This year, barbados will begin building a long-planned regional food port to transship and process local and regional produce. A regional agriculture-based product storage, preservation and distribution center will be built in eight months. Barbados Ministry of Agriculture views the terminal as a crucial pillar in regional trade, food import reduction and technology-driven local agriculture. It is a collaborative project with Guyana. The 25 by 2025 CARICOM plan now extends to 2030, as the 25 by 25 plus 5 aims to reduce the region's food import bill by 25%. Acting Chief of Agriculture Officer in Barbados, michael James, speaking on behalf of its Minister of Agriculture in Darwira at the Barbados Manufacturers Association International Business Conference, said the project is expected to boost Guyana and Barbados' economies and support regional food security. Now we head to Jamaica.

Speaker 2:

The Jamaica Stock Exchange and United Nations Development Program signed an MOU to promote Jamaica's social development sector and sustainable finance collaboration. An ongoing relationship to mobilize private financing to support national development priorities linked with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals is formalized by this MOU. Dr Kishan Kodei, jamaica's United Nations Development Program resident representative, called the agreement a historic milestone in using creative finance to support Vision 2030. Dr Coday stated that the PAC aims to change the finance paradigm by relying on developing social entrepreneurs in Jamaica and the Caribbean. The MOU also promotes sustainability-linked bonds, climate and biodiversity finance and sustainability reporting and regulation. The Jamaica Social Stock Exchange chairman, professor Neville Ying, praised the deal, saying Our next stop is the Dominican Republic.

Speaker 2:

Dominican Republic Roundtable of Commonwealth Countries. President Fernando Gonzalez-Nicholas stressed the strategic necessity of increasing ties with Commonwealth states to diversify exports, attract investments and boost tourism. He stressed national diversification at a UK business workshop To Commonwealth countries. The India were major export markets Gold, rum, cigars, bananas, coffee, cocoa, textiles and medicine were Dominican exports. Commonwealth priorities were banking, energy, mining, textiles and rum. A workshop series at Pro Dominicana began to establish business ties with Canada, india, australia and Jamaica. British Ambassador Carol Van Deer Walt saluted the initiative, emphasizing the Commonwealth's 56 nations and $15 trillion gross domestic product. Experts discussed trade, investment and a Dominican Republic-UK free trade pact. The sessions are expected to promote market access, build long-term collaborations and uncover the Dominican Republic's economic development prospects.

Speaker 2:

Next up, the University of the Virgin Islands receives a grant from US home improvement retailer, the Home Depot. After this, get ready for Victory RunBlock 2025. Registration is open for the Virgin Islands 5K, 10k and half marathon. Register at VictoryRunWalkVIcom.

Speaker 2:

Whether you're a Caribbean national or just want to learn more about the Caribbean, you've got the right podcast In our newest feature, the Pulse of the Caribbean podcast interview segment, episode number 50,. Podcast interview segment, episode number 50. Meet Israel Peterson, culture bearer and teacher, as he shares the rich tradition of Mooka Jumbie still dancing and its deep cultural significance in the US Virgin Islands. His passion for preserving this African heritage shines through as he recounts his personal journey from childhood fascination to becoming a master practitioner. Pulse of the Caribbean podcast listen online on our website pulse of the Caribbean comm or your favorite streaming platform. This is the Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup, episode 4,.

Speaker 2:

For the week of June 9th A $250,000 campus improvement grant from the Home Depot. Retool your School program has boosted financing for the University of the Virgin Islands Albert A Sheen campus on St Croix. The campus's resident hall will be renovated and modernized with one of eight maximum-level grants awarded to historically black colleges and universities countrywide in the United States. This year, the 15-year-old Home Depot Retool your School campaign improves HBCU student experiences through sustainable infrastructure upgrades that promote wellness, engagement and campus pride. Hbcus nationwide have received about 15 million from the program since 2009. The 250 thousand dollar top-tier award will be used to make the Albert a Sheen St Croix campus resident hall at the University of the Virgin Islands more welcoming and student-focused, aligning with the university's goal of student success and well-being. And here's our final note Antigua and Barbuda's Cabinet approve Antigua and Barbuda's Attorney General, sir Stedroy Benjamin's request to hold a Caribbean Law Enforcement Leaders Cyber Security Symposium on July 8th and 9th.

Speaker 2:

American Registry for Internet Numbers, arin, and the Caribbean Agency for Justice Solutions will host the event with the government of Antigua and Barbuda. With the government of Antigua and Barbuda, cross-jurisdictional collaboration and information-sharing, expert analysis of new cybercrime patterns and investigative responses, and direct conversations between law enforcement policymakers, regional registries and judicial parties will be enhanced again during the event. Antigua and Barbuda will host the Organization of American States' 55th regular session of General Assembly this month of June and the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in 2026 will also be held in Antigua and Barbuda. Over 50 heads of state and King Charles and Queen Camilla are expected to attend. Heads of State and King Charles and Queen Camilla are expected to attend.

Speaker 2:

This podcast is brought to you by Victory Run Walk, sponsored by the US Virgin Islands Department of Tourism. Register now for the 5K, 10k and Half Marathon. Labor Day weekend 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. Have news and information you'd like to share with us. Send news releases to news at pulseofthecaribbeancom and 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 June 9th.

Speaker 1:

I'm Keisha Blyden. See you next time 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.