Pulse of the Caribbean

#99 Caribbean News Round Up Episode 4 Week of August 18

• Pulse of the Caribbean

Share episode

The Caribbean region is experiencing an unprecedented wave of economic development and investment, as highlighted in the latest episode of the Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup. Here’s a look at what’s making Caribbean headlines.

  • Puerto Rico secures $90 million in medical manufacturing investments, creating new jobs through Terumo and Millicent Manufacturing.
  • Guyana welcomes $10 billion Hyatt Place Hotel development in Providence, adding to the rapidly growing accommodation stock.
  • Turks and Caicos signs historic $1.2 billion agreement with Palace Resorts, the largest private investment in the islands' history.
  • Antigua and Barbuda approves $20 million for Jolly Beach Resort renovations with plans to make it a social security investment.
  • Japan contributes $10 million to the United Nations security support mission in Haiti.
  • Barbados opens its first technical and vocational education global training center funded by China.

These and other stories are on today’s Pulse of the Caribbean-Caribbean News Round Up Episode 4 for the Week of August 18. 

Listen and subscribe to the  Pulse of the Caribbean Caribbean News Round Up for news you need to know. 

Send news releases and information to news@pulseofthecaribbean.com.

To advertise email 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 Runwalk, sponsored by the US Virgin Islands Department of Tourism. Victory Runwalk is fast approaching and accommodations are available with discounted rates for participants in the 5K, 10k and half marathon. Labor Day weekend, august 30th, st Thomas, us Virgin Islands. Last day to register is August 26th. Go online to VictoryRunWalkVIcom for more information 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.

Speaker 2:

Welcome to the Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup, episode four for the week of August 18th. Here's a look at what's making Caribbean headlines. We start a report in Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico's Governor, jennifer Gonzalez and Economic Development and Commerce Secretary Sebastian Negron Richard, unveiled two highly sophisticated medical manufacturing projects that will bring 90 million in investments and 250 jobs to Puerto Rico. Tarumo, puerto Rico opened a $45 million Caguas plant that will add 180 jobs to its 375-person workforce. The plant will expand Class II vascular procedure device production of the AngioSeal vascular closure device. Governor Gonzalez said Puerto Rico is a consolidated hub for advanced manufacturing, backed by decades of experience and, above all, a highly qualified workforce. Puerto Rico's Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act gave Tarumo $6 million in incentives and $2.3 million in training funding. That support funded 41 advanced manufacturing apprenticeships. Also in Puerto Rico, millicent Manufacturing PR LLC will invest $45.5 million to reopen the defunct Teva Pharmaceuticals plant in Fajardo, becoming the first pharmaceutical business in 15 years to do so. The Women's Health Treatment Initiative will create 73 employment opportunities initially and 100 by fiscal year 2030. Governor Gonzalez said this move will have a positive multiplier effect on the island's eastern economy. The Puerto Rico incentives code will give Mellicent $4.1 million for job creation, machinery equipment and research credits.

Speaker 2:

Now we head to Guyana. The Guyana Office for Investment is helping bring a $10 billion Hyatt Place Hotel to Providence on the east bank of Demerara. The property is 15 minutes from Georgetown and near the Amazonian Mall, national Stadium and Demerara Harbor Bridge. The hotel will have 136 four-star standard rooms, modern amenities to include a restaurant, fitness center, pool, rooftop lounge and indoor and outdoor bars. The location makes it convenient to residential and commercial areas and the Chedi Jagan International Airport. Airport Construction began in 2022 and is anticipated to finish in the first quarter of 2026. Veyrea Guyana Inc is the main contractor for Sur Investments. Guyana Inc's project, the Hyatt Place Providence, is one of numerous branded hotels opening countrywide in Guyana, adding to a fast-rising accommodation stock of over 2,000 rooms. The landmark investment is expected to stimulate economic diversification, job development and tourism in Region 4 of Guyana.

Speaker 2:

Now we head to the Turc and Caicos Islands. The Turc and Caicos Islands government signed a landmark $1.2 billion development agreement with the Palace Company, part of Palace Resorts, on August 14, 2025. Palace Resorts is a global brand known for luxury, quality and unique architecture visitor experiences. In a press release, turk and Caicos Premier Charles Washington Missick remarked this is far more than building another resort. A 40-acre property in Leeward Providentials and an estimated $1.2 billion private investment is the largest in the Turk and Caicos Island history, making the project a bold step forward in shaping the island's economy, communities and a place in the world. Missick added the project will produce hundreds of jobs for Turk and Caicos Islanders during development and operation. The new development is expected to improve tourism, create new opportunities for companies and suppliers and increase the Turc and Caicos island status as a luxury destination. The Mexican-based Palace Company runs hotels and resorts across Europe, asia and Mexico.

Speaker 2:

Our next stop is Antigua and Barbuda. On Wednesday, antigua and Barbuda's cabinet approved $20 million to remodel 33 rooms at Jolly Beach Resort, build a 500-person conference space and modernize the hotel's internet and communication system. Renovations will raise the hotel's room count to 351 by next tourism season. The government also announced intentions to consolidate Antigua and Barbuda's social security plan. Arrears infuse 75 million into Jolly Beach Resort and issue a 450 million five-year bond at 3% and 5% subsequently. These steps seek to make Jolly Beach Hotel a valuable social security investment. The resort is expected to become a revenue-generating asset for the Antigua and Barbuda Social Security Board after renovations and expansion. The plan is expected to give Antigua and Barbuda Social Security permanent capital growth, stable operating income and a citizenship by investment program room resale option. The social security investment in Jolly Beach Resort will be debated in the Antigua and Barbuda Parliament on August 25th. Due to US and EU concerns, parliament will also explore Citizenship by Investment Program legislative revisions.

Speaker 2:

Next up, japan to contribute to United Nations security support for Haiti. 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. 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. Here's Day, now. This is the Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup, episode 4.

Speaker 2:

Republic's administrative minister of the presidency said that Japan will donate $10 million to the multinational security support mission in Haiti to support regional stability. After meeting with Japanese Chief of Staff Yohimasa Heiashi, both emphasized the necessity for a coordinated international response to the Haitian crisis. Paliza's highlighted that the Dominican Republic will collaborate with the world to restore peace and stability in Haiti, whose problems directly affect the shared island of Hispaniola. Paliza noted that Japan's contribution improves crisis response operation. The Dominican Republic and Japan celebrated 90 years of diplomatic relations at the conference. Both officials discussed commerce, culture and sports collaboration, mentioning the Dominican Republic as a possible Japanese regional hub. Paliza emphasized the culture interchange, citing the Hiroshima Baseball Academy in San Pedro de Macaris as a symbol of friendship. And here's our final note Barbados opened its first technical and vocational education and training global center at the National Union of Public Works headquarters on Wednesday, ushering in a new age of workforce training.

Speaker 2:

Officials stated the effort funded by China and meeting international standards, will teach Barbadians worldwide employment skills. The center is part of a global network of training hubs that provide specialized education, skills development and capacity building to international standards. Sandra Husbands, barbados' Minister of Training and Tertiary Education. Husbands Barbados' Minister of Training and Tertiary Education, called the Global Training Center a cornerstone for fostering talent and driving innovation, particularly in optoelectronics, electronics and information network cabling. Husbands underlined the need of giving Barbadians the skills they need to survive and grow in a changing workplace. Technology is predicted to eliminate 92 million jobs, but 130 million new positions will be created, with different criteria, the minister said. She also stressed that the government will improve technical and vocational training to make Barbadian workers valuable, sought after and to build a reputation internationally that will bring credit to the nation of Barbados wherever they go.

Speaker 2:

This podcast has been brought to you by Victory Run Walk, sponsored by the US Virgin Islands Department of Tourism. Victory Run Walk is fast approaching and accommodations are available with discounted rates for participants in the 5K, 10k and half marathon. Labor Day weekend, august 30th, st Thomas, us Virgin Islands. Last day to register is August 26th. Go online to VictoryRunWalkVIcom for more information 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 growing network across the region and the diaspora, 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 18th. Here's a shout out to our listeners in Jamaica, ohio and the UK. 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.