Pulse of the Caribbean

#113 Caribbean News Round Up Episode 4 Week of September 15

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The Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup delivers comprehensive coverage of major developments across the region, from Guyana's oil industry growth to constitutional reforms in the British Virgin Islands. We track economic investments, workforce development initiatives, and political milestones affecting Caribbean nations and their diaspora communities. Here are the stories making Caribbean headlines.

  • ExxonMobil Guyana reports $2.8 billion USD investment with local enterprises since 2015, with 70% of workforce now being Guyanese
  • Puerto Rico launches tuition-free Bill Strong Academy for construction trades with $10.9 million in funding
  • Dominican Republic joins World Bank circular migration program with Spain targeting healthcare, construction, and IT sectors
  • Global Ports Holding transforming Antigua's cruise industry with $100 million investment and opportunities for local entrepreneurs
  • British Virgin Islands House of Assembly begins discussions on 57 constitutional reform recommendations
  • Jamaica's Prime Minister Andrew Holness sworn in for historic fourth term, pledging to eliminate absolute poverty
  • Grenadian-born author Jillian Joseph to release Caribbean-inspired children's book "Tyree and the Not-So-Green Monkey"

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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 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 four for the week of September 15th. Here's a look at what's making Caribbean headlines. We start our report today in Guyana. Since 2015, exxonmobil Guyana and its contractors have spent about $600 billion Guyanese dollars, valued at $2.8 billion US dollars with Guyanese enterprises. The company invested heavily in local businesses, workforce training and community development initiatives in the first half of 2025, spending $87 billion. Guyan development initiatives in the first half of 2025, spending $87 billion in the first quarter, valued at over $415 million, directly with 1,800 local vendors. In-country fabrication services at the Vareed and Hoop Shore Base Inc began this year, including quad joints and pipeline end terminations, a crucial step towards local industrial growth. Over 6,200 Guyanese work for ExxonMobil Guyana and its contractors as of mid-2025, a total of 70% of its workforce. One in three employees are Guyanese women and 1,800 workers are from overseas. Our next stop is Puerto Rico. The Puerto Rico Department of Housing Community Development Black Grand Disaster Recovery Workforce Training Program supported Bill Strong Academy Puerto Rico, a tuition-free construction school in San Juan, founded by Home Builders Institute with 10.9 million dollars. Officials claim the initiative strengthens Puerto Rico's construction workforce and promotes long-term recovery and economic resilience. The academy provides 18-week carpentry, masonry, electrician and plumbing programs, free training, clothing, lunches, safety equipment, osha 10 certification and job placement assistance are provided Once employed students receive a free toolkit valued at $1,000. Graduates achieve technical skills and workplace preparation via hands-on education and professional development. Socialization is part of Bill Strong Academy. Communities serve, as programs like public space rehabilitation and supporting vulnerable communities allow students to utilize their expertise. Its inaugural cohort graduated this summer.

Speaker 2:

Now we head to the Dominican Republic. The Dominican Republic will join in a World Bank-promoted circular labor migration pilot program under the Global Skill Partnership model, which links skills training in originations to job openings in destination countries. The agreement was signed in Madrid, spain, by Dominican Republic Ambassador Tony Rafaul and Spain's Minister of Inclusion, social Security and Migration, elma Cés Delgado. The program promotes orderly migration, addresses Spain's labor shortages in health care, construction, hospitality and IT, and protects Dominican Republic human capital. And protects Dominican Republic human capital. The corporation will provide vocational training into Dominican Republic to match workers' skills with Spanish market demands. A technical exploratory meeting will adapt pilot projects to the Dominican Republic's environment and conform with 2021 and 2022 circular migration agreements. For continuity, liaisons will be recruited permanently. Over 20 treaties and Spanish investments in the Dominican Republic's tourism, banking and infrastructure has strengthened bilateral ties. As of 2024, spain had the second largest Dominican Republic diaspora, with about 201,000 residents.

Speaker 2:

Our next stop is Antigua and Barbuda. Global Ports Holding has transformed Antigua and Barbuda's cruise business. According to the Antigua and Barbuda's tourism minister, charles Fernandez, global Port Holding will have spent $100 million in the Twin Island Nation by the end of its investment cycle In 2019, global Ports Holding took over St John's Cruise Terminal under a 30-year concession. The arrangement finances a fifth cruise berth at the largest Oasis-class ship. The upland development project will lease 50,000 square feet of retail and culinary outlets to local entrepreneurs. Antigans will receive $5 million to start or grow tourist enterprises under the pack. Additionally, heritage Mall will be upgraded. Officials say the corporation positions Antigua as as a competitive cruise destination by allowing larger ships and improving visitor experience. The project is part of the government's plan to boost tourism and provide more opportunities for local residents.

Speaker 2:

Now on to the British Virgin Islands. Today, september 18th, the British Virgin Islands House of Assembly is anticipated to start discussions on the Constitutional Review Commission report. People of the British Virgin Islands will have to make choices that might change how power is shared and how leaders are held responsible for years to come. The report, which is based on months of talking to the people, provides 57 suggestions. The electoral system is at the heart of the matter, with many people believing that the allured seats don't work as they should anymore. One idea is to make sure that the premier and deputy premier are chosen among territorial at-large members so that they are accountable for people all over the territory. There are also talks about term restrictions for the premier over the territory. There are also talks about term restrictions for the premier. Additionally, the report calls for stricter conflict interest laws, constitutional protections for statutory boards and greater freedom of information. The balance of power between the governor and local leaders may be the most politically heated topic. The Constitutional Review Commission report suggests making it clear what reserve powers are and setting up a way to gradually give some power to the British Virgin Islands government without changing the Constitution completely.

Speaker 2:

In other news from the British Virgin Islands, the government of the British Virgin Islands acknowledges that holding adolescent at His Majesty's prison with adult violates the Virgin Islands Constitution Order 2007. Juveniles in custody must be separated from adults and kept in age-appropriate conditions under the Constitution Order 2007. However, the British Virgin Islands lacks a proper facility. British Virgin Islands Second District Representative Melvin Mitch Turnbull questioned Health and Social Development Minister Vincent Whitley about why a juvenile prison facility had not yet been built at a recent House of Assembly session, while interim measures like a prison section and rehabilitation programs exist. Whitley told the House that a specialized rehabilitation center is the long-term goal. Second District Representative Turnbull suggests activating the Human Rights Commission for the young people to get help.

Speaker 2:

Next up, jamaica's Prime Minister, dr Andrew Holness, sworn in for a fourth term after this. For Pulse of the Caribbean podcast, advertising or marketplace feature opportunities. Email biz B-I-Z at pulseofthecaribbeancom. Get your ads in front of our ever-expanding Caribbean and diaspora community. Contact us at biz B-I-Z at pulseofthecaribbeancom. Engage in networking and advertising with Pulse of the Caribbean. This is the Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup, episode four for the week of September 15th.

Speaker 2:

On September 16th, hundreds of Jamaicans watched Dr Andrew Holness be sworn in as Prime Minister on the lawns of King's House in Kingston, jamaica. Jamaica Labor Party win in the September 3rd general election led to the soaring in event On Tuesday. Governor General, sir Patrick Allen, administered the Oath of Allegiance and the Oath of Office to Dr Holness for the fourth time. Hundreds of joyful Jamaicans from adjacent and faraway parishes celebrated the historic event. After the resignation of former Prime Minister Bruce Golding, holness was sworn in at the age of 39 in 2011. Dr Holness was Prime Minister from October 2011 to January 2012. He then won the 2016, 2020, and 2025 elections for three terms.

Speaker 2:

In his first address to the people, dr Andrew Holness said this government's goal in the next chapter is to boost economic growth to bring every Jamaican home out of poverty. Jamaica can and will overcome absolute poverty with sustained economic growth and will overcome absolute poverty with sustained economic growth, dr Holness said. The rise will affect agriculture, health, tourism, human capital and technology. Dr Holness stressed the importance of making Jamaica's global influence an economic pillar. He said the next chapter of Jamaica's journey must be about turning this unmatched global influence into an economic pillar. Creative industries like music, cinema, fashion, art and sports will thrive as we elevate them. Our culture is already consumed by the world. We must cherish it, invest in it and respect it as Jamaica's greatest export. And here's our final note.

Speaker 2:

Grenadian-born Jillian Joseph is excited to release her debut children's book, tyree and the Not-So-Green Monkey, internationally on October 7, 2025. 2025. This lively picture book has fun, learning and adventure in a tropical setting that honors Caribbean storytelling for children ages two to five. Tyree and the Not-So-Green Monkey follows young Tyree, a dedicated adventurer, searching for the green monkeys. Children discover sandy beaches, lush gardens and unexpected encounters, making every page a fun way to count, spot, color and learn. Joseph, who moved from Grenada to the United States at age 16, earned a master's degree and has authored the book as a part of her Jillian Journal series, which encourages inquiry, cultural pride and study. Tyree and the Not-So-Green Monkeys will at wwwjillianjournalcom. That's wwwjillianjournalcom.

Speaker 2:

This podcast has been brought to you by 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. This has been your Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup, episode 4, for the week of September 15th. A special greeting goes out to our listeners in Guyana, north Carolina and Canada. Listeners in Guyana, north Carolina and Canada. Thanks for listening and do spread the word and share our podcast with others across the region and the diaspora.

Speaker 1:

I'm Keisha Blyden. See you next time. 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.