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GOVT. SIGNS US$50 MILLION MOU TO STRENGTHEN BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT

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KINGSTON, Sept. 24 (Jamaica Information Service): Government has signed a US$50 million Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the World Bank, to strengthen the business environment in Jamaica to enable further private sector investment.

The loan agreement was signed by Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips and Senior Private Sector Development Specialist with the World Bank, Thomas Vis, during the launch of the programme at the Mona Visitors’ Lodge on September 24.

The initiative, which has been dubbed the Foundations for Competitiveness and Growth project, will be implemented by the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) over a six-year period from August 2014 to June 2020.
Dr. Phillips said the project will enhance competition in the business environment, facilitate strategic private investments and support Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

The Minister informed that the project will also provide resources for private businesses to undertake pre-feasibility studies in relation to strategic investment projects that are to be implemented.
“It will also facilitate the development of technical studies for critical sectors that the country may choose to emphasise as part of its growth strategy,” he said.

Dr. Phillips noted that in this vein there is a need to explore much further, the global dynamics of the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry, pointing out that this is an area where Jamaica can make a significant mark. “This is an area where we can put tens of thousands of Jamaicans to work,” he argued.

For his part, Mr. Thomas said the project represents an element in a larger partnership between the Government of Jamaica and the World Bank, and is aimed at advancing the prospects for growth, as the country goes through a strenuous economic reform programme that forms part of the agreement with the IMF.

Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Vivian Brown, said a part of the Government’s role, as it strives for greater economic growth and job creation, is to facilitate and enable private investment, both domestic and overseas, in the Jamaican economy.

“It is our belief that this project will support that strategy,” the Permanent Secretary added.
Director General of the PIOJ, Colin Bullock, said under the project, new and existing businesses will benefit from streamlined regulations and processes, opportunities for public-private partnerships as well as training and access to financing.

“It is a timely initiative, as there are investment opportunities available to the private sector, which can be facilitated by enhancement of the business environment,” he noted.
Mr. Bullock said the project seamlessly aligns with the Government’s growth agenda and directly supports the achievement of goal three of the National Development Plan, Vision 2030, which is to make “Jamaica’s economy prosperous.”

Chief Executive Officer, Private Sector Organization of Jamaica, Dennis Chung, said the private sector strongly welcomes the initiative, noting that “it will finally allow us to tackle critical areas affecting our ability to be competitive and grow the economy.”
He emphasised that sustainable economic growth is only possible with the growth of the SME sector, where new innovations tend to be created.

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Bahamas News

Royal Bahamas Police Force – ARRAIGNMENT NOTICE

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The Bahamas, August 27, 2026 – The Royal Bahamas Police Force wishes to inform members of the public that several individuals are scheduled to appear before the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 27th August 2026, at 12:00 noon.

The individuals and charges are as follows:

An 18-year-old female is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:

Three (3) counts of Murder
Three (3) counts of Attempted Murder
Three (3) counts of Possession of a Firearm with Intent to Endanger Life
Three (3) counts of Possession of an Unlicensed Firearm
Two (2) counts of Possession of Ammunition
Armed Robbery
Abetment to Armed Robbery
Stealing
Receiving

The charges stem from three separate shooting incidents and an armed robbery that occurred on Friday, 21st August 2026, and Saturday, 22nd August 2026.

The first shooting occurred in the area of Soldier Road and Baillou Hill Road, resulting in the death of a 51-year-old male.

The second shooting occurred in the area of Joe Farrington Road, resulting in the death of a 52-year-old male.

The third shooting occurred in the area of Gladstone Road, resulting in the death of a 36-year-old male.

The armed robbery occurred at a business establishment in the area of Carmichael Road and Baillou Hill Road.

A 21-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on one charge of:

  • Murder

The charge stems from a shooting incident that occurred on Tuesday, 21st July 2026, in the area of Samson Street, Nassau Village, which resulted in the death of a 28-year-old male.

A 32-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:

  • Murder
  • Attempted Murder

These charges stem from a shooting incident that occurred on Wednesday, 24th December 2025, in the area of Graham Drive, Yellow Elder, which resulted in the death of a 25-year-old male.

 

RBPF, PACD

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Saunders Tells Caribbean Media: Be Seen, Be Heard – But What About TCI

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by Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

 

PROVIDENCIALES, TCI — In a country where government press conferences are virtually non-existent, ministers are often difficult for journalists to access and regular broadcast television news has disappeared, TCI Innovation, Technology and Energy Minister E. Jay Saunders has challenged Caribbean media to become “impossible to ignore.”

Speaking at the Caribbean Broadcasting Union gathering, Saunders argued that the Caribbean does not have a relevance problem but a “discoverability and positioning problem.”

Discoverability is precisely the issue in Saunders’ home country. Even Government’s own attempts at video news broadcasting have struggled against the realities of consistently producing a daily, weekly or even monthly newscast.

The difficulties confronting TCI media extend well beyond algorithms: limited advertising revenue, underfunding, shortages of trained professionals and insufficient human capacity leave newsrooms struggling for both staff and stamina.

Then there is the reality of operating in one of the region’s smallest societies. Politicians, journalists, advertisers, businesses and the subjects of stories often exist within the same tight economic and social circles. A controversial report that might create a ripple elsewhere can produce a tsunami in TCI, intensifying concerns among journalists about commercial and professional victimisation.

Saunders believes AI can help.

He urged Caribbean media to use the technology to transform one original story into television, radio, web, podcast, social and translated content without multiplying newsroom workload.

He also wants regional journalism structured so AI systems can find, understand and trust Caribbean sources, moving media beyond traditional SEO into Answer Engine Optimisation.

His ultimate message was emphatic: “Use AI not to make Caribbean media more artificial — but to make Caribbean voices more visible.”

For Turks and Caicos media, however, becoming visible may require more than technology. It requires an environment in which journalism can survive.

That last sentence is where I think we land the plane. It acknowledges that EJ actually has some us

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Bahamas News

Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday

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Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.

Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.

According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.

The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.

Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.

However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.

The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.

PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band

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