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JAMAICA: Melissa Preddie Turns Plastic Bottles Into Gold

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#Kingston, February 28, 2019 – Jamaica – It is said that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.  This is true for entrepreneur Melissa Preddie, who has created a successful jewellery business by recycling plastic bottles.

Hair accessories were among the first items Aviola Accessories made utilising plastic bottles.

It was in 2012, after finding herself unemployed, that she thought of utilising the empty containers, which she had saved over time, to create items that persons would love and, hopefully, purchase.  

“I got the idea to do some research and see what I could come up with.  I started out making hair accessories, and then the demand for jewellery started, so I diverted to jewellery and now I am also doing art pieces,” Miss Preddie tells JIS News.  Out of ingenuity and creativity, her business, Aviola Accessories, was born.

Through the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC), Miss Preddie received a $60,000 grant, which she used to purchase materials, tools and equipment to start the jewellery line, and assistance to speed up production.

“I later became an affiliate with the Social Development Commission (SDC), and they helped with marketing and promotion. Whenever they would have outings in the Mandeville community where I am from, they would call me and I would go and set up (displays), so that persons could see what innovative ideas can come from just about anything,” Miss Preddie tells JIS News.

Penholder made by Aviola Accessories.

Through the SDC’s Local Economic Development Support Programme (LEDSP), she also benefited from a $50,000 grant and was able to grow her business even more.  She moved Aviola Accessories from Manchester to St. Andrew to better serve the growing customer base in the Corporate Area.

SDC Local Economic Development Coordinator for the parishes of Manchester and St. Elizabeth, Damian Lowe, says Aviola Accessories was among enterprises that received business development coaching.  He says that the small business stood out because “here is a young person taking up the mantle of not only looking about a business but caring for the environment”.

“Therefore, we wanted to be a part of this journey, through our Local Economic Development Support Programme,” he tells JIS News.

Aviola Accessories is now an LEDSP ambassador, and Miss Preddie will be sharing her story and experience in a more organsied and meaningful way to other aspiring business owners or persons, who are just starting a business.

“We are going to create a platform for a bigger buzz around Aviola Accessories, so that a greater audience can be reached, but also so that she can give back,” Mr. Lowe says.

Miss Preddie says being an LEDSP ambassador “is a wonderful feeling. I was ecstatic when I was told. It is a feeling of accomplishment at the same time, because when I started Aviola I didn’t foresee any of this happening, so to be chosen is really humbling”.

Aviola Accessories’ intricate jewellery, including earrings, bracelets, necklaces and rings, which can be customised, and art pieces, can be viewed on the business’ Facebook and Instagram pages under the same name.

Over the years, the company’s clientele has grown from women, who love jewellery and art, to now include men and anyone interested in environmentally friendly items. 

“I use the plastic bottles to make faux stones for the jewelry,” Ms. Preddie explains to JIS News.

She notes that “four years ago it was a challenge to convert buyers and sell the idea to them to buy sustainable and recyclable as opposed to buying precious stones. Fast forward to now, persons are now gravitating towards eco-friendly products. They are going green and it’s not just a thing, it’s a lifestyle. That is what my brand now promotes through its core values of lifestyle, environment and empowerment”.

Aviola Accessories also has corporate customers, including the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters’ Association (JMEA) for which it created a line of penholders utilsing plastic bottles and wood, and Couples Resorts, for which the business will be manufacturing eco-friendly jewellery in 2019. 

With no formal training in jewellery-making, Miss Preddie attributes her creativity to her late parents and grandmother. It was after her father’s passing that she learned of his own creative skills in upcycling glass bottles to create lanterns.  She pays homage to them through her brand, Aviola, which is an amalgam of all their names.


These lightweight Yolandé earrings are a popular item among Aviola Accessories customers.

As Miss Preddie looks to expand her business, she is hoping to carve out a niche in the corporate gifts and home décor markets.  She also wants Aviola Accessories to be seen as an environmental advocate.

“We want to move to the point where we are partnering with local, like-minded organisations such as the Jamaica Environment Trust to push the awareness of recycling to another level.  We see ourselves as advocates for recycling, not just locally but overseas.  We want to make people aware that even though there are other options, sustainability is the way to go because we have to preserve our environment in order for us to enjoy our planet earth that we love so much,” she tells JIS News.

By Charnele Henry

Release: JIS

Photo Caption: Chief Executive Officer and Creative Director of Aviola Accessories, Melissa Preddie, at a recent Social Development Commission (SDC) Farmers Fest in Mandeville, Manchester.

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Mottley Sworn in After Historic Clean Sweep in Barbados Election

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Barbados, February 12, 2026 – Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley was this afternoon officially sworn in for a third consecutive term, hours after delivering one of the most emphatic election victories in Caribbean political history — another complete capture of all 30 seats in Barbados’ House of Assembly.

The ceremony, conducted by President His Excellency Lt. Col. The Most Honourable Jeffrey Bostic, marked the formal start of a new administration following the February 11, 2026 general election, which returned the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) to power with a renewed and overwhelming mandate.

In a statement after taking the oath, Mottley said she accepted the responsibility “with humility and resolve,” thanking the people of Barbados for placing their trust in her leadership once again and urging national unity as her government begins its new term. Attorney Wilfred Abrahams was also sworn in as Attorney General.

The result is historic not only for its scale but for its consistency. This is the third straight general election in which the BLP has won every constituency, reinforcing Mottley’s dominance in national politics and extending an unmatched era of one-party control in the modern democratic period.

Voting day unfolded under the watch of a CARICOM Election Observation Mission, led by Antigua and Barbuda’s Supervisor of Elections Ian Hughes and supported by senior electoral officials from Belize and Jamaica. The team engaged key institutions ahead of the poll and monitored the process across the island.

Regional leaders were swift in their congratulations.

Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali described the outcome as “emphatic and historic,” saying the clean sweep reflected how deeply Mottley’s leadership has connected with Barbadians and expressing optimism about strengthening ties between the two countries.

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness also hailed the victory, noting that her re-election provides an opportunity to deepen cooperation within CARICOM and advance shared regional priorities.

The scale of the win again leaves Barbados without a parliamentary opposition, a reality that has become a defining feature of the political landscape since 2018. Supporters argue the repeated mandate reflects public confidence in Mottley’s stewardship of economic reform, climate diplomacy, the transition to a republic, and Barbados’ expanding global influence.

Now, newly sworn in and backed by another unanimous parliamentary majority, Mottley begins a third term with both extraordinary political capital and equally high expectations at home and across the region.

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Liberty Caribbean Committed to ‘Elevating Region’ at CANTO  

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Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago

Liberty Caribbean is Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and 42nd AGM

 

Port of Spain, TRININDAD & TOBAGO (February 1, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow. Liberty Business and BTC, has reaffirmed its commitment to turning regional connectivity into measurable economic and social outcomes as Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and its 42nd Annual General Meeting.

CANTO is the leading regional body that brings together telecommunications operators, ICT providers, regulators, governments, and industry partners to support the development of the Caribbean’s digital and communications landscape.

Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago delivered the sponsor’s address on behalf of Liberty Caribbean.

“The work of laying fibre and lighting towers is done; connectivity is now our foundation,” she said.

“The real task before us is to translate that foundation into innovation, productivity and prosperity for our people. Intelligent connectivity, such as networks designed for 5G, AI and IoT, will be the platform for smarter public services, more resilient systems and scaled opportunities for Caribbean entrepreneurs.”

Martin-Sulgan emphasised that infrastructure alone will not deliver sustainable progress.

“Digital progress must become digital prosperity. That means creating career pathways for young people, helping local businesses scale and ensuring citizens across our communities can fully participate in the digital economy. A connected Caribbean should also be a confident, creative and globally competitive Caribbean,” she said.

Liberty Caribbean is represented by a senior delegation at CANTO Connect to support the conference objectives of aligning policy, investment and execution across the region under this year’s theme ‘Elevate the Caribbean – From Connectivity to Global Competitiveness’.

Liberty Caribbean’s delegation includes Inge Smidts, Chief Executive Officer; Desron Bynoe, VP and General Manager, Flow Barbados; Susanna O’Sullivan, VP and General Manager, North Caribbean; Marilyn Sealy, Senior Director, Head of Communications; Dominic Boon, VP, People; Daniel Neiva, Chief Commercial Officer, B2B; Bradley Ramcharan, Director, B2B, Trinidad & Tobago; Yolande Headley, Country Manager, Dutch East Caribbean; and Jade Reymond, Country Manager, Flow Anguilla.

Martin-Sulgan thanked CANTO’s local secretariat for convening the forum and urged delegates to convert conversation into action.

“If we align policy, capital and capability, the Caribbean can move from connectivity to competitiveness. Liberty Caribbean will continue to invest in resilient networks, nurture homegrown talent and partner to deliver measurable social and economic value across our markets,” she said.

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Adam Stewart named CNW’s Businessman/Philanthropist of the Year for 2025

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Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts, Adam Stewart, has been named Businessman/Philanthropist of the Year for 2025 by the regional news publication, Caribbean National Weekly (CNW).

The publication recognised Stewart for his leadership in hospitality, his ongoing investments in regional tourism, his steady crisis response and his philanthropic work throughout what it described as a year filled with both remarkable achievements and significant challenges.

CNW highlighted how 2025 saw industry recognition for Stewart, major announcements of multimillion‑dollar developments across his all‑inclusive luxury resort brands and an invitation to join the prestigious Wall Street Journal CEO Council.

But the publication said his impact extended well beyond business milestones.

“In 2025, the Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts didn’t just guide his iconic hospitality empire through crisis – he used its scale and influence to help shape Jamaica’s rebound and lay groundwork for future regional growth,” CNW wrote.

The defining moment, it said, came in late October when Hurricane Melissa caused severe damage to parts of Jamaica’s tourism infrastructure. Stewart responded by leading transparent communication with global travel advisors, partners and team members, and made a landmark pledge, that 100 per cent of Sandals and Beaches employees would remain on payroll and receive Christmas bonuses, even at resorts temporarily closed for extensive restoration and upgrades. The company also committed more than US$3 million in staff recovery aid, providing direct support to families affected by the storm.

CNW further highlighted the work of the Sandals Foundation under Stewart’s guidance, noting record levels of community engagement and targeted disaster‑recovery support in healthcare, livelihoods and the environment.

In response to the honour, Stewart said he was “deeply humbled” to receive the Businessman/Philanthropist of the Year recognition and expressed his gratitude to his teams and partners for their dedication during an extraordinary year.

“This award reflects far more than any one individual. It is a direct result of people showing up every day for their communities and believing business is a force for good. It belongs to the extraordinary teams who carry our shared vision forward – especially the Sandals Foundation, whose work continues to create lasting change across education, health care, disaster relief and environmental stewardship,” Stewart stated.

“To every colleague and partner who helps bring this mission to life – thank you for your commitment, heart and belief.”

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