#KINGSTON, April 28 (JIS): Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, has announced the establishment of a Cabinet-approved multisectoral task force to oversee Jamaica’s economic recovery from the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Speaking at a digital media briefing at
the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) on Monday (April 27), Mr. Holness said
the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Task Force will be chaired by Minister of
Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke, who is one of
several Cabinet members on the team.
Dr. Nigel Clarke, Minister of Finance and the Public Service
The others are Minister of Industry,
Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Audley Shaw; Minister of Tourism,
Hon. Edmund Bartlett; Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Hon. Fayval
Williams; and Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and
Job Creation, Hon. Daryl Vaz.
Advertisement
Other stakeholder members are Port Authority
of Jamaica (PAJ) President and Chief Executive Officer, Professor Gordon
Shirley; National Road Operating and Constructing Company Chief Executive
Officer, Ivan Anderson; Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ)
President, Keith Duncan; Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC) President, Lloyd
Distant Jr.; Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters’ Association (JMEA) President,
Richard Pandohie; and Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) President, Omar
Robinson.
Also on the Task Force are MSME Alliance
President, Donovan Wignall; Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU) President,
Helene Davis-White; Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) President, Lenworth
Fulton; Business Process Industry Association of Jamaica (BPIAJ) President,
Gloria Henry; former PSOJ Presidents, Joseph M. Matalon, Christopher Zacca, and
William Mahfood; gender activist, Nadine Spence; hotelier, Adam Stewart; tourism
attractions operator, John Byles; and member of Partnership for Jamaica,
Professor Alvin Wint.
Mr. Holness said the Task Force’s
establishment follows Cabinet deliberations over the past two weeks on
Jamaica’s recovery from the prevailing and projected economic fallout from
COVID-19.
Advertisement
This, he noted, has become imperative in
light of the fact that “every measure that the Government has put in place to
slow down movement [and further spread of the virus]… every curfew measure,
every stay-at-home measure… slows down our economy”.
“It means that people will be out of
work and out of a job [and] out of income…. frustration grows and then people [will
eventually] say [that] the medicine is worse than the illness,” the Prime
Minister said.
As
such, Mr. Holness emphasised that “we have to figure out how to put in place
measures that slow and control the [COVID-19] spread… whilst, at the same time,
not doing irreparable damage to our economy”.
Against this background, he praised the private
sector for being “an outstanding partner” and “very forthcoming” in wanting to
be a part of the national recovery planning and efforts.
This, Mr. Holness noted, through the
provision of resources and other forms of support to many Jamaicans, citing
their involvement and pivotal role in the national partnership mechanism,
Partnership for Jamaica.
“Last week, I had a discussion with the Partnership
for Jamaica… and they too have said that they would want to play a critical
role. So, the Cabinet has decided to put that mechanism together… now [that]
we’re going to be shifting some attention to the economic recovery,” the Prime
Minister said.
Mr. Holness said, however, that the Task
Force’s engagements will have to be done in conjunction with the Ministry of Health
and Wellness.
This, he indicated, “because all the
economic activities that we are going to do should be viewed through the prism
of the Ministry”.
Doctor’s Cave Beach, Montego Bay, Jamaica
In his remarks, Dr. Clarke said he is “highly
confident” that the Task Force “will be able to put together the contours
around Jamaica’s economic recovery”.
Reiterating the health and economic
impact and implications associated with COVID-19, he emphasised that “we want
to make sure that the decisions that are made… don’t have long-term or
permanent economic damage”.
“We want to ensure that we can always
recover economically… even [as] we [are instituting measures] to deal with the
health effect of the crisis,” the Minister said.
Additionally, Dr. Clarke said “we want
to position ourselves to be able to take advantage of the opportunities that a
post-covid-19 global economy offers as well as to ensure that we take account
of the realities of post-covid-19”.
Magnetic Media is a Telly Award winning multi-media company specializing in creating compelling and socially uplifting TV and Radio broadcast programming as a means for advertising and public relations exposure for its clients.
Port of Spain, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (February 24, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, recently served as Gold-Level Partner of the two-day Trinidad and Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF), themed “The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience”.
The Digital Divide is of particular interest to Liberty Caribbean and is being addressed through its Charitable Foundation across the region. Low broadband penetration in the Caribbean contributes to diminished opportunities for individuals, communities, and local economies, but with the support of funding partners, this gap can be addressed through a comprehensive programme – JUMP – that focuses on providing access, devices, and digital skills.
“Liberty Caribbean was proud to serve as Gold-Level Partner of the TTIGF because the conversations taking place here shape key digital policies for multiple stakeholders,” said Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad.
“As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, we must ensure that innovation strengthens our societies rather than fragments them. The theme, ‘The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience,’ speaks directly to the work we do every day: building networks that are not only fast and reliable, but secure, inclusive and future-ready.”
Across the Caribbean, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing barriers to equitable growth. Low broadband penetration limits access to education, entrepreneurship and essential services, and that is why we are deeply committed to closing this gap.
Through the Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation and initiatives like the JUMP Programme, the company is expanding access to technology, affordable connectivity and digital skills training so that individuals and communities are empowered to participate fully in the digital economy.
Martin-Sulgan further stated “at Liberty Caribbean, we believe progress and responsibility must move in lock step. By investing in resilient networks, inclusive programmes and trusted partnerships, we are helping to build a Caribbean that is innovative, secure and prepared for the opportunities ahead.”
Topics covered during the Forum, with over 140 participants, included “Securing Critical Infrastructure”, Integrating AI into Digital Transformation”, “The Digital Divide”, The Human Cost of Innovation – Mental Health and Well-being in the Digital Age’, and AI, Cyber Resilience and Regional Innovation”.
Focused on the underlying mandate of the Conference theme thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and community stakeholders were invited to explore how countries can evolve boldly without compromising values or long-term stability.
Photo Caption:
TTIGF – l-r Darren Campo, Regulatory & Compliance Officer; Yolande Agard-Simmons, Senior Manager Communications; and Kevon Swift, Senior Manager Government and Regulatory Affairs of Flow Trinidad in attendance at the Post Event Mixer at Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s Head Office in St Clair, Port of Spain
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.
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.