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Jamaica FSC To Stage Financial Forum

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#Jamaica, November 5, 2021 – The Financial Services Commission (FSC) will stage its first ever Financial Forum on Monday, November 8 and November 15, 2021, on the JIS’s website, YouTube and Twitter pages, and on the Jamaica News Network (JNN) from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Director of Stakeholder Engagement, Communication and International Relations at the FSC, David Geddes, told JIS News that the forum will focus on the sectors regulated by the FSC, which are the securities, insurance and private pension bodies.

“The theme, ‘Regulation Facilitating Development’, is designed to look at what regulation has done to help develop Jamaica over the past 20 years. FSC is this year celebrating its 20th anniversary. What the FSC has done, what the industries themselves have done to facilitate development… a lot of people do not know that the securities industry in Jamaica is valued at about 1.9 trillion dollars. That’s a very, very hefty sum of money, so it has helped to create wealth for several persons and we think that more persons can be involved in creating generational wealth,” he said.

Mr. Geddes noted that the FSC decided to stage the Financial Forum so that persons can understand how financial regulation can facilitate the furtherance of socio-economic development at various levels in Jamaica.

“The forum looks at what regulation does and what is happening in the industry.  I must also emphasise that it is not just for our licencees and registrants, it’s for the man in the street who wants to learn more about financial inclusion, financial literacy and how they can create wealth. So, it’s going to be a very interesting forum with many informative presentations.” he told JIS News.

The forum will feature six presenters sharing on various topics.

“David Answer, a communication officer at the FSC, is doing a presentation directly focused at youth and what should be done to get youth involved in planning for their future, retirement and creating wealth. We have a presentation from the Bank of Jamaica, Melanie Williams, who is the head of the Financial Inclusion Secretariat, and she is looking at the issue of financial inclusion and to tie it into the Vision 2030 goals,” Mr. Geddes said.

“We have presentations from the University of Florida. Dr. Mark Jamison is an economist and his

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ties into the theme of the forum, and from that perspective we also expect a presentation from the Executive Director of the Insurance Association of Jamacia, Mr. Orville Johnson, who will be looking at the importance of insurance and how it has contributed to the development of Jamaica and also provide a shield of protection for many persons in Jamacia,” he added.

Rounding out the list of presenters is world-renowned pension reform advocate, attorney-at-law and President of the Pensions Industry Association of Jamaica, Sanya Goffe.  She will be joined by  Steven Gooden, President of the Jamaica Securities Dealers Association, who is renowned for wealth creation, market reform and regulation.

Mr. Geddes is encouraging everyone to tune in to the Financial Forum, as beneficial information will be shared.

“One of the most important things for each person is their financial well-being outside of health. Their financial well-being is of critical importance. If you don’t take care of that, you will find yourselves having several other problems, such as health and mental issues. You find people get depressed when they cannot manage their finances,” he said.

“This forum is going to look at the important decisions that you should make, why you are protected and why it is safe to invest, and of course, our licencees always want to know what their regulator is thinking. For that man, woman and youth in the street, learn about the importance of taking care of your financial self, and the forum will help you to do that,” Mr. Geddes added.

The FSC is mandated to protect the interests of consumers, particularly of non-deposit-taking financial institutions. It is also mandated to promote financial education and financial literacy, so that persons can understand the decisions that they need to make in an increasingly complex environment.

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Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion  

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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

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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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