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Sandals Resorts CEO Advocates for More Unified Sustainable Energy Policy

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~Gebhard Rainer Says Consolidated Approach Necessary For The Region ~

 

April 20, 2023—Sandals Resorts’ Group Chief Executive Officer, Gebhard Rainer, recently proposed more regional partnerships between governments and the private sector as the key to increasing growth, optimising investment and capital expenditure in the Caribbean. Rainer’s comments come as he prepares for the 15th Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum in Miami, Florida from April 26-28, where he will be a panellist.

“Sandals recognises the impact of climate change on our local economies and as a business leader in the Caribbean, we have incorporated environmental, social, and governance (ESG) programmes throughout our company, playing our part through initiatives such as smart infrastructure and sustainable processes”.  Rainer’s comments come on the heels of his earlier participation at the 2nd Caribbean ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) & Climate Financing Summit held recently in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago.  “This is not an inexpensive undertaking and we have invested millions of dollars in infrastructure to ensure that our carbon footprint is as low as possible. From solar water heaters to the treatment plants at each location that ensure water can be treated and recycled for irrigation; to removing all plastic straws from our resorts and we are currently on a path to eliminate single-use plastics”.

“Even now as we seek to integrate more renewable energy programmes across our resorts, if there is not a robust legislative infrastructure, particularly for subsidies in place, the energy problem will invariably evolve into an energy crisis,” said Mr. Rainer. “We must coordinate our efforts into a regional policy that focuses on both advocacy and legislation as we prepare for further effects of this global phenomenon.”

At the upcoming conference in Miami, Rainer will be among a panel of Caribbean CEOs discussing the effects of distributed electricity generation technologies, ESG implementation, regulatory and legal interventions, as well as productivity and competitive advantages.

“Sandals is a company focused on a green future at all times and we are ensuring that sustainable environmental practices are reflected in all our new projects as we go forward,” said Rainer. “But like most companies we do not exist in a vacuum. Many of the islands we operate in for example, do not have the legislation or the infrastructure to support wide–scale recycling and conservation efforts.”

On the flip side, Rainer also advocated for greater education on the issues of prevention as well as avenues that currently exist.  The resort chain CEO highlighted the work of its philanthropic arm the Sandals Foundation, as a key advocate for waste recycling in the region, extending is efforts to educational campaigns. “Over 95% of our team members are from the communities in which we operate and they in turn transfer such knowledge into actions in their own communities,” Rainer added.

Highlighting one of the Sandals Foundation’s recent programmes, Rainer said, “In Curacao through a local partnership, discarded fishing nets are being recycled to make football goals for local schools. These are some of the simple yet effective ways we are looking to engage communities in safeguarding our future,” said Rainer.

The Sandals Resorts CEO will be joined in the panel discussion by, among others; Anthony Ali, CEO, Goddard Enterprises Limited and Ralph S. Williams, CEO, Williams Industries Inc. The panel discussion will be moderated by Anaitee Mills, Chair of the Jamaica Energy Resilience Alliance and Climate Finance Advisor in the Office of the Prime Minister in Jamaica.

Sandals Resorts International has been a regional voice on climate change preparedness and continues to be recognized by the world’s leading certification, consulting and advisory group for sustainable destinations and tourism organizations, EarthCheck.

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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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