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Honeyvera Expects Big Returns from Expo Jamaica

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By: Rochelle Williams

 

 

#Kingson, May 5, 2023 – Founder and Chief Executive Officer of HoneyVera Limited, Christal-Ann Thompson, is anticipating big returns from participating in the just-concluded Expo Jamaica 2023.

It was the second time that the eight-year-old organic skin and haircare company was exhibiting at the tradeshow that allows Jamaican businesses to connect with buyers from all over the globe.

This year’s event was held over four days, from April 27 to 30, at the National Indoor Sports Centre and the National Arena in Kingston.

Noting that the company has reaped dividends from its initial participation in the show in 2018, Ms. Thompson tells JIS News that the exposure and  contacts made were invaluable in increasing sales, particularly in the international market.

“We have been growing and we are grateful and thankful to God for the growth. This event has helped tremendously, especially with the export market,” she says.

“At our last expo, we got [into] four stores in the United States (US) from a buyer that came, and we still have those stores now and they are doing very well, so… it goes beyond the days that we are here. It is an awesome event, and it is a good investment for entrepreneurs,” she tells JIS News.

She notes that HoneyVera is looking to expand its international reach and so far, there has been interest from buyers in the United Kingdom (UK) and the US.

“The buyers bring your products into a chain of supermarkets, beauty stores, and that is even bigger than making a one-day sale. That has been my experience,” she says.

“We want to quadruple what we did before. We definitely want to expand our market overseas, and so we are looking forward to the buyers,” she says.

Ms. Thompson was excited to participate in the 2023 staging of Expo Jamaica, which returned after a two-year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

She tells JIS News that during the period of the pandemic, the company saw an increase in business, particularly online.

“I thought I was going to have to find something else to do because I was like ‘Lord have mercy, nobody naah go buy nuh hair products now’. But people were buying the products. We did a lot of shipping. People from overseas did a lot of buying. Our website sales went up,” she notes.

She says that at the onset of the pandemic, the company was preparing to launch a hand sanitiser and was able to corner the market at a time when local supplies of the product were short.

“COVID had just hit, and the companies were not ready with their hand sanitisers. However, we were actually going to push out hand sanitisers prior to the pandemic, so we had everything ready. When some of the companies were out of ingredients out here, we had it in stock… .  We were already prepared, and that is what gave us a big boost during COVID.  We sold to companies that do maintenance for [commercial enterprises], supermarkets, schools, gas stations, hotels. It helped us greatly,” she says.

Ms. Thompson is encouraging other small businesses to participate in Expo Jamaica whenever it is held.

“Sometimes it’s not about making the money. When you look at the booth cost, the value that you get with it far outweighs the cost… .  Brand awareness is always very important,” she says, noting that the invaluable exposure and partnerships gained through the Expo have the potential to launch small businesses to the next level.

Even with the risks and uncertainties associated with entrepreneurship, Ms. Thompson says the experience is rewarding.

Since its inception, HoneyVera has expanded its range of skin and haircare products from eight to 42.

The company is committed to producing 100 per cent organic products, which it grows or sources directly from local farmers.

“Owning HoneyVera is exciting, to be honest. I would tell anybody entrepreneurship is the way to go but you have to be determined to stick to it and be willing to fall, but when you rise, you’re like a phoenix,” she says.

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Caribbean News

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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Caribbean News

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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Caribbean News

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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