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JAMAICA: Prime Minister Breaks Ground for New US $250-Million Hotel in Trelawny

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#MontegoBay, February 8, 2019 – Jamaica – Ground was broken for the new Ocean Coral Spring Hotel in Falmouth, Trelawny, on February 6 by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness.  The US$250-million project is being undertaken by the Spanish hotel chain, H10, and will include construction of 1,000 new rooms, 500 of which are expected to be completed by the end of the year. The chain also has 50 hotels in 18 other destinations.

In his address, the Prime Minister commended the Spanish hotel chain for its investment, calling it a major boost for tourism and a testament to the Government’s glowing economic policies.

“One of the most important things that any Government can do is to create the regulatory environment where businesses can make decisions,” Mr. Holness said.

“This Government has created a fiscal environment that is certain.  You know that when you make your investment here, you are not at a risk of unplanned and unexpected taxes,” he added.

Mr. Holness said Jamaica’s economic climate is now on such solid ground that there are many new projects in the pipeline as well as many more on the horizon.

“We have many projects that are now under consideration. These projects come across my desk and we are trying to move them through very quickly.  Still much more work needs to be done at the regulatory and approval levels to ensure that we get projects through.  Even though we are amazed at the speed of these projects, you would be even more amazed at what is in the pipeline,” he noted.

The Prime Minister said that while the Government must at all times be in full compliance with the law, it also has a responsibility to ensure that projects are not being unnecessarily delayed.  He said the Government must find a balance in complying with rules and regulations, while delivering results in a timely fashion.

“Jamaica is at the stage where it has to refine its ability… its skill… its dexterity in meeting compliance issues, but at the same time getting results quickly,” Mr. Holness emphasised.

“This is why I am making the commitment to the country that the reforms that we are doing in Government will ensure that you have an agile and dexterous Government that will be both compliant with the rules and regulations but at the same time delivering results as quickly as possible,” he added.

The Prime Minister said the Government cannot allow itself to be an impediment to business, but must, instead, fulfil its role in removing “all the blockages” to ensure that the projects “can flow through”.  He further pointed out that the Government’s strategy has always been to improve on the micro economy, where full attention is paid to getting projects off the ground.

“A big part of it is to pay attention to the speed of business… how fast can we make this project happen…from conception to cutting the ribbon,” Mr. Holness said.

“The Government’s role is, therefore, very critical, and this is why I was so happy to hear the developers commend JAMPRO and the other agencies, as well as Minister Daryl Vaz and the facilitating role played by the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, in getting this project off the ground,” he noted.

 

Release: JIS

Contact: Garwin Davis

Header: Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (fourth left),  breaks ground for the new Ocean Coral Spring Hotel in Falmouth, Trelawny, on February 6.  Also participating (from left) are  Director of Projects, H10 Hotels, Gustavo Arroyo;  Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Shahine Robinson;  Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett;  Director of International Division, H10 Hotels, Antonio Hernandez; and Minister without Portfolio, Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation,  Hon. Daryl Vaz. (Photo: Ministry of Tourism)

Insert: Prime Minister, the Most Hon.  Andrew Holness (left), is greeted by Director of International Division, H10 Hotels, Antonio Hernandez (right), on his arrival for the official ceremony to break ground for the new Ocean Coral Spring Hotel, in Trelawny, on February 6. Sharing the moment are Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (second left) and Director of Projects, H10 Hotels, Gustavo Arroyo. (Photo: Rudranath Frazer)

 

 

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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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