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Regional Prosperity Attainable in numbers says Presidents of Multi-Lateral Development Banks during CDB’s 52nd Board of Governor’s Meeting

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By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

 

June 17, 2022 – Private sector partnerships are going to be the Caribbean’s saving grace as governments try to make the region the home of choice. This was the perspective of the heads of three major banks at the Caribbean Development Bank’s 2022 staging of their ‘Presidents Chat’, an event bringing together the presidents of multilateral development banks worldwide.

This year the meeting featured: Dr. Gene Leon president of the Caribbean Development Bank; Dr. Werner Hoyer president of the European Investment Bank and Mauricio Claver-Carone President of the Inter-American Development Bank along with past president of the CDB Dr. Warren Smith.

The Moderator of the event Dr. Marion Williams explained why the chat was so important.

“The series is designed to discuss issues in a non-technical manner that is readily accessible to citizens on all our continents,” she said

This year’s focus was on how multilateral development banks could play a catalytic role in finding innovative financing to push the development goals of their member countries, especially from the private sector; basically how to make companies want to invest within their member countries futures.

Most of the goals held by countries around the world stem from the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals including the elimination of poverty, enhancing food security, good health, quality education, climate action, etc. Leon explained the needs of the developing Caribbean states were huge and all of them needed to be tackled because,

“If we don’t do it all we simply cannot achieve the development goals.”

To make the Caribbean region a place of choice Leon said we must achieve four things; water, energy, food and quality of life security.

To meet these goals, the Caribbean had to have three key facilitators:

  • embracing a digital transformation

  • Solving our implementation capacity deficit

  • Strong evidence-based governance

Financing to hit all of these targets was the region’s biggest problem Leon said and ‘Access to Adequate and Affordable Finance’ (#AAAF) was the goal.

“There is no way we can fix a trillion-dollar problem with a million dollars…there is no way we can get there without crowding in [and] partnerships in all areas.”

Hoyer of the EIB lauded the CDB citing its unparalleled experience with development challenges noting that by working together they could “achieve so much more”, especially in climate action.

He stressed that the time for investing in issues like climate change was now or the most vulnerable would suffer.

“The provision of grants and loans is not enough. New financial instruments need to be deployed in order to bring private capital to fund climate action.”

Claver-Carone of the IDB, who is from Miami, describes himself as the closest president to the Caribbean (geographically) in years.

“It was on my agenda to raise the profile of the Caribbean with the bank.” He maintained

Allocations to the six Caribbean countries that the IDB serves have tripled to about $1.2 billion across 16 different projects. He described his relationship with the Caribbean Development Bank as his most important relationship of all as it enabled support to Caribbean countries which are not a part of the IDB.

Claver-Carone reiterated that the financing gaps in the Caribbean and Latin America are too large for taxpayers to handle.

“The recovery of Latin America and the Caribbean will be private sector led… We’re gonna make this the biggest public-private push in the history of the bank.”

Creating a good investment climate is key to achieving more privately-funded financing that the governments in the Caribbean desperately need.

To do this Claver-Carone said stricter regulations, digitized government to promote transparency and more aggressive moves towards garnering private sector investments are the needs for the region.

The IDB President said the Caribbean is viewed globally as a ‘sea of peace’ in comparison to the current state of the rest of the world, maintaining that “We’re gonna turn that peace and tranquility into prosperity.”

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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