Category: CANA News

President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons says the health care sector in Suriname has ‘deteriorated significantly’ in recent years outlining new initiatives to help reverse the situation.

‘Without a healthy population, a country cannot develop. Our goal is a healthcare system that not only responds to illness but actively protects and promotes health,’ President Geerlings-Simons said in her first annual address to Parliament.

President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons addressing Parliament

‘Health is not a privilege, but a right,’ she said, indicating that the health agenda for 2026 and 2027 would focus on prevention and primary care, digital care and data collection, healthcare financing and the State Health Insurance Fund among other areas.

‘Our Suriname, with its small population, carries a heavy disease burden, largely caused by non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, cancer, and chronic respiratory diseases. But also communicable diseases, including HIV. Diseases that have long been under control elsewhere in the world,’ President Geerlings-Simons said.

She told legislators that these diseases claim the most lives in the country, putting a heavy burden on the economy, reiterating that prevention will be central to the implementation of government policy, ‘especially because prevention and the quality of care have deteriorated significantly during the past term’.

The head of state spoke of the high rates of suicide, domestic violence, and femicide in the Dutch-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country, announcing national programmes to break down stigmas and expand mental health care.

In addition, additional investments are being made in prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal care to reduce the high maternal and infant mortality rates.

She said Suriname is accelerating the implementation of electronic patient records, telehealth, and e-prescriptions and that space is also being created for traditional and alternative medicine, provided it is properly regulated and securely integrated into the system.

The president also acknowledged the significant outflow of doctors and nurses, promising improved working conditions, career development, and collaboration with friendly countries to temporarily deploy foreign medical personnel.

During her address, President Geerlings-Simons said that the government will activate a national housing fund in 2026.

‘Housing, as previously stated, is not only an economic sector, but also of great social importance. Especially during the period when oil revenues start coming in, land and housing will become more expensive.

‘Therefore, a special program will be needed to provide Surinamese people with access to housing during that period as well,’ Geerlings-Simons told legislators.

The Guyana government has unveiled a new plan aimed at stemming the outflow of United States currency that has now almost quadrupled over the past year to about US$1.2 billion.

A statement issued by the Office of the President, Dr Irfaan Ali said the new measures would require importers to provide their invoice, bill of lading and Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) compliance to commercial banks before payments are released.

‘The implementation of these nine Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) is designed to tighten foreign exchange controls, improve transparency, and prevent abuse of the system, especially in the context of rising demand and capital flight,’ the statement said.

The government is also mandating commercial banks to monitor credit card usage to ensure they are being used for personal rather than business transactions, with the government noting a sharp escalation in credit card usage as part of the broader concerns regarding foreign exchange outflows.

In 2023, total credit card clearance stood at approximately US$91.3 million, surging to US$347.5 million last year.

The government said that in 2025, the amount has already reached close to US$252 million, signalling continued high-volume activity.

‘We’ve also noticed massive growth in credit card transactions. We’re now examining that growth, profiling that growth to see whether personal credit cards are used to clear business transactions and in what volume, because this is important for us to understand,’ the statement said.

Providing statistics showing the Central Bank’s intervention in the foreign exchange market, the government said last year, US$332 million was provided to meet foreign exchange demand, rising to US$1.2 billion so far this year, with an additional US$160 million still pending.

The government said that the new initiatives were made following a meeting with several stakeholders of the financial sector, including the Governor of the Bank of Guyana , Dr Gobin Ganga, GRA Commissioner-General, Godfrey Statia, and representatives of commercial banks operating in Guyana. Also attending the meeting was Minister of the Public Service and Government Efficiency, Zulfikar Ally.

He government said that an interagency Task Force, including technical support, was convened to comprehensively review the increase in demand for foreign exchange.

According to the government the nine point plan includes any request for foreign exchange by any customer to commercial banks for the importation of goods to Guyana would require the customer to provide the commercial bank with a copy of the commercial invoice on the basis of which the commercial bank may release the foreign exchange to the said customer.

*Any customer that submits a request for foreign exchange upon the arrival of the goods in Guyana will have to submit a copy of the invoice and Bill of Lading to GRA. The documents will also have to be submitted to the commercial bank for verification.

*If a customer fails to submit the certified copy of the invoice and Bill of Lading, as well as a GRA compliance to the commercial bank, the Bank shall not release the request for the foreign exchange.

*The commercial banks will submit copies of the Bill of Lading and the commercial invoice to the Bank of Guyana for further verification. This will be supported by the setting up of a system at the BoG (Bank of Guyana) where all records from the commercial banks, GRA and other relevant stakeholders will be reconciled.

*To monitor the use of credit cards more closely, each commercial bank will have to ensure that personal credit cards are used strictly for personal transactions and not for the settling of business obligations.

*In cases where there are related party transactions and inflated invoicing for capital flights (the rapid outflow of capital and liquid assets from a country), the entities found responsible will be penalised.

*In cases where foreign exchange in the form of currency is being taken out of Guyana, the source of the currency will have to be declared.

*Entities registered in Guyana under the local content laws that are providing services for the oil and gas sector must maintain a local bank account in which the foreign currency earnings shall be remitted into the said bank account. The local content legislation will be amended to reflect this.

* A single window post-clearing system will be established at the Central Bank, through which reconciliation and prior transactions between GRA, commercial banks and the Central Bank will be completed before new requests are facilitated.

The statement said that during the meeting, the representatives of the commercial banks expressed their support for these measures, which they acknowledged will ease some of the difficulties they currently face.

The following is the CANANews and SPORTS Schedule for Wednesday, October 1, 2025.

HAMILTON – National Security Minister, Michael Weeks, warned that he could not ‘overstate the seriousness’ of the threat posed by Hurricane Imelda as it moves closer towards Bermuda on Wednesday with maximum sustained winds of 90 miles per hour (mph).

BRIDGETOWN – Prime Minister Mia Mottley says Barbados will ‘open our doors with order and with pride’ as Barbados joins three other Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries in fully implementing free movement of their nationals among themselves from today.

GEORGETOWN – The Guyana government has unveiled a new plan aimed at stemming the outflow of United States currency that has now almost quadrupled over the past year to about US$1.2 billion.

BELMOPAN – The Belize government says it has received a report into the alleged kidnapping of a Belizean and his surrender to Guatemalan authorities in August.

WASHINGTON – The United States has announced support for the Trinidad and Tobago government’s Dragon gas proposal with Venezuela saying it will take ‘steps to ensure it will not provide significant benefit to the Maduro regime’.

KINGSTON – Chairman of the 15-member regional integration grouping, CARICOM, Prime Minister Andrew Holness, has welcomed the decision of the United Nations Security Council to back a resolution authorising the transition of the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission for Haiti into a new Gang Suppression Force (GSF).

SPORTS:

ADMEDABAD – West Indies Test captain Roston Chase believes that heading into their two-match Test series against India as an underdog and ‘with nothing to lose’ will make them a very dangerous outfit.

DUBAI – West Indies stand in T20I captain, Akeal Hosein has urged fans not to lose hope in the regional team following their shocking 2-1 loss to Nepal in their just concluded T20I series.

Financial constraints have forced Cricket West Indies (CWI) to significantly alter and in some instances cut some of their regional competitions next year.

This was revealed on Wednesday by CWI’s chief executive officer, Chris Dehring and Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe, who both admitted that 2026 would be a challenging year for the region’s governing cricket body with its revenue expected to drop significantly.

Among some of the casualties is CWI’s Under-17 tournament, which has been scrapped, the women’s tournaments will be merged, while the Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) and the West Indies Academy have been axed from the men’s tournaments.

Speaking during CWI’s quarterly press conference, Dehring said CWI was scheduled to host over 33 events next year, including tours of Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Pakistan.

He explained that based on the financial model of the ICC, the West Indies was not set to benefit from hosting either of the three tours.

Dehring said with the profits from co-hosting the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup already gone, tough decisions had to be made in CWI’s best interest.

‘We have to take an honest look at ourselves and understand that we’re not going to get out of where we are without a long-term vision, a long-term plan, and an execution of those plans based on the resources that we have.

‘.The year 2025-2026 is going to be a very challenging financial year for us,’ Dehring said.

From left: CWI chief executive officer Chris Dehring; CWI president Dr Kishore Shallow and Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe at CWIs quarterly press conference.

‘.When we host countries like India or England, we are able to hold our head above water because those tours tend to pay for themselves, international broadcast rights for the television products that we produce help us to fund all the development programmes, all the tournaments that we host every year

‘When we have to host Sri Lanka, Pakistan and New Zealand, as much as we enjoy playing the cricket against them, hosting those teams come with a financial price. It’s a price we have to pay to keep our seat at the head table at the ICC and retain our Full Membership, so we have to host these tours, they are a part of the Future Tours programme that we agreed to.

‘But we’re not going to be able to recoup even the television production costs of those tours, much less make a profit to pay for all the developmental tournaments. People don’t appreciate the number of events and tournaments that CWI hosts. We host over 33 events next year, tours, tournaments, overseas tours, domestic leagues, training camps and that is slightly reduced because we’ve had to make some fairly significant changes to those tournaments and tours, simply because we’re not going to have the cash,’ he further added.

Dehring said CWI has formulated a ‘four-pronged’ attack aimed at addressing those financial issues, which included continued lobbying with the ICC to restructure its financial model, reengineering its domestic tournaments, working closer with CARICOM and getting more financial support from companies in the Caribbean.

As it relates to changes in regional tournaments, Bascombe said there would be a reduction in the number of matches across competitions, with the CCC and WI Academy also being removed.

He said the women’s tournaments would see the ODI and T20 formats being merged into a singular tournament.

Bascombe said with the Under-17 tournament being withdrawn, there would be an extended Under-19 tournament, with players being exposed to both the red and white ball format.

Despite the major cutbacks, he said cricketers in the region would still have more than enough opportunities to showcase their skills and vie for places in the West Indies teams.

‘The changes to these tournaments, though forced, we have tried to ensure that there is enough cricket that we can have a good account of our player pool.

‘Players have enough time and opportunity to give a good account of themselves and make themselves eligible for selection to West Indies teams,’ Bascombe said.

The Barbados government has hinted at the possibility of changes being made to the Economic Substance Act changing the number of the ways in which the island moves from being a nominal tax jurisdiction to being a preferential tax jurisdiction

Energy and Business Minister, Lisa Cummins, addressing the media launch of the Global Business Week 2025, said there is underway now a process of regulatory reform.

Minister of Energy and Business, Lisa Cummins; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Business, Kevin Hunte; and General Manager of Pan American Insurance, Michael Lucas, in discussion at the media launch of Global Business Week 2025 (C. Pitt/BGIS)

‘You’ve seen much of this happening since last year January, when we had the corporation tax reform. And I’m happy to share with you, if it has not already hit your desk, that the (new) Economic Substance Bill is going to be coming up for consultation on some changes that are going to come down the pipe.

‘Together with the International Business Unit and the Barbados Revenue Authority, we are going to be making some changes to the Economic Substance Act, and that will change a number of the ways in which we move from being a nominal tax jurisdiction to being a preferential tax jurisdiction, and that will have significant implications, in a positive way, for the global business sector,’ Cummings said.

Global Business Week will be observed from October 19 to 25, under the theme ‘Resilience: Adapting Transforming, Thriving’.

Cummins said business facilitation was now moving into a digitised space, noting that Business Barbados had partnered with Microsoft, and over the next eight months, expected to transition to a new digital platform.

She noted the importance of the creation of Business Barbados while acknowledging that it was not yet perfect and that the chairman of Business Barbados, Connie Smith and her team are steering this ship in the right direction, but it will take time.

‘ In rearing a child, you don’t change behaviour overnight. It takes some time, . training, and . reorientation, and that training and re-orientation have firmly begun in Business Barbados,’ she said, noting that the global environment is changing, and it is challenging because a slower and more fragmented world economy is being seen.

‘It’s reducing trade, closing borders and dampening investment. For Barbados, what this means is that there’s fiercer competition for mandates. We have, . under the treaty negotiating team for Barbados, this year, completed negotiations with Hong Kong in just one round of negotiations.

‘So, we have a new double taxation agreement with Hong Kong that is now going through the system., and.we have also completed, in another single round, negotiations with Curaçao. We have new double taxation agreements that I’m hoping that, together with the business community, we can merge into a bilateral investment treaty and create opportunities for global business to grow,’ she said.

Cummings urged all stakeholders to turn the challenges into new opportunities, and commit to unlocking growth, even in these most challenging economic times.

Barbados International Business Association (BIBA) president, Marlon Yarde, described Global Business Week as an opportunity to engage, connect, and reaffirm the value of global business to Barbados. He said Barbados remains a trusted business environment for international investors.

‘Our location, infrastructure, and skilled workforce make us competitive. Our stability and access to international markets make us attractive. This week is about reaffirming why investors continue to choose Barbados – and how we must continue to adapt and transform to thrive,’ Yarde said.

The chief executive officer of Invest Barbados, Kaye-Anne Greenidge, underscored the importance of the global business sector.

‘Beyond the critical role it plays in positioning Barbados regionally and internationally as a jurisdiction of choice, the sector is equally important to us here at home. It creates jobs for Barbadians, facilitates the transfer of skills, strengthens our professional services and contributes directly to sustainable economic growth for our country. These are real and measurable benefits that impact families, communities and the wider nation,’ Greenidge said.

She noted that Barbados is a preferred choice for the captive insurance business and ranks among the top 10 captive insurance domiciles globally.

President Irfaan Ali Wednesday said that the agricultural sector in Guyana must evolve into one that bears the imprimatur of innovation, technology, and opportunity, driving down poverty, closing the gap of inequality, and building a more diversified and resilient economy.

Ali, who also has lead responsibility for agriculture in the quasi-Cabinet of the 15-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM) grouping, said agriculture has always been the backbone of Guyana’s economy, as well as being a provider of livelihoods for thousands of families, and the foundation of food and nutrition security.

In a message in observance of October as ‘Agriculture Month 2025,’ President Ali said agriculture is an engine of a resilient future for Guyana and that the month is dedicated towards celebrating the farmers, fishers, processors, and entrepreneurs whose efforts feed our nation and propel our economy.

‘This annual celebration is not only a tribute to their hard work but also a reminder of agriculture’s enduring place in our national story,’ he said, noting that in the pursuit of the sector evolving Guyana is modernising its agri-food systems to guarantee cheaper, reliable, stable, and nutritious food for every household.

‘At the same time, we are building enough surpluses to secure Guyana’s role as a major contributor to Caribbean food security. That is why the government is driving bold action to transform and make our agri-food systems more competitive and sustainable, while improving livelihoods.’

Ali said that this vision is being translated into concrete actions on the ground.

‘We are expanding the production of priority commodities, supporting diversification into new crops, livestock, and aquaculture, and ensuring that every farmer has the tools and resources needed to produce food. From rice to corn, soya to livestock, aquaculture to agro-processing, we are scaling up production and opening new markets at home, in the Caribbean, and beyond.’

He said infrastructure is central to this transformation and that the government is building farm-to-market roads, modern storage facilities, upgraded ports, and stronger transport linkages, ensuring every producer, whether in the hinterland or on the coast, can move goods quickly, safely, and competitively to regional and global markets.

‘We are also modernising agriculture with digital extension services, precision farming, and climate-smart practices. These tools will help producers increase yields, cut costs, reduce risks, and embed sustainability into every stage of production.’

He said with regards to livestock, the administration is investing heavily in the future and that tunnel ventilation pens, hatcheries, genetic improvements, artificial insemination, abattoirs, and processing plants are being developed to boost production of poultry, beef, and dairy.

‘Affordable financing is being rolled out, while training programs equip farmers with the skills to improve animal health, prevent diseases, and increase clean milk production. By 2030, these initiatives will position livestock as a major driver of growth, innovation, and food security.

‘We are also expanding aquaculture and cage farming. New vessel monitoring systems and sustainable fishing practices will diversify income streams, particularly for coastal and hinterland communities, while safeguarding marine resources for future generations.’

Ali said that the Regional Food Hub will soon be completed, strengthening trade logistics and agro-processing.

‘This means more jobs, more exports, and more value retained in our economy. From fresh produce to processed goods, Guyana will not only feed itself but also supply the region with high-quality, affordable, and competitive food products.

‘Equally important is our commitment to inclusion. Women and young people must be central to agricultural transformation. That is why we are expanding financing, training, and innovation programs for women-led and youth-led agribusinesses. By unlocking their potential, we are investing in their entrepreneurship and long-term prosperity.’

Prime Minister Mia Mottley says Barbados will ‘open our doors with order and with pride’ as Barbados joins three other Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries in fully implementing free movement of their nationals among themselves from today.

Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize and Dominica are implementing one of the major aspects of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) that allows for the free movement of goods, skills, labour and services across the region.

The Guyana-based CARICOM Secretariat said that extensive preparations have been undertaken to ensure ‘a smooth and secure rollout’ of the full free movement among the four countries, adding that the other member states that participate in the CSME and have not signed on to full free movement ‘will continue to facilitate movement of their nationals under the existing regime for skilled workers, for the provision of services and the operation of businesses’.

In a nationwide radio and television broadcast on Tuesday night, Prime Minister Mottley acknowledged that Barbados is on the cusp of a change that will touch the lives across the Caribbean region and strengthen the nation.

Magistrate Ngaio Emanuel Wednesday set sentencing for Friday in a case in which a police officer was found found him guilty of discharging a firearm in a public place, stemming from a December 3, 2022 incident

Police Officer, Karim Warner, broke down in tears after the magistrate found him guilty of discharging a firearm in a public place.

The prosecution had said that Warner fired 12 rounds at a vehicle with with two occupants after a confrontation during an attempt to reclaim a leased vehicle.

The court was told that a male occupant of the vehicle had refused to hand over the car before shots were fired.

Warner had initially faced charges for discharging a firearm in a public place and assaulting both vehicle occupants. He maintained his innocence, entering not guilty pleas.

In February, the prosecution dropped the assault charges entirely and the situation became more complicated when the male complainant failed to appear for trial and formally withdrew from the case, stating he no longer wished to participate in the proceedings.

Despite these setbacks, Magistrate Emanuel continued with the remaining charge of discharging a firearm in a public place with testimony from four witnesses, including the female complainant, a taxi driver, police officers, and additional witnesses.

Following the prosecution’s presentation, defense attorney Andrew O’Kola mounted a no-case submission, contending that prosecutors had failed to meet the evidentiary threshold required to sustain the charges. O’Kola requested the case be dismissed outright.

But after considering the arguments from the state and the defence, Magistrate Emanuel rejected the no-case submission.

Chairman of the 15-member regional integration grouping, CARICOM, Prime Minister Andrew Holness, has welcomed the decision of the United Nations Security Council to back a resolution authorising the transition of the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission for Haiti into a new Gang Suppression Force (GSF).

‘This, together with a new UN Mission Office represents a significant step in strengthening the international response to the crisis in Haiti,’ said the Jamaican prime minister in a statement posted on the social media platform X.

On Tuesday, the UN Security Council backed the resolution that was tabled by the United States and Panama and by a vote of 12 in favour to none against, with three abstentions, namely China, Pakistan and the Russian Federation), the Council adopted the text as resolution 2793.

Through the resolution, the Council authorised member states to transition the MSS mission to the GSF for an initial period of 12 months and among other terms, the Security Council has decided that the GSF shall have an authorised personnel ceiling of 5,550, consisting of 5,500 uniformed personnel, comprised of both military and police and 50 civilians.

US Ambassador Michael Waltz said the resolution, undertaken in close collaboration with the Haitian authorities, offered new hope for the French-speaking CARICOM country where criminal gangs have been seeking to overthrow the provisional government since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in July 2021.

In his message, Holness said Jamaica has been advocating for this advancement to more structured support, and looks forward to this new chapter of partnership through the United Nations, working in partnership with CARICOM, Organization of American States (OAS) and the wider international community.

He said the decision reaffirms that the international community has heard the cries of and on behalf of the Haitian people and underscores the value of persistent advocacy.

‘We remain committed to standing with the people of Haiti and to working with our partners to help restore security, stability, and hope for the Haitian nation,’ Holness said.

Earlier, in a statement, the CARICOM Caucus of Ambassadors in a statement read by the Barbados Permanent Representative to the United Nations, François Jackman, noted that ‘CARICOM applauds the resounding support of world leaders for the urgent and united action towards the restoration of peace and stability in Haiti, echoed throughout the recently concluded General Debate of the 80th session of the General Assembly’.

But the diplomats acknowledged that ‘these critical objectives can only be achieved if security is restored in Haiti’ adding that they ‘wholeheartedly welcome the Security Council’s adoption .of this Resolution as a fundamental step that responds to the urgency of the security situation in Haiti.

‘CARICOM in particular welcomes the timely transition of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission to a Gang Suppression Force (GSF) with a UN-authorized mandate to bring an immediate end to violence and to restore public safety in Haiti.

‘Furthermore, CARICOM endorses the establishment of a UN Support Office in Haiti to provide the necessary logistical and administrative support for this robust Force. Finally, we underscore the need to ensure sustainable, predictable resourcing of the Gang Suppression Force by all international partners. And we also renew our call for the urgent capitalisation of the 2025 humanitarian needs and response plan for Haiti.’

The regional diplomats said that only through urgent, collective action in the security domain, in support of Haiti, can the scourge of gang violence be arrested.

‘This is a critical first step towards creating favourable conditions for elections, sustained delivery of humanitarian support and relief, the rebuilding of institutions and the laying of the foundation for the long-term economic development of Haiti.

‘ CARICOM reaffirms its solidarity with Haiti as well as our openness and willingness to work with all members of the Security Council to provide the necessary support for the Haitian people, and we look to the wider international community to step up its support boldly and with resolve to end the violence and suffering that the people of Haiti have endured for too long. ‘

Belize has been elected Part III of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for the period 2025 – 2028.

A government statement said that the election took place during the celebration of the ICAO’s 42nd Assembly at the Chicago Convention and that the Council, during this period, shall be the body charged with carrying out the directions of the assembly and discharging the duties and obligations laid out in the Convention.

Kennedy Carrillo

The statement said that the work to be carried out by the newly elected Council over the next triennium will include improving aviation security, the development of policies and protocols for the inclusion of artificial intelligence in aviation, achieving environmental sustainability goals, and supporting the next generation of aviation professionals.

‘This is a historic victory for Belize, as it will, for the first time, join and contribute meaningfully to the highest technical body in aviation. Belize is committed to supporting both the Caribbean and Central American sub-regions.

‘Notwithstanding, the representation will be used to promote those policies and initiatives that seek to advance Belize’s aviation strategic objectives,’ the statement said, adding that ‘aviation continues to be a significant contributor to Belize’s socio-economic well-being, as it is one of the most significant pillars that support tourism’.

It said that Kennedy Carrillo, who has been appointed as Belize’s representative to the ICAO Council, will be based in Montreal, Canada, where she will participate in deliberations and initiatives that seek to make Global Aviation safer and more secure for all.