Category: CANA News

The state-owned Caribbean Airlines (CAL) Monday confirmed the immediate resignation of its chief executive officer Garvin Medera.

In a statement, the airline said that to ensure continuity and stability, chief operating officer, Nirmala Ramai, has been appointed acting chief executive officer ‘until further notice’ and that under the ‘guidance’ of the board of directors ‘will work closely with the senior leadership team to support the airline through this transition’.

The statement gave no reasons for the ‘immediate resignation’ but thanked Medera ‘for his years of service and leadership and wishes him the very best in his future endeavours’.

The statement quotes Medera as saying that he wanted to ‘take this opportunity to thank all the employees of Caribbean Airlines who have done such a fantastic job over the past few years, facing some very difficult challenges and being their best, time and again, for each other and our passengers.

‘Also, thanks to partners for their support and commitment and customers for their trust and loyalty. I wish everyone well,’ he added.

CAL said that it would ‘continue to operate its full schedule, with no disruption to customers or partners’ and that the board of directors ’emphasises that this leadership transition comes at an important time for the airline and is part of its ongoing focus on stability, safety and accountability’

Son after coming to office following the April 28 general election, Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar issued an ultimatum to the airline’s management, telling them to ‘sort out the mess’ within two years or face replacement.

‘I am giving the management of CAL two years to sort it out; otherwise, everyone there will be looking for a new job,’ Persad-Bissessar said in August, stressing that taxpayers would no longer bankroll under-performing State enterprises.

The statement by CAL on Monday said that as part of the new transition, the board and senior leadership team will be focusing on five key initiatives, namely supporting employees and stakeholders with open communication and care, reviewing operations to increase efficiency and modernisation, enhancing the customer experience with improved services, developing a long-term, financially responsible and sustainable growth plan and conducting full and thorough audits of all departments and processes, to strengthen governance, safety, and accountability.

‘The airline also reaffirmed its commitment to developing and promoting talent from within the organization, before seeking external candidates, to provide employees with clear opportunities for growth and career advancement.

‘Caribbean Airlines will continue to serve the region with pride, reliability and a steadfast commitment to safety. The Board of Directors remains committed to open and timely communication with employees, customers and stakeholders as this leadership transition and strategic plan are implemented,’ the statement added.

Grenada’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Peter David has called on Grenadians to unite in rejecting a United States request to install what has been described as ‘military assets’ in the country, warning that such a move could destabilize the southern Caribbean.

The issue, which has sparked intense debate both in Grenada and across the wider Caribbean, comes amid rising regional tensions and Washington’s renewed campaign against drug trafficking.

In a public statement on Monday, the former minister said that while Grenada values its longstanding partnerships with both the United States and Venezuela, any actions taken must be rooted in diplomacy, mutual respect, and regional cooperation.

‘Any genuine efforts to fight the drug trade in our region are both desired and welcomed,’ the statement read. ‘But unilateral action, especially one perceived by other countries as laced with hostile intentions, will be both counterproductive and destabilizing.’

David stressed that Grenada has long upheld the principle of non-interference and dialogue among states, positioning the island to play a constructive role in easing regional tensions.

‘It would be both problematic and undesirable for Grenada to accede to the U.S. request to have its military assets stationed here in the current context,’ the statement continued. ‘Doing so will only help exacerbate tensions and undermine efforts toward peace.’

While rejecting the installation proposal, the former minister emphasized that Grenada’s stance should not be viewed as an act of hostility toward Washington, but rather as a reaffirmation of the nation’s commitment to sovereignty and peaceful resolution.

Calling for unity, the he urged Grenadians to ‘band together in the interest of our nation, our sovereignty, and our dignity,’ adding that the moment calls for patriotism rather than partisan division.

‘This is not a time for political potshots,’ the statement said. ‘At this defining moment in history, it is time to raise one flag – our national flag.’

The appeal concluded with a line from the national anthem: ‘Being proud of our heritage, may we with faith and courage, aspire, build, advance, as one.’

The Trinidad and Tobago government Monday said that it will submit a revised offer of 10 per cent in salaries and wages to public servants saying the measure is in keeping with a promise made during the campaign for the April 28 general election.

Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo delivering the first national budget of the United National Congress (UNC) -led coalition government, said that for far too long, public officers, the backbone of the country’s workforce, have been made to carry the weight of the former Government’s neglect and indifference.

‘This government is taking this bold and historic step to restore justice, dignity and respect to the hard-working men and women of the public service. After nine long years of stagnation, we are committed to finally bringing all parties back to the bargaining table to address this long-overdue injustice.’

Ancoo said that on the completion of the bargaining process with the Public Service Association (PSA), the government will work with Republic, First Citizens Bank and the National Insurance Board to find a comprehensive solution to discharge this national obligation.

‘This government is focused on delivery and not delay, workers’ rights and not neglect, appreciation and not excuses.

‘In furtherance of the conclusion of negotiations for the Civil Service, Statutory Authorities and Tobago House of Assembly for the periods 2014-2016 and 2017-2019, the Honourable Prime Minister has instructed me to advise the Chief Personnel Officer to submit a revised offer of 10 per cent.’

Tancoo said that he is also advising the members of the Teaching Service, the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force, and the Port of Spain and San Fernando City Corporations that the government will ratify the collective agreements signed in April 2025 between the Chief Personnel Officer and their respective Associations/Union/Committee.

Tancoo said that the recurrent cost of implementing these agreements is estimated at TT$214 million (One TT dollar=US$0.16 cents) annually, with arrears of TT$730 million as of December 2025.

Tancoo also dislosed additional policy decisions that the government will undertake to improve the lives of all public servants, teachers and Central Government daily-rated workers.

He said upon assuming office, he was shocked to learn that theretirees in these groups are removed from the UNIMED Group Health Plan precisely when medical issues are more likely to arise.

‘Accordingly, I have instructed that an appropriate Request for Proposal be prepared and issued to seek proposals from the market for an option that allows our retirees and their families to retain membership in the public sector health plan.’

He said also a job evaluation exercise for the civil service are estimated to be completed within the next six to eight month and that this major exercise marks a significant milestone in the modernisation of the public service.

‘However, apart from the revised job descriptions with updated duties and responsibilities, it will provide another significant opportunity for nationals of this country. Upon completion of this exercise, approximately 40 per cent of all fixed-term standardised contract positions will be made permanent and pensionable.

‘In comparison, another 20 to 23 per cent of non-standard fixed-term contracts will also be ‘classified into the new grade structure,’ Tancoo said, adding that ‘this exercise will result in the reduction of fixed-term contract employment by as much as 63 per cent and bring these contract officers within the ambit of the public service’.

Scoreboard of the fourth day of the second Test between India and West Indies here at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Monday.

INDIA 1st innings 518-5 dec’d

WEST INDIES 1st innings 248

WEST INDIES 2nd innings

(overnight 173 for two)

John Campbell lbw b Jadeja 115

Tagenarine Chanderpaul c Gill b Siraj 10

Alick Athanaze b Sundar 7

Shai Hope b Siraj 103

*Roston Chase c sub Padikkal b Yadav 40

+Tevin Imlach lbw b Yadav 12

Justin Greaves not out 50

Khary Pierre c Reddy b Yadav 0

Jomel Warrican b Bumrah 3

Anderson Phillip c +Jurel b Bumrah 2

Jayden Seales c Sundar b Bumrah 32

Extras (b7, lb7, nb2) 16

TOTAL (all out; 118.5 overs) 390

Fall of wickets: 1-17, 2-35, 3-212, 4-271, 5-293, 6-298, 7-298, 8-307, 9-311, 10-390.

Bowling: Siraj 15-3-43-2, Jadeja 33-10-102-1, Sundar 23-3-80-1, Yadav 29-4-104-3, Bumrah 17.5-5-44-3, Jaiswal 1-0-3-0.

INDIA 2nd innings

Yashasvi Jaiswal c Phillip b Warrican 8

KL Rahul not out 25

Sai Sudharsan not out 30

Extras 0

TOTAL (one wicket; 18 overs) 63

Yet to bat: Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.

Fall of wickets: 1-8.

Bowling: Seales 3-0-14-0, Warrican 7-1-15-1, Pierre 6-0-24-0, Chase 2-0-10-0.

Toss: India elected to bat after winning the toss.

Position: India require 58 more runs with nine wickets remaining.

Umpires: Paul Reiffel, Richard Illingworth.

TV Umpire: Alex Wharf.

Reserve Umpire: KN Ananthapadmanabhan.

Match Referee: Andy Pycroft.

The Trinidad and Tobago government Monday presented a budget of TT$59.2 billion (One TT dollar=US$0.16 cents) to Parliament acknowledging a fiscal deficit of TT$3.8 billion and announcing a series of tax measures to finance the fiscal package.

The debate on the budget will begin on Friday.

Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo, delivering his first ever budget to Parliament, said that the fiscal package is ‘more than just an accounting of revenues and expenditures, plans and policies,’ adding it represents a shift towards fairness’.

In his three hours and 15 minute presentation, Tancoo said that for too long, the government’s fiscal policy has been seen as a technical exercise and today ‘we redefine it as a human one’.

According to Tancoo, the Kamla Persad Bissessar administration on assuming offence in April found an economy in trouble and that the preliminary outturn for fiscal 2025 is for a deficit of TT$8.7 billion with revenue of TT$50.6 billion and expenditure of TT$59.3 billion.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says risks to Haiti’s outlook remain tilted to the downside and that intensified gang-related disruptions, and escalating violence or social unrest could further exacerbate social and economic vulnerabilities.

In addition, the Washington-based financial institution is warning that potential shifts in foreign immigration and trade policies could sharply reduce exports and remittance inflows. It said these developments could compound the adverse impact of the security crisis on domestic production, worsen the humanitarian and economic crisis, and increase fiscal pressures.

But on the upside, the IMF said that the United Nations Security Council’s authorisation to transition the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti for a new multinational Gang Suppression Force (GSF), supported by the newly established United Nations Support Office for Haiti and the Organization of American States, ‘could mark a turning point in efforts to restore security in the country, rebuild institutions, and lay the foundations for economic growth and improved prospects for the Haitian people’.

The senior economist in the Regional Studies Division of the IMF’s Western Hemisphere Department, Camilo E. Tovar, led a virtual mission to Haiti, to assess progress under the country’s Staff-Monitored Program (SMP), which are informal agreements between country authorities and the IMF to monitor the implementation of the authorities’ economic programme and build a track record of policy implementation that could pave the way for financial assistance from the IMF’s upper credit tranche (UCT).

Haiti’s SMP is tailored to Haiti’s context of acute security challenges, institutional fragility, and capacity constraints. It supports the authorities’ economic policy priorities, including stabilizing the economy, strengthening governance, and reinforcing the social safety net. Engagement with the authorities will continue over the coming weeks.

But Tovar said that economic conditions in the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country remain fragile amid persistent domestic and external shocks and rising uncertainty.

He said the economy has contracted for a seventh consecutive year. Inflation remains high at around 32 per cent year-on-year.

The banking sector continues to show vulnerabilities, with the nonperforming loan ratio above 13 per cent in June 2025, although the system’s capital adequacy ratio (22 percent) exceeds the regulatory minimum of 12 per cent.

‘Remittance inflows have continued to increase. This reflects increased financial support from migrants to their families due to worsening security conditions, and possibly in anticipation of changes in international migration policies. These inflows have strengthened the current account balance, which is projected to record a moderate surplus in financial year 2025.’

Tovar said that the gross international reserves remain adequate, at over US$3.1 billion, or about seven months of prospective imports, as of end-July 2025. The nominal exchange rate remains stable, leading to real exchange rate appreciation.

‘Fiscal policy continues to be constrained by security challenges, institutional weaknesses, and limited policy space. The fiscal position was broadly balanced in financial year 2025, reflecting improved nominal revenue collection and low spending execution due to persistent security conditions and institutional fragilities.

‘Social spending rose by about 34 per cent, supported by the 2023 IMF’s Food Shock Window under the IMF’s Rapid Credit Facility. Public debt is projected at 12.4 per cent of GDP by end financial year 2025, the lowest in the Latin America and Caribbean region,’ he added.

The IMF said that programme implementation is encouraging. All quantitative and indicative targets for the end-June test date have been met. Monetary financing of the fiscal deficit has been maintained at zero, social spending reached the programme’s targets, and revenue performance stayed on track.

‘International reserves continue to accumulate, supported by strong remittances. Net international reserves reached US$ 1.5 billion by end July 2025, supported by strong remittance inflows and foreign exchange purchases. The reform agenda, covering governance, public financial management, safeguards, and data provision, continues to advance albeit with delays in some areas.’

The IMF said that the SMP will continue to emphasize the following priorities, namely advancing governance reforms to overcome fragility.

It said reform efforts should be coordinated and anchored in the Governance Diagnostic Report, including enhancing transparency and accountability in public financial management; mitigating corruption risks in revenue administration; and ensuring accountability for serious corruption, organized crime, and money laundering.

The Haitian authorities are being encouraged to complete the national assessment for money laundering and terrorist financing, and to continue addressing other gaps in the anti-money laundering/combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) framework to support Haiti’s exit from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list.

The Washington-based financial institution said regarding the mobilisation of revenue and improving budget execution, immediate priorities for boosting revenue mobilisation include operationalising automated monthly data exchanges between the tax and customs systems and completing the rollout of tax declarations and payments services for all large taxpayers across all commercial banks.

It said strengthening budget execution, especially for social and security spending, is essential to adequately support vulnerable populations and advance critical infrastructure and development needs.

‘This requires improved treasury cash management and adequate project appraisal and budget prioritization, in line with the 2022 IMF Public Investment Management Assessment,’ the IMF said, noting that in strengthening the central bank’s policy frameworks, monetary policy credibility has improved with the elimination of monetary financing of the budget deficit.

‘For the second consecutive year, monetary financing has been held at zero, helping contain inflation and reinforcing credibility of the Bank of the Republic of Haiti (BRH). Moreover, the relative stability of the nominal exchange rate is providing the economy with a nominal anchor. ‘Given the challenging and uncertain environment, foreign exchange interventions should remain focused on preserving exchange rate stability and supporting the accumulation of international reserves.’

The Haitian authourities are also being encouraged to continue the annual on-site inspection program; enhance off-site supervision; integrate the risk assessment grid framework into the BRH’s supervisory architecture; and finalize the new chart of accounts for financial institutions.

But the IMF acknowledges that despite the authorities’ continued efforts, Haiti requires international financial support to meet its urgent and large development needs.

‘To safeguard debt sustainability and consolidate progress achieved under the SMP, this support should be provided in the form of grants rather than non-concessional loans.

‘Grant financing would help address the country’s immediate humanitarian, social, and economic needs, and place the economy on a steady and sustainable medium- and long-term growth path, which is essential for improving living conditions for the Haitian people,’ it added.

Bahamas Prime Minister Philip Davis says the country has achieved a 0.5 per cent fiscal deficit for the budget year ending June 30, 2025, saying that this result is within the government’s target range of 0.3 to 0.7 per cent and represents a major improvement from the 13.7 per cent deficit recorded in 2021.

‘Four years ago, our country was facing one of the worst fiscal crises in its history. Today, we are back on stable ground. We made tough choices to protect our economy, and those choices are now paying off,’ Davis said.

Prime Minister Phillip Davis

Davis said that last year, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reported that the Bahamas budget deficit of 1.3 per cent was remarkable, adding ‘and no doubt that 0.5 per cent is even more remarkable.

‘The reduction in the deficit is in keeping with our overall fiscal plan to reduce new borrowing and thus decrease the amount of national resources paying interest on debt.

‘Our debt management strategy going forward includes identifying opportunities to decrease our debt-servicing obligations by prudent fiscal management and using creative instruments to pay off high-cost debt and manage the maturity profile of our outstanding debt’.

Davis said that this achievement is about more than balancing the books, adding it is about delivering results that make life better for Bahamian families.

‘Every dollar we save on debt is a dollar that can go toward schools, hospitals, family islands, and helping Bahamian families meet the cost of living. It means more resources for the things that matter – better roads, stronger communities, safer neighbourhoods, and more jobs.’

Davis said that the government remains focused on responsible management of the country’s sayin ‘we are managing the country’s finances responsibly so that Bahamians can feel the difference, in lower costs, better services, and a stronger, more resilient economy.

‘Responsible governance is about managing all our resources wisely. The same discipline that drives our fiscal policy also drives our commitment to protecting our environment and preparing for the future.’

He said that this success is a reflection of national progress and shared effort.

‘This is what responsible leadership looks like – steady progress that improves lives and strengthens our country. We are building a better future, one decision at a time, and we are doing it together.’

Delegates attending the fifth meeting of the Regional Data Governance Council (RDGC) have reached an agreement agreement on a coordinated work programme, as well as commitments to strengthen data harmonisation and privacy protection, while reinforcing partnerships between the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and development partners.

In addition, the meeting developed a comprehensive communication and advocacy strategy to support greater use of statistical data across the region.

A statement issued Monday by the St.Lucia-based OECS Commission, said that the four-day meeting which ended Friday, brought together the directors of Statistics from OECS member states, regional institutions, and international development partners to strengthen collaboration, enhance statistical capacity, and reinforce data-driven decision-making across the region.

RDGC chairperson, Corneil Williams, said that the meeting underscored the significance of data governance to advancing sustainable development in the OECS.

OECS Director General, Dr. Didacus Jules, reiterated the sub-regional grouping’s commitment to strengthening statistical systems as a foundation for evidence-based policymaking.

‘We are effectively seeking to build a culture of data for development. Technology and systems alone will not suffice. Transformation lies in mindset, in building a culture of data use and trust. We must commit to and train our people to collect, interpret, and act on data. The RDGC must continue to champion coherence, avoid duplication, and turn national initiatives into regional strengths.

‘Integration is not only about treaties, it is about shared understanding. Data gives us that understanding, allowing us to speak the same language of facts, see through the same lens of evidence, and act with conviction of purpose. Let this fifth meeting mark a shift from data collection to data conviction, from information to insight, and from insight to impact.’

The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) representative, Elbert Ellis, reaffirmed the bank’s partnership in advancing regional initiatives, including the Enhanced Country Poverty Assessment (eCPA).

He said that the Barbados-based regional financial institution has long recognised that strong data systems are foundational to sustainable development. He said through the eCPA programme, CDB continues to serve as a strategic partner in supporting the data for decision-making project.

‘Our shared objective is simple but powerful: to ensure that every member state has the capacity, tools, and governance frameworks needed to generate reliable data that can be transformed into actionable interventions to support sustainable development. The ultimate goal is to create a culture of evidence-based policymaking across the region.’

Ellis said that under this partnership, the CDB has provided both technical and financial support to advance data governance, strengthen institutional frameworks, and promote the use of modern technologies in data management and dissemination.

‘We see this as part of our broader mandate to enhance development effectiveness across the Caribbean.’

For her part, Anna Luisa Paffhausen of the World Bank underscored the collaboration with the OECS through the Data for Decision Making (DDM) project.

‘Looking ahead, we hope that the RDGC will also decide shortly on the procedures and requirements for making the anonymized data accessible via the OECS Micro Data Catalogue. This will be an important milestone in promoting data-driven decision making across member countries.’

West Indies trail India by 18 runs in their second innings after reaching 252 for three at lunch on the fourth day of the second Test here at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Monday.

Scores

INDIA 518-5 dec’d.

WEST INDIES 248 and 252-3 in 78 overs (John Campbell 115, Shai Hope 92 not out, Roston Chase 23 not out, Tagenarine Chanderpaul 10).

Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has ‘successfully concluded’ a working visit to Cambodia that has further strengthened the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

A statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said that Skerrit and his delegation laid ‘a solid foundation for enhanced partnership in the years ahead’.

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit and his host Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei of Cambodia

The statement said that during the discussions with Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei, the two leaders ‘reaffirmed their shared commitment to further strengthening bilateral ties and expanded cooperation in areas such as political, diplomatic, trade, investment, people to people connectivity, tourism, culture as well as mutually beneficial fields.

‘They also agreed to continue to supporting each other in regional and international for a, including within the framework of th United Nations. In this connection, the Prime Minister of Dominica announced his support for Cambodia’s candidatures as a member of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage for the term 2026-30 and a member of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for the term 2028-30,’ the statement added.

The statement said that the two leader s witnessed the exchange of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the ‘establishment of bilateral consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Camodia and the Commonwealth of Dominica and encouraged early convening of this mechanism to promote cooperation in all potential sectors’.

Last week, Skerrit held talks with the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, John Lee on issues of mutual interest, according to a statement issued by the government there.

Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China, situated on China’s southern coast and according to the official statement, the government will actively leverage the dual advantage of having national and global opportunities under the ‘one country, two systems’ principle, deepen international exchanges and co-operation, further explore emerging markets including Dominica.