Category: CANA News

Trinidad and Tobago’s High Commissioner to Jamaica, Deborah Thomas-Felix, says the two Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries have moved beyond previous trade tensions and should now focus on strengthening business ties, investment and access to each other’s markets. Thomas-Felix said her role includes identifying opportunities in both countries and connecting businesses and other stakeholders to turn the improving bilateral relationship into greater commercial activity.

‘One of the things I want is to – and I spoke to your Government about it – I want us to have more trade missions,’ she told a Jamaica Observer Press Club meeting.

‘We have a very strong relationship and I want to continue strengthening that relationship, not only in trade and culture and everything, [but] the mark that I leave should be a mark of strengthening and building the relationship that we have.’

Trade relations between Kingston and Port of Spain have previously been strained by complaints from Jamaican exporters about access to the Trinidad and Tobago market and a significant imbalance in merchandise trade.

In August 2022, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding establishing a Trade Complaints Mechanism to help resolve trade-related disputes.

However, Thomas-Felix said figures provided to her showed Jamaica’s reach into the Trinidad and Tobago market increased by 170 per cent between 2019 and 2025.

‘So I would say that some of the issues before would not be issues now,’ she said.

The diplomat acknowledged that a substantial merchandise trade imbalance remains. Jamaica exported approximately US$36.6 million in goods to Trinidad and Tobago in 2024, compared with about US$249.7 million flowing in the opposite direction.

She attributed some of the disparity to Trinidad and Tobago’s traditionally strong manufacturing and energy sectors.

‘I don’t think we should ever look at it as one having more and one having less, but how do we help each other to be out there and be large or big in trade,’ Thomas-Felix said.

She said Jamaica’s expanding financial, professional, digital, technology and tourism services offered opportunities to broaden commercial ties beyond manufactured goods.

Thomas-Felix noted that Jamaica exported approximately US$5.6 billion in services globally, compared with imports of about US$3.46 billion, and said the country’s services strength should be considered in discussions about the overall trading relationship.

The high commissioner called for more trade missions and lasting connections among entrepreneurs, investors and private-sector organisations.

A Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association delegation visited Jamaica in May 2025 to explore market and investment opportunities, following a Jamaican trade mission to Trinidad and Tobago in September 2024.

Thomas-Felix said the relationship between the two countries extends beyond government agreements and trade figures, pointing to connections created through families, employment, education, music and culture.

‘The relationship is way beyond government to government, it’s really about people,’ she said, adding that she intends to identify and share opportunities that could benefit both countries.

The match between the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons and St Kitts and Nevis Patriots was abandoned without a ball being bowled at Warner Park here on Sunday.

The Trinbago Knight Riders’ miserable start to this year’s Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League continued on Saturday night when heavy showers allowed the Jamaica Kingsmen to escape with a seven-run win via the Duckworth/Lewis/Stern (DLS) method.

The Knight Riders would have been disappointed that they only got up to 180 for six in their 20 overs at the Queen’s Park Oval after being given a blistering start by openers Sunil Narine and Colin Munro.

The contest was set up for an exciting finish with the Kingsmen 127 for three in the 15th over, before persistent rains brought a premature end to the match with the visitors seven runs ahead on the DLS.

It gave the Kingsmen their fourth win in eight matches, while handing the Knight Riders a fourth loss in six games.

The Kingsmen didn’t get off to the best of starts in their chase, losing opener Maaz Sadaqat cheaply with 18 runs on the board.

Kirk McKenzie and Keacy Carty did a good job during their 50-run partnership for the second wicket that lifted the visitors to 68 for one after eight overs.

And when Goolie struck again to dismiss McKenzie for 30 off 25 balls, Carty found a reliable partner in Saim Ayub, with the pair adding a further 52-runs to put the Kingsmen in control. Carty was eventually bowled by spinner Usman Tariq for 42 off 33 balls as he tried to accelerate, with his dismissal bringing skipper Rovman Powell to the crease.

He only faced two balls though – which included a boundary off Narine – and it ended up being the last ball of the match as showers forced players off the field for a second instance, this time for good.

Ayub finished unbeaten on 24 off 18 balls, while Goolie was the Knight Riders’ best bowler with 2-30.

Earlier, the Knight Riders looked set to post a total over 200 when Narine and Munro were at the crease during a 101-run partnership inside nine overs.

After scoring 11 runs in the first two overs, Narine hit Keemo Paul for a four and a six in the next over.

They them thumped Ayub for a six and three fours in the sixth over that went for 21 runs, with Narine also launching into wrist spinner Vitel Lawes, hitting him for two sixes two overs later.

Narine brought up his second successive half century in 23 balls by belting Paul for two fours and six in the ninth over that helped carry the Knight Riders past the 100-run mark.

But Paul had the last laugh, as he had Narine spectacularly caught by Odean Smith at mid-off for 53 off 24 balls, which included six fours and three sixes.

His dismissal led to a mini collapse, with Player-of-the-Match Lawes largely responsible.

Lawes had Munro caught behind for 52 off 42 balls, claimed the wicket of the dangerous Kieron Pollard for a first ball duck and also dismissed Matthew Tromp without scoring, to see the Knight Riders slide to 120 for four after 14 overs.

Captain Nicholas Pooran bolstered the innings with a responsible unbeaten knock of 60 off 37 balls with five fours and three sixes, but it proved to be insufficient as the rain had the final say.

Lawes finished with 3-29 while Hunain Shah took 2-27.

The Bahamas Government will not renew the contracts of 31 Cuban teachers for the new academic year, while the recruitment of Cuban healthcare workers remains suspended amid discussions with the United States over Cuba’s overseas labour programme.

The Ministry of Education confirmed that the teachers would not be re-engaged, although some had expressed an interest in returning to the public school system.

It said contract renewal was never guaranteed and the affected teachers would be given adequate time to settle their personal affairs before leaving the country.

‘Our priority continues to be the recruitment and engagement of qualified Bahamian educators,’ the ministry said, adding that a significant number of new local teachers had already been hired and recruitment was continuing.

The ministry said foreign teachers could be recruited where vacancies cannot be filled by suitably qualified Bahamians.

The decision has prompted concerns about possible staffing shortages, particularly in specialised areas such as welding, agriculture and other technical disciplines.

Central Grand Bahama Member of Parliament Frazette Gibson criticised the manner in which the Cuban educators were informed and warned that their departure could disrupt existing programmes.

An unidentified Cuban teacher told the local newspaper that the group learned their contracts would not be renewed during a meeting shortly after arriving in The Bahamas.

Meanwhile, Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville said negotiations with US officials concerning Cuban healthcare professionals were continuing.

He said government officials were scheduled to meet Cuban Ambassador Juan Carlos Marcof Sánchez to discuss the matter.

The Tribune newspaper reported that the Public Hospitals Authority had also declined to extend the contracts of Cuban medical workers, except for those with legal status in the country or who are married to Bahamians.

The United States has accused Cuba of using coercive practices to control workers deployed overseas and retaining much of their earnings. Havana has repeatedly rejected the allegations.

Washington last year expanded visa restrictions against officials it alleged were involved in Cuba’s overseas medical programme.

The Davis administration subsequently terminated its contractual arrangements with Cuba’s state-operated medical recruitment agency and proposed employing Cuban healthcare professionals directly if they wished to remain in The Bahamas.

However, those arrangements have not been finalised, and the recruitment of additional Cuban medical personnel remains on hold.

Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell declined to say whether US concerns had influenced the Government’s decisions regarding the Cuban workers.

The Ministry of Education expressed gratitude to the departing educators for their contribution to the country’s public school system.

President of the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC), Mike Sands has called for CARICOM to consider establishing a high-level sports commission or subcommittee.

Speaking on Saturday’s TalkSports programme, Sands contended that political leaders needed more structured and continuous engagement with sport beyond the regional grouping’s existing focus on cricket.

‘Maybe it’s time for CARICOM to select one of those leaders to be the chair of a sports commission, if they don’t already have one.

‘There should be a subcommittee probably for sports. That’s the point I make – not just cricket, sport,’ Sands maintained. The NACA president said there was an opportunity to build on the recent engagement between CARICOM and regional athletics, particularly as preparations begin for Guyana to host the 2027 CARIFTA Games.

‘If we really want to sensitise our heads to the importance of sport, I think they need to be gathered in one place on a more regular basis,’ Sands said.

‘…Politics change the individual, but it should not change some principal things about nation-building.’

Sands also stressed that any regional initiative should recognise the wider CARIFTA family and not be confined solely to CARICOM membership.

He noted that while all CARIFTA members may not belong to the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), OECS members form part of the CARIFTA structure.

Sands said one of the longer-term outcomes should be a stronger relationship between CARICOM and the wider sporting community, creating more regular dialogue on the contribution sport can make to national and regional development.

The Antigua and Barbuda Falcons elected to field after winning the toss against the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in the 21st match of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League at Warner Park here on Sunday.

SQUADS

ANTIGUA and BARBUDA FALCONS: Jason Holder (captain), Johnson Charles, Kyle Mayers, Andre Fletcher, Alick Athanaze, Dasun Shanaka,Wanindu Hasaranga, Navin Bidaisee, Naseem Shah, Jeremiah Louis, Waqar Salamkheil.

ST KITTS and NEVIS PATRIOTS: Moeen Ali (captain), Amir Jangoo, Evin Lewis, Hasan Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Shamar Springer, Joshua James, Fabian Allen, Sufyan Moqim, Alzarri Joseph, Jayden Seales.

Umpires: Carl Tuckett, Zahid Bassarath.

TV Umpire: Gregory Brathwaite.

Reserve Umpire: Chris Wright.

Match Referee: Reon King.

The Trinbago Knight Riders have retired Dwayne Bravo’s number 47 jersey in recognition of his extraordinary contribution to the team, the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), and cricket in Trinidad and Tobago.

Bravo was honoured during a ceremony before Saturday’s game against the Jamaica Kingsmen at the Queen’s Park Oval.

The 42-year-old Bravo won the CPL five times as a player and also led the Knight Riders to the title last year as head coach.

He is the first player in CPL history to have his jersey retired.

CEO of the Knight Riders group, Venky Mysore said Bravo’s contribution to the team was invaluable.

‘Dwayne Bravo’s contribution to the Knight Riders and to the CPL is impossible to measure. ‘Retiring No. 47 is our way of ensuring that his legacy will forever be a part of this franchise. There could be no more fitting player to become the first in CPL history to receive this honour,’ Mysore said.

Overall, Bravo played 107 CPL matches, picking up 129 wickets at an economy rate of 8.74.

Despite last playing in 2024, he remains the third highest wicket-taker in the history of the tournament, behind only Sunil Narine (139) and Imran Tahir (135).

Several of the team’s players including captain Nicholas Pooran, Kieron Pollard and Sunil Narine lauded Bravo for his accomplishments on and off the field.

‘Thank you for being an inspiration and a role model. We’re really happy to have you in our corner.

‘Thank you for being a bigger brother. Thank you for being a father figure at times for us, but most importantly, thanks for being that inspiration in my life,’ Pooran said.

Narine said, ‘I think you have paved the way for a lot of young cricketers. The way you care about yourself, your energy levels, and always wanting to win in everything.’

Meanwhile, Pollard added, ‘Thank you for all that you have done obviously for me personally as an individual, and then you know we’re coming together as a force to be reckoned with, something that you always spoke about and being able to win championships and games and create an environment where people will enjoy.’

The United States Coast Guard says the crew of its Cutter Winslow Griesser on Friday transferred 15 migrants to the Bahamas, following an interdiction 22 miles east of Miami Beach.

The transfer came after a US Customs Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations law enforcement crew interdicted the vessel carrying 19 migrants, on August 18, 22 miles east of Miami Beach.

Four of the migrants were transferred to US Homeland Security Investigations .

It said once aboard a Coast Guard cutter, interdicted migrants are processed to determine their identity and are provided food, water, shelter and basic medical attention before disposition.

‘This successful interdiction is a clear demonstration of our unwavering resolve to secure America’s maritime borders,’ said Lieutenant Commander Justin Dadlani, Coast Guard liaison officer to the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands.

‘Collaboration between the partners within the Department of Homeland Security and Bahamian authorities is a critical component of our national security strategy, acting as a force multiplier that allows us to detect and neutralize threats before they reach our shores,’ he added. ‘Every migrant vessel interdicted at sea is a victory for border security and a blow to the criminal networks that exploit human lives for profit.

‘We are grateful for our partners’ commitment, and, together, we will continue to use every available asset to defend our nation against illegal entry and maintain the integrity of our borders,’ Dadlani continued.

The US Coast Guard said it, along with its Operation Vigilant Sentry (OVS) partners, maintains a ‘continual presence with air, land and sea assets in the Florida Straits, the Windward Passage, the Mona Passage and the Caribbean Sea in support of Operation Vigilant Sentry.

‘The OVS combined, multilayered approach is designed to protect the safety of life at sea while preventing unlawful maritime entry to the United States and its territories,’ the US Coast Guard added.

The Jamaica Kingsmen defeated the Trinbago Knight Riders by seven wickets via the Duckworth/Lewis/Stern method in the 20th match of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League at the Queen’s Park Oval here on Saturday.

Scores

TRINBAGO KNIGHT RIDERS 180-6 in 20 overs (Nicholas Pooran 60 not out, Sunil Narine 53, Colin Munro 52; Vitel Lawes 3-29, Hunain Shah 2-27).

JAMAICA KINGSMEN 127-3 in 14.4 overs (Keacy Carty 42, Kirk McKenzie 30, Saim Ayub 24 not out, Maaz Sadaqat 12; Jyd Goolie 2-30).

Guyana continues to be one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, and a new report shows the country is improving at managing what it owes.

This is according to the latest Caribbean Economics Quarterly from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

Although Guyana has borrowed money to build roads, schools, and other infrastructure, the amount of government income going toward paying off debt has declined substantially.

Before oil production started, debt payments used to eat up about 7 cents of every dollar the government collected. Now, that figure has dropped to about 5 cents.

Guyana remains a low-debt case, driven by continued strong resource revenues, making it an outlier within the sample.

By contrast, The Bahamas, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago entered 2025 with debt burdens materially higher than in 2019,’ the IDB report said.

The job market has also improved significantly. According to the report, back in 2021, about 1 in every 7 working-age Guyanese was unemployed.

By 2024, that number had dropped to fewer than 1 in 14. ‘Guyana’s unemployment rate fell from 14.5 per cent in the third quarter of 2021 to 6.8 per cent during the same period in 2024,’ the IDB report stated.

Guyana’s population has grown too, from around 700,000 people a decade ago to about 900,000 today.

Meanwhile, Guyana’s economy grew by an incredible 19.3 percent in 2025, after growing even faster, 43.8 percent. the year before.

While oil remains the biggest driver, other parts of the economy are picking up steam too. Growth outside the oil sector rose to 15 percent in 2025, up from 13 percent the year before, which is a sign that other industries are also benefiting from the country’s oil wealth.

Experts at the International Monetary Fund expect the growth to continue in a big way, with the economy projected to expand by 16.2 per cent in 2026, 19.7 per cent in 2027 and 22.1 per cent in 2028.

After that, growth is expected to slow down to more sustainable levels, 12.8 per cent in 2029, 11.5 per cent in 2030, and just 1.1 per cent in 2031, as oil production stabilises.