KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Jamaican economy contracted by an estimated 5.9 per cent during the January to March 2026 quarter, compared with the corresponding quarter of 2025, the director general of the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIO) Dr Wayne Henry said on Wednesday.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley is urging producers and industry stakeholders to work with her administration in a renewed national effort to rebuild production, expand exports and strengthen Barbados’ economic resilience.

WASHINGTON, DC – The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says the economic growth in Trinidad and Tobago is projected to remain at around 0.8 per cent in 2026, and will strengthen over the medium term supported by new energy projects and continued momentum in the non-energy sector.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – The Barbados government spent an estimated BDS$1.2 billion in 2022 on the importation of petroleum products as a result of the Ukraine war, a senior government minister has said here.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana – President Irfaan Ali says Guyana is on the cusp of a sweeping transformation of its financial sector, with two landmark payment systems set to be implemented soon and three major international banks being given the green light to operate in the country.

LISLE – Caribbean countries are being urged to accelerate workforce training and education in artificial intelligence as industries across the region prepare for rapid technological change and growing global competition.

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica has allocated J$250 million (US$1.6 million) for the second phase of its Hurricane Melissa recovery programme, targeting farmers who were excluded from the initial round of assistance.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Financial regulators in Barbados are monitoring suspicious financial transactions involving millions of dollars allegedly linked to funds misappropriated from Malaysia’s state-owned 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

KINGSTON, Jamaica - Jamaica's government says the mining sector remains a cornerstone of the local economy, driving 85 per cent of traditional exports and contributing significantly to national development, while accounting for approximately two per cent of gross domestic product (GDP).

QUITO, Ecuador - The Latin American and Caribbean Energy Organization (OLACDE) Wednesday said that Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) accounted for approximately 11 per cent of global oil supply last year with regional oil production increasing by 20 per cent.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – The Trinidad-based international consulting firm, Leve Global Limited, says it has been engaged by the Dominica government to develop the Sustainability Plan and Strategic Framework for the island’s  agro-processing facility.

CASTRIES, St. Lucia – The St. Lucia government says it regards the four-day 2026 Caribbean Investment Summit (CIS26) as representing a strategic platform to strengthen regional cooperation, reinforce international credibility and ensure that investment migration continues to support sustainable national development.