REGIONAL

Caribbean one of the subregions most affected by standstill in tourism Friday, December 26, 2008 (ECLAC) The Caribbean and Central America will be the subregions most affected by the stagnation in tourism caused by the financial crisis.  Tourism began experiencing a strong deceleration between June and August 2008 due to the increasing deterioration of real income and consumer expectations. read more... Atlantic hurricane season forecast is 'above-average' Thursday, December 11, 2008 (Bloomberg): Next year’s Atlantic hurricane season will be “somewhat above-average,” with 14 named storms, according to an annual Colorado State University forecast released Wednesday. Seven of the storms are predicted to become hurricanes, including three major storms with sustained winds of 111 mph. read more... Caribbean hosts the world Wednesday, November 26, 2008 For the third year running, the Caribbean has been selected to stage the world’s largest and most important international awards for the travel industry.  The final of the renowned World Travel Awards – described as the ‘Oscars’ of the travel industry – takes place at Beaches, Turks & Caicos Islands on 2 December. read more... Caribbean faces squeeze from financial crisis Monday, November 24, 2008 (Reuters): The international financial crisis is putting a squeeze on cash-strapped governments across the Caribbean as the region braces for a steep economic slowdown. A severe spillover from the crisis will be seen in the Caribbean's important tourism market during the winter high season. read more... New head for OECS Puerto Rico office Tuesday, November 18, 2008 Former First Secretary at the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) High Commission in Ottawa, Canada, Anita Joseph will take up her new post as Head of the OECS office in Puerto Rico from December 2008. Joseph, a national of Dominica, has also worked as Foreign Service Officer. read more... Seminar increases awareness of need to protect Caribbean Sea from pollution Thursday, November 6, 2008 A regional seminar was recently completed that aimed to increase the public awareness of marine pollution from ships and land. Specifically, it focused on the ratification and implementation of Annex V of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL 73/78). read more... Caribbean focusing more on trade agreements than regional integration Thursday, October 30, 2008 In the midst of an uncertain international context, countries in the region are striving to advance towards trade agreements that reduce associated transaction costs. There is also a trend towards productive integration through private-sector investment and trade decisions. read more... ECLAC to report on regional impact of financial crisis Wednesday, October 22, 2008 The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) will present a report next week in Mexico on the impact of the international financial crisis on the region's economies and trade. ECLAC said the document analyzes the international situation and its impacts on the region's trade. read more... New multi-million dollar Caribbean fibre network under construction Wednesday, October 22, 2008 Triton Telecom is building a fibre network across the Caribbean from Florida to Puerto Rico and then to the Dominican Republic and Jamaica. It is the first in its region to use submarine cable based on a native 10G system and supporting up to 40G per channel. read more... New partnership focuses on USVI, BVI and Puerto Rico Wednesday, January 9, 2008 ST CROIX, USVI: Seaborne Airlines and Virgin Voice Publications have recently formed a partnership to increase communication among readers within the region. Beginning in February Virgin Voice magazine will be the exclusive magazine in the seat backs of all Seaborne flights between the USVI, BVI and Puerto Rico. read more... Puerto Rico and OECS to forge closer relationship Wednesday, May 30, 2007 BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CUOPM): The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the member nations of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) have agreed to strengthen their relationship. OECS leaders held a very productive meeting with the Secretary of State of Puerto Rico, Fernando Bonilla. read more...