Pulse of the Caribbean

#82 Caribbean News Round Up Episode 3 Week of July 21

• Pulse of the Caribbean

Share episode

A wave of infrastructure development is sweeping across the Caribbean as nations invest strategically to strengthen their economies and build resilience against future challenges as highlighted in the headlines of our latest Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup. 

  • Puerto Rico received $27.8 million in US federal funding for airport improvements in Aguadilla, Ponce, Ceiba, and Vieques
  • Turks and Caicos begins South Dock redevelopment modernizing its primary port that handles 90% of imports
  • Guyana's President Ali announced plans to develop ports and to position the country as a regional shipping hub
  • Dominican Republic opened the largest photovoltaic complex in Central America and the Caribbean
  •  St. Lucia will host the 2025 OECS Invitational Boxing Championship from August 1-3 

Listen online at www.pulseofthecaribbean.com or your favorite streaming platform.

Send news releases to news@pulseofthecaribean.com. If you have an interest in sponsoring our podcast, email us at  biz@pulseofthecaribbean.com.

Speaker 1:

This is the Pulse of the Caribbean Caribbean News Roundup. Now today's Caribbean News Headlines.

Speaker 2:

This podcast is brought to you by Victory Run Walk, sponsored by the US Virgin Islands Department of Tourism. Accommodations are now available. Register at VictoryRunWalkVIcom for the 5K, 10k and Half Marathon. Labor Day weekend, august 30th. St Thomas, us Virgin Islands, and Diamond Key, marina, yosvendike, british Virgin Islands, home of Foxy's Taboo and Gateway to the Bubbly Pool. The Caribbean News Roundup episode three for the week of July 21st.

Speaker 2:

Here's a look at what's making Caribbean headlines. We start our report in Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico's Port Authority received $27.8 million in US federal money for four airport capital work projects. The US Federal Aviation Administration funding will pay 95 percent of project expenditures and rebail Puerto Rico's airport infrastructure in Aguadilla, ponce, ciba and Vieques. Rafael Hernandez International Airport in Aguadilla will get approximately $9.6 million to build a new runway, a key part of the agency's regional development plan. Mercedita International Airport in Ponce received $782,345 to build a topographical and geographical appropriate drainage system. Officials claim that the study will lay the groundwork for a significant flood control project. Almost $2 million will be allocated for pavement design studies at the Jose Aponte del Toro Airport in Ciba and Antonio Rivera Rodriguez Airport in Vieques. The evaluations promote safety and operational improvements.

Speaker 2:

Now on to the Turk and Caicos Islands. The first stage of building on Turk and Caicos Providentials' long-awaited South Deck redevelopment will begin tomorrow, thursday, july 24, 2025. Tomorrow, thursday, july 24, 2025. The Turk and Caicos Port Authority said the renovation port infrastructure would reduce congestion, shipping costs and prepare the islands for future maritime trade. Over two decades old, south Dock is the country's principal marine gateway, handling 90% of imported food fuel and building supplies. After years of overcapacity, the port is antiquated and congested. The facility is undergoing a multi-phase makeover as part of the government's vision 2040 strategy to build a modern, climate-resilient and disaster-ready port infrastructure. Redevelopment is expected to have major economic advantages. According to officials, shipping and freight costs, demurrage charges and tariffs may decrease due to vessel waiting times and port efficiency. The Turk and Caicos government's long-term goal is to future-proof the Turk and Keiko's infrastructure with comprehensive renovations set for over the next few years.

Speaker 2:

Our next stop is Guyana. Guyana's president, dr Muhammad Ifram Ali, has pledged to increase port development investments in the next five years to boost commerce, competitiveness and economic growth. He made this announcement at the Shipping Association of Guyana's Networking and Business Mixer at the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown, guyana, on Tuesday. To boost marine trade and make Guyana a regional hub, the government aims to improve and develop its ports. Plans are on the way to deepen to Demerara Harbor. The president said that deep seas allow larger ships to dock, lower transportation costs and make Guyana a regional hub. President Ali added that his administration is creating a Contemporary Port Act to support these efforts. President Ali also announced that the administration will build a deep water port in Region 6 to connect Guyana to Brazil, south America and the Caribbean. To connect Guyana to Brazil, south America and the Caribbean. This massive initiative is expected to make Burbis a global commercial hub. Guyana is working to remove trade barriers and increase competitiveness. President Ali said Guyana wants to build its maritime industry and focus on the $5 billion seafood market to become a food hub. Next up, the largest photovoltaic complex in Central America and the Caribbean opens after this.

Speaker 2:

St Thomas, virgin Islands. Victory Run 2025 accommodations are now available After race registration. Book your stay and be the first occupants to stay at the Hampton Spy Hilton, directly located at the start and finish line of Victory Run 2025. Directly located at the start and finish line of Victory Run 2025. While around the bend and at the beach shore is the beautiful Westin Resort and connecting waterfront villas of the Bowie House. Both locations are family friendly and here to accommodate you with special rates, making your stay a breeze as you gear up and get ready for St Thomas Victory Run 2025 USVI. Book your stay now no-transcript.

Speaker 2:

In La Romana, dominican Republic. The complex, with a capacity of 162.6 megawatts, features three solar plants that create clean electricity, yearly powering 166,000 homes and reducing CO2 emissions by nearly 210,000 tons per year, comparable to growing 5.5 million trees During construction. The project employed around 600 people, boosting the local economy. Acciona Energia owns 51% of the initiative, while Coto Solar Holding and Investor Consortium, solar Holding and Investor Consortium, including JMMB Sustainable Energy Fund, grupo Pais and others own 49%. Beyond, acciona and its foundation is working with the Dominican Republic's Ministry of Energy and Mines to promote sustainable energy in vulnerable communities. Together with Centro Arco Ais, they are advancing water and sanitation projects in Bajos de Hania, benefiting around 4,500 residents.

Speaker 2:

And here's our final note St Lucia will host a 2025 OECS Invitational Boxing Championship showcasing Caribbean and American boxing talent. According to the news release, the event, organized by the St Lucia Boxing Association and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States Commission, intends to internationalize regional competition. Intends to internationalize regional competition. Also supporting the championship are the St Lucia's Tourism Authority and the French Embassy to the OECS. The Rodney Bay Pavilion in St Lucia will host the 2025 OECS Invitational Boxing Championship, august 1st to August 3rd. Organizers expect a broad group of young fighters and spectators to attend the contest, boosting St Lucia's sports reputation as a hub for regional sporting events.

Speaker 2:

This podcast is brought to you by Victory Run Walk, sponsored by the US Virgin Islands Department of Tourism. Accommodations are now available. Register at VictoryRunWalkVIcom for the 5K, 10k and Half Marathon. Labor Day weekend, august 30th. St Thomas, us Virgin Islands, and Diamond Key, marina Yosvendike, british Virgin Islands. Home of Foxy's Taboo and Gateway to the Bubbly Pool, a natural jacuzzi and hidden gem. Have news and information you'd like to share with us? Send news releases to news at pulseofthecaribbeancom. If you have an interest in sponsoring our podcast, email us at biz at pulseofthecaribbeancom. This has been your Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup, episode 3, for the week of July 21st. Here's a shout out to our listeners in Haiti and in New York. Thanks for listening and do spread the word and share our podcast with others across the region and the diaspora. I'm Keisha Blyden. See you next time.

Speaker 1:

For more Caribbean news stories and information, visit us online at pulseofthecaribbeancom. If you found value in this podcast, be sure to like and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and thank you in advance for choosing Pulse of the Caribbean Caribbean News Roundup as your source for Caribbean-centered news.