Pulse of the Caribbean

#85 Caribbean News Round Up Episode 2 Week of July 28

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Breaking new ground across the Caribbean, nations are implementing transformative technologies and infrastructure developments that reflect a bold vision for the region's future as highlighted in this episode of Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup. 

  • Barbados launching real-time bus tracking and smart card payment with a cashless fare system
  • Dominica developing a digital fabrication laboratory at State College to teach 3D modeling, printing, coding, and electronics
  • Antigua's world-class cruise terminal approaching completion
  • Nassau Cruise Port receives nomination for Caribbean's Leading Cruise Port 2025 
  • Guyana's President hands over new official residence for CARICOM Secretary General
  • Russian Airlines seeking to resume charter flights to Dominican Republic

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, yosemite, british Virgin Islands, home of Foxy's Taboo and Gateway to the Bubbly Pool, a natural jacuzzi and hidden gem.

Speaker 2:

We start our report in Barbados. Barbados officials revealed on Friday that real-time bus tracking and smart card payment will activate across the public transport network by September, in time for the new school year, making Barbados the first Caribbean nation with a cashless fare system. In an interview with Barbados Today, transport Board Chief Operations Officer Linda Holder detailed the initiative. Holder said Barbados will be the first Caribbean nation to develop a comprehensive, ecologically friendly public transport system that meets global standards. Transit BB is testing the system and the real-time bus location mobile app. Barbados also has the largest fleet of electric buses in the Western Hemisphere.

Speaker 2:

Now on to Dominica. The government of Dominica will develop a digital fabrication laboratory FabLab at Dominica's State College to build a knowledge-based economy and equip young people for future industries. On Friday, dr Irvin McIntyre, dominica's Minister for Finance, economic Development, climate Resilience and social security, made the announcement during the national budget for fiscal year 2025-2026. He said this project is crucial for Dominican innovators, engineers and entrepreneurs. According to Dr McIntyre, the Fab Lab will be a vibrant maker space where students, artists and creators may experiment with cutting-edge digital tools and fabrication technology. This facility will teach 3D modeling, 3d printing, coding, electronics and microcontroller programming. In addition, this facility will teach students rapid prototyping, product development, interactive electronics and creative problem solving by turning digital concepts into physical prototypes.

Speaker 2:

Our next stop is Antigua. A world-class passenger terminal at Antigua Cruise Port is approaching completion as part of the Upland Development Project phase schedule for November 2025. The development will include a combination of shopping and dining establishments to promote Antigua and Barbuda as a top cruise destination and assist the island's home porting operations. The terminal is being built in a public-private corporation with Antigua Cruise Port operator, global Ports Holding. Global Ports Holding, which refurbished the NASA cruise port and controls San Juan and St Lucia ports, is developing this latest project in the region.

Speaker 2:

In other cruise-related news from the Bahamas, the NASA Cruise Port said in a statement while in the midst of Phase 2 of the redevelopment of the New Providence Cruise Port, nasa Cruise Port has received another nomination from the World Travel Awards for the Caribbean's leading cruise port 2025. This is the second such nomination for the cruise port three years after it opened. After a multi-million dollar renovation, the port is now adding a port side pool to improve the guest experience and is expanding its yacht and marina services. Nasa Cruise Port said, just two years after its grand reopening, the port continues to exceed expectations. Nasa Cruise Port welcomed 5.6 million cruise passengers to NASA in 2024, topping the previous year's number by 1.2 million passengers. Ceo and Director of NASA Cruise Port, mike Mora Jr, said this second nomination is a great accomplishment and reflects the dedication of the NASA cruise port's entire team. The country saw a total of 9.1 million visitors last year. Cruise visitors represent 61 percent of all visitors to the Bahamas.

Speaker 2:

Next up, guyana's President, dr Mohamed Ifram Ali, handed over new official residence for the CARICOM Secretary General. After this, 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 Hamptons by Hilton, 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 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. This is the Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup General Dr Carla Bennett in Sparendam, east Coast Demerara, on Sunday, demonstrating its commitment to regional integration and the Caribbean community, president Ali stated that Guyana is committed to regional integration and proud of the Caribbean Community Project.

Speaker 2:

He praised a new residence for meeting standards, easing commutes and supporting the Secretary General's office. It also brings the Secretary General closer to the Secretariat. After collecting the keys to the official house, the CARICOM Secretary General thanked Guyana. President Ali signed the visitor's book and raised the CARICOM flag for the first time after the speech. Before the new residence was built, the first six CARICOM secretaries general, including Dr Burnett and her predecessor, ambassador LaRocque, lived in rental properties at Colgrane House in Georgetown which the government bought in 1975. And here's her final note.

Speaker 2:

Russian Airlines wants to resume charter flights to Punta Cana. According to the Dominican Republic Civil Aviation Board President, hector Porcella, although the carriers are ready, a high-level political and diplomatic agreement is needed to commence operations. Porcello also announced that Air France will resume its Paris-Dominican Republic route by early 2026. He noted that the Dominican Republic has air agreements with over 70 nations, with the United States being its biggest economic partner and tourism supplier, with the United States being its biggest economic partner and tourism supplier. This podcast has been 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.

Speaker 2:

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 2, for the week of July 28. Here's a shout-out to our listeners in the Bahamas and Texas. 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. Bye, guys.

Speaker 1:

I'm Keisha Blyden. See you next time. 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.