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Virgin Islands – India to expand financial services

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Virgin Islands – India to expand financial services

BVI / INDIA – Premier and minister of finance, Natalio D. Wheatley will lead a public-private financial services trade mission to India from 24 to 31 August 2026, aimed at attracting new business, strengthening institutional relationships and expanding the Territory’s presence in the Indian market.

Premier Wheatley will present the delegation on Wednesday.

The Virgin Islands officials will visit New Delhi, GIFT City, Mumbai and Bengaluru for regulatory discussions, industry meetings, business-to-business engagements and BVI financial services roadshows.

The mission is expected to generate qualified business leads for BVI service providers, establish relationships with Indian regulators and financial institutions, increase awareness of the BVI’s financial services offering and create opportunities for long-term partnerships.

The delegation will also promote the BVI’s expertise in corporate structuring, investment funds, private wealth, financial technology and cross-border business.

Following the mission, the government and industry partners will coordinate follow-up with prospective clients and institutions to convert the contacts made into measurable business opportunities for The Virgin Islands.

OAS – Japan signs new cooperation agreement to provide ID cards to Haitians, access to social services

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OAS – Japan signs new cooperation agreement to provide ID cards to Haitians, access to social services

WASHINGTON, USA – The General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (OAS) and the government of Japan on Tuesday signed a new cooperation agreement at the headquarters of Haiti’s National Office of Identification (ONI) to expand access to identification services and support the Improvement of Access to Social Services in Haiti project through a USD 3 million grant from Japan.

The agreement establishes the framework for Japanese financial cooperation to be implemented by the OAS in support of Haiti’s economic and social development. It was signed by OAS secretary-general Albert R. Ramdin and ambassador of Japan to Haiti Nishiuchi Kazuhiko, in the presence of Haiti’s minister of justice and public security, Patrick Pélissier, and minister of foreign affairs and Worship, Raina Forbin, during a ceremony held at ONI headquarters in Port-au-Prince in the framework of a high-level Inter-American delegation’s visit to Haiti.

“Japan and the OAS share a simple conviction: Haiti’s long-term stability must be built from the inside by Haitians, one citizen, one identity, one vote at a time. Japan has articulated this principle consistently in its diplomatic engagement on Haiti and its support for providing Haitians with national identification cards clearly demonstrates that this vision is being translated into action. This agreement further underscores the OAS’s steadfast support for Haiti and its efforts to advance Haitian-led initiatives that promote the country’s stability and development,” said secretary-general Ramdin.

“Through this project, Japan is pleased to support Haiti’s efforts to strengthen legal identity, improve access to essential public services and enhance the operational capacity of national institutions. By working with the OAS and Haitian authorities, we aim to ensure that citizens, particularly those in remote and vulnerable communities, can obtain the identification documents they need to participate fully in society and exercise their rights,” said ambassador Nishiuchi Kazuhiko.


New cooperation agreement at the headquarters of Haiti’s National Office of Identification (ONI) to expand access to identification services and support the Improvement of Access to Social Services in Haiti

Under this new cooperation, the government of Japan will provide financial support for facility rehabilitation, equipment installation, capacity building, and operational needs. The project aims to update Haiti’s voter roll by ensuring uninterrupted citizen registration and the production and delivery of National Identification Cards. It will also reduce the backlog of citizens awaiting identification, expand mobile registration services in remote and vulnerable communities, and strengthen coordination between the ONI and the Provisional Electoral Council.

Funding will support the procurement of 350,000 blank biometric ID cards; continued deployment of ONI mobile units; public awareness campaigns on legal identity and the electoral process; improvements to joint ONI and electoral facilities; transportation assistance; and other operational needs. The initiative will strengthen institutional capacity and public-service delivery, improve electricity and internet connectivity at decentralised offices, and expand access to identification services for underserved populations across Haiti.

This new phase builds on the initiative’s first phase, launched in 2023 with a USD 8 million grant from the government of Japan. The funding enabled the registration of more than 1.07 million Haitian citizens in the national identification system, bringing the ONI database to approximately 6.55 million registered individuals. During the same period, more than 1.22 million National Identification Cards were delivered, increasing the number of Haitians with a valid national ID to approximately 5.8 million. These results have strengthened Haiti’s civil identification system, expanded access to essential public services, and laid the foundation for greater citizen participation in national life.

Japan became the first Asian country to join the OAS as a Permanent Observer in 1973, marking the beginning of a strategic partnership grounded in shared principles and a commitment to peace, democracy, and development.

Public service must facilitate investment and development, says PM Holness

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Public service must facilitate investment and development, says PM Holness

By Serena Grant

KINGSTON, Jamaica, (JIS) – Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, says the public service must increasingly position itself as a facilitator of investment and development as Jamaica competes globally for capital, technology and talent. He said the speed and quality with which government agencies process approvals and other regulatory requirements can influence Jamaica’s competitiveness as an investment destination.

Prime Minister Holness was addressing the permanent secretaries’ board retreat at Sandals Ochi Beach Resort in St Ann August 14.

“Our civil service must, therefore, increasingly see itself as a facilitator of development rather than a gatekeeper of development. That distinction is important,” the prime minister said. He emphasised that this approach does not mean lowering standards or disregarding regulations.

“It doesn’t mean we’re going to ignore regulations. It doesn’t mean we’re going to create special treatments for particular interests. Facilitation is not favouritism. Speed is not recklessness,” he stated.

The prime minister said the relationship between the public and private sectors is critical to Jamaica’s development, noting that private enterprise encompasses businesses of varying sizes.

“The public service does not exist without the private sector,” he said.

Prime Minister Holness noted that much of the investment and economic activity required for Jamaica’s continued development, will be generated by private capital.

“Government does not create development alone. Much of the investment, employment, housing, tourism development, manufacturing capacity, technology and economic activity that Jamaica needs will come from private capital,” he added. “So, our job is to work closely with private capital to make sure that we are growing the economy.”

Prime Minister Holness said Jamaica is competing with countries around the world for investment in areas such as manufacturing, logistics, tourism, data centres, energy and emerging industries. He pointed out that major investments generally require interaction with the State through planning and environmental approvals, licences, permits, land matters, utility connections or tax administration.

“The quality and speed of those interactions therefore become part of Jamaica’s comparative position as an investment destination,” he said.

The prime minister noted that international investors have several countries from which to choose and will not necessarily wait indefinitely for decisions.

“They can invest in Jamaica, but they can also invest in the Dominican Republic, in Costa Rica, in Mexico, Colombia, the United States, South Africa, Africa as a whole,” he added. “Their investment committees are considering multiple opportunities, and their capital is finite. They will not wait around for Jamaica to make decisions.”

He told the permanent secretaries that their work consequently has a direct bearing on Jamaica’s economic prospects.

“So, like it or not, the public sector or permanent secretaries, you are part of Jamaica’s economic prospects. You are an asset for our economy, if it is that we can say that Jamaica’s public bureaucracy is efficient,” the prime minister said.

Guyana’s Duck-Rice integration to boost farmers’ income, cut production costs

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Guyana’s Duck-Rice integration to boost farmers’ income, cut production costs

– Climate-smart initiative expected to transform small-scale rice farming

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, (DPI) – Guyana’s rice industry is embracing an innovative climate-smart farming model that has the potential to significantly reduce production costs, improve environmental sustainability and create an additional source of income for hundreds of rice farmers.

The rice-duck integrated farming system, being piloted by the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), allows farmers to cultivate rice while simultaneously raising ducks on the same acreage, creating two marketable products from a single crop cycle.

The initiative is expected to reduce farmers’ reliance on costly herbicides, insecticides and synthetic fertilisers while improving profitability and supporting the government’s drive to modernise agriculture through sustainable production systems.

The Department of Public Information (DPI) sat down with GRDB’s Agronomist, Dr Ghansham Payman, who explained that ducks naturally perform several functions that would otherwise require expensive chemical inputs.

“The ducks work as weed control agents, and they feed on insects, snails and other pests, while their droppings return organic matter and nutrients to the soil. From our pilot project, farmers can reduce synthetic fertiliser application by 50 percent or more,” Dr Payman stated.

The pilot project, which introduced 100 ducks per acre, has already demonstrated encouraging financial returns. According to Dr Payman, farmers were able to recover the entire investment made for duck housing, fencing, ducklings and feed within a single crop.

“We had 100 percent recovery of the investment cost in one season. Moving forward, those infrastructure costs are already covered, meaning farmers stand to earn higher profits with every subsequent crop.”

Beyond lowering production costs, the integrated system offers farmers an additional income stream from duck sales while maintaining rice production on the same parcel of land.

Dr Payman said the initiative is particularly suited to small-scale farmers who live close to their fields and can effectively manage the ducks throughout the production cycle.

“If we can transition 700 to 800 farmers from cultivating only rice to a rice-duck integrated system, they will maximise the use of the same piece of land while increasing profitability. It also creates opportunities for women and young people to participate in agriculture,” he added.

FAO’s livestock specialist Dr Gayle Young said the approach has been successfully practised in several Asian countries for decades and is now being adapted to Guyana’s conditions to create a sustainable production model.

“We are also focusing on gender because this system is easier to manage. It creates opportunities for women, youth and small farmers to participate in agricultural production while lowering overall production costs,” Dr Young said.

The Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) is providing technical support to ensure farmers produce healthy, market-ready ducks while building long-term sustainability.

GLDA’s Livestock Extension Coordinator, Selwyn Anthony, explained that the agency’s role is to support farmers with duck management, identify quality breeding stock and ensure continuity of the project, so farmers eventually become self-sufficient in producing their own ducklings.

The GLDA is also exploring opportunities to develop a premium market for ducks raised under the integrated system.

“Once we establish that the meat quality is similar or even superior, we can market it as pasture-raised ducks from rice fields. That creates an additional value-added product for farmers,” GLDA’s livestock extension coordinator, Selwyn Anthony, said.

The project currently supports farmers across Guyana’s rice-growing regions with starter kits that include ducklings, feed, feeding and watering equipment, and fencing materials and is expected to expand during the next cropping season, allowing more farmers to benefit from the innovative production model.

How can governments turn data into better decisions?

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How can governments turn data into better decisions?

Highlights

  • Governments generate enormous amounts of data, but they harness only a fraction of its potential.
  • Administrative systems contain key information for improving public management.
  • Turning data into decisions can improve the implementation of public policies and contribute to more timely and effective services for people.

By Sandra Hipatia Naranjo Bautista

Governments generate enormous amounts of data every day. Every time a salary is paid, a contract is awarded, or a service is provided, their systems produce valuable information. However, much of that data is never used to improve public management.

The opportunity is immense. More than 90 percent of the countries in Latin America and the Caribbean have systems for managing payroll, procurement, or public finances, and all have digital tax systems. However, most use this data primarily for day-to-day operations, not to diagnose problems or anticipate decisions.

In practice, this means that millions of public transactions (salaries, contracts, payments, appointments, and procurements) remain stored in government systems without being transformed into information for decision-making. In a recent analysis of public payroll conducted by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in just one country, more than 30 million individual public employment records were processed between 2019 and 2024, revealing opportunities for improvement with significant fiscal impacts. The raw data already exists; the challenge is to transform it into evidence to better allocate resources, strengthen policy implementation, and respond more effectively to people’s needs.

A valuable resource that governments already have

Administrative systems were designed to support governments’ day-to-day operations. Behind every transaction lies detailed information about who made the decision, when it occurred, how much it cost, where it was carried out, and what the outcome was. Payroll databases contain information on millions of payments and personnel changes spanning years. Procurement systems record every contract, bidder, amount, and execution period. These are databases with a level of detail and coverage that few surveys can match. This data can help answer key questions for public management.

  • Why is personnel spending increasing?
  • Which institutions have the highest employee turnover?
  • Are public procurement processes being used correctly?
  • Where are the main bottlenecks that delay the implementation of a policy or the delivery of a service?
  • In which areas can government effectiveness be improved?

So why isn’t this information being used?

Experiences in different countries reveal similar challenges. Sometimes the information is scattered across different platforms that don’t communicate with one another. Other times, the data exists, but the capacity to analyze it does not. And in many cases, the biggest challenge is not technical but political: having evidence does not mean it will influence decisions.

The good news is that this is changing. More and more governments are demonstrating that it is possible to transform the data they already generate into useful information and improve public management. 

How administrative data can improve public management and public services

At the IDB, we are working with several governments in Latin America and the Caribbean to make better use of the data generated by their administrative systems. Analyzing this data helps identify where resources are concentrated, which institutions face the greatest challenges, and which processes cause delays or cost overruns. This information helps improve the internal functioning of the government and guides decisions that strengthen policy implementation and the delivery of public services.

For example, payroll data makes it possible to track millions of personnel changes over time. With this data, it is possible to determine whether spending is increasing because there are more civil servants or because salaries are rising, to identify institutions with high turnover, to anticipate waves of retirements, and even to compare the composition of the public workforce with that of other countries. In one of the countries we analysed, an analysis of this data estimated that better allocation of administrative staff in a single sector could generate savings equivalent to about 0.4 percent of GDP. In addition to reducing costs, a more strategic distribution of staff improves the efficiency of public service delivery.

Public procurement systems record millions of transactions each year. By analysing them, it is possible to detect hidden patterns in day-to-day management: processes that are unnecessarily repeated, significant price differences between similar products, a concentration of awards among certain suppliers, or the splitting of contracts to avoid more competitive procedures. In one of the countries we work with, the analysis showed that procurements made below a regulatory threshold increased 4.3-fold in just a few years and were unusually concentrated just below that limit. Without data analytics, that pattern would have remained hidden. And if a pattern remains invisible, it can hardly be corrected. Adjusting these distortions creates fiscal space for public goods and services.

Surveys of public servants complement administrative data because they help us understand not only what is happening, but also why. Together, both types of data offer a much more comprehensive view of how public organisations function. The latest survey conducted in Chile in 2023 gathered input from more than 26,000 public servants—a scale that made it possible to understand aspects that administrative records alone cannot explain. The results showed that, although 84% perceive performance as important for promotion, only 39% believe there are good opportunities for professional development within their organisation.

The next step is not more data

Governments will continue to invest in digital transformation. In the region, these systems encompass functions that account, on average, for 79 percent of public revenue and at least 40 percent of central government spending. However, having more systems does not guarantee better decisions.

The next step for most governments is to use the data they already have—on payroll, procurement, and human resources—to answer specific questions, turn that information into action, and improve the monitoring of their policies. Better internal processes are the foundation for implementing better policies and providing quality public services to citizens. Here’s a question to get you started: What decision is your institution making today without looking at data that’s already in its own systems?

For those who want to put this approach into practice, join ImplementaLAC; it offers tools and resources to help. ImplementaLAC is the IDB’s free platform for public servants in the region who want to move from idea to action. It’s a great place to start: you’ll find a workshop on how to use data to improve public management.

What’s journalism worth in disasters and emergencies? A lot, says a new UN report

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What’s journalism worth in disasters and emergencies? A lot, says a new UN report

Key points

  • A free press is critical to saving lives, mitigating the impacts of humanitarian disasters and strengthening other disaster preparedness and risk reduction
  • Research across 152 countries links greater press freedom with lower risks of conflict, repression and human rights violations
  • Trusted journalism acts as a crucial source to counter false and harmful disinformation

NEW YORK, USA,(UN News) – From COVID-19 and human rights to climate action and earthquake response, journalists doing their jobs saves lives while also acting as an antidote to harmful fake news, according to a new report from UN culture agency, UNESCO, titled The value of journalism: Global evidence on why media matters to economies, national security and crises.

Key findings highlight that beyond countering disinformation, trusted media strengthens government accountability, helps affected communities access support and pushes governments and local officials to take action.

Good reporting also leads to a more efficient and extensive response, from emergency needs to dealing with disasters.

Critical reporting also acts as a watchdog to keep the aid sector honest, leading to reform and more effective responses, according to UNESCO, which supports media literacy around the world.

Original environmental journalism can lead to better protection of natural ecosystems, the report argues.

For instance, an online magazine reporting on wastewater discharge from a landfill site in Thailand prompted authorities to step in, while investigations into illegal sand mining in Uganda led to a nationwide ban.

Here are more examples from the report:

In Burkina Faso, radio programmes about the risks of infant malaria, pneumonia and diarrhoea were found to dramatically increase the rate at which caregivers took children to health centres, reducing deaths of children under five years old by an average of 7.15 percent per year and saving an estimated 2,967 children’s lives.

A campaign by journalists at the Los Angeles Times led to new building codes that made California’s largest city more earthquake-resilient

A study on the value of radio after a major earthquake found it connected family to lost ones, encouraged children to return to school and helped spread critical information about safety, hygiene, clean drinking water and shelter to prevent the outbreak of deadly disease.

An evaluation of radio content in Nigeria designed to address COVID-19 misinformation and vaccine hesitancy found that the programmes helped regular listeners identify and challenge false narratives.

Fighting fake news

False narratives, rumours and disinformation are exacerbating crises and undermining the ability of communities to prepare, respond and rebuild after a disaster and even preventing aid from reaching those in need.

False reporting can also exacerbate conflict and lead to violence against humanitarian workers, according to the report.

Disinformation has caused significant harm and damage during such health crises as COVID-19 in what the World Health Organization (WHO) described as an “infodemic.”

One study estimated that disinformation led to nearly 2.3 million cases and 66,000 hospitalisations in 2021 in the United States alone, resulting in $2 billion in extra costs of hospitalisation and 45,000 avoidable deaths.

At the same time, trusted journalism acts as a crucial source of information to counter these narratives and convey expert advice.

Spotlight on aid

News coverage can also prompt significant charitable giving from audiences, according to the report.

British journalist Michael Buerk’s famous reporting from Ethiopia in 1984 for the BBC is credited with raising more than $200 million for famine relief.

Turkish photojournalist Nilüfer Demir’s photo of the drowned child, Alan Kurdi, raised worldwide attention to the Syrian conflict in 2015, leading to a spike in donations, including a 50-fold increase in funding to some non-governmental organisations.

Journalism can also lead to major reform within the aid sector itself, as demonstrated during the #AidToo scandal, where journalists revealed abuse of power in Haiti and a culture of impunity, involving NGOs Oxfam and Save the Children.

Read the full UNESCO report here.

IDB Invest supports ITBA’s new campus development in Argentina – $45 million financing package

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IDB Invest supports ITBA’s new campus development in Argentina – $45 million financing package

WASHINGTON, USA — IDB Invest announced a $45 million financing package for the Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires (ITBA) to support the development of a new university campus in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The project will consolidate ITBA’s existing facilities into a modern, integrated infrastructure designed to support the institution’s continued academic growth.

The new campus will be located in the Innovation Park (Parque de la Innovación) in the Núñez neighbourhood of Buenos Aires, an environment that promotes collaboration among universities, research centers, companies, and technology ventures. The initiative will expand ITBA’s academic capacity, strengthen its offerings in engineering, technology, and applied sciences, and broaden its reach to students from different regions of the country.

“Argentina’s competitiveness depends largely on its ability to develop the talent required by the industries of the future. This new campus will not only expand that capacity, but also strengthen an ecosystem where academia, research, and the productive sector can transform knowledge into innovation and growth,” said Viviana Alva-Hart, IDB group representative in Argentina.

The project is aligned with the IDB Group Country Strategy for Argentina 2025–2028, which prioritises productive modernisation, innovation, and human capital development. By expanding access to high-quality education and fostering applied research, the operation will help address skills gaps and improve graduate employability in high-demand sectors.

The project’s total financing amounts to $45 million. IDB Invest will provide a $32.5 million financing package in  A-loans, along with the mobilisation of an additional $12.5 million from the Japan International Cooperation Agency’s Trust Fund for the Development of Latin America and the Caribbean (TADAC Fund), administered by the IDB. This financing will help attract private capital to educational infrastructure in Argentina.

In addition to financing, IDB Invest will provide technical assistance and institutional support, including enhancements to governance practices and technical guidance for the development of the new campus.

OAS Special Mission in Guatemala welcomes initial progress in the nomination process for Comptroller General of Accounts

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OAS Special Mission in Guatemala welcomes initial progress in the nomination process for Comptroller General of Accounts

WASHINGTON, USA – The special mission of the Organisation of American States to strengthen democratic institutions in Guatemala welcomes the establishment of the nominating commission for the selection of the comptroller general of accounts for the 2026–2030 term and notes positively the commencement of its work.

The participation of all 27 members in the Commission’s first session and the adoption of key organisational decisions represent an important step in a process that is fundamental to public accountability and integrity in the country.

The mission recognises the progress made by the Commission, including the election of its secretary and alternate secretary, the designation of Rafael Landívar University as its venue, and the approval of operating rules, a timetable, a core set of interview topics, psychometric assessments, and requirements for filing objections. To build on this positive start, the Mission considers it important that the minutes of the session, the rules, the timetable, all approved instruments, and the individual voting records be published immediately and in full.

Before issuing the call for applications scheduled for August 20, the Mission considers it advisable that the candidate profile, eligibility requirements, application form, résumé guidelines, scoring table, methodology for the psychometric assessments, and interview rules be approved and made publicly available. As some of these instruments are currently expected to be finalised after applications have already begun to be received, the Mission encourages the Commission to review the timetable to ensure their prior publication and to provide applicants with at least five full business days to submit their applications. This would provide greater certainty and more equitable conditions for all applicants, particularly those residing outside the capital or needing to obtain official documentation. The call for applications should also be accompanied by nationwide outreach.

The Mission is concerned that providing reasons for votes was left to the discretion of each Commission member. The Commission should consider revisiting this rule and requiring that each vote be accompanied by a brief explanation addressing the candidate’s profile, evaluation score, integrity, interview, and any objections raised—particularly when a vote departs from the results of the technical assessment. Such explanations may be concise and incorporated into the official record, thereby strengthening the transparency and traceability of the process.

The Commission could also reconsider the requirement that objections be submitted simultaneously in hard copy and on a USB drive. Instead, both physical and electronic submission channels could be made available, with acknowledgement of receipt and appropriate safeguards for personal data.

Interviews should include a common set of questions, equal time for all applicants, and a publicly available evaluation rubric. Any additional questions should arise from the applicant’s file and should not result in unequal treatment. The purpose, methodology, weighting, and data-protection arrangements for the psychometric assessments should also be disclosed in advance, and each applicant should be given access to their results and an opportunity to seek clarification.

Other transparency safeguards remain equally important, including declarations of interest by Commission members, records of their contacts with applicants, a public repository containing all documentation related to the process, independent background checks, and recorded votes based on a comprehensive assessment of each candidate.

During its upcoming visit to the country, the Mission will seek to meet with the Nominating Commission to present these recommendations, share relevant comparative experiences, and hear the views of its members and other key stakeholders. The Mission will continue to accompany the process closely, constructively, and independently, in accordance with its mandate and the Inter-American Democratic Charter.

NSHP continues to uplift the most vulnerable in Jamaica

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NSHP continues to uplift the most vulnerable in Jamaica

By Garwin Davis

KINGSTON, Jamaica, (JIS) – The most vulnerable citizens continue to benefit from the New Social Housing Programme (NSHP). On August 14, prime minister, Andrew Holness, handed over a new three-bedroom house to Pauline Johnson in St Ann South Western. Also on hand for the presentation was member of parliament for the constituency, Zavia Mayne.

The development marks a continuing push by the administration to utilise state resources to directly improve the living conditions of citizens facing severe economic and structural hardships.

“Seeing a family step into a safe, comfortable, and permanent home is a feeling that never gets old,” prime minister Holness told the gathering. This transformation was made possible through the New Social Housing Programme (NSHP), which means it was funded by you, our taxpayers. Your hard work and contributions are directly restoring dignity, building hope, and changing lives for our most vulnerable citizens. Every home we deliver is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together for the upliftment of all Jamaicans.”

Prime Minister Holness said the NSHP has been a transparent and impactful social intervention since its inception in 2018, under the Housing, Opportunity, Production and Employment (HOPE) initiative. He noted that the programme has successfully scaled up construction across the island’s 14 parishes, systematically identifying beneficiaries who lack the financial means to improve their own circumstances.

By establishing a rigorous, merit-based selection process, the Administration has ensured fiscal transparency while aggressively tackling the island’s acute low-income housing deficiencies.

Prime Minister Holness expressed deep pride in how the programme has expanded its reach year after year to uplift local communities.

Accepting the keys, Johnson expressed deep gratitude for the State intervention, noting that the new concrete structure would finally provide her family with long-term stability and physical safety.

“I am so honoured and blessed to receive this beautiful home today. For a long time, I didn’t know how my family would find a safe place to live or how we would recover from our hardships.

Prime Minister Holness and the NSHP have brought [a lot of love and joy] into our lives, and I can finally sleep peacefully knowing we have security and a stable roof over our heads,” Johnson said.

The NSHP operates under a strict three-pronged mandate: delivering core sanitation and housing units to individuals, upgrading troubled community infrastructure, and executing comprehensive tenement upgrades.

Beyond immediate sheltering, the initiative serves as an economic stabiliser for low-income communities.

By utilising local contractors and labourers for construction, the government injects capital directly into rural and peri-urban economies, fostering skills development alongside crucial infrastructural improvement.

Call off the Iran War. Just walk away!

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Call off the Iran War. Just walk away!

By Ron Paul

After several days of increasing threats against Iran, including social media posts like “FINISH THE JOB!” and “Take the oil. No mercy!,” President Trump has over the weekend called off a planned major escalation in the Middle East. For now.

“The USA is locked and loaded and ready to go against the Islamic Republic of Iran, at levels of Military Terror, Strength, and Power not seen since World War II,” he wrote on his social media account. “Despite this, we have just been asked by Iran, and other Middle Eastern Countries, to hold off any attack in that the perimeters of a deal has been agreed to,” he added.

Iran denies any communication with the US and has threatened retaliation against energy infrastructure in the region if its energy infrastructure is attacked. Such destruction could plunge the world into an economic depression.

Iranian retaliation – including against critical water desalination plants – could also depopulate US allies in the region, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and others. Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed bin Salman personally called president Trump to request he not escalate against Iran.

According to various media articles, the US is running dangerously low on missiles, especially interceptor missiles such as the Patriot system. Our ability to protect our military bases in the Middle East appears to be gone.

Reportedly, president Trump was warned by his top military advisors that a ground operation against Iran would result in a high level of US casualties and would have no guarantee of success. Already the official totals are 18 US service members killed and more than 700 injured in the operation.

Over the weekend, the US military completed its evacuation of a major military base in the Kurdish region of Iraq. This follows similar evacuations of virtually every US base in the region, including the home of the US 5th Fleet in Bahrain and “safe” US bases in Jordan.

The entirety of US military power in the region appears to have been relocated to Israel.

The war which was supposed to last a couple of weeks and “pay for itself,” is entering into its sixth month and the price tag so far is above $100 billion. A war that was started to thwart an Iranian nuclear threat that according to US Intelligence didn’t exist has become a war to open a waterway – the Hormuz Strait – that was open before the war started.

Things are so bad that, according to the Washington Post, the US general in charge of the US European Command sent a message to senior Pentagon officials “saying that without another Navy destroyer he will be forced to choose defense of the United States ‘homeland’ over that of Israel.” How is defending a foreign country over our own country even a choice?

The US attack on Iran is the most unpopular major US military operation in history and is becoming more unpopular by the day. President Trump’s polling numbers have been dragged down to the low 30s by the conflict. Midterm elections are three months away.

President Trump is rapidly running out of options in his war of choice against Iran. There is no path to victory in the war. It is now only about how to manage defeat. That’s why the Constitution does not allow presidents to start wars on their own.

Get out now. Completely out. The foolish war on Iran must end!

OECS, UNCTAD – ECLAC advance evidence-based trade in services policymaking across the OECS

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OECS, UNCTAD – ECLAC advance evidence-based trade in services policymaking across the OECS

CASTRIES, St Lucia – The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission, in collaboration with United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), has successfully concluded a high-level initiative to strengthen the economic resilience of the Eastern Caribbean through evidence-based policymaking for trade in services.

The project, Strengthening Capacity for Evidence-Based Policymaking and Economic Resilience in CARICOM, addressed critical trade in services data gaps that have long hindered OECS member states from fully leveraging the services sector as a driver for economic diversification.

By enhancing the availability and quality of services statistics, specifically through the implementation of UNCTAD’s Trade in Services Information System (TiSSTAT), the initiative empowers OECS member states to design competitive export strategies and participate more effectively in global value chains.

The project also included policy support to member states, featuring an analysis of the role of services trade in the region and advisory services tailored to national needs and contexts.

The initiative featured a series of workshops held between March 11 and April 29, 2026, across the beneficiary OECS member states, followed by regional validation meetings in July 2026. These sessions targeted senior policymakers and technical experts from ministries of trade, central statistical offices, and the private sector.

A primary focus was placed on the opportunities available through the growing trend of the servicification of manufacturing. The process by which the manufacturing of goods increasingly relies on produce and bundles services such as ICT and various business services to add value to sales and exports.

Participants also explored the Cultural and Creative Ecosystem (CCE), identifying bottlenecks in invisible value chains and developing methods to better measure and commercialise intellectual property in the digital age. The project emphasised inclusivity, with the TiSSTAT tool enabling countries to produce disaggregated data that captures the participation of women and youth in the service-led economy.

The initiative concluded with the endorsement of four country-specific national reports titled How ICT and Business Services Can Support the Development of Creative Services and the Creative Economy in the Eastern Caribbean Economic Union. These validated findings will serve as a foundational evidence base for future trade policy reforms and sustainable economic development across the OECS.

The project benefits seven OECS protocol member states: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

USDA announces $7.5 million in grant funding to expand cold chain capacity and increase access to real food

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USDA announces $7.5 million in grant funding to expand cold chain capacity and increase access to real food

WASHINGTON, USA – The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Tuesday, announced $7.5 million in grant funding available through the Cold Chain Grants for Emergency Food Assistance Program (CCG). The Program will fund projects to support cold chain equipment investments that help food assistance entities temporarily store, effectively package, and distribute fresh, frozen, and minimally processed foods.

“The Trump administration continues to prioritise providing Real Food for Americans. Over the past year and a half, we have worked hard to incentivise healthier options for Americans and today’s announcement is another step in the right direction,” said US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins. “With this funding opportunity we will see more cold storage and infrastructure to store homegrown proteins for all Americans to enjoy as we continue to Make America Healthy Again.”

“Every American deserves access to real, nutritious food,” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “This funding will give food banks the infrastructure to deliver more meat, eggs, dairy, produce, and other whole foods from American farmers and ranchers to families in need. Under president Trump’s leadership, we are rebuilding a food system that nourishes American families and strengthens American agriculture.”

Funded non-profit organisations will administer a subaward program to support cold storage within the middle of the supply chain. The selected grant recipient(s) will be responsible for managing and overseeing a competitive subaward program, including providing consultation and subject matter expertise to sub-awardees in support of cold storage in consumer-facing food assistance operations.

CCG recipients will issue subawards to fund cold chain equipment purchases, with the amount awarded being equal to the cost of the equipment and documented delivery, installation and necessary ancillary equipment/supplies, up to $200,000. Sub-awardees will be required to provide a 10 percent cash cost share contribution.

Projects funded through CCG will result in more Real Foods produced by America’s farmers and ranchers being made available to support healthier families and healthier communities in alignment with the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. This program is funded through the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021.

Two and a half beers have UWP political fossils talking aimlessly

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Two and a half beers have UWP political fossils talking aimlessly

Dear Sir,

The political understanding of certain sections of the opposition United Workers Party (UWP) is no longer questionable; it is absolutely quea. And in the context of biological RNA-modified enzymes, relying on legacy habits and bad party politics is indicative of evoking Ti-Punch – and former prime minister Allen Chastanet, an extraordinary error in history, circus material, unfit to run an errand, even to purchase a Ti Punch (a traditional iconic cocktail) at a rum shop on Jeremie Street.

Untrained over the years, the UWP’s current composition is invulnerable to comprehension, and so too is their indulgence of concepts and political grounding.

In terms, it is no wonder that the public façade of the UWP is mentally dazed and immune to biological fatigue. And it is no wonder the party is sufficiently excusable that they keep losing elections and absorbing political licks, ‘beyond the ballot box!’

At the Annual General Meeting of the Castries East SLP Constituency Group, August 16, 2026, Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre messaged personal responsibility of parents and the Saint Lucian community at large.

In simple layman’s terms, the prime minister communicated that school is opening. He further illustrated that if you drink 3 beers, drink 2 and a half in consumption and monetary terms, and save the other half to send your children to school.

In a jiffy, the linguistic, image, and practicality sequenced maths and reasoning. There is nothing wrong with that, sufficient to the diagnostics of expression, communicating an action of realism.

Education is primary to personal and national development. A necessary toolbox to fight the scourge of perennial poverty and sustainable development.

Within 30 minutes of the SLP’s live broadcast last Sunday, two and a half beers had the UWP political fossils talking – aimlessly. This was followed by AI images of beers and patronising material – soul food for the drunken masters and face of the UWP “ leaderless tribe.”

On examination of the UWP’s propaganda machine, there is a common stream. A dishonest capacity of convoluted political oddities, outdated stunts, fossils of bounty consumables and literary inebriate cohorts.

Inclusion in the education safety net is part of the experience that all Saint Lucians must avail themselves towards. The Pierre administration evolves around an ambitious education programme required of a developing nation, with practical solutions that have already produced results including, but not limited to:

  • School teachers awarded XCD 1,400 teaching material allowance. An increase from XCD 800;
  • Electronic learning devices, such as free laptops;
  • Full final-year tuition for nursing students at the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC);
  • First Generation Scholars (one child per household) provides full and partial scholarships to help students attend universities worldwide;
  • This year, the government will pay the cost of five CXC/CSEC for students;
  • And next year, early childhood education will be free.

The Pierre administration has a combination of policy and compassion that delivers directly to the people most in need. And notwithstanding the current distraction, the Saint Lucia Social Development Fund (SSDF) is serving its purpose via the education assistance programme – ‘delivering educational services and support to poor families and the economically disadvantaged.’

What separates the SLP from the UWP is a record of delivered services. A social and educational programme that impacts daily lives, giving hope to ordinary Saint Lucians, who have never before received help from central government.

Every day deliverables ‘beyond the ballot box’ are a testament of caring, hope and support. Not Promises!

It is because of smart education and a social safety net that many underserved communities, parents and guardians are today rising beyond UWP political fossils talking aimlessly.

The UWP have focused their energy and initiatives on things that are not practical, accessible and affordable for the development of the people and the country.

In the meantime, UWP political fossils of drunkenness are hard at recovery, a process that will require ample years; the people of Saint Lucia are benefiting from social and economic opportunities created by the Pierre administration.

Sincerely,

Monica Fevrier

How Zambia turned a debt buyback into development gains

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How Zambia turned a debt buyback into development gains

By Dr Mohamed Z M Aazim

In June 2026, Zambia completed a debt management operation that drew international attention. Following its 2024 debt restructuring, the country launched a buyback of a USD1.36 billion bond maturing in 2053. It replaced part of that commercial debt with concessional financing from the African Development Bank.

What interests me about this operation is how Zambia sought to reduce its future debt costs while supporting financial stability and national development.

Why did Zambia act?

Zambia’s debt challenges are well documented. After defaulting on its external debt in 2020, it became one of the first countries to complete a debt treatment under the G20 Common Framework. The restructuring brought much-needed relief from immediate repayments, but it also led to the issuance of a new long-term bond maturing in 2053.

What made this bond different was its built-in “step-up” feature, meaning that interest payments were set to rise over time. This reduced debt-service costs immediately after the restructuring but meant that Zambia’s repayment obligations could become more expensive in later years.

Recognising this risk, the government identified the bond as a suitable candidate for an early buyback and replacement with more affordable financing.

How did the buyback work?

The first step was to secure affordable financing. Zambia obtained a US$600 million loan from the African Development Bank on favourable terms and combined it with its own resources.

The government then invited investors to sell their holdings back before the bond reached maturity through a market-based tender offer. Investors were offered USD 740 for every USD 1,000 of bond principal. Those who accepted the offer early received an additional USD 40 per USD1,000. This incentive encouraged strong participation.

The response was significant. Investors holding 97.85 percent of the outstanding bond accepted the offer, allowing Zambia to redeem the remaining securities and retire the entire bond issue.

The operation replaced commercial debt, whose interest costs could have risen over time, with financing on more favourable terms and lower future repayment obligations. This reduced future fiscal pressures and helped preserve resources for development priorities.

Debt for development

For me, what makes this transaction particularly notable is its connection to a wider development goal.

As part of the arrangement, Zambia committed to a 15-year Grid Resilience Programme aimed at improving the country’s electricity transmission and distribution network. Reliable electricity remains essential to improved economic growth and improved living standards. By linking debt management with infrastructure investment, Zambia demonstrated how debt operations can support wider development objectives.

This is why the transaction has been described as “debt-for-development” or “debt-for-energy” conversion.

Lessons for others

Zambia’s experience offers several practical lessons. First, restructuring is not the end of the process. It can provide breathing space, but governments still need to manage their debt proactively to preserve those gains. Second, buybacks and other liability management operations can reduce future repayment costs and improve the structure of a country’s debt.

Third, concessional financing can be used strategically. Support from development partners can allow countries to replace expensive debt with more affordable obligations. Fourth, incentives matter. Appropriately structured incentives can encourage strong investor participation and improve the prospects of a successful market-based operation.

Most importantly, debt management and development do not have to be treated as separate goals. Carefully designed debt operations can reduce financial pressures and support investments that promote economic growth and resilience.

Looking ahead

At a time when many developing countries are facing rising debt vulnerabilities and limited fiscal space, Zambia’s experience offers a useful example of innovative debt management. The operation shows that carefully designed liability management can do more than reduce debt obligations. It can strengthen debt sustainability, improve investor confidence and preserve resources for development priorities that directly benefit citizens.

  • Dr Mohamed Z M Aazim, Debt Adviser at the Commonwealth Secretariat

Sources: Ministry of Finance and National Planning of Zambia (2026); African Development Bank announcements; Reuters (2026); IMF Zambia Article IV Consultation Reports.

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