WASHINGTON, DC – The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred financial inclusion, driving a large increase in digital payments amid the expansion of formal financial services, according to the Global Findex 2021 database.

PARAMARIBO, Suriname – A regional approach to energy security will be taken to fast-track the development of the Caribbean, with Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and Barbados expected to play key roles in the formulation of the strategy.

NASSAU, Bahamas –Bahamas Prime Minister, Phillip Davis, has joined his Antigua and Barbuda colleague, Gaston Browne, in calling on the United States to remove its embargo that prevents Venezuela in exporting its oil and energy products so as to help deal with the impact of the significant increase in energy prices on the global market.

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica’s exports to its major trading partners increased by 14 percent to US$173.1 million for the first two months of this year, compared to the corresponding period last year, the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) has reported.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – The Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago (CBTT) says the high energy prices that have persisted despite the gradual pick up in supplies from the OPEC and other suppliers, continue to benefit the country.

BRADES, Montserrat – Montserrat is to begin the construction phase of the US$46 million port development project that the authorities say will increase accessibility and improve trade opportunities for the island.

GEORGETOWN. Guyana – The Guyana-based CARICOM Secretariat says it is undergoing an extensive upgrade of its Information and Communications Technology (ICT) capacity that is expected to lead to visible and measurable improvements in its service delivery to member states and regional institutions.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Barbados says it intends to hold another licensing bid round for offshore blocks within the next three months as the island seeks to transition to a 100 percent renewable energy island by 2030.

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Governor of the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ), Richard Byles has urged persons  using cryptocurrencies or who are contemplating this, to do so cautiously.

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands – The African Development Bank Group (ADB) and the Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at strengthening their collaboration in various areas.

KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent - The St. Vincent and the Grenadines government says it has taken emergency steps to prevent the fuel surcharge on electricity bills from surpassing the record high of EC$0.67 cents (One EC dollar=US$0.37 cents) per unit in 2008.

LOS ANGELES, CA – Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne on Friday called on the United States to join the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) as a development partner as part of President Joe Biden’s just announced Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity.