GUYANA
Guyana’s National Bank of Industry and Commerce (NBIC), the Mayor, along with The City Council are collaborating to invest $24 million for the rehabilitation of Promenade Gardens. Director of NBIC, Magada Pollard, said the move towards rehabilitation and maintenance of the garden would capture the splendor of Guyana’s flora, while restoring its prestige. She added that the restoration of the project included new fences, walkways, lighting system, repairs of fountains, the selection of new plants and general maintenance of trees, a nursery, shrubbery and the lawns. Mayor Hamilton Green thanked the bank for rejuvenating cultural work in the community, and he recommended other historical sites do the same.

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
The government of Trinidad & Tobago proposed to ask its 23 member Caricom Community to honor Brian Lara with the Order of Caricom. Lara recently scored 400 not-out against England. This feat made him the first ever batsman in the history of cricket to reach such an unbelievable mark. The award is reserved for Caricom nationals who have made contributions to the political, cultural and social development of the Caribbean Community. Lara had previously surpassed Sir Gary Sobers’ record of 365 runs when he scored 375 at the same grounds in Grenada years ago. Trinidad & Tobago’s Prime Minister, Patrick Manning, has described Lara as a legend citing his remarkable achievements, breaking two world records within a decade.

BARBADOS
Barbados, an island known for its low crime rate was caught off guard recently with the recent surge in rape crimes. A British TV and film producer suffered back injuries during a daring escape from her rapist. Her attacker later fled the holiday home undetected, with $580 in cash. Weeks later supermodel Jodie Kidd chased a burglar from her home, while being fired at. Barbados’ Police Commissioner, Darwin Dottin, said there have been no arrests yet. The island’s rape crimes have totaled eight in the last three months, compared to zero, during the same period last year.

HAITI
Louis-Jodel Chamblain, the rebel commander and leader of the recent civil unrest in Haiti, has surrendered to authorities and will be facing conspiracy and murder charges. This is not Chamblain’s first offense; he once led the Front for the Advancement of Progress of the Haitian People. This paramilitary group has been blamed for 3,000 civilian murders during 1991 to 1994. He was also convicted in absentia for killing supporters of President Jean -Bertrand Aristide. Chamblain’s self-imposed exile in the Dominican Republic ended when he returned to Haiti to participate in the uprising that led to Aristide’s resignation.

JAMAICA
The Micro Investment Development Agency (MIDA) intends to invest $200 million into the micro-business industry. This will result in approximately 3500 new jobs within the sector in the upcoming year. Aloun Assamba, the Minister of Industry and Tourism, reported during the 2004/2005 Budget debate, that 17,150 new jobs were created in 2003, “an increase of 30.3 percent”. According to Minister Assamba, the investment is intended to “finance approximately 2,080 micro-businesses”, which she projects to “sustain and create 2,920 full and part-time jobs.”

Prepared & submitted by:
Roxanne St. Louis and Steve Demorin- interns
Andrea Daley- Caribbean Media Marketing