The Caribbean
Caribbean business leaders, researchers and government officials met recently in Anguilla for a conference to create guidelines for Internet commerce. Once established, these guidelines are expected to boost regional online exports. Among attendees were the World Bank, the UN Development Program and the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank.

Barbados
Investors interested in doing business in Barbados will get much needed assistance from the Barbados Investment and Development Corporation. The BIDC, established by the government, offers full advisory services especially in the areas of Information Technology, Manufacturing and Financial Services.

Barbados Tourism officials are holding a series of strategic meetings with representatives from Continental Airlines here in the US, as they seek to boost visitor arrivals from North America. Barbados has seen an increase in arrivals from Europe and other destinations and is currently improving on the facilities at Grantley Adams Airport to handle the increased traffic.

Trinidad & Tobago
Tobago students performed admirably in this year’s Advanced Level Examinations. Of the 202 who received national scholarships, five were Toboggans, studying at various campuses of the University of the West Indies (UWI) as well as in Canada, in the fields of Medicine, Law and Computer Science.

The Downtown Owners & Merchant Association (DOMA) in Trinidad has expressed concern over the recent spate of kidnappings in that country, but is pleading with business owners not to allow fear to deter them from remaining in the country. This would only destroy the economic and social fabric of the country resulting in loss of jobs and lack of investments.

Jamaica
The family of late country music legend Johnny Cash, has requested that donations in his memory be sent to the SOS Children’s Village, Barrett Town, near the late singer’s home in Montego Bay. Mr. Cash was a supporter of the village while alive and often visited with the children and followed their progress.

Guyana
Guyanese travelers have much to look forward to with the construction of the Ogle Airport development project. This airport will be a welcome addition to the existing Cheddi Jagan International Airport, providing hassle free, safe & affordable travel to destinations within Guyana as well as other Caribbean Islands.

Haiti
Health Care in Haiti has gotten a tremendous boost from a group called the Good Samaritans, a non-profit, volunteer group of surgeons, anesthesiologists and nurses dedicated to providing, free surgical care to the needy. In Haiti since 1990, the group has visited Bon Samaritan Hospital eights times.

Compiled by Andrea Daley