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IDB wants ‘more scale and impact’ for development in Latin America and the Caribbean 

Nationnews Desk
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IDB wants ‘more scale and impact’ for development in Latin America and the Caribbean 

The Inter-American Development Bank Group says it has earned “strong backing” from member countries to expand development financing across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and strengthen private-sector-led growth.

The IDB ended its annual meetings here over the weekend with “more scale and impact” for development in the LAC after a record year for the IDB Group, where total financing reached US$35 billion.

The Washington-based financial institution said with growth in both public and private operations and continued reform implementation, its financing capacity is expected to reach US$500 billion over the next decade — more than double the amount of the previous 10 years — to support growth, jobs, infrastructure, and opportunities across Latin America and the Caribbean.

“The focus is not only on scale, but on results. The IDB Group’s 2025 Impact Report found that our operations helped 34 million people access health and nutrition services, enabled 2.6 million people to gain broadband connectivity, supported 3.3 million micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, and improved agricultural services for nearly one million farmers.”

During the meetings, the IDB Group also announced that the subscription process for the US$3.5 billion capitalization of IDB Invest, approved by the boards of Governors in Punta Cana in 2024, has been successfully closed, strengthening its capacity to mobilize private investment and finance companies across the region.

The IDB said governors also reviewed several initiatives aimed at translating greater financing capacity into stronger development outcomes.

The IDB said the group launched IDB LAC Minerals, which aligns interests that benefit both the Latin America and Caribbean region and its trusted partners around the world.

“The initiative fosters safe, value-added supply chains originating in the region. Each party brings its contribution. Latin America and the Caribbean brings scale in minerals and a growing commitment to value addition.

“Global partners bring long-term demand and attractive pricing, advanced technology, and capital. The IDB Group bridges the two — supporting policy and regulatory frameworks, catalyzing private investment, and financing processing and value-chain infrastructure.”

The IDB said the meetings also marked the launch of LAC Crece, the IDB Group’s platform for accelerating private-sector-led growth through “sequenced, prioritized, and financed action.”

Through LAC Crece, the IDB said it helps align public action and private investment to “unlock productivity, growth, and jobs.”

It said the platform is already being implemented by governments in El Salvador and Bolivia, with additional work underway in the Dominican Republic and Ecuador.

In addition, the IDB said it introduced Procure+, a comprehensive reform of procurement across IDB-financed operations, covering about US$4.5 billion in projects annually.

“This initiative strengthens competition, improves efficiency of spending, and raises transparency standards to deliver better projects and stronger results,” the IDB said, noting that integration was also a central theme of the meetings, with programmes and initiatives such as Amazonia Forever, South Connection, and IDB Cares “advancing projects that turn regional cooperation into investments that strengthen productivity, resilience, and opportunity across Latin America and the Caribbean”.

The annual meetings were attended by nearly 4,000 participants from 48 countries, with participants holding more than 440 meetings, including hundreds of networking sessions and private-sector meetings, highlighting “strong engagement between governments, investors, and development partners.

“The discussions underscored a shared priority among members: mobilizing private-sector investment and translating that scale into growth, jobs, opportunity, and ultimately, development across Latin America and the Caribbean,” the IDB said. (CMC)

Straughn to ‘bring insight from across society’

Shawn Cumberbatch
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Straughn to ‘bring insight from across society’

With the war in the Middle East triggering higher oil prices and concerns about overall increased costs, it is unlikely to be business as usual when Minister of Finance Ryan Straughn delivers the Budgetary Proposals and Financial Statement today.

Straughn has been meeting with representatives from the business community, trade unions and other interest groups ahead of his 4 p.m. presentation in the House of Assembly, and these parties will find out if any of their various wish lists made it into the Budget.

Last year, when the economist outlined Government’s fiscal policies, he was Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Mia Amor Mottley’s substitute. This time he will speak as substantive holder of the office which manages the public purse.

In a post on social media last week, Straughn shared that he held discussions with various parties, calling the conversations “an important part of the work behind the Budget”.

“In the days leading up to Monday, I’ve been meeting with leaders and organisations from across the country – from the financial and business community to labour organisations, credit unions, transportation operators, insurance providers, health advocacy groups, and organisations representing retirees, to name a few,” the minister said.

“Bringing these perspectives together allows ideas, experiences, and insight from across our society to help guide the work that goes into preparing the Budget.

Conversations

“On Monday, the vision comes into focus and the country will hear what these conversations have helped shape.”

One of the pre-Budget meetings involved organisations under the Barbados Private Sector Association umbrella.

Those represented included the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Barbados, BIBA, the Association for Global Business, the Barbados Bankers Association, and Barbados Employers’ Confederation.

The Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association, Small Business Association, Barbados Agricultural Society, Barbados Coalition of Service Industries, and Barbados Manufacturers’ Association also participated in the talks.

Straughn also heard from the General Insurance Association of Barbados, Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados, and Barbados Assocation of Retired Persons.

The 2025 Budget, which was delivered on March 10, focused on four main areas – resilience, growth enhancement, revenue efficiency and improving the well-being of Bajans.

Straughn said it was “a roadmap for sustained efforts to protect and empower our people, to build a stronger social fabric, to care for the vulnerable, to lift people out of poverty and strengthen our middle class, while constructing a strong, sustainable, resilient economy in which our labour force is innovative and productive”.

“This roadmap continues Government’s objective of national and economic resilience predicated on digitisation to deliver sustainable, resilient, inclusive growth. It also empowers ordinary Bajans and those who choose to live here, thereby improving the social fabric and general cohesion of this society,” he added.

This year’s Budget comes against the backdrop of 18 quarters of economic growth as reported by the Central Bank of Barbados and predictions of a continued expansion in real gross domestic product by both the Central Bank and the Ministry of Finance.

The presentation will also be made as Government implements the third Barbados Economic Recovery and Transformation programme, the first since Barbados concluded its second consecutive programme with the International Monetary Fund.

It also comes, however, as military conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran continues in the Middle East, with possible ramifications for the world economy.

This means that measures to continue giving consumers a cost of living ease are likely to be high in the expectations of Barbadian households.

Straughn reminded in last year’s Budget that, since 2022, Government “has introduced several measures in an attempt to curtail the cost of living for its citizens in response to significant rises in costs globally”.

With Barbados Light & Power Company Limited warning its customers to brace for higher electricity bills linked to increased oil prices, Straughn will have to indicate if the reduction of value added tax (VAT) from 17.5 per cent to 7.5 per cent on the first 250 kilowatt-hours of electricity consumed by households will be extended beyond March 31.

Another cost of living measure was the VAT on gasoline and diesel being capped at 47 cents and 37 cents per litre, respectively. Straughn said last year that if international oil prices increased above US$80 a barrel, the cap would again be applied.

International reports yesterday indicated that international prices were past the US$103 a barrel mark.

Following conversations with Straughn as he prepared to finalise the Budget, the private sector will be hoping for measures to support investment, reduce operational costs, and improve business facilitation. (SC)

Woman charged with murder in Black Rock stabbing

Nationnews Desk
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Woman charged with murder in Black Rock stabbing

A 71-year-old woman has been charged with murder in connection with the death of an elderly man earlier this month in Black Rock.

The Barbados Police Service said Veronica Eudora Mayers, of Bridge Gap, Upper Goodland, St. Michael, has been arrested and formally charged with the murder of Ralph Forde.

The charge relates to an incident on March 9, 2026, when Forde was fatally stabbed at a residence in the Bridge Gap area.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Mayers is scheduled to appear before the Chief Magistrate at the Oistins Magistrates’ Court today, Monday and not the District ‘A’ Criminal Court.

Wanted Man: Ramon Jamar Dacosta Jordan

Nationnews Desk
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Wanted Man: Ramon Jamar Dacosta Jordan

Police have recirculated a wanted bulletin for 32-year-old Ramone Jamar Dacosta Jordan, alias “Gas”, who is wanted for questioning in connection with serious criminal matters.

Jordan, whose last known address is Wiltshire Avenue, Bayfield, St. Philip, is described as being six feet two inches tall, of slim build and brown complexion, with long dreadlocks.

Police said he has a tattoo on his left arm with an image of a wall and his alias “GAS” at the top. Another tattoo on the same arm bears the words ‘Honor, Yolo and Loyalty’ arranged in a strategic pattern.

He is advised to present himself to the Criminal Investigations Department (South) at the Oistins Police Station, Oistins, Christ Church, accompanied by an attorney-at-law of his choice.

Members of the public who may know Jordan’s whereabouts are asked to contact the Criminal Investigations Department at Oistins Police Station at 418-2608 or 418-2612, Police Emergency at 211, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 or the nearest police station.

Police have warned that Jordan is considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached. They also reminded the public that harbouring or assisting wanted persons is a serious offence and offenders can be prosecuted.

Update: Two men found shot dead in vehicle at Cambridge, St Joseph

Nationnews Desk
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Update: Two men found shot dead in vehicle at Cambridge, St Joseph

Police have confirmed that two men were found shot dead in a vehicle at Cambridge on Sunday afternoon.

Public Affairs and Communications Officer, Inspector Ryan Brathwaite, said police received a report around 2:25 p.m. indicating that a grey Toyota Axio was parked along Cambridge Road with two men inside who had sustained multiple gunshot wounds.

Officers responded immediately to the area and discovered the bodies of the two men inside the vehicle.

A medical doctor was summoned to the scene and later pronounced both men dead.

Brathwaite appealed to members of the public who may have information to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477, Police Emergency at 211, or the District ‘F’ Police Station at 433-1540.

He also urged Barbadians to work together to address the issue of crime, noting that violence has far-reaching effects on families, communities and the country as a whole.

Fogging Schedule: March 16 to 20

Nationnews Desk
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Fogging Schedule: March 16 to 20

The Vector Control Unit of the Ministry of Health and Wellness will target districts in three parishes when it conducts its fogging programme next week.

The Unit will visit St. Peter on Monday, March 16, when it will spray The Whim, Bailey Road, Denny Road, Goodridge Road, Clarke’s Road, Corbin Road, Greaves Road, Reservoir Road, Millionaire Road, Ashton Hall, Olton Road, Tom Bend Road, Church Hill Road Nos.1 and 2, Coleridge & Parry School Road, and Douglas Development.

The following day, Tuesday, March 17, the team will fog communities in St. Peter and St. Lucy. They will go into Six Men’s Village, Colleton Gardens with Avenues, Half Moon Fort, Clinketts Gardens with Avenues, Sutherland Nos.1 and 2, Colleton, Checker Hall Tenantry Nos.1 and 2, and Fustic Village.

The Unit will concentrate its efforts on areas in St. Lucy on Wednesday, March 18, and Thursday, March 19. On Wednesday, they will visit Checker Hall Development, Maycocks Road, Broomfield, Maycocks Terrace and its environs, Maycocks Bay Terrace, Sunset Close, Center Street, Park Place, Husbands, and surrounding districts. It will be the turn of Content, Crab Hill Development, Crab Hill Nos.1 and 2, Harrison’s Road, Cole’s Cave, Avis Town, and Salmonds on Thursday.

The fogging exercise for the week will conclude in St. Michael on Friday, March 20, when the team goes into Grazettes New Road, Pembrook Road, Durham Close, Ulster Road, Kildare Path, Brecon Road, Sutton Way, Rockhampton Road, Denton Road, Grazettes Industrial Park, Upper St. Stephen’s Hill, Robinson Close, Phillips Road, Bristol Road, South Hampton Road, Dover Crescent, Plymouth Square, and environs. 

Fogging takes place from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily. Householders are reminded to open their windows and doors to allow the spray to enter. Children should not be allowed to play in the fog.

The public is advised that the completion of scheduled fogging activities may be affected by events beyond the Unit’s control. In such circumstances, the Unit will return to communities affected in the soonest possible time. (BGIS)

Evelyn set for Enhanced Games

Jonteau Coppin
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Evelyn set for Enhanced Games

Two-time Olympian Tristan Evelyn has expressed her delight at being a part of the inaugural Enhanced Games which will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada, from May 21 to 24.

“I am excited to run as a non-enhanced athlete at the Games,” Evelyn was quoted as saying in the event’s press release upon signing on as a non-enhanced athlete.

“Since the Enhanced Games model does not mandate athletes to participate in their medical programme, I am grateful for the opportunity to earn considerable prize money as a non-enhanced sprinter. It’s an incredibly talented women’s field that I’m excited to be a part of,” the 28-year-old said.

Evelyn, who holds the Barbadian national records in the 60 metres, 100m and Indoor 200m, has agreed to line up in the women’s 100 metres on May 24. 

However, she has opted not to take part in the event’s enhanced medical protocol while competing for a share of the prize purse.

Chief sporting officer for the Enhanced Games, Rick Adams, was equally keen to have the Barbadian on board.

“Securing Tristan, one of the preeminent sprinters in the world, further strengthens our women’s division. Our transparent and flexible participation model offers athletes the opportunity to compete, be compensated generously and retain complete autonomy over their decision on enhancement. It also allows Tristan to maintain adherence to other international sporting organisations’ regulations for whom we have deep respect,” he said.

However, the news has not gone down well with Dr Adrian Lorde, the chairman of the National Anti-Doping Commission.

“We need to look at this carefully because these games are for persons who are allowed to dope. This athlete (Evelyn) says that she’s not doping and that she is not going to be enhanced during the games, but that’s not fair (to her) because she’s going to be competing against persons who will be,” Lorde said.

“In a nutshell, it is something we (the region) need to watch. We’ve had a Jamaican, two in fact, (Denae McFarlane and Shockoria Wallace), a Guyanese (Jasmine Abrams) and now we have a Barbadian who has so far signed up for these games, and we have to be careful how we deal with these cases. From the National Anti-Doping Commission’s point of view, I would say that we are disappointed and we advise persons not to take part in the Enhanced Games,” Dr Lorde remarked.

On top of representing Barbados at both the Tokyo 2020 Games and the Paris 2024 Games, the former Springer Memorial student is a World Indoor Championships semifinalist, a CARIFTA Games silver medallist, and an American Athletic Conference Indoor Sprint double champion while competing for the University of Houston Cougars.(JC)

One dead in shooting at Cambridge, St Joseph

Nationnews Desk
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One dead in shooting at Cambridge, St Joseph

Update

Two people confirmed dead at Cambridge, St Joseph.


Police have a cordon in place, some distance from where the incident occurred.


This is a developing story.

*****

Earlier Story

At least one person is confirmed dead in a shooting incident at Cambridge, St Joseph.

Police Public Affairs and Communication Officer, Inspector Ryan Brathwaite, confirmed the death but could give no further details.

More information as it comes.

Aura’s early launch

Tonisha Rock-Yaw
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Aura’s early launch

The countdown to the Crop Over Festival kicked off in spectacular style yesterday with Aura Experience first out the blocks with its first-ever band launch at sea.

Masqueraders, sponsors, and invited guests boarded the MV Dreamchaser 2 for the reveal of Aura’s 2026 presentation, under the theme Enter the Multiverse. The launch, blending entertainment, fashion, and ocean views, celebrated Aura’s tenth year on the road for Grand Kadooment.

Aura’s general manager, Rondell Jones, explained: “This is the first physical band launch since 2019, marking our tenth year. We wanted something exciting and memorable.

“Launching early gives revellers time to pay for their costumes through instalment plans, easing financial pressure.” ( TRY) 

Here, model presenting one of the costumes for this year’s Crop Over season before boarding the MV Dreamchaser 2 for the offical launch.
(Picture by Sandy Pitt.)

BL&P hike ‘too much of a burden’

Nationnews Desk
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BL&P hike ‘too much of a burden’

Several Barbadians are expressing concern about the rising cost of electricity, saying any additional increase to their bills from this month will place further strain on already tight household budgets.

Their comments come as the Barbados Light & Power Company Limited has indicated that higher global oil prices are expected to push electricity bills up.

The company estimates that the change could result in an average $17 increase per month for households using about 250 kilowatt hours of electricity.

While the increase is linked to fluctuations in fuel prices, many residents say it comes at a time when they are already struggling to manage the cost of food, medical care and other essential expenses.

Difficult

One woman, who asked not to be identified, said the additional cost would be difficult to absorb given the many financial responsibilities she already faces.

“I have a heart problem and I cannot wait until I feel sick to go to the heart specialist. I already have an appointment coming up on March 23 and that alone is $250. That doesn’t include my medication or my health insurance and I also have to deal with my eyes,” she said.

“Everything is already expensive. You’re not getting any more money and you still have to manage with the same budget. Sometimes the money finishes before the month does. I just went to the supermarket and bought five oranges and it cost me $8.95.

So when you hear electricity going up again, you really have to wonder how people are going to manage.

“Think about people older than me who have to pay electricity bills. Some people already paying $80 or $95 for electricity and now it will go up again. You still have to pay because if you don’t they will cut the service so people will end up paying the bill and leaving other things back.”

Another Barbadian, Elma, also questioned the timing of the increase.

“I honestly don’t think that Light & Power should increase the bills right now because people don’t have the money. People are crying out because food prices gone up, clothing gone up and some people can hardly pay rent,” she said.

“If they had to raise it, they shouldn’t raise it too high, maybe a small increase like five dollars, but not something too big. People out here poor and struggling.”

Elma said she tries to pay what she can each month but refuses to allow the rising costs to cause undue stress.

“I don’t work and I just have to manage on what I get. Sometimes I go and pay some on the bill and then I pay some again later but I’m not going to kill myself stressing over it.”

For Leroy Francis, the proposed increase is difficult to accept when many workers have not received salary adjustments in years.

“I don’t mind a little increase, maybe five or six dollars but $17 is too much.

The salary stays the same place and some people salary haven’t moved for years.

My salary hasn’t moved for donkey years,” he noted.

“The only way to deal with it is to continue budgeting.

That means cutting down on the amount of things you buy.

If you used to buy four or five items, you might have to cut it down to three, so budgeting important now in these times but it’s hard on households.”

Self-employed Lindy said utility increases should always take into account the reality faced by ordinary citizens.

“I am speaking for the man on the street. When you keep raising electricity because of oil prices and other costs, you also have to think about the people paying the bills. The same people are working for the same money and their pay is not increasing,” he stressed. “I feel like electricity already went up from since December. We used to share the apartment with another tenant and now it’s just us living there, but the bill still around $130. So when you talk about increasing it again, you have to think about pensioners and poor people who already struggling to pay.”

Lindy added that although many Barbadians might complain initially, they often end up having little choice but to accept the increases.

‘No choice’ “People might quarrel about it at first, but eventually they still have to pay because they don’t have a choice. It’s the same thing that happened when bus fares went up.

People complained but they still had to pay in the end but the reality is that for a lot of people, especially those who are self-employed, things are already hard.”

Another woman, who also requested anonymity, said the increase would be particularly challenging for people living alone and managing on limited income.

“The electricity went up from last year and now they saying it going up again. My husband and my son passed away so I have nobody and I have to pay everything on my own,” she said.

“I only get about $650 and that can’t cover everything.

The water bill gone up too and things keep increasing.

I will just have to figure out what to do now. Maybe I will have to stop burning the lights in the house or something so I don’t have to pay so much money but this real hard on people.”

(TRY)

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