Antigua and Barbuda
According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Antigua and Barbuda’s economic growth continued in 2025, supported by an upswing in construction, alongside easing inflationary pressures.
An IMF delegation headed by economist David Moore has ended a recent two-week mission to the Caribbean island, noted that recent data showed a gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 2.5% in 2024, reflecting a mix of strong tourist arrivals and slower construction activity.
It said that for 2025, growth was estimated at 3%, reflecting instead a mix of rebounding construction activity but flat tourist arrivals. Inflation, which was averaged 6.2% in 2024, decreased to an estimated 1.2% in 2025.
The public debt burden has lessen significantly in recent years, but a large amount of arrears and financing needs are on-going challenges.
The IMF said that the debt-to-GDP ratio, which peaked around 100% during the pandemic in 2020, has since fallen to approximately 68% in 2025..
However, substantial arrears to Paris Club and domestic creditors and high gross financing needs have continued and the authorities are continuing the process of validating the extent of their arrears to domestic suppliers and are pursuing a liability management operation with a view to refinancing domestic debt, reducing arrears, and financing resilience-building projects.
Guyana
The extradition matter, which involves Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed and his father, businessman Nazar “Shell” Mohamed, was adjourned for a week recently after his father was reported to have fallen ill.
Principal Magistrate Judge Latchman agreed to the adjournment after hearing representation by attorney Siand Dhurjon, one of the lawyers representing the Mohameds.
The prosecutor for the United States, Glenn Hanoman, said that the lead prosecutor, Jamaican attorney Terrence Williams, was also absent from proceeding due to an important overseas engagement.
Mohammed, the leader of the main opposition We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, along with his 73-year-old father, was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department’s of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for allegedly smuggling more than 10,000 kilogrammes of gold worth more US$50 million and in the process failing to pay the relevant taxes to the Guyana government.
Last October, a U.S. Federal Grand Jury disclosed an 11-count indictment on the Mohameds for alleged gold smuggling, wire fraud, mail fraud and money laundering. The U.S. requested his extradition to face trial for those alleged crimes.
The Mohameds are also challenging the validity of the extradition request in two separate civil cases in the High Court.
Jamaica
The World Bank Group has officially opened its new, energy-efficient offices in Jamaica which will serve as the hub for its Caribbean operations as it brings the Bank’s Caribbean team together in one physical space.
In 2021, the World Bank moved its Caribbean operations from Washington DC to the island as part of a strategic shift to decentralize functions to the field offices.
Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Efficiency, Innovation and Digital Transformation, Ambassador Audrey Marks, said, “Today’s opening of the World Bank’s Belmont office is not only the launch of a new workplace. It is a visible statement of long-term partnership, trust and shared ambition between Jamaica and the World Bank”.
Marks said the World Bank has been a key development partner, noting the impact of the institution’s support in building the foundations of a modern, digital economy and strong institutions with capable systems, and a workforce prepared for the future.
The World Bank supports Jamaica’s development through a 2024-2027 framework focusing on human capital, economic growth, and resilience. Key activities include financing education, healthcare, and social protection. The Bank also invests in disaster risk reduction, private sector modernisation, and climate resilience projects.
Country Director for Caribbean Countries, World Bank, Lilia Burunciuc, said that the new building reflects the Bank’s focus on sustainability.
“We are very proud of this. Our mission is a world free of poverty on a liveable planet. So, the liveable planet is an important part of it, and we would like to implement what we preach, which is energy efficiency, environmental consciousness, and sustainability, which is what this office is about.”
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Some reinstated public sector workers in St. Vincent and the Grenadines are accusing the government of Prime Minister Dr. Godwin Friday of breaking its promise to provide a bonus to them as had been outlined during the campaign for last year’s general election.
The public sector workers have expressed anger, frustration and disappointment over what they described as deception by the New Democratic Party (NDP) administration and senior public service officers.
The complaints came after the reinstated workers checked their salary slips only to find that instead of the promised EC$1,500 to $2,000 (One EC dollar US$0.37 cents) bonus salary, they received in some instances, EC$166.67 and in other cases, as small as EC$125.
Approximately 100 public sector workers who were recently reinstated under the new government’s policy are the worst affected as some of them only received as little as a one-twelfth of the promised bonus.
Prime Minister Friday, Attorney General Louise Mitchell and Minister of Health, Daniel Cummings, all spoke at a recent news conference, but none of them mentioned that recently reinstated public sector workers would not receive the full bonus.
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago has signed a major investment agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to strengthen economic ties and provide greater protection for investors in both countries.
The Agreement for the Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investment was signed on the margins of the World Government Summit in Dubai. Trinidad and Tobago was represented by Minister of Foreign and CARICOMAffairs Sean Sobers, while the UAE was represented by Minister of State for Financial Affairs Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini.
“The agreement signed today provides the necessary investment framework to support and protect new investments between both Trinidad enables investors from both and Tobago and the UAE. It countries to engage in investment activities with confidence, as it guides the expected behaviour of investors and ensures the rights of investors offers protection such as fair and States are protected. It and equitable treatment and protection against expropriation, and also establishes mechanisms for resolving from the Foreign Ministry investment disputes,” a release stated.
According to the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, the signing forms part of the government’s broader strategy to deepen international partnerships and advance Trinidad and Tobago’s foreign policy and economic objectives.
— Compiled by Devika Ragoonanan
