Category Archives: Caribbean

By any measure, the Caribbeans infrastructure requirements are substantial. If the region is to be able to increase its competitiveness and give citizens the quality of life they desire, its transformation has become a matter of urgency.

In 2014, Dr. Warren Smith, the then new president of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), indicated that to achieve this, the region would need $30 billion in the coming decade. It would need this, he said, if it was to be able to modernize its power, transportation, telecommunications, water and wastewater infrastructure. Since then it has become apparent that if the region is also to become resilient to climate change it will require an even greater resource.

Unfortunately, investment in infrastructure is now beyond the reach of almost all national capital budgets, requiring governments to either take on more debt, reach deals with external private sector entities, engage with governments outside the region, or access the increasingly limited support offered by the international development agencies.

Notwithstanding, there are signs that in some capitals the source of funding for Caribbean infrastructure is becoming less about development and more about ideology; with pressure being placed on Caribbean governments to reject proposals from China and others, on the basis that such offers of long-term finance on soft terms are intended to create political influence, strategic advantage or even dependency.

The reality is that every nation in the region is struggling to find alternative ways to finance the renewal, expansion, modernization or construction of hard infrastructure for schools, hospitals, roads, ports, airports, telecommunications, power plants, utilities distributions systems, and universal high-speed internet. All also face domestic political pressure to upgrade and make sustainable soft infrastructure the delivery of health care, education, and justice for example in ways that better meet the needs of their societies.

Nations have responded in diverse ways. Cuba for example has a considered long-term infrastructure development strategy. Although economically constrained when it comes to major expenditure, its central planning process has established clear objectives.

Among the many projects now moving forward are major investments to offset severe water shortages in parts of the country; programs to diversify the countrys power-generating capacity making greater use of renewables; a probable Euro 1 billion (US$1,054 million) project with Russia to completely upgrade the countrys failing railway network; extensive port and airport developments; and debt rescheduling arrangements that are expected to result in credits in a number of productive sectors.

Others in the Anglophone and Hispanic Caribbean have taken a different approach, and have variously sought funding from bond issues, pension funds, public-private partnerships, or in the case of several recent major infrastructure projects, such as Jamaicas Highway 2000, through Chinese involvement.

At the other end of the spectrum, soon-to-be oil-rich Guyana is on the cusp of an explosion of infrastructure development. In its case, the infrastructure investment mix will likely be U.S. private sector finance, alongside Chinese and possibly Brazilian, Islamic Development Bank and the Gulf state funding for infrastructure programs that will open the country to its neighbors and the wider world.

At a regional level, other options are emerging through the CDB, which in the last few years has begun to play a far more significant role in working with its non-regional and extra-regional members to find ways to develop new sources of funding.

This has led, for example, earlier this month to it hosting a regional conference in Barbados to consider the multiple opportunities that now exist to use the Chinese Renminbi for financing in the Caribbean, and signing in its margins an agreement with the Export-Import (EXIM) Bank of China to explore the prospects for co-financing projects in infrastructure; human resource development; agriculture; and renewable energy and energy efficiency.

More generally, in 2015 the United Nations recognized in agreeing to sustainable development goals (SDGs) for the period up to 2030, that investment in infrastructure and innovation will be the crucial drivers of national and global economic growth and development.

Despite this, the issue of China, Venezuela and others becoming more deeply engaged in projects in the region, is being politicized without any alternative being on offer.

While some countries like the United Kingdom continue to make funds available on a non-conditional grant basis for infrastructure in eligible Caribbean nations, the U.S. seems not to recognize that its slow withdrawal from the region is removing its ability to engage or influence, at a time when China and others see mutual benefit in cooperation.

Irrespective of what has been said in the U.S. Congress about U.S. security, newer development partners are largely not perceived in the region as threatening sovereignty or independence of action. Rather, their engagement with the Caribbean reflects the way the world is changing, and enables the region to consider alternative, often empathetic views, at a time when the U.S. president seems intent on casting his countrys global role and values into darkness.

China is no different from any other nation in wanting a dialogue on matters of concern, to which the region no doubt responds with understanding, mindful no doubt of Beijings supportive position on climate change and other issues on which there is a convergence of thinking.

Washington should think more carefully, and recognize that Caribbean development must be sustainable and is not a zero-sum game in which U.S. interests must always be paramount.

In a commentary published recently in China Daily, Chen Weihua, the chief Washington correspondent of China Daily observed that seeing Chinas every move as geopolitics, is just dead wrong. Latin America is big enough to accommodate China and the U.S. The region will benefit if both countries increase their trade and direct investment in the region, he wrote.

Or, to put it another way as my friend Sir Ronald Sanders observed in a recent column If Washington is truly concerned about any undue influence on the Caribbean from China it should match the level of Chinas bilateral investments in these countries on the same terms of soft loans and without conditionalities of a non-economic nature.

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Should it matter who pays for Caribbean development? - Virgin Islands Daily News

Barron's

Royal Caribbean: Just Say You Were Wrong, OK? Barron's Yesterday, Royal Caribbean Cruises (RCL) reported better than expected earnings and upped its guidance, pushing its shares to a new all-time high. Today, it was upgraded by Goldman Sachs, but the revision was done ever-so grudgingly. Illustration ... Weather Channel to broadcast from Royal Caribbean cruise ship during total eclipseRoyal Caribbean Blog (blog) Royal Caribbean Cruises Reaches Analyst Target PriceNasdaq Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. - Receive News & Ratings DailyTheOlympiaReport Market Exclusive -BNB Daily (blog) -Newburgh Gazette -Zacks.com all 177 news articles »

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Royal Caribbean: Just Say You Were Wrong, OK? - Barron's

When Donald Trump listed his over-the-top Caribbean estate, known as Le Chateau des Palmiers, it was the most expensive listing for sale in the whole area. And now, after the property has spent several months on the market without a buyer, its outsized asking price has gotten a rather significant correction.

The walled compound originally went up for $28 million. Now, the POTUS has slashed the price by more than $11 million, all the way down to $16.9 million. (The price drop makes it now the second-most expensive listing in the region, according to the Daily Mail.)

Trump bought the estate as a rental property just four years ago.The prime real estate is located on Plum Bay, on the western tip of French St. Martin.

Its centerpiece is a five-bedroom ocean villa, and its buildings also include a four-bedroom garden villa.

In all, the whole place features 11 bedrooms and 12 full bathrooms.

An eight-foot privacy and security wall surrounds the entirety.

Rental prices begin around $6,000 nightly for the smaller villa, and soar to $28,000 in high season.

Perhaps it's a getaway for you, if you, like Donald Trump, consider more understated properties (like the White House) to be merely "dumps."

Photo:Sotheby's International Realty

Jet Set is Bravo's launch pad for the most extravagant, luxurious, and unforgettable travel experiences. Ready for takeoff? Then Like us on Facebook to stay connected to our daily updates.

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Donald Trump's Massive Caribbean Estate Isn't Selling, So He Just Dropped the Price by $11 Million (PICS) - Bravo (blog)

Welcome to the Fund This column! Each week, well look at a planned web series or other online video project currently in search of funding on crowdfunding sites. Well tell you what the series is all about and explain why it is worth your money. Do you have a project thats currently being crowdfunded? Contact us to let us know and we may feature it in upcoming installments and check out previous installments right here.

Project Name:Scraps

Asking For:$5,000 throughIndiegogo

Amount Raised Thus Far (At Time Of Post): $897

Days Remaining In Campaign (At Time Of Post):30

Description: Move over, Simons Cat: Theres a new animated feline that wants to make its mark on the internet. His name isScraps, and hes the creation of a Trinidad & Tobago-based animation team led by Kevin Bhall.

The eight five-minute episodes ofScrapsthat Bhall has planned will follow the titular cat as he makes mischief on a Caribbean island. In a teaser for the project, Bhall displays the brightness of the setting he hopes to create, as well of the kinetic pace with which Scraps will move across his home territory.

The goal is to ultimately create an animated series that will express the culture of the Caribbean islands in a bright, authentic, and kid-friendly way. With the money he wants to raise on Indiegogo, Bhall will get to work on a pilot, so that he can give potential viewers a better idea of what to expect:

Creator Bio: Much of Bhalls work, which often incorporates bright colors and imagery from his native country, can be found via Vimeo.

Best Perk:The $50 perk packageincludes a coloring book, which you can use to bring your own palette to the lush world ofScraps.

Why You Should Fund It:The artfulness of Bhalls vision is easy to see. For evidence of it, take a look at these gifs posted as part of theScrapscampaign:

If Scrapsvisual elements are not compelling enough, one can also consider the clear passion Bhall has for Caribbean culture. He wants to share a fresh, original piece of regional storytelling, and you can help make it happen.

Got a crowdfunding campaign youd like to see featured in Fund This? Be sure to contact us here.

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Indie Spotlight: 'Scraps' Animates The Mischief Of A Caribbean Cat - Tubefilter

SIOUX CITY, Iowa If you are looking for a little Southern flair, you dont have to look too far. And when I say southern, I mean south of the border and across a sea. And when I say not too far, I mean Sioux City.

My wife and I took a quick afternoon trip to Sioux City and discovered a fun flair of food in a historic part of town. There is a series of buildings in a part of Sioux City called the Lower Fourth Street district. These buildings were built in the late 1890s and 1900s during Sioux Citys boom as a livestock sales hub.

Rebos, at 1101 Fourth St., is nestled in this two-block stretch of old three- and four-story buildings and provides a unique setting for a restaurant that blends Caribbean, Mexican and Southwest fare. Rebos has a large open space atmosphere, full bar and plenty of room for any event. In fact, there was a bridal shower being held at the same time in a side space. We stopped by for a quick lunch but Rebos would also be a great place for an evening dinner and drinks. The urban setting has taken a historic space and given it a modern feel.

I ordered a Tijuana Trainwreck which is a dish served in cast iron pan, made up of corn tortillas, layers of chile verda, shredded machaca chicken, topped with cheese, roasted corn, black bean salsa and sour cream. My wife ordered a plate of enchiladas. Both were excellent Southwest/Mexican dishes and had great flavor. The menu also had a variety of Caribbean dishes and seafood.

Rebos is an example of how time has brought a variety of cultures to a community like Sioux City. The cattle industry built Sioux City into a hub that ultimately brought beef to the world. Now the world has come to Sioux City and brought great food to the town.

If you are looking for some spice and culture with your next meal stop by Rebos and you wont be disappointed. Afterwards you can take a quick stroll up and down the area of Lower Fourth Street and imagine a bustling Sioux City back in 1900.

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Who Feeds the Farmer? Caribbean, Mexican, Southwest on Rebos' menu in Sioux City - Midwest Producer

Arizona Avenue the broad, sunny artery that cuts through the southeast Valley and serves as Chandlers unofficial main street is one of the great, unsung food streets in metro Phoenix. Ive visited the thoroughfare frequently over the past two years, and in that time Ive come to see it as a microcosm of whats great about the Valleys maturing food and drink scene.

True, its dotted with as many fast food shops and chain outlets as any other street in town, but its also flush with strong neighborhood restaurants, cafes, and breweries both landmarks and landmarks-in-the-making.

Id argue that you can even chart the evolution and changing character of the metro Phoenix food scene along this route. Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co., on the northern end of the street, reminds me of how quickly Gilbert has become a food and drink destination. Arirang and Chodang, local destinations for Korean barbecue, are evidence of the southeast Valleys swiftly expanding Korean food scene. American Way Market, tucked inside the Merchant Square Antique Marketplace, is yet another potent reminder that, in metro Phoenix, gems often turn up in the most unexpected places.

Which brings me to Hot Pot Caribbean Cuisine, a small restaurant inside a quintessentially bland Chandler strip mall.

Hot Pot owner Karen Francis.

Jackie Mercandetti

Hot Pot has been a staple of Arizona Avenue for around nine years; Ive been driving past it for ages, yet I only recently discovered how good it is, thanks to a tip from a couple of Hot Pot regulars. Neighborhood locals seem to be Hot Pots bread and butter, and after eating there a handful of times, its easy to understand why anyone might become a regular.

The restaurant has been active in nurturing a sense of community, hosting a popular fish fry night on the first Friday of every month, and they launched their first food truck recently, too. Though its modest in size, its brick-and-mortar space radiates the sort of comfort and coziness you might associate with a neighborhood coffeehouse. Its spare but well-appointed, with black-and-white checkerboard floors; a colorful Jamaican flag-inspired color scheme; and a couple of oversize, tufted booths, plus a scattering of tables and chairs. Bob Marley tunes vibrate over the speakers, and the laidback ambiance is complemented by the friendly presence of owner Karen Francis and her team, who seem to be on a first-name basis with many of their regulars.

Of course, you cant build a great neighborhood spot on ambiance and friendly service alone. Hot Pot exceeds expectations where it really counts, which is to say that its hard to leave the dining room without feeling well-nourished and at least a little bit delighted. In a city starved of Jamaican restaurants, Hot Pot is thankfully not just a fallback option for those moments when only jerk chicken will do. This is a first-rate neighborhood restaurant, one that brings traditional Jamaican dishes to full, vivid life.

If youre new to Hot Pot, its helpful to know that there are several important decisions youll make when you eat here. First, you must decide if you want to order something to drink it would be a mistake to pass on the sorrel, Jamaicas classic sweet-spicy hibiscus drink. And if you love ginger, dont miss the homemade ginger beer, which has a bit of bite, but is also refreshing.

You order at the counter, where somebody will ask you, at some point, Rice and peas, or white rice? and Fried plantains, or veggies?

The rice and peas, and the fried plantains, are usually the right choice both are cooked with the kind of well-executed consistency that is only earned through years behind the stove.

But before you settle on your sides, the most excruciating decision of all will probably involve choosing between the goat curry or oxtails. Both are highlights of eating at Hot Pot.

If you try one dish at Hot Pot, make it the goat curry.

Jackie Mercandetti

Fortunately, you wont go wrong with either option. I will argue, though, that the essential dish at Hot Pot is the goat curry, a dish of expansive flavor and irresistible texture. The curry is a thick and creamy stew, redolent with onion and garlic, and perfumed with just enough curry powder to tickle your palate. The bony hunks of meat are simmered and browned until all thats left is slinky, meaty flakes of savory flavor. Like many traditional Jamaican dishes, the dishs deep flavor is derived from its long, slow cook time. The long braise, especially, helps showcase the natural succulence and earthy tones of the goat meat.

Oxtails, bathed in a lightly sweet, herb-scented, gravy-like stew, are similarly rich and compelling. This is the kind of comfort food traditionally reserved for rainy days, but in sunny metro Phoenix, its just as delicious on plain old sunny afternoons. Paired with a tender, starchy side of rice and peas, the beefy, rich oxtails are one of the most flavorful and satisfying offerings at Hot Pot.

Theres jerk chicken, of course, Jamaicas famously time-intensive barbecue chicken. The Hot Pot version features a full quarter of meat, wrapped deliciously in the restaurants darkly ruddy homemade sauce. The jerk chicken sauce is aromatic, a little smoky, with just a little bite. Its too good not to try at least once. Pair it with a side of tender fried plantains the sweetness complements the spicy chicken beautifully.

The brown stew chicken is tender and succulent.

Jackie Mercandetti

If youve never taken to the spiciness of jerk chicken, though, try Hot Pots brown stew chicken, another classic dish with flavors that run deep. On a recent visit, the dish featured several pieces of bone-in chicken, braised in a deeply savory gravy. The meat was so tender and succulent, it flaked right off the bone.

Hot Pot has a strong seafood menu, too, and the thing to try at least once is the escovitch fish, a whole red snapper fried to a golden-brown crisp and served with pickled peppers. You pick the meat off the fine-boned fish, delighting in the sweet, lean meat, which complements beautifully the vinegary peppers.

Traditional Jamaican cooking is known for its big, bold flavors, and thats a fair description for the restaurants curry shrimp. The dish features plump shrimp, nicely cooked to a bright, springy finish, served in a beautifully creamy and slightly spicy, coconut-inflected sauce.

The cooking at Hot Pot is hearty and rich, but youll want to try to leave room for a slice of homemade rum cake, which is so dangerously decadent and moist, you may feel the need to spoon the dessert into your mouth as if it were ice cream.

On a recent visit, Francis, the owner of Hot Pot, took the time to show me how to properly take a sip of sorrel drink after each bite, the traditional way of enjoying cake and sorrel during the Christmas holidays. Its sweet, spicy, indulgent, perfect finish to a meal at Hot Pot, which is a place that deserves to be on your list of go-to Arizona Avenue neighborhood restaurants.

Hot Pot Caribbean Cuisine 2081 North Arizona Avenue, #132, Chandler 480-722-7577 hotpotcuisine.com Hours: Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; closed Sunday

Goat curry $9.99 Oxtails $11.99 Escovitch fish Market price Brown stew chicken $9.99

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Hot Pot Caribbean Cuisine in Chandler Is the Neighborhood Joint You Wish You Had - Phoenix New Times

The asking price for President Donald Trump's luxury Caribbean estate recently dropped by more than $11 million.

The beachfront estate on St. Martin was previously listed for $28 million, the Washington Post reported . But about a month ago, the trust overseeing Trump's assets slashed the price to $16.9 million, Lesley Reed, an agent for Sotheby's International Realty, told the Post.

The asking price now appears to be closer to what Trump paid for the property in 2013, when it was listed for $19.7 million, the Post reported. The final sales price was not disclosed.

The gated estate has 11 bedrooms, 12 full bathrooms, a tennis court and a pool, according to the Sotheby's listing .

When Trump became president, he placed his financial assets in a trust controlled by a Trump Organization executive and his son Donald Trump Jr. He did not fully divest from his businesses, but he is supposed to be separated from the day-to-day decisions, which would include decisions about the asking price of the St. Martin property. But Trump is still allowed to withdraw money from the trust at any time which has led to questions about potential conflicts of interest.

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President Trump's Caribbean Estate Just Got $11 Million Cheaper - Money Magazine

LED THE WAY FOR T&T: Krystle Esdelle

TRINIDAD and Tobago saved their best for last as they soared to their sixth title in succession when the curtain fell on the CAZOVA (Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Federation) Womens Championships on Monday night in Jamaica. After both teams had lost just one set apiece en route to the final, the visitors crushed hosts Jamaica 25-12, 25-16, 25-10 in the shortest and most one-sided match of the tournament, taking just 62 minutes to win the gold medals. It was a record seventh title for T&T as they went past the Barbadians, who did not even qualify this time around and have not been at the top of the podium since they claimed their sixth title in 2004. After not reaching the final in the first five editions, T&T were triumphant in 1996 in the final year of annual competition, but had to settle for two silver medals as Barbados were triumphant four times in a row in the now biennial tournament. This countrys women denied the Bajans a fifth straight title in the 06 final and have not let go of the crown since. This has been the longest time between CAZOVA tournaments as the last edition was staged in 2014 when T&T swept both titles as home. The tournaments were separated this time around but the final results were the same, as the men captured their second straight title and third overall three weeks ago in Trinidad. T&T womens coach Nicholson Drakes admitted that his team expected a much tougher battle from the Jamaicans on Monday night, but pointed out that we were doing a lot of future training in preparation, because we looked at Jamaica as the team wed be playing in the final. France-based Krystle Esdelle led the way with 14 points, including ten kills. The former national skipper also had three service winners in the first set during a period when her team won ten straight points with her on the serving line. Greece-based Channon Thompson, another former CAZOVA Most Valuable Player, had eight kills in her 11 points and the Turkey-based pair of Sinead Jack and Darlene Ramdin chipped in with nine and ten points, respectively. Only four players on the Jamaican team scored in the match and no one managed more than five points. However, they still advance to the third and final round of NORCECA (North, Central American and the Caribbean) qualifying for the World Championships. T&T did not need to win the tournament to book their place, having already done so as hosts of one of the three qualifying tournaments in the next few months for the six tickets from this region for Japan in October next year. It has been an unforgettable last six weeks for the T&T women, as they placed ninth in the Pan American Cup in Peru in late June to qualify for next years World Grand Prix. They had qualified for the biggest tournament after the Olympic Games and World Championships for the first time last year and became the first team from the English-speaking Caribbean to participate in this tournament in the first half of last month. And T&T managed a victory when they came from behind to stun Australia at home in Couva on July 14. T&T and Martinique qualified for the third and final round of NORCECA qualifying for the World Championships in Italy and Bulgaria in September next year by finishing first and second, respectively, in CAZOVA.

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Caribbean Queens again - Trinidad & Tobago Express

BBC News

Caribbean voice: How calypso went from plantation to politics - BBC ... BBC News The unique sound of Caribbean calypso music is still just as sweet and as controversial in Antigua. and more »

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Caribbean voice: How calypso went from plantation to politics - BBC ... - BBC News

Every week, Jack Sheldon from Jacks Flight Club selects a flight deal from the UK for Independent readers that you cant afford to miss. This week: the Caribbean at the end of August from 258.

There are multiple fantastic fares on late-summer direct flights to the Caribbean, Mexico, and Costa Rica with Thomson Airways you can bag a return for around 300. These fares are only available for a limited set of dates, but if you can fit them into your schedule, it's a convenient and cheap way to get to some exotic destinations without the hassle of multiple stopovers en route. Flight are available from London, Manchester, and Birmingham.

The best way to book is by going direct to the Thomson website and pressing the flights tab. Then choose your departure airport and choice of destination (use the options below). When setting the departure dates, Thomson's calendar tool will tell you the dates each route is available - the best fares seem to leave at the very end of August and return in early to mid-September. For example, you can book London to St Lucia for 298 return from 31 August 31 to 14 September.

Heres a full list of options:

Return from London Gatwick to St Lucia: 298

Return from London Gatwick to Liberia, Costa Rica: 339

Return from London Gatwick to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic: 304

Return from Manchester to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic: 348

Return from Birmingham to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic: 323

Return from London Gatwick to Varadero, Cuba: 299

Return from London Gatwick to Cancun, Mexico: 299

Return from Manchester to Cancun, Mexico: 318

Thomson have some great-value fares to long haul destinations (Thomson)

Fly out in late August and return in early to mid-September 2017.

Get in there quick most of these fares should last only a few more days.

Thomson does have restrictions on luggage, with only a single carry-on bag allowed per person. I recommend either packing light these are beach holidays after all!) or splitting a checked bag with your partner or travel buddy to save on costs.

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Flight deal of the week: UK to the Caribbean for 298 - The Independent