Caribbean News

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad & Tobago: The Barbados-based Fast Caribbean Ltd. has been selected to manage a regional ferry service scheduled to come on stream this year, according to this country's Minister of Transport, Devant Maharaj.

Initially, the ferry will carry passengers, vehicles and goods from its base in Trinidad & Tobago to Grenada, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, St. Lucia and Barbados, though the minister says that more routes will be added once the venture is deemed commercially viable.

"Fast Caribbean Ltd., the Barbados-based consortium, will charter from owners Montrose Global a 112-metre wave-piercing catamaran similar to those operating on the Trinidad & Tobago route," Maharaj said.

KINGSTON, Jamaica: Finance Minister, Dr. Peter Phillips, expects a drop in demand for Jamaican exports as a result of the fiscal challenges facing European countries and the slower-than-expected recovery of the U.S. economy and the rest of the developed world.

Dr. Phillips' assessment comes just days after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) lowered its growth forecast for the global economy from 4 per cent to 3.25 per cent in 2012.

The minister said the prospect of a deepening global economic downturn means that Jamaica must find ways to boost its economy.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana: The government has launched a new initiative to woo Guyanese in the diaspora back home in an attempt to boost tourist arrivals by 20 per cent.

The government recently unveiled a "Festival of Colours" package that centres on the country's Holi/Phagwah festival that takes place from March 2 to 9.

Minister of Housing and Water, Irfaan Ali, said this was the first in a series of tourism packages to be unleashed under the "Rediscover Home" Tourism Initiative.

"We are targeting overseas-based Guyanese directly, to come home to rediscover and enjoy the cultural activities in their home... Towards this end, there will be a package available for the week-long activities," Ali said.

By ALEX WAITHE

On a beautiful sunny Friday the 13th morning as a fairly large group of us gathered in Oistins, Christ Church, Barbados to commemorate the 360th anniversary of the signing of the Charter of Barbados at the Mermaid Tavern, the rain began to pour as if to ensure that we truly understood the significance of that historical day.