Chambers of Commerce from across the Caribbean region will be gathering in Barbados on 01-02 April 2019 to formally launch the Network of Caribbean Chambers of Commerce (CARICHAM). Executive Directors of sixteen (16) Chambers of Commerce from the following Countries are expected to be in attendance: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Cuba, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname.
 
The objectives of CARICHAM are to:
•Determine the best mechanism(s) to represent the interest of the private sector on regional and international issues;
•Facilitate capacity building opportunities for members and representatives of the Chambers of Commerce;
•Promote trade and investment in the Caribbean and with other international trading partners;
•Identify and undertake training, and facilitate other cooperation programs that will benefit the membership of the Chambers, as well as the next generation of Caribbean business leaders;
•Foster innovation and strategic collaboration among members to increase the global competitiveness of our industries;
•Develop and share business-to-business market intelligence;
•Share experiences and best practice in areas such as: trade and investment, renewable energy/energy efficiency, disaster risk reduction and climate change; and
•Add value as well as to identify opportunities for the members of the respective Chambers.
 
The memorandum of understanding to formally establish the Network will be presented to stakeholders at the launch and it is anticipated that participants will review and finalise an action plan that is intended to guide its work. The meeting will consider approaches to improve cooperation on issues related to Disaster Risk Reduction, Trade Facilitation and Promotion, Knowledge Sharing, Advocacy and a regional Membership Value Programme. The Meeting will also provide an opportunity for the executive directors to interact with regional and international development partners.
 
The launch of CARICHAM is being supported by a number of stakeholders including: the United Nations Officer of Disaster Risk Reduction, the European Union, the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency, the Department for Emergency Management, the Caribbean Media Corporation, the CARICOM Secretariat, Compete Caribbean and the Caribbean Export Development Agency. ​

MP for the Salisbury Constituency, Hector John launched the party’s website on Q95 FM on Thursday, 28th March 2019.
 
Hector says the Website adds value to the UWP, and provides a wealth of knowledge on the history and achievements of the UWP and its members. The website address is www.uwpdominica.com. ​

Economist Dr Eisenhower Douglas says the operations of CARICOM are supposed to resolve in the improvement in the quality of life of the people of the Caribbean community on a sustained basis.
Dr Douglas was speaking during a consultation Wednesday night on commemorating the attainment of 52 years self-governance in Dominica.
He spoke on the topic "Towards Caribbean civilization post 1955 - West Indies Federation, CARIFTA and the OECS."
Douglas says it is necessary that citizens, whether in the public or  private sector, or civil societies within the various member states invest in CARICOM and OECS arrangements.

Economist Dr Eisenhower Douglas
Meantime, Chairman of the Dominica Reparations Committee Dr Damien Dublin says it is important to recognize Dominica's heroes and pioneers.

​Chairman of the Dominica Reparations Committee, Dr Damien Dublin.

​Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit says there needs to be the development of a well defined financing instrument for Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
He says this needs to be with uncomplicated procurement and reporting processes aimed at catalysing the role out of blue and green economy activities.

​The PM also called for the creation of a mechanism for countries of the global south to share knowledge, best practices, low carbon technologies and services of national experts in helping each other to find solution to common problems of climate change and development.

​PM Roosevelt Skerrit.

Chairman of the Electoral Commission Gerald Burton says all that is missing as part of the equation, is the implementation of the statutory amendments for bringing the electoral system into effect.
He says the history of the draft legislation is well known, and unfortunately remains a matter of much disagreement on areas which he says are not incapable at arriving at compromise if key persons genuinely wish to see the process move forward.

​Chairman of the Electoral Commission Gerald Burton .

Director of Agriculture Ricky Brumant says part of the vegetable production being undertaken by the ministry is to increase local consumption of vegetables at the homes.
Brumant says a vegetable backyard competition will be rolled out in June 2019.

​Director of Agriculture Ricky Brumant

​PPOD Leader, Sapphire Carrington

Cash-strapped airline LIAT said Thursday that it's currently running a reduced schedule due to unscheduled maintenance on two of its aircrafts.
Chief Executive Officer Julie Reifer-Jones emphasized that the safety and comfort of passengers was the top priority for the company.
"The unscheduled maintenance would see the aircraft out of service for several days," Reifer-Jones said.
The CEO said the company is working to return to its full flight schedule by next week.
Reifer-Jones also assured passengers that this would not affect their Easter travel plans as the airline had already put in place adequate arrangements to ensure smooth trips for this peak travel period.

More than 11,000 people have signed a petition against proposed tougher gun laws in the wake of the Christchurch mosque massacres, criticizing the changes as "unjust to law-abiding New Zealand citizens."
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the ban on military-style semi-automatic weapons, assault rifles and high-capacity magazines only days after the mass shootings at two mosques claimed 50 lives on March 15.
New legislation will be introduced in Parliament next week, and Ardern has said it will be passed as a matter of urgency, skipping the normal public consultation process.
But the petition -- which was launched on Monday and has gained over 11,100 signatures at the time of writing -- criticizes the proposal and calls for an in-depth consultation period.