Guyana Is Lone Caribbean Country Forecast To Grow Significantly This Year

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By NAN Business Writer

News Americas, WASHINGTON, D.C., Tues. Jan. 9, 2023: The South American CARICOM nation of Guyana is the lone Caribbean Community member set to achieve double digit GBP growth this year according to World Bank forecasts.

According to the ‘Global Economic Prospects” for January 2024, Guyana will likely reach a whopping 38.2 percent real GDP growth this year compared to 29 percent in 2023.

No other Caribbean nation is forecast to get to double digits.

“The Caribbean economies are expected to grow 7.6 percent in 2024 and 5.4 percent in 2025, after expanding 4.6 percent in 2023,” the authors of the report said. “Excluding Guyana, which remains in a resource-based boom since the discovery of oil in 2015, the region’s growth is expected to accelerate to 4.1 percent in 2024 and 3.9 percent in 2025. However, prospects are uneven across the sub-region.”

The World Bank added that “the post-pandemic recovery of tourism in the sub-region is incomplete and is expected to continue driving growth.”

Additionally, “remittances into the Caribbean are also expected to continue increasing, albeit at a slower pace.”

The second highest growth of 5.1 percent is set to be recorded by the Dominican Republic amid structural reforms to attract FDI, and the third highest by Dominica of 4.6 percent.

Barbados is forecast for 4 percent growth, the fourth highest for the Caribbean but a drop from 4.6 percent in 2023. Grenada is forecast for 3.8 percent, a drop by one percentage point from last year.

Here’s where the other Caribbean nations line up:

Belize – 3.5 percent, a drop from 4.5 percent last year.

Jamaica – 2 percent, down from 2.3 percent in 2023.

St. Lucia – 2.9 percent, down from 3.2 percent last year.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines – 4.8 percent, down from 6 percent in 2023.

Suriname – 2.6 percent, up from 2 percent last year.

The Bahamas – 1.8 percent, a drop from 4.3 in 2023.

Haiti – 1.3 percent, up from -2.5 percent last year.

Hartford Athletic Signs Jamaican Defender For 2024 USL Championship Season

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News Americas, HARTFORD, CT, Mon. Jan. 8, 2023: Hartford Athletic has officially announced the signing of Jamaican Reggae Boyz defender Jordan Scarlett for the upcoming 2024 United Soccer League Championship, commencing March 9 in the United States. The 28-year-old defender is set to join the Connecticut-based club, subject to approval from the league and federation. His move follows a stint with Louisville City FC in 2023, which was prematurely ended by a knee injury after just three appearances.

Scarlett is the third Jamaican player Hartford Athletic has acquired this year, following the signings of Deshane Beckford and Romario Williams from Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. These new additions, including Scarlett, enhance the club’s Caribbean presence, joining compatriot Andre Lewis and Trinidad & Tobago’s Tristan Hodge.

Expressing his enthusiasm on the club’s website, Scarlett mentioned, “I am genuinely appreciative to be back playing the game that holds my heart.” Having grown up in New York, he views signing with Hartford as a homecoming and is excited to play in front of Hartford’s passionate fan base. He looks forward to contributing to the talented and exciting team at Hartford Athletic.

Scarlett, a native of Jamaica who grew up in the Bronx, attended Iona University and was selected by the New York Red Bulls in the 2017 Major League Soccer SuperDraft. He played his first three professional seasons with the New York Red Bulls II from 2017 to 2019. His USL Championship career is notable, with 157 appearances including time with the Red Bulls and Tampa Bay Rowdies, where he was a defensive leader and helped them reach the Eastern Conference final in each of his three seasons from 2020 to 2022.

Hartford’s head coach and general manager, Brendan Burke, praised Scarlett on the club’s website, highlighting his aggressive defending, aerial prowess, and valuable postseason experience. Burke expressed excitement about Scarlett driving the core group of defenders in the upcoming season.

Scarlett debuted internationally in June 2022 in a match against Mexico in the CONCACAF Nations League, representing the Reggae Boyz.

U.S. Defense Official For Guyana

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News Americas, GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Mon. Jan. 8, 2024: Daniel P. Erikson, the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Western Hemisphere, was set to arrive in Guyana today, January 8th.

Daniel P. Erikson, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense,

He will be in the South American CARICOM country until tomorrow, Jan. 9th. Erikson, who oversees U.S. defense and security policy for a 34-nation region including Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and South and Central America, is undertaking this journey to reinforce the United States’ commitment to its defense and security alliance with Guyana, a key factor in regional stability.

During his visit, Erikson will engage in discussions with the Government of Guyana, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), and leaders of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). These talks aim to enhance the U.S. defense and security partnership with Guyana and its regional allies. Marking his first international trip in 2024, Erikson’s visit highlights the significance of the growing bilateral defense and security relationship, emphasizing both immediate military collaborations and long-term advancements in Guyana’s defense sector.

This visit is part of the United States’ broader strategy to fortify global alliances and partnerships, focusing on improving interoperability, expanding information exchange, and orchestrating complex joint and combined exercises with its international allies, the US Embassy said in a statement.

Jamaica’s Renowned Dance Ensemble Returns To NYC

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News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Mon. Jan. 8, 2024: L’ACADCO, Jamaica’s Leading Contemporary Dance Company, makes a much-anticipated comeback to New York City with a gala performance on January 11th.

This marks their first appearance in the city in two decades. The event, featuring a special performance at the Gerald W. Lynch Theater at John Jay College, will be under the patronage of the Consul General of Jamaica to New York, Alsion Roach-Wilson and aims to celebrate Dr. Una S.T. Clarke’s contributions, aligning with the theme: Building Bridges Through The Arts.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit the New-York-based Jamaican charity Children of Jamaica Outreach, (COJO) Inc. Tickets are available at touchstonelink.com/lacadco.

The event will highlight the exceptional talent and agility of L’Acadco’s dancers, offering both long-time supporters and newcomers a mesmerizing experience. The performance will feature contemporary pieces and traditional Caribbean dance forms, choreographed by Jessica Shaw, Orville McFarlane, and L’Antoinette Stines, the company’s Artistic Director. Notably, Dr. Stines’ acclaimed works, Satta and Honfour, will be part of the evening’s repertoire.

It will be further enhanced by the presence of special guest Amma D. McKen, a renowned Yoruba Orisha Singer and Priestess of Yemonja. A Brooklyn native, McKen has been immersed in Yoruba sacred music since the age of 14 and holds the prestigious title of Akpon. She has the distinction of being the first African American woman to produce a musical recording of these traditional songs, “Alaako Oso: Owner of the Songs is Eloquent.”

L’Acadco’s roots trace back to 1978 when Dr. L’Antoinette Stines founded Miami’s first Black dance company. After returning to Jamaica in 1982, Dr. Stines and her company have become influential ambassadors of Jamaican and Caribbean culture. Dr. Stines developed L’Antech, a unique Caribbean dance technique, blending Classical Ballet with Jamaican and Caribbean dance styles. This innovative approach has been integral to L’Acadco’s expression of the region’s vibrant culture and heritage.

Celebrated as Jamaica’s leading contemporary dance company, L’ACADCO’s members hail from across the Caribbean, including Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Bermuda, Cuba, Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad & Tobago. Since its inception, the company has stood as a dynamic representative and advocate of Caribbean culture and dance. For more information, visit lacadco.com.