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WORKSHOP DATE COUNTRY Best Practice Financial Modeling and Valuation (Intermediate) 27th & 28th September, 2018 Jamaica SME eSmart- Powering Your Potential Find out more today by calling: (868)-627-8879 ext. 228 or email: [email protected] Latest Rating Actions by CariCRIS ▪ Government of Anguilla removed from rating watch and reaffirmed at CariBBB+ ▪ Colonial Fire & General Insurance Limited’s rating reaffirmed at CariA ▪ Mystic Mountain Limited’s initial rating assigned at CariBBB- ▪ Government of Saint Lucia’s rating reaffirmed at CariBBB ▪ Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica’s rating downgraded to CariBB ▪ Dominica AID Bank removed from rating watch and downgraded to CariBB- ▪ Bourse Securities Limited’s rating reaffirmed at CariA- ▪ Beacon Insurance Company Limited’s rating reaffirmed at CariA- ▪ PLIPDECO’s rating reaffirmed at CariA+ ▪ National Investment Fund Holding Company Limited’s rating assigned at CariAA ▪ Eastern Caribbean Home Mortgage Bank’s rating reaffirmed at CariBBB+ ▪ Development Bank of Jamaica Limited’s rating reaffirmed at CariBBB+ ▪ Rhand Credit Union Co-operative Society Limited’s rating reaffirmed at CariBBB- Please visit our website at www.caricris.com for the detailed Rationales on these and other ratings Benefits of a CariCRIS Rating for a Bond Issue: • Widen the range of possible investors to ensure success of the issue • Help investors to determine if the bond issue is a wise investment • Provide a clear understanding of the creditworthiness of the issuing firm and the factors that will impact its performance CariCRIS’ credit ratings and daily Newswire can also be found on the Bloomberg Professional Service. REGIONAL Trinidad and Tobago No plans for lay-offs at WASA, T&TEC THE GOVERNMENT has no plans to lay off workers at utilities WASA and T& TEC at this time. Nor is there any recommendation before the Government for increases in rates at this time. Agostini's jumps $1.80 OVERALL market activity resulted from trading in 19 securities of which five advanced, four declined and 10 traded firm. Prime Minister: I cleared off $4m PNM debt THE People's National Movement (PNM) owed the bank more than $4 million when Dr Keith Rowley took over the leadership 'by accident' in May 2010, following the general election defeat. New homeowners urged to pay their rent...Rowley: Less $$ for HDC EXPECT to see less money allocated to the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) when the 2018-2019 budget is read in Parliament next Monday. IMF to Govt: Fix forex issues urgently THE International Monetary Fund (IMF) is calling on the Government and the Central Bank, referred to by the global institution as the authorities, to address the country's long-standing foreign exchange market imbalance on 'an urgent and sustained basis'. Shop on your gas stop - NP, St Christopher's stations expand services Several National Petroleum (NP) gas stations now offer you the convenience of buying everything from sandwiches, frozen peas and ice cream to mosquito coils and bleach, all while filling your gas tank. Among them, the Richmond Street service station, corner of Richmond and Park Streets, Port of Spain; St Christopher's service station (St Christopher's), Wrightson Road, Port of Spain; the Morvant Junction service station in Morvant; and the Diego Martin service station, Diego Martin Main Road, Diego Martin. Trinidad and Tobago Continued ADB expands reach to agri-sector - Bank opens south office, mobile unit The Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) celebrated its 50th anniversary in January, but the origin of the bank dates back to the 1800s, when it was known at the Agricultural Bank. Khan: No fuel supply disruption ENERGY Minister Franklin Khan has assured there would be no disruption in fuel supply to the travelling public with the closure of the Petrotrin Refinery next Monday. Barbados Minister urges patience on NSRL tax ease There’s been some ease in prices with the removal of National Social Responsibility Levy (NSRL), the last administration’s controversial tax, but not fast enough, consumers tell Barbados TODAY. Jamaica More than 7,000 new hotel rooms over next two years, says Bartlett Jamaica is set to add more than 7,500 new hotel rooms over the next two years, Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett told journalists at a Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX) media update breakfast held at Jewel Grande Montego Bay Resort & Spa in St James on Monday. Guyana Go solar AMID this country’s push to becoming a green state, President David Granger on Wednesday told residents of the Rupununi that the generation of solar energy there is very feasible not only for the use at the household level, but throughout the community to power schools and other public facilities. The Bahamas Govt Eyes Full-Fledged Cascarilla Development A Cabinet minister yesterday talks are underway about building a true cascarilla industry in The Bahamas through the addition of "value-added" production Jibrilu Takes Japan A senior Bahamian tourism official has visited Japan as part of an aggressive Caribbean-wide effort to promote the region's attractions. Dominica Carnival Breeze makes inaugural call to Dominica Carnival Breeze has been added to the list of cruise lines expected to visit Dominica for the 2018/2019 Cruise Ship season. No work today says PM Skerrit Employees have been told to remain at home as Tropical Storm Kirk draws nearer to the island. St. Kitts and Nevis St. Kitts and Nevis and Republic of Togo establish diplomatic relations St. Kitts and Nevis established diplomatic relations with Togo today 25th September, 2018, as it seeks to expand its diplomatic footprint on the African continent. Other Regional Nine out of ten banks in Latin America and the Caribbean suffered cyber incidents during the last year, says OAS On Tuesday, the Organization of American States (OAS) presented a report on the “State of Cybersecurity in the Banking Sector in Latin America and the Caribbean”, which includes an analysis of the past year in the banking sector and online banking users in aspects related to cybersecurity. Other Regional Continued Caribbean hoteliers embrace digital technology to promote region The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) says it is moving to further develop its digital technology resources so as to better promote the “many exciting and diverse travel choices” visitors can experience throughout the region. INTERNATIONAL United States Futures edge higher as Fed's move digested; Apple gains U.S. stock index futures edged higher on Thursday on the back of high- flying companies such as Apple and Amazon, while investors assessed the Federal Reserve’s policy statement. United Kingdom Sterling falls as Brexit headlines eyed The British currency tumbled on Thursday on the back of broad dollar gains after a U.S. rate hike, and as investors waited for more Brexit-related headlines in the absence of any fresh economic drivers. Europe Italian stocks, banks bruised by report Italy budget meeting may be delayed European shares fell on Thursday on anxiety over Italy’s budget, with bank stocks the worst performers, also weighed on by a fall in U.S. bond yields after the Federal Reserve hiked rates again. Euro falls on reports Italian budget meeting may be delayed The euro fell on Thursday on media reports that an Italian budget meeting was likely to be delayed, spooking traders concerned that the ruling parties will push for a bigger deficit target in the euro zone’s third-largest economy. Europe Continued German inflation rises more than expected in September German inflation picked up more than expected in September to overshoot the European Central Bank’s price stability target, data showed on Thursday, supporting ECB President Mario Draghi’s plan to gradually wind down monetary stimulus. Japan Nikkei retreats after 8-day winning streak; Subaru gains as Japan dodges more tariffs Japan’s Nikkei snapped an eighth-day winning streak on Thursday, losing ground as profit-taking kicked in, but some automakers rose after the United States indicated it won’t impose further tariffs on Japanese automotive products for now. Global Saudi Arabia's legal revamp offers hope for cautious investors Saudi Arabia’s first comprehensive bankruptcy law went into effect last month, one of many reforms to the legal system that economists say may be more important in the long run than high-profile privatizations. WTO cuts world merchandise trade forecasts for 2018 and 2019 World trade growth is likely to be slower than previously thought in 2018 and 2019, although the direct economic effects of a trade war that has blown up this year have been modest so far, the World Trade Organization said on Thursday. Saudi Arabia in short-term oil fix, fears extra U.S. supply next year Saudi Arabia will quietly add extra oil to the market over the next couple of months to offset a drop in Iranian production but is worried it might need to limit output next year to balance global supply and demand as the United States pumps more crude. FTSE Russell includes China stocks in boon to battered market Global index provider FTSE Russell said it will start including mainland Chinese shares in its major benchmarks from June next year, in a move that it expects will draw initial net inflows of $10 billion from passive investors. Go solar Thursday 27th September, 2018 – Guyana Chronicle AMID this country’s push to becoming a green state, President David Granger on Wednesday told residents of the Rupununi that the generation of solar energy there is very feasible not only for the use at the household level, but throughout the community to power schools and other public facilities. He made the remarks while addressing villagers at the opening of this year’s Rupununi Regional Heritage celebrations, being held at the St.