OUR UPCOMING WORKSHOPS! WORKSHOP DATE COUNTRY Credit Report Writing Skills 27th May 2019 Trinidad Enterprise Risk Management 26th & 27th June 2019 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 ▪ The Government of the British Virgin Islands’ rating reaffirmed at CariAA- ▪ Venture Credit Union Co-operative Society Limited’s rating reaffirmed at CariBBB- ▪ Eastern Credit Union Co-operative Society Limited’s rating reaffirmed at CariBBB- ▪ Trinidad and Tobago Unit Trust Corporation’s initial rating assigned at CariAA ▪ Massy Holdings Ltd. rating reaffirmed at CariAA+ ▪ Sagicor Life Jamaica Limited’s rating reaffirmed at jmAAA ▪ National Flour Mills Limited’s rating reaffirmed at CariA- ▪ HMB Limited’s proposed collateralised mortgage obligation rating assigned at CariAA- (SO) ▪ NCB Capital Markets (Barbados) Limited’s initial rating assigned at CariBBB- ▪ Government of Barbados’s local currency rating upgraded to CariBB ▪ PanJam Investment Limited’s initial rating assigned at CariBBB+ ▪ Saint Lucia Electricity Services Limited’s rating reaffirmed at CariBBB ▪ TSTT’s existing rating reaffirmed and new proposed bond issue rating assigned at CariA ▪ Jamaica Public Service Company Limited’s initial rating assigned at CariBBB+ Please visit our website at www.caricris.com for the detailed Rationales on these and other ratings Benefits of a CariCRIS Rating to a Bank: • Reduce your borrowing cost • Boost investor confidence by improving your corporate image • Support capital adequacy measures by providing forward-looking risk assessments • Facilitate the placement of debt issues to a wide investment base Career Opportunity As we expand our operations through the Caribbean, CariCRIS is seeking to recruit a high-calibre credit risk professional to join our team in the following position: Research & Fixed Income Analyst Position Summary Conducts research on the key sectors and industries driving the economies of the Caribbean and compiles sector studies and industry reports. Also carries out valuation of fixed income securities using CariCRIS’ proprietary valuation models. Qualifications & Experience • First degree in Finance/Economics/Business Management from an accredited University • Postgraduate qualification/specialization in Finance such as an MBA, or M.Sc. and/or studying toward the CFA charter would be an asset • 2-3 years’ professional research experience, preferably in the financial sector • Good working knowledge of the financial and capital markets of the Caribbean • Prior experience in the valuation of regional fixed income securities would be an asset Required Skills • Strong analytic and critical thinking skills • Exceptional written, oral, and presentation communication abilities • Expertise with Microsoft Excel including VBA, PowerPoint and other Office-Related software If you are interested in joining the CariCRIS team, please submit a detailed resume and cover letter by May 31st, 2019 to https://caricris.com/index.php/about/careers. Tel: 1 868 627-8879 Fax: 1 868 625-8871 Only short-listed applicants will be acknowledged. CariCRIS’ credit ratings and daily Newswire can also be found on the Bloomberg Professional Service. REGIONAL Trinidad and Tobago US$71m to build HDC apartments in heart of Port of Spain, Sando... ' 6,000 housing units by 2020' Million-Dollar Housing Development Corporation (HDC) apartments will be constructed in the heart of Port of Spain and San Fernando for low- and middle-income earners. Government is hoping the construction project will significantly reduce the deficit in the local housing industry and will regenerate the urban landscape in Port of Spain and San Fernando. Imbert: Up to $700m from tax amnesty ...billions stuck at Tax Appeal Board Finance Minister Colm Imbert said yesterday he has set a target to raise $500 million from the three-month tax amnesty that begins in the middle of June, but 'it is quite likely that we will exceed that', and the Government's revenue from the measure could be as high as $600 or $700 million. Index Fund jumps $0.82 Overall market activity resulted from trading in 12 securities of which five advanced, five declined and two traded firm. Former energy minister Ramnarine: T&T gets best value at Point Lisas, not LNG The people of Trinidad and Tobago get the best returns on their natural gas through companies operating at the Point Lisas industrial estate, and not at the Atlantic liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant, a former energy minister confirmed on Friday. PSA gives Phoenix Park Gas deadline Public Services Association (PSA) president Watson Duke is calling for immediate action on issues affecting workers at the Phoenix Park Gas Processors Limited (PPGPL), which includes an employee appraisal system. Barbados Barbados removes visa restrictions for some countries Barbados has removed visa requirements for several countries as government seeks to increase the number of tourist arrivals, and make it easier for investors to do business with this island. Jamaica Shaw launches new trade information portal Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Audley Shaw has launched the Jamaica Trade Information Portal (JTIP), the first of its kind in the English-speaking Caribbean. Antigua and Barbuda Antigua govt still optimistic over saving loss-making LIAT The Antigua and Barbuda government has reaffirmed its position to ensure the survival of cash-strapped regional airline LIAT, even as Barbados has signalled 'that ownership of the shares of the airline is a burden'. British Virgin Islands Cruise Lines commit to 1000 Jobs Initiative - Premier Fahie -Says huge business incentives for joining; Official launch soon Following the launch postponement of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) 1000 Jobs in 1000 Days initiative on Tuesday, May 14, 2019, Virgin Islands (VI) Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has assured that the programme is still on track and revealed that several major companies are already lined up for the government partnership. 2nd & 3rd readings of Immigration & Passport (Amendment) Act ‘deleted’- Premier Andrew A. Fahie said he has listened to the will of the people The Second and Third Readings for the Bill entitled Immigration and Passport (Amendment) Act has been pulled from the Order Paper at the Third Sitting of the First Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) of the Virgin Islands today, May 17, 2019. British Virgin Islands Continued Banco Popular to open on VG in August 2019- Premier Fahie - said residents of VG are facing many hardships due to lack of physical bank VI- Residents and other persons on Virgin Gorda will have access to much needed banking facilities by August of 2019, according to Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) during the Third Sitting of the First Session of the Fourth House of Assembly today, May 17, 2019. Dominica Dominica establishes diplomatic relations; signs visa waiver agreement with Ukraine On the 15th of May 2019, the Commonwealth of Dominica concluded the signing of a Visa Waiver Agreement with Ukraine at a brief ceremony at the Dominica High Commission in London. Acting High Commissioner, Janet Charles joined by her counterpart, Her Excellency Natalia Galibarenko, Ambassador of Ukraine signed an agreement on the exemption of visa requirements. This agreement will allow citizens visa free access to each other’s country The Dominican Republic Dominican Republic fares well in public-private partnerships: study In the most recent Infrascopio 2019 report, developed by the Economist Intelligence Unit and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Dominican Republic ranks 16th out of the 21 countries in Latin America in developing public-private partnerships (APP). Starbucks coming to the Dominican Republic Starbucks announced today that it has reached a license agreement with Green Star Partners, an alliance that combines decades of experience nationally and internationally in multiple sectors. Coral reefs give Dominican Republic US$1.14B yearly Aimed at restoring biodiversity with the value it deserves, several Dominican Gov. agencies and NGOs on Thurs. presented the study “Identification and valuation of the ecosystem services of coral reefs.” The Dominican Republic Continued Bahía de las Águilas Master Plan ‘ready’ by June The master plan to launch Bahía de las Águilas and Dominican Republic’s South region as the new tourist pole is expected to be ready in June. Grenada Implementation of CARCIP Telecoms Project Grenada and its dependencies will soon boast of significant improvements in the quality of broadband access which will be facilitated under the Caribbean Regional Communications Infrastructure Program CARCIP. Venezuela Gas station lines reappear in Venezuela as refinery halts, fuel imports plunge Gas station lines reappeared across oil-rich but crisis-stricken Venezuela this week as gasoline imports plunged and the country’s second-largest oil refinery halted operations. Venezuela's ad-hoc PDVSA board begins payment on Citgo-backed 2020 bond Venezuela’s ad-hoc board of directors for state oil company PDVSA, appointed by opposition leader Juan Guaido, said on Thursday it has made an interest payment on its bond maturing in 2020, delaying uncertainty over its crown jewel U.S. asset. Other Regional Delta’s new twice-daily service to Miami brings new winter-getaway opportunities Delta’s steady growth in Boston continues with the