• The Dominican Republic reached the highest value of mining exports in 2025, closing with an accumulated value exceeding US$2,590Mn, making 2025 the year with the highest exports from this sector of the economy. This value represents a growth of 52% relative to 2024, when mining exports totalled US$1,712.7Mn and a 20% increase relative to 2021, according to data from the Central Bank of the Dominican Republic.
• The information was provided by the Minister of Energy and Mines, Joel Santos, who noted that for the growth of 2025, the last quarter of the year stands out, recording US$825.9Mn, 67% higher than the same period in 2024. Santos specified that mining maintains a significant share of national exports, accounting for more than 40% of total exports, with gold as the main export.
• Notably, the figures for the last quarter of 2025 represent an increase of nearly 14.0% compared to July-September of that year, reaching more than US$720Mn, driven mainly by exports of gold and silver. Santos stated that these results are the result of a management aimed at strengthening investments and institutional strengthening. He also pointed out that the progress made in the mining sector translates into a boost to the national economy.
• Dominican mining sector consolidated its attractiveness as a destination for foreign capital in 2025. Official data indicates that mining captured more than US$556.3Mn in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) between January and September, representing approximately 14% of the total FDI received by the country in that period, according to Central Bank figures.
• “This leadership responds to the sustained performance of products such as gold, silver and copper, which concentrate a significant part of the exported value and contribute decisively to the generation of foreign exchange, employment and investment,” Santos said. As a whole, the energy and mining sector accounted for around 40% of all FDI captured by the Dominican Republic in 2025, according to the Minister, consolidating itself as one of the principal axes of attraction of foreign capital within the national economy.

(Source: Dominican Today)

• Guyana has stepped up its border security after recent political unrest in neighbouring Venezuela, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips said this week, underscoring the country’s commitment to safeguarding its territorial integrity.
• Speaking on the Starting Point podcast on Sunday, January 18, 2026, the prime minister said that while the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) has long maintained deployments along the borders with Venezuela, Suriname and Brazil, recent events prompted an immediate shift to an even higher state of readiness.
• Phillips, a former army chief, noted that the government has intensified monitoring and coordination with regional authorities, especially along the western frontier. He travelled to Region One (Barima-Waini), where he met with members of the Defence Board, regional officials, law enforcement and residents to discuss security arrangements. While authorities have not observed any unusual activity along the Guyana–Venezuela border, Phillips stressed that current cross-border movement “is routine activity.” Still, he warned that vigilance remains critical.
• The prime minister noted that Guyana’s priority remains ensuring that every citizen, especially those in border regions, feels safe. In discussing wider regional responses to the situation in Venezuela, Phillips said that while CARICOM member states may voice differing positions, “each country must ultimately act in accordance with its own national interests.” He also voiced support for the balanced stance taken by President Dr Irfaan Ali in addressing the developments.
• Guyana’s strengthened posture comes amid ongoing historical tensions with Venezuela over territorial claims, particularly related to the Essequibo region, a dispute that has periodically heightened security concerns for Georgetown.

(Source: Caribbean National Weekly)

• Consumer prices in Canada rose a faster-than-expected 2.4% ​in December 2025, largely due to the base effect of the previous year's sales tax break, ‌but closely watched core measures of inflation cooled for the third consecutive month, data showed on Monday, January 19, 2026. Analysts polled by Reuters had forecast inflation would hold at November's 2.2% rate.
• The Canadian central bank's preferred measures of ‌core inflation, CPI-median and CPI-trim, continued to ease and were the lowest since December 2024. ​CPI-median - or the value at the middle of the set of price changes in a month - cooled to 2.5% from 2.8% in November, while CPI-trim - which excludes the most extreme price changes - decreased to 2.7% from 2.9%.
• The Bank held its key policy rate steady at 2.25% in December 2025 and said ‍this was about the right level to keep inflation close to its 2.0% target. Despite a somewhat stronger than expected headline reading, the data ‌is still consistent with underlying inflation being close to 2%. The deceleration ‍in core prices should allow the Bank of Canada to keep rates on hold. Money markets expect rates to stay unchanged this year.
• The rise in headline ⁠inflation in December 2025 was ​driven by a temporary sales tax break on certain food and children's items authorised by the previous Liberal government headed by Justin Trudeau in the comparative December 2024 period. Restaurant prices, one of the segments affected by the tax holiday, were the largest ‍contributor to the acceleration in the annual inflation rate in December 2025.
• On a monthly basis, the consumer price index declined by 0.2%, Statistics Canada data showed. The monthly decline was less than market expectations of a 0.3% decrease.

(Source: Reuters)

• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Monday, January 19, 2026, revised Japan's economic growth forecast for 2026 slightly upwards, reflecting a boost from the government's fiscal stimulus package.
• In its latest World Economic Outlook, the IMF now projects Japan's economy will expand by 0.7% this year. This marks a 0.1 percentage point increase from its previous estimate, though it represents a slowdown from the 1.1% growth anticipated for 2025. Looking further ahead, the IMF expects growth to moderate to 0.6% in 2027.
• The revised outlook comes as Japan navigates a complex policy environment. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's administration has assembled a record $783 billion budget for the 2026 fiscal year, bolstered by a large stimulus package aimed at easing the burden of rising living costs on households.
• The IMF noted that it expects Japan to maintain this stimulating fiscal policy in the near term. At the same time, the Bank of Japan (BOJ) is contending with inflation that has remained above its 2% target for nearly four years. In response, the central bank raised its policy rate to 0.75% in December, a 30-year high. BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda has signalled a readiness to continue raising borrowing costs if necessary.
• The IMF anticipates that Japan's inflation will begin to moderate in 2026 and align with the central bank's target by 2027 as pressures from food and commodity prices subside. In line with this forecast, the institution expects the Bank of Japan will proceed with gradual policy rate hikes, carefully balancing economic support with the need to manage inflation.

(Sources: Reuters and Fastbull)

• The Wisynco Group today officially opened its new US$35-million brewery and manufacturing facility in Lakes Pen, St Catherine. Chief Executive Officer of Wisynco, Andrew Mahfood, said the facility will significantly expand the company’s production capacity, strengthen its ability to meet growing market demand, and provide greater flexibility to diversify its product portfolio.
• Overall, the new facility represents one of Wisynco’s most significant manufacturing investments to date and formally positions the company in the brewing category. The facility is now producing beers, stouts, malts, and ready-to-drink beverages, including Worthy Park mixed rum-based beverages and Stone Ginger Wine, all manufactured locally for domestic consumption.
• State Minister for Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Delano Seiveright, described Wisynco Group’s new brewery and manufacturing facility as a strong endorsement of Jamaica’s manufacturing future and the country’s broader economic direction. The Minister emphasised that the project aligns with the Government’s industrial strategy of scaling Jamaican-owned companies with deep local roots, citing Wisynco and the Mahfood family as examples of firms continuing to reinvest domestically.
• Wisynco was highlighted as a “textbook example” of a Jamaican company advancing national industrial development, supported by the Government’s Accelerated Capital Allowance (ACA) regime. The ACA allows qualifying capital investments made between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2026, to be written off more rapidly, improving cash flow and lowering the effective cost of investment, thereby encouraging expansion in the productive sector.
• At the local level, the facility is expected to generate jobs, skills development, stronger supply chains, and increased commercial activity in St. Catherine. Manufacturing investments of this scale also anchor communities, support logistics and distribution networks, and create long-term, stable employment.
• At the national level, benefits include higher output, stronger exports, improved food and beverage security, and deeper industrial resilience. The Minister concluded that this type of investment demonstrates how Jamaica can sustain growth despite shocks, such as Hurricane Melissa, by strengthening its productive base through collaboration between pro-growth Government policy and private-sector leadership.
• As at the close of trading on Thursday, WISYNCO’s stock price closed at J$19.36, reflecting a 3.9% year-to-date increase. At this closing price, it holds a P/E ratio of 16.7x below the Main Market Distribution & Manufacturing sector average of 16.8x.

(Sources: JIS and NCBCM Research)

• Paramount Trading (Jamaica) Limited (PTL) returned to profitability in Q2 FY2026, posting net profit of J$31.11Mn for the quarter ended November 30, 2025, compared with a loss of J$10.79Mn in the corresponding prior-year period. The improved outturn was driven by tighter cost discipline following hurricane-related disruptions in the prior year.
• Quarterly revenues fell marginally (-3.4%) year-on-year to J$385.7Mn. Management noted that quarterly revenue was adversely impacted by supply chain disruptions in October and depressed demand following Hurricane Melissa.
• Despite softer revenues, gross profit increased 18.6% YoY to J$157.05Mn, with gross margins expanding to 48.5% from 42.0% in Q2 FY2025. The margin improvement reflects better pricing discipline, more favourable product mix, and lower relative direct costs as volumes normalized, resulting in a14.4% reduction in direct expenses.
• Operating profit (EBIT) improved sharply to J$63.36Mn, up from J$10.95Mn in the prior-year quarter driven by lower selling & distribution down 65.54%. Net finance costs declined to J$21.48Mn from J$21.75Mn, reflecting slightly lower principal balances on loans.
• On a six-month basis (6M FY2026), PTL reported net profit of J$86.40Mn, a sharp improvement from a loss of J$48.74Mn in the prior-year period. The stronger year-to-date performance was largely driven by the robust Q2 recovery, which more than offset a softer Q1.
• Looking ahead, Management’s renewed focus on pricing discipline, product mix optimisation and cost containment should help sustain improved margins, even if top-line growth remains modest in the near term owing to the disruption of Hurricane Melissa. While demand conditions may remain uneven, the company’s return to profitability in Q2 provides a stronger earnings base for the remainder of FY2026, supporting a cautiously improving outlook.
• As at the close of trading on Thursday, PTL’s stock price closed at J$1.43, reflecting a 13.5% year-to-date increase. At this closing price, it holds a P/E ratio of 13.6x below the Junior Market Distribution sector average of 16.0x.

(Sources: PTL Financial Statements & NCBCM Research)

• The Government of Trinidad and Tobago plans to borrow up to US$1 billion from international investors. This money will be used for general development projects and to repay previous loans. The money is being raised through the international capital market, which is where governments and companies sell debt (bonds or notes) to large investors around the world.
• Under the External Loans (Tax and Exchange Control Exemption) Order, 2026, signed by Minister of Finance Davendranath Tancoo on Monday, payments of principal, interest, and other debt charges on the Notes will be exempt from all taxes and exchange control.
• The Notes will be offered for sale exclusively to Qualified Institutional Buyers in the United States under Rule 144A of the US Securities Act, and to buyers outside the US under Regulation S.
• The Government has appointed J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Bank of America Securities Inc. as Joint Lead Managers/Arrangers to facilitate the issuance.
• Registering a bond or stock with the SEC for a public offering can take months and cost millions in legal and accounting fees. By using Rule 144A and Reg S, a company can raise hundreds of millions of dollars in a matter of days by going directly to the world's biggest professional investors.

(Source: Trinidad Express)

• Bahamas Prime Minister Philip Davis on Monday announced additional measures aimed at easing the cost of living and providing direct financial relief to Bahamian families, reaffirming affordability as a top priority of his administration.
• Speaking as the country continues its recovery from recent economic crises, the prime minister acknowledged that while progress has been made, many households are still struggling with high prices. He said the government remains focused on taking practical steps to put more money back into the pockets of Bahamians.
• Central to the new measures is the removal of Value-Added Tax on unprepared food. Under the announcement, VAT on these items will be reduced to 0%, lowering the cost of everyday groceries and offering immediate relief at checkout for consumers. The change is scheduled to take effect on April 1, 2026. The announcement builds on a series of affordability-focused initiatives already implemented by the Davis administration.
• These include lowering the overall VAT rate from 12% to 10%, reducing VAT on essential items, raising the minimum wage, expanding access to free medication through the National Prescription Drug Plan, providing electricity bill relief, and rolling out the National School Breakfast Programme.
• According to the Office of the Prime Minister, the measures reflect the administration’s approach to governance described as steady, responsible, and results-driven—with a focus on improvements that directly impact daily life. The initiatives form part of a broader effort to ensure economic recovery leads to shared progress and greater financial security across all communities.
• Prime Minister Davis stressed that the work is ongoing, noting that the government will continue to listen to citizens, respond to their needs, and keep Bahamian families at the centre of decision-making. Further details on the newly announced measures are expected to be released by the relevant ministries in the coming weeks.

(Source: Caribbean National Weekly)

• A push by policymakers for Chinese firms to diversify beyond the world's top consumer market by shifting focus to Southeast Asia, Africa and Latin America paid dividends, cushioning the economy against United States (U.S.) tariffs and intensifying trade, technology and geopolitical frictions since President Donald Trump returned to the White House last year.
• As a result, China on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, reported a record trade surplus of nearly $1.189Tn in 2025, a 20% year on year increase, led by booming exports to non-U.S. markets as producers looked to build global scale to fend off sustained pressure from the Trump administration.
• The Asian powerhouse economy's monthly trade surpluses exceeded $100Bn seven times last year, partially underpinned by a weakened yuan, up from just once in 2024, underscoring that Trump's actions have barely dented China's broader trade with the wider world, even if he has curbed U.S.-bound shipments. Exports to the U.S. slumped 20% in dollar terms in 2025, while imports from the world's top economy were down 14.6%.
• Nevertheless, Chinese factories managed to make inroads in other markets, with exports to Africa jumping 25.8% and those to the ASEAN bloc of Southeast Asian nations up 13.4%. EU-bound shipments grew 8.4%.
• China's rare-earth exports in 2025 also surged to their highest level since at least 2014, even as Beijing began curbing shipments of several medium to heavy elements from April - a move analysts saw as an effort to showcase ⁠ its leverage over Washington while negotiators wrangled over soybean ⁠ purchases, a potential Boeing aircraft deal and the fate of TikTok's U.S. operations.
• The country’s surplus is still widening: For December alone, China’s surplus reached $114.14Bn, propelled by surging exports to the European Union, Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia. It was the third-highest monthly surplus on record, trailing only January and June last year.
• Heading into 2026, the challenges for Beijing are aplenty, including deflecting concerns from an increasing number of global capitals about China's trade practices and overcapacity, as well as its overreliance on key Chinese products. One of the key questions facing policymakers is how long the $19Tn economy can continue to counteract a property slump and sluggish domestic demand by shipping ever cheaper goods to other markets.

(Sources: Reuters and NY Times)

• Price hikes picked up speed for United States (U.S.)-based businesses toward the end of last year, a potential signal that inflation has yet to peak and prices could soon rise faster for consumers. U.S. wholesale inflation picked up speed in November, pushed higher in part by fast-rising energy prices, according to shutdown-delayed data released Wednesday, January 15, 2026.
• The latest Producer Price Index (PPI) report showed that prices rose 0.2% in November from the month before, resulting in an annual rate of 3%, according to the Bureau of Labour Statistics (BLS).
• Wednesday’s data also showed that wholesalers and retailers were likely continuing to pick up most of the hefty tab resulting from President Donald Trump’s sweeping and steep tariffs on imported goods. Trade services, which measure profit margins for wholesalers and retailers, were down by 0.8% in both October and November, a possible indication that businesses were absorbing higher costs versus fully passing them along to customers.
• As the labour market has weakened, wage growth has slowed, and economic disparities have grown wider, some businesses have sought to cut prices, rather than raise them further, because a wider swath of Americans is struggling with affordability.
• When excluding food, energy, as well as trade services, which also can be volatile, the underlying trajectory of wholesale inflation was even more concerning: Prices shot 0.7% higher in October and rose 0.2% in November, lifting the annual rate to 3.4% in October and then 3.5% in November. This was the highest annual rate for PPI excluding energy, food and trade services in eight months.
• The latest PPI report offers some signals for the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge, as several PPI data points feed into the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index. The CPI data during the fourth quarter and the latest PPI data point to the PCE price index edging further from the Fed’s 2% target rate, Pantheon’s Tombs wrote. The October and November PCE report, which will include the latest data on spending, is scheduled to be released on Thursday, January 22.

(Source: CNN)