• iCreate Limited (“iCreate”) has announced that a Meeting of the Board of Directors for consideration of the Spin-Off of iCreate’s shares in Visual Vibe.Com Limited (“Visual Vibe”) is scheduled for Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at 11:00 a.m.
• Upon consideration and approval by the Board of Directors, an Extraordinary General Meeting (“EGM”) will be convened for the shareholders to consider and if thought fit, pass the resolution approving the issue or transfer of iCreate’s shares in Visual Vibe to be held by the shareholders of iCreate, pro rata to their existing shareholdings.

(Source: JSE)

• Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro will meet with Guyana President Mohamed Irfaan Ali on Thursday, December 14, 2023, amid a territorial dispute between the two countries, according to a letter from the prime minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
• The announcement of the bilateral meeting came after Maduro spoke with Ralph Gonsalves, the prime minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, who also serves as president pro tempore of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), and U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday.
• Tensions have been mounting between Venezuela and Guyana in recent weeks due to a long-running border dispute over Esequibo, an area in Guyana where massive discoveries of offshore oil and gas have been made.
• Venezuela's government said the meeting "is in order to preserve our aspiration to maintain Latin America and the Caribbean as a zone of peace."
• The Office of the President of Guyana confirmed Ali had agreed to the meeting but added, "Guyana's land boundary is not up for discussion."

(Source: Reuters)

• Recent data underscores the strength of the labour market, with a 4% annual increase in wages. Despite a slower pace of pay growth, the rate remains above the 3% threshold considered consistent with the Federal Reserve's 2% inflation target.
• The growth in labour supply, marked by half a million more individuals engaged in employment or job-seeking, plays a crucial role in supporting economic expansion. Additionally, improvements in worker productivity and a decrease in average working hours have led to a decline in labour costs per unit of output.
• The Federal Reserve faces a delicate balancing act, hoping for a "soft landing" where inflation slows without triggering a recession. Despite concerns about high interest rates impacting consumer borrowing, ongoing job creation and rising wages contribute to increased consumer spending.
• However, there are expectations of a potential slowdown in spending in 2024 as pandemic savings diminish. The Fed remains vigilant about the sustainability of these positive economic dynamics in the face of changing conditions.

(Source: Reuters)

• New research from the Chicago Federal Reserve highlights a significant disconnect between the performance of the U.S. economy and public attitudes, emerging in the spring of 2020 due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• In the post-pandemic years, there has been a notable decrease in the average level of optimism regarding economic outcomes. Traditional correlations between indicators like consumer and small business sentiment, tied to measures such as unemployment rates and income, have weakened, impacting the economy and politics.
• The link between economic conditions and sentiment appears to have been severed after the pandemic recession. Potential reasons include the persistence of higher price levels, the normalisation of lower unemployment rates, and the impact of the pandemic's shock on public expectations about the economy.
• The American Psychological Association (APA) identifies a "collective trauma" affecting the nation, rooted in the COVID-19 pandemic, global conflicts, racism, racial injustice, inflation, and climate-related disasters. Survey responses reveal health, money, and the economy as significant stressors, with a notable increase in concerns about the economy since 2019, particularly among younger age groups.
• Despite recent improvements in sentiment, challenges persist. Younger demographics, critical for the economy and elections, express heightened economic concerns. Policymakers and politicians face the task of positively shifting the economic mood in the coming months, especially if inflation continues to fall alongside weaker wage and job growth.

(Source: Reuters)

• The multimillion-dollar fraud at Jamaican investment firm Stocks and Securities Limited (SSL) has exceeded some US $30 million and impacted over 200 accounts. The Financial Investigations Division, which is involved in the investigation, said inquiries extend beyond Jamaica.
• “Evidence now shows that there are over 200 affected accounts and a staggering amount exceeding US$30 million attributed to fraud and other irregularities related to clients’ funds. Despite numerous appeals and direct means of communication, the Financial Investigations Division (FID) has only received 23 official statements from affected individuals and entities,” FID said in a statement. So far, only one person, Jean Ann Panton, has been charged concerning the fraud. She appeared again in court on December 6^th and was remanded until May 27, 2024.
• Panton was indicted for three counts of larceny as a servant, three counts of falsification of accounts, five counts of forgery, five counts of uttering forged documents, three counts of engaging in transactions involving stolen property, and three counts of breaches of the Cybercrimes Act. Panton is accused of fleecing roughly $3 billion from more than 30 SSL clients over 10 years.
• FID also highlighted the complexity of the investigation, as it involves a comprehensive examination of the company’s activities dating back to the inception of SSL in 2006. “The meticulous inquiry requires a thorough analysis of the entire period, scrutinising the flow of investor funds. This process, by its nature, is time-consuming and deliberate,” they said.
• So far, the investigation has revealed criminal breaches involving the company and people associated with it. “The investigative process is far advanced and we are now at the point where a file is currently with the prosecutors who are reviewing the evidential material with a view to discerning the possible charges,” the FID added.

(Source: Caribbean National Weekly)

• Consumers have been advised to brace for disruptions in domestic food supplies, especially for vegetables, consequent on the impact of heavy rains from Potential Tropical Cyclone 22. Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, indicated this during a statement to the House of Representatives on Tuesday (December 5).
• “In the short term, we anticipate disruptions to our food supplies, especially on our vegetable lines. The reality is that our vegetable farmers started the year in drought and would have finished the year in extensive floods,” Mr. Green said. “As such, we do expect that there would be a downturn in supply, which often gives rise to an increase in prices. The aftermath of this disaster has also delayed land preparation and replanting by up to three weeks in the affected areas, exacerbating the challenges faced by our farmers,” he added.
• A total of 410 hectares of crops, including vegetables, fruits, and condiments, were lost. Significant livestock losses included 160,500 broilers, 1,460 layers, 70 pigs, 34 sheep, and 47 goats. There has also been a significant impact on infrastructure, including farm roads, especially in St. Thomas and East Rural St. Andrew. Irrigation systems for farmers in these communities were also impacted.
• “The damage assessment reveals that crop losses were significant, amounting to approximately $173 million, impacting over 2,000 farmers. Livestock losses stand at roughly $26 million, affecting 550 farmers, while infrastructure damage accounts for an estimated $64 million, which [was] predominantly in farm road damage. The total estimated loss by the agriculture sector amounts to $274,096,917,” the Minister stated.
• Green assured, however, that the Government is ready to assist farmers through difficult times. “In total, the Government is providing $157 million to help our farmers recover and recover quickly,” the Minister stated.
• He noted that the Government’s strategic approach involves prioritising the rehabilitation of farm roads to ensure accessibility for farmers and the transportation of produce. Mr. Green pointed out that the substantial allocation for crop recovery aims to support farmers in replanting and revitalising their agricultural activities.

(Source: JIS)

• Fitch continues to highlight risks to Trinidad and Tobago’s (T&T) political stability stemming from the market’s high crime rate.
• Trinidad and Tobago’s political and security environment remains plagued by one of the highest crime rates in the world, underpinned by the presence of multiple large gangs and its proximity to drug trafficking hubs in Central America.
• Latest data from the Trinidad & Tobago Police Service (TTPS) reveals that the average number of crimes in the country in 2023 (excluding November and December) came in at 875.5, marginally exceeding the 2022 average of 875.
• Elevated crime risks will continue to cap the market’s growth potential by for instance discouraging tourism and disrupting business activity in the country.
• In the near term, upcoming general elections in 2025 may prompt the government to impose new measures to tackle rising crime in the country.
• More generally, however, Fitch believes that falling inflation and a substantial increase in minimum wage will bode well for social stability by improving living standards.

(Source: Fitch Solutions)

• At COP28 (Eighth session of the Conference of the Parties), the Dominican Republic’s Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Miguel Ceara Hatton, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding forest cover and preserving water sources. Carlos Felipe Jaramillo, Vice President of the World Bank for Latin America and the Caribbean, praised the Dominican Republic’s reforestation efforts.
• The Dominican Republic is one of the few countries that have successfully maintained and expanded their forest cover in recent decades, noted Jaramillo. The country currently boasts a forest cover of 42% of its territory, with 38% dedicated to forestry and the remainder to agroforestry.
• However, the Dominican Republic faces challenges related to crop-cutting practices, which can lead to fires and other risks. To address these issues, the government has launched the National Reforestation and Restoration Plan 2023-2024, intending to plant the equivalent of about 200 square kilometers.
• The primary objectives of this initiative are to contribute to carbon dioxide (CO2) capture and, critically, to regulate the country’s water levels. Given that the Dominican Republic receives approximately 1,500 millimeters of rainfall and faces limitations in water storage capacity, this effort is essential.
• Minister Ceara Hatton emphasized that the project’s success relies on government and community participation, with most of the financing coming from the government. Moreover, the private sector has shown interest, participating through a framework that guarantees the right to plant and harvest, fostering trust and encouraging long-term investments.

(Source: Dominican Today)

• Saudi Arabia and Russia, the world's leading oil exporters, issued a joint statement urging all OPEC+ members to join an agreement on oil output cuts. The call emphasizes the importance of cooperation for the stability of global oil markets and the growth of the global economy.
• The statement follows a recent OPEC+ agreement, where members, including Russia and Saudi Arabia, committed to new voluntary cuts of approximately 2.2 million barrels per day. This move aims to stabilise oil markets, with Saudi Arabia and Russia continuing their voluntary cuts of 1.3 million barrels per day.
• Russian President Vladimir Putin's hastily arranged visit to Riyadh and Abu Dhabi remains surrounded by mystery. The trip included discussions with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. The topics covered Gaza, Ukraine, Yemen, the Iranian nuclear programme, and deepening defense cooperation.
• Both Putin and Crown Prince, who collectively control a significant share of global oil production, expressed a commitment to maintaining high oil prices. The leaders engaged in friendly talks, with Putin expressing eagerness for the next meeting in Moscow, reinforcing the importance of their countries' friendly relations amid global geopolitical challenges.

(Source: Reuters)

• The latest Labour Department report indicates a moderate rise in Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits, suggesting a gradual loss of momentum in the labour market, possibly influenced by higher borrowing costs dampening demand in the broader economy.
• Despite the increase in new claims, the report also reveals a decline in unemployment rolls in late November after reaching a two-year high earlier in the month. The continuing claims dropped, indicating a nuanced picture of the job market.
• Data, influenced by holiday-related volatility, rose slightly to 220,000 below economist forecasts. However, unadjusted claims increased significantly, with notable surges in California, New York, Texas, and other states, contributing to the overall complexity of the data.
• Economic reports show a mixed picture, with a rise in job cuts but a significant drop compared to the previous year. Slowing economic activity, declining wholesale inventories, and a lower ratio of job openings to unemployed individuals contribute to an uncertain economic outlook.
• Despite these challenges, the stock market is trading higher, and most economists are not predicting a recession, anticipating a potential rate cut by early 2024. The upcoming employment report is eagerly awaited, with expectations of a modest increase in nonfarm payrolls in November.

(Source: Reuters)