Business View Caribbean - Feb 2024

EDITOR’S NOTES As the month of love and Cupid shooting its mighty arrow commences, locals and tourists continue to hit the aquamarine-colored, water-lined beaches in souring numbers to beat the wintery climates they left behind and perhaps celebrate Valentine in a region that is nothing short of stunning. While tourists may be arriving in droves with the intent to slow down, relax, unwind, and enjoy all that this pristine region of the world has to offer, the opposite can be said about the companies we were fortunate to profile for this month’s issue of Business View Caribbean. Caribbean-based organizations and companies based in the thriving islands are not slowing down anytime soon and are hard at work implementing February initiatives with the renewed energy that a new year brings. With laser-focused vision and the drive to carry out top-tier initiatives, Caribbean- based organizations are proving once again the sheer resilience and potential that this region of the world holds. Locals continue to look at home improvements, while businesses across the islands are always in need of expert help to keep their operations efficient and cost-effective. We had the opportunity to profile JPK Developments, a leading and long-established expert with local expertise that is riding the construction wave and building dynamic houses that cater to the specifics of the local market and help to match the region’s continued housing demand. Our editorial team also sat down for an in-depth interview with the Jamaica Stock Exchange which is growing in leaps and bounds as it reaches out to international investment markets and helps fuel the local economy with world-class investment opportunities. We were also fortunate to sit down with Astec Aruba and Garage Centraal, Aruba to discuss their bold new year initiatives and continued growth in the tourist haven of Aruba. It is as clear as the crystal waters surrounding the islands that continued growth is on the Caribbean horizon, as are the progressive initiatives of those we were fortunate to chat with. All the organizations we were fortunate to interview set the bar high in their respective business agendas and demonstrated the drive towards excellence we have seen time and time again across the region. With sustainability in mind, best business practices up front, and a resilient economy at their fingertips, the undeniable draw of the Caribbean islands remains tangible. As with every issue, my hope as Editor in Chief is that our valued readers continue to learn something as all of you enjoy the month of love. Karen Surca Editor in Chief Dear Readers, 2 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN VOLUME 11, ISSUE 02