International

AG Marshall: Information & Intelligence Sharing Vital

Attorney General Dale Marshall has underscored the importance of information and intelligence sharing, and good communications at all levels, saying they are crucial.

Mr. Marshall expressed this view yesterday as he delivered remarks at the opening of the two-day CARICOM IMPACS/INTERPOL’s Eighth High-Level Meeting of the Dialogue on an Effective Multilateral Policing Architecture Against Global Threats, at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre.

The Attorney General told his audience: “The cry from our agencies is that communication and information and intelligence sharing have become endangered species…. There is no point in investing in our regional security organisations…, which are striving to serve us well, if our domestic stakeholders are reluctant to share information and intelligence with them, that is their lifeblood.

“I go further, there is also the need for national, regional, and international agencies to work closely together to ensure that the multiplier effect of this collaboration is seen and felt.”

During the meeting, the participants will examine a Global Data Sharing Framework, and Mr. Marshall emphasised the importance of good data. He proffered the view that good data was the basis for sound analysis and making correct decisions.

He noted that INTERPOL’s National Bureaux and CARICOM IMPACS could be a formidable force in providing vital information to national law enforcement agencies.

“If we are serious about fighting crime, this is going to be a critical part of our armour. Therefore, the strengthening of the National Country Bureaux and their databases, as well as improving regional access to support small countries is crucial,” the Attorney General stated.

He identified Transnational Organised Crime as one of the biggest threats facing the Caribbean now, followed closely by the illicit trafficking in firearms. He pointed out that earlier this year, one of the regional Prime Ministers had been advised by US security agencies that his country was attracting elements of international organised crime.

“This is a wake-up call for all in the region, and certainly a cause for concern. The fact is that issues that rear their heads in one small Caribbean territory are never confined to that single geographical space. Our history and recent trends in crime show that these issues quickly jump from one island to the other. It is a feature of our common history, our close physical space as well as our political and other ties,” Mr. Marshall surmised.

In commending INTERPOL, the Attorney General pointed out that Barbados had benefitted tremendously from its relationship with the institution over the years and described it as a “stellar partner”.

President of INTERPOL, Major General Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi, and Executive Director of CARICOM IMPACS, Lieutenant Colonel, Michael Jones, also addressed the opening ceremony. (PR/GIS)

Caption: Attorney General Dale Marshall greets Executive Director of CARICOM IMPACS, Lieutenant Colonel, Michael Jones, while President of INTERPOL, Major General Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi, looks on.

International

Japan to Put Tonnes of Rice on the Market to Arrest Soaring Prices

The Guardian is reporting that Japan is to flood the market with almost a quarter of a million tonnes of stockpiled rice in an unprecedented attempt to arrest soaring prices caused by record summer heat, panic buying and distribution problems.

Agriculture minister, Taku Eto, says the government will release up to 210,000 tonnes of rice, as consumers battled a surge in prices of more than 50 per cent in recent months.

Speaking shortly before the decision, Eto noted that the government did not normally intervene in the market, but conceded that recent price rises have had a significant impact on people’s lives.

He says the price hike has been too sharp.

The latest average retail price of an 11 pound bag of the Japanese staple was 3,688 Yen, according to a government survey, over 1,500 Yen more than last year.

Japan’s government has previously dipped into its rice reserves in the aftermath of natural disasters or crop failures, but this is the first time it has intervened over distribution issues, including when supply chain disruption contributes to rising prices.

International

Over 20m Chinese consumers apply for electronic products trade-in subsidies

More than 20 million consumers have applied for China’s electronic products trade-in subsidies since the government launched the pro-consumption program three weeks ago, data from the commerce ministry showed Sunday.

Some 20.09 million consumers applied for the subsidies to buy 25.41 million units of electronic products such as mobile phones as of Saturday, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

China started to offer subsidies for electronic products trade-in from Jan 20 as the country expanded the scope of consumer goods trade-in program to further boost consumption, which provides consumers with up to 500 yuan ($69.7) apiece on the purchase of digital products.

Card payment giant China UnionPay said it has recorded 6.27 million subsidized transactions with sales value totaling 20.58 billion yuan in the reporting period.

Driven by the government incentives, mobile phone sales in China jumped by 74 percent in volume and 65 percent in value on a weekly basis in the week prior to the Spring Festival, which fell on Jan 29 this year, market data revealed.

China launched an action plan to promote large-scale equipment renewal and trade-in of consumer goods in March 2024 as part of efforts to boost domestic demand and support economic growth. Official data showed that the trade-in scheme has boosted sales of automobiles by 920 billion yuan last year, and that of home appliances by 240 billion yuan. (Article from China Daily)

International

CHINA RESPONDS TO THE NON RENEWAL OF MOU ON BRI

China firmly opposes U.S. pressuring and coercion that smear and sabotage BRI cooperation. We deeply regret Panama’s decision to not renew the MoU on BRI.

BRI is an economic cooperation initiative with the participation of 150+ countries, including 20+ LAC countries. It has delivered tangibly for people in these countries, including Panama.

We hope that Panama will steer clear of external disruption and make the right decision which is good for bilateral relations and the long-term interests of the two peoples.