NEWS
Central Bank holds repo rate amid policy uncertainty
Despite growing uncertainty in policies, the Central Bank has held the Repo rate at 3.50 per cent, which has remained unchanged since March 2020. The Central Bank made the announcement in its Monetary Policy Report for November 2025. The report said diminished confidence and growing policy uncertainty globally have caused economic prospects to wane and financial conditions to tighten. It said the International Monetary Fund’s October 2025 World Economic Outlook noted a slowing in expansion of world output, predicting global output to expand by 3.2 per cent in 2025, 0.1 percentage points lower than the year before. Energy commodity prices have continued to be affected by softer demand and a higher supply. Read more here
GML awards longstanding employees
Several employees of Guardian Media were recognised yesterday for their long and outstanding service across various departments. Staff members marking five, ten, 15, and 20 years of service were honoured for their dedication and contribution to the company. Special awards were also presented to employees selected by their peers as the top performers of the year in their respective areas. Read more here
POLITICS
Ameen confirms new Upkeep Public Spaces programme; says it's not a CEPEP replacement
The Minister of Rural Development and Local Government, Khadijah Ameen, says contrary to social media reports on a leaked Cabinet Note, the new National Programme for the Upkeep of Public Spaces is not a CEPEP replacement. In a statement issued late Thursday evening, Minister Ameen confirmed a new programme had been launched to upkeep community spaces but explained it, “Is a fresh, results-driven initiative designed to strengthen manpower at Municipal Corporations, pay a decent wage, and operate without political middlemen, patronage, or criminal elements, as was associated with CEPEP.” Read more here
BUSINESS
First Citizens lifts profit to $990m as assets surpass $49b
First Citizens Group ended its 2025 financial year with profit after tax of $989.6 million and total assets of $49.167 billion, according to its audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2025. The board approved the release of the financial statements on December 4, and PricewaterhouseCoopers issued an unmodified audit opinion on December 8. The engagement partner was Sean Ramirez. Profit before tax rose to $1.365 billion, up from $1.270 billion in 2024. Net interest income edged up to $2.101 billion, while fee and commission income increased to $552.9 million. Higher other income also supported overall performance, bringing total net revenue to $2.875 billion. Read more here
Jairam appointed chief strategic officer of CRBC
Former president of the Fyzabad Chamber of Commerce, Angie Jairam, has been appointed as the Confederation of Regional Business Chambers’ chief strategic officer (CSO). In a release, the CRBC stated that Jairam will guide the Confederation’s long-term strategic direction and ensure the alignment of its national advocacy, developmental initiatives, and collaborative programmes across all member chambers. “She will work closely with the president, board of directors, and regional business chamber leaders to strengthen policy influence, enhance organisational capacity, and advance a unified approach to addressing business challenges across Trinidad and Tobago,” the release stated. Read more here
REGIONAL
Guyana an ‘exceptional bright spark’ in a challenging global space
SEEN as a beacon of development in the Caribbean region, Guyana’s economic ascent has positioned the country as an “exceptional bright spark” amid global uncertainties, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley has said. Addressing the 136th Georgetown Chambers of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) annual awards and gala virtually on Thursday evening, the regional leader noted that Guyana’s expansive growth is not only the strength of its own economy, but fundamentally the strength of the entire Caribbean region, representing the core of regional integration and the Caribbean community (CARICOM) family. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Trump's Gaza peace plan struggles to progress as Israel and Hamas face tough choices
A steady stream of water trickles through openings in the tent Ghadir al-Adham shares with her husband and six children in Gaza City. Her family is still displaced after the war and waiting for reconstruction to begin. "Here we are, living a life of humiliation," she told the BBC. "We want caravans. We want our homes rebuilt. We long for concrete to keep us warm. Every day I sit and cry for my children." Read more here
12th December 2025