Digital Payments Launch: Barbados has gone live with BiMPay, the national instant payment system enabling real-time transfers 24/7, with PM Mia Mottley making the first transaction to a local food vendor—an upgrade aimed at modernising payments and boosting fintech growth. Public Trust & Governance: Opposition figures welcomed BiMPay’s convenience but are pushing for clearer public explanations on how the platform works, how data is protected, and how it will be governed long-term. Tourism Deal-Making: Barbados was named host destination for the 2027 Caribbean Travel Marketplace (CTM), a major B2B tourism event, with CHTA highlighting a reimagined, elevated experience for global buyers. Transport Tensions: Uber moved to reassure Barbados taxi drivers amid claims it’s undercutting livelihoods, saying its app connects riders only to licensed taxi professionals and follows official fare rates. Infrastructure & Flood Risk: A veteran engineer warned Barbados’ drainage problems are worsening road deterioration and increasing flood risk, pointing to past drainage design choices that leave roads acting like drains in heavy rain. Health & Food Policy: Health advocates praised reduced-sugar and no-added-sugar beverage shifts, linking the progress to public health goals and tighter school nutrition standards. Housing Pressure: Housing Minister Chris Gibbs said over 4,000 people are seeking assistance, with demand still outstripping supply as government pursues new builds, mortgages, land measures and NHC restructuring. Caribbean Innovation: Future Caribbean launched a global agentic AI buildathon to back Caribbean-born tech teams, with tracks spanning climate, ocean systems, tourism, food supply chains and finance. Industry Spotlight: Harris Paints unveiled Quantum Dry™ dry tinting for single-base systems, positioning it as a first for the Caribbean and a sustainability-led upgrade for retailers.