Monthly Archives: January 2020

LONDON, Jan. 18, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- A new report by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) from the United Nations indicates that the Commonwealth of Dominica was the fastest growing economy in the entire Latin America and the Caribbean region in 2019. The island's GDP is said to have jumped up by 9%, attributed to Citizenship by Investment (CBI), soaring tourism numbers and public sector construction.

Foreign investors sought to obtain second citizenship from Dominica through the CBI Programme, choosing to either make a minimum US$100,000 contribution to a government fund or invest in pre-approved real estate, such as luxury resorts and boutique hotels. Some reasons driving investors' trust are linked to them seeking to belong to a stable democracy with great diplomatic relations, a trustworthy business environment and a promising economic future. Importantly, Dominica's CBI Programme is considered the best in the world, employing reliable due diligence that particularly attracts global individuals and families with indisputable integrity.

Dominica is leading the macroeconomic expansion in the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU). According to the ECLAC report, "construction activity increased across all ECCU economies" but it was especially notable in Dominica. "The robust performance of the tourism sector, as well as the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programmes and public sector-fuelled construction activity, were primary drivers of ECCU-wide GDP growth in 2019," the report notes.

The real estate option under CBI forms the foundation of a promising ecotourist sector, able to compete on the international market. Stopovers in Dominica increased threefold, the ECLAC report found, with cruise ship arrivals specifically increasing sevenfold. This is an even more impressive achievement considering the fact that island had suffered a loss worth 226% of GDP after Hurricane Maria in September 2017.

The other CBI option, known as the Economic Diversification Fund (EDF), in turn helps sponsor major nationwide development projects, either partially or fully. These include rehabilitating roads and bridges, creating new health centres, supporting education initiatives, building hurricane-proof public housing, an international airport and a geothermal plant.

Synergetically, investors' contributions through CBI are leading to an overall economic boom in Dominica, with good prospects for long-term sustainable growth. The island started investing in climate resilience in recent years and the results are paying off.

Contact: pr@csglobalpartners.com http://www.csglobalpartners.com

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Iguana, fish, fries, rice and fried plantain at Jaanchie's in Westpunt, Curacao Photo courtesy of Justin Blasi

Daydreams of island vacations usually include sunny visions of pina coladas and freshly caught seafood enjoyed beachside. While Curacao has plenty of both, the countrys blend of influences African, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, Jewish and more creates an eclectic cuisine you might not expect to find on an island in the Caribbean.

So go ahead and order that fruity frozen cocktail, but make sure to sample some of these 10 dishes and drinks, too.

Bitterballen and mozzarella sticks at Cafe Old Dutch Photo courtesy of Rachel Vigoda

This quintessential Dutch snack is as common on Curacao as blue skies and beach chairs. The Netherlands colonized Curacao in the 1600s and it remained under Dutch rule until 2010. Today its still part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, but as an autonomous country.

Four-hundred-plus years of Dutch in Curacao means that Dutch fried favorites, especially bitterballen, are easy to find at any bar or sidewalk cafe.

The beer-friendly bite-sized snack is a breaded, deep-fried ball of gooey beef and gravy and its typically served with mustard for dipping. Take a mid-afternoon break for a cold Polar pilsner and a plate of bitterballen or frikandel (deep-fried sausage) at Cafe Old Dutch, a laid-back European-styled pub with sports memorabilia on the walls in Willemstad, Curacaos capital.

Keshi yena at Avila Beach Hotel Photo courtesy of Justin Blasi

Curacaos tangled history includes its role as a center of the transatlantic slave trade. The countrys unofficial national dish is based around Dutch cheeses, but it likely has origins among enslaved Africans. They would turn leftover Edam or Gouda rinds into a meal by stuffing them with spiced chicken, and odds and ends like raisins, then bake the whole thing until the flavors fused.

"You can make it different ways, but the best-known way is with chicken and vegetables. They used to wrap it all in a banana leaf and put it in the oven," says Adrian Lake, chef at the upscale Pen restaurant at Willemstads Avila Beach Hotel, the longest-running hotel on the island.

Lake serves keshi yena the shredded chicken studded with raisins and olives and wrapped in melted Gouda with sides of rice, fried plantain, string beans and a krioyo (creole) sauce of onions, paprika, tomato puree and tomato sauce.

Giambo at Plasa Bieu in Willemstad, Curacao Photo courtesy of Justin Blasi

When asked about local foods, chef Lake brings up another African-Caribbean dish, giambo. He stops slightly short of recommending it, since the most accurate way to describe the stew, heavy with okra, is "slimy," but admits it definitely belongs on Curacaos list of must-try meals.

The green stew is a mix of okra, fish, salted meat (beef or goat) and basil. Dip a spoon in, pull it up, and youll see a trail of okra slime its a love it or hate it texture. Ask for a sample at Plasa Bieu (also called Marshe Bieu) in Willemstad. The busy cafeteria features a row of vendors selling local foods.

Plasa Bieu is a good spot to try another ubiquitous dish, karni stoba. The beef stew also made with kabritu (goat) is a hearty dish of cubed, marinated meat simmered with different combinations of onions, garlic, cumin, curry, nutmeg, bell peppers and tomatoes.

Youll find it everywhere, from the casual cafeteria to the elegant Restaurant & Caf Gouverneur de Rouville, set in a historic mansion overlooking the St. Anna Bay and the colorful row of Dutch colonial buildings that line the water.

Vendors at Plasa Bieu sell pumpkin pancakes Photo courtesy of Justin Blasi

Morning is one option for when to eat these sweet, fluffy-yet-dense pumpkin pancakes. But they also work as a cinnamon-sugary side dish with a plate of savory stoba or on their own as a filling snack.

Jaanchie's is the go-to spot for iguana Photo courtesy of Rachel Vigoda

You may not want to eat an iguana after spotting the regal lizards roaming around beaches and between tables at outdoor cafes in the more rugged western part of the island. But if youve got a hankering, iguana on a plate isnt hard to find.

The go-to spot is Jaanchies in Westpunt, an area thats much less developed than Willemstad to the east. Owner Jan "Jaanchi" Cristiaan stops by every table to talk through food options. If you havent had iguana before, hell encourage you to order a smaller portion along with something else, like a grouper fillet.

Its not a bad idea, considering the work that goes into eating iguana. It tastes like chicken (of course) but its filled with small bones. (On the other hand, as local lore has it, iguana is an aphrodisiac.)

Ask for a table by the big open windows so you can watch black and lemon-yellow birds frenetically amass on the hanging bowls Cristiaan fills with sugar.

Located less than 40 miles off the coast of Venezuela, Curacao counts South American cooking among its culinary influences. When you stop at a batidos truck for a mango or soursop shake (skip the milk and sugar for a bright burst of natural sweetness), check out the rest of the menu; chances are good youll see a few types of pastechi listed.

The savory, crescent-shaped, fried or baked pastry is similar to an empanada, though the dough is usually lighter. Common fillings for this handheld breakfast or snack include Gouda cheese or ground meat.

Sea Side Terrace in Curacao Photo courtesy of Justin Blasi

Seafood on an island is a no-brainer, whether its conch with garlic and butter or fried red snapper. But how about fish of the venomous variety? At Sea Side Terrace in Willemstad, Heinrich "Enchi" Ensermo has been feeding locals and tourists at palm treeshaded tables just steps from the beach for 25 years.

His mostly seafood menu often includes lionfish, the striped fish known for its long, venomous spines and its status as an unwelcome invasive species in the Caribbean, as well as other parts of the Atlantic. Getting them out of the water is a good thing and when you remove their sharp spines, theyre good to eat.

Dig into the white, buttery meat with a sprinkle of fiery pika sauce and sides of funchi (polenta) or fries drizzled with mayo and ketchup.

Turning curacao liqueur its signature bright blue shade Photo courtesy of Justin Blasi

Its no surprise that in a country named Curacao, youll find an original distillery that makes authentic curacao liqueur. But heres something you might not have expected: Senior & Co. makes red, orange, green, clear and the best-known blue curacao and they all taste exactly the same. The only difference is the color.

Spanish conquerors brought Valencia orange trees to the island in the 1500s but the hot, arid climate turned the fruit bitter and eventually created laraha trees, a descendant of Valencia with highly unpleasant oranges. In the late 1800s, business partners Haim Mendes Chumaceiro and Edgar Senior starting using the dried peels of the laraha fruit to make liqueur and bottling it for sale.

The distillery that came out of their collaboration is still in operation today, with the original copper kettle imported from Philadelphia, and open for tours and tastings. Make sure to try the tamarind, rum raisin, coffee and chocolate varieties of curacao too.

Green rum at Netto Bar in Willemstad's Otrobanda neighborhood Photo courtesy of Rachel Vigoda

Curacao has a thing for colored alcohol. But unlike the curacao liqueur, the islands rom berde, or green rum, doesnt taste like its clear counterparts. Along with its electric color, the rum has a strong licorice flavor.

It's said to have been invented at Netto Bar, a dive in Willemstads Otrobanda neighborhood open since 1954 and decorated in old photos, license plates and images of the Dutch royal family. Ask for it mixed with Sprite, or order a shot if youre feeling daring.

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10 unexpected foods to eat on the Caribbean island of Curacao - USA Today 10Best

The Caribbean has a challenging year ahead as voters are set to head to the polls in Belize, the Dominican Republic, Guyana, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago. Elections will be hard-fought throughout the region, and with the economic outlook for the Caribbean being relatively positivethe International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasts a pick-up in growth from 3.3 percent in 2019 to 3.7 percent in 2020the electorate of each country will keep a close eye on how candidates look to divide the economic pie.

Indeed, the economy is the most important issue for most voters across the Caribbean. In Guyana and Suriname this will take on greater meaning in light of massive offshore oil discoveries in the former, and a recent major oil discovery off the coast of the latter, strongly suggesting a similar hydrocarbon bounty. One last country that is overdue for national elections is Haiti, but the countrys political turmoil has meant that the vote has been postponed (in 2019) and no future date has been given.

Below is an overview of the upcoming Caribbean elections.

Guyana (Presidential/Parliamentary elections)

Guyana, which saw its elections postponed in 2019, heads to the polls on March 2.The election will be closely monitored as this South American country of a little under 800,000 people emerges as one of the worlds newest oil powers. Guyanas newfound fame became evident when it made the front page of The Wall Street Journal on January 2, 2020, with an article titled This Stock Exchange Only Trades on Mondays: Guyanas Sleepy Stock Exchange Braces for Change.The article focused on the low level of activity in Guyanas local stock exchange, however, the sleepy exchange would soon wake up when oil money begins to flood into country.

As Guyanese voters head to the polls they have to consider how the next government will manage the countrys newfound wealth, which according to the IMF is expected to make the economy expand in excess of 80 percent in 2020. Will voters re-elect President David Grangers A Partnership for National Unity-Alliance for Change (APNU-AFC), or the opposition candidate Irfaan Ali, a former Minister of Housing running under the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP)?

Founded in 2011, the APNU groups several parties, including the largest political party, the Peoples National Congress (PNC)supported, to a large extent, by the countrys Afro-Guyanese community. The AFC was created in 2005 by dissident PNC members, and created an alliance with the APNU in 2015. Running against the APNU-AFC alliance is the center-left PPP, which was founded in 1950 and is generally supported by the Indo-Guyanese community. Political emotions are high in Guyana due to the postponement of the election last year, corruption accusations, and questions over contracts between the country and major oil companies.

The Dominican Republic (Presidential/Congressional elections)

In the Dominican Republics election the run-up has already seen considerable jockeying for position among presidential candidates in the countrys two major parties:the Dominican Revolutionary Party (Partido Revolucionario Dominicano or PRD) and the Dominican Liberation Party (Partido de la Liberacin Dominicana or PLD).The PLD currently makes up the government, headed by President Danilo Medina, who is not seeking re-election. Medina did explore the possibility of a third term, but this would require a constitutional change and was strongly opposed by much of the public.

While the Dominican Republic has seen strong economic expansion over the years, one of the major issues for the upcoming vote will concern income inequality. One Dominican speaking to a Bloomberg journalist in October 2019 outlined the countrys key issues: The economy grows, but doesnt flow down to us. There is no drainage system, water arrives every three days, and the lights go out for 24 hours at a time. This boils down to the need for better infrastructure in the areas of sanitation, water and electrical generation and distribution. The response also touches upon another more sensitive issue, which will no doubt be part of the campaign trail: official corruption.

A tough battle is expected over who will be the Dominican Republics next leader and deal with these issues, as well as its struggles with Haiti, which shares a lengthy land border with the country and is in a state of political turmoil, and the China-U.S. cold war.

Suriname (General Elections)

Surinames election should be equally as interesting. While the economy has enjoyed a gradual recovery from an earlier slump in key commodity prices, the incumbent president, Desi Bouterse, has been the dominant political figure in the country since 1980. In late November 2019 he was convicted for the murder of 15 political opponents in 1982 and sentenced to 20 years in prison by Surinames court system.That wasnt the first time hes been caught up in controversy.

Years earlier, Boutersewas convicted by the Netherlands for cocaine smuggling and more recently was accused of helping Venezuelan gold transit through Surinameto overseas markets. His son, Dino, sits in a U.S. federal prison after he was caught offering Hezbollah use Suriname as a base for its organization as well as for a sale of cocaine.

Despite those political blemishes, Bouterse has maintained a degree of popularity in the country partially due to the economic recovery of the country and his personal charisma. He has largely ignored the recent courts findings against him.

Surinames leader has also moved his country closer to China after a visit toBeijing in November 2019. During his visit, President Bouterse stated: Suriname firmly pursues one-China policy and supports Chinas grand cause of national reunification.He returned to Suriname with a promise of $300 million by the Chinese government to upgrade airports and roads and install solar power and 5G services.

President Bouterse, now 74, has stated that he is seeking re-election, or his third term in office. The election could be tension-packed if the opposition is able to stir enough public dissent toward Bouterses leadership issues, focused on his recent murder convictions.

President Bouterses National Democratic Party (NDP)-led government has the advantage of holding numerous seats in officehaving won 26 of 51 seats in the countrys National Assembly in 2015and enjoying the benefit of economic recovery,with real GDP expected to rise 2.5 percent this year. An unexpected added bonus for the government is a large offshore oil discovery in January 2020 by Apache and Total, holding out the prospect for a major boost to the national economy, much as what is occurring in neighboring Guyana.

With eyes focused on the presidential elections given Bouterses murder conviction, raising concerns over the rule of law; Surinames closer alignment to China, opposing U.S. concerns in the Caribbean; and concerns over who will be in charge of overseeing the countrys future monetizing of oil wealth, this is a major election for Suriname.

Trinidad and Tobago (Parliamentary elections)

While there is no official date for the Trinidad and Tobagos elections, they must be called by September 2020. The incumbent Peoples National Movement (PNM) led by Prime Minister Keith Rowley will face a tough challenge from the United National Congress (UNC), led by Kamla Persad Bissessar (a former prime minister from 2010-2015). Currently, there is a third party with representation in the parliament, the Congress of the People (COP), but it only holds one seat.

Trinidad and Tobagos economy has been in the grips of a prolonged recession driven by energy supply shocks and low energy prices. No doubt the economy will be the major issue for the campaign. The IMF is forecasting 1.5 percent growth for 2020, an improvement over two brutal years of economic contraction in 2016 and 2017, 0.3 percent growth in 2018 and zero growth last year. Unemployment has fallen, after peaking in 2017 at a little over 5.0 percent and is most likely around four percent, according to theCentral Bank of Trinidad and Tobago.

Trinidad and Tobagos political life is also being conditioned by other issues, such as the ongoing inflow of Venezuelan refugees and their accommodation, high levels of criminal violencesome of it related to the arrivals from Venezueladomestic violence and corruption. Although the election has not been officially called, both major political parties are in campaign mode.

Belize (Parliamentary elections)

Belize is set to head to the polls in November. The incumbent government is that of Prime Minister Dean Barrow, head of the United Democratic Party (UDP), which has been in office since 2008. It appears that Prime Minister Barrow will not be running in the November election due to health reasons. The UDP currently holds 19 seats to the opposition Peoples United Partys (PUP) 12 seats. The PUP is headed by Johnny Briceno and is considered a center-left Christian Democratic party.

The election is most likely to be driven by the state of the economy and the desire for a change of government, considering that the UDP has been in power since 2008. The economy remains in recovery since a recession in 2016, with real GDP expanding by 3.2 percent in 2018 and by an estimated 1.5 percent in 2019. Growth slowed down in 2019 due to severe drought experienced in the country. Belizes economic outlook, however, is challenging. As the International Monetary Fund (IMF) noted in December 2018: Public debt remains elevated, at above 90 percent of GDP. Belize is vulnerable to weaker U.S. growth, which could impact tourism, to higher oil prices, and weather-induced natural disasters. Violent crime poses risks to growth, competitiveness, and macroeconomic stability.

Considering the IMFs statement, key issues during this election cycle are expected to include economic growth, employment generation, government finances and public safety related to the countrys high crime rate. With the current government having been in power since 2008, there could be calls demanding new blood run the country.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines (Parliamentary elections)

Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, one of the Caribbeans longest serving prime ministers, has indicated that the elections will be held in December. Gonsalves center-left Unity Labor Party,or ULP, won the last election in 2015, winning eight seats to seven against the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP).

One of the key issues in the Vincentian political arena is what some may see as the need for a change at the governments helm. Gonsalves has served several consecutive terms as prime minister since 2001 and now is 73 years of age. To his supporters, he has been a steady presence, guiding the country through a lengthy period in the countrys life, raising the standard of living, pushing alternative energy and hopefully creating a stronger economy. At the same time, his long tenure in office has raised questions over his behavior and when he will depart from the political scene and let someone else become prime minister.

The NDP is led by Dr. Godwin Friday who claims that irregularities in the 2015 election prevented it from winning the ministership. The government has denied these allegations. For its part, the ULP government is likely to run on the theme of economic recovery, taking credit for a considerable pickup in growth from the tough years of 2016-2017 to 2.0 percent in 2018 and 2.3 in 2019. If the 2015 election is any indication, 2020 could be a close and hard-fought affair.

St. Kitts and Nevis (Parliamentary elections)

In St. Kitts-Nevis the coalition Team Unity government under Prime Minister Timothy Harris, leader of the Peoples Labour Party, presided over the economic recovery of 2016 to 2017 to a marked rebound starting in 2018 (see real GDP table). This period also saw improvements in government finances. Part of the reason for the improvement in the economy is the Caribbean countrys use of its Citizenship-by-Investment program. While this has brought in revenues to the country, it has also incurred international criticism over issues of transparency and disclosure as well as local questioning as to where all of the funds go.

The issues most likely to surface during the countrys election this year are the future viability of the economy, how the citizenship program is regulated, and public safety due to a high crime rate. The Team Unity coalition is made up of the Peoples Action Movement (PAM), the Peoples Labour Party (PLP) and the Concerned Citizens Movement. The opposition St. Kitts and Nevis Labour Party is headed by leader of the opposition and former Prime Minister Denzil Douglas (he served in that capacity from 1995 to 2015).

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A busy year in the Caribbean: Elections - Global Americans

I've traveled a lot, but I've never traveled to a private island owned by a British billionaire. In fact, come to think of it, I've never traveled to a private island at all.

So when I heard that I'd be part of the first group of media since 2016 to set foot on Richard Branson's Necker Island, I honestly had no idea what to expect.

Some background: Billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson, who founded theVirgin Group and has a$4 billion net worth, bought the 74-acre island for $180,000 back in 1978. In September 2017, the Caribbean island suffered extensive damage in the path of Hurricane Irma. Several buildings on site were destroyed, and the resort was closed for months. Repairs started in December 2017, Travel + Leisure reported at the time, and have been ongoing.

About a year later, in October 2018, it was officially back in business. And this past November, I got to spend a day on the island.

Spoiler alert: It was one of the top experiences of my entire life.

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I spent a day on Richard Branson's private island in the Caribbean. It was as spectacular as you can imagine. - Business Insider

Vision Zero has become a familiar term in urban mobility planning and road safety around the world. After starting in Sweden in the 1990s and being applied in Europe and the UK, the road safety strategy has recently increased in application at the city and state level. This is because the evidence to support it is clear. Countries and cities that have taken a Safe System approach to road safety accepting that people make mistakes and striving to create a mobility system where these mistakes dont cost human lives have reduced their traffic fatalities faster and by a greater degree than countries that have stuck with the traditional road safety approach, which places blame on the individual, focuses on a limited range of education and enforcement strategies, and tends to plateau in effectiveness over time.

While cities across Europe and now over 40 cities in the U.S. have adopted Vision Zero, a rapid uptake is needed in Latin America and the Caribbean. Each year, more than 100,000 people lose their lives in traffic crashes in the region. Traffic crashes are the number one cause of death for children aged 5-14 and the second greatest cause of death for people aged 15-44. It is estimated that road crashes in several Latin American countries have also led to economic losses ranging from 1.5 to 3.9% of national GDP. This could well be an underestimation; research on other regions has found that halving traffic deaths could add 7 to 22% to GDP per capita. The huge toll taken by road crashes on rapidly motorizing countries has demonstrated that road safety is not a luxury but a necessity for social and economic development.

Today, cities across Latin America and the Caribbean are facing a critical opportunity to raise ambition on lowering road deaths. With their vibrant energy and new generations of road safety experts, transport engineers and urban planners, they are ripe for a paradigm shift ready to take on these stark road safety challenges and surge past the hurdles that too often prevent full adoption of Vision Zero.

Latin American Cities Already Laying the Groundwork

Many cities in the region have made significant progress in making their streets safer and setting new standards, particularly three pioneering Vision Zero cities: Bogot, Colombia; So Paulo, Brazil; and Fortaleza, Brazil. In Bogot, Colombia, lowering speeds on the citys five arterial roads where 25% of the citys traffic deaths occurred is estimated to have saved over 60 lives in only six months (November 2018-May 2019), compared to the average number of fatalities from the previous four years.

In Brazil, both So Paulo and Fortaleza have used road design improvements and speed reduction measures particularly around schools and hospitals to make these areas safer for all users. So Paulos safety improvements in one busy corridor led to a68% reduction in fatalitiesin just one year, and in 2019 the city launched a road safety plan with the ambitious target of cutting traffic fatalities in half by 2028. Fortaleza recently finalized a road safety action plan and has already reduced traffic fatalities by 44% between 2011 and 2018, nearing the 50% reduction by 2020 goal set by the UN in 2011 for the Decade of Action for Road Safety.

Why More Action Is Needed

But as with any policy innovation, seeing Vision Zero through from high-level strategy to on-the-ground implementation has remained a struggle. Despite the Vision Zero approach becoming a global phenomenon, strong commitments to the strategy are often not followed by equally strong action and implementation based on Safe System principles. Challenges arise when administrations change and road safety becomes a point of political contention, or when funding and/or capacity does not align with political rhetoric. This challenge has also been experienced in the U.S., where many Vision Zero cities Los Angeles, for example have struggled to follow through on their commitments.

The Vision Zero Challenge

This is where the Vision Zero Challenge comes in. Designed by a network of road safety-focused partners and led by WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities, this challenge aims to support cities in overcoming the barriers to full Vision Zero implementation. The inaugural Vision Zero Challenge 2020-2021 will focus on cities in Latin America and the Caribbean, striving to collaborate across a network of practitioners and funders to push for a paradigm change and expose city leaders to the tangible actions needed in their context to implement Vision Zero correctly and swiftly; build momentum in cities Vision Zero strategies to bridge the gap between commitment and implementation; and spur road safety action on the ground while building up awareness globally. The Challenges hashtag, #Vision2Action, represents the goal of moving beyond the Vision Zero branding to scale up systemic action for safer streets.

Latin American and Caribbean cities have the opportunity now to leapfrog over the traditional user-oriented road safety approach and tackle the issue from the systemic perspective that defines Vision Zero. Its an opportunity theyre ready for.

Learn more about the Vision Zero Challenge here.

Anna Bray Sharpinis a Transportation Associate for Health and Road Safety at WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities.

Claudia Adriazola-Steilis Deputy Director of Urban Mobility and Director of Health and Road Safety at WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities.

Alejandro SchwedhelmisUrban Mobility Associate at WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities.

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From Vision to Action: Latin American and Caribbean Cities Ready for a Paradigm Shift in Road Safety - TheCityFix

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shopDisney UK offered up a sneak peek at the merchandise being released in February as part of Minnie Mouse: The Main Attraction. As you may remember, Januarys line releases January 18th and features items inspired by Space Mountain.

Each item has a dark and spooky color tone consistent with Pirates of the Caribbean at Disney Parks. The extravagant ear headband features a pirate ship placed between the two ears which features a skull and a ship wheel.

Theres is a mug featuring a gold and black color scheme with a pirate ship placed in the middle of Minnies bow. The Loungefly fanny pack offers a unique bow and ear design that looks like the ear headband that offers the same design on the ears.

Minnie Mouse gets a plush that looks ominous with the gold, white, and black colors combined with the spooky bow and torso design. The three pins, which combine well with the previously announced pin collectors book, feature spooky Minnie inspired designs.

Each series will release on the 18th of each month and will be themed to a Disney Park attraction. All items will be available online and in select Disney Stores.

Disney previously stated that the collection would be available on the third Saturday of each month, so stay tuned to WDWNT for release dates on the February collection.

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PHOTOS: Disney Reveals Sneak Peek at February's Pirates of the Caribbean Minnie Mouse: The Main Attraction Line - wdwnt.com