AGP Executive Report

Tourism Investment: Prime Minister Godwin Friday says Sandals will inject US$45M into St. Vincent and the Grenadines, including 22 Rondoval Villas (under construction, due Nov 2026), 20 Hillside Sky Suites, and Beaches St. Vincent planned to start in 2028 with marine-biodiversity and sea-turtle habitat protections. Public Finance & Planning: At the UN Development Partners Roundtable, Friday pushed a shift from recovery to transformation and resilience, calling for use of the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index for concessional financing as debt and shocks strain the economy. Customs Modernisation: The Customs Department launched the upgraded ASYCUDA World 4.4 system, paving the way for paperless customs and linking to VSwift to speed trade documents and online duty payments. Local Economy & Resources: BRAGSA says sand and aggregate harvesting in North Leeward is both a statutory duty and an economic opportunity, while residents continue to question who benefits. Education & Inclusion: A survey found many boys feel marginalised at school, prompting a parents’ workshop on gender stereotypes under the Full Potential Programme. Public Safety: Police fired on a rental-plated vehicle in Arnos Vale; the driver later turned himself in and was charged.

Sandals Expansion: Sandals St. Vincent announced a US$45 million upgrade, with Rondoval Villas (22 units) under construction for completion in Nov 2026, followed by 20 Hillside Sky Suites and Beaches St. Vincent planned to start in 2028—nearly 400 new rooms, more airlift, and jobs tied to sustainable marine protection. Customs Modernisation: The Customs Department launched the upgraded ASYCUDA World 4.4 system, paving the way for paperless customs and smoother trade through Vincy Single Window for Trade (VSwift). Debt and Reform Push: At the UN Development Partners roundtable, PM Godwin Friday warned debt could reach 144% if government takes a “do nothing” approach, while partners urged moving from isolated projects to connected systems for resilience and transformation. Public Service Week: SVG will hold Public Service Week June 17–23 under “Fostering Innovation and Global Challenges,” featuring rallies, internships, awards, and public speaking. Climate Preparedness: NEMO hosted the 2026 Hurricane/Wet Season Climate Outlook Forum, stressing impact-based early warning and action-ready forecasts. Public Safety: Police opened fire on a rental-plated vehicle in Arnos Vale; the driver later turned himself in and was charged.

Customs Modernisation: St. Vincent and the Grenadines Customs launched the upgraded ASYCUDA World 4.4 system, paving the way for paperless customs and smoother trade processing through VSwift. Public Service Week: SVG will mark Public Service Week June 17–23 under “Fostering Innovation and Global Challenges,” with rallies, internships, recognitions, competitions and church services. UN Development Planning: Prime Minister Dr. Godwin Friday and international partners met for the inaugural UN Development Partners Roundtable to kick off the 2027–2042 national planning exercise, with a push for using a Multidimensional Vulnerability Index for concessional financing. Public Safety Incident: Gunshots were reported in Arnos Vale as police tried to apprehend a man; the driver later turned himself in and was charged. Education & Gender: A survey of students across 28 primary schools found many boys feel marginalised, leading to a workshop for parents on gender stereotypes. Animal Welfare Clarification: VSPCA president Jhanice Nelson says the group is not a shelter and cannot house abandoned or stray animals long-term. Climate Preparedness: NEMO held its 2026 Hurricane/Wet Season Climate Outlook Forum, stressing impact-based early warning and action-ready planning. Sports Leadership Course: The SVG Olympic Committee launched a TAFISA certified leadership course using sport for community development. Climate Finance Talks: PM Friday met a Green Climate Fund official to expand access to climate financing, including water security and sustainable development priorities. Ebola Preparedness: Health officials issued a travel advisory and stepped up border screening and quarantine readiness for Ebola-affected countries. Housing Upgrade: Government began rolling out prefabricated homes for vulnerable families, including early beneficiaries in Calder. Public Debate on Mining: Opinion pieces renewed scrutiny over sand and aggregate extraction at Wallilabou River and questions about whether public resources serve private interests.

Customs Modernisation: St. Vincent and the Grenadines Customs and Excise launched an upgraded ASYCUDA World 4.4 system to move toward fully paperless customs, paving the way for VSwift—brokers and importers can lodge declarations, upload documents, track status, and pay duties online. Climate Preparedness: NEMO held its 2026 Hurricane/Wet Season Climate Outlook Forum, stressing that forecasts must be turned into action for early planning and community resilience. Leadership Through Sport: The SVG Olympic Committee/Commonwealth Games Association launched a TAFISA Certified Leadership Course, training community groups to use sport for social change and development. Education Recognition: The SVG Embassy in Taiwan honoured top Vincentian scholars for academic excellence. Public Health Watch: Health officials issued an Ebola travel advisory and stepped up border screening, quarantine readiness, and isolation facilities. Governance & Finance: A new look at the “cost of money” in the ECCU highlights why lending rates stay high and what regional decision-makers may need to do next. Regional Justice: Finland’s probe into undersea cable damage identified four suspects and referred the case to prosecutors for possible charges. Housing Upgrade: Government began rolling out prefabricated homes for vulnerable families, including residents affected by volcanic eruptions.

Undersea Cable Case: Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation has wrapped up its criminal probe into damage to two telecom cables in the Gulf of Finland, naming four suspects and referring the matter to prosecutors for possible charges; the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines-flagged cargo vessel Fitburg was seized after the Dec. 31 incident. AI and Culture: A new commentary warns that AI could “forget” St. Vincent if local stories, language, and records aren’t properly represented in digital systems. Housing Upgrade: Government has begun rolling out newly imported prefabricated homes for vulnerable families, including Calder residents, with indoor bathrooms and faster build timelines. Climate Finance Push: Prime Minister Godwin Friday met the Green Climate Fund in Nassau to expand access to climate money, with water security a key priority. Governance Debate: Opposition claims a “crisis of governance,” alleging intimidation of public servants, administrative chaos, and a faltering social safety net. Tourism Focus: The SVG Tourism Authority says airlift and destination accessibility are top priorities as it works to strengthen routes and visibility.

Climate Finance Push: Prime Minister Dr. Godwin Friday met Green Climate Fund director Kristin Lang in The Bahamas to expand St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ access to climate money, with a major focus on a comprehensive water security initiative plus support for agriculture, sustainable tourism and the Blue Economy. Disaster Readiness Upgrade: The SVG Meteorological Services will roll out an Impact-Based Early Warning system, shifting from forecasting conditions to planning for real-world impacts. Public Health Alert: The Ministry of Health says there are no Ebola cases in SVG, but it is tightening border surveillance and screening, issuing a travel advisory for higher-risk countries and preparing quarantine and isolation if needed. Housing Improvement: Government has started rolling out imported prefabricated homes for vulnerable families, including early beneficiaries in Calder with faster builds and upgraded indoor facilities. Governance & Accountability Debate: Opposition and commentators are renewing criticism over alleged “autopilot” leadership and governance gaps, while a separate controversy continues over a Wallilabou River sand/aggregate operation linked to a private development. Regional Corruption Snapshot: Transparency International’s 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index ranks Haiti lowest in the Caribbean, while SVG is listed among the region’s stronger performers.

Housing Upgrade: St. Vincent and the Grenadines has started rolling out newly imported prefabricated homes for vulnerable families, including residents in Calder, with two-bedroom steel-frame units designed for quick assembly and improved living conditions. Governance & Accountability: A fresh Opposition push alleges a “crisis of governance,” citing claims of public servant intimidation, administrative chaos, and a stalled Parliament agenda. Mining Questions: Critics are challenging an excavation at the Wallilabou River, asking whether public resources are being used to extract sand and aggregate for a private golf course expansion, and demanding transparency on terms and environmental safeguards. Climate Resilience Push: Prime Minister Godwin Friday met the Green Climate Fund in Nassau to expand SVG’s access to climate financing, with a major water security initiative and priorities including agriculture, sustainable tourism, and the Blue Economy. Disaster Readiness: SVG Meteorological Services is set to implement an Impact-Based Early Warning system to better anticipate the effects of severe weather. Health Preparedness: The Ministry of Health says it has no Ebola cases but is strengthening border screening and quarantine readiness, alongside a travel advisory for higher-risk countries.

Climate & Disaster Readiness: St. Vincent and the Grenadines Meteorological Services is set to roll out an Impact-Based Early Warning system, shifting from just forecasting weather to forecasting impacts—so communities can act faster when storms hit. Climate Finance Push: Prime Minister Dr. Godwin Friday met Green Climate Fund officials in Nassau to expand SVG’s access to climate money, with a major water security initiative being prepared for submission, alongside priorities for agriculture, sustainable tourism, and the Blue Economy. Health Security: The Ministry of Health says it has no Ebola cases in SVG but is tightening border surveillance, screening, and quarantine/isolation capacity, alongside a travel advisory for residents and nationals heading to higher-risk countries. Tourism Access: The SVG Tourism Authority says airlift and destination accessibility are top priorities, with work underway to improve routes, frequency, and visibility to support visitor arrivals. Governance & Accountability: Opposition claims a “crisis of governance” and “autopilot leadership,” alleging intimidation of public servants, administrative chaos, and a weakening social safety net. Environment & Cleanup: Housing Minister Andrew John and CWSA are leading renewed action against illegal dumping, cleaning up areas like the old Argyle roadway and Akers bypass to restore community spaces. Regional Justice: King Charles III appointed Madam Margaret Price Findlay as Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, effective April 9, 2026.

Cable Probe Update: Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation has wrapped up its criminal probe into damage to two subsea telecom cables in the Gulf of Finland, with four suspects identified and travel bans still in place for three; the case will now go to prosecutors for possible charges, after the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines-flagged cargo vessel Fitburg was linked to the outages in late 2025. Disaster Readiness for SVG: St. Vincent and the Grenadines Meteorological Services is set to roll out an Impact-Based Early Warning system, shifting forecasts toward the real-world impacts people need to act on. Climate Finance Push: Prime Minister Godwin Friday met Green Climate Fund officials in Nassau to expand SVG’s access to climate money, including a major water security initiative and support for agriculture, sustainable tourism, and the Blue Economy. Health Screening Measures: The Ministry of Health says it has no Ebola cases in SVG, but is strengthening border surveillance and issuing a travel advisory with enhanced screening for arrivals from high-risk countries. Tourism Access Focus: The SVG Tourism Authority says airlift and destination accessibility are top priorities, with work underway to improve routes, frequency, and visibility. Governance Debate: Opposition voices are again accusing the government of “autopilot” leadership and governance failures, while critics also challenge how tax removals are being communicated to the public.

Disaster Preparedness: St. Vincent and the Grenadines Meteorological Services will roll out an Impact-Based Early Warning system, shifting from forecasting weather to forecasting impacts. Climate Finance Push: PM Godwin Friday met the Green Climate Fund in Nassau to expand access to climate money, with a major water security initiative in preparation for submission. Health Security: The Ministry of Health says there are no Ebola cases in SVG, but it’s tightening border screening, supplies, and quarantine readiness, alongside a travel advisory for high-risk countries. Tourism Access & Growth: The SVG Tourism Authority says airlift and destination accessibility are top priorities, while the Ministry received 29 proposals for the new “Love SVG” campaign aimed at delivering 100 tourism initiatives. Environment & Land: The GEF approved a US$6.1 million ecosystem restoration project for St. Vincent’s south corridor, led by UNEP. Governance & Cost of Living: Opposition and former finance minister Camilo Gonsalves criticize government messaging on customs charge removals, warning the “100% removal” claim masks a much smaller cut. Regional Spotlight: Finland police have completed their probe into undersea cable damage, with a vessel reportedly linked to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines mentioned in the case.

Hurricane Beryl Aftermath: Union Island is reeling after Hurricane Beryl, with emergency updates broadcast as families rush to prepare and protect essentials. Climate Finance Push: Prime Minister Godwin Friday met the Green Climate Fund in Nassau, urging faster access to climate money and outlining priorities including water security, agriculture, sustainable tourism, and the blue economy. Debt and Development Pressure: Friday also told the Caribbean Development Bank to move swiftly on reforms, warning that chronically high debt and shrinking concessional funding are squeezing governments’ ability to invest and protect people. Governance and Cost-of-Living Debate: Opposition voices are challenging the government’s “100% removal” messaging on customs charges, arguing it misleads the public by framing a small cut as a full removal. Environment Funding: The GEF approved a US$6.1 million ecosystem restoration project for St. Vincent, targeting nature-based solutions in the south corridor. Tourism Access: The SVG Tourism Authority says airlift and destination accessibility are top priorities, with work underway to strengthen routes and visibility. Local Clean-Up Drive: Housing Minister Andrew John and CWSA are tackling illegal dumping in South Windward, including the Argyle roadway and Akers bypass. Sports and Youth: SVGTA is partnering with MAVCOM SVG to boost tournament operations, while SVGOC-led leadership training is underway for community groups.

Cricket Revival: Spartans Cricket Club is set for a comeback after a Stubbs Playing Field ceremony honoring long-time founder Lorraine George, with plans for a village competition and matches to rebuild the team. Community Sports Training: SVGOC has launched the first phase of a Certified Leadership Course for community organisations at Frenches House, with participants expected to design local projects supported for implementation. Entrepreneurship Spotlight: Vincentian-born consultant Krystle Phillips says business burnout is often caused by broken systems, not personal failure, urging entrepreneurs to fix structures. Climate & Debt Push: PM Godwin Friday met the Green Climate Fund in Nassau, calling for urgent climate finance and a water security initiative, while also urging the CDB to move from plans to delivery. Sports Administration Upgrade: SVGTA partnered with MAVCOM SVG to boost tournament operations, including an Epson printer for high-volume admin. Governance & Cost-of-Living Debate: Opposition claims a “crisis of governance” and accuses government of misleading tax removals, while critics warn the Sandals delay could cost jobs and tourism revenue. Environment Funding: GEF approved a US$6.1m ecosystem restoration project for St. Vincent’s south corridor. Tourism Pipeline: The Love SVG campaign received 29 project proposals, now headed for review. Hurricane Readiness: PM Friday urged Vincentians to prepare for the 2026 hurricane season amid drought and limited recovery funding. Regional Legal Access: OECS and OHADAC-CARO will launch arbitration and ADR training across the Eastern Caribbean, including SVG. Diplomacy & Culture: SVG marked 34 years of ties with Cuba in Havana, and Carnival preparations are in full swing with cultural revival efforts.

CDB Focus: Prime Minister Godwin Friday told the CDB’s 56th Annual Meeting in Nassau that the bank is key to advancing Caribbean development, urging stronger resilience, regional solidarity, and faster delivery on reforms and climate-resilient projects. Environment & Land: The GEF approved a US$6.1 million watershed restoration project for St. Vincent, led by UNEP and executed through the BCRC-Caribbean, targeting degraded lands and sustainable livelihoods. Tourism Push: Caribbean Week in New York 2026 is bringing regional tourism leaders together under “One Caribbean: Infinite Experiences,” as ministers seek stronger connectivity and market share. Love SVG: St. Vincent’s Tourism Ministry received 29 proposals for the new Love SVG campaign, with ideas spanning heritage, eco-attractions, transport access, and community initiatives. Digital Inclusion: The DRIVE project contract worth EC$1.632 million was signed under the Universal Service Fund, with FLOW set to deliver services for five years. Hurricane Readiness: Friday urged Vincentians to prepare now for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season amid drought and limited recovery funding. Diplomacy: SVG and Cuba marked 34 years of diplomatic ties in Havana, highlighting cooperation in health and training. Local Life: A weekend of tragedy included multiple deaths and a reported missing child at sea, while Carnival preparations are in full swing.

Tourism Momentum: The Tourism Ministry says it received 29 project proposals for the newly launched “Love SVG” campaign, ranging from heritage and eco-attractions to transport and access ideas, with submissions now moving into a review process. Regional Finance Push: Prime Minister Godwin Friday urged the Caribbean Development Bank to move faster from plans to delivery, warning that high debt and climate shocks are squeezing borrowing countries, including SVG’s debt-to-GDP now cited at 113%. Hurricane Preparedness: Friday also marked the start of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season with a call for Vincentians to “act now,” pointing to drought conditions and limited disaster recovery funding. Digital Inclusion: A $1.6 million DRIVE Project contract was signed under the Universal Service Fund to expand ICT access and resilience services over five years. Legal Access in the OECS: The OHADAC–CARO arbitration and ADR training programme is set to launch in June to strengthen access to economic justice across the Eastern Caribbean, including SVG. Culture & Community: Carnival preparations are in full swing, while the Miss SVG 2026 pageant crowned Elreka Gaymes. Public Safety: Over the weekend, SVG recorded multiple deaths and a 6.0 earthquake rattled the southern Caribbean, with tremors felt across several islands.

CDB Pressure on SVG and the Region: Prime Minister Godwin Friday urged the Caribbean Development Bank to move “swiftly” from plans to delivery, warning that chronically high debt (SVG’s debt-to-GDP cited at 113%) and worsening climate shocks are shrinking access to concessional finance. Tax Claims Under Fire: Former Finance Minister Camilo Gonsalves accused the government of misleading “100% removal” messaging on customs charges, arguing the actual cut is only 5% and warning the spin could erode public trust. Hurricane Season Warning: Friday marked the start of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, urging Vincentians to prepare amid drought conditions and limited disaster recovery funding. Earthquake Shakes the Region: A magnitude 6.0 quake rattled islands including St Vincent and the Grenadines, with no immediate damage reports. Food Security Push: Government advanced its Food Security Crisis Response Plan to shift from repeated emergency recovery to proactive monitoring and better preparation. Digital Inclusion Contract: The DRIVE project contract (USF-funded) was signed for five years to expand connectivity and virtual access. Clean Energy for Fisheries: The STAR-Fish project ramped up clean energy interventions for Caribbean fisheries, including SVG. Regional Justice Training: OECS and the OHADAC–CARO Centre will launch arbitration and ADR training to strengthen access to economic justice across the Eastern Caribbean. Local Culture and Community: Vincy Carnival preparations are in full swing, while the Miss SVG 2026 crown went to Elreka Gaymes. Public Safety and Crime: Weekend tragedy included multiple deaths and an investigation into a Union Island death.

Hurricane Season Prep: Prime Minister Godwin Friday urged Vincentians to “act now” for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, warning of drought conditions and limited disaster recovery funding. Regional Justice Access: The OHADAC–CARO training programmes on arbitration and ADR will launch June 10 with OECS support, aiming to strengthen economic justice across the Eastern Caribbean, including St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Judicial Leadership: Her Ladyship Madam Margaret Price Findlay was appointed 14th Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, effective April 9, 2026. Clean Energy for Fisheries: The Canada-funded STAR-Fish project is scaling clean energy interventions for Caribbean fisheries, including cold storage and low-carbon certification support for participating countries. CDB Meeting: PM Friday leads SVG’s delegation to the CDB’s 56th Annual Meeting in The Bahamas, focusing on resilience, debt sustainability, and the energy transition. Digital Inclusion: A $1.6m DRIVE Project contract was signed to expand digital, resilience, inclusion and virtual access services via FLOW under the Universal Service Fund. Food Security Push: Government is advancing its Food Security Crisis Response Plan to move from repeated emergency recovery toward proactive monitoring and preparation. Youth & Culture: Miss SVG 2026 Elreka Gaymes was crowned, while Carnival preparations are in full swing ahead of Vincy Mas.