AGP Executive Report

Trade Facilitation: St Kitts and Nevis, with the World Bank, is moving toward a National Electronic Single Window so traders can submit documents through one digital platform—aiming to cut red tape and speed goods across borders. Food Security & Agriculture: Caribbean Week of Agriculture is pushing ministers to turn talks into action, with calls for better intra-regional trade, stronger logistics and cold-chain, and a financing model that helps farmers move more produce despite weather shocks. Regional Shipping & Ports: Caribbean port leaders returned from Europe with lessons on cleaner, more resilient port operations, focusing on practical steps to cut emissions and improve resilience. Connectivity for Industry: EllaLink advanced its Caribbean Gateway into the development stage, targeting service by end-2029 with a carrier-neutral submarine system linking Cayenne to Martinique/Guadeloupe and a western leg to Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire, with onward routes for St Lucia and others. Tourism & Jobs: An ILO study says tourism is a major employer in the Eastern Caribbean, but informality and weak labour protections limit decent work and sustainable growth. Local Business & Youth: JA Saint Lucia was recognized for restarting Junior Achievement through private-sector support mobilized with the Chamber. Energy Costs: LUCELEC set September’s fuel surcharge at 35.6 cents per kWh, citing higher August fuel costs.

Caribbean Week of Agriculture: Agriculture ministers, including St. Lucia’s Lisa Jawahir and Floyd Green, pushed for “dialogue into action” on food security, warning that higher production won’t help unless farmers can move goods across borders and get financing, with logistics, cold-chain and border processes flagged as key gaps. Regional shipping & ports: Caribbean port leaders returned from a Europe study visit focused on cleaner, more resilient port operations, aiming to turn lessons into practical follow-ups for energy, financing and sustainability. Connectivity for trade: EllaLink advanced its Caribbean Gateway into the development phase, proposing a carrier-neutral submarine system linking Cayenne to Martinique/Guadeloupe and a western leg to Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire, with service targeted for end-2029. Tourism & airlift: St. Lucia’s winter season outlook points to stronger capacity, with the minister citing rising seats and new or expanded US and Canada routes. Energy costs: LUCELEC set September 2026 fuel surcharge at 35.6 cents per kWh, tied to higher August fuel prices. Youth & skills: JA Saint Lucia was recognized for restarting Junior Achievement via private-sector support, while OECS trade-in-services stakeholders received EU-funded training. Culture & community: The Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival won “Music Festival of the Year” at the Caribbean Music Awards, and the Calypso Review Committee marked Jeff Elva “Mighty Pe’lay” with a special exhibition.

Ferry & transport capacity: A new push for an ABC Islands ferry plan highlights how limited regional lift is already constraining tourism and business travel, with airlines also facing capacity limits. Food security & trade: Caribbean agriculture ministers meeting in Jamaica urged deeper regional integration, better air/sea links, cold-chain and smoother border procedures, arguing that more production won’t deliver food security without financing and logistics. Ports & cleaner shipping: Caribbean port leaders returned from Europe with practical lessons on moving from sustainability plans to implementation, focusing on resilience, emissions cuts and port investment. Aquaculture for jobs and resilience: A Caribbean Blue Foods workshop in Kingston will spotlight climate-resilient blue food production and investment, aiming to strengthen aquaculture as a science and STEM pathway. Tourism labour & informality: An ILO study says tourism is vital to Eastern Caribbean economies but informal work and weak protections limit decent jobs and productivity gains. Electricity costs: LUCELEC set September’s fuel surcharge at 35.6 cents per kWh, reflecting higher August fuel prices. Payments modernisation: Bank of Saint Lucia and Discover held a merchant seminar on tap-to-pay and future-ready card acceptance. Connectivity investment: EllaLink launched the Caribbean Gateway initiative, moving from design to committed investment for a cable route serving Martinique, Guadeloupe and parts of the ABC islands, targeted for service by end-2029. Tourism deal with Royal Caribbean: Royal Caribbean’s planned $3bn, 50% stake in Sandals and Beaches signals a bigger cruise-to-land vacation ecosystem across the Caribbean, with a close expected in early 2027.

Food Security & Trade: Caribbean agriculture ministers meeting at Caribbean Week of Agriculture in Jamaica say food security won’t come from more production alone—farmers also need workable regional logistics, harmonised standards, cold-chain capacity, and a financing model that matches Caribbean realities. Port & Shipping Modernisation: Caribbean port leaders, after a study visit to European hubs, are mapping practical priorities to cut emissions, improve resilience, and move from port “ambition to implementation” with support from the Caribbean Shipping Association and IDB. Aquaculture for Resilience: A Caribbean Blue Foods stakeholder workshop in Kingston will spotlight aquaculture as climate-resilient “blue food” and push for stronger STEM training and investment pathways. Tourism Jobs & Informality: An ILO study warns that Eastern Caribbean tourism’s big economic role is undermined by informality, weak labour protections, skills gaps, and limited access to finance—calling for decent work and productivity gains. Electricity Costs: LUCELEC says September 2026 fuel surcharge is 35.6 cents per kWh, reflecting higher August fuel costs and ongoing volatility despite hedging. Connectivity Upgrade: EllaLink launches the EllaLink Caribbean Gateway initiative, moving from design to committed investment, targeting service by end-2029 for routes linking French Guiana to Martinique/Guadeloupe and branches for Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire. Payments Innovation: Bank of Saint Lucia and Discover Network held a merchant seminar on “Tap to Pay” and modern payment expectations for businesses. Regional Business Deal: Royal Caribbean’s planned US$3bn, 50% stake in Sandals and Beaches is framed by regional private-sector groups as a major boost for Caribbean tourism scale and cruise-to-land integration.

Tourism & Investment: Royal Caribbean Group is set to buy a 50% stake in Sandals and Beaches Resorts in a deal valued at about US$3 billion, with closing expected in early 2027—an expansion move that could reshape how visitors book Caribbean holidays across sea and land. Agriculture & Food Systems: St. Lucia’s Minister Floyd Green said balancing higher food production with repeated weather disruptions remains a regional challenge, pointing to the need for resilient irrigation and backup power after major hurricanes. Energy Costs: LUCELEC says September 2026 fuel surcharge is 35.6 cents per kWh, the highest this year, tied to higher August international oil prices. Trade & Skills: OECS launched EU-funded specialised training to strengthen trade-in-services policy, regulation reform, and negotiating capacity across member states, including St. Lucia. Maritime & Industry: A new Saint Lucia Chamber of Shipping push highlights safer, more efficient ports and stronger maritime regulation as global shipping pressures ripple into local supply chains. Digital Governance: UN leaders warned of “colonisation by data,” calling for fair AI rules and better protection for developing countries’ data and languages.

OECS Services Capacity Building: The OECS Commission, with EU funding, has rolled out specialised training for trade in services stakeholders across public, private and civil society in Antigua, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia and St Vincent—aimed at stronger policy, regulation and negotiating skills. Tourism Jobs & Labour: An ILO study says tourism drives about 39% of GDP and over 11% of employment in Eastern Caribbean states, but informality and weak labour protections are holding back decent work and sustainable growth. Aquaculture for Food Security: Caribbean Blue Foods is hosting a Sept 29–Oct 2 workshop in Kingston to spotlight climate-resilient aquaculture as a science-led pathway to jobs, marine conservation and regional food security. Tourism Deal Watch (St Lucia link): Royal Caribbean’s planned US$3bn purchase of a 50% stake in Sandals and Beaches—expected to close in early 2027—has drawn CARICOM private sector praise for scaling a Caribbean brand globally. Energy Costs: LUCELEC set September 2026 fuel surcharge at 35.6 cents per kWh, reflecting higher August fuel costs. Maritime Regulation: Saint Lucia’s shipping sector is pushing for safer, more efficient ports and stronger maritime rules ahead of World Maritime Day.

Tourism Jobs & Labour: A new ILO study says tourism drives about 39% of GDP and over 11% of employment across Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada and Saint Lucia, but informality, weak labour protections, skills gaps and limited access to finance are holding back “decent work” and sustainable growth. Haiti Security: All 32 OAS member states have urged the UN Security Council to renew Haiti’s Gang Suppression Force mandate and fully fund, equip and deploy it, linking security gains to credible elections. Cruise-to-Resort Deal: Royal Caribbean Group’s planned US$3bn purchase of a 50% stake in Sandals and Beaches (closing early 2027) is being hailed as a major boost for regional tourism and airlift, blending cruise and land holidays and expanding Sandals’ reach. Energy Costs: LUCELEC says September’s electricity fuel surcharge is 35.6 cents per kWh, reflecting higher August fuel costs amid volatile global oil prices. Payments & Merchants: Bank of Saint Lucia and Discover held a merchant seminar on “future of payments,” highlighting tap-to-pay via smartphones and support for seamless customer transactions. Digital Sovereignty: UN leaders warn AI and data control could create “colonisation by data,” calling for fair regulation and access for developing states. Maritime & Trade: Saint Lucia’s shipping sector is pushing for safer, more efficient ports and stronger maritime regulation as global fuel and supply pressures ripple through imports. Innovation in Health & Procurement: Two Saint Lucian startups—Medial Health and Rifbid—placed among the top plans at a Caribbean STEM startup challenge, using AI for healthcare information systems and public procurement verification.

Royal Caribbean–Sandals Deal: CARICOM private sector leaders are hailing Royal Caribbean’s planned US$3bn purchase of a 50% stake in Sandals and Beaches, a move expected to close in early 2027 and reshape Caribbean tourism by linking cruise and land stays. Tourism & Payments: Saint Lucia is pushing deeper into the Canadian market via a trade media luncheon, while Bank of Saint Lucia and Discover Network hosted a merchant seminar on “future of payments,” including tap-to-pay via smartphones. Energy Costs: LUCELEC says September 2026 electricity fuel surcharge rises to 35.6 cents per kWh, tied to higher August fuel prices. Digital Governance & AI: UN leaders warn of “colonisation by data,” calling for fair AI rules and protection for developing countries’ data and languages. Shipping & Maritime Safety: Saint Lucia’s Chamber of Shipping flags the need for safer, more efficient ports and stronger maritime regulation amid regional shipping pressures. Local Innovation: Two Saint Lucian startups—Medial Health and Rifbid—placed among the top plans at a Caribbean STEM summit in Barbados. Environment & Resilience: We Are Mayreau reports steady ridge-to-reef progress, including coral genetics transfer work across Windward Islands. Health & Community: A Deaf Health Fair in Castries promoted hearing screenings and awareness.

Cruise-to-resort deal: Royal Caribbean Group has agreed to buy a 50% stake in Sandals and Beaches Resorts in a roughly US$3 billion transaction, aiming to blend cruise reach with land-based all-inclusive scale across the Caribbean (deal expected to close in early 2027). Tourism spotlight: Saint Lucia’s Jazz & Arts Festival won “Music Festival of the Year” at the 2026 Caribbean Music Awards, while the island was also named No. 1 Island on Expedia’s 2026 Hot List. Energy costs: LUCELEC says September 2026 electricity bills will include a fuel surcharge of 35.6 cents per kWh, reflecting higher August fuel costs. Payments and merchants: Bank of Saint Lucia and Discover held a merchant seminar on “Empowering Merchants for the Future of Payments,” including Tap to Pay via Android smartphones. Digital governance warning: UN leaders warned of “colonisation by data,” urging developing countries to have a stronger voice in AI and data rules. Regional shipping focus: Saint Lucia’s Chamber of Shipping highlights the need for safer, more efficient ports and stronger maritime regulation as fuel and logistics pressures ripple through the islands.

Electricity Costs: LUCELEC says September 2026 fuel surcharge is 35.6 cents per kWh, the highest this year, after August fuel costs rose with international oil prices climbing to about US$91 a barrel. Payments & Retail Tech: Bank of Saint Lucia and Discover held a Merchant Seminar and Expo on “Empowering Merchants for the Future of Payments,” highlighting Tap to Pay via Android smartphones and support for seamless customer experiences. Tourism Spotlight: Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts won “Music Festival of the Year” at the 2026 Caribbean Music Awards, while Expedia named Saint Lucia No. 1 Island on its 2026 Hot List. Global Business Deal: Royal Caribbean agreed to buy a 50% stake in Sandals and Beaches Resorts for about US$3bn, with closing expected early 2027—major implications for Saint Lucia’s hospitality sector. Digital Governance Warning: At the UN, leaders warned of “colonisation by data,” urging fair AI regulation and protection for developing countries’ languages, cultures and data. Shipping & Fuel Prices: World Maritime Day coverage points to stronger maritime regulation needs as Caribbean fuel shocks raise questions about how much distant disruptions drive local pump prices. Water & Infrastructure: A pre-cabinet update says work has begun on the northern raw water pipeline from John Compton Dam, aimed at cutting leaks and improving WASCO supply. Innovation in St. Lucia: Orbtronics Innovation Summit 2026 gets title sponsorship from Bank of Saint Lucia, pitching Saint Lucia as a “Silicon Forest” hub with 400+ investors and tech leaders.

Tourism Deal: Royal Caribbean Group has agreed to buy a 50% stake in Sandals and Beaches Resorts in a roughly US$3 billion joint venture, valuing the Caribbean operator at about US$6 billion, with closing expected in early 2027—an expansion that links cruise and land-based all-inclusives across the region, including Saint Lucia. Local Water & Fisheries: Saint Lucia’s water works move ahead with the northern raw-water pipeline project starting, while fisheries officials say an ageing ice machine at Bridgetown could be restored “within days” to keep fisherfolk supplied. Climate & Resilience: Leaders at the UN General Assembly pressed for climate finance that is “not charity,” warning small islands like Saint Lucia face direct threats to security, water and food. Ridge-to-Reef Work: We Are Mayreau reports steady progress under ridge-to-reef restoration, including coral nursery expansion and a cross-island coral genetics transfer. Digital & Innovation: Bank of Saint Lucia backs the Orbtronics Innovation Summit, positioning Saint Lucia as a “Silicon Forest” hub for tech and entrepreneurship. STEM Startups: Two Saint Lucian startups—Medial Health and Rifbid—rank among the top business plans at a Caribbean STEM challenge in Barbados. Shipping & Safety: The Saint Lucia Chamber of Shipping flags port efficiency and stronger maritime regulation ahead of World Maritime Day.

Tourism Deal: Royal Caribbean Group has agreed to buy a 50% stake in Sandals and Beaches Resorts in a landmark US$3bn partnership, expected to close in early 2027—an expansion that could reshape how cruise and all-inclusive stays are packaged across the Caribbean. Local Tourism Recognition: Saint Lucia was named No. 1 Island on Expedia’s 2026 Hot List, with the award presented during a showcase gala in support of the island’s growing visitor appeal. Digital Governance: Saint Lucia is moving toward a cross-sector regulatory sandbox for digital ID and fintech testing under its DigiGov programme, aiming to speed up safe, practical use cases for credentials and payments. Water & Infrastructure: Choiseul/Saltibus MP Keithson Charles says work on the northern raw-water pipeline has started, as WASCO targets reduced leakage and improved supply. Climate & Agriculture: We Are Mayreau reports steady ridge-to-reef progress under TREBAI, including coral nursery expansion and a rare cross-island coral genetics transfer. Innovation & Startups: Bank of Saint Lucia backs the Orbtronics Innovation Summit 2026, positioning Saint Lucia as a regional “silicon forest” hub for tech and entrepreneurship. Regional Trade & Shipping: World Maritime Day coverage highlights renewed focus on safer, more efficient ports and stronger maritime regulation after local incidents.

Tourism & Investment: Royal Caribbean Group has agreed to buy a 50% stake in Sandals and Beaches Resorts in a deal valued at about US$3bn, expected to close in early 2027—another big push to blend cruise itineraries with land-based all-inclusives across the Caribbean, including Saint Lucia. Local Water & Utilities: Saint Lucia’s water upgrade moves ahead with the northern raw-water pipeline improvement tied to the John Compton Dam supply, as officials say repairs and wastage control are part of the wider WASCO plan. Climate-Resilient Agriculture: We Are Mayreau marks six months of ridge-to-reef work under TREBAI, including expanded climate-smart farming and a new Mayreau coral nursery with Staghorn and Elkhorn fragments transferred from Saint Lucia. Digital Economy: Saint Lucia is developing a cross-sector regulatory sandbox for digital ID and fintech pilots under its DigiGov programme, aiming to test credentials and payments before wider rollout. Maritime & Trade: The Saint Lucia Chamber of Shipping highlights the need for safer, more efficient ports and stronger maritime regulation ahead of World Maritime Day. Innovation & Startups: Orbtronics’ Innovation Summit 2026 is set for Nov. 21–22, positioning Saint Lucia as a “Silicon Forest” hub for regional tech and investment. Health Access: A Deaf Health Fair in Castries focused on hearing screenings, sign basics, and public awareness of noise-related hearing damage.

Maritime & Trade: World Maritime Day spotlighted Saint Lucia’s push for safer, more efficient ports after deadly west-coast boat collisions, with shipping leaders warning that global fuel shocks and supply-chain knock-ons still hit food, construction and medicines. Digital Economy: Saint Lucia is moving toward practical digital ID use via a cross-sector regulatory sandbox under DigiGov, starting with digital credentials and payments to help regulators set safeguards before wider rollout. Innovation & Startups: Two Saint Lucian startups—Medial Health and Rifbid—placed among the top five business plans at the Caribbean SEED STEM challenge in Barbados, reinforcing the island’s tech momentum. Tech for Finance: Orbtronics’ Innovation Summit 2026 gets Bank of Saint Lucia backing as the “Silicon Forest” push aims to shift the region from tech consumers to builders. Tourism & Hospitality: Royal Caribbean’s $3bn, 50% stake deal with Sandals/Beaches signals a major land-and-sea vacation strategy, while Saint Lucia was named No. 1 Island on Expedia’s 2026 Hot List. Water & Fisheries: Saint Lucia’s northern water pipeline works are underway to cut leakage and improve supply, and Barbados reports an ice-machine fix is expected within days to support fisherfolk. Security: CARICOM-linked international crackdown Operation ATLAS NEXUS reported 490+ arrests and 156.9 tonnes seized across multiple countries, including Saint Lucia.

Caribbean diplomacy: Saint Lucia’s Foreign Minister Alva Baptiste joined India-CARICOM talks in New York, where ministers backed deeper cooperation across trade and investment, agriculture and food security, digital governance, climate resilience and energy, while CARICOM also reiterated support for India’s UNSC bid for 2028-29. EU-CELAC security and trade: The EU and CELAC endorsed a roadmap in New York focused on security, trade and digital cooperation, with transnational organised crime highlighted as a shared priority. Tourism and hospitality investment: Royal Caribbean Group agreed to take a 50% stake in Sandals and Beaches Resorts in a roughly $3bn deal, expected to close in early 2027, expanding cruise-to-resort cross-selling across the Caribbean including Saint Lucia. Local water reliability: Choiseul/Saltibus MP Keithson Charles says work on the northern raw-water pipeline tied to the John Compton Dam has started to cut leaks and improve supply for WASCO. Digital economy push: Saint Lucia announced a regulatory sandbox for digital ID and fintech testing under its DigiGov programme, aiming to speed safe adoption. Innovation spotlight: Bank of Saint Lucia backed the Orbtronics Innovation Summit 2026, positioning Saint Lucia as the Caribbean “Silicon Forest.” Industry and services: Saint Lucia was named No. 1 Island on Expedia’s 2026 Hot List, with tourism minister Ernest Hilaire receiving the accolade.

Cruise-to-resort deal: Royal Caribbean confirmed a $3bn investment for a 50% stake in Sandals, valuing the operator at about $6bn and setting up a new joint venture that could deepen land-based stays alongside cruises, with a close expected in early 2027. Tourism spotlight: Saint Lucia was named No. 1 Island on Expedia’s 2026 Hot List, a boost for the island’s growing international pull. Water security: Government and WASCO moved ahead with the Northern Water Project, including the John Compton Dam raw water pipeline replacement to cut leaks and stabilize supply for northern communities. Digital ID push: Saint Lucia is developing a cross-sector regulatory sandbox under the DigiGov Program to test digital ID and payments use cases before wider rollout. Innovation drive: Bank of Saint Lucia signed on as title sponsor of the Orbtronics Innovation Summit 2026, positioning Saint Lucia as a “Silicon Forest” hub for regional tech creation. Agriculture labour review: Saint Lucia evaluated the Canadian farm labour programme with visits to workers and employers to assess conditions, support, and challenges. Border efficiency: OECS agencies trained together to strengthen intelligence-led risk management at ports of entry for goods. Climate and children: A UNICEF-backed study warns most Eastern Caribbean children face overlapping climate hazards by mid-century.