AGP Executive Report

CARICOM Leadership: Saint Lucia officially assumed the CARICOM chairmanship on July 1, with PM Philip J. Pierre pledging a people-centred agenda focused on unity, climate justice, reparatory justice, economic renewal, and opportunity for all. Consumer Protection: A new “Consumer Connect Platform” will let Saint Lucians access faster help and file complaints through a shared system linking consumer, utilities, standards, and telecom regulators. Agriculture & Green Revolution: IICA and CATIE experts arrived for a technical mission to accelerate Saint Lucia’s Green Revolution, aiming to strengthen agriculture, fisheries, and food security with modern, climate-resilient approaches. Tourism Development: OECS held a Community-Based Tourism workshop in Saint Lucia, pushing policies that keep tourism benefits in local communities and support youth and women-led enterprises. Ports & Infrastructure: The House backed a SLASPA loan guarantee to fund preparatory work for port modernization, with the minister calling it key to economic expansion. VAT Relief Debate: Lawmakers extended VAT-free building materials through 2030, while opposition questioned whether it is actually boosting everyday home construction. Road Safety: Agriculture Minister Lisa Jawahir says zero tolerance for stray cattle is now in effect, after renewed incidents and relocation efforts. Sports & Wellness: BodyHoliday signed an MoU with the Saint Lucia Sports Academy to support student-athletes with wellness, nutrition, injury prevention, and career exposure. Public Space: Mount Pimard public beach park opened, part of a push for recreation and culture-led tourism that shares benefits with residents.

CARICOM Leadership: Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre officially began his six-month CARICOM chairmanship (July 1–Dec 31), promising a people-first push focused on unity, climate justice, reparatory justice, economic renewal, and practical delivery ahead of the July 5–8 Heads meeting in Saint Lucia. Citizenship by Investment Scrutiny: A new academic study questions how well CBI vetting holds up once passports are already issued, raising concerns that banks may spot risks later than governments claim. Port Modernization Funding: Infrastructure Minister Shawn Edward backed a major SLASPA loan to move forward with Saint Lucia port upgrades, with the House approving a government guarantee to fund early phases. VAT Relief Debate: Parliament extended VAT-free building materials through 2030, but opposition doubts the policy is boosting homes for everyday Saint Lucians. Agriculture & Food Security: IICA and CATIE launched an agriculture mission on the island as Minister Lisa Jawahir rolls out a “Green Revolution” agenda; meanwhile, stakeholders are advancing standards and restoration work for the sea moss sector at Savannes Bay. Road Safety & Livestock: Agriculture Minister Jawahir says zero tolerance for stray cattle is now in effect, after renewed sightings and concerns over animal relocation and road accidents. Tourism Operations: Tourism Minister Dr. Ernest Hilaire urged public sector departments to improve attendance and responsiveness on tourism boards, warning delays cost businesses “time and money.” Industry & Business Tech: Prime World Markets launched an AI trading suite aimed at bringing institutional-style analytics to retail traders.

Energy Costs: Saint Lucians are being urged to check energy meter readings after a 13% price cap increase, especially if they are not on smart meters, to avoid higher charges for past use. Agri-Tech & Food Security: Agriculture Minister Lisa Jawahir says a new “Green Revolution” push—led with IICA and CATIE—aims to modernize Saint Lucia’s agriculture with climate resilience and technology. Regional Agriculture Support: IICA and CATIE have launched an agriculture mission on the island, with talks focused on strengthening farming and food security. Sea Moss Industry Upgrade: Stakeholders at Savannes Bay are rolling out standards and projects to revitalize sea moss farming, including marine debris removal and sustainable raft systems. Port Modernization Funding: Infrastructure Minister Shawn Edward backed a major SLASPA loan to kick-start preparations for Saint Lucia port upgrades. Tourism Operations: Tourism Minister Dr. Ernest Hilaire urged public sector departments to improve attendance and speed on tourism committee work, warning delays cost the private sector “time and money.” Construction VAT Relief Debate: Parliament extended VAT-free building materials through 2030, amid heated debate over whether the policy is boosting everyday home building. Cattle on Roads: Agriculture Minister Lisa Jawahir addressed renewed concerns about stray cows on highways, outlining relocation steps and plans to reduce accidents. Resort Leadership & Hospitality: Windjammer Landing appointed Almando Rigby as General Manager, while Sandals continues its US$200m Jamaica resort transformation with refreshed dining concepts.

Port & Infrastructure: Infrastructure Minister Shawn Edward backed a SLASPA loan after the House approved a government guarantee to fund preparatory work for modernising the Saint Lucia port. VAT & Housing Materials: Opposition Leader Allen Chastanet questioned whether VAT relief on building materials is boosting home construction for everyday Saint Lucians, as lawmakers renewed the measure amid a heated debate. Agriculture & Livestock Control: Agriculture Minister Lisa Jawahir said zero tolerance for stray cattle is now in effect, responding to reports of cows returning to roads after earlier removals and relocation efforts. Agriculture & Regional Support: IICA and CATIE launched an agriculture mission in Saint Lucia aimed at strengthening a more resilient, sustainable farming sector. Sea Moss & Fisheries: Stakeholders moved to upgrade the sea moss industry around Savannes Bay, including standards work and a Marine Debris Removal and Sustainable Raft Systems project to support farmers and protect the bay. Tourism Operations: Tourism Minister Dr. Ernest Hilaire urged public sector departments to improve responsiveness on tourism committee boards, warning delays cost the private sector “time and money.” Tourism & Public Space: Mount Pimard opened to the public after a modern renovation, adding a new waterfront-style recreation and culture stop for residents and visitors. Energy & Consumer Services: Regulators and agencies are coordinating to improve how consumers get help with complaints, while Flow disruption updates urged customers to use backup communication options. Culinary & Hospitality (Regional): While focused on Jamaica, Sandals’ US$200m resort transformation and new dining concepts signal continued investment in Caribbean tourism product—reopening dates and chef certifications were also highlighted.

Captive Insurance Watch: RAIN founder Greg Lang says the captive insurance industry has 228 captive managers across 88 domiciles, with 47 domiciles showing verifiable manager data from regulators, trade lists and public sources—useful for anyone tracking who actually runs captives. Tourism & Hospitality: Windjammer Landing Resort & Residences in St. Lucia appoints Turks and Caicos hotel leader Almando Rigby as General Manager, overseeing 145 staff across key divisions. Sea Moss & Marine Livelihoods: Stakeholders in Savannes Bay push to revive sea moss farming with standards, mapping and zoning, plus a Marine Debris Removal and Sustainable Raft Systems project to clear abandoned materials and improve safety for farmers and marine life. Sargassum-to-Agri “Blue Gold”: A Trinidad-based group pitches turning sargassum into organic fertiliser and compost, arguing new collection tractors can kickstart a local processing industry. Energy Policy: St. Lucia’s lower house passes an electricity bill opening the grid to independent green energy suppliers, aiming to cut fossil-fuel reliance. Tourism Governance: Tourism Minister Dr. Ernest Hilaire urges public sector departments to show up and move faster on tourism committee work—“time is money” for businesses. Agriculture Skills: Taiwan Technical Mission runs a guava grafting workshop in Castries, training farmers and students on disease-resistant rootstocks and faster fruiting. Water & Safety: A St. Lucia road-safety push flags dangerous aftermarket LED headlight upgrades and calls for clearer rules and enforcement.

OECS Leadership Shift: Antigua and Barbuda’s PM Gaston Browne officially took over the OECS Authority chair at the 78th meeting, with a regional agenda spanning economic self-reliance, climate resilience, food and energy security, and digital transformation. Energy Sector Reform: Saint Lucia’s lower house passed a new electricity law aimed at reducing fossil-fuel dependence and opening the grid to independent green energy suppliers. Tourism Operations Pressure: Tourism Minister Dr. Ernest Hilaire urged public sector departments to show up and act faster at the Tourism Advisory Committee, warning that delays cost the private sector “time is money.” Sea Moss Industry Upgrade: Stakeholders in Savannes Bay are rolling out standards and projects to revive sea moss farming, including marine debris removal and sustainable raft systems, plus mapping and zoning to bring abandoned farms back into production. Water Crisis Watch: A report highlights how St Lucia’s intermittent supply is still disrupting daily life and business, with experts warning that climate-driven extremes could keep pressure on water systems. Sargassum “Blue Gold” Plan: A Trinidad-based group is pitching a sargassum-to-fertiliser processing approach after Government acquired beach-clearing tractors with UNDP and Japan support. Regional Security & Trade: Canada and CARICOM renewed their foreign ministers’ partnership with a results-focused action plan centered on resilient economies, climate action, and regional security. Hospitality Leadership: Turks and Caicos’ Almando Rigby was appointed General Manager of Windjammer Landing Resort & Residences in St Lucia.

OECS Leadership: Antigua and Barbuda PM Gaston Browne officially took over the OECS Authority chair at the 78th meeting, with a focus on regional economic self-reliance, climate resilience, food and energy security, and deeper integration. Tourism Operations: Tourism Minister Dr. Ernest Hilaire urged public sector departments to show more urgency on tourism committee work, warning that delays and missed quorums cost businesses “time is money.” Sea Moss Industry Upgrade: Stakeholders in Savannes Bay are rolling out standards and restoration support for sea moss farming, including marine debris removal and sustainable raft systems, to protect livelihoods and the mangrove environment. Energy Sector Reform: Saint Lucia’s lower house passed a new electricity law to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and open the grid to independent green energy suppliers. Water Pressure on the Economy: Reporting highlights ongoing water scarcity pressures, with intermittent supply disrupting households and raising risks for tourism and hospitality as climate conditions remain uncertain. Hospitality Jobs: Almando Rigby was appointed General Manager of Windjammer Landing Resort & Residences in St. Lucia, effective June 15, to lead operations across key departments. Agriculture Skills: Taiwan Technical Mission ran a guava grafting workshop for farmers and students, sharing practical methods to improve growth and disease resistance.

Energy & Investment: Saint Lucia’s lower house passed a new electricity law that opens the grid to independent green energy suppliers, aiming to cut the island’s risky reliance on fossil-fuel generation. Tourism Operations: Tourism Minister Dr. Ernest Hilaire urged public sector departments to show up and act faster on tourism committee work, warning that delays cost businesses “time is money.” Sea Moss & Fisheries: Stakeholders moved to revive Saint Lucia’s sea moss industry at Savannes Bay, including plans for marine debris removal and sustainable raft systems, plus efforts to tackle abandoned seamoss farms with mapping and zoning. Water for Farmers: The Seven Crops Project rehabilitated a clogged irrigation system in Babonneau, improving water quality and supply for about 50 farmers across roughly 100 acres. Agriculture Skills: Taiwan Technical Mission ran a guava grafting workshop at its Union demonstration farm, training farmers and students on grafting for better yields and disease resistance. Regulation & Consumer Help: Regulators in Dominica and St Lucia asked Flow for a detailed report after a major service outage, while a separate push aims to streamline consumer complaint routing across agencies.

Water Access Gap: A new global map highlights that over 2 billion people still lack safely managed drinking water, with access near-universal in wealthy regions but far below 20% in several low-income countries. Tourism Operations Push: Tourism Minister Dr. Ernest Hilaire urged public sector departments to show more urgency on tourism committee work, warning that delays cost private businesses “time is money.” Sea Moss Upgrade Plan: Stakeholders in Savannes Bay are moving to revive the sea moss industry with standards, marine debris removal, and sustainable raft systems, alongside mapping and zoning to bring farmers back into priority areas. Energy Market Opening: Saint Lucia’s lower house passed an electricity bill to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and allow independent green energy suppliers to generate for the national grid. Water Scarcity Pressure: Reporting on St. Lucia’s ongoing water stress shows how intermittent supply and climate uncertainty keep pushing households and tourism toward costly backup options. Flow Outage Accountability: Telecom regulators in Dominica and St. Lucia have requested a detailed report from Flow after a major service disruption, with preliminary blame pointing to a fibre fault between Guadeloupe and Antigua. Agriculture Skills Boost: A guava grafting workshop at Taiwan Technical Mission’s demonstration farm trained farmers and students on techniques to improve growth, disease resistance, and faster fruiting.

Energy & Utilities Reform: Saint Lucia’s lower house passed a new electricity law that opens the grid to independent green energy suppliers, aiming to cut risky fossil-fuel dependence. Tourism Operations: Tourism Minister Dr. Ernest Hilaire urged public sector departments to show up on tourism committee boards and stop delaying decisions, warning that “time is money” for businesses. Sea Moss Industry Upgrade: Stakeholders are moving to revive Savannes Bay’s sea moss sector with standards, mapping and zoning, plus marine debris removal and sustainable raft systems to protect farms and livelihoods. Water Security: PM Philip J. Pierre clarified that WASCO water-rate changes are set by the independent NURC, while St. Lucia continues to face intermittent supply pressures tied to climate swings. Agriculture Skills: Taiwan Technical Mission ran a guava grafting workshop at its Union demonstration farm, training farmers and students on faster, more resilient fruit production. Regional Connectivity: Telecom regulators in Dominica and Saint Lucia reviewed a Flow outage caused by a fibre fault between Guadeloupe and Antigua, pushing for stronger network resilience and backup plans. STEM for Youth: ECCB announced a free 2026 STEM Camp starting July 6 for ages 14–18 across ECCU member states, including Saint Lucia.

Sea Moss & Fisheries: The Fisheries Department fully endorses the Savannes Bay Restoration Programme, using “buoys” to protect farm plots and support safer, more efficient sea moss production while pushing value-added capacity for local farmers. Agriculture Skills: Taiwan Technical Mission hosted a guava grafting workshop at its Union demonstration farm, training farmers, students and extension officers on grafting methods to boost yields and resilience. Water & Farming: Seven Crops Project rehabilitated a clogged irrigation system in Babonneau, restoring supply for about 50 farmers across roughly 100 acres. Energy Policy: Saint Lucia’s lower house passed a new electricity law to reduce fossil-fuel reliance and open the grid to independent green energy suppliers. Tourism Pressure Points: The Tourism Advisory Committee met with SLHTA to tackle urgent challenges facing the sector, with Minister Dr. Ernest Hilaire urging faster, coordinated action. Telecom Disruption: Regulators in Dominica and Saint Lucia urged Flow customers to plan backups after a major outage traced to a fibre fault between Guadeloupe and Antigua. Fuel & LPG Stability: Government kept retail gasoline, diesel, kerosene and LPG prices unchanged for June 22–July 12, maintaining targeted subsidies. Regional Blue Economy: CRFM, FAO and CAF launched an open-access Caribbean Blue Economy Knowledge Hub for fisheries, aquaculture and marine planning.

Energy & Utilities Reform: Saint Lucia’s lower house passed a new electricity law to cut reliance on fossil fuels and open the grid to independent green energy suppliers. Water Security & Governance: PM Philip J. Pierre clarified that WASCO tariff changes are set by the independent NURC, while the island continues to face politically sensitive water stress. Telecom Resilience: Regulators in Dominica and Saint Lucia reviewed a major Flow outage blamed on a fibre fault between Guadeloupe and Antigua, urging customers to plan backups. Agriculture & Water for Farmers: In Babonneau, a rehabilitation project cleared silt, upgraded filtration and irrigation, and restored reliable water access for about 50 farmers. Blue Economy Knowledge: CRFM, FAO and CAF launched an open-access Caribbean Blue Economy Knowledge Hub for fisheries, aquaculture and marine planning, including Saint Lucia. STEM for Youth: ECCB announced a free 2026 STEM Camp starting July 6 for ages 14–18 across ECCU member states, including Saint Lucia. Tourism & Hospitality: Tourism Minister Dr. Ernest Hilaire urged faster action and stronger public-private collaboration as competition and utility pressures mount. Seamoss Industry Recovery: A project targets abandoned seamoss farms in Savannes Bay, removing debris and testing more environmentally friendly raft systems.

Energy & Utilities Reform: Saint Lucia’s lower house has passed a new electricity law that opens the grid to independent green energy suppliers, aiming to cut the island’s risky reliance on fossil-fuel generation. Water Security & Cost Controls: PM Philip J. Pierre reiterated that WASCO rate changes are set by the independent NURC, while the government kept fuel and LPG prices unchanged for June 22–July 12, maintaining diesel and kerosene subsidies and LPG support. Telecom Resilience: Regulators in Dominica and Saint Lucia said Flow’s outage was linked to a fibre fault between Guadeloupe and Antigua, and urged customers to plan backup communication options. Agriculture & Water for Farmers: In Babonneau, a rehabilitation project cleared silt, upgraded filtration and irrigation links, restoring reliable water access for about 50 farmers. Seamoss Industry Recovery: A project is targeting abandoned seamoss farms in Savannes Bay, using mapping and zoning plus more environmentally friendly raft systems. Blue Economy Knowledge: CRFM, FAO and CAF launched an open-access Caribbean Blue Economy Knowledge Hub for fisheries, aquaculture and marine planning, including Saint Lucia. Tourism & Industry Partnerships: The Tourism Authority and Arsenal announced a multi-year global partnership, with Dr. Ernest Hilaire defending the deal while declining to disclose costs. Education for Industry Skills: Saint Lucia launched P.E.R.T., an AI-driven programme to realign education with future workforce needs.

Energy Reform: Saint Lucia’s lower house has passed a major electricity law that opens the grid to independent green energy suppliers, aiming to cut the island’s risky reliance on fossil-fuel generation. Water Pressure: PM Philip J. Pierre says WASCO can’t set its own tariffs and that only the independent NURC can approve rate changes, as the island continues to face intermittent supply and rising household costs. Telecom Reliability: Regulators in Dominica and Saint Lucia say Flow’s outage was linked to a fibre fault between Guadeloupe and Antigua, and they’re urging customers and businesses to set backup communication plans. Agriculture & Water for Farmers: A rehabilitation project in Babonneau restored a clogged irrigation system, improving water access for about 50 farmers. STEM & Youth Skills: The ECCB will host a free 2026 STEM Camp starting July 6 for ages 14–18 across ECCU member states, including Saint Lucia. Tourism Industry Moves: The Saint Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association re-elected Erwin Louisy as president through 2028, with utilities like water and energy highlighted as key to growth. Fuel & LPG Stability: Government kept retail fuel and LPG prices unchanged for June 22–July 12, maintaining diesel and kerosene subsidies and LPG support. Blue Economy Knowledge: CRFM, with FAO and CAF, launched an open-access Caribbean Blue Economy Knowledge Hub for fisheries, aquaculture and marine planning. OECS Anniversary Action: OECS staff helped restore wildfire-scarred land at Point Vierge, Micoud, planting fire-resilient species as part of the 45th anniversary push.

Energy Reform: Saint Lucia’s lower house has passed a new electricity bill that opens the grid to independent green power suppliers, aiming to cut the island’s risky reliance on fossil-fuel generation. Water Security: With drought pressure still looming, farmers in Babonneau, Chassin, got a water lifeline after rehabilitation work cleared silt, improved filtration, and upgraded irrigation—supporting about 50 farmers over roughly 100 acres. Utility Governance: PM Philip J. Pierre reiterated that WASCO cannot set its own water rates; tariff changes are handled by the independent NURC, with phased rollouts to fund infrastructure upgrades. Telecom Resilience: Regulators in Dominica and Saint Lucia urged customers to plan backups after a Flow outage tied to a fibre fault between Guadeloupe and Antigua, while Flow said it’s strengthening network resilience. Fuel & LPG Stability: Government kept fuel and LPG prices unchanged for June 22–July 12, maintaining diesel and kerosene subsidies and LPG support to cushion household costs. Solar Pipeline: GIZ is seeking bids for the design, supply and installation of 10 grid-tied solar PV systems across Saint Lucia, with installation expected after contract signing in 2026–2027. Agriculture & Climate: OECS staff marked the 45th anniversary with fire-resilient tree planting at Point Vierge, Micoud, targeting land recovery after wildfire damage. STEM for Youth: ECCB announced its free 2026 STEM Camp for ages 14–18 across ECCU territories, running July 6 for four weeks and focused on tech and leadership skills. Tourism Industry: The SLHTA re-elected Erwin Louisy through 2028, with utilities—water, energy resilience, and telecoms—front and centre for tourism growth.

Education & AI Readiness: Saint Lucia launched P.E.R.T., a Programme for Educational Realignment and Transformation, bringing educators and partners together to better prepare students for an AI-driven future. Water & Agriculture Resilience: Babonneau farmers received a water lifeline after rehabilitation work cleared silt, improved filtration, and upgraded irrigation—supporting about 50 farmers across roughly 100 acres. Telecom Reliability: Regulators in Dominica and Saint Lucia reviewed a major Flow outage caused by a fibre fault between Guadeloupe and Antigua, urging customers to plan backups and pushing for stronger network resilience. Utilities & Cost of Living: PM Philip J. Pierre reiterated that WASCO rate changes are set by the independent NURC, while the government kept fuel and LPG prices unchanged for June 22–July 12 under the modified pass-through mechanism. Blue Economy Knowledge: CRFM, with FAO and CAF, launched an open-access Caribbean Blue Economy Knowledge Hub for fisheries, aquaculture, and marine spatial planning, with Saint Lucia among participating countries. Tourism Industry Moves: Erwin Louisy was re-elected SLHTA president through 2028 as the sector weighs growth alongside utilities like water, energy, and telecoms. Solar Procurement: GIZ opened an expression of interest for design, supply and installation of 10 grid-tied solar PV systems across Saint Lucia.