AGP Executive Report

Renewables Push: Energy Minister Shawn Edward says Saint Lucia must accelerate solar and geothermal use and proposes zero-rating VAT on solar panels, batteries, inverters and installation for five years to cut electricity costs and reduce dependence on imported oil. Airport Upgrade: Hewanorra International Airport redevelopment is at an “advanced stage,” with the air traffic control tower about 95% complete and expected to be fully functional in early 2027; SLASPA has selected a contractor for the wider works. Roads & Connectivity: Infrastructure Minister Shawn Edward toured Vieux Fort North and Choiseul, outlining phased rehabilitation for the Canelles–Vigé road and the Chu Tigre area, while the North–South link road remains a concept but is now a government priority. Water Reliability: WASCO, with JICA support, aims to cut non-revenue water by 5% over three to five years by fixing leaks, repairing meters and tackling unauthorised use. Cruise Port Scholarships: Saint Lucia Cruise Port awarded two full undergraduate scholarships (STEM and non-STEM) to Shyne Savory and Rhea Barrett, covering tuition, living costs and airfare for up to four years. Tourism Market Risk: SLHTA says limited cancellations so far after a higher U.S. travel advisory, but stresses diversifying tourism markets. Local Business Watch: The Chamber of Commerce urges caution on calls for Carnival Monday/Tuesday public holidays due to operational pressure on businesses. Agriculture & Food Security: Agriculture Minister Lisa Jawahir links egg shortages to farmers turning over flocks and says unregistered farmers are missing out on support. Public Safety Info: The Agriculture Ministry debunks a viral “snake in toilet” claim, saying the video was not recorded in Saint Lucia and points residents to wildlife officers for real incidents.

Renewables Push: Energy Minister Shawn Edward says Saint Lucia should accelerate solar and geothermal use and proposes zero-rating VAT on solar panels, batteries, inverters and installation for five years to cut bills and reduce oil-price shocks. Airport Upgrade: At Hewanorra International Airport, the air traffic control tower is about 95% complete and could be fully functional by early 2027, while the wider redevelopment contractor has been selected after bidding. Water Efficiency: WASCO, with JICA support, is targeting a 5% reduction in non-revenue water over the next few years by fixing leaks, repairing meters and curbing unauthorised use. Roads & Connectivity: Infrastructure Minister Shawn Edward reports the North-South link road is still at concept stage, while separate road rehabilitation plans move forward in Vieux Fort North and Choiseul. Skills Pipeline: CARICOM’s push for TVET is echoed locally as Saint Lucia’s TVET centres are highlighted for building practical, digital-ready skills. Food & Farming: Agriculture Minister Lisa Jawahir links the egg shortage to farmers turning over flocks and stresses better coordination with unregistered producers. Tourism Demand: SLHTA says limited cancellations so far after a higher U.S. travel advisory, but urges diversifying tourism markets. Education Support: Saint Lucia Cruise Port awards two full undergraduate scholarships for 2026, covering costs for STEM and non-STEM study abroad. Industry & Culture: Flow rolls out a Caribbean-wide CPL campaign, and Kisha Kay makes history as the first woman to win Groovy Soca Monarch.

Renewables Push: Minister Shawn Edward says Saint Lucia should cut fuel dependence by accelerating solar and geothermal adoption, including a proposed five-year VAT zero-rate on solar panels, batteries, inverters and installation. Airport Upgrade: Hewanorra International Airport redevelopment is “advanced,” with the air traffic control tower about 95% complete and expected to be fully functional in early 2027. Road Works: Infrastructure Minister Shawn Edward toured Vieux Fort North and Choiseul, outlining phased rehabilitation for the Canelles–Vigé stretch and the Chu Tigre road. Water Loss Cuts: WASCO, with JICA support, is targeting a 5% reduction in non-revenue water by fixing leaks, repairing meters and tackling unauthorised use. Skills for Industry: CARICOM’s push for stronger TVET is echoed in Saint Lucia’s TVET centres, as regional leaders stress practical and digital skills for jobs. Food Security: Egg shortages are linked to farmers turning over flocks; the Agriculture Minister calls for tighter coordination with registered producers. Consumer/Business Watch: The Chamber of Commerce urges caution on calls for Carnival Monday and Tuesday public holidays, warning of operational strain on businesses. Regional Trade/Policy: A U.S. Section 201 safeguard on quartz surface products starts Aug. 15, with tariff-rate quota limits that could raise costs for importers. Scholarships: Saint Lucia Cruise Port awarded two 2026 undergraduate scholarships covering tuition and living costs for STEM and non-STEM study abroad.

Renewables Push: Energy Minister Shawn Edward says Saint Lucia must accelerate solar and geothermal to cut fuel costs and protect households from global oil price shocks. Airport Upgrade: At Hewanorra International Airport, the air traffic control tower is about 95% complete and could be fully functional by early 2027, while the wider HIA redevelopment is at an advanced stage with a contractor selected. Road Works: Infrastructure Minister Shawn Edward toured Vieux Fort North and Choiseul, mapping phased rehabilitation for the Canelles–Vigé stretch and the Chu Tigre area road. Water Loss Cuts: WASCO, with Japan’s JICA, is targeting a 5% reduction in non-revenue water over the next few years by fixing leaks, meters, and stopping unauthorised use. Tourism & Markets: Saint Lucia’s tourism is absorbing a higher U.S. travel advisory impact with limited cancellations, but officials stress the need to diversify visitor sources. Food Security: Agriculture Minister Lisa Jawahir links the egg shortage to farmers turning over flocks and calls for tighter coordination with registered producers. Cruise Port Scholarships: Saint Lucia Cruise Port awarded two 2026 undergraduate scholarships covering tuition and living costs for STEM and non-STEM study abroad. Skills Development: Saint Lucia’s TVET centres are highlighted regionally as CARICOM urges stronger vocational and digital skills for jobs. Local Business Climate: The Chamber of Commerce urges caution on calls for adding Carnival public holidays, warning of operational strain on businesses. Energy Tax Relief Plan: Minister Keithson Charles proposes zero-rating VAT on solar panels, batteries, inverters and installation services for five years. Consumer Protection: Authorities warn a viral “expired food” claim was not recorded in Saint Lucia, as officials reiterate food safety and consumer awareness steps. AI Buildathon: Future Caribbean says 450-plus builders from 39 countries are developing deployable agentic AI solutions across sectors including logistics, food systems and energy. Diplomacy & Tech Links: Taiwan ICDF marks 30 years and points to cooperation projects including agricultural and digital governance work in Saint Lucia.

Tourism Resilience: Saint Lucia’s tourism sector is absorbing the impact of a higher U.S. travel advisory with only limited cancellations so far, but officials say the island can’t rely too heavily on one source market. Energy Push: Government is urging a faster shift to solar and geothermal to cut fuel costs and ease electricity pressure. Airport Upgrade: Hewanorra International Airport redevelopment is at an “advanced” stage, with the air traffic control tower about 95% complete and expected to be fully functional in early 2027. Water Loss Reduction: WASCO, with Japan’s JICA, is targeting a 5% cut in non-revenue water through leak repairs, meter fixes and stopping unauthorised use. Skills for Jobs: Saint Lucia’s TVET centres are being highlighted across CARICOM as the region calls for stronger technical and vocational training. Food Security Watch: The Agriculture Ministry says an egg shortage is linked to farmers turning over flocks and stresses better coordination with registered producers. Local Business & Consumer Alerts: The Ministry debunks a viral “snake in toilet” claim as not recorded in Saint Lucia, urging residents to verify before sharing. Cruise Port Scholarships: Saint Lucia Cruise Port awarded two full undergraduate scholarships for 2026, supporting STEM and non-STEM study abroad. Infrastructure Planning: The North-South link road remains at concept stage, though it’s now a government priority.

Hewanorra Airport Upgrade: Saint Lucia’s HIA redevelopment is moving ahead, with the air traffic control tower now about 95% complete and expected to be fully functional in early 2027. Water Loss Cuts: WASCO, working with Japan’s JICA, aims to reduce non-revenue water by 5% over the next few years by fixing leaks, repairing meters and tackling unauthorised use. Road Planning: The North-South link road remains at concept stage, but the government says it’s a priority and has attracted interest from companies looking at financing. Skills for Jobs: CARICOM’s push for stronger TVET is spotlighting Saint Lucia’s TVET centres as a regional example of training for a changing economy. Energy Cost Pressure: Saint Lucia is being urged to shift faster to solar and geothermal to cut fuel costs and protect electricity prices. Food Security: The Agriculture Ministry says the egg shortage is linked to farmers turning over flocks and highlights the role of unregistered farmers in future supply stability. Scholarships for STEM and beyond: Saint Lucia Cruise Port awarded two full undergraduate scholarships, including STEM and arts administration, covering tuition and living costs abroad. Digital Economy: A look at how Saint Lucia’s fintech growth is driven by tourism and everyday payments, building a more connected regional financial market.

TVET Skills Push: CARICOM’s education ministers heard a renewed call to invest in technical and vocational training, with Saint Lucia’s TVET centres held up as a regional example. Water Loss Crackdown: WASCO is partnering with Japan’s JICA to cut non-revenue water by 5% over the next few years through leak fixes, meter repairs and stopping unauthorised use. Roads & Logistics: Infrastructure Minister Shawn Edward says Saint Lucia’s North-South link road is still at concept stage, though it’s now a government priority and drawing financing interest. Airport Upgrade: Hewanorra International Airport redevelopment is “advanced,” with the air traffic control tower about 95% complete and expected to be fully functional in early 2027. Energy Cost Pressure: Saint Lucia is being urged to shift faster to solar and geothermal to reduce fuel costs and electricity dependence. Food Security: The Agriculture Ministry says an egg shortage is linked to farmers turning over flocks and stresses better coordination with registered producers. Consumer Protection: Officials warn a viral “expired food” claim was not recorded in Saint Lucia, and urge people to verify before sharing. Cruise Port Scholarships: Saint Lucia Cruise Port awarded two full undergraduate scholarships for 2026, covering tuition and living costs abroad. AI Buildathon: Future Caribbean’s Agentic AI buildathon drew 450-plus participants across 39 countries, targeting deployable solutions for sectors including logistics and food systems. Local Business & Culture: The Chamber of Commerce urges caution on calls for Carnival holiday changes, warning of operational strain on businesses. Arts & Heritage: CDF and Taiwan’s embassy plan a Level 2 wood sculpting workshop to boost market-ready creative skills.

Renewables Push: Saint Lucia’s Energy Minister Shawn Edward is urging a faster shift to solar and geothermal to cut fuel costs and ease pressure on electricity prices. Airport Upgrade: Hewanorra International Airport redevelopment is moving ahead, with the air traffic control tower about 95% complete and a contractor selected for the wider project, aiming for a fully functional tower by early 2027. Food Security: The Agriculture Ministry says an egg shortage is linked to farmers turning over flocks and highlights the gap created by unregistered farmers missing support; officials are urging better coordination with poultry producers. Misinformation Alert: The Agriculture Ministry also debunked a viral claim that a venomous snake was found in a Dennery toilet, saying the video was not recorded in Saint Lucia. Local Industry & Jobs: Labour officials signed a long-awaited collective agreement for Soufriere Marine Management Association workers, unlocking wage benefits from July 2026. Tourism & Sports Marketing: SLTA’s Arsenal partnership brings Arsenal legend Bacary Sagna into promotional work, while Secrets St. Lucia is teaming with the Saint Lucia Kings to boost sports tourism. Cruise Port Scholarships: Saint Lucia Cruise Port awarded two full undergraduate scholarships for 2026, covering tuition and living costs for students studying in Canada and the U.S. CPL Season: Flow launched a Caribbean-wide campaign supporting the 2026 Republic Bank CPL, backing the “Biggest Party in Sport.” Infrastructure Procurement: Government targets a November contract award for Julien R. Hunte Highway rehabilitation, pending procurement steps. Trade Watch: A new U.S. safeguard measure under Section 201 adds a tariff-rate quota on quartz surface products, with higher duties possible if quota allocations run out.

Renewables Push: Saint Lucia’s Energy Minister Shawn Edward urged faster solar and geothermal rollout to cut rising fuel-linked electricity costs. Airport Upgrade: Hewanorra International Airport redevelopment is at an “advanced stage,” with the air traffic control tower about 95% complete and aiming for a fully functional tower in early 2027. Cruise Port Scholarships: Saint Lucia Cruise Port awarded two full undergraduate scholarships to Shyne Savory and Rhea Barrett, covering tuition and living costs for up to four years. Food Security: The Agriculture Ministry says an egg shortage is tied to farmers turning over flocks and highlights the gap caused by unregistered farmers missing support. Misinformation Watch: Officials debunked a viral “snake in toilet” claim, saying the video wasn’t recorded in Saint Lucia. CPL & Connectivity: Flow launched its Caribbean-wide “We Live For This” campaign for the 2026 Republic Bank CPL, backing regional sports tourism and fan engagement. Roadworks Procurement: Government targets a November contract award for Julien R. Hunte Highway rehabilitation, pending procurement steps. Labour Relations: A long-awaited collective agreement was signed between SMMA and the Civil Service Association, unlocking wage benefits for workers. Trade Policy: A new Section 201 safeguard measure in the U.S. sets a four-year tariff-rate quota on quartz surface products starting Aug. 15, raising costs if importers exceed quota.

HIA Redevelopment: Hewanorra International Airport’s new air traffic control tower is about 95% complete, with a contractor selected for the wider redevelopment; the tower is expected to be fully functional in early 2027. Cruise Port Education: Saint Lucia Cruise Port awarded two full undergraduate scholarships—Shyne Savory (Arts Administration) and Rhea Barrett (Cell and Molecular Neuroscience)—covering tuition, living costs and airfare for up to four years. Agriculture & Food Security: The Agriculture Ministry says a viral “snake in a toilet” claim is false and not from Saint Lucia, while also addressing egg shortages by urging unregistered farmers to come forward and calling for tighter coordination with poultry producers. Business & Holidays: The St Lucia Chamber of Commerce urges caution on calls to make Carnival Monday and Tuesday public holidays, warning of operational pressure on sectors that must keep serving customers. Sports & Media: Flow launched its Caribbean-wide “We Live For This” campaign for the 2026 Republic Bank CPL, as the tournament kicks off and Saint Lucia’s Kings gear up for the season. Infrastructure Procurement: Government targets a November contract award for the Julien R. Hunte Highway rehabilitation, after procurement delays. Tourism Services: The Ramp on Reduit Beach has a new look after a washroom facility handover, with vendors hoping for a cruise-season pickup.

Food Security & Agriculture: Saint Lucia’s egg shortage is being blamed on farmers turning over flocks, while Agriculture Minister Lisa Jawahir says the bigger fix is bringing unregistered farmers into the support system and improving coordination with producers to prevent repeat disruptions. Infrastructure Procurement: The Julien R. Hunte Highway rehabilitation is still stuck in procurement, but Infrastructure Minister Shawn Edward says pre-qualification is in place and a contract award is targeted for November. Consumer Protection: A viral expired-food label incident has sparked renewed calls for stronger food safety and consumer awareness measures, even as Massy says it was not recorded in Saint Lucia. Public Works & Rehabilitation: The government is pushing inmate rehabilitation at Bordelais Correctional Facility with new education technology, including laptop computers to expand learning and vocational pathways. Tourism Marketing & Sports Tourism: The SLTA’s Arsenal partnership continues to roll out, while Secrets St. Lucia is linking up with the Saint Lucia Kings to boost sports tourism during the cricket season. Regional Policy Watch: EU pressure on Caribbean citizenship-by-investment programmes is intensifying, with Saint Lucia among the countries facing a June 2028 deadline tied to Schengen visa-free access.

MT5 Trading Access: PrimeXBT launched a Cent Account on its MetaTrader 5 platform, letting beginners and risk-conscious traders trade live markets with smaller position sizes, swap-free options, and access to Forex, gold, silver, and crypto CFDs. Tourism & Sports Marketing: Saint Lucia’s SLTA locked in Arsenal branding via Bacary Sagna, while Secrets St. Lucia teamed with the Saint Lucia Kings to push sports tourism through cricket-season visibility. Labour & Public Services: Labour officials signed a long-awaited collective agreement between SMMA and the CSA, unlocking wage benefits for SMMA employees, and the government handed Bordelais Correctional Facility inmates 10 laptops to expand education and vocational training. Skills for Industry: SALCC hosted a Faces of Development STEAM Camp for about 60 students, and 13 tour guides completed a regional sustainable tourism certification programme. EU Pressure on Mobility: The EU warned five Caribbean CBI countries, including Saint Lucia, to reform or phase out golden passports by June 1, 2028, or risk losing Schengen visa-free access. Health Surveillance: Saint Lucia ran a five-day workshop to strengthen its Integrated Health Surveillance Guidelines and multisector public health reporting. CPL Build-Up: Republic Bank CPL broadcast partners were confirmed, with Pan-Caribbean coverage set to expand as the tournament grows.

EU CBI Crackdown: The European Commission has formally warned five Eastern Caribbean states—including Saint Lucia—to reform or phase out citizenship-by-investment programmes by June 1, 2028, or risk losing Schengen visa-free access, with Brussels holding the final say on any future access. Tourism & Industry Partnerships: Saint Lucia’s Tourism Authority sealed a promotional push with Arsenal after a visit by club legend Bacary Sagna, while Secrets St. Lucia teamed up with the Saint Lucia Kings to boost sports tourism through on-kit branding. Labour & Skills: Labour officials signed a long-awaited collective agreement between SMMA and the Civil Service Association, and the government expanded inmate rehabilitation at Bordelais with new education technology. Public Services & Community: The Ramp at Reduit Beach received a comfort-station handover with murals and community-named stalls, and tour guides completed a regional sustainable tourism training programme. Sports Economy: The Republic Bank CPL confirmed broadcast partners and the Saint Lucia Kings kick off their 2026 campaign this weekend.

EU CBI Crackdown: The EU has warned Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and St. Kitts and Nevis to reform or phase out citizenship-by-investment programmes by June 1, 2028, or risk losing Schengen visa-free access—an issue already reshaping wealthy Nigerians’ mobility plans. Tourism & Sports Marketing: Saint Lucia’s SLTA locked in Arsenal branding with Bacary Sagna, while Secrets St. Lucia teamed with the Saint Lucia Kings to push sports tourism, including logo placement on the team kit. Labour & Wages: Labour officials signed a long-awaited collective agreement between SMMA and the CSA, clearing the way for wage benefits for SMMA employees effective July 2026. Prison Rehabilitation Tech: Bordelais Correctional Facility received 10 laptop computers to expand education and vocational training for inmates. Skills for Youth: SALCC hosted a Faces of Development STEAM Camp for about 60 students, boosting maths, robotics, and sustainability learning. CPL Build-Up: Republic Bank CPL broadcast partners were confirmed, with Flow launching “We Live For This” to fuel the 2026 season.

Banking & Consumer Finance: Republic Bank has relaunched its 2026 Pick Your Rate campaign, running to September 30, to make Make It Happen loans (personal, vehicle, mortgage, land) and sustainable energy financing more affordable by letting customers choose from pre-discounted rates. Tourism & Sports Marketing: Saint Lucia’s SLTA partnership with Arsenal is moving into full gear after Bacary Sagna’s visit, with destination photo and video content planned for wider promotion; meanwhile, Secrets St. Lucia Resort & Spa has teamed up with the Saint Lucia Kings to push sports tourism, including branding on the Kings’ kit. Labour & Workplace Relations: Labour officials say a long-awaited collective agreement has been signed between SMMA and the Civil Service Association, unlocking wage benefits effective July 2026. Corrections & Skills: The Bordelais Correctional Facility received 10 laptop computers to expand education and vocational training for inmates, supported by the education and home affairs ministries. Creative Sector Development: The Cultural Development Foundation renewed its partnership with Taiwan’s embassy for an advanced Spotlight Taiwan Wood Sculpting Workshop (Level 2) aimed at improving skills and market readiness. Public Health Systems: PAHO/WHO supported a five-day workshop to strengthen Saint Lucia’s Integrated Health Surveillance Guidelines for reporting and response to priority health events. CPL Countdown: The Republic Bank CPL is set to kick off with expanded coverage and major fan-facing activations, while the Saint Lucia Kings open their campaign this Sunday. EU Policy Watch: The EU has warned five Caribbean states, including Saint Lucia, to phase out citizenship-by-investment programmes by June 1, 2028, or risk losing Schengen visa-free access.

Tourism Marketing Push: Saint Lucia Tourism Authority sealed its Arsenal partnership with former Gunners star Bacary Sagna, using his image and likeness in destination photo/video production to boost global exposure. Sports Tourism: Secrets St. Lucia Resort & Spa teamed up with the Saint Lucia Kings, placing its logo on the team kit to ride the cricket season and drive regional travel. CPL Coverage Expansion: Republic Bank CPL confirmed broadcast partners and a wider 2026 footprint, while Flow launched its “We Live For This” campaign to spotlight cricket culture across the Caribbean. Labour & Wages: Labour officials signed a long-awaited collective agreement between Soufriere Marine Management Association (SMMA) and the Civil Service Association, unlocking wage benefits effective July 2026. Prison Rehabilitation Tech: Bordelais Correctional Facility received 10 laptops to strengthen education and vocational programmes for inmates, with agriculture, tailoring and small-engine repair already in place. Skills for Youth: SALCC hosted about 60 students for the Faces of Development STEAM Camp, focusing on maths plus robotics and biology. Public Health Systems: Saint Lucia advanced Integrated Health Surveillance capacity through a PAHO/WHO-supported training on new guidelines and reporting for priority health events. EU Pressure on Golden Passports: The EU warned five Eastern Caribbean states, including Saint Lucia, to phase out citizenship-by-investment by June 1, 2028 or risk losing Schengen visa-free access. Agriculture & Food Safety Debate: A local discussion renewed around pesticide-use data quality, arguing Saint Lucia needs better records and farmer training rather than assumptions.