AGP Executive Report

Creative Industries & IP: St. Kitts and Nevis sent songwriter Collin Wyatt and the IP office’s Jihan Williams-Knight to a WIPO forum in Accra, focusing on how music can turn intellectual property into real business value—Caribbean artistes and IP offices including Grenada took part. Trade & Logistics Tech: St. Kitts and Nevis is pushing a National Electronic Single Window with the World Bank to let traders submit documents through one digital platform, aiming to cut red tape and speed goods across borders. Food Systems & Local Value: A food industry voice is urging festival and Carnival revenue to reach small farmers, fishers and producers instead of being drained by imports. Renewables Learning Mission (Grenada): Grenada’s climate and renewable energy team is in Morocco on a learning mission, visiting major wind and solar projects and exploring regional cooperation via OECS. Regional Connectivity: EllaLink officially launched its Caribbean Gateway development phase, targeting service by end-2029 with a route linking Cayenne to Martinique/Guadeloupe and a western leg to Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire, with onward links to other islands including Grenada. Animal Health & Production: Grenada’s veterinary team completed a Carriacou visit to strengthen herd health and support the Limlair Livestock Facility with training and supplies. Security & Governance (Regional): The OAS called for full UN backing to renew and fully deploy Haiti’s Gang Repression Force, urging personnel, funding and logistics. Sports: Grenfin Swim Club retained its OECS qualifier title at the Grenfin Invitational, while St. Kitts and Nevis beat Grenada 3–0 in Nations League action.

Telecom Infrastructure: EllaLink has moved its EllaLink Caribbean Gateway from design into the development phase, targeting service by end-2029 with an open, carrier-neutral submarine route from Cayenne to Martinique/Guadeloupe and a western leg to Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire, with branches/interconnection planned for islands including Grenada. Renewable Energy & Policy: Grenada’s climate ministry delegation is in Morocco for a renewable energy learning mission, visiting major wind and solar sites and exploring cooperation with OECS partners on regional clean-energy development. Tourism & Airlift: St. Lucia is forecasting a stronger winter season (Nov 2026–Mar 2027) with higher seat capacity and more frequent US routes—an airlift signal the wider OECS tourism sector will watch. Public Works Finance: Antigua and Barbuda’s parliament approved an EC$87M Transport Board loan guarantee, with funds split between refinancing and immediate road works, drawing opposition scrutiny over road funding priorities. Agriculture & Food Security: Grenada’s veterinary team completed a Carriacou visit to strengthen herd health and support the Limlair Livestock Facility with training plus medications and supplies. Labour & Tourism Quality: An ILO study flags informality and weak protections as limits on Eastern Caribbean tourism’s ability to deliver decent work and sustainable growth. Sports: Grenfin Swim Club retained its championship title at the Grenfin Invitational, securing the George A. Menezes Challenge Trophy for a fifth straight year. Culture: Calypso legend Slinger Francisco, the Mighty Sparrow, died at 91, with tributes highlighting his role in carrying Caribbean social commentary worldwide.

Transport & Infrastructure: Parliament approved an EC$87M government guarantee for the Antigua and Barbuda Transport Board, with EC$67M to refinance debt and EC$20M earmarked for immediate road works—an arrangement that drew opposition scrutiny over how road funding is managed. Regional Trade & Services: OECS trade officials and stakeholders across public, private and civil society sectors received EU-funded training to strengthen trade policy and negotiating capacity for services across Protocol member states, including Grenada. Agriculture & Food Security: Grenada’s Veterinary and Livestock Division completed a three-day support visit to Carriacou to boost herd health, deliver medications and equipment, and train farm assistants at the Limlair Livestock Facility. Livestock Production: The same Limlair push is aimed at strengthening local protein supply through better animal health care and facility management. Digital Connectivity: EllaLink launched its Caribbean Gateway initiative, moving from design to committed investment for a submarine cable linking Cayenne to Martinique and Guadeloupe, with western branches serving Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire, targeted for service by end-2029. Labour Relations: Grenada’s Public Workers’ Union and NAWASA reached a preliminary agreement on retroactive payments and salary increases, leading the union to suspend industrial action. Culture & Industry: Calypso icon Slinger Francisco—The Mighty Sparrow—died at 91, a reminder of Grenada’s cultural reach and the Caribbean’s entertainment economy.

Transport Finance Watch: Parliament approved an EC$87M government guarantee for an Antigua and Barbuda Transport Board loan, with EC$67M for debt refinancing and EC$20M earmarked for immediate road works—plus a promise to cover any repayment shortfalls, raising questions about how road funding is prioritized. Agriculture & Food Security: Grenada’s Veterinary and Livestock Division completed a three-day Carriacou visit to strengthen herd health at the Limlair Livestock Facility, including assessments, treatments, and a handover of medications and supplies to support local protein production. Trade Skills for Growth: OECS, with EU funding, ran specialized training for services-sector trade stakeholders across member states, including Grenada, to boost policy and negotiating capacity. Regional Tourism Jobs: An ILO study flags that tourism’s big GDP and employment role across OECS countries is held back by informality, weak labour protections, skills gaps, and limited access to financing. Caribbean Connectivity: EllaLink launched its Caribbean Gateway initiative, moving from design to committed investment for a route serving Martinique, Guadeloupe, and western landings via Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire, targeting service by end-2029. Culture: Grenada-born calypso icon Slinger Francisco (“The Mighty Sparrow”) died at 91, with CARICOM and regional voices hailing his global impact.

Animal Health & Food Security: Grenada’s Veterinary and Livestock Division completed a three-day Carriacou visit to strengthen herd health at the Limlair Livestock Facility, including assessments, treatments, staff training, and a handover of medications and farm supplies to support local protein production. Trade in Services: OECS, with EU funding, delivered specialised training for public, private and civil society stakeholders across the region to boost trade policy development and negotiation skills for the services sector, with Grenada among the in-country sessions. Labour Relations: The Grenada Public Workers’ Union and NAWASA reached a preliminary agreement on retroactive payments and salary increases, leading the union to suspend industrial action. Tourism Jobs & Protections: An ILO study warns that Eastern Caribbean tourism’s big economic role is held back by informality, weak labour protections, skills gaps and limited access to finance—hurting the push for decent work. Regional Tourism Investment: CARICOM’s private sector group welcomed Royal Caribbean’s planned $3bn, 50% stake in Sandals and Beaches, expected to close in early 2027, as a major boost for Caribbean vacation supply chains. Culture & Industry Legacy: Calypso icon “The Mighty Sparrow” (Slinger Francisco), born in Grenada, died at 91 in New York, leaving a landmark career that helped export Caribbean music worldwide.

OECS Services Skills Boost: OECS Commission, with EU funding, is training trade in services stakeholders across public, private and civil society in Antigua, Dominica, Grenada and more to strengthen regional policy, regulation and negotiating capacity. Animal Health & Food Security: Grenada’s Veterinary and Livestock Division completed a 3-day support visit to Carriacou’s Limlair Livestock Facility, including herd health assessments, treatment, and handover of medications and supplies to improve purebred animal management. Food Import Bill Focus: CARICOM ministers meeting in Jamaica for the 2026 Caribbean Week of Agriculture are pushing agri-business, climate-smart tech and export expansion to cut the region’s $13.7bn food import bill. Tourism Jobs Under Pressure: An ILO study warns that informality and weak labour protections are holding back Eastern Caribbean tourism growth, despite tourism’s large share of GDP and employment. Regional Tourism Deal: CPSO and cruise industry groups are reacting to Royal Caribbean’s planned $3bn, 50% stake in Sandals and Beaches, expected to close in early 2027, aiming to link cruise and land holidays and strengthen regional supply chains. Haiti Security Call: OAS member states, including Grenada, urge UN renewal and full deployment of Haiti’s Gang Suppression Force with personnel, funding and equipment. Culture Loss: Grenada-born calypso legend “The Mighty Sparrow” (Slinger Francisco) died at 91, prompting tributes across the Caribbean diaspora.

Tourism Deal: Royal Caribbean Group has agreed to buy a 50% stake in Sandals and Beaches Resorts in a roughly US$3bn transaction, expected to close in early 2027—an expansion move that links cruise and land holidays and could reshape Caribbean vacation supply chains. Local Business Recognition: Grenada’s Real Value Supermarket IGA says its managing director, Hassan Hadeed, was named IGA International Retailer of the Year for the Caribbean, spotlighting retail leadership and customer service. Agriculture & Resilience: A week-long FAO mission with Grenada’s wider region focus trained stakeholders on coconut botany and production, aiming to strengthen the coconut value chain and boost yields. Maritime Safety: A retired Coast Guard captain is training government ferry crews in emergency response drills after the MV Barima sinking, pushing for faster, safer onboard action. Regional Security: OAS member states—including Grenada—are calling for the UN to renew and fully fund Haiti’s Gang Suppression Force mandate. Culture: Calypso legend Slinger Francisco, “The Mighty Sparrow,” died at 91; Grenada-born, he helped carry Caribbean music worldwide.

Tourism Deal Watch: Royal Caribbean Group has agreed to buy a 50% stake in Sandals and Beaches Resorts in a roughly US$3 billion partnership, expected to close in early 2027, a move that could deepen land-and-sea vacation packages across the Caribbean and boost regional supply chains. Regional Business Signals: The CARICOM Private Sector Organisation says the deal is a defining moment for Caribbean enterprise scaling across the Single Market and Economy. Grenada Investment Pipeline: Government presented Project Polaris to international partners at UNGA 81, pitching a new General Hospital and “Medical City” as a healthcare, jobs, and talent-growth opportunity for Grenada and the Eastern Caribbean. Energy & Infrastructure Procurement: Grenada published a tender for preparatory civil works and water-supply equipment ahead of geothermal slim-hole drilling at two sites, with bids due 6 November. Public Sector Labour: NAWASA workers have resumed industrial action over outstanding payments and unresolved collective bargaining. Culture & Heritage: Calypso icon Slinger Francisco, “The Mighty Sparrow,” died at 91; Grenada’s Ministry of Culture joined regional mourning.

Geothermal Push: Government of Grenada has issued a tender for preparatory infrastructure and water-supply equipment ahead of exploratory geothermal slim-hole drilling at two sites (C and F), including access roads, drill-pad works, electrical/mechanical systems, and generators/pumps, with bids due 6 November 2026. Tourism Deal Watch: Royal Caribbean Group has agreed to buy a 50% stake in Sandals and Beaches Resorts for about US$3 billion, expected to close in early 2027—an expansion that puts Grenada-linked Sandals properties in a bigger cruise-to-resort vacation pipeline. Healthcare Investment: Project Polaris was pitched to international partners at UNGA 81, positioning Grenada’s new General Hospital and “Medical City” as a platform for healthcare services, research, technology, wellness, jobs, and private-sector investment. Public Finance Scrutiny: Budget Alert commentary questions Grenada’s fiscal narrative, flagging gaps around the projected deficit, unemployment, debt, deposit drawdowns, and the real cost of commitments outside the ordinary budget cycle. Maritime Safety Training: A retired Coast Guard captain is training government ferry crews on emergency response drills after the MV Barima tragedy, focusing on fires, abandon-ship, rescue, and collision response. Labour Update: NAWASA workers have resumed industrial action over outstanding payments and unresolved collective bargaining. Diplomacy & Trade: Nepal and Grenada formally established diplomatic relations, with cooperation discussed on SDG progress, climate impacts, tourism, and education.

OAS & Haiti Security: Thirty-two OAS member states, including Grenada, have urged the UN Security Council to renew Haiti’s Gang Suppression Force mandate and to back it with personnel, funding, equipment and logistics, stressing Haitian-led solutions. Grenada Public Finance Scrutiny: A new Budget Alert review examines Grenada’s 2026 Mid-Year Review and EC$310.9m supplementary budget, focusing on how the enlarged budget is financed and where key questions remain unanswered. Geothermal Readiness: Grenada has published a tender for preparatory civil infrastructure and water supply equipment for exploratory geothermal slim-hole drilling at two sites, with bids due 6 November 2026. Tourism Deal With Regional Impact: Royal Caribbean and Sandals have signed a landmark agreement: Royal Caribbean will buy a 50% stake in Sandals and Beaches Resorts for about US$3bn, with closing expected early 2027—big news for Caribbean hospitality, including Sandals’ Grenada presence. Local Business Recognition: Real Value Supermarket IGA’s managing director, Hassan Hadeed, has been named IGA International Retailer of the Year for the Caribbean. Diplomacy & Cooperation: Nepal and Grenada have formally established diplomatic relations, opening new avenues for cooperation on SDGs, climate action, tourism and education.

Tourism Deal Watch: Royal Caribbean Group has agreed to buy a 50% stake in Sandals and Beaches Resorts for about US$3 billion, with closing expected in early 2027—an expansion that could deepen cruise-to-resort cross-selling across the Caribbean, including Sandals properties in Grenada. Local Industry & Business: Grenada’s Real Value Supermarket IGA says its managing director, Hassan Hadeed, was named IGA International Retailer of the Year for the Caribbean, adding fresh international spotlight on the island’s retail sector. Energy & Infrastructure: The Government of Grenada has published a tender for preparatory civil works and equipment ahead of exploratory geothermal slim-hole drilling, including access roads, water supply infrastructure, drill pads and power equipment, funded with support from the Caribbean Development Bank. Public Sector Labour: NAWASA workers in Grenada have resumed industrial action over outstanding payments and unresolved collective bargaining. Diplomacy for Trade: Nepal and Grenada have formally established diplomatic relations, opening a new channel for cooperation on areas like tourism and education.

Geothermal Push: Grenada’s Government published a tender for preparatory civil works and water-supply equipment ahead of exploratory geothermal slim-hole drilling, covering access roads, drill pads, pipelines, and power equipment (bids close 6 Nov 2026). Tourism Investment: Royal Caribbean Group signed a deal to buy a 50% stake in Sandals and Beaches Resorts for about US$3bn, with a joint venture expected to close in early 2027—big implications for Caribbean all-inclusive growth, including Sandals’ presence in Grenada. Healthcare Dealmaking: Grenada’s Project Polaris was pitched to international partners at UNGA sidelines, positioning the new General Hospital and “Medical City” as a platform for investment, jobs, and regional healthcare capacity. Diplomacy & Trade: India and CARICOM foreign ministers met in New York, with Grenada’s Finance Minister among participants, discussing deeper cooperation on agriculture, digital governance, climate resilience, energy, and UN reforms. Public Sector Pressure: NAWASA workers in Grenada resumed industrial action over outstanding payments and unresolved collective bargaining. Ports Clarification: Grenada Ports Authority urged the public not to assume blame in the Grand Anse Beach Carnival incident, saying investigations are ongoing and no responsibility has been assigned.

Tourism & Investment: The CARICOM Private Sector Organisation called the Royal Caribbean–Sandals Resorts landmark partnership a “defining moment” for regional business, with Royal Caribbean set to invest about US$3bn for a 50% stake in Sandals and Beaches Resorts, expected to close in early 2027—an expansion that puts Grenada’s hospitality brands in a bigger global vacation pipeline. Geothermal Development: Grenada published a tender for preparatory civil works and water-supply equipment ahead of exploratory geothermal slim-hole drilling for two sites, with bids due 6 Nov 2026. Healthcare & Growth: Government unveiled Project Polaris to prospective partners, pitching the new General Hospital and Medical City as a platform for investment, jobs, research, technology and wellness across the Eastern Caribbean. Public Works: Temporary one-lane traffic controls are planned on Mt Alexander Road, St Patrick, for about four weeks to support road upgrades. Labour/Utilities: NAWASA workers have resumed picketing over outstanding payments and unresolved collective bargaining. Diplomacy: Nepal and Grenada formally established diplomatic relations in New York, opening new cooperation pathways.

Geothermal Push: Grenada published a tender for preparatory civil works and water-supply equipment ahead of exploratory geothermal slim-hole drilling for two sites, with bids due 6 Nov 2026 and lots covering access roads, drill-pad works, and diesel generators/pumps. Healthcare Investment Pitch: Government showcased Project Polaris to international partners at UNGA sidelines, pitching the General Hospital and wider Medical City as a platform for healthcare services, research, technology, wellness, jobs, and skills. Tourism & Hospitality Deal: Royal Caribbean agreed to invest about US$3bn for a 50% stake in Sandals and Beaches Resorts, a move that could deepen land-based vacation offerings across the Caribbean including Grenada. Retail Recognition: Real Value Supermarket IGA’s managing director, Hassan Hadeed, was named IGA International Retailer of the Year for the Caribbean. Waste Management Upgrade: A commercial glass pulveriser—funded via GHTA’s Tourism Enhancement Fund—was commissioned to boost glass recovery and reduce recyclable waste going to landfill. Industry Sports: Sandals Grenada Beach Resort & Spa won the 2026 GCIC Inter-Sector Football Tournament, beating Acado Grenada in the final. Diplomacy for Growth: Nepal and Grenada established diplomatic relations, opening a new channel for cooperation on SDGs, tourism, and education.

Geothermal Push: Grenada published a tender for preparatory civil works and water-supply equipment ahead of exploratory geothermal slim-hole drilling for two sites (C and F), with bids due 6 Nov 2026—covering access roads, drill pads, electrical/mechanical systems, and diesel generators/pumps. Healthcare Investment Pitch: Project Polaris was presented to international investors at UNGA 81, positioning Grenada’s General Hospital and “Medical City” as a partnership opportunity spanning healthcare operations, research, technology, wellness, and jobs. Tourism Waste & Circularity: The Grenada Hotel and Tourism Association funded a commercial glass pulveriser (EC$486,000) commissioned for the Solid Waste Management Authority, boosting glass recovery and diversion. Retail Business Win: Real Value Supermarket IGA’s managing director, Hassan Hadeed, was named IGA International Retailer of the Year for the Caribbean. Hospitality & Travel Capital: Royal Caribbean agreed to take a 50% stake in Sandals and Beaches Resorts for about US$3bn, expected to close in early 2027—adding Sandals’ Caribbean resort footprint, including Grenada, to its vacation platform. Diplomacy with Trade Links: Nepal and Grenada formally established diplomatic relations, with cooperation discussed in tourism and education.

Cruise-to-resort deal: Royal Caribbean has confirmed a $3bn investment for a 50% stake in Sandals Resorts, valuing the operator at about $6bn and setting up a joint venture that blends cruise distribution with all-inclusive stays across the Caribbean, with closing expected in early 2027. Healthcare investment pitch: Grenada used UNGA 81 to present Project Polaris to global partners, positioning the new General Hospital and Medical City as a platform for jobs, research, technology and wider Eastern Caribbean healthcare capacity. Retail milestone: Real Value Supermarket IGA’s managing director, Hassan Hadeed, was named IGA International Retailer of the Year for the Caribbean, highlighting Grenada’s service and innovation in grocery retail. Tourism momentum: Spicemas delivered a 20% jump in visitor arrivals for the Aug. 2–11 period, with non-nationals driving most of the gain. Waste management upgrade: Grenada commissioned a GHTA-funded glass pulveriser (EC$486,000) to boost glass recovery and cut recyclable waste entering the stream. CBI scrutiny: IMA Grenada commissioned an independent review of its Citizenship by Investment programme, with public input via an anonymous online questionnaire running Sept–Oct 2026. Energy costs: Grenada raised kerosene and some LPG prices while gasoline and diesel stayed unchanged. Local business sport: Sandals Grenada Beach Resort & Spa won the GCIC Inter-Sector Football Tournament, beating Acado Grenada in the final.