AGP Executive Report

Cost of Living Relief: Grenada is moving ahead with its Cost of Living Assistance Programme, publishing a preliminary list of businesses eligible for the upcoming VAT-Free Weekend and inviting appeals to the Inland Revenue Division by 19 August 2026. Development Finance: The Caribbean Development Bank and the World Bank Group have agreed follow-up actions after a joint portfolio review of 11 active projects, spanning geothermal drilling, water supply, education, climate-smart agriculture and health. Digital Education Push: OECS SKIP says it has advanced the regional digital learning ecosystem after a major software development milestone in Grenada (July 27–30), targeting interoperable platforms for post-secondary education. Energy & Investment Diplomacy: Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell heads to Spain and then Qatar (Aug 13–19) to discuss funding support for Project Polaris, energy cooperation, and private sector investment. Sports & Youth: The Virgin Islands senior women won their first ECVA championship match, beating Grenada 3-1, with a next game against Bermuda. Tourism & Travel Policy Watch: A U.S. visa bond programme is now permanent for 50 countries, and the U.S. travel industry warns it could sharply reduce travel if expanded.

Cost of Living Relief: Grenada is moving ahead with its Cost of Living Assistance Programme, publishing a preliminary list of businesses eligible for the upcoming VAT-Free Weekend and inviting appeals to the Inland Revenue Division by 19 August 2026. Regional Education Tech: The OECS Skills and Innovation Project (SKIP) says a Grenada-hosted software development session has advanced plans for three digital platforms supporting a regionally interoperable post-secondary education ecosystem. Development Delivery: The Caribbean Development Bank and the World Bank Group have agreed follow-up actions after a joint portfolio review of 11 active Grenada projects, spanning geothermal drilling, water supply, education, climate-smart agriculture and health. Prime Minister’s Overseas Push: Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell will travel to Spain and then Qatar (13–19 August) to discuss funding support for Project Polaris, energy cooperation, and private sector investment. Energy & Food Security: The same CDB/World Bank review highlights work tied to renewable energy and climate-resilient farming—key themes for Grenada’s resilience and livelihoods. Sports & Youth: VI’s senior women’s volleyball team notched its first ECVA championship win, beating Grenada 3-1, while Grenada’s Groovy Soca scene celebrates Sabrina Francis as the first woman to win Groovy Soca Monarch in 11 years.

Cost of Living Relief: Grenada is moving ahead with its Cost of Living Assistance Programme, publishing a preliminary list of businesses eligible for the upcoming VAT-Free Weekend and inviting appeals to the Inland Revenue Division by 19 August 2026. Regional Education Tech: The OECS Skills and Innovation Project (SKIP) advanced Grenada’s role in building a regional digital learning ecosystem, following a Grenada-hosted software development milestone for platforms supporting post-secondary education. Development Delivery: The Caribbean Development Bank and the World Bank agreed follow-up actions after a joint portfolio review of 11 active Grenada projects, spanning geothermal energy, water supply, education, climate-smart agriculture and health. Energy & Investment Diplomacy: Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell heads to Spain and then Qatar (13–19 August) to pursue funding support for Project Polaris, energy cooperation, and private-sector investment links. Sports & Youth: The Virgin Islands Senior Women won their first ECVA Championships match, beating Grenada 3-1, while Grenada’s Groovy Soca scene celebrates Sabrina Francis as the first woman to win Groovy Monarch in 11 years. Culture & Business: Nexa Credit Union congratulated Nexa New Dimension Steel Orchestras after a strong Panorama showing, including a 15th Senior National Championship title.

Education & Tech: OECS Skills and Innovation Project (SKIP) hit a major milestone in Grenada, advancing plans for three interoperable post-secondary education platforms—KTIP, a Virtual Campus, and EMIS—after a July 27–30 software development session. Development Finance: The Caribbean Development Bank and the World Bank Group agreed follow-up actions after a joint portfolio review of 11 Grenada projects, spanning geothermal drilling, water supply, education, climate-smart agriculture, health, and coastal protection. Government & Energy: Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell heads to Spain and then Qatar (Aug 13–19) to push talks on Project Polaris, renewable energy and hydrocarbons, and private-sector investment. Tourism & Travel Policy: A U.S. visa bond program has been made permanent for 50 countries, and industry groups warn it could sharply cut travel demand—an issue for Caribbean entertainers and tourism-linked businesses. Food Systems: Researchers across the Caribbean are testing black soldier fly larvae to turn food and farm waste into local animal feed, aiming to reduce costly imports. Local Business & Culture: Nexa Credit Union celebrated major Panorama wins, including a 15th national championship title for its senior steel orchestra.

Development Finance: The Caribbean Development Bank and the World Bank Group have agreed follow-up actions after a joint portfolio review of 11 active Grenada projects, spanning geothermal drilling, water supply, education, climate-smart agriculture and health—aimed at stronger delivery and resilience. Energy & Investment Diplomacy: Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell leads a mission to Spain and an official visit to Qatar (Aug 13–19), with talks on funding support for Project Polaris, renewable energy and hydrocarbons, plus sports, education, and private-sector investment cooperation. Local Business & Tourism: Grenada’s Renegade Rum Distillery is up for sale, with the pitch focused on its flexible production setup (cane juice and molasses) and the plant’s potential to scale alongside farm expansion. Food Systems Innovation: Across the Caribbean, pilots are testing black soldier fly larvae to turn food and agricultural waste into locally produced animal feed, reducing reliance on imported inputs. Manufacturing Watch: Sherwin-Williams ended paint manufacturing at its White Marl Jamaica plant and will supply the market via imports, shifting the local operation toward distribution. Governance & Compliance: The U.S. made its visa bond program permanent for 50 countries, but industry groups warn it could sharply reduce travel demand. Security & Consumer Risk: Grenada-related scam coverage in the wider region continues to highlight online purchase fraud losses, reinforcing the need for stronger consumer protections.

Development Finance: The Caribbean Development Bank and the World Bank Group have wrapped a joint portfolio review of 11 active Grenada projects, agreeing follow-up actions to strengthen delivery across coastal protection, water supply, health, education, agriculture, renewable energy and monitoring and evaluation. Energy & Industry: Grenada’s geothermal drilling push and other reviewed works sit alongside a wider push to improve implementation—while Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell heads to Spain and then Qatar (Aug 13–19) to discuss funding support for Project Polaris, energy cooperation and private-sector investment. Tourism & Hospitality: La Sagesse’s resort corridor keeps expanding: InterContinental Grenada Resort & Spa is taking reservations for stays from Nov. 4, adding a 120-room luxury option near the Six Senses property. Local Business & Heritage: The Grenada National Trust’s fight to stop demolition of the Drill Yard has drawn international support, with an overseas committee urging an interim court injunction and offering technical preservation help. Oil & Gas Oversight: PM Mitchell says his administration ended the contract with a Russian firm (Global Petroleum Group) after missed obligations, including failure to submit monthly financial reports and deliver required work. Food Systems Innovation: Across the region, researchers are testing black soldier fly larvae to turn food and agricultural waste into locally produced animal feed, aiming to cut costly imports. Trade Policy Watch: A new U.S. Section 201 safeguard measure adds a four-year tariff-rate quota on quartz surface products starting Aug. 15, with steep over-quota duties if importers exceed allocations.

CDB + World Bank Portfolio Push: St. George’s says a joint CDB/World Bank review has agreed follow-up actions to strengthen delivery on 11 Grenada projects spanning geothermal drilling, water supply, health, education, agriculture, renewable energy and monitoring. Tourism & Hospitality Growth: Range Developments is taking La Sagesse further with the InterContinental Grenada Resort & Spa, a 120-room opening set for Nov. 4, adding a major conventional luxury option beside Six Senses. Oil & Gas Accountability: Prime Minister Mitchell says the 4-year Congress administration ended the Russian Global Petroleum Group deal, citing missed work, weak reporting and lack of verifiable funding. Heritage vs Demolition: The Drill Yard fight is now drawing international support, with a Puerto Rico-based scientific committee backing Grenada’s push for an interim court injunction to protect the site. Food & Feed Innovation: Caribbean researchers are testing black soldier fly larvae to turn food and farm waste into locally produced animal feed, aiming to cut costly imports. Mobility Policy Watch: EU pressure on citizenship-by-investment programs puts Grenada among five countries facing reforms or loss of Schengen visa-free access by 2028. Local Business Spotlight: Nexa Credit Union celebrates Panorama steelband wins, highlighting youth and senior championship performances. Energy Costs Check: GasBuddy reports show Grenada County’s lowest midgrade price at $3.77 and diesel at $4.59 for the week ending Aug. 1.

Hotel & Tourism Investment: La Sagesse’s resort corridor keeps expanding: InterContinental Grenada Resort & Spa (120 rooms) is taking reservations for stays from Nov. 4, developed by Range Developments, the same firm behind Six Senses La Sagesse. Rum & Local Industry: Renegade Rum Distillery’s sale is being pitched as a growth-ready, state-of-the-art plant with flexibility to run on cane juice or molasses—an asset for a buyer looking to scale production. Construction & Heritage: The Grenada National Trust’s fight to stop demolition of the Drill Yard is now drawing international support, with an overseas heritage committee backing an interim court injunction and offering technical preservation help. Oil & Gas Governance: Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell says the government has ended a contract with Russian firm Global Petroleum Group over missed work, missing monthly expenditure reporting, and lack of verified funding. Trade Policy Impact: A new Section 201 safeguard measure sets a four-year tariff-rate quota on quartz surface products starting Aug. 15, with safeguard duties potentially rising sharply after quarterly quota allocations are used up. Food Systems Research: Caribbean researchers are testing black soldier fly larvae to turn food and agricultural waste into locally produced animal feed, aiming to cut reliance on imported inputs. Fuel Prices Watch (Grenada County): GasBuddy reports the lowest midgrade gas at $3.77/gal and diesel at $4.59/gal in the week ending Aug. 1.

Tourism & Hospitality: La Sagesse’s resort corridor keeps growing: InterContinental Grenada Resort & Spa (120 rooms) is taking reservations for stays from Nov. 4, adding a major international brand next to Six Senses. Steelband & Community Finance: Nexa Credit Union celebrated major Panorama wins, including a second-place Juniors finish and Nexa New Dimension’s 15th Senior National Championship title. Food & Agriculture Innovation: Caribbean researchers are testing black soldier fly larvae to turn food and farm waste into locally produced animal feed, aiming to cut reliance on imported inputs. Trade & Manufacturing Policy: The U.S. is moving to a Section 201 safeguard tariff-rate quota on quartz surface products starting Aug. 15, with higher duties once quota allocations are used up—important for importers and construction supply chains. Citizenship-by-Investment Pressure: The EU has warned five Caribbean states, including Grenada, to reform or phase out CBI by June 1, 2028 or risk losing Schengen visa-free access. Local Energy & Industry: Grenada’s oil-and-gas spotlight continues as the government says it ended a contract with Russia’s Global Petroleum Group for failing to meet obligations. Heritage & Development: The Drill Yard demolition fight is now drawing international support, with calls for an interim injunction to protect the historic site.

Grenada Energy & Oil-Gas: Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell says Grenada has terminated its offshore deal with Russian-backed Global Petroleum Group, citing missed work commitments, lack of required monthly spending reports, and failure to provide a development plan—an 18-year saga now officially closed. Hospitality & Tourism: La Sagesse is set for another big leap as InterContinental Grenada Resort & Spa begins taking reservations for a Nov. 4 opening, adding a 120-room luxury option next to Six Senses. Rum Industry: Renegade Rum Distillery is up for sale, with the pitch focused on its flexible production setup (cane juice and molasses) and room to scale—positioning the plant as a growth engine for Grenada’s spirits brand. Food & Agriculture Innovation: Caribbean researchers are testing black soldier fly larvae to turn food and farm waste into protein-rich animal feed, aiming to cut reliance on imported inputs. Caribbean Mobility Watch: The EU has warned five Eastern Caribbean states—including Grenada—that citizenship-by-investment must be reformed or phased out by 2028 or Schengen visa-free access could be lost. Local Food Supply Pressure: Fishermen across the region warn limited ice capacity and rising upfront costs (ice, bait, insurance, diesel) could hit catch quality as peak season approaches.

Grenada Energy Shake-Up: Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell says Grenada has terminated its oil and gas deal with Russian-backed Global Petroleum Group, citing missed work commitments, lack of required monthly spending reports, and failure to show funds—while GPG contests the move. Legal & Heritage Pressure: Grenada’s Drill Yard demolition fight is now drawing international support, with a Puerto Rico-based heritage group backing GNT’s push for an interim court injunction to protect the historic site. Tourism & Hospitality Growth: La Sagesse’s resort corridor gets a major boost as InterContinental Grenada Resort & Spa begins taking reservations for a Nov. 4 opening, adding a second global luxury brand next to Six Senses. Rum Industry Dealmaking: Grenadian distillery Renegade Rum is up for sale, with buyers pitched on its flexible production setup and room to expand beyond current low capacity. EU Mobility Shock for CBI: The EU warns five Eastern Caribbean states—including Grenada—to phase out citizenship-by-investment by June 1, 2028 or risk losing Schengen visa-free access, raising stakes for the region’s finance and travel-linked industries. Local Skills for Sustainable Agriculture: Petite Martinique’s Sustainable Land and Soil Management project kicks off, aiming to restore degraded land and improve water security for 400 people, funded by the Global Environment Facility and executed by UNEP.

Grenada Energy Shake-Up: Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell says Grenada has terminated its oil-and-gas deal with Russian-linked Global Petroleum Group, citing years of inaction, missed work, and failure to submit monthly expenditure reports; Legal & Governance: Grenada’s oil contract fight also shows up in court as GPG contests the termination, while former AG Jimmy Bristol scores a major Court of Appeal setback after a judge’s appointment is ruled unconstitutional; Tourism & Construction: La Sagesse’s resort corridor keeps expanding as InterContinental Grenada Resort & Spa takes reservations for a Nov. 4 opening, adding a 120-room luxury option near Six Senses; Heritage Under Pressure: The Drill Yard demolition dispute is now drawing international support, with an overseas heritage group backing Grenada’s push for an interim injunction; EU Mobility Shock to CBI: The EU warns Grenada and four other Caribbean states to phase out citizenship-by-investment by June 1, 2028 or risk losing Schengen visa-free access—raising stakes for the passport industry; Local Industry Costs: Fishermen in the region warn limited ice capacity and rising upfront costs (ice, bait, insurance, diesel) could disrupt the November season.

Grenada Energy: Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell says Grenada has terminated its offshore oil and gas deal with Russian-backed Global Petroleum Group, citing missed work commitments, lack of required monthly spending reports, and failure to provide a compliant development plan. Tourism & Hospitality: La Sagesse’s resort corridor keeps growing as InterContinental Grenada Resort & Spa takes reservations for Nov. 4 openings, adding a 120-room luxury option next to Six Senses. Heritage & Planning: Grenada’s Drill Yard demolition fight is now drawing international support, with a Puerto Rico-based heritage group backing a court move to pause demolition while preservation options are explored. EU Mobility Pressure: The EU has warned five Eastern Caribbean CBI states—including Grenada—that they must phase out citizenship-by-investment by June 1, 2028 or risk losing Schengen visa-free access. Sustainable Agriculture: Petite Martinique is getting a UN-backed sustainable land and soil management push to restore degraded areas, improve water security, and support farmers with heat-tolerant seedlings and drought-resistant grasses. Regional Business Tech: Finovate Global highlights Caribbean fintech momentum, including Belize Bank’s digital modernization partnership with Backbase. Hospitality Leadership: Spice Island Beach Resort president Janelle Hopkin received a NABHOOD Trailblazer Award, spotlighting Grenada’s tourism leadership.

Oil & Gas Contract Fallout: Grenada has terminated its offshore energy arrangements with Russian-backed Global Petroleum Group, citing long-running failures to deliver work, funding proof, and monthly expenditure reporting—while GPG has responded by demanding the government rescind the move. Heritage & Tourism Infrastructure: The Grenada National Trust’s fight to stop demolition of the Drill Yard has gained international backing, with an overseas heritage group urging an interim court injunction and offering technical preservation support. Hospitality Recognition: Spice Island Beach Resort president Janelle Hopkin received the NABHOOD Hank Thomas Trailblazer Award, spotlighting leadership in Grenada’s tourism and hospitality sector. Land & Agriculture Resilience: A Petite Martinique sustainable land and soil management project is underway, aiming to restore degraded areas and strengthen drought resilience for farmers and households. Regional Blue Economy Skills: OECS and partners delivered sea moss industry training in St. Vincent to lift production quality and food safety standards. EU Pressure on Golden Passports: The EU has warned five Eastern Caribbean states, including Grenada, to phase out citizenship-by-investment by June 2028 or risk losing Schengen visa-free access. Public Sector Bargaining: Grenada’s government and the Grenada Public Workers’ Union have signed a collective bargaining agreement after months of negotiations.

Oil & Gas Contract Fallout: Grenada has terminated its offshore oil and gas agreements with Global Petroleum Group, saying the Russian-linked firm failed to deliver after 18 years—no commercial production, missed work commitments, and missing monthly expenditure reports—while GPG disputes the move and claims contractual rights. Legal & Governance: The dispute over the Drill Yard demolition in St. George’s is now drawing international attention, with an overseas heritage group backing Grenada’s push for an interim court injunction to protect the historic site. Tourism & Hospitality: Spice Island Beach Resort president Janelle Hopkin was honored with the NABHOOD Hank Thomas Trailblazer Award, spotlighting leadership in Grenada’s luxury tourism sector. Land & Agriculture Resilience: A new Petite Martinique sustainable land and soil management initiative (UNEP/GEF-funded) targets drought and land degradation through restoration, nurseries, and farmer-managed plots. Regional Policy Pressure: The EU has warned five Eastern Caribbean states, including Grenada, to phase out citizenship-by-investment by June 1, 2028 or risk losing Schengen visa-free access. Public Sector: PM Mitchell signed off on a collective bargaining agreement with the Grenada Public Workers’ Union, marking the end of months of negotiations.

Grenada Energy: Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell says Grenada has terminated its offshore oil and gas agreements with Global Petroleum Group, citing long delays and repeated non-performance, including missing monthly expenditure reports and failure to deliver a development plan—while GPG has responded that the move is legally baseless. Court & Heritage: The Grenada National Trust’s fight to stop demolition of the Drill Yard on Young Street has drawn international support, with an overseas preservation group urging an interim injunction to protect the fortifications site. Tourism & Hospitality: Spice Island Beach Resort boss Janelle Hopkin received a NABHOOD Trailblazer Award in Miami, highlighting leadership in Grenada’s luxury hospitality sector. Land & Environment: A Petite Martinique sustainable land and soil management project is underway, aiming to restore degraded areas and improve water security for farmers and households. EU Mobility Pressure: The EU has warned five Caribbean states, including Grenada, to phase out citizenship-by-investment schemes by June 1, 2028 or risk losing Schengen visa-free access.