Carib Scope

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  • REOI: Business Development & Mentorship Consultant (Part-Time)

    REOI: Business Development & Mentorship Consultant (Part-Time)

    The Grenada Sustainable Development Trust Fund (GSDTF) has issued a public call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) from qualified independent consultants to fill a part-time position focused on supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) under a major marine conservation-linked livelihood initiative.

    The selected consultant will support the Gender-Responsive Livelihood Support Initiative, which operates within the Woburn–Clarke’s Court Bay Marine Protected Area. This initiative centers on expanding sustainable, conservation-compatible livelihood opportunities for three key marginalized groups in Grenada: women, young people, and local fishing communities. The core of the role is to deliver end-to-end business development, skills training, and ongoing mentorship across every stage of SME development for participating ventures.

    The overarching objective of this consultancy is to provide integrated, targeted support that guides participating SMEs from initial application screening and business plan development through to formal business registration, preparedness to access seed grant funding, and post-funding growth mentorship. This holistic approach is designed to build long-term, resilient businesses that align with the marine protected area’s conservation goals, creating a mutually beneficial balance between local economic development and environmental protection.

    The scope of work for the consultant outlines five key responsibility areas. First, the consultant will lead the assessment of SME applications and conduct professional appraisals of submitted business plans to select viable ventures for the initiative. Second, they will design and facilitate a practical, hands-on training program tailored to the needs of small local businesses. Third, they will coordinate specialized training modules focused on marine conservation practices and at-sea safety for ventures operating in the coastal and marine sector. Fourth, the consultant will guide participating SMEs through the process of business formalization and official government registration. Finally, they will deliver structured ongoing mentorship to funded micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and prepare regular progress reports for GSDTF.

    The consultancy assignment is scheduled to run over 7 months, from November 2026 through to June 2027, with a total time commitment of up to 160 working days. The deadline for interested consultants to submit their expressions of interest is 2 October 2026. The GSDTF asks that all direct enquiries about the terms of reference for the role are submitted to the GSDTF Project Officer no later than 28 September 2026.

    GSDTF has outlined clear criteria for the ideal candidate. The successful applicant will be an experienced business development professional with a minimum of three years of hands-on experience in SME development, business plan drafting and appraisal, entrepreneurship training, and post-grant or post-investment mentorship. Strong skills in stakeholder coordination, training facilitation, and professional report writing are required, along with working knowledge of Grenada’s business registration process managed by the Companies and Intellectual Property Office (CAIPO). Prior experience working with women-led and youth-led enterprises is also a mandatory requirement. Additional assets that will strengthen an application include prior experience working in the fisheries sector, with marine protected areas, or on community-led conservation projects.

    All applications must be submitted electronically to GSDTF with the subject line “Business Development and Mentorship Consultancy”, addressed to Jenifer James, Chief Executive Officer of GSDTF. Applications should be sent to [email protected], with a copy marked to [email protected]. Full details of the role’s terms of reference are available via the dedicated page “Gender-Responsive MSME Business Mentor – Grenada MPA” or on the GSDTF official website at www.gsdtf.org/opportunities.

  • Project Polaris investment vision presented to global partners at UNGA 81

    Project Polaris investment vision presented to global partners at UNGA 81

    Against the backdrop of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, the government of Grenada has taken a major step to advance its national development vision, officially pitching its transformative Project Polaris to a global audience of potential investors, development collaborators and key industry stakeholders. The initiative, centered on constructing a new state-of-the-art general hospital and an integrated Medical City, is framed not just as an upgrade to local healthcare infrastructure, but as a catalyst for inclusive economic growth, skills development and regional healthcare leadership across the Eastern Caribbean.

    The pitch was delivered during an exclusive executive breakfast, held on the sidelines of UNGA 81, that brought together cross-sector stakeholders from global investment firms, international development agencies, leading healthcare operators and partner institutions. Project sponsor Ambassador Andrea St Bernard led the presentation, titled *Project Polaris: A Vision for Investment and Growth*, which mapped out partnership openings across multiple high-growth sectors: clinical healthcare, medical research, health technology, wellness tourism and complementary support services.

    St Bernard emphasized that Project Polaris extends far beyond the construction of new medical facilities. When fully realized, the initiative is projected to stimulate widespread foreign and domestic investment, foster innovation in the regional healthcare sector, generate thousands of new local jobs, strengthen Grenada’s domestic human capital base, and expand the country’s capacity to deliver advanced care to patients across the entire Eastern Caribbean region.

    Joining the presentation, Ambassador Richard Nixon, chairman of the Grenada Investment Development Corporation (GIDC), outlined the broader value proposition of investing in Grenada as the country advances its whole-of-nation transformation agenda. Together, the two presentations laid out the government’s core strategy: aligning high-priority national development projects with responsible private sector investment to build mutually beneficial partnerships that deliver shared value for both investors and Grenadian citizens.

    Honourable Dennis Cornwall, Grenada’s Minister for Finance, noted that the progress already made on financing for Project Polaris and the country’s rising global profile both reflect growing international confidence in Grenada’s long-term development trajectory. “Grenada has raised its profile as a competitive investment destination, and the $185 million already secured for Project Polaris is a strong demonstration of investor confidence in our country,” Cornwall said. “We remain focused on attracting investments that create jobs, strengthen our economy and deliver tangible benefits for Grenadians.”

    A core pillar of Project Polaris that sets it apart from traditional infrastructure projects is its integrated focus on human capital development, aligned with the government’s overarching Vision 75 national development agenda. Officials stress that investments in cutting-edge medical facilities must be matched by investments in the skilled workforce required to operate them, a principle already being put into action. Earlier this year, the government awarded 36 medical scholarships and 11 nursing scholarships to Grenadian students studying at St George’s University, laying the groundwork for the local workforce that will power the expanded healthcare system.

    Development of the Project Polaris Medical City will proceed in sequential phases, with a large role reserved for public-private partnerships to bring in technical expertise and capital. The government is actively inviting expressions of interest from a broad range of potential participants, including institutional investors, multinational healthcare operators, real estate developers, health technology and sustainable energy providers, academic and research institutions, philanthropic organizations, and members of the Grenadian diaspora based overseas.

    The Project Polaris leadership team has made clear that all investment partnerships must prioritize tangible benefits for local Grenadians, including expanded access to high-quality affordable care, local job creation, contracting opportunities for domestic small and medium enterprises, vocational skills training, and long-term knowledge transfer between international partners and local professionals.

    Fully aligned with Grenada’s National Sustainable Development Plan 2020–2035, the initiative redefines healthcare as a key driver of economic growth rather than just a public service. Expanding access to specialist care within Grenada will reduce the heavy financial and logistical burden on patients who currently must travel overseas for advanced treatment, while embedded teaching and research programs will strengthen the country’s ability to train and retain top-skilled healthcare professionals, reducing brain drain in the sector.

    In closing, the government of Grenada reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with responsible local, regional and international partners to build a regional center of healthcare excellence that serves Grenadian citizens and lifts healthcare standards across the entire Eastern Caribbean. Prospective partners have been invited to conduct due diligence on the available investment opportunities and explore frameworks for long-term collaborative development.

    This report is based on an official statement released by the Office of the Prime Minister of Grenada.

  • “I Can’t Do Nothing to Bring Back My Daughter”

    “I Can’t Do Nothing to Bring Back My Daughter”

    A Belizean mother’s quest for answers in her daughter’s violent death has moved one step forward, but the new confirmation of foul play has done little to heal her grief or bring closure to the case. On September 23, 2026, official autopsy results confirmed that 28-year-old Delisha Estrada’s death was a homicide, marking a critical development in the ongoing investigation into the double death that shook the Cayo District community.

    The post-mortem examination concluded that Estrada died from blunt craniofacial trauma, an injury police say was inflicted by another person. Her body was discovered alongside that of her partner, Michael Williams, at a residence in Santa Elena. While Estrada’s cause of death has been confirmed, Williams’ death remains under further investigation. Initial autopsy findings show Williams died from severe pulmonary edema, but authorities are still waiting on toxicology results to pinpoint the exact cause of the fatal condition.

    Delisha’s mother, Locett Vanega, has long maintained that her daughter did not die by suicide, a position she has held from the earliest days of the investigation. Speaking with local reporters after receiving the autopsy results, Vanega expressed that while the official ruling matches what she has believed all along, it has not eased the pain of losing her child. “I still not satisfied. Still can’t get closure. ‘Cause I know from the beginning they murder my daughter,” Vanega said.

    In the wake of the tragedy, new details have emerged about the relationship between Estrada and Williams. Multiple relatives and neighbors told authorities that the couple had a long history of domestic abuse, a claim that has been confirmed by local police. Records show that Estrada had previously filed official reports against Williams with law enforcement, documenting the ongoing pattern of violence.

    For Vanega, the grief of losing her daughter is compounded by the new responsibility of raising Delisha’s young son, who repeatedly asks where his mother is and what happened to her. Vanega described the daily struggle of answering the boy’s questions, saying “It’s so hard for us that we have to tell him every day when he asks for her, his mom. How can we tell him what happened to his mom?”

    Despite her pain, Vanega says her only priority right now is ensuring her grandson grows up surrounded by love and support. There is nothing that can bring her daughter back, she acknowledges, but she remains committed to seeing the full investigation through to ensure justice for Delisha. “I just want the baby to have, like… I just want the baby surrounded with love. That’s all I need and I want right now. ‘Cause I can’t do nothing to bring back my daughter,” she added. As of press time, police have not announced any new arrests or charges in connection with Estrada’s homicide, and the investigation remains active.

  • Hassan Hadeed is IGA International Retailer of the Year for the Caribbean

    Hassan Hadeed is IGA International Retailer of the Year for the Caribbean

    A homegrown Grenadian retail brand has cemented its status as a global standout in independent grocery, after Real Value Supermarket IGA’s top leader earned one of the industry’s most prestigious international distinctions. Managing Director Hassan Hadeed was officially named IGA International Retailer of the Year for the Caribbean, an honor presented during the Independent Grocers Alliance’s landmark Centennial Global Rally and Awards of Excellence held in Atlanta, Georgia.

    The 2026 award ceremony marked a dual celebration for the 100-year-old global IGA network, which gathered industry leaders and top-performing retailers from across the world to recognize excellence in independent grocery. For Hadeed and the entire Real Value team, this latest accolade is far more than a personal honor: it marks a major milestone for both the company and the Caribbean island nation it calls home.

    What makes this recognition particularly meaningful is that it is not the first time Real Value Supermarket IGA has earned global acclaim from the IGA network. The company claimed its first international IGA award back in 2009, during a ceremony held in Sydney, Australia. Seventeen years later, this second win underscores the brand’s unwavering commitment to upholding the highest standards across every area of its operations, from customer service and retail innovation to community engagement.

    This international achievement also aligns with another major milestone for the Grenadian retailer: 26 years of continuous service to local communities. Since launching, Real Value Supermarket IGA has experienced steady, intentional growth, consistently reinvesting in its workforce, upgrading customer experience, integrating new retail technology, expanding convenient shopping options, and supporting the local neighborhoods it serves.

    In his acceptance speech, Hadeed emphasized that the award is a collective win, not an individual achievement. Accepting the honor with humility and gratitude, he dedicated the recognition to the entire Real Value team, the company’s loyal customers, and the people of Grenada as a whole. Hadeed went on to credit the shared effort of every stakeholder that has contributed to the company’s success over the decades, from frontline employees and senior leadership to local suppliers, business partners, and generations of Grenadian shoppers who have supported the brand since its launch.

    Leadership at Real Value Supermarket IGA echoed that sentiment, extending congratulations to both Hadeed and the entire team for the hard work that earned this international distinction. For the Grenadian retailer, the honor sums up its identity perfectly: it is a brand rooted in Grenada, now recognized across the globe for its excellence.

  • 127 Immigration Officers Trained to Improve Belize’s Borders

    127 Immigration Officers Trained to Improve Belize’s Borders

    As part of a joint international initiative to reinforce border security and operational efficiency, 127 immigration officers across Belize have graduated from specialized training focused on modern border management systems, backed by funding and implementation support from the European Union (EU) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

    The core focus of the capacity-building program is the Migration Information and Data Analysis System, widely known by its acronym MIDAS, a digital platform designed to standardize the collection and administration of traveler data for people entering and exiting Belize. This latest training round builds on earlier system upgrades rolled out as part of the long-term partnership, introducing updated standardized guidelines to ensure border agencies across the country collect and utilize traveler information in a consistent, reliable manner.

    Idelki Familia, a programme officer based at IOM Belize, explained that the training was designed to address practical gaps in on-the-ground operations, equipping frontline officers with the skills to operate MIDAS correctly and capture accurate border data. “We are conducting a series of trainings where we are expecting that immigration officers are going to be trained on how to properly use the system and how to properly collect information that is going to actually benefit all,” Familia said in a statement on the initiative.

    MIDAS already serves as a critical tool across all of Belize’s official entry and exit points. Officers use the system to cross-reference traveler documentation and personal details against the country’s official entry requirements, and it also supports administrative processes for people seeking to extend their stay in Belize, or apply for permanent residency and citizenship. Beyond streamlining routine checks, the system helps authorities identify potential security risks and maintain accurate records of cross-border movement.

    In addition to the specialized training program, this latest phase of the IOM-EU partnership has delivered more than $208,000 in new operational equipment to Belize’s border management and emergency response agencies. The donation includes rugged off-road vehicles to support patrols and operations in remote, hard-to-reach border regions, along with handheld radios and a new signal repeater that will dramatically improve communications connectivity across southern Belize. To support personnel working extended shifts in remote areas, the initiative also provided portable stoves for on-site use.

    The entire cross-border capacity building project is funded by the European Union and implemented locally by IOM, with a core goal of supporting the Government of Belize to strengthen three key pillars of national border management: inter-agency coordination, digital technological infrastructure, and on-the-ground operational capacity. Officials from both IOM and the EU noted that improved border management not only strengthens national security but also facilitates legal cross-border trade and travel, supporting broader economic development in Belize.

  • Livelihood Support Initiative for SMEs and Skills Training

    Livelihood Support Initiative for SMEs and Skills Training

    A groundbreaking initiative that links coastal marine conservation with local community economic empowerment has launched in Grenada, opening applications for eligible residents to access small business grants, skills training, and targeted livelihood support.

    The program, called the Livelihood Support Initiative for SMEs & Skills Training, is a core component of the broader Our Bay Our Future Project—officially the Enhanced Management and Monitoring of the Woburn–Clarke’s Court Bay Marine Protected Area initiative. The overarching conservation and development project draws funding from two major backers: the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund and Global Affairs Canada’s CORE Gender Smart Facility, and is being executed locally by the Grenada Sustainable Development Trust Fund (GSDTF).

    GSDTF has announced that it is now accepting Expressions of Interest exclusively from residents of four key geographic areas: Woburn, Woodlands, Clarke’s Court Bay, and their immediate neighboring communities. The central mission of the livelihood initiative aligns economic opportunity with long-term environmental protection: it aims to build sustainable, nature-compatible livelihoods for local people that do not threaten the fragile marine ecosystem of the protected bay, while creating new income streams, strengthening existing small enterprises, boosting workforce skills, and advancing the permanent conservation of Grenada’s coastal and marine natural resources.

    To qualify for the program, applicants must be at least 16 years of age, and the initiative prioritizes a broad range of potential participants. This includes current small business owners looking to expand, aspiring entrepreneurs planning new ventures, commercial fisherfolk, local sea moss farmers, young people, women, and any other community members seeking to develop new professional skills aligned with the MPA’s conservation goals.

    Selected participants will gain access to a robust suite of support services and financial incentives. Eligible small businesses can apply for seed grants of up to $5,000 USD to launch or scale their operations. All approved skills training participants will have access to fully funded evening courses, with additional transportation stipends provided to remove barriers to attendance for working residents. For local fisherfolk, the program also offers dedicated support for marine safety, covering up to $2,000 USD in safety gear purchases. Additional wrap-around support includes assistance with business registration and licensing, including help completing CAIPO registration and meeting all other local regulatory requirements.

    The deadline for submitting an Expression of Interest via the online application portal is 2 October 2026, giving interested residents more than two years to complete and submit their applications. Eligible residents can access the application form at the following link: forms.gle/TRa9WDTaKTXJvq6MA.

    For additional questions or more detailed information about the initiative, applicants can contact the GSDTF team directly. The organization’s office is located at the Kirani James Athletic Stadium on River Road in St. George’s, Grenada. Inquiries can also be sent via email to [email protected], or by phone at 1 (473) 410 0867 or WhatsApp at 407 0867. More information about the fund and its other community and conservation projects is available on GSDTF’s official website (www.gsdtf.org) and social media channels, including Facebook (Grenada Sustainable Development Trust Fund Inc.), Instagram (@gsdtf473), and LinkedIn (Grenada Sustainable Development Trust Fund (GSDTF)).

    This announcement was shared by NOW Grenada, which notes that it does not take responsibility for contributor opinions, statements, or shared content. Readers can report any alleged abuse of platform policies via the channel specified on NOW Grenada’s website.

  • “It Can Be Done”: NTUCB Rejects Briceño’s Position on BTL Board

    “It Can Be Done”: NTUCB Rejects Briceño’s Position on BTL Board

    Nearly three months after the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) tabled 11 policy and representation demands before the government of Prime Minister John Briceño, long-running negotiations have hit a major impasse, with two core proposals emerging as the central points of conflict.

    Briceño’s Cabinet issued its official response to the union’s demands last week, blending partial concessions, non-binding future commitments, and outright rejections of key asks. During the NTUCB’s regular weekly broadcast on Open Learning TV Tuesday evening, union president Ella Waight publicly pushed back against the government’s position, calling out its rejection of two high-priority demands: the placement of a permanent NTUCB liaison officer within the Office of the Prime Minister, and the adoption of a tripartite governance structure for Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL), the country’s leading telecommunications provider.

    Waight first pushed back against the Cabinet’s core argument for rejecting the liaison officer role, which claimed existing representation through the Joint Union Negotiating Team (JUNT) already provides an adequate channel for union outreach to the prime minister’s office. Rejecting this framing as misleading, Waight emphasized that while JUNT member unions are affiliated with the NTUCB, the two bodies are not interchangeable, making the government’s claim of existing access disingenuous.

    On the question of BTL governance, the NTUCB is demanding that the utility’s board of directors follow a tripartite model, with equal or proportional representation for three groups: government, private sector employers, and organized labor. Waight pointed to Belize’s own Social Security Board as a successful example of this structure in action, noting that tripartite representation inherently boosts transparency and accountability. Each stakeholder representative is required to report back to their constituency, ensuring no single group can control decision-making behind closed doors.

    Waight added that this structure would have already provided a formal, direct channel for organized labor to raise questions and concerns about high-profile ongoing proposals, such as the recent acquisition plan involving BTL and local communications provider SMART.

    Addressing Prime Minister Briceño’s direct assertion that the tripartite BTL board structure “cannot be done,” Waight delivered a blunt rebuke: “It can be done.”

    As of September 23, 2026, the NTUCB is scheduled to submit its formal, written response to Cabinet’s position, and will return both disputed issues to the negotiating table for further discussion, setting the stage for continued talks between the nation’s largest union federation and the sitting government.

  • Belize Joins Regional Plans for Investment Network

    Belize Joins Regional Plans for Investment Network

    At the 2026 World Trade Organization Public Forum held in Geneva, Switzerland, Belize has formally joined a coordinated regional push to boost cross-border investment and streamline business operations across Latin America and the Caribbean. The September 16 forum discussions, which brought together high-level government representatives and global development leaders, centered on advancing implementation of the WTO’s Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement and identifying actionable strategies to upgrade regional investment and regulatory environments. Representing Belize at the invitation of World Bank Vice President for Countries and Regional Integration Anabel González was Narda Garcia, Chief Executive Officer of the Prime Minister’s Office. A core focus of the talks was the proposed Regional Network for Investment Facilitation and Promotion, a collaborative framework designed to connect participating nations across the region. Under the network’s structure, member states will gain access to structured platforms to exchange successful policy experiences, upskill institutional teams, and secure targeted technical and financial resourcing to refine their domestic investment frameworks. The Inter-American Development Bank has already thrown its institutional and financial support behind the project, with formal launch ceremonies scheduled for October 20 in Panama. Once operational, the network will prioritize deepening regional coordination on investment policy, supporting member states in rolling out practical regulatory reforms, and closing capacity gaps for public institutions tasked with attracting and retaining foreign and domestic investment. Belize’s participation marks a key step toward expanding the initiative’s reach across Central America, aligning the small Caribbean nation with broader regional goals of inclusive economic growth through improved investment accessibility. Development leaders note that the agreement and accompanying regional network address longstanding barriers to investment in the region, including fragmented regulatory processes and limited institutional capacity to support new business ventures. For Belize, joining the network opens new opportunities to attract sustainable investment, share its own development experiences with peer nations, and access global expertise to refine its business climate.

  • Simons: Olie en gas mogen niet enige fundament Surinaamse economie worden

    Simons: Olie en gas mogen niet enige fundament Surinaamse economie worden

    Addressing the 81st United Nations General Assembly general debate in New York on Tuesday, Suriname President Jennifer Simons laid out a clear, long-term vision for how the South American nation will manage its upcoming offshore oil and gas revenues to build long-term national prosperity.

    Simons emphasized that while the newly tapped offshore natural resources create a historic opportunity to accelerate national development and lift living standards for Suriname’s population, the country must not allow the sector to become the sole foundation of its economy. Instead, she argued, temporary revenue from fossil fuel extraction must be strategically deployed to transform Suriname’s economic structure, making it stronger, more diversified, and far less vulnerable to global commodity market shocks.

    Under Simons’ framework, the immediate priority is converting short-term resource income into sustained, long-term national wealth by expanding and strengthening other economic sectors. The incoming revenues are expected not just to deliver temporary GDP growth, but to build a broader, more resilient economic base that will remain stable for future generations even after fossil fuel reserves are depleted.

    The development of Suriname’s oil and gas sector is also tied directly to the government’s goal of boosting national energy security. Simons confirmed that the country is actively advancing preparations for a gas-to-shore project to bring offshore natural gas to domestic markets. Crucially, she noted that the expansion of fossil fuel production will proceed alongside continued investment in renewable energy, which will remain a core component of Suriname’s long-term national energy mix.

    Simons also highlighted Suriname’s unique position in global climate action: the nation is already carbon-negative, with more than 90 percent of its territory covered by intact old-growth forests. She called on the global community to reform access to climate finance, arguing that countries that preserve large, globally beneficial forest ecosystems should not be forced to bear the full cost of conservation alone. These ecosystems provide global public goods in the form of carbon sequestration and biodiversity protection, she said, so international climate funding should be allocated more fairly to reward and support conservation efforts.

    Beyond energy and economic policy, Simons reminded delegates that Suriname is also preparing for another major global transformation: the rise of artificial intelligence. She noted that the country can only unlock the full benefits of AI innovation if the technology is deployed responsibly, with proactive measures to mitigate potential social and economic risks.

    Taken together, Simons’ remarks framed Suriname’s oil and gas development as a single piece of a broader, forward-looking national development strategy. Diversification of the economy, enhanced energy security, balanced growth of fossil fuels and renewables, and responsible adoption of new technologies are all core components of the plan to turn resource revenue into inclusive, sustainable long-term development for the country.

  • Girard faces press, insists Youth Economy still delivering

    Girard faces press, insists Youth Economy still delivering

    In a rare public appearance with reporters ahead of this week’s Cabinet meeting, Saint Lucia’s Economic Development and Youth Economy Minister Wayne Girard pushed back against speculation that he has been avoiding media scrutiny, while offering clarity on recent internal shakeups at the country’s Youth Economy Agency (YEA) and reaffirming the organization’s core mission to empower young Saint Lucians.

    Girard, who had previously pledged to increase his public engagements with the press, addressed lingering questions about his limited visibility to date. He emphasized that his reduced public profile stemmed from a deliberate focus on advancing the priorities of his dual ministries, not a reluctance to engage with media. “It is not that I do not want to speak to reporters — I have plenty to share with the public,” he told journalists at Monday’s briefing. “I have no issues at all with being accessible to the press.”

    Much of the briefing centered on the YEA, a government body designed to support youth entrepreneurship across the island. Girard confirmed that the agency remains fully operational despite a wave of high-profile staff departures over the past 12 months, including former chief executive officer Bryan Vidal and multiple other original members of the leadership team. When asked if the exits signaled a fundamental shift in the agency’s direction or core philosophy, Girard framed the changes as unplanned, circumstantial transitions rather than a deliberate restructuring. He clarified that no staff were forced out of their roles, noting that Vidal made a personal choice to leave the organization. A new permanent CEO was already appointed to take over the role earlier this month, and the agency is currently moving forward with hiring for two additional open positions: a communications specialist and a procurement officer, according to the minister.

    Beyond addressing leadership changes, Girard made a forceful case for the YEA’s long-term importance to Saint Lucia’s economic and demographic future. Since its launch, the agency has disbursed more than 3,000 grants to young aspiring entrepreneurs across the country, with a new batch of applications currently under review, he said. Girard argued that the initiative is far more than a political gesture to court young voters: it is a critical policy intervention to address two of the island’s most pressing long-term challenges: an aging population and persistently low birth rates. If Saint Lucia fails to actively engage its young population in productive economic activity now, the country will face severe headwinds in the coming years, he warned. “If we do not get the situation of our young people right, we are going to be in significant trouble down the line,” he said. “This is not just politics carving out space for young people to turn their hobbies into business skills — it is a line of defense for the future of our country.”

    Girard also sought to dispel rumors that grant access is tied to political affiliation, stressing that all young Saint Lucians with viable business ideas are eligible for support regardless of their political leanings. He encouraged any young person with a entrepreneurial concept to reach out to the agency directly to access available resources. “If you come to the Youth Economy Agency with a solid idea and a clear initiative, you will get the assistance you need,” he said. “This has nothing to do with politics. It is simply about recognizing how important it is to ensure every young person in our country can contribute productively to our economy.”