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  • IICA highlights support for agriculture and food security at annual accountability seminar in Dominica

    IICA highlights support for agriculture and food security at annual accountability seminar in Dominica

    On June 3, 2026, the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) convened its Annual Accountability Seminar in Dominica, bringing together a diverse cohort of cross-sector stakeholders to reflect on the institution’s 2025 work in the country and lay out a roadmap for expanded support to local farmers, agribusiness operators, and rural communities. Carried out under the central theme “From Local Fields to Regional Markets: Strengthening Food Security through Trade, MSMEs and Accountability”, the event served as a critical platform for reviewing past achievements, aligning on upcoming technical cooperation priorities, and centering the growing impact of agricultural micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) on reinforcing Dominica’s food systems and national economy.

    Stakeholders in attendance spanned government agencies, financial institutions, international development bodies, farmer associations, agro-processing firms, and independent primary producers. Collaborative partnership and coordinated collective action to advance Dominica’s agricultural sector emerged as core themes running through all seminar discussions.

    In his opening address to participants, Gregg Rawlins, IICA’s Representative for the Eastern Caribbean States, underscored the institute’s ongoing work to help local agricultural MSMEs expand their operational footprint and secure improved access to regional consumer markets. Rawlins spotlighted the AgriMSE Business Development and Intra-Regional Market Integration Project, a joint initiative delivered in partnership with the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) that forms a core part of IICA’s long-term development strategy for the sector.

    “This project forms part of IICA’s ongoing commitment to embedding the AgriMSE sector more deeply into national economies, and helping producers position their goods effectively within mainstream domestic marketing and distribution channels, as well as cross-border intra-regional trade,” Rawlins explained.

    The initiative is structured around three core strategic goals: removing barriers to intra-regional marketing and export activity, boosting the production and operational efficiency of small agricultural enterprises, and expanding their access to formal financing and new investment opportunities.

    Technical Specialist Anthony Cyrille led a comprehensive review of IICA’s 2025 programming in Dominica, walking attendees through key milestones achieved over the past 12 months and detailing proposed technical cooperation agendas for the coming year. A highlight of the formal proceedings was the official handover of IICA’s full 2025 Annual Report to Honourable Roland Royer, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue and Green Economy of Dominica.

    Minister Royer framed the annual report as more than a record of completed activities, noting that “today, as we receive the 2025 Annual Report, we do not merely see a document of activities completed, but a testament to the enduring partnership between IICA and the Government of Dominica, a partnership that continues to generate tangible benefits for our farmers, fishers, agro-processors, rural communities, women and youth.”

    Royer also recognized IICA’s contributions to a range of foundational agricultural initiatives across the country, including sustainable livestock development programs, the regional white potato development project, high-quality seed production schemes, and specialized training in seed management and climate disaster preparedness. He particularly praised the institute’s consistent focus on supporting women and young people working in the agricultural sector, adding that “the future of agriculture belongs to innovation, technology and youth.”

    The seminar closed with a stakeholder panel discussion that unpacked the most pressing opportunities and persistent challenges facing agricultural MSMEs across Dominica. Representatives from the domestic banking sector, government agencies, and producer groups collaborated to identify actionable, practical strategies to strengthen the sector’s contributions to national food security, inclusive job creation, and equitable rural development. Panellists included Terri Henry-Lovell, Vice President of the Dominica Herbal Business Association; Narrin Murphy, Senior Relationship Officer for Corporate Banking at National Bank of Dominica Ltd; and Micah Walter, Coordinator for Private Sector Relations, Industry, Commerce and Innovation in the Ministry of Labour, Public Service Reform, Social Partnership, Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development.

    In a post-seminar press statement, IICA reaffirmed its long-term commitment to partnering with the Government of Dominica and local stakeholders to build a more resilient, innovative, and globally competitive agricultural sector. The institute noted that its ongoing work will remain focused on advancing programs that support small business entrepreneurship, expanded market access, climate resilience, and inclusive sustainable growth across rural Dominica.

  • PM Clarifies Stadium-Area Development Is Not an Industrial Park

    PM Clarifies Stadium-Area Development Is Not an Industrial Park

    Recent weeks have seen growing public speculation and debate surrounding a major planned development near the city’s flagship stadium, with many local residents and community groups raising alarms that the project would convert public green space into a heavy industrial zone. To put these widespread concerns to rest, the country’s prime minister has stepped forward to issue an official clarification, correcting the misinformation that has circulated across social media and local community forums.

    In a press briefing held at government house on Wednesday, the prime minister emphasized that the proposed development project adjacent to the stadium is focused exclusively on enhancing public recreational and community infrastructure, rather than establishing an industrial park. The initiative, first announced earlier this year, is designed to upgrade parking facilities, add new pedestrian walkways, build community sports facilities, and attract small-scale retail and food service outlets that will serve visitors to the stadium and surrounding residential areas.

    The confusion over the project’s scope emerged earlier this month when a draft planning document was leaked to local media, with an incorrect labeling of the development zone that sparked immediate pushback from local residents concerned about increased traffic, air pollution, and declining property values. Community organizations had organized several public meetings to oppose the project, calling on the government to abandon plans for industrial construction in the high-traffic stadium area.

    The prime minister’s clarification comes as a response to this groundswell of public concern, reinforcing the government’s commitment to transparent urban planning that centers community needs. Officials noted that the project will undergo a new round of public consultation in the coming month to ensure all local residents have the opportunity to review the finalized plans and share feedback before construction begins. Government spokespeople also confirmed that no industrial zoning permits have been applied for or approved in the stadium development area, and there are no long-term plans to rezone the land for industrial use.

  • National Solid Waste Management Authority Reports Waste Collection Delays in Newfield and Willikies B

    National Solid Waste Management Authority Reports Waste Collection Delays in Newfield and Willikies B

    The National Solid Waste Management Authority of Antigua and Barbuda has issued a public advisory alerting residents of the New Field neighborhood in Willikies B to an unexpected delay in their scheduled residential waste collection. In a public statement released to keep community members informed, the agency confirmed that it is prioritizing resolution of the disruptions that caused the backlog, with all delayed collections set to be fully completed by Wednesday, June 17, 2026. This service update forms part of the authority’s ongoing commitment to boosting service quality and long-term operational reliability for communities across the twin-island nation. To further support residents who encounter ongoing issues or additional missed collections outside of this announced delay, the agency has opened a dedicated hotline for public inquiries. Private residents can reach authority representatives directly at 562-1347 to report issues or request assistance with their waste collection services. Operating under the guiding slogan “Working In Partnership for a Cleaner Antigua And Barbuda,” the authority thanked New Field and Willikies B residents for their understanding and patience as teams work to clear the backlog and restore normal service schedules.

  • PM Says Road Repairs Will Take Years Despite Recent Progress

    PM Says Road Repairs Will Take Years Despite Recent Progress

    Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne has confirmed that nationwide road repair and rehabilitation projects are advancing at a consistent pace, with major improvements to key corridors projected to be nearly finished within just a few months. Speaking in response to a parliamentary query about the current status of infrastructure upgrades, Browne addressed the long-term nature of overhauling the country’s entire road network, while updating lawmakers on tangible progress already delivered.

    The prime minister stressed the sheer scale of the undertaking: with thousands of miles of public roads spanning Antigua and Barbuda, fully resolving longstanding infrastructure issues will require multiple years of sustained investment and work. Even so, he emphasized that ongoing projects on two critical routes, All Saints Road and the Sir Sydney Walling Highway, are already delivering visible results for residents and motorists.

    A key strategic decision that has driven successful outcomes on these projects, Browne explained, was the government’s choice to assign work to the local Public Works Department rather than outsourcing the contract to an outside private firm. The prime minister praised the department’s performance, noting that its work has not only met quality standards but also delivered major cost savings for public coffers.

    For the 13-mile stretch of road leading to English Harbour, for example, Browne revealed that the Public Works Department is completing the rehabilitation for less than half of the price quoted by a Canadian contracting firm that initially bid on the project. This cost-effective model has allowed the government to stretch infrastructure funding further and advance more repairs than would have been possible under an external contract.

    While Browne declined to share a precise final completion date for the ongoing key projects, he told Parliament that current progress puts the work on track to see substantial, near-completion gains within the next two to three months. Road network rehabilitation remains a top infrastructure priority for the Browne administration, which continues to allocate funding and resources to upgrade roads across both islands of the nation.

  • Art of Her crowns first winners as beauty professionals showcase talent

    Art of Her crowns first winners as beauty professionals showcase talent

    On a bustling Saturday evening at Bridgetown’s Solidarity House, the first-ever Art of Her: The Beauty of South Central competition drew to a close, with three standout female beauty professionals taking home top honors and a collective $20,000 in prizes. The event, born from a vision to elevate women-owned beauty businesses across Barbados, offered creators a rare platform to display their technical skill, build their personal brands, and connect with industry peers — growing far beyond its original goal of highlighting talent within the St Michael South Central constituency after widespread interest from beauty workers across the island.

    Organized in partnership with local retailer #1 Beauty Supply, the competition centered on the overarching theme of “Fantasy”, split into three specialized categories: Crowning the Fantasy for hair artistry, The Face of Fantasy for makeup artistry, and Fantasy at Your Fingertips for nail art and design. A panel of four industry judges, led by Chief Judge Debra Proverbs, evaluated the 10 competing artists who created their works live on-site, with attendees free to move between dedicated hair, makeup, and nail stations to observe creative processes and interact with contestants throughout the evening.

    At the end of judging, Shanice Thompson claimed first place in the Makeup Artistry category, beating out runner-up Aliyah Daniel and third-place finisher Simone Williams. Thompson’s award-winning look, crafted on model Shakila Bayley, drew inspiration from Barbados’ iconic sunsets, blending bold, warm hues of red, orange, and gold with delicate floral accents. The newly crowned winner called her victory a validation of years of hard work invested in her craft, noting that the competition has already opened new doors for her business through exposure and professional networking.

    “It feels amazing to see my hard work, dedication, and passion pay off. I’m grateful for the opportunity and proud of how far I’ve come,” Thompson said, adding that her prizes — which include a professional makeup recliner, lash supplies, a ring light, and a curated gift set — will go directly toward growing her brand and expanding access to new clients.

    In the Nail Art and Design category, Antavia Alexander secured the top spot ahead of Richanne Lashley and Ria Browne. Alexander’s intricate nail art, painted on model Jonnell Farrell, celebrated the beauty of sisterhood, drawing inspiration from the quiet joy of women gathering for a picnic. Her design featured detailed depictions of fresh fruit, blooming flowers, and a honeybee, crafted to honor the strength and unity that women provide one another. The shy designer shared that competing in a public setting pushed her far outside her comfort zone, calling the experience a transformative personal and professional milestone. Alexander’s prizes include a professional nail table, lamp, storage trolley, and gift set, which she will use to continue growing her business.

    Hair stylist Ashéy Johnson took home the crown in the Hair Artistry category, the only competitor to remain in the field after other contestants dropped out. Rather than treating her solo entry as a formality, Johnson leaned into the unique pressure of the moment and delivered a standout creation titled *Crowned by Kadooment*, which repurposed a Crop Over costume backpack into a vibrant, elaborate hairstyle rooted in Barbadian cultural heritage. Johnson said her work was designed to challenge the idea that local traditions are relics of the past, instead framing them as foundational elements that lift up and shape contemporary Barbadian identity. Her prizes include a professional shampoo station, roller ball hair dryer, and gift set sponsored by Aventa Barbados, and she called the new professional connections and visibility her biggest takeaway from the competition.

    Beyond the live competition, the evening offered a full lineup of entertainment and industry engagement. Local soca artist Faith Callender performed her newest singles “From Nothing” and “Keep It”, while the Vida by Esquire Crop Over band opened the event with a cultural showcase. Pageant contestants from the Mum, This One’s For You initiative also made a special stage appearance, and beauty brand Rogue Beautii led a live makeup demonstration using products sponsored by global beauty brand Maybelline. The evening concluded with a Fantasy Finale showcase and official awards ceremony.

    Local MP Marsha Caddle, who spearheaded the initiative, emphasized the long-term socio-economic impact of investing in women beauty entrepreneurs. Caddle noted that the global beauty industry generates roughly $700 billion in annual revenue, and supporting local women creators delivers outsized benefits to entire communities. “When we support their productive capacity, we know that families and communities benefit. We know that income in the hands of women tends to have greater multiplier effects for the health and education of children and families,” she said, thanking #1 Beauty Supply owner Mohammed Jaouni, manager Charmaine Carter, and their team for stepping in as immediate partners when the event was first proposed.

    Event technical consultant Ashley Lashley shared that the entire event was planned and executed in less than a month — a timeline far faster than the months of preparation typical for large industry events. Lashley credited the quick turnaround to the dedication of the cross-functional planning team, which included Aisha Marshall, Amber Price, Allan Farmer, Tyrique Wilson, Dr Abdul Mohamed, Rico Graham, and Shelly Williams, as well as the support of sponsors, partners, volunteers, and competing artists. Lashley added that the high level of talent on display and strong audience turnout prove there is significant unmet demand for local programming that elevates and showcases Barbadian beauty professionals.

    Additional sponsors and partners that contributed to the event’s success include Beyond Design, AccuSounds Inc., Iridescent Lighting, Mayhem Soundz, REI Academy, the Division of Youth and Culture, and the National Cultural Foundation.

  • Government Yet to Access $100M Road Project Loan, PM Says

    Government Yet to Access $100M Road Project Loan, PM Says

    In a recent address to the country’s national parliament this week, Prime Minister Gaston Browne has delivered a key update on the financing of a critical national infrastructure initiative, confirming that the government has yet to access any funds from the $100 million loan facility specifically allocated to the National Road Project.

    When fielding questions from parliamentary representatives about the current status of the planned financing, Browne clarified that no proceeds from the earmarked credit have been drawn down or received by the administration to date. The full $100 million facility remains entirely untouched, with no disbursements having been processed since the facility was approved for the infrastructure scheme.

    “We have not received any proceeds from the loan as yet. It remains undrawn, but we hope to commence accessing the facility from later this month,” the prime minister told legislative members during the question-and-answer session.

    The multi-million dollar loan is designated exclusively to support the National Road Project, one of the government’s flagship public works programs. The core goal of this large-scale initiative is to upgrade and expand the Caribbean nation’s existing domestic road network, addressing longstanding infrastructure gaps, improving connectivity between communities, reducing travel times, and supporting long-term economic growth across the country.

  • Girl Guides Association of Dominica set for annual general meeting

    Girl Guides Association of Dominica set for annual general meeting

    The Girl Guides Association of Dominica is gearing up for its 2026 Annual General Meeting, scheduled to take place June 19 at the Goodwill Primary School Auditorium in Roseau, bringing hundreds of stakeholders from across the island together to reflect on 12 months of growth and lay out strategic plans for the coming years.

    Billed under the unifying theme “Honoring Our Roots, Proud Past, Progressive Future,” the meeting will kick off at 4:30 PM, with a guest list that includes rank-and-file Guides, unit leaders, long-time volunteers, community supporters, and invited dignitaries. Among the high-profile attendees are Dominica’s President and national Chief Guide Her Excellency Mrs. Sylvanie Burton, and Roseau Mayor Lucy Belle-Matthew, both of whom will take part in the official opening proceedings.

    The day’s agenda has been structured to blend ceremonial celebration, organizational accountability, and forward-looking strategic discussion. Attendees will be welcomed with the national anthem and an opening prayer, followed by welcoming remarks from organizational leaders, vibrant cultural performances prepared by local Guide units, the presentation of annual activity and financial reports, and a special awards segment recognizing outstanding contributions to the movement over the past year. Two featured guests, youth development advocate Brendalyn Bazil and Minister for Culture, Youth and Community Development Honourable Gretta Roberts, will also deliver addresses to the assembled gathering.

    A centerpiece of the public session will be the release of the annual Chief Commissioner’s Report, presented by sitting Chief Commissioner W. Valencia Webb. The document details a year of significant momentum and expansion for the Guiding movement across Dominica, with the association recording steady membership growth as more girls and young women from communities across the island sign up to join local units.

    Over the past year, members have participated in a diverse slate of programming designed to build critical life skills, ranging from intensive leadership training camps and large-scale environmental conservation projects to community service outreach, educational skill-building workshops, and traditional Guiding outdoor adventures. All activities are centered on the core goals of nurturing self-confidence, collaborative teamwork, and personal resilience among young participants. The report also highlights the expansion of several local Guide units and ongoing organizational investments in leadership development to strengthen the volunteer base that powers the movement.

    In prepared comments, Chief Commissioner Webb emphasized that the past year’s progress would not have been possible without the sustained commitment of unit leaders, volunteers, participating parents, and local community partners, all of whom work together to deliver transformative, positive experiences for girls and young women across Dominica.

    After the conclusion of the public ceremonial session, voting delegates will move into a closed business session to handle core organizational governance matters. The key order of business during this segment will be the election of new leaders for multiple executive board positions, including Chief Commissioner, Assistant Chief Commissioner, International Commissioner, Treasurer, and Assistant Secretary/Treasurer. Delegates will also approve the meeting agenda, confirm official minutes from the previous AGM, and debate proposed changes to the association’s strategic direction that will guide its continued growth in the coming years.

    Organizational leaders note that the association remains laser-focused on expanding its reach across the island, enhancing the quality of its programming, and opening new opportunities for girls in every community. Ahead of the meeting, planning committee members expressed expectation that the 2026 AGM will reaffirm the organization’s longstanding mission to nurture confident, responsible, and civically engaged young women, while upholding the core values of the global Guiding movement and pursuing new opportunities for growth and impact.

  • Cricket West Indies Announces Test Squad for Two Match Series Against Sri Lanka

    Cricket West Indies Announces Test Squad for Two Match Series Against Sri Lanka

    June 16, 2026, ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Cricket West Indies (CWI) has officially announced its 15-member Test squad ahead of the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, set to be hosted entirely at Antigua’s iconic Sir Vivian Richards Stadium between June 25 and July 7. The series marks a critical milestone for the West Indies team as it closes out the current World Test Championship cycle on home soil, with additional fixtures against Pakistan and Bangladesh still to come later this year. The side is gearing up to leverage familiar home conditions to end the cycle with momentum and a string of strong performances.

    Leading the Caribbean side will be experienced all-rounder Roston Chase, who takes on captaincy duties for the series. A standout feature of this squad announcement is the return of several key players who have been sidelined by injury or limited selection in recent tours. Wicketkeeper-batter Joshua Da Silva earns his way back into the squad after a dominant run of form across the last two West Indies Championship seasons, where he piled up 996 runs to underscore his value to the side.

    Joining Da Silva in a recall is batter Amir Jangoo, who is set to feature in his first Test squad since January 2025. Jangoo’s call-up comes off the back of a standout campaign in this year’s West Indies Championship, where he finished second in the overall run-scoring rankings, highlighted by a double century that caught selectors’ eyes. Fast bowling duo Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph also return to the Test setup after recovering from injuries that forced them to miss recent away tours of India and New Zealand. The pair last appeared in a Test squad during the 2025 home series against Australia.

    West Indies Head Coach Daren Sammy says the team is ready to embrace the challenge of facing a competitive Sri Lankan side on home turf. “Every Test series is an opportunity for us to grow as a team and strengthen our identity,” Sammy explained in a press statement following the squad announcement. “Sri Lanka are a quality side, so we know we’ll have to be at our best, but we’re excited about the challenge ahead. For us, it’s about playing with discipline, showing character when the game gets tough, and representing the West Indies with pride. The players have been putting in the work, and we’re looking forward to putting on a strong display for our fans across the Caribbean.”

    To prepare for the series, the full squad is currently undergoing a high-performance training camp in Antigua that kicked off on June 12 and will run through June 22. Players who recently competed in a white-ball series in Jamaica joined the camp on June 15. The camp program prioritizes technical skill refinement, match-specific simulation, fitness conditioning, and team cohesion building, while also giving coaching staff the chance to evaluate player readiness and adjust game plans ahead of both the Sri Lanka series and the concluding World Test Championship home series against Pakistan.

    Sammy emphasized that the training camp is a foundational part of the team’s summer preparation. “This is a key component of our preparations heading into the series, providing players and coaches with valuable time to enhance and improve the skills we want to see sharpened, based on the areas we need to focus our attention on when facing this opponent,” he said. “It also gives us the opportunity to put clear objectives and plans in place for the conclusion of the summer against Pakistan.”

    Ahead of the first Test, a four-day warm-up fixture will give fringe players and Test hopefuls the chance to prove their form against the touring Sri Lankan side, taking place from June 18 to 21 at Antigua’s Coolidge Cricket Ground. Tevin Imlach will lead a 13-man WI Select XI in this warm-up match, which Sammy says serves an important role in fostering healthy competition within the West Indies player pool for upcoming series.

    “Additionally, the four-day warm-up game prior to the series provides the chance for some of our test hopefuls to play in high intensity action and create the avenue for more competition within the squad ahead of the upcoming and future series,” he added.

    Full 15-member West Indies Test Squad: Roston Chase (Captain), Jomel Warrican (Vice-Captain), John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Joshua Da Silva, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Shai Hope, Amir Jangoo, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Anderson Phillip, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales.

    Full 13-member WI Select XI Warm-up Squad: Tevin Imlach (Captain), Joshua Bishop, Jonathan Drakes, Karima Gore, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Kirk Mckenzie, Keemo Paul, Kemol Savory, Ojay Shields, Nial Smith, Gilon Tyson, Kevin Wickham.

    Confirmed Series Schedule:
    – Four-day Warm-up Match: June 18-21, Coolidge Cricket Ground, Antigua (WI Select XI vs Sri Lanka)
    – First Test: June 25-29, Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua
    – Second Test: July 3-7, Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua

  • MP sees beauty industry as part of broader growth strategy

    MP sees beauty industry as part of broader growth strategy

    Ahead of Barbados’ 60th anniversary of independence, a senior government official is pushing to unlock the massive economic potential of the local beauty industry, framing it as an underutilized engine for inclusive entrepreneurship, job creation, and broad-based national growth. Marsha Caddle, who serves as both Member of Parliament for St Michael South Central and Minister of Economic Affairs and Planning, made the case for expanded beauty sector investment following the conclusion of the inaugural *Art of Her: The Beauty of South Central* contest, an event she organized at Solidarity House Saturday night.

    Caddle explained that the local competition was designed first to spotlight untapped creative talent across her constituency, but also to draw national attention to a global industry that generates more than $700 billion in annual economic activity worldwide. She argued that the beauty sector holds particular promise for expanding economic opportunity for Barbadians, especially women seeking to build their own businesses. “As we head toward our 60th anniversary of independence, I feel like it’s time for us to start exploring other drivers of growth and drivers of growth that are ripe for investment and ownership by many more people so that more people can be a part of the prosperity of Barbados,” Caddle told Barbados TODAY in an interview after the event.

    Beyond direct job and business creation, Caddle highlighted the outsized social impact of supporting women-led entrepreneurship in the sector. When women control their own income, she noted, those earnings consistently flow back into improving child health, family education, and broader community well-being, creating ripple effects that extend far beyond individual businesses. “We have to continue to invest in women’s capacities. We have to make sure that women are always controlling income because income controlled by women helps to contribute to the health and education of children and families,” she said.

    Caddle’s long-term vision extends far beyond a single constituency contest: she hopes initiatives like *Art of Her* will lay the groundwork for the founding and expansion of hundreds of new women-owned beauty businesses across the country. To support that growth, the Mia Mottley administration is already rolling out broader reforms to improve Barbados’ overall business climate, as part of a national strategy to identify 25 to 50 high-growth companies that can drive more inclusive economic expansion. Caddle confirmed that beauty sector businesses are eligible to be among that targeted group of high-potential enterprises.

    What makes the beauty sector particularly compelling, Caddle added, is its deep interconnectedness with other fast-growing creative industries in Barbados, opening up cross-sector growth opportunities that many other sectors cannot match. The industry already has natural synergies with Barbados’ expanding carnival sector, and can provide critical specialized skills to support the country’s emerging film and entertainment sectors.

    Caddle pointed to the government’s ongoing plan to launch a national Barbados film festival, part of a broader push to grow the local film industry by attracting both local content creators and international production companies to film on the island. Local beauty professionals with specialized skills in makeup artistry, hairstyling, and other creative services would be positioned to support these productions, creating an entirely new stream of employment opportunities for local workers. “This is a sector that runs deep. It has potential for tremendous linkages to carnivals all over the world, to the film industry, to all the other parts of the creative sector. So I think that it is one that is worthwhile to invest in,” she said.

    While identifying high-potential growth sectors like beauty is a key priority for the government, Caddle stressed that ongoing business environment reform is equally critical to unlocking long-term economic expansion. The current administration’s top priorities for reform include cutting red tape and reducing wait times for planning approvals, expanding access to affordable financial services for small and medium enterprises, and cultivating a more competitive national business landscape.

    “Both government and the private sector have some work to do on strengthening and modernising what we do, and that is going to be a big focus of mine in the next months and years going forward,” Caddle said. She added that the government’s strategy balances targeted support for emerging high-potential sectors with broad economic reform, noting that intentional investment in sectors with clear existing demand and growth capacity is a core part of the country’s path to shared prosperity. “I think that part of it is to be able to invest in sectors where there’s clearly an interest and there’s clearly capacity for growth, which is what we’re doing with the beauty industry,” she said.

  • Ireland imposes visa restrictions on St Lucia

    Ireland imposes visa restrictions on St Lucia

    In a sudden policy shift that has caught Caribbean leadership off guard, Ireland has implemented new mandatory visa requirements for all citizens of St Lucia seeking to enter or transit through the European nation, a move that St Lucia’s prime minister confirms came with no advance formal notification from Irish authorities.

    Addressing reporters on Monday — the same day the new regulation entered into force — St Lucia Prime Minister Phillip Pierre acknowledged that Dublin holds full authority to set its own domestic immigration policy, and he cannot publicly speculate on the specific motivations behind the decision. He clarified that St Lucia is not the only small nation targeted: Ireland has imposed identical visa rules on other Caribbean states including St Kitts and Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago, as well as the Central American country Nicaragua.

    While Pierre emphasized he has no power to reverse Dublin’s policy change, he made clear St Lucia does not accept the move as an inevitable outcome. “It is not something we’re happy about,” he said, adding that he holds out hope that Irish authorities will reconsider the restriction in the future. He also noted that St Lucia retains diplomatic and multilateral tools to advance its position, including its voting power at the United Nations, which the country will deploy strategically to advocate for its interests.

    Pierre confirmed he first received official notification of the policy change from Ireland’s embassy in Canada on June 12, just four days before the restrictions took effect. The new requirements apply to all passport holders, including those holding diplomatic and service passports, and even extend to travelers passing through Irish airports on connecting itineraries, who now must obtain a transit visa before travel.

    To avoid disrupting pre-planned trips, Ireland has put in place a transitional grace period: St Lucia citizens who booked their travel to Ireland before June 15, 2026, and complete their entry and exit from the country before July 14, 2026, will be exempt from the new rule, as long as they hold all required standard travel documentation including a valid passport and confirmed travel tickets. Ireland advises all travelers with existing bookings to check the official Immigration Service Delivery website for updated guidance.

    In the official notification sent to St Lucia’s government, Ireland framed the new rule as part of a broader effort to align its immigration rules with the United Kingdom as part of the Common Travel Area agreement that governs free movement between the two jurisdictions. Pierre added that Irish authorities have advised all prospective applicants that visa processing across all categories is currently estimated to take between eight and 10 weeks.

    The policy change, Pierre argued, highlights a growing global trend toward anti-immigration sentiment and growing nationalist insularity that demands closer collective action from small Caribbean states. He stressed that the development reinforces why regional integration through the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is more critical than ever for small island nations.

    “That’s why CARICOM is so significant, because we have to face these challenges alone,” Pierre said. “No one will assist us. No one will care about us. We have to work together.” He added that the shift by Ireland, a developed Western nation, fits into a broader pattern of wealthy countries adopting restrictive anti-immigration policies to score domestic political gains, a trend over which small developing states have little direct influence.

    Pierre noted that global policy shifts targeting migration are not limited to Ireland, pointing to parallel changes in the United Kingdom driven by domestic political calculations, and emphasized that regional coordination is the only viable path for Caribbean nations to protect the mobility interests of their citizens going forward.