The Caricom Private Sector Organisation (CPSO) has lauded the United States’ decision to eliminate tariffs on critical export sectors within the Caribbean Community (Caricom), marking a significant relief for regional industries. These tariffs, initially imposed in April 2025 and later updated in August 2025, had severely impacted Caricom’s export revenues, particularly in the Base Metals, Agriculture & Food, and Chemicals sectors. The CPSO had previously estimated that the reciprocal tariffs would result in an annual loss of US$653.6 million in export revenue for Caricom Member States. The Agriculture & Food and Chemicals sectors bore the brunt of these tariffs, with projected annual losses of US$117.7 million and US$86.1 million, respectively. The removal of these tariffs, enacted through an Executive Order on 14 November 2025 by President Donald Trump, is expected to stabilize key agricultural and agroprocessing supply chains across Caricom and enhance the competitiveness of Trinidad and Tobago’s chemical exports, including fertilizers and related products. Dr. Patrick Antoine, CPSO Chief Executive Officer and Technical Director, emphasized the pivotal role of coordinated advocacy by Caricom Heads of Government, including Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness, Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar, Guyana’s President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, and The Bahamas’ Prime Minister Philip Davis, in securing this outcome. The US remains Caricom’s principal trade partner, and the tariff removal is anticipated to strengthen the US-Caricom trade relationship. The CPSO continues to work towards eliminating remaining tariffs affecting Caricom’s exports to the US, reinforcing its commitment to advancing trade facilitation, competitiveness, and long-term economic resilience.
标签： Grenada
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GHTA CEO shines as key panellist at CHTA CHIEF conference
Arlene Friday, CEO of the Grenada Hotel & Tourism Association (GHTA), emerged as a pivotal figure at this year’s Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF) conference. As a key panellist on the forum titled ‘Tourism for Us,’ Friday captivated attendees with her profound insights and actionable strategies on community tourism across the Caribbean region. Her address underscored the indispensable role of local communities in crafting authentic and sustainable tourism experiences. She urged Caribbean communities to reclaim their narratives, ensuring that their unique histories, traditions, and voices remain central to tourism development. ‘Communities are not just part of the tourism product — they are the heartbeat of it,’ Friday asserted. ‘When we empower our people to tell their own stories and create genuine connections with visitors, tourism becomes not only sustainable but transformative.’ Friday also emphasized the importance of fostering stronger linkages between hospitality stakeholders and local communities. She highlighted that such collaborations not only drive economic opportunities but also preserve cultural identity. Her message of empowerment and inclusion resonated deeply with industry professionals, policymakers, and delegates, all of whom are committed to a more community-centred approach to tourism. The CHIEF Conference continues to serve as a dynamic platform for tourism leaders to connect, share innovations, and chart the future of the region’s hospitality sector. Arlene Friday’s contributions at the conference reinforce the critical importance of placing people and place at the heart of tourism growth throughout the Caribbean.
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Grenada and Embassy of Japan commemorate 50 years of diplomatic relations
On November 12, 2025, Dr. Akima Umezawa, the Ambassador of Japan, announced the historic appointment of Dr. Nicole Phillip as Grenada’s first Honorary Consul of Japan. Dr. Phillip, the Acting Director of the University of The West Indies Global Campus in St. George’s, is renowned for her expertise in history and academic leadership. This landmark announcement was made during celebrations marking 50 years of diplomatic relations between Grenada and Japan, a partnership rooted in mutual respect, cooperation, and shared vision. Over the past five decades, Japan has significantly contributed to Grenada’s development in education, disaster resilience, agriculture, and technical training, while Grenada has actively engaged in cultural and academic exchanges. The appointment ceremony, held at the Radisson Grenada Beach Resort, was attended by senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, and other distinguished guests. Ambassador Umezawa described the appointment as a pivotal step in strengthening the bilateral relationship, referring to the anniversary as a “Golden Jubilee.” He highlighted key achievements, including Grenada’s participation in Expo 2025 Osaka, Japan’s support for sargassum countermeasures, and vocational training initiatives. Dr. Phillip expressed her gratitude and commitment to fostering deeper ties between the two nations. The celebrations continued on November 13 with a musical concert featuring the Japanese Bamboo Flute and the National School Orchestra, symbolizing cultural harmony. Acting Foreign Minister Senator Adrian Thomas emphasized the significance of the 50-year friendship and expressed optimism for future collaboration in cultural exchange, innovation, and economic ties. He also congratulated Dr. Phillip on behalf of the Government and People of Grenada, recognizing her contributions to education and leadership.
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GTA strengthens strategic focus on Carriacou and Petite Martinique
The Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA) recently wrapped up a comprehensive three-day strategic session aimed at bolstering the tourism infrastructure of Carriacou and Petite Martinique, Grenada’s sister islands. Spearheaded by CEO Stacey Liburd, Chief Marketing Officer Tornia Charles, and Quality Assurance Manager Keron Moore, the initiative underscored GTA’s dedication to fostering inclusive development across the tri-island state. The event featured a series of interactive presentations and stakeholder meetings, focusing on sustainable growth, product enhancement, and market readiness. Key highlights included a Strategic Presentation outlining GTA’s vision for integrating the islands into the national tourism strategy, a Social Media Workshop on digital marketing best practices, a Quality Assurance session emphasizing service standards, and a Marketing 101 module designed to boost local businesses’ promotional capabilities. A pivotal component of the program was a stakeholder engagement tour in Petite Martinique, which provided the delegation with firsthand insights into the island’s tourism assets and the needs of local operators. This visit facilitated open discussions on service delivery, training, and investment opportunities, aimed at enhancing the resilience and visibility of the sister islands. Liburd emphasized the importance of Carriacou and Petite Martinique to Grenada’s overall tourism growth, stating, ‘These sessions are about listening, sharing practical tools, and creating sustainable pathways that empower our industry partners on every island to thrive. Our goal is one cohesive tri-island product that celebrates diversity while delivering excellence.’ A Carriacou service provider praised the initiative, noting the high quality of presentations and the opportunity to engage directly with GTA representatives. The GTA remains committed to ongoing collaboration with tourism partners across Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique, focusing on capacity building, innovation, and sustainable tourism growth.
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Grenada’s vision for regional talent development at Soccerex Miami 2025
Marlon Glean, President of the Grenada Football Association (GFA), recently made waves at Soccerex Miami 2025, where he contributed to a dynamic panel discussion titled “Prospect to Pro.” The session delved into essential strategies for fostering elite talent, establishing modern academies, and creating cross-border pathways for players—themes that resonate deeply with Glean’s vision for Caribbean football development.
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Grenada High Commission re-established in Ottawa, Canada
In a significant diplomatic move, Grenada has officially reopened its High Commission in Ottawa, Canada, on November 14, 2025. This marks the return of Grenada’s independent diplomatic presence in Canada after decades of representation through the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), which ceased operations in 2011. The reestablishment ceremony was attended by key officials, including Grenada’s newly appointed High Commissioner to Canada, His Excellency Sylvester Quarless, who formally presented his credentials to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on September 17, 2025. The event also saw the presence of Hon. Joseph Andall, Grenada’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade & Export Development, alongside former High Commissioners George Griffith and Jennifer Hosten-Craig. Representatives from Global Affairs Canada, the Diplomatic Corps, and the Grenadian Diaspora joined the celebrations, highlighting the importance of this milestone. High Commissioner Quarless emphasized Grenada’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Canada and fostering deeper ties with the Grenadian diaspora. The High Commission aims to engage the diaspora community in Canada to leverage their skills, knowledge, and resources for Grenada’s development. Hon. Andall expressed gratitude to the Canadian government and people for hosting the High Commission, acknowledging Canada’s longstanding support through initiatives like the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and the Canada-Caricom Strategic Partnership. The newly reestablished High Commission, located at 350 Sparks Street, Suite 1210, Ottawa, is poised to serve as a vital bridge between Grenada and its diaspora, ensuring the preservation of Grenadian culture and heritage for future generations.
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Peter David is latest licensed local CBI agent
Charles Peter David, a prominent Member of Parliament for the Town of St George, has been officially appointed as a local agent for Grenada’s Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programme, now rebranded as the Investment Migration Agency (IMA). This appointment, announced in the 14 November 2025 issue of the Government Gazette, grants David the authority to operate under the 2013 Citizenship by Investment Act, with his license number being #GCBI-LA-046. The notice explicitly states that David is authorised to conduct business in Grenada in accordance with the terms and conditions specified in the Act. David, who has previously served as a government minister in both the Tillman Thomas National Democratic Congress Administration and the Dr Keith Mitchell New National Party administration, recently launched his own political party, the Democratic People’s Movement. As a local CBI agent, David is tasked with assisting applicants in preparing and submitting their documents, managing their applications, and liaising with the CBI Unit throughout the process. The role of a local agent is crucial, as all applications must go through these intermediaries rather than being submitted directly to the government processing unit. Currently, there are over 20 licensed local CBI agents in Grenada. Since its inception 11 years ago, the CBI programme has generated significant revenue for the government and has granted citizenship to nearly 20,000 individuals from various countries.
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Grenada finalises investment facilitation categorisation
Grenada is poised to modernize its investment landscape through a pivotal two-day national stakeholder consultation, scheduled for November 17–18, 2025. This hybrid event, blending in-person and virtual participation, aims to finalize the categorization of needs under the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) Agreement. The workshop is a collaborative initiative involving the International Trade Centre (ITC), the OECS Commission, and Grenada’s Investment Promotion Agency (GIDC), supported by the WTO and funded by the European Union’s RIGHT Programme.
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Opposition members seek answers from ministers through Parliament
In an upcoming parliamentary session scheduled for Wednesday, 18 November 2025, Opposition Leader Emmalin Pierre and Member of Parliament Clarice Modeste are poised to challenge the government on a range of critical issues. The session, set to take place in the Lower House or House of Representatives, will see Pierre and Modeste address pressing matters concerning public projects, cannabis policy, and agricultural support. Pierre’s inquiries will focus on the status of the newly established Cannabis Commission, the government’s stance on cannabis legalization and decriminalization, and the restructuring of the Marketing and National Importing Board (MNIB). Additionally, she will seek transparency regarding the distribution of funds from the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF) to local farmers and fishermen. Meanwhile, Modeste will question Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell on the progress of the Waltham Land Expansion Project, the renovation status of the Victoria Hotel, and the development of key farm roads, including the Red Mud and Mt Cenis to Brothers routes. These questions, listed on the Order Paper, will precede ministerial statements, highlighting the opposition’s commitment to holding the government accountable for its policies and projects.
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Grenada at Cocoa Research Centre/FAO workshop
Grenada played a pivotal role in the Sub-Regional Validation Workshop on the Caribbean Cocoa Industry Development Agenda, held on November 13 and 14, 2025, at The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad. Organized by the Cocoa Research Centre (CRC) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, the event united cocoa-producing nations across the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and Trinidad and Tobago for two days of strategic collaboration, technical exchanges, and roadmap refinement. Over the past year, FAO and CRC have collaborated with Caribbean countries to identify challenges in the cocoa sector and outline a structured roadmap for sustainable development. This initiative involved technical assessments, consultations with farmers and institutions, and analysis of genetic material, field practices, and post-harvest systems. The workshop provided a platform for countries to review findings, discuss challenges, and shape national priorities within a regional framework. Grenada’s delegation included Andrew Hastick, General Manager of the Grenada Cocoa Association; Kason Charles, Agronomist with the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries, and Cooperatives; and Shadel Nyack Compton, Managing Director of Belmont Estate, representing the private sector. They engaged in sessions on planting material pipelines, genetic improvement, climate resilience, pest and disease management, cocoa quality, cadmium mitigation, and market opportunities for fine-flavour cocoa. These discussions underscored the need for coordinated efforts to enhance cocoa production and value-added development in Grenada. Cocoa is a cornerstone of Grenada’s agricultural sector, renowned for its fine-flavour exports and the burgeoning tree-to-bar industry. Local processors are expanding production of chocolate, cocoa powder, and artisanal products, highlighting the importance of strengthening production systems, increasing output, and improving quality to support rural livelihoods, export earnings, and tourism. Hastick emphasized the workshop’s value in assessing Grenada’s current position and identifying areas for urgent focus, such as improving field practices, farmer support, and processing capacity. Charles highlighted the need to enhance local capacity, attract youth, and foster innovation, while Nyack Compton expressed gratitude for the CRC and FAO’s leadership and reaffirmed Grenada’s commitment to building a resilient cocoa industry. The Grenada team presented a national cocoa roadmap prioritizing the restoration of over 2,000 acres of abandoned cocoa lands, innovation in farm management, and expanding value addition. This initiative aims to double national production and achieve a long-term vision of 1,000 metric tonnes. Grenada remains dedicated to advancing a modern, competitive cocoa industry, leveraging its heritage, expertise, and potential to secure a thriving future for the sector.