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  • UN Tourism in support of Grenadian entrepreneur

    UN Tourism in support of Grenadian entrepreneur

    At the 12th World Free Zones Organisation (WFZO) World Congress held in Panama, a landmark new joint report from UN Tourism and WFZO has placed Tourism Special Economic Zones (TSEZs) firmly at the center of global economic development discourse, with Citez Grenada Ltd. emphasizing the transformative potential of this model for small island developing states across the Eastern Caribbean. Titled *Rethinking Investable Destinations: An Approach to Tourism Special Economic Zones*, the report arrives at a critical juncture for the region, where governments and private stakeholders are actively pursuing new pathways to attract foreign capital, diversify traditional tourism offerings, uplift local cultural enterprises, and strengthen their overall global investment competitiveness.

    Cory Zufelt, founder of Grenada-based economic development firm Citez Grenada Ltd., joined a high-profile panel discussion at the congress titled Anchoring Tourism and Culture in the Knowledge Economy, alongside an international lineup of sector leaders including Peter Janech, UN Tourism’s Coordinator of Education, Innovation and Investments; Liriola Pitti, Executive Director of AEI Panama; and Juan Carlos Abud, Minister of Economic Development of Jujuy, Argentina. The conversation, moderated by Juliana Villegas Restrepo, Director of International Promotion and Business Development at Araújo Ibarra Consultores en Negocios Internacionales, centered on a paradigm shift in how global tourism is evaluated: no longer is success measured solely by annual visitor arrival numbers, but by tourism’s capacity to drive broad-based gains including cross-sector investment, innovative enterprise development, cultural export growth, high-skilled job creation, expansion of digital services, scaling of local small businesses, and long-term improvements to national economic competitiveness.

    Currently, Citez Grenada is collaborating directly with UN Tourism to advance planning for a more than 100-acre pioneering economic development project in the Eastern Caribbean, designed to test and demonstrate a modern, zone-integrated model that unites tourism, cultural enterprise, digital trade, workforce upskilling, streamlined investment facilitation, and inclusive local business participation.

    For small island developing states like Grenada, Zufelt argued, the rising global focus on TSEZs is inseparable from the region’s long-term economic future. “Tourism can no longer be seen only as a visitor economy,” he noted. “For small island states like Grenada, tourism must become a platform for investment, knowledge economy, business creation, skills development, digital services and export growth. The opportunity is to move from simply attracting visitors to building systems that allow visitors, investors, founders, diaspora members and local businesses to participate in the economy in a deeper way.”

    Citez Grenada’s analysis positions the country as having unique potential to emerge as a regional leader in this emerging development model, provided it moves quickly to update its national economic zone regulatory framework, and aligns public policy with priorities including expanded digital infrastructure, workforce development, and targeted investment attraction.

    The new UN Tourism-WFZO report formalizes TSEZs as a core pillar of next-generation special economic zone development, noting that modern TSEZ competitiveness extends far beyond traditional tax incentives. Instead, successful zones are defined by the quality of their overall ecosystem: including transparent, effective governance, fit-for-purpose infrastructure, end-to-end investor support, robust environmental stewardship, inclusive community participation, and strong interconnected supply chains that link the zone to the broader national economy.

    Zufelt emphasized that Grenada’s competitive edge extends well beyond its well-known natural beauty and tourism appeal. The country’s unique combination of strong business tourism infrastructure, growing digital connectivity, rich cultural heritage, established reputation for safety and quality of life, existing talent pool, deep diaspora connections, and strategic geographic location creates a powerful foundation for building a globally competitive, investment-ready TSEZ platform. “Grenada already has an emotional attraction. People love the country. The question now is how we convert that attraction into long-term value. How do we turn a visitor into an investor, a cultural experience into an export, a local product into a global brand, and a tourism destination into a knowledge economy platform?” he said.

    The proposed TSEZ model being developed for Grenada is structured to be led by the private sector, while building intentional, direct linkages that create opportunities for local workers, small and medium-sized entrepreneurs, domestic suppliers, cultural practitioners, and diaspora investors to participate in and benefit from the zone’s growth.

    Across the globe, Zufelt noted, nations are increasingly turning to zone-based development tools to attract global capital, improve national investment readiness, deliver critical infrastructure, diversify tourism economies, and build new sustainable engines of employment. With forward-thinking policy alignment, he argued, Grenada can capture a first-mover advantage across the Eastern Caribbean to position itself as a regional hub for TSEZ-led development.

    “This is a moment for Grenada to be bold but strategic,” Zufelt added. “The world is now looking at Tourism SEZs as platforms for sustainable investment and broader economic transformation. Grenada has the culture, the people, the location, and the brand but it must act fast. What is needed now is the framework to organise that opportunity.”

    Headquartered in Grenada, Citez Grenada Ltd. is a locally owned economic development company focused on building integrated platforms for trade, investment, business services, migration, workforce development, digital onboarding, tourism, culture, and future-focused industries. It is a member of the global Citez Global network, with a core mission to position the Eastern Caribbean as a strategic connection point for global business, investment, tourism, culture, innovation, and sustainable development. UN Tourism is the United Nations’ specialized agency leading global efforts to advance responsible, sustainable, and universally accessible tourism, serving as the leading global forum for tourism policy dialogue and a central source of sector knowledge for governments, destinations, investors, and industry stakeholders. The World Free Zones Organisation is the leading global body supporting special economic zones, free zones, and industrial parks, facilitating cross-border cooperation, knowledge sharing, policy dialogue, and dissemination of best practices to position zones as catalysts for inclusive, sustainable economic growth.

  • Can a lawyer serve 2 masters?

    Can a lawyer serve 2 masters?

    As Managing Partner of K C Legal Consultancy, Kevon K K Charles draws on years of frontline legal practice to unpack a growing tension at the heart of modern transactional law, particularly within the Caribbean legal landscape. For legal practitioners, scenarios that demand navigating conflicting duties are far from uncommon: a client brings a clear, straightforward transactional instruction, expecting their attorney to advance their goals, yet independent of the client relationship, a separate set of binding legal obligations requires lawyers to step beyond their role as a mere advocate for the client’s agenda. This conflict, Charles argues, is where the modern attorney’s most persistent professional challenge begins.

    The core identity of the legal profession has long been anchored to four non-negotiable foundational principles: unwavering loyalty to a client’s interests, strict protection of client confidentiality, preservation of independent professional judgment, and upholding legal professional privilege. These are not hollow theoretical concepts; they form the bedrock of trust that allows clients to speak openly to their legal advisors, disclose sensitive information, and seek guidance without fear of exposure. In recent decades, however, this traditional framework has been layered with an ever-expanding web of regulatory compliance obligations, most acutely felt in transactional work spanning property transfers, corporate structuring, and cross-border or domestic fund movements.

    Regulators now expect attorneys to conduct due diligence, ask targeted questions about transaction origins and intentions, and in some cases report suspicious activity to relevant authorities – obligations that do not stem from a client’s retainer, and that often exist in tension with traditional duties of loyalty and confidentiality. In practice, this conflict is rarely black and white. A transaction may appear fully legitimate on its face, the client may be a longstanding contact the attorney has worked with for years, and the corporate or property structure may be entirely conventional. Still, a subtle red flag can demand that an attorney pause, step back from advancing the transaction, and conduct further inquiry – a position that is rarely comfortable for either the practitioner or the client.

    This tension creates a two-pronged reality that all modern transactional attorneys must grapple with. First, practitioners are bound by strict rules of professional conduct laid out in the Legal Profession Act, which require attorneys to act with integrity, maintain independent judgment, and avoid facilitating unlawful or improper conduct. This means an attorney is never simply a passive conduit for a client’s instructions; they bear an independent responsibility to assess whether a transaction is legally proper, not just whether it can be executed.

    The second core consideration, and one that lies at the heart of public trust in the legal profession, is client confidentiality. For legal practice to function, clients must be able to speak freely and openly with their attorneys about every detail of their affairs. Without this guarantee of trust, an attorney’s ability to provide thorough, accurate legal advice is fundamentally undermined. The challenge of modern regulation, Charles explains, is that growing compliance expectations now operate alongside this longstanding principle. These new rules do not eliminate the protection of legal professional privilege, but they do demand that attorneys develop a far clearer understanding of where privilege ends and regulatory obligations begin.

    Many clients naturally ask: can information shared with my attorney still remain confidential? Charles confirms the answer remains yes – but it is no longer an unqualified absolute. The attorney-client relationship is still rooted in trust, but it now operates within a regulatory framework that imposes enforceable duties that extend beyond the bilateral client-lawyer relationship.

    In the Caribbean context, this balancing act is uniquely delicate. As Charles notes in his ongoing series of articles on wealth, property and regulation in the region, many Caribbean transactions grow out of decades-long personal and professional relationships, often built on informal arrangements and legacy structures that have evolved organically over generations. Information and arrangements that are universally understood within a family or local community do not always easily translate into the documented, verifiable proof that modern compliance frameworks require. This does not make the transactions improper, but it does demand a level of due diligence and care that was not required of Caribbean attorneys in decades past.

    Charles concludes by addressing the core question this tension raises: can attorneys truly serve two competing sets of obligations, or must the profession adapt to a new normal? Contrary to the framing of this conflict as serving two masters, Charles argues that modern practice simply requires attorneys to accept that both sets of obligations now exist side by side, and that the role of the contemporary attorney is to navigate this balance carefully. While this is rarely an easy position to occupy, it is one that is becoming increasingly familiar across the Caribbean legal sector, as regulation evolves to meet global standards.

    This analysis forms part of a continuing series examining the evolving intersection of wealth, property ownership, and regulatory compliance across the Caribbean. NOW Grenada notes that it is not responsible for the opinions and statements shared by contributing authors, and invites readers to report any abusive content via official channels.

  • Nazzio John equals national 200m record

    Nazzio John equals national 200m record

    Grenadian sprint talent Nazzio John has secured an automatic qualification spot for the 2026 NCAA Division I National Track and Field Championships after a standout performance at the East Regional First Round qualifiers, while matching Grenada’s senior national record for the 200-meter event along the way.

    Representing Ohio State University in the competition, John kicked off his campaign with a solid win in his opening heat, clocking a seasonal best time of 20.30 seconds to advance to the quarterfinal round. On May 29, running from lane 6 in the quarterfinals, the rising sprinter crossed the finish line first in his section with a time of 20.27 seconds, a result that ties the long-standing Grenadian senior national record for the 200m. He finished comfortably ahead of second-place finisher Trelee Banks of Indiana (20.33 seconds) and third-place Jaleel Croal of South Florida (20.41 seconds).

    Per NCAA competition rules, the top three athletes from each quarterfinal heat earn automatic qualification to the national championships, pushing John through to the upcoming national event scheduled to run from June 10 to 13 at Eugene, Oregon’s iconic Hayward Field.

    The achievement cements John’s status as one of the top collegiate sprinters in the United States, where NCAA Division I track and field draws more than 24,000 competing student-athletes nationwide. To reach the national stage, athletes must navigate a rigorous selection process: only the top 48 declared athletes gain entry to regional first-round competitions per event, and just 12 athletes from each of the East and West regions ultimately advance to the national championships. This selective process makes John’s qualification and record-tying performance all the more notable.

    In a post-race interview, John expressed gratitude for the support that helped him reach the milestone: “I’m extremely thankful to my support team, both Coach Diego Flaquer and Joel Brown, for getting me prepared both physically and mentally.” Looking ahead to the national championships in Oregon, John laid out an ambitious goal: “My goal for Oregon is to cement my name as one of the fastest 200m runners in the NCAA and make it to the finals, even if that means being the first Grenadian to go sub-20.”

    Beyond collegiate competition, John is currently among the top Grenadian athletes shortlisted to represent his home country at upcoming high-profile regional and international competitions, including the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games and the 2026 Commonwealth Games, which will take place between late July and early August 2026. Leadership from both the Grenada Athletic Association (GAA) and the Grenada Olympic Committee (GOC) have been closely tracking John’s consistent progress on the U.S. collegiate track circuit, and have shared that they are deeply impressed by his steady upward trajectory as a professional-caliber sprinter.

  • RGPF: update on allegations regarding hotel workers

    RGPF: update on allegations regarding hotel workers

    Nearly three months after releasing an initial public announcement regarding widespread allegations of sexual abuse targeting hotel employees at the hands of visiting tourists, the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) has shared a critical update on the progress of the case. Back in May 2026, the law enforcement agency first notified the public that multiple claims of misconduct had been flagged, and put out a call for formal reports from potential victims to move forward with probes. As of the latest update from the Office of the Commissioner of Police, only one formal, official complaint connected to the original allegations has been submitted to investigators.

    Preliminary review of the submitted claim has ruled out the most serious charge of sexual assault, according to RGPF findings. Even though the allegation did not meet the threshold for criminal sexual assault charges, the complainant still requested police intervention to issue a formal warning to the individual named in the report. That administrative step has been carried out as part of the ongoing process.

    In its latest statement, the RGPF reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to pursuing thorough, impartial investigations into every reported claim of sexual abuse, exploitation, and all other criminal acts occurring within its jurisdiction. Law enforcement officials are continuing their outreach to encourage any person with additional information about alleged incidents of this nature, or anyone who has personally experienced harm that could qualify as a criminal offense, to reach out to authorities immediately.

    Members of the public with relevant information or claims can contact the RGPF Criminal Investigations Department directly at 440-3921, call the 24/7 police emergency line at 911, or visit the closest local police station to file a report in person. The RGPF emphasized that public cooperation is a foundational component of successfully probing and resolving allegations of sexual misconduct, ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable and potential victims receive the support and justice they deserve.

    This update was issued directly from the Office of the Commissioner of Police. NOW Grenada disclaims responsibility for any opinions, statements or third-party content shared by contributors to its platform, and provides a channel for users to report any content that violates community guidelines.

  • 30 May 1650: Amerindians jumped to their deaths at Sauteurs

    30 May 1650: Amerindians jumped to their deaths at Sauteurs

    On May 30 each year, people pause to reflect on a tragic yet iconic chapter of Caribbean colonial history, marking the 1650 mass suicide of more than 40 Island Caribs at Sauteurs in St Patrick, Grenada. Rather than submit to French invading forces, these Indigenous people chose to jump hundreds of feet from a steep coastal cliff to their deaths, an act of resistance that remains etched in Grenada’s collective memory centuries later.

    The chain of events leading to the tragedy at what would become known as Leapers’ Hill is intertwined with narratives of betrayal, colonial expansion, and cultural genocide that defined European settlement in the Caribbean. The betrayal began with an Island Carib man named Thomas, who fell into conflict with the local community after he was rejected by the daughter of Chief Duquesne. After killing the chief’s son in retaliation, Thomas fled to the nearby French colony of Martinique, where he offered French governor Du Parquet a chance to seize control of Grenada’s Indigenous population by revealing the location of their secret gathering.

    Acting on Thomas’s intelligence, a French force of 60 men launched a surprise night attack on a Carib longhouse perched on the hill overlooking Sauteurs Bay, opening a brutal, deadly assault on the unsuspecting community. Trapped with no path to a fair fight against the armed invaders, around 40 Caribs made the fateful choice to leap from the cliff’s edge instead of surrendering to what they saw as an inglorious life under colonial rule.

    In the wake of the incident, the cliff was named Le Morne des Sauteurs – translated as the Hill of Leapers – a name that would eventually be passed to the nearby coastal town that grew around the bay. Contrary to common historical accounts that claim the massacre wiped out Grenada’s Island Carib population, surviving communities held on to their territory and identity through reduced, marginalized circumstances well into the mid-18th century. Even so, the Leapers’ Hill incident is widely recognized as the pivotal turning point that cemented French control over Grenada, ending effective Indigenous resistance to colonization on the island.

    Today, the site draws visitors from across the globe, who come to confront the gravity of this ultimate act of collective self-sacrifice for freedom. The tragedy has long resonated with creative creators, inspiring poets, filmmakers, musicians, and visual artists to retell the story of the Carib resistance. For centuries, the quiet hill itself stood as a natural monument to the fallen, until 2007 when a formal marble memorial was installed at the site.

    A layer of unintended irony surrounds the new monument: its design incorporates a Christian crucifix, a symbol of the European cultural imperialism the Caribs died to resist. Many have noted that the choice of symbolism makes the memorial a poor fit for honoring the legacy of the people who died defending their home and traditional way of life. Even so, historians point out that public monuments are as much about how contemporary societies process the past as they are about honoring the dead, making the memorial a marker of how far public recognition of this history has come – even as it reveals the work still left to do.

    This article draws from *A-Z of Grenada Heritage*, written by John Angus Martin and originally published by Macmillan Caribbean in 2007, available for purchase through Amazon and local Grenadian retailers.

  • Camper & Nicholsons, Port Louis Marina vacancy: Security Guard

    Camper & Nicholsons, Port Louis Marina vacancy: Security Guard

    A prominent Grenadian maritime facility, Port Louis Marina operated by Camper & Nicholsons, has officially announced an open call for qualified candidates to fill an available Security Guard position, with applications set to close in June 2026.

    As an unarmed security professional at the marina, successful applicants will take on a broad range of core responsibilities designed to protect the facility, its personnel, visitors, and assets. Core duties include conducting regular foot and vehicle patrols across both interior and exterior designated areas of the premises, monitoring access points to control entry and exit from company grounds and restricted security zones, and verifying the credentials of all individuals seeking access to secure areas.

    Security staff will also be tasked with continuous monitoring of closed-circuit television systems and on-site alarm detectors, documenting daily activities and incidents in official written reports, and proactively deterring criminal behavior and policy violations across the property. When irregular or unsafe conditions are detected—from unauthorized activity to fire hazards—guards will be required to trigger appropriate alarms and contact emergency services including police and fire departments as needed. In cases involving potential immigration compliance issues, security personnel will alert relevant government authorities and coordinate with senior marina management for guidance.

    Additional responsibilities include addressing rule violations by issuing warnings to individuals found loitering, smoking in restricted zones, or carrying prohibited items; monitoring departing staff and visitors to prevent theft of company and client property; conducting prompt investigations into all accidents, suspicious incidents, and abnormal activity; and assisting customers, employees, and guests with a courteous, professional demeanor at all times. The role also requires staff to complete any additional duties outlined in official post orders as assigned by management.

    To be considered for the position, candidates must meet several formal requirements. Applicants must hold a valid high school diploma or an equivalent educational qualification, and have a minimum of two years of prior relevant experience working in a corporate security setting that requires regular direct interaction with customers and clients. Candidates must also demonstrate proven proficiency operating standard security equipment, including two-way radios, telephone systems, and security console monitors, alongside strong interpersonal and communication skills to interact politely and effectively with members of the public.

    Compensation for the role will be determined based on each candidate’s relevant qualifications and professional experience.

    All applications must be submitted to the Human Resource Manager of Camper & Nicholsons Grenada Services Ltd, located at Port Louis Marina, MB9012 Kirani James Boulevard, St George’s, Grenada. Interested candidates may also send application materials via email to [email protected]. The closing date for all applications is June 12, 2026.

    The publishing outlet, NOW Grenada, has noted that it does not take responsibility for opinions, statements, or third-party content shared by contributors, and provides a reporting channel for users to flag abusive content.

  • Digital Growth Inc. highlights AI and digital transformation at SGU Career Fair 2026

    Digital Growth Inc. highlights AI and digital transformation at SGU Career Fair 2026

    Caribbean-based creative technology firm Digital Growth Inc recently took part in the 2026 St George’s University Career Fair, where Managing Director Cameron Philbert delivered a keynote address exploring the expanding influence of artificial intelligence across modern professional sectors and the foundational role digital innovation plays in building sustainable, successful enterprises.

    Titled “AI in the Professional World: Building Apps for Successful Businesses,” Philbert’s presentation delivered actionable insights into how AI, automated systems and interconnected digital platforms are reshaping industries across the globe, while unlocking unprecedented new opportunities for both businesses and emerging professionals across the Caribbean region.

    During the talk, Philbert broke down how contemporary organizations across all sectors are increasingly integrating AI-powered tools to streamline core operations, boost operational efficiency, deepen customer engagement, strengthen data-driven decision making, and support scalable long-term growth. A core throughline of his address was the urgent need to equip the next generation of workers with the skills required to thrive in a fast-changing digital economy, where technological fluency has become a non-negotiable professional requirement.

    Philbert also placed specific emphasis on the critical need for small and medium-sized Caribbean businesses to prioritize digital transformation, before outlining Digital Growth’s tailored framework for supporting organizations through this transition: the company’s proprietary Digital Transformation Assessments. These structured evaluations are built to help businesses map their current operational workflows, assess existing gaps in digital capacity, spot untapped opportunities for innovation, and develop concrete, actionable strategies to integrate cutting-edge tools including AI, automation, and cloud-based digital systems into daily operations.

    As an extension of the company’s ongoing commitment to supporting regional business innovation and operational improvement, Digital Growth is also opening access to its complimentary Digital Efficiency Assessment, a specialized tool that helps organizations pinpoint operational bottlenecks, workflow inefficiencies, and high-impact areas for digital overhaul. Businesses interested in completing the assessment can access it via the company’s official portal at https://portal.digitalgrowth.global/assessments/efficiency-assessment.

    “Many business leaders already recognize that digital transformation is no longer optional – it’s a requirement for remaining competitive in today’s market. But far too many are unsure exactly where to start their journey,” Philbert explained. “Our core goal with these assessments is to meet organizations where they are today, helping them identify clear, practical opportunities to boost efficiency, elevate customer experience, and build long-term, sustainable growth through intentional technology adoption.”

    Beyond engaging with business leaders, Philbert also used the career fair platform to speak directly to attending students and young emerging professionals, urging them to proactively embrace emerging technologies and prioritize continuous upskilling to build digital competencies that will remain relevant as the global workforce evolves.

    Digital Growth later extended its gratitude to St George’s University for the opportunity to participate in the event and contribute to critical conversations about technology, innovation, and the future of regional business. Headquartered in the Caribbean, Digital Growth Inc specializes in a full suite of digital services for regional and international clients, including digital marketing, custom software development, AI-powered business solutions, workflow automation, and end-to-end digital transformation consulting. More information about the company’s services can be found at its official website, digitalgrowth.global, or via email at info@digitalgrowth.global.

    *Disclaimer: NOW Grenada is not responsible for the opinions, statements, or third-party media content shared by contributors. To report abusive content, follow the official reporting channel provided on the NOW Grenada platform.*

  • Tropical Weather Outlook: Friday, 29 May 2026 (8 am)

    Tropical Weather Outlook: Friday, 29 May 2026 (8 am)

    Meteorological authorities from the Meteorological Services, MBIA, in partnership with the Grenada Airports Authority (GAA), have issued an official update on tropical weather activity across the Tropical North Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico. The forecast highlights a developing tropical wave marked for monitoring within the zone of special interest spanning 10 – 20 °N latitude and 40 – 65 °W longitude.

    The system, a broad tropical wave, currently sits with its central axis along 51°W, positioned south of 15°N. As of the latest advisory, the disturbance sits roughly 628 nautical miles east of the Lesser Antilles island chain, tracking steadily westward at a forward speed of between 15 and 20 knots. Following current trajectory models, the wave is on track to reach the island of Grenada between Saturday evening and early Sunday morning. Forecasts predict the system will bring increased cloud cover and scattered to widespread showers across the island during that window.

    Beyond this monitored disturbance, forecasters confirm that no additional tropical cyclone development is anticipated across the entire monitoring basin over the next 48 hours. The next official advisory update on the tropical wave’s progress is scheduled for release at 2 pm local time.

    This public weather advisory is issued by the combined Meteorological Services, MBIA and Grenada Airports Authority, with distribution via NOW Grenada. NOW Grenada notes it assumes no responsibility for contributor content included in public advisories, and invites users to report any suspected content violations through official platform channels.

  • 10 orderlies to receive specialised training

    10 orderlies to receive specialised training

    The Caribbean island nation of Grenada is taking tangible steps to upgrade its mental health care system, starting with a targeted skills development program for frontline support staff at the country’s only psychiatric treatment facility.

    Ten orderlies currently working at St. George’s-based Mt Gay Psychiatric Hospital will begin a specialized Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) Level 2 training course by the end of May, Mental Health Minister Delma Thomas confirmed during this week’s sitting of Grenada’s Lower House of Parliament. Thomas framed the six-month initiative as a dual investment: it will both improve the quality of care for at-risk, vulnerable mental health patients across the country, and raise the professional competencies of frontline workers who interact with these patients daily.

    Managed by local training provider La Boucan Training Centre and greenlit by Grenada’s Ministry of Mental Health, Wellness and Religious Affairs, the full program carries an estimated price tag of EC$81,600. In addition to funding the training itself, Grenada’s Cabinet has approved an additional EC$42,000 allocated to stipends for participating trainees, a measure designed to reduce financial barriers and help all participants complete the program successfully.

    “This initiative represents an important investment in human resource development and the improvement of care services for some of the most vulnerable members of our society,” Thomas told parliament.

    The training program forms just one part of the government’s broader, long-term overhaul of the national mental health sector. Over the coming weeks, officials will launch a series of external stakeholder consultations to gather input on two landmark policy documents: a new National Mental Health Policy and a dedicated Suicide Prevention Policy. The first consultation session is scheduled to open Tuesday, June 2 at the Deluxe Cinema in Grenville, located in the parish of St Andrew. The sessions are being held in partnership with a technical advisor from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the UN regional health agency for the Americas.

    According to Thomas, the multi-stakeholder consultations will bring together mental health providers, civil society groups, public health officials and community partners to advance a national conversation centered on three key goals: expanding access to quality mental health services, strengthening evidence-based suicide prevention strategies, and boosting public awareness of mental health challenges across Grenada. Beyond improving service delivery, Thomas noted that the new policy framework is intended to advance the government’s commitment to ending the social stigma that often prevents people living with mental health conditions from seeking and accessing the care they need, and building a far more inclusive, supportive national community for all those affected.

  • Grenadian company signs on as founding member of Caribbean Special Economic Zone Association

    Grenadian company signs on as founding member of Caribbean Special Economic Zone Association

    A landmark step toward coordinated regional economic development has been taken in the Caribbean, as Grenada-based domestic economic development firm Citez Grenada Ltd. has formalized its role as a founding member of the newly launched Caribbean Special Economic Zone Association (Cari SEZA). The move paves the way for greater Eastern Caribbean representation in the fast-expanding regional movement to upgrade the design, governance, operational performance and global profile of special economic zones (SEZs) across the Caribbean basin.

    Cari SEZA operates as an independent, non-governmental not-for-profit entity created to streamline collaboration between Caribbean SEZs, national investment promotion agencies, regional policymakers, and global industry partners. The initiative draws institutional backing from key regional and international stakeholders, including regional government leaders, the World Free Zones Organisation (WFZO), the Caribbean Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (CAIPA), and the Jamaica Special Economic Zone Authority — all of which served as lead thought partners and co-developers of the association’s foundational framework.

    The Cari SEZA framework was first unveiled to global industry leaders during the WFZO’s 12th Annual World Congress held in Panama City, where it received formal endorsement from dozens of Caribbean SEZs and regional regulatory authorities. Industry observers frame the launch of the association as a critical leap forward for the Caribbean, granting the region a unified, more influential voice in the global free zones ecosystem that shapes global trade and investment trends.

    For Citez Grenada, its early membership in Cari SEZA aligns directly with the company’s core mission: positioning the Eastern Caribbean as a competitive strategic hub for cross-border trade, foreign direct investment, business services, tourism, cultural exports, digital technology, workforce development, and next-generation industries. Citez Grenada is currently advancing plans for a large-scale, private-sector-led economic development project spanning more than 100 acres, with a focus on integrated physical infrastructure development, digital business onboarding, end-to-end business support services, investment facilitation, migration-linked business support, workforce upskilling, partnerships with local suppliers, and long-term sustainable enterprise growth.

    Cory Zufelt, founder of Citez Grenada Ltd., emphasized that early membership is rooted in a commitment to ensuring Eastern Caribbean interests are centered from the association’s earliest stages. “Grenada has a unique opportunity to help shape the next generation of Caribbean economic zones,” Zufelt explained. “Free zones have evolved far beyond their traditional roots in warehousing, manufacturing, and tax incentives. Today, they function as global platforms for advanced services, digital trade, cross-border investment, tourism development, cultural entrepreneurship, innovation, workforce development, and transparent, sustainable commerce. Citez Grenada is proud to support the launch of Cari SEZA and secure a seat at the table for Grenada as the region builds a more coordinated approach to SEZ development.”

    The launch of Cari SEZA comes at a pivotal moment for Caribbean economies, which are actively pursuing new strategies to attract resilient, long-term foreign investment, diversify their economic bases beyond traditional sectors such as commodity exports and mass tourism, and build integrated regional platforms that compete on the global stage. Citez leadership notes that Grenada is well-positioned to play an outsized role in this new chapter by developing a modern, transparent, locally rooted, and globally connected SEZ platform that creates shared value for international investors, local businesses, workers, domestic entrepreneurs, and Grenadians both at home and in the global diaspora.

    “Our core goal is to create a model that connects global capital to local opportunity,” Zufelt added. “For Grenada, that means building clear pathways for new business formation, expansion of cultural exports, workforce upskilling, growth of digital services, tourism-linked investment, and scaling of local enterprises. Membership in Cari SEZA strengthens our ability to learn from regional and international peers, collaborate on shared priorities, and align our work with global best practices for SEZ development.”

    As a Grenadian-owned economic development firm, Citez Grenada focuses exclusively on building integrated platforms to support trade, investment, business services, migration-linked economic integration, workforce development, digital onboarding, and future-ready industries across the Eastern Caribbean. Its flagship proposed private-sector-led project is designed to establish the subregion as a strategic connector for global business, investment, tourism, culture, and innovation.