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标签： Grenada

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  • Ongoing challenges at Annandale Water System

    Ongoing challenges at Annandale Water System

    For weeks, communities across Grenada that rely on the Annandale Water System have grappled with widespread water access disruptions, and the National Water and Sewerage Authority (Nawasa) has formally acknowledged the significant hardship and disruption the technical failures have caused for local consumers. The core issue, first identified several weeks ago, is a steady, unexplained drop in water output from the Annandale Water Treatment Plant flowing to the Woburn Distribution Tank. This reduced inflow has left the tank unable to refill and maintain the minimum water level required to deliver consistent service to all connected communities.

    The supply shortages have hit hardest at higher-elevation neighborhoods in Willis, Daga, Granton and Mango, where many households now receive little to no running water on a regular basis. To mitigate immediate needs, Nawasa has deployed water trucks to deliver targeted emergency supplies to these high-impact zones, but service gaps remain widespread across the most vulnerable parts of the distribution network.

    Nawasa technical teams have launched repeated inspections, system-wide assessments, and incremental operational adjustments over the course of the outage to pinpoint the root cause of the reduced flow. Utility officials acknowledge that updates on the ongoing investigation have not satisfied frustrated customers, noting that the situation has long surpassed mere inconvenience for many local families. Disruptions to daily household routines have created severe hardship for residents cut off from consistent piped water, with users at the farthest edges of the distribution network and at higher elevations facing the most acute impacts, including extended periods with no water access at all.

    As investigations into the underlying issue continue, the utility will maintain emergency trucked water deliveries to affected communities as long as operational and resource capacities allow. Teams will continue intensive diagnostic work until the source of the flow reduction is confirmed, with all viable options to boost inflow to the Woburn Distribution Tank and stabilize service currently under review.

    While utility leaders note that significant diagnostic progress has been made to date, they cannot yet provide a definitive timeline for full service restoration. Nawasa has committed to full transparency with consumers throughout the remaining investigative and repair process, pledging frequent public updates and a clear restoration timeline as soon as a solution is confirmed.

    In the interim, the utility is urging all consumers with access to running water to store sufficient emergency water for essential needs, as supply fluctuations are expected to continue while adjustments are made to the network. For severely affected residents who have not yet received emergency deliveries, requests for trucked water can be submitted via phone at 440-2155 or through dedicated WhatsApp lines at 405-5245 and 405-9143 during operating hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

    Nawasa issued a formal apology to all affected households, businesses, and community institutions, emphasizing that resolving the outage and restoring a stable, reliable water supply remains the organization’s top urgent priority. The utility also thanked local customers for their ongoing patience and understanding as technical teams work to fully address the issue.

    This report is a contribution to NOW Grenada, which notes that it is not responsible for the opinions or content shared by third-party contributors. Users may report inappropriate content via the platform’s designated abuse reporting channel.

  • 27 July deadline for applications to Pearl Allison Lake Scholarship Fund

    27 July deadline for applications to Pearl Allison Lake Scholarship Fund

    The Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL) has announced a key update for aspiring scholarship applicants: the submission deadline for the 2026 Pearl Allison Lake (PAL) Scholarship Fund has been pushed back to 10 a.m. Atlantic Standard Time on Monday, July 27, 2026. This decision comes as a benefit to prospective candidates, granting them extra weeks to finalize their application materials, resolve any outstanding requirements, and submit complete packages for consideration.

    ECTEL officials have urged eligible students hailing from all ECTEL Contracting States to take advantage of this extended window to thoroughly review the scholarship’s eligibility criteria and compile all mandatory supporting documentation before the new cutoff date. Important notes for applicants: submissions that arrive after the deadline, or applications that are missing required information or documentation, will not be reviewed by the selection committee. For students who have already successfully submitted their complete applications, no further action is required – their materials will remain under consideration as scheduled.

    Full details on the PAL Scholarship Fund, including official application guidelines, eligibility rules, and access to required forms, are hosted on ECTEL’s digital platforms. Eligible applicants can access the 2026 cohort online application form directly, while the separate referee form, which must be completed by a staff member from the applicant’s primary school, is also available for download and submission through the authority’s official channels.

    Beyond the application update, the PAL Scholarship Fund carries deep institutional meaning for ECTEL. It was established to honor the legacy of Pearl Allison Lake, a beloved and long-serving member of the ECTEL Directorate who dedicated 20 years of her career to the organization before her passing in June 2024. Lake was widely recognized for her unwavering commitment to expanding educational opportunities for children, and she consistently advocated for the transformative power that access to learning can bring to young lives. The scholarship fund stands as a permanent tribute to her values and service, carrying forward her mission of supporting the next generation of learners across the Eastern Caribbean.

  • Empowering MSMEs for national growth

    Empowering MSMEs for national growth

    Over 50 owners and founders of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) gathered recently for a direct, high-level dialogue with Grenada’s Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell, centered on the core theme of “Empowering MSMEs for National Growth”. The landmark event, hosted by the Grenada Chamber of Industry and Commerce (GCIC) in strategic partnership with the Grenada Investment Development Corporation (GIDC) at Grenada’s Point Salines Hotel, filled a critical gap by creating an open, structured space for small business leaders to interact face-to-face with top government officials and leading business support organizations. The forum was designed explicitly to unpack the most pressing barriers holding back MSME expansion and competitiveness across the island nation.

    Attendees included senior representatives from a wide range of public and private sector entities with a mandate to support MSME development: the GIDC, Grenada Development Bank (GDB), Grenada Bureau of Standards (GBS), the Ministry of Trade, Grenada Postal Corporation, the Eastern Caribbean Partial Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECPGC), and regional digital solutions provider Ethniv. During the interactive sessions, agency representatives walked attendees through existing programs and resources available to small businesses, while also listening firsthand to the on-the-ground challenges entrepreneurs navigate daily to keep their operations running.

    The discussion was rooted in actionable data drawn from GCIC’s recent nationwide MSME Survey, which pinpointed the most common obstacles facing small and medium enterprises across Grenada. Key pain points identified in the research included limited access to affordable financing, weak marketing and brand visibility, constrained production capacity, gaps in export preparation, lack of targeted digital and technology support, and insufficient access to high-quality business training.

    Participants in the summit represented the full diversity of Grenada’s MSME ecosystem, spanning agro-processors, traditional artisans, craft producers, small-scale manufacturers, hospitality and professional service providers, and a range of other independent entrepreneurs. The structured, open format gave every business owner the opportunity to voice specific concerns, request clarification on existing government support programs, and submit concrete recommendations to improve the overall regulatory and operational environment for MSMEs across the country.

    A central throughline of the day’s conversation was the shared commitment to move beyond merely documenting challenges toward rolling out tangible, time-bound solutions. Prime Minister Mitchell urged MSME leaders to take an active role as advocates for their sector, emphasizing that open dialogue must be paired with consistent, coordinated action to deliver meaningful change. He encouraged entrepreneurs to stay focused on their long-term growth goals and remain engaged in driving the policy and operational changes their businesses need to thrive.

    Honourable Andy Williams, Grenada’s Minister for Mobilisation, Implementation and Transformation, welcomed the initiative and called for more regular cross-sector dialogues of this kind. Williams highlighted the outsized contribution MSMEs make to Grenada’s economy, from driving job creation and fostering a culture of entrepreneurship to boosting overall national economic resilience and growth.

    As a concrete immediate outcome of the summit, stakeholders agreed to establish a dedicated MSME task force led by the GCIC. The body will be tasked with advancing the specific issues and recommendations raised by attendees during the consultation, and ensuring that the perspectives of small business owners remain a core part of national economic policy dialogue going forward. The GCIC will coordinate closely with relevant government and private sector stakeholders to maintain ongoing engagement and track progress on the priority action items identified during the summit.

    GCIC Executive Director Petipha Lewis also emphasized the critical need to expand market opportunities for locally produced goods and services. Working in collaboration with the Grenada Hotel and Tourism Association (GHTA) and other industry partners, the chamber will continue advocating for greater adoption of local products and services by hotels, restaurants, and other large businesses across the island. This initiative aims to build stronger, mutually beneficial supply chain linkages between local MSMEs and Grenada’s thriving tourism sector, as well as other parts of the national commercial ecosystem.

    In comments on the summit, GCIC leadership reaffirmed the organization’s long-term commitment to strengthening Grenada’s MSME sector through a range of targeted initiatives: sustained policy advocacy, capacity building training, expanded market access programs, networking opportunities, and cross-sector partnerships that connect small businesses with the resources they need to grow.

    The event also featured targeted presentations from industry partners working to address key MSME pain points. Carmen Gomez-Tigg, CEO of the Eastern Caribbean Partial Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECPCGC), shared details on programs designed to improve MSME access to affordable financing, a top barrier identified in the pre-summit survey. William Gilbert, representing digital commerce solutions provider Ethniv, outlined how the platform supports small businesses in building stronger digital presences and accessing new regional and global market opportunities. The GCIC is preparing to roll out access to the Ethniv e-commerce platform for local MSMEs in the near term, a move expected to help small businesses expand their market reach and capitalize on growth opportunities in the fast-growing digital economy.

    In closing, the GCIC expressed its sincere gratitude to all participating entrepreneurs, government agencies, and private sector partners for their contributions that made the high-level engagement a success.

  • OECS–Morocco economic cooperation highlighted during promotion week

    OECS–Morocco economic cooperation highlighted during promotion week

    From June 22 to 26, 2026, the Kingdom of Morocco will play host to a landmark Economic Promotion Week, where the spotlight will fall on forging stronger, more impactful economic development partnerships between Morocco and member states of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). The entire initiative was conceptualized and executed by the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation (AMCI), bringing together official delegations from six OECS member states, represented through the collective Eastern Caribbean Embassies based in Morocco. The OECS Commission stepped in as a core partner for the event, tasked with aggregating the key development priorities of participating nations and backing collective regional projects designed to deliver measurable, tangible benefits to communities across the OECS bloc. Six Eastern Caribbean nations participated in the week-long program: Antigua and Barbuda, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines. Delegations were composed of senior officials and stakeholders from across public and private sectors, including leadership from national investment promotion agencies, trade and economic development ministries, and national chambers of commerce. Notable participating entities included the Antigua and Barbuda Investment Authority, Invest Dominica Authority, Grenada Investment Development Corporation, Nevis Investment Promotion Agency, Invest St Lucia, Invest SVG, the Ministry of International Trade and Ministry of Economic Development and Investment of St Kitts and Nevis, the Private Sector Unit of St Vincent and the Grenadines, the Grenada Chamber of Industry and Commerce, and the St Lucia Chamber of Commerce. Delegations were further reinforced by representatives from the OECS Commission, the OECS Business Council, and diplomatic staff from the Eastern Caribbean Embassies accredited to Morocco. His Excellency Ian Queeley, Ambassador and Head of Mission of the Eastern Caribbean Embassies to Morocco, emphasized that the week of engagement has reinforced the foundational nature of the OECS-Morocco relationship, noting it is rooted in both long-standing diplomatic friendship and aligned ambitions for sustainable economic growth, innovative development, expanded investment, and strengthened South-South cooperation. “Through productive dialogue and meaningful exchanges, we have showcased the immense opportunities that exist between our regions and laid the foundation for stronger commercial partnerships,” Queeley stated. He added that the OECS remains fully committed to deepening economic diplomacy by connecting Eastern Caribbean entrepreneurs, investors, and institutional stakeholders with strategic Moroccan partners, and expressed optimism that the momentum built during the event will translate into concrete results that create new employment, expand bilateral and cross-regional trade, and drive inclusive prosperity for people across both the Eastern Caribbean and Morocco. Throughout the five-day program, participating OECS delegates held a full schedule of engagements with a broad cross-section of Moroccan public sector agencies and private sector institutions. Conversations centered on unlocking new opportunities for investment, expanded trade, and collaborative joint projects across a range of sectors identified as mutually beneficial, including agriculture and agro-processing, food security, renewable energy development, fisheries management, the blue economy, international financial services, port infrastructure development, maritime trade, improved air connectivity, and tourism. Three priority areas received particular focus during discussions: strengthening climate and economic resilience in the agricultural sector, advancing development of geothermal and solar energy projects, and improving tourism and economic connectivity between the Caribbean region and the African continent. Engagements with Moroccan private sector groups and financial institutions also explored pathways to deepen bilateral banking ties, expand direct business-to-business collaboration, and assess the feasibility of establishing a permanent OECS-Morocco Business Council to sustain long-term engagement. Delegates also reviewed investment opportunities available through Casablanca Finance City and explored avenues for Moroccan investors to enter priority sectors across OECS member states. The delegation held formal meetings with a host of leading Moroccan institutions, including AMCI itself, the National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM), the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (MASEN), the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Moroccan Agency for the Development of Investments and Exports (AMDIE), Casablanca Finance City, the Professional Group of Banks of Morocco (GPBM), OCP Africa (Nutri Crops), the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM), the Regional Council of Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab, the Regional Investment Centre, and the Port of Dakhla. A site visit to the southern Moroccan city of Dakhla gave delegates unique, first-hand insight into Morocco’s ambitious regional development strategy, as well as the transformative potential of the Dakhla Atlantic Port to expand and support growing transatlantic trade routes. During discussions related to the port, participants also highlighted the strategic geographic positioning of OECS member states in the Caribbean and identified opportunities to advance joint port development and expanded maritime cooperation between the two regions. The Eastern Caribbean Embassies in Morocco welcomed the high level of engagement from Moroccan institutional partners and the active participation of OECS delegates across all scheduled activities. Following the conclusion of the program, participants departed with enhanced knowledge of market opportunities in Morocco, renewed energy to advance follow-up engagements with relevant Moroccan agencies, and clear plans to move forward with the practical collaborative initiatives identified during the week’s discussions.

  • REOI: Consultancy Services for Environmental Health and Safety Officer (EHSO)

    REOI: Consultancy Services for Environmental Health and Safety Officer (EHSO)

    The Government of Grenada has secured multilateral financing to advance its ambitious Grenada Geothermal Drilling Project, an initiative designed to expand the Caribbean nation’s renewable energy capacity and boost its climate resilience goals. Implemented by the country’s Ministry of Climate Resilience, the Environment and Renewable Energy and overseen by the dedicated Geothermal Project Management Unit (GPMU), the project will carry out exploration drilling at two pre-selected sites. Both locations are situated on private agricultural land in the northern region of Grenada’s main island: Site C in Tricolar, St Patrick Parish, and Site F at Plaisance Estate in St John Parish.

    As a project supported by multiple lending institutions, the initiative is bound by a rigorous set of international environmental and social safeguard frameworks. These include the Caribbean Development Bank’s (CDB) official review protocols, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) safeguard policies, and the International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) widely recognized Performance Standards. The project scope covers civil engineering works and core exploration drilling, both of which will be procured via international competitive bidding, alongside a suite of contracted consultancy and individual specialist roles. All procurement activities follow the CDB’s established procurement guidelines for funded projects, aligned with Grenada’s domestic national procurement legislation. In cases where the two regulatory frameworks conflict, the terms of the relevant financing agreement take precedence.

    To ensure full adherence to all environmental, health and safety requirements during the project’s active phases, the executing ministry has launched a search for a qualified consultant to fill the role of dedicated Environmental Health and Safety Officer (EHSO). The core objective of this consultancy is to act as the GPMU’s central point of responsibility for all EHSO matters, with a mandate to guarantee the project complies with all approved regulatory documents throughout the civil works and exploration drilling stages. These requirements include the original Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), the updated ESIA, finalized Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs), all relevant Grenadian national laws, and the mandatory standards set by the project’s lending partners.

    The contracted EHSO will be employed on a full-time basis for an initial term of two years, with adjustments possible to align with evolving project needs. The ministry is now calling for expressions of interest from eligible individual consultants who meet the required qualification and experience benchmarks to deliver the services outlined.

    When evaluating submitted expressions of interest, the selection panel will prioritize candidates with a proven track record of successful delivery on comparable assignments. The mandatory qualifications for the role are as follows: candidates must hold either a bachelor’s degree paired with 10 years of relevant professional experience, or a postgraduate degree paired with at least 5 years of relevant experience, in a field such as environmental science, environmental engineering, occupational health and safety, or another closely related discipline. Candidates must also demonstrate hands-on experience carrying out EHS monitoring and implementing ESMPs in active project environments, with preference given to applicants with experience in the extractive, energy, or construction sectors. Additional requirements include a demonstrated working knowledge of occupational health and safety management systems and practices tailored to construction and drilling operations. Strong preference will be given to candidates already familiar with IFC Performance Standards or equivalent multilateral development bank safeguard frameworks, and prior experience working on geothermal or extractive industry project operations will be considered a distinct advantage.

    All application materials must be submitted in English. Interested candidates can access full project details, including the complete Terms of Reference for the role, via the In-Tend public procurement portal. General queries will be answered between the hours of 8 am and 4 pm, Monday to Friday, with responses issued within three working days of receipt.

    Completed expressions of interest must be submitted exclusively through the In-Tend portal, and must be received no later than Friday, 7 August 2026. All submissions must include the applicant’s full name and contact address, and be clearly marked with the text: “Expression of Interest – Consultancy Services for Environmental Health and Safety Officer (EHSO)” to avoid misclassification.

    After the evaluation process is completed, the candidate assessed as having the strongest technical capabilities and most relevant experience will be invited to enter into contract negotiations with the ministry. The Government of Grenada retains full legal rights to accept or reject any late submissions, to cancel the current call for expressions of interest either partially or in full, and is not obligated to provide any justification for its decision to select or reject any applicant. The government will also not cover any costs incurred by applicants during the preparation and submission of their expressions of interest.

    Submissions are addressed to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Climate Resilience and Renewable Energy, located at the Ministerial Complex, Sir Eric Matthew Gairy Botanical Gardens, Tanteen, St George’s. The portal can be accessed at https://in-tendhost.co.uk/gnd, and candidates requiring assistance with portal registration can direct queries to [email protected].

  • Successful GPPA men’s health clinic signals new era for men’s healthcare

    Successful GPPA men’s health clinic signals new era for men’s healthcare

    On July 2, 2026, a major step forward for men’s healthcare in Grenada took place, as the Grenada Planned Parenthood Association (GPPA) formally unveiled its long-awaited dedicated Men’s Health Initiative. The launch was anchored by a well-received one-day specialist Men’s Health Clinic, developed through a collaborative partnership between GPPA, Dr. Jonathan Noël — a leading robotic urological surgeon based at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in the United Kingdom and Medical Director of Global Robotic Prostate — and the Maria Holder Memorial Trust, a local funding partner that made the project possible.

    The clinic saw far higher turnout than organizers initially anticipated, drawing widespread interest from men across all regions of the Caribbean island nation. Over the course of the day, participating men received one-on-one specialized consultations covering a full spectrum of common male health concerns, from prostate health monitoring and urinary symptom assessments to sexual health support and treatment for other urological conditions. Public health experts emphasize that early detection and intervention for these conditions drastically improves long-term health outcomes and patients’ quality of life, filling a critical gap in access to specialized care for Grenadian men.

    For more than six decades, GPPA has anchored sexual and reproductive health services across Grenada, focusing its efforts on advancing the well-being of women, young people, and families. The launch of the Men’s Health Initiative marks a meaningful expansion of the organization’s core mandate, a shift that reflects both the central role men play in family and community health and GPPA’s commitment to delivering confidential, compassionate care to all members of the public, regardless of gender. GPPA leadership notes that dedicated men’s health services have been needed for years, making the new initiative a landmark milestone for the organization.

    “The turnout and engagement we saw at our first ever Men’s Health Clinic makes one thing clear: Grenadian men are ready to prioritize their health when they have access to specialist services that are accessible and welcoming,” explained Dr. N’Kosha Fletcher, a family practitioner with GPPA. “This clinic is just the first step. Through our ongoing partnership with Dr. Noël, we are dedicated to sustaining consistent access to expert urological care, and building a culture where men make regular screening and early intervention a core part of their health routine.”

    In response to the overwhelming demand for services at the inaugural clinic, the partnership has already mapped out plans for ongoing care beyond one-off in-person events. When Dr. Noël is not visiting Grenada for on-site clinics, patients will be able to access his specialized expertise through a telehealth consultation program, linked directly through GPPA’s existing patient referral system. “I was incredibly encouraged by the tremendous response we saw and how willing men were to reach out for care,” Dr. Noël shared. “The reality is that most urological conditions can be managed very successfully when they are caught early. I’m looking forward to continuing this important work with GPPA, and returning to the island later this year to treat even more men across Grenada.”

    GPPA has publicly extended its gratitude to the Maria Holder Memorial Trust, whose generous financial and programmatic support made the launch of the initiative possible. The organization also recognized the work of its full-time staff, volunteer team, and other community partners, whose collective commitment ensured the inaugural clinic ran smoothly and successfully.

    GPPA is currently encouraging all men across Grenada to take proactive control of their health by booking an appointment, either to see one of the association’s in-house family practitioners or to access the new telehealth urology service. The initiative is rooted in a simple, powerful public health motto: Healthy Men. Healthy Families. Healthy Communities.

    Men seeking more information or interested in scheduling an appointment can contact the Grenada Planned Parenthood Association via telephone at (473) 440-3341 or (473) 403-3341, or reach out by email at [email protected].

  • Cost of Living Assistance Programme

    Cost of Living Assistance Programme

    Facing persistent global economic pressures that have driven up living costs for households and businesses across the nation, the Government of Grenada has launched a comprehensive, fiscally responsible 2026 Cost of Living Assistance Programme. Valued at a maximum of EC$18 million, the temporary five-month relief package combines energy-focused tax cuts, expanded household subsidies, and consumer-focused tax exemptions to ease immediate budget strains, curb inflation, and support local economic activity, all while preserving long-term fiscal sustainability.

    The first and most broad-reaching measure of the programme is a full temporary removal of Value Added Tax (VAT) on all electricity consumption, effective from 1 August through 31 December 2026. Unlike targeted relief that benefits only specific groups, this cut applies to every category of electricity customer across the country: residential households, small commercial enterprises, large commercial operations, industrial producers, public institutions, and all other energy users. As a core input to every sector of Grenada’s economy, lower electricity costs will reduce expenses across the board—from monthly household budgets to overhead for local businesses and production costs for agriculture and manufacturing. By August, all electricity customers will see a zero charge for VAT in the government charges section of their monthly bill, delivering immediate, transparent savings directly to end users.

    The second energy-focused measure complements the VAT cut by eliminating the Customs Service Charge on imported diesel used exclusively for electricity generation, running for the same August to December 2026 period. Because Grenada relies entirely on imported fuel to produce much of its electricity, import taxes directly pass through to end users in the form of higher power tariffs. By removing this charge at the border, the government reduces the underlying input cost of electricity generation, helping to offset upward pressure on power prices driven by volatile global fuel markets. Unlike the immediate VAT cut on retail bills, the benefits of this measure will be passed to consumers gradually, aligned with existing billing cycles and the flow of new duty-free fuel shipments into the national energy supply.

    Third, the government is dramatically expanding its existing residential electricity subsidy programme to reach thousands more vulnerable households, while more than quadrupling the monthly benefit amount. Previously, the programme offered just EC$10 per month in relief for households consuming 99 kilowatt-hours (kWh) or less monthly, supporting approximately 22,089 households. The enhanced scheme raises the monthly subsidy to EC$50 and expands eligibility to all households consuming 200 kWh or less per month, pushing the total number of beneficiary households to 38,640 across Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique. The expanded subsidy will take effect for August 2026 bills, putting extra cash directly back into household pockets to cover groceries, back-to-school supplies, and other essential daily needs. Like all measures in the package, the enhanced subsidy is temporary, targeted, and designed to cushion household disposable incomes from global energy price shocks while the government advances long-term solutions in renewable energy and energy efficiency.

    As a fourth measure to support consumers and stimulate local business activity, the cabinet has approved two VAT-free shopping days per month for August, September, and October 2026. The first VAT-free weekend is scheduled for 28–29 August 2026, timed perfectly to help families cover back-to-school costs and stock up on essential household goods. Only approved, VAT-registered, tax-compliant businesses are permitted to participate, and the exemption applies to a wide range of everyday goods: groceries, clothing, school supplies, books and uniforms, household goods, appliances, electronics, and hardware. The initiative has four core goals: deliver direct immediate cost-of-living relief to households, boost consumer spending and retail sales, support compliant local businesses, and encourage broader tax compliance by strengthening public-private collaboration. Clear pricing and compliance rules have been built into the programme design to ensure consumers receive the full benefit of the tax exemption. The Ministry of Finance will launch a full public information campaign in the coming weeks to share details on participating businesses and eligible items with the public.

    In addition to these four new measures, the government will extend existing fuel price stabilisation measures through the end of December 2026. These measures include keeping price caps in place for domestic consumption of key fuel products: gasoline, diesel, and kerosene are capped at EC$17 per gallon, 20-pound LPG cylinders are held at EC$40, and 100-pound cylinders are capped at EC$350.

    Throughout the announcement, the Ministry of Finance emphasized that the entire relief package has been structured to be fiscally responsible, with an expected maximum total fiscal impact of EC$18 million. Years of prudent public financial management have created the fiscal space to deliver this meaningful immediate relief without putting long-term national fiscal sustainability at risk, officials noted. This targeted investment is designed to protect household budgets, support economic stability, and buffer Grenadians from ongoing external economic uncertainty, representing what the government calls responsible governance that balances short-term relief with long-term national stability.

  • Stacey Liburd has concluded tenure as CEO at GTA

    Stacey Liburd has concluded tenure as CEO at GTA

    The Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA) has made an official announcement confirming that chief executive Stacey Liburd will end her tenure at the helm of the national tourism organization, effective July 22, 2026. Liburd first took up the top leadership role at GTA in June 2025, and over the course of her term, she oversaw all core operations of the authority, spanning executive management, global destination marketing, and cross-stakeholder engagement across Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique. Her work covered both long-established international source markets and fast-growing emerging tourism markets for the island nation.

    In a public statement reflecting on her time leading the authority, Liburd described holding the CEO post as one of the most significant honors of her entire professional career. She noted that while her tenure in Grenada brought profound professional fulfillment, it also required major personal sacrifice. After extensive consideration, she made the difficult decision to step down to return to her home country and prioritize time with her family.

    Liburd emphasized that she departs with great pride in the collective progress the GTA team delivered during her relatively short time in office. She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to the ongoing expansion of Grenada’s tourism sector and the strengthening of the destination’s global brand positioning. She extended sincere thanks to GTA’s committed full-time staff, Grenada’s Ministry of Tourism, all industry and community stakeholders, and the general public of Grenada for the warm welcome, collaborative partnership, and consistent support they offered throughout her tenure. She added that the widespread passion and dedication shown by local tourism workers leave her fully confident that Grenada’s tourism industry will continue to grow and prosper in the coming years.

    “ I leave with cherished memories, lasting friendships and deep appreciation for the opportunity to have served this beautiful nation. It has truly been an honour, and I will continue to celebrate and support Grenada wherever my journey leads,” Liburd said.

    GTA’s Board of Directors has publicly acknowledged Liburd’s contributions during her tenure, thanking her for her service and extending well wishes for all her future professional and personal pursuits. The authority confirmed that it remains fully committed to its core mission of advancing and expanding Grenada’s tourism offerings. To ensure no disruption to core operations, interim leadership arrangements have already been implemented to keep the organization on track with its mandate of boosting the destination’s global visibility and international market competitiveness.

  • IRENA SolarCity Simulator includes 3 areas in Grenada

    IRENA SolarCity Simulator includes 3 areas in Grenada

    The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has announced an expansion of its free, publicly accessible online SolarCity Simulator, adding coverage for three high-priority regions across Grenada as part of a global push to speed up the adoption of residential and commercial rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. The newly covered areas include St George’s and Grand Anse in the parish of St George, Grenville in St Andrew, and Hillsborough on the island of Carriacou, opening the tool’s planning capabilities to stakeholders across a large portion of Grenada’s populated areas.

    Designed to demystify the process of investing in rooftop solar, the SolarCity Simulator serves a broad range of users, from individual homeowners considering small-scale residential installations to business owners, private energy investors and local government agencies planning larger commercial and public projects. Through the interactive online platform, users can test a wide range of deployment scenarios, pulling location-specific data to generate accurate estimates of two critical outcomes: the technical energy generation potential of a given rooftop space, and the expected long-term financial performance and potential revenue streams from a completed installation.

    Unlike many technical energy planning tools that require specialized expertise to access or operate, IRENA’s simulator is built to be intuitive and accessible for users with no prior background in renewable energy project development. This user-centric design ensures that even first-time potential solar adopters can gather the actionable data they need to make confident, informed investment decisions before committing time and capital to a full installation.

    For local users in Grenada, the tool is also integrated directly into the Climate Resilience Portal hosted by the country’s Ministry of Climate Resilience, The Environment & Renewable Energy, making it easy to access alongside other national climate and renewable energy resources. Users can navigate to the simulator through the portal’s Data & Tools dropdown menu, selecting the Tools subcategory to locate the SolarCity Simulator.

    IRENA has also opened a call for public feedback from users of the expanded platform, specifically requesting input on how the tool can better serve three core use cases: building public awareness of rooftop solar benefits, streamlining preliminary site assessments for potential projects, and supporting data-driven investment decisions. Agency officials note that user comments will be integrated into ongoing updates to the tool, ensuring it continues to evolve to meet the specific needs of adopters in Grenada and other regions where it will be deployed in the future.

    As a small island developing state, Grenada has prioritized expanding renewable energy adoption to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels, lower energy costs for residents and businesses, and strengthen its national climate resilience. The expansion of the SolarCity Simulator aligns with both IRENA’s global mandate to accelerate renewable energy deployment and Grenada’s national climate and energy policy goals.

  • Government invests $18 million in cost-of-living relief measures

    Government invests $18 million in cost-of-living relief measures

    The Caribbean nation of Grenada has launched a targeted, multi-faceted Cost of Living Assistance Programme to shield local households, small businesses, and the broader national economy from the sharp upward swing in global food and energy prices that has strained budgets across the world in recent months.

    This wide-ranging relief initiative is crafted specifically to counteract international inflationary pressures that have spilled over into Grenada’s domestic market: these include heightened fuel tariffs, bloated global shipping costs, and persistent supply chain disruptions that have been worsened by ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

    While unveiling the programme, Minister of Finance Dennis Cornwall stressed that the inflation driving cost increases across the country is not homegrown, but imported from global markets. “While we cannot control international markets, we can act responsibly to help reduce the impact on our people,” Cornwall explained during the official announcement.

    The initiative is projected to deliver direct support to more than 38,000 households spread across Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique. It is structured to deliver immediate targeted relief while upholding the government’s longstanding pledge to maintain fiscal stability, with the total cost of the programme estimated at roughly 18 million Eastern Caribbean dollars.

    Among the core, long-term measures is the extension of existing price caps on four key energy products: gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and liquefied petroleum gas cylinders. These price ceilings will remain in place through December 2026 to prevent sudden cost spikes for consumers. Additional key relief provisions include:
    1. Full VAT elimination on electricity bills for all consumer categories, running from August 2025 through December 2026
    2. A full waiver of customs service charges on diesel imported for power generation, a move designed to cut wholesale production costs that translate to lower electricity bills for end users
    3. An increase to direct monthly electricity subsidies, raising the maximum payment from EC$10 to EC$50, alongside a major expansion of eligibility to cover households that use up to 200 kilowatt-hours per month, up from the previous threshold of 99 kilowatt-hours
    4. Two VAT-free shopping days per month from August through October 2026, covering essential goods including groceries, school supplies, hardware, and home appliances

    Cornwall emphasized that the government’s ability to roll out this substantial relief package stems from years of disciplined fiscal management. “We can provide meaningful relief today because of prudent fiscal stewardship over recent years. We are taking care of our people today while preserving the country’s long-term sustainability. That is responsible governance,” he said.

    In closing, the government of Grenada reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the principles of good governance, fiscal responsibility, and economic stability to protect the livelihoods of all citizens across all three of the nation’s main islands.