AGP Executive Report

Aviation & Jobs: Grenada Airports Authority has appointed Trinidadian Dellison Charles as General Manager, effective 13 July, bringing 15+ years’ leadership across aviation, logistics and service, including roles with FedEx Express, Copa Airlines and eZone. Workplace Culture: Signature Aviation earned Great Place To Work® certification for a third straight year, including in Grenada, with staff citing supportive leadership and respect across roles. Regional Connectivity: Antigua PM Gaston Browne renewed the push for an OECS airline, pointing to repeated delays and cancellations that strand travellers—his latest complaint came after a six-hour wait to reach St Lucia. MSME & Trade Skills: Grenada Chamber of Industry and Commerce (GCIC) is expanding support for local businesses, including ICC World Chambers Federation membership and training on product costing and pricing, plus a services trade capacity-building workshop set for 13–15 July. Tourism Pipeline: GHTA wrapped its Discover Hospitality Camp, giving 22 students hands-on exposure to hospitality, sustainability and marine stewardship. Spirits & Local Industry: Renegade rum distillery in Grenada is reportedly up for sale, with its farm-to-bottle model and sustainability focus highlighted to potential buyers.

Aviation & Connectivity: Grenada Airports Authority appoints Dellison Charles as General Manager effective 13 July, bringing 15+ years across aviation and logistics to steer airport operations and growth. Regional Trade & MSMEs: Grenada Chamber of Industry and Commerce (GCIC) joins ICC World Chambers Federation, giving members access to global trade tools like ICC One Click; GCIC also ran Product Costing and Pricing training with Ethniv to help agro-processors, artisans and skincare makers price for profit. Tourism Skills Pipeline: GHTA’s week-long Discover Hospitality Camp wrapped up, training 22 secondary students with hands-on hotel, food and beverage, sustainability and marine stewardship exposure. Services-Led Growth: Grenada’s Ministry of International Trade and OECS Commission will host a Trade in Services capacity workshop (13–15 July) plus a stakeholder seminar (16 July) to boost Grenada’s ability to compete in services exports. Public Infrastructure Oversight: A Grenada-focused commentary warns infrastructure delivery is being undermined by inconsistent procurement, delayed payments and weak enforcement, calling for stronger contract supervision and accepted construction standards. CARICOM Humanitarian Logistics: CARICOM delivered 88 containers of earthquake relief to Venezuela, with Guyana leading logistics and Grenada among supporting states. CBI Policy Pressure: CARICOM heads meeting coverage continues to swirl around EU concerns and whether CBI was discussed, with Grenada named among the active programme countries.

Public Infrastructure Oversight: Grenada’s construction sector is raising alarms over delayed payments and inconsistent procurement handling, arguing that weak project management and uneven enforcement are undermining delivery quality. Healthcare Procurement: The Government of Grenada has signed two contracts with Gren-Mac to refurbish the Grand Bras Health Centre (EC$1.9m) and the New Hampshire Medical Station (EC$697,678), funded through a CDB/EIB health sector strengthening project. SME Capacity Building: The Grenada Chamber of Industry and Commerce (GCIC) and Ethniv trained MSMEs on product costing and pricing, with an e-commerce platform planned to help local businesses sell beyond the island. Trade in Services Skills: Grenada will host an OECS-backed workshop (13–15 July) and a stakeholder seminar (16 July) to boost capacity for trade in services and services-led growth. Business Networks: GCIC has been accepted into the ICC World Chambers Federation, giving members access to international trade tools like ICC One Click. Hospitality Pipeline: GHTA wrapped up its Discover Hospitality Camp, giving 22 students hands-on exposure to hotel operations, sustainability, and marine stewardship. Tourism Spotlight: Grenada’s responsible tourism push continues to draw global attention, including Travel + Leisure recognition for the island. Regional Finance Watch: ECCB’s 113th Monetary Council meeting reaffirmed the EC dollar’s role as a stability anchor while focusing on resilience and shared prosperity across the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union.

Grenada MSMEs get practical pricing boost: The Grenada Chamber of Industry and Commerce (GCIC) teamed up with Ethniv for “Cost with Confidence, Price for Profit,” training 30+ micro, small and medium enterprises on costing, margins and profitable pricing, with an e-commerce platform planned to help local makers sell wider. Trade in services capacity push: Grenada’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Trade and Export Development, with the OECS Commission, will run a 13–15 July workshop and a 16 July stakeholder seminar to strengthen how Grenada’s services sector prepares for international trade. Chamber links to global trade tools: GCIC officially joined the ICC World Chambers Federation, opening access to ICC One Click resources for exporters and MSMEs. Tourism skills pipeline: GHTA wrapped up its week-long Discover Hospitality Camp for 22 students, mixing hotel and attraction visits with guest service, food and beverage, and sustainability mentoring. Public infrastructure oversight spotlight: A Grenada-focused commentary argues project delays and payment issues point to weak procurement and infrastructure management, calling for stronger supervision and accepted standards. Health facility refurbishments: Government signed two Gren-Mac contracts to upgrade Grand Bras Health Centre (EC$1.9m) and New Hampshire Medical Station (EC$697k) under a CDB/EIB health sector project. Responsible tourism angle: A feature highlights Grenada’s push for responsible travel, linking visitor experience to conservation and community-led activities.

MSME Support & Trade Skills: The Grenada Chamber of Industry and Commerce (GCIC) is rolling out practical help for small businesses, including Product Costing and Pricing training with Ethniv and a wider MSME Development Programme that’s set to launch an e-commerce marketplace for local makers. Chamber Expansion: GCIC also officially joined the ICC World Chambers Federation, giving Grenadian firms access to ICC One Click digital trade tools at no cost through the chamber. Tourism Pipeline: GHTA wrapped up its week-long Discover Hospitality Camp, giving 22 students hands-on exposure to hotel work, food and beverage, sustainability and marine stewardship. Public Infrastructure Oversight: A new local commentary flags growing frustration over delayed projects and inconsistent procurement and payments, urging stronger supervision and clearer contract enforcement. Healthcare Upgrades: Government signed two contracts with Gren-Mac to refurbish the Grand Bras Health Centre and the New Hampshire Medical Station under the CDB/EIB Health Sector Strengthening Project. Policy Capacity for Services: Grenada is set to host a specialised trade-in-services capacity workshop and stakeholder sensitisation seminar to strengthen Grenada’s services-led growth and regional integration.

Higher Education & Sustainability: UNESCO’s HESI 2026 forum says universities must step up on quality, equity and inclusion while tackling AI, climate change and inequality—calling higher education a public responsibility. Public Infrastructure Oversight: Grenada faces rising frustration over delayed projects and inconsistent procurement, with calls to strengthen contract management, supervision and enforcement. CARICOM/CBI Pressure: CARICOM Heads reportedly did not formally discuss Citizenship by Investment at the July 5–8 meeting in St. Lucia, even as the EU pushes phase-out timelines tied to visa-free access. Grenada Business & Exports: GCIC joins the ICC World Chambers Federation, giving members access to ICC One Click trade tools; the chamber also ran MSME costing and pricing training with Ethniv. Tourism Skills Pipeline: GHTA’s Discover Hospitality Camp wrapped up, training 22 students in hospitality, sustainability and marine stewardship. Healthcare Facility Upgrades: Government signed EC$1.9m and EC$697k contracts to refurbish Grand Bras Health Centre and New Hampshire Medical Station under the CDB/EIB health project. Local Industry Spotlight: Naturalique Explozion grows from backyard aloe into a handcrafted aloe-based hair care line aimed at Grenada and the diaspora.

CARICOM & CBI: CARICOM chair Philip J. Pierre says CBI wasn’t discussed at the July 5–8 heads meeting in St. Lucia, arguing it only directly affects five member states (including Grenada) and that Europe sets the final policy. Trade & MSMEs: GCIC and Ethniv ran practical product costing and pricing training for local MSMEs, while Grenada’s Ministry of International Trade and OECS are set to host a trade-in-services capacity workshop (July 13–15) plus a national sensitisation seminar (July 16). Tourism skills: GHTA wrapped up its Discover Hospitality Camp, training 22 secondary students through hotel, food & beverage, sustainability and marine stewardship sessions. Business links: GCIC officially joined the ICC World Chambers Federation network, opening access to ICC One Click tools for exporters and MSMEs. Health infrastructure: Grenada signed two contracts with Gren-Mac to refurbish Grand Bras Health Centre and the New Hampshire Medical Station under the CDB/EIB health sector project. Regional logistics: A CARICOM ferry plan is pushing a cargo-first design to keep the service financially viable. Grenada industry spotlight: Renegade Rum Distillery is seeking a buyer, with its “farm to bottle” model drawing attention from the spirits market.

CARICOM & ECCB Watch: CARICOM Heads of Government met in Saint Lucia (5–8 July) under Philip J. Pierre, while the ECCB Monetary Council opened its 113th meeting in Dominica (10 July) reaffirming EC dollar stability and pushing the “Big Push” agenda. CBI Pressure on the Region: Multiple reports and analyses say the European Commission has asked OECS states to phase out Citizenship by Investment by June 2028, with CARICOM noting CBI wasn’t formally discussed—raising fresh uncertainty for Grenada and other CBI operators. Grenada’s IP & Innovation Moves: Grenada is attending WIPO Assemblies in Geneva (7–15 July), highlighting its Madrid Protocol accession and continued modernization of intellectual property administration. Healthcare & Construction Contracts: Grenada signed two Gren-Mac refurbishment deals for Grand Bras Health Centre (EC$1.9m) and New Hampshire Medical Station (EC$697k), funded via CDB/EIB health strengthening support. Tourism Momentum: Grenada climbed to No. 2 Best Island in the Caribbean in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards 2026, while Grenada’s responsible tourism push is spotlighted for community-led experiences. Local Business & Trade: Grenada’s Renegade Rum Distillery is seeking a buyer, and regional MSMEs get more time—Window 2 of the Blue Economy Matching Grants Programme now has a July 24 deadline.

Intellectual Property & Innovation: Grenada is in Geneva for WIPO’s 68th Assemblies, with Attorney General Claudette Joseph highlighting progress including Grenada’s Madrid Protocol accession (in force March 2026) and continued modernization of IP administration. Tourism & Brand Momentum: Grenada climbed to No. 2 Best Island in the Caribbean in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards 2026, and also took No. 15 Best Island in the world—fueling fresh attention on its responsible, conservation-led visitor model. Rum & Local Industry Deal: Renegade Rum Distillery is seeking a buyer, with EY-Parthenon Caribbean leading the sale of the already-producing, “farm to bottle” facility built to keep value closer to local cane growers. Healthcare Infrastructure: Government signed two EC$2.6m-plus contracts with Gren-Mac to refurbish Grand Bras Health Centre and the New Hampshire Medical Station under the CDB/EIB Health Sector Strengthening Project. Blue Economy & MSMEs: OECS extended the Window 2 deadline for the Regional MSME Matching Grants Programme to July 24, targeting Blue Economy value chain groups (including women-led enterprises). Hospitality Skills Push: A proposal for a Hospitality Training Institute in Grenada pairs customer-service training with direct job placement to tackle the tourism skills gap. Regional Policy Shock (CBI): EU letters urge OECS states to phase out Citizenship by Investment by 2028, raising fears of visa-free access fallout and intensifying calls to diversify away from CBI revenue.

Tourism Spotlight: Grenada climbs to No. 2 Best Island in the Caribbean in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards 2026, up from No. 12 last year, and also lands No. 15 globally—an international boost for the island’s hospitality push. Trade & Logistics: CARICOM’s proposed ferry plan should be cargo-first to stay financially viable, with passenger service secondary, an economist says—aimed at cutting intra-regional trade costs and supporting food security. Regional Business Support: OECS-backed Regional MSME Matching Grants Programme extends Window 2 (Blue Economy value chain groups) deadline to July 24, giving Grenada and partners more time to apply for collaboration-focused funding. Agriculture Innovation: CARDI’s regional research and innovation symposium spotlights higher-yield crop technologies (sweet potato, cassava, dasheen) to strengthen food production and resilience. Local Business Disruption: Downtown Grenada’s “The Nest Egg” suffered major damage after a July 1 thunderstorm collapse, raising questions about building upkeep and code enforcement. Policy Shock for CBI Economies: EU letters demand OECS Citizenship by Investment programmes end by 2028, with warnings of visa-free access fallout—putting Grenada’s revenue planning under pressure.

Tourism Spotlight: Grenada jumped to No. 2 Best Island in the Caribbean in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards 2026, up from No. 12 last year, and also placed No. 15 globally—an upbeat signal for the visitor economy. Trade & Services Skills: St. Kitts and Nevis is running a four-day trade seminar (July 7–10) with OECS support to strengthen the services sector, negotiating capacity, and competitiveness in global markets—relevant for regional firms eyeing new contracts. CBI Shockwaves: EU pressure on OECS Citizenship by Investment is intensifying, with leaders warning that ending CBI could hit public finances and visa-free access; Grenada is among the affected jurisdictions. Blue Economy Funding: The OECS-backed Regional MSME Matching Grants Programme (UBEC) has extended Window 2 for Blue Economy value chain groups, with the new deadline set for July 24, 2026. Agriculture Innovation: CARDI showcased research aimed at boosting regional food production and cutting imports, including higher-yield technologies for crops like sweet potato, cassava and dasheen. Local Business & Jobs: A Grenada hospitality training proposal would pair customer-service focused training with direct job placement to tackle skills gaps hurting tourism service quality. Supply Chain Disruption: A major warehouse fire at Six Senses’ La Sagesse site is expected to delay the nearby InterContinental resort opening due to lost construction supplies.

Tourism Momentum: Grenada is climbing fast in global travel rankings, named No. 2 Best Island in the Caribbean by Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2026, up from No. 12 last year, with officials crediting product upgrades, sustainability and service. Hospitality Skills Push: A proposed Hospitality Training Institute in Grenada would pair customer-service focused training with direct job placement to tackle tourism’s soft-skills gap and seasonal unemployment. Agriculture Innovation: CARDI’s regional symposium showcased field-ready research to lift yields in crops like sweet potato, cassava and dasheen, aiming to boost production and reduce food import pressure. Investment Migration Localisation: IMA Grenada’s symposium highlighted the Enhanced Local Developers Participation (ELDP) push, steering Grenadian entrepreneurs toward investment-ready projects via GIDC support across tourism, agribusiness, manufacturing, renewables, ICT and creative industries. CBI Shockwaves for the Region: EU letters demand OECS CBI programmes end by 2028, with Grenada cited as deriving 30–35% of government revenue from CBI—raising urgency for economic diversification. Supply Chain Disruption: A major warehouse fire at Six Senses’ La Sagesse site destroyed construction supplies and is expected to delay the nearby InterContinental Grenada opening.

Citizenship by Investment Shockwave: The EU has formally asked OECS CBI states to end programmes by June 1, 2028, warning that continued operation could trigger loss of visa-free Schengen access—sparking fresh calls for Grenada and neighbours to diversify away from CBI revenue. Local Investment Push: IMA Grenada’s Symposium Series in Gouyave spotlighted its Enhanced Local Developers Participation drive, urging Grenadians to build “investment-ready” projects across tourism, agribusiness, manufacturing, renewables, health, ICT, education and creative industries. Grenada Construction Disruption: A major warehouse fire at the Six Senses/InterContinental supply site in La Sagesse destroyed equipment and materials, expected to delay the InterContinental opening. Tourism Momentum: New CTO data says Grenada welcomed 54,565 stayover visitors in Q1 2026, up 12% year-on-year, as the destination leans into hotels, diving and food. Maritime/Trade Logistics: NOAA flagged Grenada among nations engaged in IUU fishing (2022–2024), while Caribbean Airlines says it has no exclusive bottled-water contract with Blue Waters and is moving to formal local procurement. Regional Relief Shipping: Guyana-led efforts are sending 88 containers of disaster relief to Venezuela, with Grenada among contributing CARICOM partners.

Tourism Growth: Grenada is riding a strong start to 2026, welcoming 54,565 stayover visitors in Q1—up 12% year-on-year—showing steady momentum as travellers look for beaches, diving, and food-led experiences. Investment Migration & Local Business: IMA Grenada’s Symposium Series in Gouyave focused on “Grenadian Innovation” and the ELDP initiative, pushing investment migration capital toward Grenadian-led projects across tourism, agribusiness, manufacturing, renewable energy, health, ICT, education and the creative industries. CBI Policy Pressure: An OECS-focused op-ed warns that EU notice could force Citizenship by Investment programmes to shut by 2028, raising concerns about major revenue dependence across member states. Trade & Compliance: NOAA’s 2026 report flags Grenada among six countries listed for illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, a move that could affect fisheries oversight and reputational risk. Disaster Logistics: A major warehouse fire at Six Senses’ Intercontinental supply site in La Sagesse destroyed equipment and may delay the InterContinental resort opening. Regional Aid: Grenada is among contributors to a Guyana-led shipment of 88 containers of disaster relief supplies bound for Venezuela. Sports Development: GASA and the Ministry of Sports wrapped the 2026 School Swimming Championships, spotlighting young talent ahead of a new competition-standard pool.

Tourism Licensing: The Grenada Tourism Authority has opened renewal applications for 2026–2027 licenses, covering taxi drivers, tour operators, attractions, watersports, car rentals, guides, hotels, villas, guest houses, apartments and craft vendors at key sites; renewals run from 6 July through end of September via the Pure Grenada portal or the GTA Quality Assurance desk. Resort Supply Disruption: A massive fire at the Six Senses Intercontinental mechanical, electric and plumbing warehouse in La Sagesse destroyed construction materials and equipment, with officials warning it could delay the InterContinental opening due to lost critical supplies. Investment Migration & Local Business: IMA Grenada’s Symposium Series in Gouyave focused on the Enhanced Local Developers Participation initiative, pushing Grenadian-led projects in tourism, agribusiness, manufacturing, renewable energy, health, ICT, education and creative industries, with GIDC positioned as the main engagement point for feasibility and approvals. Regional Governance Agenda: Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell is attending CARICOM Heads of Government in Saint Lucia, with priorities including climate financing, the agri-food systems agenda, and regional health security. Energy Policy Watch: The IEA says 113 countries (plus the EU) have taken steps to cushion energy costs linked to the Iran war, including tax cuts, subsidies and conservation measures. Fisheries Compliance: NOAA’s 2026 Report to Congress flags six nations for IUU fishing, including Grenada, and notes negative certifications for failing to improve since 2023. Procurement (World Bank): Grenada’s Ministry of Climate Resilience is inviting quotations for electronic office equipment under the CEGEB project, including headphones, projectors/screens, video conferencing cameras and printers.

Tourism Licensing 2026–2027: The Grenada Tourism Authority is inviting operators to renew licences via the Pure Grenada tourism licensing portal, with renewals running 6 July through end-September—covering taxis, tours, attractions, watersports, rentals, guides, hotels/villas/guesthouses, and vendors at key sites. Investment Migration & Local Business: IMA Grenada’s Symposium Series in Gouyave focused on expanding local developers’ participation in CBI, pointing entrepreneurs to GIDC for turning ideas into bankable, approved projects across tourism, agribusiness, manufacturing, renewables, health, ICT, education and creative industries. Infrastructure & Water Works: Nawasa warns of temporary traffic delays at Moliniere Reservoir on Friday 3 July (8:30am–3:30pm) for concrete pouring under the Southern St George Water Supply Expansion Project. Regional Aid Logistics: PM Mark Phillips says 88 containers of relief supplies are being shipped from Guyana to Venezuela, with Grenada among contributing CARICOM partners. Spice & Agriculture: The Ministry of Agriculture launched a Ginger Production Drive, importing 15,000 pounds of planting material and training farmers to boost local supply and lower prices. Governance & Oversight: A commentary argues Grenada must strengthen public infrastructure oversight as the country weighs delivery models like finance–design–build. Maritime & Food Security: NOAA’s 2026 Report to Congress flags Grenada among nations linked to IUU fishing, renewing pressure on fisheries management and compliance.