Exports Push: Omni Industries says it wants exports to lift from about 3.5% of revenue to 10% within five years, with talks already underway to supply a major Trinidad bakery and a $218m capital investment last year to expand capacity. Shipping Costs & Food Prices Risk: CARICOM’s private sector group warns El Niño-linked Panama Canal restrictions could expose US$8bn–US$10bn of annual CARICOM imports (about a quarter to a third of non-fuel imports) to higher landed costs and thinner inventories, with daily transits capped and surcharges already announced. Jobs Snapshot: Saint Lucia’s unemployment fell to 10.1% in Q2 2026 (from 12.1% in Q1), with employment rising to 99,528 and youth unemployment down to 15.5%. Skills for Growth: OECS opens applications Sept. 10–20 for the Advanced Digital Skills Scholarship (CARDTP/UWI Global Campus), targeting advanced training in areas like AI, cloud, cybersecurity, fintech, data analytics and digital marketing. Tourism Demand Signals: Expedia reports island-getaway searches jumped 55% year-on-year in 2026, with St. Lucia up 125%, pointing to stronger travel planning and trade-up to premium experiences. Climate Funding: CABRIC grant funding (up to US$5m per country across categories) is available for locally led climate resilience projects in the Caribbean, with Saint Lucia among participating countries. Governance & Integrity: A financial crime blogger renews questions about Saint Lucia’s cruise port deal with Global Ports Holding, alleging bribery and fair-value concerns. Third-Country Nationals: Saint Lucia says it rejected four of 10 US-proposed transfers under the third-country arrangement, and notes some accepted individuals are seeking voluntary repatriation.