AGP Executive Report
Last update: 3 hours agoTourism & Labour: A new ILO study says tourism drives about 39% of GDP and over 11% of jobs across the Eastern Caribbean, but informality and weak labour protections are holding back decent work and productivity—highlighting financing gaps, skills mismatches, and limited enforcement in places like Saint Lucia. Citizenship by Investment: Saint Lucia has been told by the EU it must phase out its Citizenship by Investment Programme by June 2028 or risk losing visa-free Schengen access, putting pressure on a key revenue stream. Regional Trade in Services: OECS is running EU-funded training to strengthen trade policy and negotiating capacity for services across Protocol member states, including Saint Lucia. Digital Economy: EllaLink launched its Caribbean Gateway initiative, moving from design to committed investment for a submarine cable corridor linking French Guiana to Martinique/Guadeloupe and serving Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire, targeted for service by end-2029. Finance & Business: Royal Caribbean announced a landmark US$3bn plan to buy a 50% stake in Sandals Resorts, a move expected to reshape Caribbean vacation offerings and boost regional tourism supply chains. UN Diplomacy: CARICOM chair PM Philip J. Pierre urged renewed multilateral cooperation at UNGA, while Saint Lucia’s PM denied reports the country joined a walkout during Netanyahu’s address. Local Economy Signals: Saint Lucia’s plans to honour Olympic champion Julien Alfred with a statue are advancing, with land secured near the Julien Alfred Highway and designs under review.
Note: AI summary from news headlines; neutral sources weighted more to help reduce bias in the result. Feedback is welcome. Please let us know if you have any comments or suggestions about the AGP Executive Report.