AGP Executive Report

Housing Finance Push: Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre is pressing the Saint Lucia Development Bank to move quickly on an EC$54 million housing facility, backed by Taiwan’s EXIM Bank and guaranteed by Government, to help tackle the housing deficit and speed access for eligible borrowers. Water & Infrastructure Upgrade: WASCO has begun replacing a 40-year-old northern pipeline to boost water capacity and reliability, while a separate report explains why Babonneau still faces outages despite local water sources tied to the Hill 20 system. Renewables Funding Call: IRENA is inviting renewable energy project proposals across Central America and the Caribbean, including Saint Lucia, with possible support via its Climate Investment Platform and Energy Transition Accelerator Financing. Energy Efficiency Meeting: Saint Lucia is set to host a major meeting on energy efficiency in buildings, aligning with the push for cleaner, lower-cost energy use. Tourism Development: The Ministry of Tourism is developing St. Lucia’s first underwater sculpture park (with more planned), starting with a public exhibition before installation at Anse La Verdue. Education Results: Saint Lucia posted its strongest CSEC performance in six years, but Mathematics remains the weak spot with more than half failing. Fuel Retailer Talks: Government has started discussions with fuel retailers and petroleum dealers on retail margins to balance business sustainability with cost-of-living pressures.

Premier Travel Costs: Premier David Burt’s July 2026 CARICOM-related trip to St. Lucia cost EC$5,698.35, while a separate Azores trip ran EC$7,785.49, based on Government travel listings. Housing Finance Push: PM Philip J. Pierre is pressing the Saint Lucia Development Bank to move quickly on an EC$54 million housing facility, backed by Taiwan’s EXIM Bank, to help ease the housing deficit with faster access for eligible borrowers. Fuel Retail Talks: The Ministry of Labour, Co-operatives and Consumer Affairs is engaging fuel retailers and petroleum dealers on retail margin adjustments to keep the sector viable without worsening cost-of-living pressures. Renewables Funding Call: IRENA is inviting renewable project proposals across Central America and the Caribbean, including Saint Lucia, for possible support via its Climate Investment Platform and Energy Transition Accelerator Financing. Water Infrastructure Upgrade: WASCO has begun replacing a 40-year-old northern pipeline to boost capacity and reliability, with customers told supply should continue during works. Tourism & Marine Industry: St. Lucia is preparing its first underwater sculpture park (with a public exhibition opening Aug. 29) to deepen dive tourism, while community-led tourism initiatives are rolling out to route more spending to small local operators. Heat Season Health Alerts: Health clinics are seeing more heat-stress cases as El Niño-driven hot, dry conditions intensify, with warnings for older adults, children, and pregnant women.

Housing Finance: PM Philip J. Pierre urges the Saint Lucia Development Bank to move fast on a new EC$54 million housing facility, backed by Taiwan’s EXIM Bank and guaranteed by Government, to help tackle the island’s housing deficit with more flexible application reviews for eligible borrowers. Water & Infrastructure: WASCO is upgrading Saint Lucia’s northern water network by replacing a 40-year-old pipeline to boost capacity and reliability, while another report highlights why Babonneau residents still face outages despite local water sources. Energy & Climate: IRENA is inviting renewable energy project proposals across Central America and the Caribbean, including Saint Lucia, for potential support via its Climate Investment Platform and Energy Transition Accelerator Financing. Business & Trade: The St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture sets a September 3 executive luncheon on “Global Change, Local Impact,” focusing on what shifting trade, geopolitics, shipping and logistics mean for local firms. Tourism & Marine Industry: Saint Lucia prepares its first underwater sculpture park (with a public exhibition opening Aug. 29) as part of a wider dive tourism corridor. Standards & Consumer Protection: The Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards responds to poor beverage labelling with a juice labelling workshop aimed at compliance and safer products. Agriculture & Skills: OECS highlights Lisa Jawahir’s acceptance into a pan-African women’s political leadership academy, while Saint Lucia’s CSEC results show strong overall gains but persistent struggles in Mathematics.

Presidential Travel Costs: Nigeria’s Presidency spent about ₦37.64bn on presidential trips, logistics and foreign-exchange transactions from June 2023 to April 2026, with 2024 alone taking ₦25.27bn as the President heads into another Europe vacation. Water & Infrastructure: In Saint Lucia, WASCO has started upgrading the northern pipeline between Bonne Terre Gap and Gros Islet, replacing a 14-inch main with a 20-inch line to cut leaks and boost reliability, with temporary traffic impacts expected. Housing Finance: Saint Lucia secured a US$20m loan facility via the SLDB from Taiwan’s Export-Import Bank to expand affordable housing, including climate-resilient community infrastructure. Energy & Buildings: Saint Lucia will host a CARICOM meeting on the Energy Efficiency Building Code and Minimum Energy Performance Standards, aiming to tighten regional construction efficiency rules. Renewables Pipeline: IRENA is calling for renewable energy project proposals across the Caribbean and Central America, including Saint Lucia, for potential financing and de-risking support. Agriculture Skills: FAO launched a training mission in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines for coconut and soursop production and marketing partnerships. Tourism & Marine: Saint Lucia is preparing its first underwater sculpture park (with a public exhibition opening Aug 29) to grow dive tourism. Standards & Consumer Safety: The Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards is acting on complaints about beverage labelling, running a juice labelling workshop for entrepreneurs.

Housing Finance: Saint Lucia Development Bank secures a US$20m EximBank (Taiwan) loan to expand 100% financing for low- and middle-income home ownership, with climate-resilient community infrastructure also in scope. Fuel Retail Talks: Government meets fuel retailers and petroleum dealers to discuss retail margin adjustments aimed at keeping the sector viable while protecting consumers from cost-of-living pressure. Water Reliability Upgrade: WASCO begins replacing a 40+ year northern pipeline (14-inch to 20-inch) between Bonne Terre Gap and Gros Islet, with lane restrictions expected during works. Water Crisis Explained: A look at why Babonneau still faces outages despite local water sources, pointing to the Hill 20 system’s reliance on river intakes and network balance challenges. Energy Efficiency Buildings: Saint Lucia hosts a CARICOM regional meeting on updating energy efficiency building codes and minimum performance standards. Renewables Push: IRENA invites renewable project proposals across Central America and the Caribbean for potential support via its financing platforms, including Saint Lucia. Tourism & Marine Industry: St. Lucia prepares its first underwater sculpture park, with a public exhibition before installations at Anse La Verdue to boost dive tourism. Agriculture Skills: FAO launches a coconut and soursop training mission in SVG, strengthening production and marketing partnerships. Standards & Food Safety: Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards responds to complaints over beverage labelling with a juice labelling workshop for entrepreneurs. Education Outcomes: Saint Lucia posts its strongest CSEC results in six years, but Mathematics remains the biggest gap with more than half failing. Regional Business Briefing: Chamber executive luncheon (Sept 3) will focus on global trade shifts and what they mean for Saint Lucian shipping, logistics, visas, and market access. Sports Culture: Calypso Review Committee seeks stronger support and representation for artists as the industry looks to find a louder voice.

Water Infrastructure: WASCO has begun replacing a 40+ year-old northern pipeline, swapping a 14-inch main for a new 20-inch ductile iron line between Bonne Terre Gap and Gros Islet to cut leaks and boost reliability. Housing Finance: Saint Lucia secured a US$20 million EXIMBANK loan via SLDB to expand affordable housing access, with 100% financing aimed at low- and middle-income families and climate-resilient community works. Energy & Buildings: Saint Lucia will host a CARICOM meeting on the Regional Energy Efficiency Building Code and Minimum Energy Performance Standards, bringing engineers and standards bodies to update regional rules. Renewables Pipeline: IRENA is inviting renewable project proposals across Central America and the Caribbean, including Saint Lucia, for potential support through its financing and de-risking platforms. Tourism Development: The Ministry of Tourism is preparing St. Lucia’s first underwater sculpture park (with a public exhibition starting Aug. 29) to grow dive tourism and add new marine heritage attractions. Local Business Support: Government is engaging fuel retailers on retail margin and sector sustainability, balancing business viability with cost-of-living pressures. Agriculture Skills: A Taiwan Technical Mission workshop trained Saint Lucian farmers on leaf lettuce cultivation and harvesting, plus agro-processing techniques.

Housing Finance: Saint Lucia secured a US$20 million SLDB loan facility from Taiwan’s Export-Import Bank to expand access to affordable, 100% financed housing for low- and middle-income families, with climate-resilient community infrastructure also in scope. Fuel Retail Talks: The Ministry of Labour, Co-operatives and Consumer Affairs met fuel retailers and petroleum dealers to discuss retail margin adjustments aimed at keeping the sector viable without pushing up the cost of living. Trade & Logistics Briefing: The St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce will hold its Sept 3 Executive Luncheon on “Global Change, Local Impact,” focusing on what shifting trade rules, shipping and visa arrangements mean for local business. Renewables Push: IRENA is inviting renewable project proposals across Central America and the Caribbean, including Saint Lucia, for potential support via its Climate Investment Platform and Energy Transition Accelerator Financing. Water Infrastructure: WASCO has started replacing a 40-year-old northern pipeline between Bonne Terre Gap and Gros Islet with a new 20-inch main to improve reliability, with temporary traffic management expected. Tourism Development: Saint Lucia is preparing its first underwater sculpture park at Anse La Verdue, with a public exhibition opening Aug 29 and two more parks planned for snorkelling and conservation. Education Results: Saint Lucia posted its strongest CSEC performance in six years, but Mathematics remains the weak spot with more than half failing. Agriculture Skills: Taiwan Technical Mission trained Saint Lucian farmers on leaf lettuce cultivation and agro-processing, including improved harvesting methods.

Water Infrastructure Upgrade: WASCO has started replacing the 40-plus-year northern pipeline between Bonne Terre Gap and Gros Islet with a new 20-inch ductile iron main, aiming to cut leaks and boost reliability while keeping normal supply running. Housing Finance: Saint Lucia has finalized a US$20 million EXIMBANK loan facility via the Saint Lucia Development Bank to expand affordable, climate-resilient housing and community infrastructure. Energy Efficiency in Buildings: Saint Lucia will host a CARICOM Regional Energy Efficiency Building Code meeting (Aug 31–Sep 3) to review and revise building standards and minimum energy performance rules. Tourism & Marine Industry: The island is preparing its first underwater sculpture park, with a public exhibition opening Aug 29 before installations at Anse La Verdue, supporting dive tourism. Agriculture & Skills: A Taiwan Technical Mission workshop trained farmers on leaf lettuce cultivation and harvesting, while FAO’s mission in SVG is building coconut and soursop production capacity. Standards & Consumer Protection: The Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards is taking action after complaints about beverage labelling, running a juice labelling workshop for entrepreneurs. Education Results: Saint Lucia posted its strongest CSEC performance in six years, but Maths remains the weak spot with more than half failing. Climate Watch: Health clinics are already seeing heat-stress cases as El Niño-driven hot, dry conditions intensify.

Northern Water Upgrade: WASCO has started replacing a 40+ year-old northern pipeline between Bonne Terre Gap and Gros Islet with a new 20-inch main to cut leaks and boost reliability, with temporary lane restrictions expected. Housing Finance: Saint Lucia finalized a US$20 million EXIMBANK loan via the Saint Lucia Development Bank to expand affordable, climate-resilient housing and community infrastructure. Energy Efficiency Buildings: Saint Lucia will host a CARICOM Regional Energy Efficiency Building Code meeting (Aug 31–Sep 3) to update building standards and minimum energy performance rules. Tourism & Marine Industry: The island is preparing its first underwater sculpture park, with a public exhibition opening Aug 29 before installations at Anse La Raye, Canaries. Food & Consumer Protection: The Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards moved to address poor beverage labelling after public complaints, running a juice labelling workshop with entrepreneurs. Agriculture Skills: A Taiwan Technical Mission workshop trained local farmers on leaf lettuce cultivation and harvesting, including repeat harvesting methods. Education Results: Saint Lucia posted its strongest CSEC performance in six years, but Maths remains the biggest weak spot with over half failing.

Water Infrastructure Upgrade: WASCO has started replacing a 40-plus-year northern pipeline between Bonne Terre Gap and Gros Islet with a new 20-inch main, aiming to cut leaks and boost reliability while keeping normal supply running. Housing Finance: Saint Lucia has secured a US$20 million EXIMBANK (Taiwan) loan via the SLDB to expand affordable, climate-resilient housing and community infrastructure like water storage, solar and drainage. Tourism & Marine Industry: St. Lucia is gearing up to unveil its first underwater sculpture park, with a public exhibition opening August 29 before sculptures are installed at Anse La Verdure, Canaries, as part of a three-park corridor for dive tourism. Food & Consumer Standards: The Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards is taking action on poor beverage labelling, holding a juice labelling workshop to help local entrepreneurs meet safety and health requirements. Agriculture & Skills: A FAO mission is training stakeholders in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on sustainable coconut and soursop production and marketing—supporting regional supply chains. Energy Efficiency Buildings: Saint Lucia will host a CARICOM meeting on updating the Regional Energy Efficiency Building Code and minimum performance standards from Aug 31 to Sept 3. Education Outcomes: Saint Lucia posted its strongest CSEC results in six years, but Maths remains the weak spot with more than half failing. Health & Climate Risk: Doctors report heat-stress cases rising as El Niño-driven hot, dry conditions strain health services and can hit water, farming and trade. Local Governance for Culture: The Calypso Review Committee is seeking stronger support and representation for artists, pushing the industry’s voice forward. Industry Support & Exports: Nations Choice’s roughly $1-billion cold-storage push in Jamaica targets exports across the Caribbean, including St. Lucia, as it scales frozen and chilled manufacturing.

Underwater Tourism Build-Out: St. Lucia is gearing up to unveil the first of three underwater sculpture parks, with a National Exhibition opening Aug. 29 before the sculptures are installed at Anse La Verdure, Canaries—aimed at boosting dive tourism and local creative ownership. Education & Skills: Saint Lucia posted its strongest CSEC results in six years (78.93% pass), but Maths remains the weak spot with more than half failing. Housing Finance: A US$20 million EXIMBANK loan has been finalized to expand affordable, climate-resilient housing via the Saint Lucia Development Bank, including water storage, solar and drainage upgrades. Water Infrastructure: WASCO has started replacing the aging 14-inch northern pipeline with a new 20-inch main between Bonne Terre Gap and Gros Islet, with temporary traffic impacts expected. Standards & Consumer Protection: The Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards moved to tackle poor beverage labelling through a juice labelling workshop for entrepreneurs and compliance stakeholders. Energy Efficiency in Buildings: St. Lucia will host a CARICOM meeting (Aug. 31–Sep. 3) to review and revise the regional energy efficiency building code and minimum performance standards. Agriculture Training: A FAO mission in SVG is running coconut and soursop training, while SALCC is using greenhouse trials to test climate-resilient crop varieties for local farmers. Climate Pressure: Health clinics are already seeing heat-stress symptoms as El Niño-driven hot, dry conditions intensify, raising risks for older adults, children and pregnant women.

Community Tourism & Bookings: Saint Lucia is rolling out community-led travel experiences, including an e-bike model and a Community Tourism Agency partnership, with an agent booking platform expected from October. Hospitality Research: Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection reports 87% of U.S. and Canadian travelers have considered all-inclusive resorts, with repeat stays driving growth. Standards & Consumer Protection: The Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards is acting after complaints about poor beverage labelling, running a juice labelling workshop for entrepreneurs and compliance stakeholders. Housing Finance: Saint Lucia has secured a US$20 million EXIMBANK loan via the Saint Lucia Development Bank to expand affordable, climate-resilient housing and community infrastructure. Energy Efficiency in Buildings: CARICOM’s Regional Energy Efficiency Building Code meeting lands in Saint Lucia from Aug. 31–Sept. 3 to review MEPS and building standards. Water Infrastructure: WASCO has started upgrading the northern pipeline between Bonne Terre Gap and Gros Islet, replacing a 14-inch main with a new 20-inch ductile iron line. Agriculture Skills: A Taiwan Technical Mission workshop trained farmers on leaf lettuce cultivation and agro-processing, focusing on better harvesting methods. Digital Growth for MSMEs: A CDB-backed regional initiative will support at least 150 MSMEs across Saint Lucia and other islands to boost digital maturity and competitiveness. Underwater Tourism: Saint Lucia will unveil its first National Exhibition for the Dive Park of an underwater sculpture park corridor, with sculptures set for installation in Anse La Verdure.

Housing Finance: Saint Lucia and Taiwan’s Export-Import Bank have finalized a US$20 million loan facility via the Saint Lucia Development Bank to expand affordable housing for low- to middle-income families, with added support for climate-resilient community upgrades like water storage, solar and drainage. Energy Efficiency & Construction Standards: Saint Lucia will host a CARICOM Regional Energy Efficiency Building Code meeting (Aug 31–Sep 3) to review and revise building energy rules and minimum performance standards, bringing together regional standards bodies, consultants and the World Bank. Water Infrastructure Upgrade: WASCO has begun replacing the aging 14-inch northern pipeline main between Bonne Terre Gap and Gros Islet with a new 20-inch ductile iron line, coordinated with road works and likely to bring lane restrictions. Agri Skills for Farmers: Taiwan Technical Mission trained local farmers on leaf lettuce cultivation and harvesting, including repeat harvesting techniques and agro-processing, using varieties like Rapid Red, Georgia and Chris Green. Digital Growth for MSMEs: The Caribbean Development Bank and Barbados Small Business Association launched a regional push to help at least 150 MSMEs across Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines adopt digital tools and build resilience. Tourism & Creative Industry: Saint Lucia is set to unveil its first National Exhibition for an underwater sculpture park, with sculptures on public view Aug 29 before installation at Anse La Verdure.

Telecom Costs: CTU SG Rodney Taylor says Caricom roaming charges still feel too high despite the 2022 St George’s Declaration, arguing people should “roam like you’re at home” across the region. Medicinal Cannabis Compliance: Saint Kitts and Nevis is rolling out a seed-to-sale system via GrowerIQ that tracks every financial transaction alongside plants and batches from licence application, built into Regulation 55 and linked to anti-money laundering rules. Tourism & Culture: St Lucia will open a public exhibition for its first Underwater Sculpture Park (Dive Park) from Aug 29, with works set for installation at Anse La Verdure, Canaries. Agri Innovation: SALCC Farm is testing climate-resilient bell pepper varieties in greenhouse trials using shade cloth, drip irrigation and biological pest control, alongside hands-on student learning. MSME Digital Push: CDB and Barbados’ SBA launch a regional programme to help at least 150 MSMEs across Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia and SVG adopt digital solutions and build resilience. Water Reliability: WASCO moves to cut leakages with new leak-detection and repair units, plus major pipeline replacement projects; it also reports repairs after tampering restricted flow at the Delcer Water Treatment Plant in Choiseul.

Citizenship by Investment Pressure: Nevis Premier Mark Brantley says “CBI as we know it is dead,” arguing Caribbean investment migration is being squeezed by tougher geopolitics and EU deadlines. Medicinal Cannabis Industry Compliance: Saint Kitts and Nevis is rolling out a seed-to-sale system that tracks every transaction alongside every cannabis batch, built to meet licensing and anti-money laundering rules. Visa Policy Ripple for the Region: A US judge overturned a Trump-era nationality-based visa ban that affected multiple Caribbean countries including Saint Lucia and St Kitts and Nevis. Cruise and Tourism Moves: MSC Cruises reshuffled winter 2027/28 deployments, sending MSC World Asia to the South Caribbean with calls including Castries, while MSC World Europa shifts away from the Middle East. St Lucia Underwater Tourism: St Lucia will unveil its first National Exhibition for an underwater sculpture park, with sculptures set for installation off Anse La Verdure. MSME Digital Push: CDB and partners launched a regional initiative to help at least 150 MSMEs across Saint Lucia and other islands adopt digital tools and grow.

Tourism & Shipping: MSC Cruises reshuffled its winter 2027/28 plans, moving MSC World Asia to the South Caribbean and listing Castries among the stops, while MSC World Europa shifts away from the Middle East—an operational change that will affect booked passengers. Agriculture & Training: Saint Lucia’s Sir Arthur Lewis Community College Farm is running climate-smart bell pepper trials and other applied research to help farmers lift yields and resist climate and disease pressures. Aquaculture & Food Security: The Ministry of Agriculture and FAO supported capacity building for sustainable shrimp hatchery and seed production, aiming to strengthen Saint Lucia’s aquaculture output. Water & Infrastructure: WASCO launched leak-focused measures, including a Water Management Unit and a Non-Revenue Water Unit, while also probing suspected tampering that restricted flow to the Delcer Water Treatment Plant. Digital Growth for MSMEs: CDB and the Small Business Association of Barbados launched a regional digital transformation push for at least 150 MSMEs across Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and SVG. Culture & Creative Industries: St Lucia will unveil its first National Exhibition tied to the island’s underwater sculpture parks, with sculptures set for installation at Anse La Verdure. Regional Policy & Trade: OECS, UNCTAD and ECLAC wrapped up work to improve evidence-based policymaking for trade in services across the Eastern Caribbean. Sports: Oblique Seville and Melissa Jefferson-Wooden won 100m titles at the Silesia Diamond League, with St Lucia’s Julien Alfred finishing second.