AGP Executive Report

Citizenship by Investment Pivot: PM Terrance Drew says St. Kitts and Nevis is building an economy that can thrive beyond CBI as EU pressure intensifies, while Nevis Premier Mark Brantley argues the EU fight can’t be left to one leader and should be handled regionally through OECS and CARICOM. Trade & Industry Links: St. Kitts and Nevis officially joined Taiwan’s expanded Latin American and Caribbean Trade Office (LACTO), with a focus on agriculture, fisheries, food, tourism and investment; meanwhile Dennis Shipping and Hobson Enterprises launched a new US–St. Kitts-Nevis shipping alliance to improve logistics reliability. Ports & Imports: MV Equuleus Leader delivered 38 imported vehicles to Basseterre Port, with SCASPA urging customers to have documents ready for faster clearance. Land & Construction: High Court injunctions were dismissed, clearing landowners in Cabbage Tree and Lemon Hill to build after the government moved to reclaim residential lots used unlawfully for agriculture. Healthcare Infrastructure: MRI Centre works are in the final phase for late-2026 operations, and Nevis is advancing its first dialysis centre (US$1.3m) at Alexandra Hospital. Workforce & Social Security: St. Kitts and Nevis hit a record 30,146 Social Security contributors, tied to diversification and minimum wage increases. Maritime Security: SKANReg raised concerns over Black Sea security incidents affecting merchant vessels, underscoring risks to shipping operations.

Citizenship by Investment Crossroads: EU pressure to phase out CBI programmes by June 2028 is reshaping St. Kitts and Nevis’ fiscal planning and diplomacy, with local leaders warning against treating sovereignty as “stubbornness” while real investment and Schengen access hang in the balance. Trade & Industry Links: St. Kitts and Nevis joined the Latin American and Caribbean Trade Office (LACTO) in Taiwan, expanding market access for agriculture, fisheries, food, tourism and investment matchmaking. Land Use & Housing: The High Court cleared the way for the government to reclaim residential lots in Cabbage Tree and Lemon Hill after an injunction was dismissed, allowing lawful landowners to survey and build. Healthcare Infrastructure: Work on the Joseph N. France Hospital MRI Centre is in its final phase, targeting operational status by year-end, while Nevis moves ahead with its first dedicated dialysis centre (US$1.3m) to cut off-island treatment needs. Port & Logistics: MV Equuleus Leader delivered 38 imported vehicles to Basseterre Port, with SCASPA urging customers to have documents ready for faster clearance. Workforce & Social Security: St. Kitts and Nevis hit a record 30,146 Social Security contributors, reflecting employment growth tied to diversification and minimum wage increases. Regional Shipping Security: SKANReg flagged Black Sea incidents involving drone and weapon attacks on merchant vessels, underscoring risks to lawful commercial shipping. Community & Skills: Carib Brewery brewers earned international diplomas in Germany, and the federation’s aquaculture training workshop under the Shrimp and Finfish Project wrapped with certificates.

Maritime & Safety: Guyana’s MV Barima ferry disaster remains the region’s worst since 1970, with 73 confirmed dead and 30 missing as recovery continues; a high-level five-member Commission of Inquiry has been named, led by Belizean legal expert Godfrey Phillip Smith and including a maritime casualty specialist. Healthcare Infrastructure: St. Kitts and Nevis is pushing ahead with an MRI Centre at JNF Hospital, now about 95% complete, with electrical and air-conditioning work and a Faraday cage before equipment installation. Nevis Dialysis Expansion: Nevis is set to open its first dedicated dialysis centre at Alexandra Hospital, a US$1.3m project with five stations for up to 20 patients. Waste & Environment: St. Kitts’ Solid Waste Management Corporation reports removing 209 derelict vehicles so far this year, using scrap-metal exports to offset costs. Trade & Investment Links: OECS and Morocco highlight new cooperation during Economic Promotion Week, while Taiwan’s expanded Latin American and Caribbean Trade Office (LACTO) opens in Taipei to support regional business matchmaking. Local Economy & Jobs: St. Kitts and Nevis hits a record 30,146 Social Security contributors as minimum wage increases and diversification efforts boost employment. Politics: PAM’s Natasha Grey-Brookes resigns as political leader effective July 31, staying focused on winning St. Christopher One. Agriculture & Land Use: The Federation completes relocation of farmers from residentially designated lands to agricultural areas after a court ruling cleared the way.

Workforce Milestone: St. Kitts and Nevis hit a record 30,146 Social Security contributors, up from 27,664 before 2022, as diversification and minimum-wage increases lift pay for baseline earners. Political Shift: The People’s Action Movement says Natasha Grey-Brookes will step down as Political Leader effective July 31, framing it as a strategic move ahead of the General Election. EU & Investment Pressure: With the EU pushing CBI phaseout by June 2028 to protect Schengen visa-free access, local leaders argue the Federation must keep moving toward a less CBI-dependent economy. Healthcare Investment: Nevis is set to get its first dedicated dialysis centre at Alexandra Hospital, a US$1.3m project with five stations for up to 20 patients. Health Infrastructure: The MRI Centre at JNF Hospital is 95% complete, with remaining electrical and air-conditioning work before MRI installation. Environment & Waste: SWMC reports removing 209 derelict vehicles so far this year (and 1,000+ over three years), funded partly through scrap exports. Regional Trade Links: OECS and Morocco highlight new cooperation opportunities during Economic Promotion Week, while Taiwan expands its Latin American and Caribbean Trade Office to include St. Kitts and Nevis. Maritime Safety Watch: A five-member Commission of Inquiry panel is named to examine the MV Barima tragedy, as recovery continues in Guyana. Local Industry & Skills: Aquaculture training under the Shrimp and Finfish Project wraps with practical skills for sustainable grow-out systems. Tech & Youth: Brightstar’s Coding & Robotics Rock! Camp runs across the region, building AI and robotics skills for students in St. Kitts and Nevis.

Maritime Safety & Accountability: Guyana’s MV Barima ferry disaster is now the Caribbean’s deadliest since 1970, with 73 confirmed dead and 30 still missing as recovery continues. Health Infrastructure: St. Kitts’ Joseph N. France General Hospital MRI build is at about 95% complete, with electrical and air-conditioning work next before the Faraday cage and equipment installation. Nevis Healthcare Investment: Nevis is moving ahead with its first dedicated dialysis centre at Alexandra Hospital, a US$1.3m project for five stations and up to 20 patients. Waste & Environment: St. Kitts’ Solid Waste Management Corporation says it has removed 209 derelict vehicles so far this year, pushing scrap exports to help offset removal costs. Local Land & Agriculture: The government says farmers unlawfully on residential-designated lands in Lemon Hill and Cabbage Tree have been relocated after a court cleared the way, restoring access for landowners. Trade & Regional Links: OECS and Morocco highlight new trade and investment cooperation during Economic Promotion Week, with St. Kitts and Nevis among participating delegations. Governance & Compliance: Nevis Premier Mark Brantley argues the EU misread CBI intentions as the region faces a June 1, 2028 phase-out demand tied to Schengen visa-free access.

Maritime Accountability: President Dr Irfaan named a high-level five-member Commission of Inquiry into the MV Barima tragedy, led by former Belize Justice of Appeal Godfrey Phillip Smith and supported by maritime safety specialist Captain Hamada Fouda, as the probe examines the ferry’s circumstances. Waste & Environment: In St. Kitts, the Solid Waste Management Corporation says it has removed 209 derelict vehicles so far this year (over 1,000 in three years), with officials pointing to scrap-metal exports as a way to offset removal costs. Healthcare Investment (Nevis): Nevis is set to get its first dedicated dialysis centre at Alexandra Hospital, a US$1.3m project with five stations for up to 20 patients, announced by Premier Mark Brantley. Healthcare Upgrades (St. Kitts): Work has begun on Cardin Home’s major rehabilitation ahead of its 100th anniversary, with Public Works managing and prison labour supporting the project. Aquaculture Skills: A Shrimp and Finfish Pilot Grow-out workshop with FAO support wrapped up, training participants on sustainable shrimp grow-out practices and site planning. Regional Trade Push: OECS and Morocco highlighted new trade and investment cooperation during Economic Promotion Week, with St. Kitts and Nevis among participating delegations. EU Pressure on CBI: Nevis Premier Mark Brantley said the EU’s push to phase out CBI programmes reflects a deeper shift in philosophy, as St. Kitts and Nevis continues positioning its Sustainable Island State Agenda to cut reliance on CBI. Digital & Skills: Brightstar’s Coding & Robotics Rock! Camp concluded across the region, including St. Kitts and Nevis, training students in AI and robotics.

Medicinal Cannabis Finance: St. Kitts and Nevis’ Medicinal Cannabis Authority is pushing for a secure banking framework, citing correspondent banking hurdles with US institutions, and has brought in Saboto Caesar to help design safeguards and meet local banks and credit unions. Healthcare Investment (Nevis): Nevis is set to get its first dedicated dialysis centre at Alexandra Hospital, with US$1.3m funding for five dialysis stations and capacity for up to 20 patients, aiming to cut the need for off-island treatment. Waste & Circular Economy: St. Kitts’ Solid Waste Management Corporation says it has removed 1,000+ derelict vehicles over three years, with 209 removed so far in 2026, while recycling efforts face export and shipping-cost barriers. Trade & Regional Deals: OECS and Morocco highlighted new trade and investment cooperation during Economic Promotion Week, with St. Kitts and Nevis among participating states. Tourism & Industry: The St. Kitts Music Festival wrapped after three nights, with organisers pointing to strong visitor arrivals and ongoing boosts for hotels, restaurants and transport. Governance & Skills: Nevis and regional partners continue capacity-building through OECS services-sector training workshops, reinforcing “business government” and trade-policy skills. EU Citizenship Pressure: Nevis Premier Mark Brantley and regional leaders continue responding to the EU push to phase out CBI programmes by 2028, arguing the federation is already reducing dependence via its Sustainable Island State Agenda.

Waste & Environment: St. Kitts’ Solid Waste Management Corporation says it has removed 1,000+ derelict vehicles over three years, with 209 cleared so far this year (Cayan, Monkey Hill, Shadwell and Conaree area), and notes scrap exports help offset removal costs—while urging entrepreneurs to build private services around vehicle recovery. Healthcare Investment (Nevis): Nevis is set to get its first dedicated dialysis centre at Alexandra Hospital, funded through the Destiny Special Sustainability Zone project at US$1.3m, with five stations for up to 20 patients. Healthcare Upgrades (St. Kitts): Cardin Home rehabilitation is underway ahead of its 100th anniversary, with Public Works managing works and prison labour supporting the project. Agriculture & Land Use: The Ministry of Sustainable Development says farmers unlawfully on residentially designated lands in Lemon Hill and Cabbage Tree have been relocated to agricultural lands after a court cleared the way, restoring access for lawful landowners. Aquaculture Skills: A Shrimp and Finfish Pilot Grow-out workshop with FAO support wrapped up, training participants on sustainable shrimp grow-out systems, water management and biosecurity. Regional Trade & Investment: OECS and Morocco highlighted new trade and investment cooperation during Economic Promotion Week, with St. Kitts and Nevis represented through ministries and investment agencies. EU Policy Pressure (CBI): Nevis Premier Mark Brantley and regional leaders continue pushing back against an EU push to phase out CBI by 2028, arguing St. Kitts and Nevis is already reducing dependence via its Sustainable Island State Agenda. Circular Economy Challenge: Recycling progress is constrained by export and shipping costs for raw recyclables, with calls for regional processing hubs to make recycling financially workable.

Nevis Healthcare Investment: Nevis is moving ahead with its first dedicated dialysis centre at Alexandra Hospital, backed by a US$1.3 million investment and set to add five dialysis stations for up to 20 patients, reducing the need for many residents to travel off-island. Elder Care Upgrades: In St. Kitts, Cardin Home is entering a major rehabilitation phase ahead of its 100th anniversary, with Public Works managing the project and His Majesty’s Prison providing labour. Agriculture & Land Use: The Ministry of Sustainable Development has completed the safe relocation of farmers from unlawfully occupied residentially designated lands in Lemon Hill and Cabbage Tree, clearing the way for agricultural land use under the National Physical Development Plan. Aquaculture Skills: A FAO-supported shrimp and finfish grow-out training workshop wrapped up, building local capacity in sustainable aquaculture practices, water management, biosecurity and site planning. Trade & Investment Links: OECS and Morocco discussed new trade and investment cooperation, while Taiwan’s expanded Latin American and Caribbean Trade Office now covers St. Kitts and Nevis among other allies. Regional Policy Pressure: St. Kitts and Nevis is among the Caribbean states responding to EU pressure to phase out Citizenship by Investment by June 1, 2028, tied to Schengen visa-free access risk. Sustainable Waste Challenge: Recycling efforts face cost and logistics hurdles, with raw recyclables needing export for processing and shipping costs cited as a major bottleneck. Tech & Youth Skills: Brightstar’s Coding and Robotics camp concluded across the region, including St. Kitts and Nevis, training students in AI models and robotics.

Healthcare Infrastructure: Nevis is moving ahead with its first dedicated dialysis centre at Alexandra Hospital, a US$1.3m build with five stations for up to 20 patients, aiming to cut the need for frequent off-island treatment. Aging Care Upgrades: St. Kitts’ Cardin Home is set for major rehabilitation ahead of its 100th anniversary, with Public Works managing works and prison labour supporting the project, alongside earlier boosts like physiotherapy and nutrition services. Aquaculture Skills: The Shrimp and Finfish Pilot Grow-out Project wrapped a three-day technical workshop with FAO support, focusing on sustainable shrimp grow-out systems, infrastructure design, water management and biosecurity. Land & Agriculture Transition: Farmers unlawfully on residentially designated lands in Lemon Hill and Cabbage Tree are being relocated to agricultural-designated areas after a court dismissal of an injunction, restoring access for lawful landowners. Trade & Investment Links: Taiwan’s Latin American and Caribbean Trade Office (LACTO) officially opened in Taipei with expanded coverage that now includes St. Kitts and Nevis, targeting agriculture, fisheries, food, tourism and industrial cooperation. Circular Economy Reality Check: Recycling efforts face cost and logistics hurdles, with limited local processing capacity pushing baling and export—making shipping a key bottleneck for small-island volumes. Tourism & Local Industry: The 2026 St Kitts Music Festival concluded after three nights, highlighting entertainment tourism’s knock-on benefits for hotels, restaurants and transport.

Trade & Investment Links: Taiwan’s Latin America and Caribbean Trade Office (LACTO) has expanded in Taipei to cover six of its allies, now including St. Kitts and Nevis, with plans to boost business matchmaking and highlight agricultural, fishery, food, tourism and investment opportunities. Sustainable Development & Finance: Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew used the London Stock Exchange platform to pitch the Sustainable Island State Agenda as a resilient development model, and met Afreximbank’s Benedict Oramah to discuss support for areas like water security, energy resilience and digital transformation. Climate Resilience Planning: St. Kitts and Nevis advanced its first National Loss and Damage Strategy through a stakeholder workshop, aiming for a roadmap to identify and respond to climate impacts. Agriculture & Land Use: The Ministry completed the safe relocation of farmers from residential lands in Lemon Hill and Cabbage Tree after a court decision cleared the way, restoring lawful access for property owners. Waste & Recycling Reality Check: A new look at recycling shows the structural hurdles for SIDS—limited local processing, reliance on exporting raw recyclables, and shipping costs that can make recycling financially tough. Medicinal Cannabis Sector Build-Out: The federation is bringing in regional expert Saboto Caesar to help design a banking framework for medicinal cannabis, including a track-and-trace approach for financial institutions. Healthcare Infrastructure (Nevis): Nevis Premier Mark Brantley announced plans for a new dialysis centre at Alexandra Hospital to reduce repeated travel to St. Kitts for treatment. Maritime & Food Security Watch: Ukraine again urged UN action over Black Sea shipping attacks, warning they threaten global food supplies—an issue that also keeps regional logistics and trade on edge.

Sustainable Island State push: Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew used the London Stock Exchange platform to pitch St. Kitts and Nevis as a bridge between Africa, the Caribbean and global investors, tying the message to the Sustainable Island State Agenda and its pillars from water security to renewable energy. Finance talks: Drew also met Afreximbank’s Benedict Oramah, discussing future support in water security, energy resilience and digital transformation. Climate planning: St. Kitts and Nevis advanced its first National Loss and Damage Strategy via a stakeholder workshop with Climate Analytics support, aiming for a national roadmap to manage climate impacts. Land and agriculture: The government completed the safe relocation of farmers from residential lands in Lemon Hill and Cabbage Tree after a High Court dismissal cleared the way, restoring access for lawful landowners. Healthcare infrastructure: Nevis Premier Mark Brantley announced a new dialysis centre at Alexandra Hospital to cut the need for frequent trips to St. Kitts. Medicinal cannabis sector: St. Kitts and Nevis enlisted Saboto Caesar to help build a medicinal cannabis banking framework, including unveiling a seed-to-sale track-and-trace system. Regional shipping risk: Maersk temporarily suspended its Chornomorsk service as attacks disrupt Black Sea shipping, while Ukraine urged UN action over threats to global food security. Sports and community: Security Forces United FC set its 3rd annual awards ceremony for July 25 in Basseterre, celebrating the 2025–2026 season.

Climate Resilience Planning: St. Kitts and Nevis hosted a National Loss and Damage Stakeholder Workshop at St. Kitts Marriott to build the Federation’s first National Loss and Damage Strategy, mapping how the country will identify, plan for, and respond to climate impacts across key resilience sectors. Land & Agriculture: The Ministry of Sustainable Development says it has completed the safe relocation of farmers unlawfully occupying residential-designated lands in Lemon Hill and Cabbage Tree, clearing the way for lawful surveying and construction after a High Court dismissal of an injunction. Aquaculture Skills: Agriculture and Marine Resources launched a three-day FAO-supported aquaculture training workshop under the Shrimp and Finfish Pilot Grow-Out Project, including site assessments and field planning. Healthcare Infrastructure: Nevis Premier Mark Brantley announced a new dialysis centre at Alexandra Hospital to reduce repeated trips to St. Kitts, while St. Kitts’ smart hospital construction is set to resume after design changes tied to a site geological feature. Medicinal Cannabis Finance: St. Kitts and Nevis enlisted Saboto Caesar to help design a medicinal cannabis banking framework, including a seed-to-sale track-and-trace system for financial institutions. Shipping Disruption: Maersk temporarily suspended its Chornomorsk service as Russia-Ukraine attacks intensify, diverting cargo routes and affecting inland transport options. CBI Pressure from Europe: Prime Minister Drew reiterated the Federation’s push to reduce reliance on Citizenship by Investment amid EU demands to phase out CBI by 2028 or risk Schengen visa-free travel consequences. Public Health Watch: A new DNA study links St. Kitts vervet monkeys to a human-infecting whipworm lineage, raising concerns even as officials stress it’s not proof of local infections.

Citizenship by Investment Pressure: PM Drew says St. Kitts and Nevis is preparing for an EU demand to wind down CBI by June 1, 2028, arguing the Sustainable Island State Agenda has already cut GDP dependence on CBI and the federation won’t wait for unilateral action. Central Banking Update: The ECCB’s 113th Monetary Council meeting and its 2025–2026 Annual Report highlight EC dollar stability, rising reserves, and a “Big Push” plan for shared prosperity across the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union. Aquaculture & Fisheries Skills: The Agriculture Ministry, with FAO, kicked off a three-day aquaculture training workshop under a shrimp and finfish grow-out pilot, including site assessments for sustainable expansion. Healthcare Infrastructure: Construction on St. Kitts’ smart hospital is set to resume after design changes tied to a site geological feature, aiming to protect structural integrity and reduce costly methods. Medicinal Cannabis Finance: St. Kitts and Nevis is bringing in Saboto Caesar to help build a medicinal cannabis banking framework, including unveiling a seed-to-sale track-and-trace system for financial stakeholders. Nevis Health Access: Nevis Premier Mark Brantley announced a new dialysis centre at Alexandra Hospital to reduce repeated travel to St. Kitts for treatment. Regional Connectivity Talk: OECS leaders continue discussions on a regional airline to restore post-COVID air links and support trade and tourism. Public Health Watch: A new DNA study links St. Kitts vervet monkeys to a human-infecting whipworm lineage, raising concerns even as officials stress it’s not proof of an outbreak. Aging Care Upgrade: Cardin Home begins major rehabilitation ahead of its 100th anniversary, with prison labour managed by Public Works to meet international care standards. Sports Tourism Calendar: CPL 2026 is set to bring cricket, culture and business activity across the region, with St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots among the matchups.

Elderly Care Upgrade: St. Kitts’ Cardin Home will undergo major rehabilitation starting July 21, 2026, using prison labour managed by Public Works, to prepare the facility for its 100th anniversary in May 2027 and bring it up to international care standards. Medicinal Cannabis Finance: St. Kitts and Nevis has enlisted regional expert Saboto Caesar to help design a medicinal cannabis banking framework, with meetings for financial institutions and a planned unveiling of a seed-to-sale track-and-trace system. Nevis Healthcare Access: Nevis Premier Mark Brantley says a new dialysis centre at Alexandra Hospital is under construction to reduce patients’ repeated trips to St. Kitts and support future wider services across the Federation. Tourism & Local Business Push: The Caribbean Premier League is set to run Aug. 7–Sept. 20, with St. Kitts and Nevis hosting matches and the wider tournament expected to boost travel, hotels, food and vendors across the region. Public Health Watch: A new DNA study links St. Kitts’ vervet monkeys to a human-infecting whipworm lineage, raising concerns about potential parasite reservoirs while stressing it’s not proof of an outbreak. Regional Air Connectivity: OECS leaders continue talks on a regional airline to improve movement of people and goods, with COVID-era service gaps still hurting trade and tourism. Sustainable Development at UN: St. Kitts and Nevis highlighted renewable energy and small-island economic equity work at the UN HLPF, including its vulnerability resilience profiling approach.

Maritime Safety & Accountability: Regional leaders and foreign missions backed Guyana after the MV Barima capsized, with Trinidad and Tobago deploying air and naval search-and-rescue support as survivors are found and passenger numbers remain disputed; Guyana also arrested the captain and first engineer after a positive drug test. Healthcare Infrastructure: Nevis announced a new dialysis centre at Alexandra Hospital to cut repeated trips to St. Kitts, with the project shaped by earlier hospital-wing delays and expected to expand renal care for the Federation. Medicinal Cannabis Industry: St. Kitts and Nevis brought in Saboto Caesar to help build a banking and compliance framework for medicinal cannabis, including unveiling the seed-to-sale track-and-trace system to support financial institutions and regulators. Sustainable Energy & UN Partnerships: At the UN HLPF, the Federation highlighted renewable energy cooperation, grid modernisation, and financing for the green transition, including support for IRENA leadership. Regional Connectivity: OECS leaders continued talks on a regional airline to improve trade, tourism, and movement of people and goods as post-COVID air links remain weak. Agriculture & Tourism Branding: Nevis Mango Festival kept momentum with its “For the Love of Mangoes” push, spotlighting farmers and culinary tourism as a growth pillar. Public Works & Construction: St. Kitts said smart hospital construction is set to resume after design changes following a geological feature, aiming to reduce costly foundation work and shorten timelines. Media & Professional Development: The Media Association of St. Kitts and Nevis held its first executive meeting after elections, setting priorities for training, ethics, and stronger public engagement.