AGP Executive Report

Caribbean Tourism Deal: Barbados has been named host destination for the Caribbean Travel Marketplace (CTM) 2027, the region’s top B2B tourism event, with CHTA saying the May 18–21 gathering will bring global buyers and Caribbean suppliers together for new commercial opportunities. Payments & Governance: Barbados’ BiMPay instant payment platform is drawing calls for more transparency, with the DLP welcoming the upgrade but urging clear public safeguards on how data is protected and how the system is governed. Public Health & Schools: The Heart & Stroke Foundation of Barbados launched a four-week campaign targeting junk food advertising around schools, warning that marketing is bypassing school nutrition rules and feeding childhood obesity risks. Housing Pressure: Housing Minister Chris Gibbs says over 4,000 Barbadians are seeking housing assistance, with demand still outstripping supply as Government pushes construction, social mortgages, land regularisation and NHC restructuring. Construction Jobs: The Barbados Workers’ Union is engaging C.O. Williams Construction after the company flagged potential redundancies, warning of wider sector impacts and pushing for fair consultation. Energy & Industry Innovation: Dominica moves geothermal onto its national grid, while Harris Paints highlights Barbados-developed Quantum Dry tinting tech rolling out regionally. SME Exports: TTMA and partners are preparing a new export tool for SMEs, building on earlier cohorts that reported new foreign sales. Regional Trade Context: An op-ed argues the WTO still matters for small Caribbean states despite recent setbacks and global tariff turbulence.

Tourism Deal for Barbados: CHTA has named Barbados host for Caribbean Travel Marketplace (CTM) 2027, set for May 18–21, 2027, after a successful 2026 event—bringing global buyers and regional suppliers together for pre-scheduled business meetings and more tourism investment. Regional Travel Shock: The newly elected CHTA president, Dominica hotelier Gregor Nassief, was denied a US visa renewal, raising fears of wider fallout for Caribbean tourism representation and operations. Payments Oversight: The DLP says Barbados must add transparency and strong personal-data safeguards as BiMPay launches as a national instant payments platform. Elder Abuse Push: BARP warns of a “silent crisis” of elder abuse, especially financial exploitation of isolated seniors, calling for enforcement beyond new laws. Health Regulation Reform: Barbados’ Medical Products Bill would create a modern autonomous authority to regulate medicines and health products, aiming to improve access and support local life sciences. Construction Jobs Tension: BWU and CTUSAB are pressing for evidence and fair process as C.O. Williams Construction signals possible layoffs. Manufacturing Innovation: Harris Paints unveiled its Quantum Dry dry tinting system in Barbados, positioning the Caribbean-developed tech for wider export. Energy Cost Context: A data roundup highlights how electricity prices vary wildly worldwide, with fuel-importing island nations and Europe often at the top of the cost list. Public Health Training: CARPHA trained 18 people across 15 member states on safe transport of infectious substances via an IATA workshop to strengthen regional lab readiness.

Tourism Trade & Travel: Barbados has been named host for the Caribbean Travel Marketplace (CTM) 2027, bringing the B2B event to the island for its 45th edition (May 18–21, 2027), with CHTA saying it will connect global buyers and Caribbean suppliers. Construction & Jobs: The Barbados Workers’ Union says it is in talks with C.O. Williams Construction after reports of about 30 redundancies as early as June 12, calling for evidence-backed, fair consultation. Pharma Regulation: A Barbados Medical Products Bill passed in the Senate would create a new autonomous Barbados Medical Products Authority to regulate medicines and health devices, improve access, and support life sciences manufacturing and research. Paint Manufacturing Innovation: Harris Paints unveiled its “Quantum Dry” dry tinting system in Barbados, claiming a world-first single-base colour approach using dry pigment pearls, with plans to expand beyond its Wildey retail location. Energy & Payments: CIBC Caribbean is rolling out Google Wallet support across Barbados and other markets, enabling contactless payments via Android and WearOS. Maritime Risk: Reports say Russian drones attacked cargo vessels in the Black Sea, including ships flying Barbados and Panama flags, with no casualties reported. Climate & Water: Barbados remains in drought conditions despite the wet season start, with BMS warning rainfall is still below normal and El Niño may prolong dryness.

Medical Regulation Reform: Barbados has tabled the Barbados Medical Products Bill to create a Barbados Medical Products Authority, an autonomous regulator for medicines, medical devices and other health products, aiming to boost access while meeting international quality, safety and efficacy standards. Construction Jobs & Labour: CTUSAB is calling for urgent national talks after reports that C.O. Williams Construction may begin laying off workers soon, while the Barbados Workers’ Union demands evidence to justify the cuts amid a wider skills-shortage narrative. Paint Innovation: Harris Paints says it has launched the world’s first single-base dry tinting system in Barbados, positioning the move as a major paint-industry technology leap. Digital Payments: CIBC Caribbean is rolling out Google Wallet support across Barbados and other regional markets, letting customers add Visa and Mastercard cards for contactless payments on Android and WearOS. Food & Local Industry: Harbourvale Foods shares its long build-up from a Barbadian meat-factory product-development start to a “Modern Caribbean Pantry” brand now expanding in Barbados. Energy & Risk Outlook: Fitch and CDB economists warn Barbados could still feel worse fallout from Middle East oil-price shock via higher prices and slower growth, especially for tourism-dependent economies. Maritime Security: Russia-linked drone attacks in the Black Sea targeted cargo vessels flying Barbados and Panama flags, with no casualties reported and both ships said to remain seaworthy. Tourism & Youth: St James Secondary School won RBC Young Leaders 2026 with WORM—Waste Optimisation Resilience Movement, while Barbados also continues public education pushes on children’s rights.

Maritime Security: Russian drones struck two civilian merchant vessels in the Black Sea—one flying the flag of Barbados and carrying wheat—sparking damage but no reported casualties, underscoring risks to Caribbean-linked shipping and food logistics. Energy & Macroeconomy: Fitch and CDB economists warn Barbados could feel worse fallout from the Middle East oil-price shock, with tourism-dependent growth and fiscal performance under pressure. Digital Payments: CIBC Caribbean is rolling out Google Wallet support across Barbados and other markets, boosting contactless payments as the region moves toward faster, more mobile-first commerce. Food & Local Industry: Harbourvale Foods shares how its “Modern Caribbean Pantry” grew from decades of product development in Barbadian meat factories into a brand built on turning local ingredients into innovation. Investment & Distribution: Seprod-owned A.S. Bryden & Sons paid US$3.6m for two Barbados firms, expanding food service and consumer distribution across the Eastern Caribbean. Construction Jobs: C.O. Williams Construction is set to cut about 30 jobs, with the BWU demanding proof as the building boom continues. Tourism & Policy: Barbados is hosting the revamped 2026 Women’s CPL at Kensington Oval, while regional leaders push a “Tourism Supply Side Initiative” aimed at building local capacity and longer-term value. Climate & Water: Barbados remains in drought despite the wet season start, with BMS warning El Niño could keep rainfall below normal. Payments Infrastructure: Barbados’ central bank reports electronic transfers surged in 2025 and BiMPay is set to go live, accelerating the shift away from cash. Maritime Training: Barbados Community College launches online maritime courses to help fill expected future jobs in the blue economy.

Cruise Tourism Pressure: Opposition tourism spokesperson Andrea Purkiss says Jamaica’s cruise passenger arrivals have fallen 28% since 2019, arguing the sector is shrinking while the government stays “completely silent,” with a reported gap of nearly 438,000 visitors versus pre-pandemic levels. Barbados Drought Watch: Barbados Meteorological Services reports drought conditions persist despite the wet season start, with rainfall still below expected norms and El Niño likely to keep totals near or under average into the coming months. Digital Payments Shift: Barbados’ Central Bank data shows electronic fund transfers surged to $20.8bn in 2025, overtaking cash usage as the island prepares to go live with BiMPay. Construction Jobs Tension: C.O. Williams Construction plans redundancies amid declining competitiveness, with the Barbados Workers’ Union demanding evidence as the building boom continues. Energy & Industry: Barbados’ energy minister says seismic surveys suggest potential offshore resources of up to 13bn barrels of oil and 40+ trillion cubic feet of gas, while BLPC warns customers about renewable system isolation ahead of storms and discusses fuel-cost-driven bill impacts. Food Policy Push: Healthy Caribbean Coalition launches a campaign urging schools to reduce ultra-processed food and drink marketing, backing petitions across multiple territories. Women’s Cricket Boost: WCPL unveils a re-engineered 2026 festival in Barbados with an expanded four-team format and Jamaica Empress joining the Tridents, Amazon Warriors and Knight Riders. Maritime Training: Barbados Community College rolls out online maritime courses to prepare workers for expected growth in the sector.

Renewables Push: St Kitts and Nevis launched a EU/UNDP-backed roadmap aimed at reaching 100% renewable electricity by mapping policies, investments and tech to cut CO2 emissions by 61% by 2030. Construction & Jobs: Barbados’ C.O. Williams Construction says it will cut jobs (BWU estimates about 30) citing declining competitiveness, while the union demands proof for the redundancies. Payments Shift: Barbados is seeing a clear move from cash to digital, with electronic fund transfers hitting $20.8bn in 2025 as BiMPay prepares to go live. Women’s Cricket: The WCPL is re-engineered for 2026 with a four-team, ten-day “festival” at Kensington Oval in early September, adding Jamaica Empress and releasing full fixtures. Tourism Policy: CHTA president-elect Gregor Nassief warns U.S. visa tightening could disrupt Caribbean tourism and business after his own renewal was denied. Energy Outlook (Barbados): Barbados’ energy minister says seismic surveys suggest potential offshore resources of up to 13bn barrels of oil and 40+ trillion cubic feet of gas. Maritime Training: Barbados Community College begins online maritime courses, including Maritime Journalism and Law of the Sea and Blue Economy, to support growing regional jobs.

Women’s Cricket in Barbados: The WCPL has unveiled a re-engineered 2026 “festival” with eight matches at Kensington Oval (Sept 5–17) and a new four-team line-up: Barbados Tridents, Guyana Amazon Warriors, Jamaica Empress and Trinbago Knight Riders, after Massy stepped back as sponsor. Maritime Skills: Barbados Community College launches online maritime courses—Maritime Journalism and Law of the Sea and Blue Economy—through the National Maritime Training and Employment Programme, aiming to feed growing regional job demand. Payments Shift: Central Bank of Barbados data shows digital payments surged in 2025 (electronic fund transfers $20.8b), as the island prepares to go live with BiMPay. Energy Watch: Barbados says seismic work suggests potential offshore resources of up to 13 billion barrels of oil and 40+ trillion cubic feet of gas, with government moving to identify international partners for commercial assessment. Tourism Policy: CTO backs a Caribbean Tourism Supply Side Initiative focused on local capacity and longer-term value, with Barbados’ Ian Gooding-Edghill and Jamaica’s Edmund Bartlett leading the ministerial committee. Health & Food Reform: PAHO convened nutritionists and legal drafters in Barbados to push sodium reduction and eliminate industrially produced trans fats across the region. Local Power Safety: BLPC warns solar customers to isolate systems properly and avoid unsafe restart after storms.

Tourism Supply Push: Prime Minister Terrance Drew backed the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s new Tourism Supply Side Initiative, with CTO chair Ian Gooding-Edghill and Jamaica’s Edmund Bartlett set to lead a ministerial committee focused on building local capacity and longer-term value. Green Jobs Awareness Gap: A UNICEF-commissioned survey found many young Barbadians (and peers in Dominica, St Lucia and Antigua) don’t yet connect climate and circular-economy efforts to real opportunities in the green economy. Public Health Policy: PAHO/WHO brought nutritionists, NCD focal points and legal drafters to Barbados to map sodium reduction and push elimination of industrially produced trans fats, using local roadmaps. Energy Safety & Costs: Barbados Light & Power warned solar owners to properly isolate and manage systems before, during and after storms, while also noting fuel-driven pressure on electricity bills. Regional Security Watch: Analysis says Caribbean trafficking routes to Europe are evolving into more flexible transatlantic networks, raising new security challenges. Caribbean Media & Tourism Storytelling: CTO honoured regional tourism storytellers at Caribbean Media Awards in New York and launched CTO TV to expand video-led destination coverage. Sports Sponsorship: BYD was named Official Car Sponsor/Partner of CPL 2026, rolling out Caribbean-wide fan activations and a vehicle wrap design challenge.

Caribbean Tourism Awards & Leadership: Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. CEO Andrea Franklin was named CTO Director of Tourism of the Year 2026, while BVI’s Luce Hodge-Smith won Minister/Commissioner of Tourism of the Year at CTO’s Caribbean Women in Tourism Leadership Awards in New York. Regional Tourism Strategy: CTO also recognised media excellence at its Caribbean Media Awards and launched CTO TV to boost Caribbean tourism storytelling with a library of 700+ videos. Energy & Storm Readiness (Barbados): BLPC says fuel costs drive most bills, but it has FCA permissions for temporary generation; separately, it warns solar owners to properly isolate systems and not restart damaged panels after storms. Skills & Training (CARICOM): HEART/NSTA Trust digitised three Level 2 TVET courses (waxing, tiling, baking/cake) for CARICOM-wide delivery via Moodle. Climate Finance Push (SIDS): Barbados’ Santia Bradshaw urged faster, simplified climate funding for small island states, saying late money can’t deliver real protection. Governance & Business Controls: Cayman proposes letting Cabinet suspend licences for foreign-owned businesses in sectors deemed in the public interest. Anti-Corruption Drive: Jamaica’s Integrity Commission chief calls for aligned regional anti-corruption laws and coordinated action. Mobility & Congestion (CDB): CDB warns road expansion alone won’t fix Caribbean traffic; it wants integrated mobility planning and tech coordination. Local Business & Culture: Marcus Garvey Entrepreneurship Pitch Competition opens with $30,000 in prizes for cultural-industry innovators. Branding in Sport: BYD signed on as Official Car Sponsor of CPL 2026, rolling out fan activations and a vehicle-wrap design challenge.

Energy Costs & Grid Reliability: Barbados Light & Power says fuel prices drive most of the bill, but it has Fair Trading Commission approval to recover costs tied to temporary generation—adding about $1.25 to the average household monthly—while teams keep pushing for efficiency. Renewables Safety Ahead of Storms: BL&P is also warning solar owners to ensure isolation switches work, avoid switching systems back on after damage, keep insurance current, and trim trees to protect crews during hurricane restoration. Tourism Media & Promotion: The Caribbean Tourism Organization used Caribbean Week in New York to honour regional journalists and digital creators, and launched CTO TV to expand video storytelling beyond “beaches and resorts.” Local Tourism Recognition: Barbadians Andrea Franklin and Eusi Skeete were recognised by CTO for contributions to regional tourism. Governance & Corruption Watch: Transparency International’s 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index ranks Haiti lowest in the Caribbean, while Barbados and a few others remain among the stronger performers. Business Licensing Shift (Regional): Cayman’s proposed law would let Cabinet suspend licences for foreign-owned businesses in sectors deemed in the public interest, with attention on real estate and property development. Skills & Training: HEART/NSTA Trust digitised three level-two TVET courses under a CARICOM pilot, with more programmes planned by March 2027. Climate Finance Push: Barbados’ environment minister called for faster, simplified climate funding access for small island states, arguing late money can’t deliver impact. Creative Industry Funding: Barbados opened the Marcus Garvey Entrepreneurship Pitch Competition with $30,000 in prizes, targeting growth in the cultural industries. Caribbean Sports & Mobility: BYD signed on as Official Car Sponsor of CPL 2026, rolling out fan activations and a “Wrap the Future” design challenge across key markets including Barbados.

Climate Finance Push: Barbados’ Santia Bradshaw says SIDS are stuck with slow, complex funding that arrives “too late,” calling for simplified access and faster disbursement for climate adaptation and food security. Energy & Safety: Barbados Light & Power warns solar owners to ensure proper isolation before storms and not to restart damaged systems after outages, stressing public safety and insurance readiness. TVET Digitalisation: HEART/NSTA Trust digitised three level-two courses (waxing, tiling, baker/cake) under a CARICOM TVET pilot, with more programmes planned by March 2027. Anti-Corruption Coordination: Jamaica’s Integrity Commission urges Caribbean states to align anti-corruption laws and enforcement, arguing corruption must be treated as a regional public good. Tourism Leadership & Markets: Petra Roach is inducted into the CTO Hall of Fame, while St. Kitts’ SKTA CEO says it will target Latin America with airline talks and B2B matchmaking. Food Security & Agriculture: DC ALFA’s 2026 conference in Sint Maarten renews cooperation across the Dutch Caribbean to strengthen food security, fisheries, livestock and sustainable agriculture. Local Business & Culture: Barbados launches the Marcus Garvey Entrepreneurship Pitch Competition with $30,000 in prizes, aiming to grow cultural-industry business participation. Workforce & AI: Barbados Workers’ Union warns AI and platform work are already reshaping services, calling for stronger worker protections. Caribbean Tourism Media: CTO honours regional storytellers at Caribbean Media Awards during Caribbean Week in New York.

Renewables & Storm Safety: Barbados Light & Power says improperly isolated solar systems and generators can endanger crews during hurricane restoration, warning the roughly 3,500 connected customers to ensure proper isolation and inspections before and after severe weather. Tourism Leadership & Media: During Caribbean Week in New York, the CTO honoured regional tourism storytellers at its Caribbean Media Awards, while Barbadian tourism executives Andrea Franklin and Eusi Skeete received CTO recognition for service and leadership. Barbados Tourism Policy Push: CTO launched a Tourism Supply Side Initiative aimed at boosting local economic retention and resilience, with a ministerial committee set to steer the agenda. Energy Costs & Grid Reliability: BLPC flagged rising monthly backup generator rental costs, with additional temporary generation expected to lift customer costs slightly as demand grows from tourism, commercial development, air-conditioning and EV uptake. Healthy Food Policy Pressure: Regional health partners urged faster, evidence-based healthy food policies to tackle the NCD crisis, citing implementation gaps and the role of ultra-processed foods. Skills & Jobs: BWU warned that AI and app-based work are already reshaping labour in Barbados’s services-heavy economy, calling for stronger worker protections. Entrepreneurship in Culture: Barbados opened the Marcus Garvey Entrepreneurship Pitch Competition with $30,000 in prizes, targeting growth in the arts and culture sector.

Tourism Leadership & Media: Barbadian tourism executive Petra Roach was inducted into the inaugural Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) Hall of Fame during Caribbean Week in New York, while the CTO also honoured regional media talent for storytelling that goes beyond beaches and resorts. Regional Tourism Strategy: CTO and Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association unveiled a Tourism Supply Side Initiative, plus a new digital platform (CTO TV), aiming to boost local value, resilience, and economic retention. Energy & Utilities: Barbados Light & Power says monthly costs for backup generation are set to rise as it seeks approval to recover fuel expenses for additional temporary capacity, citing growing demand from tourism, EVs, and air conditioning. Climate & Coastal Risk: Barbados faces out-of-season coastal erosion linked to unusual freshwater surges from South America, and officials are pushing better data-sharing to strengthen climate research and decision-making. Food & Health Policy: Regional health groups called for faster implementation of evidence-based healthy food policies to tackle the NCD crisis. Labour & AI: The Barbados Workers’ Union warned that AI-managed, app-based work could leave workers exposed without stronger protections. Security & Justice: CTUSAB backed the introduction of a gun court as a tool against firearms trafficking and use.

Energy & Cost of Living: Barbados Light & Power says it’s paying about $700,000 monthly to rent temporary generation units, with costs set to jump to about $900,000 after more capacity is added later this year—pushing electricity costs up slightly as demand rises from tourism, commercial growth, air-conditioning and EVs. Tourism Policy: The Caribbean Tourism Organisation launched a “Tourism Supply Side Initiative” to keep more value in the region, boost resilience and strengthen local participation, rolling out new governance and a ministerial committee. Climate & Data: CIMH warns that poor data-sharing across Barbados and the wider Caribbean is limiting climate research and decision-making, calling for urgent access to key datasets. Food Security & Farming: A feed and forage crisis is hitting livestock farmers as pasture fires destroy grazing land and hay prices reportedly double, threatening the sheep industry. Fisheries Preparedness: Barbados tested hurricane readiness by relocating the fishing fleet, aiming to avoid repeat losses after Hurricane Beryl. Finance & Investment: Caribbean Strategic Advisors and PROVEN Wealth Barbados formed a regional investment partnership to channel capital into infrastructure and energy transition projects. Work & AI: The Barbados Workers’ Union raised concerns at the ILO about AI and platform-based work leaving workers exposed without stronger protections. Caribbean Business & Tech: Mastercard says it’s preparing for agentic AI in payments, while Canada announced GAIA Climate Loan Fund funding to support climate adaptation and mitigation in SIDS and LDCs.

World Cup Broadcast Push: Rush Sports (CPSL) says it’s building a “whole experience” for the 2026 FIFA World Cup across 13 Caribbean markets, carrying all 104 matches in 12 territories and splitting coverage in Jamaica with TVJ. Climate & Coastal Risk: Barbados is seeing out-of-season coastal erosion linked to unusual freshwater surges from South America, while the fisheries division tested hurricane readiness through a nationwide drill to relocate vessels. Food & Farming Pressure: A severe feed and forage crisis is hitting livestock farmers as pasture fires burn grazing lands and hay prices reportedly double, and farmers are also being pushed to adapt as drought conditions worsen. Barbados-Canada Business Links: Prime Minister Mia Mottley strengthened Barbados-Canada ties in Toronto, with talks spanning logistics, maritime research, insurance, and energy security. Offshore Oil Negotiations: Government has launched 2026 offshore direct negotiations, offering 19 ultra-deepwater blocks and citing seismic survey potential of up to 13+ billion barrels of oil and 40+ trillion cubic feet of gas, alongside tougher climate and methane stewardship requirements. Research for Policy: A new initiative aims to put scientific research at the centre of national policymaking, with a symposium focused on sustainable blue and green economies and better data-sharing for climate decisions. Tourism Industry Moves: Caribbean tourism leaders unveiled new initiatives including CTO TV, while Barbados continues to position itself in regional tourism planning.