AGP Executive Report
Last update: 11 hours agoCruise & Tourism Deals: Ambassador Cruise Line has put two winter Caribbean fly-cruise seasons on sale, with the 1,100-passenger Renaissance running 10 sailings each winter (2027-28 and 2028-29) from UK gateways including Barbados, with lead-in pricing from £1,999 per person. Banking Restructure: ANSA Merchant Bank is proposing a major reorganisation, moving banking operations into ANSA Bank and creating a single licensed commercial bank under ANSA McAL, targeted for January 1, 2027 (subject to approvals). Financial Safety Net: Barbados’ largest credit union, BPWCCUL, welcomed the Protection of Depositors Act and upcoming state-backed deposit insurance for credit unions, saying it will level the playing field and support more lending. Sargassum Response: Barbados and the EU have started talks on tackling sargassum, focusing on detection, restricting beaching, and boosting mechanised removal, with Barbados set to participate in an EU-Caribbean conference in Mexico. Cost of Living Support: Government has paid out over $28m under the Cost of Living Cash Credit, with beneficiaries rising to 58,148 by August. Local Business Inclusion: The Barbados Association for the Blind says it is expanding employment opportunities and seeking more corporate partnerships. Public Safety vs Tourism: St Vincent officials say crime-fighting measures like curfews and possible regional troop support are on the table, but must be balanced to protect investment and tourism. Regional Labour & Tourism: An ILO study flags informality and weak protections in Eastern Caribbean tourism, urging countries to improve productivity, working conditions and formalisation together.
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