AGP Executive Report

Barbados Cost Relief: Prime Minister Mia Mottley says Independence and republic celebrations will be scaled back to free up resources for cost-of-living support, while constitutional reform moves ahead with an advisory report submitted to the President. Labour & Safety: Government officials visited construction sites after concerns over migrant workers’ welfare, ordering urgent improvements and requiring a full list of migrant workers engaged. Health & Insurance: BARP, via Urgent Care Barbados and Beacon Insurance, launched free annual preventive check-ups for insured members, aiming to tackle chronic disease through earlier screening. Chronic Disease Push: Healthcare and insurance executives say cultural fear of routine check-ups is driving Barbados’ chronic disease burden, and are pushing workplace-based screening to normalise care. Tourism & Youth: Senator Shane Archer urged youth to lead tourism transformation at the Barbados Tourism Youth Congress, while also calling for more volunteers for expanded National Summer Camps (up to 51 sites). Business & Finance: AM Best affirmed Barbados-domiciled Helvetica Re Rückversicherung AG’s strong ratings, and CDB unveiled “CDB Propel” to help Caribbean SMEs become more competitive and investment-ready. Regional Watch: St Kitts and Nevis broke ground on a new cruise terminal at Port Zante to target home-porting by Nov 2027, and Ireland ended visa-free entry for St Kitts and Nevis nationals from June 15.

Regulatory Milestone: Barbados has passed the Barbados Medical Products Authority (BMPA) Bill, creating a single national regulator for medicines, vaccines, medical devices and other health technologies, with support from PAHO to strengthen market authorisation and post-market surveillance. Energy & Labour: Barbados Workers’ Union deputy general secretary Dwaine Paul warned further industrial action is possible at BNECL if health and safety concerns at the gas plant area aren’t addressed, after workers withdrew labour and management committed to corrective action. Insurance & Finance: AM Best affirmed Helvetica Re Rückversicherung AG Corporation’s A- (Excellent) financial strength and “a-” long-term issuer credit ratings, citing strongest balance sheet strength and strong risk-adjusted capital. Cost of Living & Governance: Prime Minister Mia Mottley said independence and republic celebrations will be scaled back to prioritise cost relief, including fuel subsidies and inflation protection, alongside progress on a new constitution and healthcare and pharma legislation. Tourism & Business: Saint Kitts and Nevis broke ground on a new Port Zante cruise terminal aimed at shifting from port-of-call to home-porting, targeting operations by November 2027. SME Support: The Caribbean Development Bank launched CDB Propel (formerly CTCS) to help MSMEs become more competitive, resilient and investment-ready, shifting from one-off technical requests to a more focused regional programme. Community & Youth: National Summer Camps expand to up to 51 sites with about 3,500 campers, adding stipends for camp leaders and strengthened safety measures, while ministers urge more volunteerism from young Barbadians. Local Business Watch: Tyre Warehouse Automotive says its Jetour dealership rights in Jamaica, the Cayman Islands and Barbados remain intact, aiming to quell customer confusion after recent Caribbean reports. Regional Policy: CARICOM will convene a meeting to address issues affecting Rastafarians, including discrimination in education, employment and public life, and will set up a committee with representation from Barbados and other member states. Sports & Culture: Party Monarch Powered By Hitz 106.7 FM is set for July 12 with separate Sweet Soca and Power Soca contests, each with a top prize of $100,000.

Maritime Security: Ukraine says strikes on Russia’s “shadow fleet” are legal, arguing sanctioned tankers directly fund Moscow’s war effort, as Russia escalates the dispute by filing a complaint with the IMO. Education & Sustainability: Alleyne School unveiled plans to become Barbados’ greenest and safest secondary school, including expanded recycling, rainwater harvesting, aquaponics/hydroponics partnerships, and solar power for an electric bus. Hospitality & Tourism Deals: Dennis Tull is preparing to sell Golden Sands Hotel, while Royalton Vessence Barbados opens as a new adult-oriented all-inclusive concept and Divi Resorts runs a 4th of July flash sale with up to 35% off. Local Business & Mobility: Tyre Warehouse Automotive confirms it remains the sole authorised Jetour distributor/dealer for Jamaica, Barbados and the Cayman Islands. Youth & Community: National Summer Camps expand to up to 51 sites with about 3,500 campers, adding stipends for camp leaders and stronger safety measures; officials also urge more volunteers as community service declines. SME Finance: CDB launches CDB Propel to support Caribbean MSMEs with a more programmatic, investment-ready approach. Finance Watch: Central Bank says some public and National Insurance pension payments were still outstanding due to account validation and processing issues.

IMF & Barbados Finance: Finance Minister Ryan Straughn says Barbados will not draw down the US$64m available under its IMF precautionary Stand-By Arrangement, aiming to avoid using the wider fiscal insurance pool. Agriculture Investment: Agriculture Minister Dr Shantal Munro-Knight unveiled a roughly $272m “Agriculture 2030” roadmap to reposition farming as national resilience, with structural reforms and expanded technical capacity. Pensions Update: The Central Bank reported some public and National Insurance pension payments still outstanding due to account validation and processing issues, urging affected pensioners to contact NISSS. Postal Modernisation: Barbados Postal Service took delivery of an electric utility cart as part of a broader push toward a greener, more integrated logistics and digital platform by 2030. UWI Cybersecurity: The UWI warned the public about an unauthorised website using its branding and collecting personal data, urging verification through official channels. Regional Governance & Crime Finance: The UK begins its FATF presidency, vowing to tackle the “fraud epidemic,” with the CFATF’s next mutual evaluation for Bermuda set for October. Business & Tourism: Royalton Vessence Barbados opens on the Platinum Coast as an adult-oriented all-inclusive concept, while Sun Group launched Sun Signature loyalty powered by Amadeus across its ecosystem. Co-ops & Credit Unions: Barbados Teachers’ Cooperative Credit Union plans to merge with two other co-operative credit unions to strengthen stability and lending capacity.

Port Justice Case: A British inquest heard that a 29-tonne lorry driver who crushed cruise passenger Janet Purkess at Bridgetown Port avoided prosecution after magistrates ruled the incident wasn’t on a “road,” reigniting a six-year fight by her sons for accountability. Property Market Timing: NVEST Estates says Barbados buyers may get better deals in summer, when fewer international shoppers reduce competition and improve negotiating power. Tourism & Hospitality: Royalton Vessence Barbados has opened on the Platinum Coast as an adult-oriented all-inclusive concept, positioning Barbados for a new wave of experiential travel. Tech in Loyalty: Sun Group launched Sun Signature, powered by Amadeus, to run a single loyalty account across airlines, resorts, entertainment and more. Agriculture Investment: Minister Shantal Munro-Knight outlined an “Agriculture 2030” roadmap with about $272m in priority investments to reshape farming into a resilience and food-security pillar. Postal Green Upgrade: Barbados Postal Service received an electric postal cart as part of a wider push toward a 2030 carbon-neutral economy. Finance & Payments: Central Bank Governor Kevin Greenidge reassured users that BimPay safeguards protect financial information, while work continues to address payment issues. Reparations Push: Barbados plans to take its slavery reparations case to the UN in a joint effort with the African Union. Fraud Alert: The UWI warned the public about an unauthorised website using its branding and collecting personal data.

Youth Violence & Culture: A local filmmaker has launched “Once Upon A Frame,” using youth-written stories and film (including an AI-made short) to tackle violence and honour the life of 13-year-old Shawnathon Chase. Digital Skills & Jobs: The OECS, via the World Bank-backed CARDTP, recognised 172 scholarship recipients after year-long digital training delivered through UWI Global Campus. Cyber Safety for Students: UWI issued a warning about an unauthorised site using its branding and collecting personal data, urging people to verify only through official UWI channels. Payments Security: Central Bank Governor Kevin Greenidge reassured Barbadians that BimPay safeguards are in place and said work is underway to address payment issues. Reparations Push: Barbados is taking its slavery reparations case to the UN in a joint effort with the African Union, following talks in Ghana with Prime Minister Mia Mottley. Regional Policy & Security: Canada and CARICOM renewed their action plan focused on resilient economies, climate action and regional security, including threats from organised crime and gangs. Co-ops for Peace: Barbados’ cooperative sector marked International Cooperatives Day, with calls for unity, dialogue and stronger credit union and co-op participation in economic life. OECS Leadership: Antigua’s PM Gaston Browne took over the OECS Authority chair, signalling a focus on integration, economic self-reliance and digital transformation. Caribbean Business & Trade: Barbados-UK talks covered security cooperation, climate and clean air, plus opportunities in tourism and investment. Drug Case: Barbados police charged two Jamaican women over cannabis offences, including trafficking and importation, with guilty pleas and fines reported in court.

Central Banking & Payments: Central Bank Governor Kevin Greenidge reassured Barbadians that BimPay’s safeguards protect users’ data, while noting work continues to address payment-related issues. Regional Security & Diplomacy: Barbados’ foreign minister Christopher Sinckler co-chaired Canada-CARICOM talks in Panama, where ministers backed a renewed action plan focused on resilient economies, climate action and regional security. Reparations Push: Minister Trevor Prescod says Barbados will take its slavery reparations case to the UN in a joint effort with the African Union after discussions in Ghana with Prime Minister Mia Mottley. Co-ops & Community Finance: Cooperatives leaders marked International Cooperatives Day, calling for unity and peace, and highlighting continued growth across Barbados’ cooperative sector. Heritage & Youth Skills: Youth and Culture Minister Shane Archer said Barbados’ heritage can drive jobs and entrepreneurship, pointing to the Landship Teachers’ Certification and Heritage Games Programme. Education & Outcomes: Teachers at Hilda Skeene Primary argued public school success depends on parental involvement and resources, amid debate over Common Entrance results. Fraud Alert: UWI warned of an unauthorised website using its branding and collecting personal data.

Reparations Push: Barbados says it will take its slavery reparations fight to the UN in a joint effort with the African Union, after high-level talks in Ghana with Prime Minister Mia Mottley and Minister Trevor Prescod. Climate & Security Diplomacy: Prime Minister Mottley met UK PM Keir Starmer in London to deepen cooperation on security (including organised crime and RSS coordination) and climate action, including methane cuts and fairer climate finance. Regional Finance & Trade: Canada and CARICOM renewed their strategic partnership with a new action plan focused on competitive, resilient economies, climate action and regional security, with measurable targets and financing. Credit Union Milestone: Barbados passed the Protection of Depositors Bill, moving toward sovereign-backed deposit insurance for credit union members (covering about 200,000 people with roughly $3bn in savings). Health Sector Call: Health Minister Lisa Cummins urged corporate Barbados and service clubs to help fund and support health facilities, starting with a targeted planning session. Caribbean Wellness Expansion: JACANA launched a Caribbean Wellness Platform, bundling botanical care, plant medicines, nature experiences and apothecary retail under one brand. Local Heritage & Economy: A lecture series highlighted Carlisle Bay’s role as a British wealth engine, linking colonial trade taxes to the UK’s national debt. Water Access Data: A new map shows where safe drinking water is still out of reach, underscoring the infrastructure gap facing many countries.

Deposit Insurance Push: Barbados’ credit union members are set to get sovereign-backed deposit protection after the Protection of Depositors Bill passed in the House, with Senate approval expected—covering about 200,000 members and roughly $3bn in savings. Central Bank BiMPay Update: The Central Bank says almost all delayed public wages have now been paid after BiMPay rollout issues tied to payroll account formatting; about 160 payments remain outstanding. Climate & Security Diplomacy: Prime Minister Mia Mottley met UK PM Sir Keir Starmer in London to deepen cooperation on security, methane and clean air, plus tourism, investment and research. Canada-CARICOM Action Plan: Canada and CARICOM foreign ministers backed a renewed, results-focused plan on competitive economies, climate action and regional security, with timelines and measurable outcomes. Barbados Innovation Funding Plan: Future Barbados released a draft $65m (US$32.5m) five-year R&D and Innovation roadmap to build longer-term resilience through science and technology. Birth Tourism Watch: Home Affairs Minister Gregory Nicholls says immigration monitoring of birth-tourism ads has been ongoing for years and data don’t justify alarm, while urging continued enforcement. Health Sector Support: Health Minister Lisa Cummins called on corporate Barbados and service clubs to help fund needs across the health system, starting with a targeted planning session. Ophthalmic Export Headwind: Forex shortages are hampering export growth for a regional ophthalmic firm, highlighting ongoing trade-finance frictions. Venezuela Earthquake Response: Venezuela’s death toll rose to 1,430 after June 24 quakes, with international rescue teams including personnel from Barbados among the aid effort.

Canada-CARICOM Security & Climate Push: Canada and Barbados co-chaired the 2026 Canada-CARICOM Foreign Ministers’ Group Meeting in Panama, agreeing a new results-focused action plan with pillars on competitive economies, climate action and regional security, including concerns around Haiti and transnational crime. Wellness & Tourism Branding: Jamaica-born JACANA launched a Caribbean Wellness Platform, bundling botanical personal care, therapeutic plant medicines and nature-based experiences to position Caribbean wellness for global demand. Youth, Culture & Jobs: Youth and Culture Minister Shane Archer said Barbados’ heritage can drive opportunities for young people, citing education and heritage games as pathways to skills, entrepreneurship and national development. Barbados Deposit Insurance Milestone: The Protection of Depositors Bill passed, moving Barbados toward sovereign-backed deposit insurance for credit union members after years of advocacy. Central Bank on Salary Delays: The Central Bank says almost all delayed public wages have been paid after BiMPay issues, with remaining payments being processed as account details are corrected. Birth Tourism Debate: Home Affairs Minister Gregory Nicholls dismissed alarm over birth tourism ads, saying immigration has monitored such promotions for years and enforcement remains in place. Health Sector Support: Health Minister Lisa Cummins urged corporate Barbados and service clubs to back health facilities, including support for a new sensory room for children with developmental disabilities. Barbados R&D Roadmap: Future Barbados proposed a $65m (US$32.5m) five-year RDI roadmap to boost research, development and innovation and strengthen long-term resilience. CARICOM Statistics Meeting in Bridgetown: Caribbean statisticians will meet in Barbados from 29 June to 3 July to advance the regional census strategy and strengthen regional statistical planning. Cruise Market Move: Ambassador Cruise Line is offering a low £99 deposit on winter 2026/27 fly-Caribbean sailings from Bridgetown, signalling continued demand for Barbados-linked itineraries. Global Climate Recognition: Prime Minister Mia Mottley received a lifetime achievement award in Florida for climate justice and economic development advocacy.

BiMPay Salary Fix: The Central Bank says it has now paid 27,206 of about 27,366 delayed public wages after the BiMPay rollout, with about 160 payments still outstanding, blaming payroll account formatting/validation issues and urging continued priority on completion. Climate Finance Push: Barbados is partnering with the OPEC Fund on a Vulnerability to Viability Compact, with the OPEC Fund also unveiling a US$1.5bn digital transformation plan at its Vienna forum focused on climate-vulnerable countries’ financing gaps. Research & Innovation Plan: Future Barbados released a draft five-year R&D and Innovation roadmap calling for US$32.5m ($65m) in targeted investment to boost science, tech and commercial innovation. Youth & Skills Pipeline: Sagicor’s Inspire Vacation Internship Programme welcomed its largest-ever cohort (75 interns), while BYAC trainees wrapped a World of Work career showcase. Local Business & Tech: Future Caribbean launched a global agentic AI buildathon to help Caribbean builders create real-economy AI systems for global markets. Tourism & Policy Watch: Government says birth-tourism ads in Barbados are not new and immigration has been monitoring them, while cruise operators keep marketing Barbados-linked itineraries with low-deposit offers.

Central Bank Payroll Fix: The Central Bank of Barbados says it has paid 27,206 of about 27,366 outstanding salary payments and is working to clear the rest, citing BiMPay formatting and validation issues; it’s also coordinating with commercial banks to expedite payments to private-sector workers. Youth-to-Work Pipeline: BYAC trainees wrapped up the 2026 World of Work Seminar with a career showcase, giving cohorts 7 and 8 hands-on exposure to employers and uniformed services. AI for Caribbean Growth: Future Caribbean is launching a global agentic AI buildathon aimed at turning regional talent into real systems for real economies, positioning the Caribbean to connect more smoothly to global markets. Internship Expansion: Sagicor’s Inspire Vacation Internship Programme welcomed its biggest-ever cohort in Barbados—75 interns—for a six-week placement focused on practical workforce experience. Tourism & Finance Diplomacy: Minister Dennis Cornwall represented Grenada at the OPEC Fund Development Forum in Vienna, highlighting climate-vulnerability financing gaps and advancing discussions around the Vulnerability to Viability Compact. Consumer Banking Pressure: A consumer advocate says banking customer service in Barbados is being undermined by rigid procedures, calling for more risk-based, common-sense decision-making. Regional Credit Union Links: St Vincent and the Grenadines Co-operative League led a 22-member delegation to the CCCU convention in Barbados, focusing on governance, technology, inclusion and cybersecurity.

Banking Ownership Watch: Scotiabank is buying the remaining 28.22% stake in Scotia Group Jamaica and taking it private, raising the bigger question of who controls Caribbean banking and how the region stays plugged into global finance. Credit Union Policy & Consumer Protection: Barbados is moving toward deposit insurance for credit union members, while a consumer advocate says bank customer service is still too rigid and frustrating customers over minor issues. Disaster Risk & Insurance: Barbados is piloting anticipatory action insurance that can release funds to fisherfolk up to three days before hurricanes, and separate reporting warns tens of thousands of homes remain uninsured, leaving the island exposed to climate shocks. Energy & Resilience: Barbados is exploring offshore oil and gas potential, with bids out to assess commercial viability, as ministers push for energy security and reduced import dependence. Regional Finance & Shocks: A CDB session highlights how overlapping global crises are hitting the Caribbean through structural vulnerabilities like narrow export bases and import dependence. Security Cooperation: PM Mia Mottley met UK PM Keir Starmer to extend security ties alongside climate, clean air, tourism and investment. Caribbean Ocean Push: Jamaica and Barbados signed onto a Wider Caribbean Ocean Coordination Mechanism as regional ocean commitments and financing priorities were agreed at Our Ocean Conference. Venezuela Earthquake Response: Twin quakes devastated northern Venezuela, prompting emergency measures and international solidarity, with Barbados among countries offering support.

Oil & Gas Prospects: Barbados is again pitching offshore exploration, with the government saying it wants to test an estimated 13+ billion barrels of oil and 40 trillion cubic feet of gas, aiming to cut imported fuel reliance and unlock new investment. Regional Economic Resilience: A CDB session warns the Caribbean’s biggest problem isn’t one crisis but overlapping shocks—trade shifts, conflict spillovers, weaker aid, and climate impacts—hitting economies with narrow bases and import dependence. Security & Diplomacy: Prime Minister Mia Mottley met UK PM Keir Starmer to press for continued security cooperation plus research, clean energy, water security, ocean work and sustainable tourism. EU Sanctions Compliance: A look at the EU’s 21st Russia sanctions package flags new pressure on Caribbean bunkering operators as service providers face wider compliance exposure. Finance & Development: Barbados and the OPEC Fund are advancing climate financing initiatives, while the region also hears calls for debt solutions that create fiscal space for resilience. Credit Unions: CCCU convention coverage highlights deposit insurance progress in Barbados and ongoing regional push on governance, tech, inclusion and cybersecurity. Education & Skills: Barbados’ Secondary Entrance Exam results show a worrying drop in English scores, while a TVET conference urges workforce planning for an ageing population. Tourism Business: Connect Barbados 2026 brings hotels and travel partners together for deal-making tied to culture-led visitor experiences. Judicial Cooperation: EU officials warn the Caribbean is a key cocaine corridor into Europe, urging stronger cross-border court and enforcement coordination. Health & Food: Barbados calls on the food industry to help tackle NCDs through healthier product environments that also make business sense.

Climate Finance & Debt Relief: Barbados and the OPEC Fund launched the Vulnerability to Viability (V2V) Compact in Vienna, aiming to unlock cheaper, longer-term development funding for 74 climate-vulnerable economies, alongside a US$1.5bn Digital Transformation Action Plan. Ocean & Blue Economy: At Jamaica’s Our Ocean Conference in Kenya, Barbados signed the Wider Caribbean Ocean Coordination Mechanism MoU and the region advanced marine-protection financing and 30x30 ocean targets. Reparations Push: New historical research tied to Britain’s royal archives is feeding into CARICOM’s updated slavery reparations manifesto unveiled in Ghana, with added focus on women and girls, Indigenous genocide and climate justice. Local Business & Finance: Barbados lawmakers debated delays in opening bank accounts, while credit union leaders hailed deposit insurance progress and members’ new protection. Tourism Trade: Connect Barbados 2026 brought hotels and travel partners together for business meetings and cultural programming. Workforce Planning: The TVET minister urged Barbados to rethink workforce development as the country shifts toward a fully-aged society. Education & Skills: Secondary entrance exam results showed a worrying fall in English, raising concerns about literacy readiness. Security: Police are investigating an attempted robbery at Black Rock, St Michael.

Credit Union Deposit Insurance: Barbados passed the Protection of Depositors Bill, extending deposit insurance to credit union members and ending a “two-tier” system that left savers without the same safety net as bank customers. Banking Access Friction: Lawmakers and officials also flagged how long it can take to open bank accounts in Barbados, with calls for a coordinated fix involving banks, the Central Bank and the Ministry of Finance. Climate Finance Push: Barbados partnered with the OPEC Fund to launch the Vulnerability to Viability (V2V) Compact, aiming to unlock cheaper, longer-term development finance for climate-vulnerable economies, with a focus on water, education and health. Energy Security Pressure: A new report renews the question of why the Caribbean still relies heavily on imported fossil fuels despite renewable potential. Tourism Business Networking: Connect Barbados 2026 brought global tour operators and local industry players together, while government moves to measure tourism’s direct economic impact via a Tourism Satellite Account. Blue Economy Knowledge: CRFM and partners launched an open-access Caribbean Blue Economy Knowledge Hub for fisheries and marine planning, including Barbados. Local Security: Police are investigating an attempted robbery and fight at Black Rock, St Michael, involving masked men and a detained injured man.