WASHINGTON, DC — St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr. Godwin Friday urged nationals resident in the United States to invest in the country’s recovery and growth plans, saying the government has designated the diaspora as “preferred investors.”
Speaking at a meet-and-greet during the International Monetary Fund and World Bank annual meetings, Friday outlined a national strategy built on four economic pillars: agriculture, tourism, the blue economy and a “new economy” encompassing culture, arts and the digital sector.
“To do this, however, we need all kinds of partners. So we have said … we are open for business,” Friday said, adding that structured channels are now in place to channel diaspora investment. He also serves as minister of finance, legal affairs and economic planning.
The prime minister sought to reassure potential investors that the government will vet partners. “That doesn’t mean that anybody can come and take advantage of us, because our eyes are wide open,” he said, noting local officials can distinguish “charlatans from the real thing.”
Kevin Hope, the government’s ambassador for finance, climate and investment, is leading an initiative called Invest SVG to accelerate targeted investments, Friday said. The government is promising to reduce administrative barriers and “cut red tape” to ease business formation and project approvals.
Friday identified investment opportunities across tourism, infrastructure, fisheries, small enterprises and digital businesses. He also encouraged modern approaches to agriculture, noting scientific methods could boost productivity and open regional markets.
“You are our preferred investors. Take that one in,” he told the diaspora. He encouraged U.S.-based nationals to pool capital, noting, “You have probably more money than me and Fitz,” referring to Foreign Affairs Minister Dwight Fitzgerald Bramble, who also addressed the event.
The outreach comes as St. Vincent seeks capital to rebuild and diversify after years of shocks, including the 2021 La Soufrière volcanic eruption that displaced thousands and damaged infrastructure. While Friday did not provide a funding target, he framed the mission in Washington as a series of targeted engagement meetings with international institutions and potential partners.
“For me, it’s been a learning experience, because it’s my first trip on a meeting of this sort,” Friday said, describing the meetings as fast-paced and focused on securing partnerships for the country’s recovery plan.
Friday said the administration has created formal mechanisms to streamline diaspora engagement and stressed the need for projects that are both developmental and profitable. “It is only sustainable if you can make money doing it,” he said.
Officials view the diaspora as a strategic source of capital, technical skills and market access. The government’s push to formalize channels for investment aims to convert that potential into projects across multiple sectors while maintaining oversight and governance safeguards.