RG-T3270 Institutional Strengthening to Promote the Development of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises in St. Vincent & the Grenadines (US$87,948 disbursed) (2018-2021)

Counterpart: Commerce and Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Objective: To promote the development of SMEs through strengthening the institutional capacity of the Commerce and Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to support business registration

Results: A key result of this project was the digitization of legacy files/hard copy data which is a critical component of an automated business registration system. All files for the period 2019 – 1925 that were located were scanned, quality checked, edited, validated and uploaded. This has resulted in the reduction of time taken to complete a key step in the registration of a business related to the search for the proposed business name to ensure that it has not already been used. Another positive impact of this project will be a reduction in the usage of paper by a prominent Government institution (CIPO) with a pivotal role in fostering the business climate in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Responses to requests for information can now be provided in soft copy.

RG-T3322 – Technology Extension Services (TES) in the Caribbean (2019-2024)

Objective: Technology Extension Services is a form of innovation policy that sought to accelerate the pace at which Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) “catch up” with more advanced firms by transferring cutting-edge technology. This Caribbean-wide project worked with agri-business, manufacturing, and tourism firms.

Results: This project funded 75 technology audits and assessments for MSMEs, with 50 of the firms also benefiting from partial implementation.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines’s Participation

The St. Vincent and Grenadine firms that benefited from this intervention included: Blue Destination Services Ltd., VincyFresh Ltd. and Young Island Resort.

RG-T3520 – Improving the Business and Innovation Climate and Capacity to Attract Investment in OECS Member Countries (US$310,253 disbursed for St. Vincent and the Grenadines) 2019 – 2023

Counterpart: Commerce and Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, InvestSVG, and the Business and Innovation Climate unit in the Ministry of Finance

Objective: To improve the Business and Investment Climate (BIC) in OECS Member Countries and to increase foreign and local investment.

Results: The project supported the establishment of electronic one-stop-shops for business registration in Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines; strengthened agencies responsible for promoting and coordinating Business and Innovation Climate reforms; knowledge management and dissemination; and assessed legislation and drafted recommendations relating to Protecting Minority Investors and Enforcing Contracts for OECS member states, including Antigua and Barbuda, and drafting of the legislation required to enable the operation of the DigiGov platform in Saint Lucia.

In St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the project completed a baseline institutional and legislative gap assessment related to starting a business, created an action plan for automating the registration of businesses, and produced recommendations on legislative and regulatory amendments, recommendations on change management activities to support the establishment of the one stop shops for business registration, and the automation of the business registry under a one-stop shop, which  went live in 2023.  The project also supported strengthening of InvestSVG and of the Business and Innovation Climate Unit in the Ministry of Finance, and the drafting of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Investment Law, which was approved.

The OECS Commission has procured computer hardware and software and training services for the four countries that underwent digitalization of business registration with this project (Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines). Training workshops were launched in January 2025. These workshops target lawyers, accountants, social services agencies and officials responsible for DevOps and Administration of the systems. The 11^th EDF Regional Integration through Growth, Harmonisation and Technology provided funding to assist OECS Beneficiary Member States to upgrade their equipment and retool human resources.

RG-T4017 Support to Economic Recovery in the Caribbean through Trade and Investment in Blue Economy (US$61,667) earmarked for St. Vincent and the Grenadines (2022-ongoing)

Counterpart in St. Vincent and the Grenadines: InvestSVG

Objective: To increase institutional capacity to attract private sector investment into the Blue Economy (BE) in the Caribbean (Belize, St. Lucia, Grenada, and St. Vincent and Grenadines) to generate employment, growth, diversification of the economy and to contribute towards the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets.

Results: The project financed Blue Economy FDI promotion strategies and value propositions for Belize and for the three participating OECS countries. Virtual and in person training workshops were conducted on these strategies which included participation from the Investment Promotion Agencies of the participating countries.

A toolkit to promote gender parity in FDI promotion in the Blue Economy was also completed and disseminated to the participating investment promotion agencies.

A Blue Economy Investment Forum was carried out for OECS beneficiaries in November 2024. The forum sought to attract investment, promote innovative practices, and support economic diversification in the Blue Economy, aligning with regional strategies and global best practices. The initiative was supported by key stakeholders, including the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), COMPETE Caribbean, and local Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs), who had booths at the event. The forum featured keynote speakers, panel discussions, and interactive features, facilitating dialogue, partnerships, and investment exploration in the Blue Economy. The project led to significant results, including increased website visits, social media engagement, and numerous leads, showcasing the potential of the Blue Economy.

RG-T4003 -Technology Extension Services (TES) in the Caribbean Blue Economy and Essential Services Sectors (US$60,000 for St. Vincent and the Grenadines) (2021-ongoing)

Objective: To support firms in the blue economy and essential services sectors in the acceleration of technological diffusion, adoption, and upgrading, thus providing support to the Caribbean in diversifying the blue economy and strengthening the delivery of goods and services in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Results: This project delivered technology extension services to a group of businesses in every country. In addition, the project implemented a supplementary capacity building plan for a sub-group of women-owned businesses with growth potential.

Beneficiaries from St. Vincent and the Grenadines:

1. Grenadines Gold
2. Njene Enterprises
3. SeaMoss Boss Canouan
4. Cotonii

In addition, the following women-owned businesses with growth potential received support:

1. Ocean Remedies
2. Land and Sea Organics
3. Cotonii
4. Njene Enterprises