By Rohan Walters-Scott
St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) is a country of extraordinary potential. We are a resilient people — creative, hardworking, and rooted in strong community values. Yet, as we look toward the next decade, it is clear that we are standing at a national crossroad. The choices we make today will determine the quality of life for every Vincentian tomorrow.
My vision for our country is simple: a modern, prosperous, and inclusive SVG where opportunities are available to all — not just a few. Achieving this vision requires bold thinking, practical reforms, scientific research, and a renewed commitment to partnership between government, the private sector, and the Vincentian people, at home and in the diaspora.
1. Transforming the economy for the future
Our economy must be positioned for broad-based, people-centred growth. This means strengthening traditional sectors while embracing new scientific and technological frontiers.
Agriculture and food security
Agriculture remains one of our greatest assets, yet we have not fully developed it into a modern mechanical ecosystem of value-added industries. Research from the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank once concluded that SVG and Grenada could feed the entire OECS—but that potential has yet to be realised.
We possess unique agricultural products found almost nowhere else:
• Breadfruit — Large-scale breadfruit flour production
• Cocoa- local and regional
• Root crops — large-scale exports
• Plantains/ banana/sweet potato chips and other by-products
• Arrowroot- industrial production of spray starch
• Cassava — by-products
These crops can support thriving industries: plantain flour, breadfruit flour, arrowroot-based products, cocoa cosmetics, nutraceuticals, gluten-free flours, premium culinary exports, and more.
As a child, I remember when arrowroot starch was widely used to iron clothes and make local dishes. Today, arrowroot spray starch sells internationally at premium prices — that is an industry we can return to. We can transform arrowroot and cocoa into high-value products that feed new industries, create jobs, and expand export markets.
BioEconomy and resource innovation
Even the by-products of our crops — banana peels, breadfruit skins, cocoa husks — can be transformed into natural fertilisers, animal feed, bioenergy, biofuel and speciality food products. This is the foundation of a new bioeconomy.
As a former governor of the ECCB once noted, when you eat a banana and discard the peel, its value ends. But I am amplifying and extrapolating on that concept to say, don’t throw the peel away, with innovation, that peel can become a product with economic potential. We must think differently about our natural resources.
2. Exploring rare earth materials and volcanic ash
SVG may hold untapped geological value. Our diverse soil textures and mineral content suggest the potential — yet unexplored — presence of rare earth elements used in smartphones, electric vehicles, and advanced electronics.
We have large areas of land that remain untested. With scientific partnerships and geotechnical research, we could discover resources that reshape our economic trajectory.
Similarly, volcanic ash — often seen only as destruction — can be a blessing in disguise. Around the world, volcanic ash is used in:
• cement and construction materials
• skincare products
• agricultural soil conditioning
• industrial inputs
Our ash, properly studied and processed, could become a significant economic resource.
3. Blue economy and marine development
The sea is one of our greatest and the least developed assets.
Tri-tri: a unique marine phenomenon
One of our most intriguing natural wonders is the small fish known locally as chichi—a species that appears where freshwater and saltwater meet in a visually stunning natural display. This occurrence is a scientific and cultural phenomenon found only in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Yet we have not studied it, branded it, or developed it as a marine attraction or research opportunity, this is an imperative.
Blackfish and marine products
In the fishing town of Barrouallie, blackfish and blackfish oil have been traditional staples for generations. With improved processes, regulation, quality control, and modern marketing, blackfish oil could be developed into a product comparable to global omega3 oils. This would bring economic benefits while preserving local heritage.
Marine infrastructure and the future of yachting
We can explore:
• shipyards
• repair docks
• marine manufacturing
• large-scale boating facilities
• expanded yachting services
• Oil and natural gas exploration
• Wind and wave energy
These sectors can generate employment, attract investment, and deepen our blue economy footprint.
4. Linking agriculture, tourism, and innovation
Tourism is one of our most profitable sectors, yet we import much of what visitors consume. By connecting agriculture to the tourism supply chain, we can supply hotels, restaurants, and cruise ships with Vincentian products — keeping millions circulating in our local economy.
Additionally, our tourism product must now focus on the development of sports, medicine and industrial tourism, to highlight a few.
5. Transportation, connectivity, and infrastructure
To build a modern nation, we must modernise mobility.
I envision:
• properly engineered roads
• hillside tramways or cable transport systems
• safe, regulated, modern public transportation
• stronger inter-island connections
• long-term exploration of bridges or underwater tunnels connecting the Grenadines and by extension the entire OECS, this is a MUST, a regional mega project,
These are ambitious ideas — but around the world, island nations have used bold infrastructure to unite their territories.
6. Legislative modernisation and access to justice
The rule of law requires public access to information. Yet many of our laws remain scattered, outdated, or unavailable online. We urgently need a centralised digital database containing all laws, regulations, and statutory instruments.
Accessible laws strengthen:
• democracy
• investor confidence
• ease of doing business
• public participation
This must be part of our national modernisation agenda.
Another area is that of Intellectual property rights, in local artworks, music, arts development, the creative economy, geographical designs and geographical indicators.
7. Environmental responsibility and social renewal
Indiscriminate burning of garbage and waste has become a public health issue. Clean air is a basic right, and laws must be updated and enforced to reflect this. Neighbourly respect and personal responsibility are essential to social development.
We must ensure that environmental protection, community values, and public education go hand in hand.
8. The proposed citizenship by investment (CBI) exploration
While this may yield great returns, the risks are obvious and well-known. A venture in this area must be carefully managed, with respect to the unique structure of SVG, a CBI niche market can be forged with specific focus on a certain class of potential investments.
On a cautionary note, and a caveat, a CBI ecosystem exists alongside other vibrant, available and accessible services, currently, SVG is ranked according to Moody’s 130/190 on the ease of doing business, this must be improved significantly. Matters relating to a robust infrastructure in telecommunications, road networks, high-speed broadband internet service, digital transformation, nightlife and a range of allied services are a must.
The imperative!
This is a time for bold ideas and courageous leadership. It is a time to look beyond division and commit ourselves to a higher purpose: building the SVG that our children deserve.
I believe in our people. I believe in our potential. And I believe that with vision, planning, and determination, we can transform our nation into one where every Vincentian thrives.
Let us choose progress. Let us choose unity. Let us build a future worthy of the Vincentian spirit.
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