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SVG gov't encouraging its citizens living in VI to return home

-Relaunch of Diaspora Outreach & Investment Project includes VI
The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Rural Transformation in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Hon Israel R. Bruce, is leading a mission in the Virgin Islands aimed at rallying Vincentians living and working here. Photo: Facebook
The delegation is visiting the island as part of the relaunched SVG Diaspora Outreach and Investment Project, under the theme, “Home Is Where The Heart Is.” The Virgin Islands have been newly added to the schedule due to popular demand. Photo: Facebook
The delegation is visiting the island as part of the relaunched SVG Diaspora Outreach and Investment Project, under the theme, “Home Is Where The Heart Is.” The Virgin Islands have been newly added to the schedule due to popular demand. Photo: Facebook
TRELLIS BAY, Beef Island, VI—The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Rural Transformation in St Vincent and the Grenadines, Hon Israel R. Bruce, is leading a mission in the Virgin Islands aimed at rallying Vincentians living and working here to return home, capitalise on investment opportunities, and establish a stronger economic connection between the two countries.

During an interview with JTV Channel 55 at the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island on Wednesday, April 19, 2026, Hon Bruce stated that the new governing party in St Vincent and the Grenadines, led by Hon Godwin E.L. Friday, recognises the importance of creating an enabling environment for investment. 

Relaunch of programme

The delegation is visiting the island as part of the relaunched SVG Diaspora Outreach and Investment Project, under the theme,  “Home Is Where The Heart Is.” The Virgin Islands have been newly added to the schedule due to popular demand.

This initiative is designed to encourage Foreign Direct Investment from Vincentians living abroad and will be carried out through a series of conferences in four key locations known for their high concentration of Vincentian nationals.

'Corridor between SVG & VI presents opportunities'

According to Hon Bruce, the corridor between St Vincent and the Grenadines and the Virgin Islands presents significant opportunities. 

He explained, “Vincentians who work hard, have saved a lot and are wondering how they can invest at home. This mission will address that fundamental question and give them an opportunity to.”

He further emphasised the many investment opportunities in the agricultural sector between the two islands.  

Over the next few days, the delegation will explore ways to create collaboration that will allow Vincentian agricultural products to be available on the shelves of supermarkets in the Virgin Islands. 

Hon Burce stated, ”We are here as part of a mission to nip that, and to ensure that Vincentian food is on your shelf. So we're making sure not only do Vincentians get to eat the things that they're accustomed to or were accustomed to eating at home, but to give the people of the Virgin Islands a great savour of those Vincentian foods.” 

Engagement with officials 

This Outreach and Investment Programme serves as a crucial gateway for members of the diaspora to engage directly with senior government officials, financial institutions, and private sector representatives, who can provide insights into nation-building opportunities within Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Over the years, the Virgin Islands (VI) and St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) have maintained strong cooperative ties, rooted in shared Caribbean identity and regional integration through the OECS, where SVG is a full member and the VI an associate member.

The Discussion forum will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Treasure Isle Hotel.

29 Responses to “SVG gov't encouraging its citizens living in VI to return home”

  • Local (30/04/2026, 15:23) Like (19) Dislike (5) Reply
    Tell him pay the bills and loans and lawyer fees he owes our people first!
  • foxy (30/04/2026, 15:40) Like (23) Dislike (0) Reply
    Let me see if zan Lewis takes up this offer
  • XOXO (30/04/2026, 15:44) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    Oooooooooohhhhhhhh neff neff time to go home now
  • savage mode (30/04/2026, 15:48) Like (47) Dislike (10) Reply
    To Bruce. There are some fine vincees who have integrated well into our society and have no plans of returning, but you can take the useless ones back with you. They are just draining our resources and becoming menace to our society. And that goes for all the other caribbean islands as well. I hope you came with funds to buy them a one way ticket back to where their heart is. Thank you.
  • Jackel (30/04/2026, 16:01) Like (8) Dislike (6) Reply
    Is he a St. Vincentian or Haitian?
  • Welsah (30/04/2026, 16:26) Like (20) Dislike (3) Reply
    It seems like Hon. Godwin Friday didn't give Hon. Bruce the memo before he came. Next time he needs to read our vi gov gazette, so he can get firsthand knowledge on how many immigrants have been vying to get their belongership statuses. Most a coming, but hardly leaving.
  • @savage mode (30/04/2026, 16:42) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    You not easy mehson. He can leaves those high yellow vincee women here, but he can return.

  • lk (30/04/2026, 17:02) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    What really happened to this man doesn't know anything about politics talking jack sh*t what happened Ralph ah put the hammer on u all the heat is on
  • NONESENSE (30/04/2026, 17:09) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    What a shame
  • Oh La La (30/04/2026, 17:47) Like (8) Dislike (7) Reply
    According to one of our dearly departed. Some of them didnt know what an American dollar was until they came Tortola. So are they going to leave that? I dont think so.
    • Umm (01/05/2026, 07:46) Like (3) Dislike (7) Reply
      At one point needed did you… the money you us d before the US dollars was useless and no one wanted it… don’t act like this your money
      • @Umm (01/05/2026, 10:16) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
        Gdt to know the history of the VIs we had access to pounds but it was causing problems between USVI and BVI
        besides pds is of higher value.
  • lost (30/04/2026, 19:11) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    You all keep giving away our citizenships.
  • Mbviga (30/04/2026, 19:21) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    we need to ask d.r to make the same call, too many of them are here
  • Son ah deh soil (30/04/2026, 22:15) Like (17) Dislike (5) Reply
    Go wid all ah um
  • %100 raise (30/04/2026, 22:19) Like (17) Dislike (4) Reply
    Well there goes the premier wife.
    • @%100 raise (01/05/2026, 09:31) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
      Didn't know he had a wife.
      Don't blame him for hiding she
      I wouldn't be proud either
  • Anonymous (01/05/2026, 04:11) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    In svg We are at a turning point. Our people are feeling the pressures of rising costs, our young people are questioning whether opportunity truly exists for them, our seniors are wondering if stability and dignity will be there in their later years.
  • VIs So nice (01/05/2026, 04:48) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Thanks to Hon Ralph Gonzalves that fight for the people of St.Vincent & Grenadines so persons could seek a better life in tbe Virgin Islands as well. Several moons ago the BVI was putting a Visa restriction on St. Vincent because of crimes commited in the Territory by some locals of SVG. But Hon Ralph Gonsalves saved the day, he came to our territory and pleaded with our former PM Raph T. Oneal ,to just deal with those that commit such crimes, because my people need jobs. His cry was 'Keep the gates open for my people"
    RG is the man! He has done well for the people of SVG
  • Good Initiative (01/05/2026, 05:38) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Good Initiative! but its not enough to leave tbe beautiful VIs where food prices are more affordable than St. Vincent . Whilst you are here Mr. Bruce & Team visit the super markets Bobbys & Rite way sales where I usually shop and ship my food items and other household items via Tropical.I even sell from my porch area making a fair profit. I come home to visit, vote but not to stay atleast not yet.
  • Pope Scare them, (01/05/2026, 06:30) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is about Pope, they want him out, Pope, don't go Big money maybe involved...Pope speaks courageously, factually, calmly, Keeps us well informed, much better than the opposition...I listen Tola morning show for one reason, waiting and hoping Pope will call in....I love listening to him...
  • Vincy Massive (01/05/2026, 07:05) Like (10) Dislike (5) Reply
    No no we ain't going home. We will die in Tortola.
  • Dollar (01/05/2026, 08:01) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    All them wicked dirty lying Vncentian men can leave if you get a good man from that country consider yourself blessed because the najority of them are money hungry ...always begging ....and using women to get what they want. .SAD..
  • Quietly (01/05/2026, 08:25) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    You made me smile, Mr. Bruce. Wonderful initiative, but I doubt they are going to go with you. So speak to them about their attitudes because some of them are pushy and unkind in their dealings. They enjoy being here too much to the point where they are calling down Virgin Islanders and calling us out of our names. They call us entitled, lazy, can't do nothings. But God will deal with all who come with ugly hearts to feed like locust and yet act like they can never go home again.
  • Nice (01/05/2026, 08:57) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    Calling all Virgin Isladers in St. Vinent.... Come home, come home it's rebulding time
    • @@Nice (02/05/2026, 09:08) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      A few Virgin Islander maybe in St Vincent who/either are retired and has a pension and in business with their spouse, and may have properties /apt. In BVI.as an extra income.
  • Stealth (01/05/2026, 18:32) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    How many Vincentians will take up this plea to return home to SVG ? Some brag on how nice SVG is and much better than the BVI but will remain in the BVI. Everyone likes their homeland and should also respect other people’s homeland, especially being guests in someone else’s.
  • @Nice (01/05/2026, 23:44) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good luck finding Virgin Islanders in St. Vincent. Not a one. That's why we're entitled. Lots of us were in America for over ten years but we are home again. Go to school and get our degrees and are right back here, lots and lots of us. Not afraid to come home again.
  • bad news (03/05/2026, 01:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    You could go home, leave people woman. Carry that woman lawyer with you too.


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