A delegation of government and quasi-government officials in St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Saturday, May 17, fervently sought to persuade nationals in the New York Metropolitan area to invest more in their homeland.
The nearly four-hour forum-style event — organized by the governmental agency Invest SVG and chaired by the agency’s Investment Facilitation Services Manager, Shanna Browne-Jacobs — took place at the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge.
The forum culminated Invest SVG’s three-country promotional tour, which also took the delegation to Toronto, Canada, and London, United Kingdom.
Besides officials from Invest SVG, attendees heard presentations from Minister of National Mobilization, Social Development, Family, Gender Affairs and Persons with Disabilities Keisal Peters, as well as from Consul General to the United States Rondy “Luta” McIntosh; Director of the Regional Integration and Diaspora Unit (RIDU) Allan Alexander; Relationship Banking Manager of Bank of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Patricia John; and Caribbean Digital Transformation Project Representative Jennifer Richardson.
Other speakers included Hans King, General Manager of National Properties Limited, and Sandy Peters-Phillips, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.
“It is with a deep sense of purpose and national pride that I join you today for this important forum hosted by Invest SVG, under the profoundly resonant theme, ‘Home is Where the Heart Is,’” said Peters in delivering the featured address. “This forum is more than a conversation—a call to action, a bridge between where you are and where your heart will always belong: St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
“The idea that ‘home is where the heart is’ reminds us that, while we may live and work in distant lands, our connections to home remain strong, rooted in memory, identity, and a shared vision for the future of our beloved country,” she added. “Today, I stand before you not just to speak about investment opportunities but to invite you — our Diaspora — to reimagine your role in national development and to reaffirm the essential truth that your contribution is vital to our nation’s progress.”
The minister noted that St. Vincent and the Grenadines is “a land of resilience, creativity, and possibility,” the country is “blessed with fertile lands, unmatched natural beauty, and a population driven by determination and innovation.”
She said these attributes are “the foundation of several sectors ripe for sustainable investment — sectors where your expertise, capital, and global exposure can make a tangible difference.”
Peters said the country offers a range of government incentives for investors, including tax holidays, duty-free concessions, and support for startups.
She said the nation has also demonstrated political stability, legal protections for investors, and a commitment to sustainable development.
“As a Vincentian, you bring both capital and cultural insight — an unbeatable combination in any business environment,” said Peters, stating that investment opportunities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines span a range of traditional and emerging sectors, driven by the country’s natural resources, strategic location, stable governance and expanding infrastructure.
She said that through investments in agro-processing, climate-smart technologies, and export-ready production, nationals in the Diaspora can help transform agriculture from subsistence to surplus—feeding markets abroad while securing livelihoods at home.
From pristine beaches and lush mountains to vibrant culture and unique heritage, Peters said St. Vincent and the Grenadines is “ideally positioned for sustainable tourism.
“We don’t just want visitors — we want experiences that honor our environment, empower local communities, and preserve the authenticity that sets us apart,” she said. “You, members of our Diaspora, understand both worlds—and are uniquely positioned to help develop tourism that is responsible, rooted, and rewarding.”
She said St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a growing tourism destination, especially for eco-luxury and yacht tourism, and that the call to invest is not being made in isolation.
“It is backed by our national Diaspora policy—a framework designed to strengthen and institutionalize our engagement with Vincentians abroad,” Peters said. “This policy recognizes the Diaspora not as outsiders but as vital partners in national development.
“It is about more than remittances; it is about relationships, knowledge exchange, and long-term collaboration,” she added, pointing out that Invest SVG plays a key role in this process – “helping to streamline the path to investment with dedicated support, facilitation services, and project guidance.
“You are not alone on this journey—and we are committed to ensuring that your investment is not only impactful but also rewarding,” Peters assured. “By investing in SVG, you help create jobs, strengthen communities, and reduce dependence on remittances.
“Your investments can empower youth, support education, expand infrastructure, and promote innovation,” she continued. “It’s not just about profits—it’s about leaving a legacy of empowerment and progress for your people.”
Peters said the time to invest in St. Vincent and the Grenadines is “now.”
“Friends, the moment to act is now,” she implored the audience. “The needs are urgent, but the opportunities are great. Whether you invest in a cooperative farm, a boutique hotel, a food-processing plant, or a digital startup, you invest in something much deeper: our collective future.
“Let us move beyond nostalgia and step boldly into nation-building,” Peters urged. “Let us translate affection into action. Let us prove, through tangible commitment, that home is not just where the heart is — but where the hands and minds must also be.
“Together, we can build a stronger, more prosperous and more sustainable St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” she added.
McIntosh said: “What we’re witnessing here is a firm commitment from our government – to remind you that you’re not forgotten.
“St. Vincent and the Grenadines is beaming with development,” he said. “It is the place where foreign investors are running.”
Alexander said: “To tell you clearly, you matter. Your contributions extend beyond the remittances.
“Every dollar you invest, every piece of land you purchase, you can help to stimulate more economic opportunities,” he said. “We’re here to listen.
“We urge you to stay involved and help us build a stronger nation,” Alexander added. “Let us build together.”
John said she could not overstate the contributions of the Diaspora to national development.
“You have not only grown your footprints, but you’ve grown your pillar,” she said. “Together, we have the power to build a future.”
Richardson said, “The ease of investing in St. Vincent and the Grenadines is getting better,” stating that her project is embarking on “bringing improvement of how services are delivered.”
King said that the multi-island-state is “ripe for development,” adding that it is among “the top three fastest growing (countries) in terms of tourism.
“This is the time to get on board,” he urged. “Get on board now. Home is where the heart is. Come to St. Vincent and the Grenadines.”
In presenting McIntosh with a certificate that would facilitate notarized services in the US, Peters-Phillips said, “The initiative aims to bring investment services.”
Glen Beache, executive director of Invest SVG, said the forum was “all about the development of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
“It’s never too early to plan what you want to do,” said the former tourism minister. “You’re a big part of our investment. Don’t listen to the naysayers; come home.
“St. Vincent and the Grenadines is not perfect; we’ll never be perfect,” Beache added. “Take advantage (of what the country is offering). The US may not be here for you, but we will (resounding applause).”
Alejandro Tesorero, communications officer, Invest SVG, said his agency sees nationals in the Diaspora as “partners.”
“You know what it means to work hard,” he said. “Whatever is your contribution, it’s important.
“New York may be where you live, but St. Vincent and the Grenadines is where you belong because, at the end of the day, it’s where the heart is,” Tesororo added.
