London, UK, April 2026 – At Invest SVG’s “Home Is Where the Heart Is” diaspora tour in the United Kingdom, Mr. Cristo Primus, Head of the Private Sector Development Unit in the Prime Minister’s Office, delivered an appeal for Vincentians abroad to channel their resources into St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ economic transformation. “The diaspora is patriotic capital,” Primus said, stressing that overseas Vincentians are more than remittance senders they are investors, mentors, and brand ambassadors with a vested emotional interest in the nation’s success.
Primus explained that the newly established Department of Private Sector Development was created to place private sector issues at the center of national economic policy. He noted that small island developing states like SVG face recurring natural disasters that drain public finances, making private sector growth essential for resilience. The department’s mission, he said, is to create an enabling environment for business and industrial development, local and foreign investment, and commerce.
Outlining key initiatives, Primus announced plans for a Private Sector Development Council to give businesses a seat at the decision making table, a Small Business Development Bill, amendments to the Companies Act to reduce bureaucratic delays, and the creation of a National Development Bank. He also highlighted diaspora investment funds that would pool resources into projects such as tourism and infrastructure, alongside mentorship programs linking overseas Vincentians with local SMEs.
Primus urged swift action on investment leads generated during the UK mission, warning that neighboring countries are competing for diaspora capital. “We must ensure that the opportunities we’ve come into contact with are actioned as quickly as possible, so we don’t lose them,” he said.
He concluded by emphasizing that the Department of Private Sector Development is “the glue that binds our diaspora aspirations to our national reality,” aiming to convert investments into jobs, wealth creation, and a diversified economy. The ultimate goal, Primus told the gathering, is a resilient St. Vincent and the Grenadines that can compete globally while staying rooted in its Vincentian identity.