St. Vincent and the Grenadines is preparing to dramatically shorten the time it takes to register a company, reducing the process from two months to just five business days. The announcement was made by Invest SVG Chairman Kevin Hope during the British Virgin Islands leg of the agency’s “Home Is Where the Heart Is” tour, which targets diaspora investors.
Hope described the reform as part of a coordinated effort involving the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Invest SVG, and other state agencies to eliminate bureaucracy and open new economic opportunities. “From two months to five business days,” he said, outlining the proposed timeline for company registration reform.
He emphasized that the changes are designed to shift the narrative around investing in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. “For too long, the story of investing back home was defined by an image of closed doors and heavy red tape. Today, that narrative has changed,” Hope told the audience.
The government is also drafting new investment legislation aimed at providing legal protection for investors through transparent and fair procedures. Hope said the proposed St. Vincent and the Grenadines Investment Act would guarantee equitable treatment for both diaspora and foreign investors, giving them certainty and confidence in the local market.
Another key measure is the creation of a digital business gateway, which will allow investors to track permits and applications in real time. “No more guessing where an application is or who has it,” Hope explained. “Investors should be able to see progress in real time.”
In addition, the country is restructuring its incentives framework to focus on performance-based benefits. These will reward investment and job creation in priority sectors such as agriculture, tourism, the blue economy, and the cultural and creative industries.
“The doors are open. The reforms are real,” Hope declared. “It’s time to come build a resilient, competitive St. Vincent and the Grenadines together.”