FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2026
VOLUME 120, No. 24
New ASYCUDA launched Page 2
Anglican School by Sept. Page 5
www.thevincentian.com
Carnival topics Page 14&15
Open Letter - NIS Page 9
SVG SIGNS
EC$1.50
Bail motion filed Page 28
EC$250M CRUISE PORT DEAL Prime Minister Dr. Godwin Friday (left) and GPH Chairman Mehmet Kutman shake on an agreement that promises further development of the Kingstown Cruise Ship Berth and Terminal.
modernization and future development of the Kingstown Cruise Port. THE GOVERNMENT OF ST. VINCENT AND Officials say the initiative will THE GRENADINES has taken a major step upgrade the nation’s cruise toward transforming the country’s cruise infrastructure without increasing tourism sector after signing a government borrowing or adding to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) country’s debt burden, while with Global Ports Holding (GPH), the positioning St. Vincent and the world’s largest cruise port operator. Grenadines to become a more The agreement, signed on competitive destination in the global Wednesday, June 10, outlines a public- cruise industry. private partnership that is expected to Below: Located only a few minutes attract between EC$225 million and from the heart of capital Kingstown, EC$250 million in investment for the the Cruise Terminal has deep water berths for two vessels. by KENVILLE HORNE
Under the proposed arrangement, GPH will operate the port through a 30-year concession agreement rather than take ownership of the facility. GPH Chairman Mehmet Kutman sought to reassure Vincentians about the nature of the deal, emphasizing that the company would only manage the port’s operations. “We are just a tenant. The landlord is you guys,” Kutman said, comparing the agreement to a long-
term lease. Prime Minister Dr. Godwin Friday, who signed the agreement alongside Minister of Tourism Dr. Kishore Shallow, described the partnership as an important milestone for the country’s tourism industry. “This partnership has the potential to unlock new investment, create opportunities for local businesses, support jobs, and generate greater economic activity throughout our country,” the Prime Minister said. “We are building a St. Vincent and the Grenadines that is open for opportunity, confident in its future, and committed to ensuring that growth delivers real benefits for our people. The future is bright, and we are moving forward together.” Continued on Page 3.