By Val Matthias. Updated 3:48 p.m., Sunday, September 20, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
Vincentians living overseas should not be treated as foreign investors when they return to invest in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, says Foreign Affairs and Foreign Investment Minister Dwight Bramble.
Speaking to members of the Vincentian diaspora in New York on September 19, at Invest Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ “Home Is Where the Heart Is” event. Bramble said the government views Vincentians abroad as part of the country’s national development process.
“You are not outsiders. You are Vincentians,” he told the audience at Invest Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ “Home Is Where the Heart Is” event.
Bramble said the government’s foreign policy, trade policy and investment strategy should reflect the relationship between Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and its diaspora.
He said the government wants to translate the strong emotional connection many Vincentians overseas have with their homeland into practical economic opportunities.
That could include diaspora professionals partnering with businesses at home, mentoring young people, participating in trade missions and business expos, or helping Vincentian companies access overseas markets.
Bramble said the government also wants to better recognise and engage diaspora investors as development partners.
He said Vincentians who return to invest or establish businesses should be regarded as members of the Vincentian community rather than simply as foreign investors.
The minister said his portfolio includes responsibility for strengthening the relationship between the government and Vincentians overseas, while a dedicated Diaspora Affairs Department has been established to support that work.
He said the government plans to create clearer pathways for diaspora investment and business partnerships and expand opportunities for knowledge exchange between professionals overseas and people at home.
Bramble said the diaspora’s skills and international experience could help modernise sectors of the Vincentian economy, while investment and partnerships could create opportunities for people living in the country.
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About the Author: This story was written and submitted by freelance journalist Mr. Val Matthias, a trained communicator with more than two decades in the media sector. All supporting materials for this story have been presented, vetted, and verified. Mr Matthias can be reached at valmatthias188@gmail.com
