Simon Mustard, British High Commissioner to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean
By Simon Mustard, British High Commissioner to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean
On Saturday, I was delighted to join the opening ceremony for the newly modernised Kingstown Port. The UK is proud to have supported such a transformative investment. The new port will drive growth and trade, create jobs and increase incomes, and boost St. Vincent's resilience to climate change. This is more than a port; it is a symbol of what our strong partnership -- rooted in mutual respect -- can achieve.
I also want to congratulate St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) as you will mark Independence Day on Monday. The port's opening served as a timely reminder of the progress that strong, strategic collaboration can deliver for both our countries -- infrastructure that empowers and improves opportunities for Vincentians today and for generations to come.
The UK has supported this flagship initiative with over US$35 million in grant funding through the UK Caribbean Infrastructure Fund (UKCIF). This grant, combined with a loan from the Caribbean Development Bank and a contribution from the Government of SVG, means the total investment into the port exceeds US$250 million -- making it the second largest infrastructure project in the country's history and the most substantial UK-funded project in the Eastern Caribbean.
The grant -- which does not need to be repaid -- makes the project affordable and reduces the financial burden on the people of SVG. UK expertise also played a crucial role in this project, from deep-sea divers to high-tech scanners.
Already, the benefits of this investment are being felt across the country:
This important milestone reflects the strength of our partnership. The United Kingdom and SVG have championed resilient infrastructure, inclusive development, international cooperation and regional integration. I will continue to strengthen this partnership, including through supporting the second phase of the port project.
But our partnership goes far beyond ports:
The UK remains a steadfast advocate for small island developing states, consistently defending their unique vulnerabilities. We continue to champion minimum allocations in key international funds, and we will go to COP 30 in Brazil, determined to drive efforts to limit global warming to 1.5°C.
This partnership matters more as multilateralism comes under strain. The inability to reach consensus on important issues, such as an international plastics treaty, or the resistance by some to recognise small island special circumstances in climate negotiations, shows the tangible risk of fragmentation. So, it is vital that the UK and SVG defend an inclusive, rules-based international system, and shape a future grounded in resilience, equity, and shared prosperity.
I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Kingstown, and as we celebrate this milestone together, I'm proud to say our collaboration grows stronger every day.
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