Herman Sargeant

Visitor arrivals are off to a solid start with the island welcoming just over 4,000 travelers in the first three months of the year. Figures, released by the Statistics Department, show steady growth month to month.. Between January and March, a total of 4,095 visitors entered the island, split between 3,106 by air and 989 by sea. March was the strongest month so far, recording 2,208 arrivals, more than double January’s 936. Tourist visitors staying overnight continue to make up the majority of arrivals. By the end of March, 3,103 tourists had visited the island, including 3,027 by air and 76 by sea. The month of March once again dominated, with 1,852 tourists, compared to 647 in January and 604 in February. Excursionists, or same-day visitors, also contributed to the numbers, with 127 arrivals over the three-month period. Most came by air 79, while 48 arrived by sea. Cruise and yachting are gradually rebounding with the island welcoming 167 cruise passengers in early 2025, with most arrivals clustered in February and March. Yachting activity was particularly notable, with 698 yacht passengers and crew visiting between January and March; 164 in January, 215 in February, and 319 in March.

The Business Trade and Investment (BTI) Unit has announced a shift from manual import licence books to a fully digital import licence application system. The new system, effective Monday 22 September, forms part of the Government of Montserrat’s ongoing efforts to digitize public services, enhance operational efficiency, and reduce our environmental impact. This applies to all import licences issued under the External Trade Act. Under the simplified application process importers and customs brokers can access the digital form online from the Government of Montserrat website or request it via email through trade@gov.ms. The streamlined process saves time for customs brokers, direct applicants, and MCRS while ensuring compliance with import regulations. Additionally, the digital system improves data accuracy and accessibility, allowing the BTI Unit to better monitor import trends and support economic planning. For assistance, importers and brokers can contact the BTI Unit at trade@gov.ms or 491-2066. The Montserrat Customs and Revenue Service Email an be contacted MCRS@gov.ms or on 1-664-491-3816.

The Government of Montserrat has awarded five scholarships for 2025/26 academic year. Under its Annual Country Training Scheme (ACTS), scholarships have been awarded to read for a BSc in Pharmacy, a BSc in Civil and Infrastructure Engineering, a BSc in Mechanical Engineering, a Certificate in Agriculture and a B.Tech in Computer Engineering. The awards reflect the government’s renewed policy approach to scholarships, which is based on aligning students’ natural abilities and genuine interests with areas of national development. The government of Montserrat scholarships are assessed against a Cabinet-approved list of priority study areas, with consideration given to fields outside the list, if candidates can demonstrate how their chosen programme could add value to the island’s development. The selection criteria include acceptance into a recognized institution, a strong personal statement, a proven academic track record, and the ability to articulate passion and commitment during an interview. Scholarships are open to Montserratians and legal residents and cover a wide range of costs including tuition, housing, travel, and living expenses.