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Produced in Montserrat Expo (PRIME) Returns in 2026 with Inaugural Montserrat Business Awards

Brades, Montserrat – 27th March, 2026 — The Government of Montserrat, through the Business, Trade and Investment (BTI) Unit within the Office of the Cabinet Secretary, is proud to announce the return of the Produced in Montserrat Expo (PRIME) 2026 as a featured event of the island’s vibrant Calabash Festival, taking place this year on July 24–26, 2026, under the theme “Celebrating Entrepreneurship, Building Resilience.” This year aims to deliver a dynamic and elevated experience for participants and patrons alike. Now in its sixth year, PRIME continues to serve as Montserrat’s premier platform for showcasing local products, services, and entrepreneurial talent. The annual trade expo highlights the innovation, creativity, and resilience of Montserrat’s business community, while providing opportunities for networking, growth, and market expansion. Expanded Three-Day Event Format This year, the expo will take on an expanded and dynamic three-day format, offering an enhanced experience for both participants and patrons. Activities will begin on Friday evening with a lively “After-Work Lyme,” creating a relaxed and engaging atmosphere for networking, entertainment, and early vendor engagement. The excitement will continue on Saturday with the main expo day, featuring a wide array of local businesses, interactive displays, and opportunities for sales and exposure. Ending the weekend on Sunday is the inaugural Montserrat Business Awards 2026 gala. A First for Montserrat: The Business Awards Gala A major highlight of PRIME 2026 will be the introduction of the inaugural Montserrat Business Awards, which will take place on Sunday, July 26th, in the form of an elegant black-tie gala. This marks a significant milestone for the expo, as the awards aim to formally recognize and celebrate the outstanding achievements of businesses and entrepreneurs across the island. The initiative has been designed not only to honor excellence, but also to inspire continued growth, innovation, and resilience within Montserrat’s business sector. The Montserrat Business Awards will feature twelve (12) categories, each reflecting key areas of achievement and impact within the local business landscape. These include ● Business of the Year ● Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year ● Export Excellence Award ● Innovation and Product Development Award ● Community Impact Award ● Youth Entrepreneur of the Year ● Best Brand and Market Presentation Award ● Customer Service Excellence Award ● Green Business Award ● Spirit of Montserrat Award ● Made in Montserrat Award ● PRIME Exhibitor of the Year Members of the public will play a vital role in the process, as they will be invited to nominate businesses and individuals they believe deserve recognition. Nominations will officially open on April 1st, 2026, and further details, including the nomination link, will be made available via PRIME’s official social media platforms. The public is encouraged to stay connected for updates and participation opportunities. Regional Buyer Programme Targets Antigua and Sint Maarten In a strategic move to strengthen regional trade, PRIME 2026 will introduce a Regional Buyer Programme, inviting commercial buyers from Antigua and Barbuda and Sint Maarten. Structured matchmaking sessions will connect local producers with regional distributors, retailers, and hospitality buyers, creating opportunities for export growth and long-term partnerships. Youth Innovation Competition Returns Building on the successful launch of the Youth Innovation Competition at PRIME 2025, where three youth groups showcased market-ready product concepts, the competition will return in 2026 with enhanced mentorship, clearer category criteria, and a formal prize package including seed funding and the opportunity to exhibit at PRIME 2027. The competition is open to youth groups and individual young entrepreneurs between the ages of 15 and 30. The Youth Entrepreneur of the Year award at the Sunday evening Gala provides an additional pathway for young business leaders to receive formal recognition alongside the island’s established enterprises. Building on Five Years of Growth The PRIME Planning Committee is extending an invitation to corporate partners and stakeholders to support this landmark initiative through sponsorship. Businesses and organisations will have the opportunity to sponsor individual award categories, gaining naming rights and prominent brand visibility, while contributing meaningfully to the development and recognition of Montserrat’s business community. The introduction of the Montserrat Business Awards represents an exciting evolution of PRIME, reinforcing its commitment to celebrating entrepreneurship and building resilience across the island. As anticipation builds for this year’s staging, organisers are confident that PRIME 2026 will deliver a memorable and impactful experience for all involved. Get Involved Businesses interested in exhibiting are encouraged to register early. Nominations for the Business Awards will go live on Wednesday 1st April, 2026 and additional event details will be announced via official channels. Corporate partners and stakeholders are also invited to support this landmark initiative through sponsorship opportunities, including category sponsorships with naming rights and prominent brand visibility. For media inquiries, sponsorship opportunities, vendor registration, or gala ticket information, please contact: Business, Trade and Investment Unit Office of the Cabinet Secretary Government of Montserrat +1 664 491 2066 Follow PRIME on Facebook @ProducedInMontserratExpo and Instagram @Prime_mni for updates.

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Director of Montserrat Red Cross shares Focus Areas for Organization

Community, News

Recently appointed Director of the Montserrat Red Cross, Delmaude Ryan, says one of her immediate priorities is ensuring the organization is aligned with its mission to support vulnerable people in the community. Ryan was speaking with ZJB news and explained that the focus is on determining how many individuals will be reached through Red Cross programmes and how those initiatives will improve readiness and resilience within the community. Ryan said improving communication with the public is a key part of the organization’s future direction, ensuring that residents better understand how the Red Cross operates locally and how its programmes benefit the community.

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Young Montserrat Representative Highlights Local Renewable Energy at Regional Workshop

Community, News, Youth

A young Montserratian representative has highlighted the island’s commitment to sustainable energy and climate resilience during a regional youth workshop in Jamaica. Detrel Rogers, a member of New Legacy, delivered a presentation outlining Montserrat’s progress toward renewable energy during the Caribbean Youth Climate and Sustainable Energy Workshop. Addressing participants, Rogers said Montserrat remains particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. He explained that small island territories face multiple challenges including environmental threats and energy vulnerability. During his presentation, Rogers outlined several initiatives aimed at transforming the island’s energy sector. Despite these achievements, he noted that challenges remain, particularly in accessing climate financing.

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Montserrat Government Boosts Support for Children with Special Needs

Community, Education, News

The Government of Montserrat has demonstrated seriousness in providing support to children with special needs. The Ministry of Education’s budget has been supplemented with $300,000 to set up a special Education Unit. Premier and Minister for Finance, the Honourable Reuben T. Meade says there are children here who are suffering because they lack support.

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Primary Schools Here Receive Timely Donation of Education Tools

Community, Education, News

Primary schools island wide have welcomed another timely donation of educational resources, aimed at supporting diverse learning needs among students on Montserrat. Ikesha Irish, who is of Montserratian heritage, said the collection of materials was designed to promote curiosity, literacy, and foundational skills among children. The donation includes numeracy and sensory tools, literacy and phonics materials, interactive learning equipment, and other resources intended to assist students at different learning levels. Principals from the island’s primary schools welcomed the contribution and expressed appreciation for the donation, noting that the materials will enhance the teaching and learning environment and benefit students in their classrooms. Director of Education, Dr Gregory Julius also thanked Irish for the initiative, highlighting the importance of such resources, particularly for students with special educational needs.

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Montserrat Advances Green Energy Transition Programme

Community, Environment, News

The Government of Montserrat is continuing work under its Green Energy Transition Programme. This initiative is aimed at reducing fossil fuel use and strengthening renewable energy on the island. Minister with responsibility for Energy, Honourable Veronica Dorsette-Hector, said the programme, funded by the government of the United Kingdom with an investment of £5.9 million, has five major components that will be implemented by the Ministry of B.U.I.L.T.E. These include ongoing maintenance and testing of geothermal wells in Cork Hill, as well as finalizing plans for a solar photovoltaic and battery storage system at Shinlands, Brades. The minister also reported upgrades to the island’s transmission and distribution network in Palm Loop and Lookout, along with the refurbishment of the battery storage system at the Lookout solar facility, expected to return to operation soon. Additional elements of the programme include training for energy sector staff and the public, the development of a strategic energy transition plan, and a regulatory framework to guide the electricity sector. According to Honourable Dorsette-Hector, the government is working to establish an independent electricity regulatory model as part of the broader transition to renewable energy. She says the initiative will help improve energy security, strengthen accountability in the sector, and support Montserrat’s goal of building a cleaner and more resilient energy future.

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Amendments to Banking Act Welcomed

Community, Finance, Government, News

The Leader of the Parliamentary Opposition, Honourable Paul Lewis has welcomed amendments to the Banking Act. Lewis says the changes to the legislation, spearheaded by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank modernizes the way business is conducted in member states. Premier and Minister of Finance, the Honourable Reuben T. Meade says among the key objectives of the Banking Amendment Bill (2024) is to strengthen market conduct regulation and financial consumer protection.

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Montserrat to be Represented at CXC Conference and Ministerial Forum

Community, Education, News

Montserrat will be represented at the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) Conference and Ministerial Forum on Learning in the Digital Age later this month. Education Officer, Curriculum and Examinations and Local CXC Registrar, Althea Allen, will join over 300 education stakeholders from across the Caribbean, including Ministers of Education, in Jamaica from March 16-19. Both events, originally set for October 2025 on Jamaica’s north coast, were disrupted by the passage of Hurricane Melissa. CXC’s Director of Operations Dr Nicole Manning, says the conference is designed to deepen regional collaboration on how best to navigate the prevailing digital environment for greater learning outcomes in the Caribbean. In the meantime, Pro-Registrar and Deputy CEO of CXC, Dr. Eduardo Ali, who is spearheading the organizing of the Ministerial Forum, also pointed to CXC’s ongoing work with regional employers to plan for future educational needs and skills for the region under its Skills and Employability Signaling System for CXC Qualifications Development. The CXC will sign a landmark Partnership Engagement Agreement (PEA) with the Consortium of Caribbean employer groups at the Ministerial Forum. The inaugural CXC Regional Education Conference and Ministerial Forum has been endorsed by Senator Dr., the Honourable Dana Morris Dixon, Minister for Education, Skills, Youth And Information, who will be a keynote speaker during the four days of meetings. Among the featured speakers and presenters at the CXC Conference and Ministerial Forum will be Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, the Chairman of CXC and Deputy Chair of Council, Dr Marcia Potter, Dr Wayne Wesley, CXC Registrar, Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin, Vice Chancellor, University of Guyana, Dr Luz Longsworth, Senior Corporate Director, Sandals Corporate University and former Principal and Pro-Vice Chancellor, UWI Global Campus, Ms Alison Drayton, Assistant Secretary General- Human and Social Development, CARICOM, and from the Commonwealth of Learning, Professor Peter Scott, President and CEO and members of his team.

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Government of Montserrat will Assist Property Owners South of Belham

Community, Government, News

Premier, the Honourable Reuben T. Meade has reassured persons who have properties south of Belham that the government has plans for these areas. He says that the restoration of the Belham Bridge is part of the move to ensure that persons have access to the areas even when there is heavy rain. Premier Meade said that duty free concessions will be provided for those who have properties south of Belham, among other things.

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UK Tertiary Tuition Fees to Increase

Community, Diaspora, Education, News

Montserrat students currently enrolled at UK tertiary institutions could be facing increases in tuition fees starting later this year. UK university tuition fees will rise annually in line with inflation from August 2026, under UK government plans aimed at stabilizing the finances of the British higher education sector Further legislation will follow within two years to permanently lock in inflation-linked increases. According to reports, a record number of British universities – 45% to be exact – are recording deficits. James White Jr has been following the story

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