News

Government of Montserrat Launches EC$2 Million Montserrat Business Progressive Fund-(MBPF) Soft Loan Initiative to Boost Agriculture, Fisheries, and Small Business Development

Finance, Government, News

The Government of Montserrat (GoM), through the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management, in partnership with the Bank of Montserrat (BoM), today officially launched the Montserrat Business Progressive Fund (MBPF) – a transformative EC$2 million soft loan programme designed to stimulate economic growth, enhance food security, and empower local entrepreneurs. The MBPF represents a significant investment in Montserrat’s economic future, providing accessible and affordable financing to registered farmers, fishers, agro-processors, and micro and small businesses. With an attractive interest rate of just 2.5% simple interest per annum and repayment terms of up to eight ( 8 ) years, the programme removes traditional barriers to capital access and enables productive investment in key economic sectors. Premier and Minister of Finance, the Honourable Reuben T. Meade, emphasized the programme’s strategic importance to Montserrat’s development: “The Montserrat Business Progressive Fund represents our government’s unwavering commitment to building a more resilient, self-sufficient, and prosperous economy. By providing accessible capital at affordable rates to our farmers, fishers, and entrepreneurs, we are investing in the people of Montserrat and creating lasting opportunities for economic growth. This initiative will help us reduce our reliance on food imports, strengthen our food security, and empower Montserratians to turn their business ideas into reality. Together, we are building One Montserrat – united in purpose and progress.” Programme Structure and Allocation The EC$2 million fund has been strategically allocated to maximize impact across critical sectors: • Agriculture and Fisheries Sector: EC$1,000,000 – targeting expansion of domestic production capacity, reduction of food imports (currently valued at approximately EC$18 million annually), and promotion of food sovereignty. • Agro-Processing and Micro and Small Businesses: EC$1,000,000 – enabling entrepreneurship, fostering innovation, and stimulating employment across all economic sectors. Eligible applicants may access loans of up to EC$50,000 to invest in capital equipment, technology, machinery, and productive assets necessary for business expansion and enhanced competitiveness. The programme operates as a revolving fund, with loan repayments reinvested to ensure continued availability of financing for future beneficiaries. Eligibility Requirements To qualify for the MBPF, applicants must: • Be a Montserratian or permanent resident of Montserrat • Be a registered farmer, fisher, or micro/small business owner (including agro-processors) • Agree to commence paying social security contributions • Demonstrate financial responsibility and a credible repayment plan • Commit to using loan funds exclusively for productive, income-generating activities • Provide collateral in the form of acquired assets or personal assets free of encumbrances Notably, the programme is 100% debt financed, with no loan-to-value ratio, debt service ratio, or credit history review required for eligibility – removing traditional banking barriers and ensuring broad accessibility for Montserrat’s entrepreneurs. Programme Governance and Management The MBPF will be overseen by a dedicated Soft Loan Programme Committee comprising representatives from the Ministry of Finance, the Business, Trade and Investment Division, the Ministry of Agriculture, the private sector, and a Programme Manager. The Committee will be responsible for vetting applications, approving eligible beneficiaries, and monitoring programme outcomes. The Bank of Montserrat will serve as the disbursing agent, maintaining all programme funds, processing loan disbursements to approved beneficiaries, and managing the revolving fund mechanism. All applicants must maintain a valid account with the Bank of Montserrat. How to Apply Applications for the Montserrat Business Progressive Fund are now open. Interested applicants should complete the MBPF Application Form and submit it along with all required supporting documents to trade@gov.ms. For application forms, assistance with completing applications, or further information about the programme, please contact: Business Trade and Investment Unit Telephone: 491-2066 Email: trade@gov.ms The Montserrat Business Progressive Fund represents a milestone in the Government of Montserrat’s commitment to economic transformation and empowerment. By providing accessible capital to local farmers, fishers, and entrepreneurs, the programme will drive sustainable economic development and create lasting opportunities for all Montserratians.

Government of Montserrat Launches EC$2 Million Montserrat Business Progressive Fund-(MBPF) Soft Loan Initiative to Boost Agriculture, Fisheries, and Small Business Development Read More »

Discussion Started on Comprehensive Plan to Build Capacity on Island

Community, News

The government of Montserrat is forging ahead with a comprehensive plan to build capacity on island. So says minister for Agriculture, lands, housing, environment, Youth Affairs and Sports, Honourable John Patrick Osborne. Speaking on a recent “What’s on Your Mind” programme on Radio Montserrat, minister Osborne stated that this multi-sectoral/multi-ministerial plan will embrace a number of areas to include provisions for population growth and retention (10,000 people as a working figure), among others.

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Government of Montserrat Moves to Address Long-Standing Water Capacity Challenges

Community, Environment, News

Construction is underway on new water reservoirs aimed at significantly increasing water storage capacity and supply resilience for the northern parts of the island. As part of the project, new fused glass Water Tanks will be fashioned in Dick Hill, Sweeney’s, Lawyers Mountain and Hope springs. The upgrades are intended to address long-standing capacity challenges that emerged following population shifts to the north of the island after the volcanic eruption. Work at the Dick Hill site has already begun, with land clearing completed and foundation works scheduled to start shortly. Similar works are happening at the Sweeney’s site. In conversation with ZJB News, Managing Director of the Montserrat Utilities Limited (MUL) Julian Daniel said a rapid construction method known as a jacking system will be used to assemble the tank walls, allowing the structure to be built efficiently by raising sections into place as construction progresses. ZJB’s team, accompanied Premier, Honourable Reuben T Meade, Deputy Governor Honourable Lyndorna Sweeney and Government Public Relations Officer Jenzil Skerritt to a site visit of the area last Friday. Premier Meade has welcomed the start of the project. He say the improvements will support tourism growth by strengthening essential services which he says are critical to visitor experiences The project is expected to be completed by March 31st. 2026.

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Work Moving Apace on Carr’s Bay Realignment Project

Community, Environment, News

A government project to improve traffic movement around the Cars Bay junction, is well underway. The Carr’s Bay realignment project includes redesigning the intersection, colloquially known as “Murphy’s Corner” into a T-junction to allow smoother traffic flow, especially for vehicles traveling between the south and north routes. ZJB’s team, accompanied Premier, the Honourable Reuben T. Meade, Deputy Governor, Honourable Lyndorna Sweeney, and Government Public Relations Officer Jenzil Skerritt on a site visit of the area on Friday. Assistant Civil Engineer within the Ministry of Building, Utilities, Infrastructure, Labour, transportation & Ecclesiastical Affairs (BUILTE) Glenroy Foster said a key feature of the plan is the addition of a third stopping lane for vehicles traveling from the Davy Hill side toward Cars Bay. While giving an update on the current stage of the project, Foster said the team has gone 75 percent of the way in breaking down the embankment. Meantime, Premier Honourable Rueben T Meade said the ongoing project will not only improve traffic safety but also create new opportunities for commercial activity in the Little Bay area. He said once road works are completed and the area is cleared, additional land will become available that will open possibilities for future commercial development within the area.

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Government of Montserrat Exploring Incentives for Property Owners South of Belham

Community, Government, News

The government of Montserrat is exploring ways to assist property owners South of the Belham River Valley. Minister for Agriculture et al, Honourable John Patrick Osborne said that Government always has incentives for properties south of Belham. He however says the time has come for the government to renew these incentives for greater efficiency and effectiveness. Minister Osborne was speaking on the “whats on your mind” programme on Radio Montserrat

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Rotary Club of Montserrat Signs MOU with Local Sewing Business

Community, News

An initiative aimed at strengthening women’s skills and employability was formally launched this week, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Rotary Club of Montserrat and local sewing enterprise, UnSewcial. The partnership, funded through a Rotary District Grant, will see young women on island receive training in sewing, using equipment and materials purchased through district funds. President of the Rotary Club of Montserrat, Audris Jno-Baptiste, described the signing as a historic moment for the club, noting that the project reflects Rotary’s commitment to empowering young women through entrepreneurship and skills development. Entrepreneur and self-taught seamstress Kristen Taylor-Hilton welcomed the collaboration, noting that while sewing is often viewed as an outdated skill, it offers significant economic and therapeutic benefits, and has the potential to empower women creatively and financially. Taylor-Hilton added that details of the training programme will be finalised and shared publicly in the coming weeks. Meantime… District Governor Saraya Gustav-Warner, who presented the certificate to praised the Rotary Club of Montserrat for initiating the project, noted that it aligns directly with Rotary International’s focus on growing local economies. She said the programme provides participants with a marketable skill that can support households and contribute to community development. Governor Gustav-Warner explained that the project is funded through the Rotary Foundation, supported by contributions from Rotarians worldwide, allowing clubs to reinvest in meaningful community-based initiatives.

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New ECCU Strategy Aims to Close Financial Access Gaps

Community, Finance, News

Citizens and businesses in Montserrat and across the other Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) member states are to benefit from a strategy which aims to address gaps in how they access and use financial services across the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU). The ECCB has partnered with the United Nations Capital Development Fund to prepare the draft ECCU Financial Inclusion and Literacy Strategy. It focuses on building awareness and removing access barriers, particularly for under-served groups such as micro-entrepreneurs. Shanette Shaw-Archibald, Project and Technical Assistance in the Governor’s Office, explains that at its core, the strategy is really about making everyday financial life easier for individuals and businesses, explaining that individuals would see benefits such as improved access to credit, savings, and even investment opportunities, and digital financial payment tools. Shaw-Archibald said businesses, on the other hand, would see benefits such as better support to go digital, better support or even access to financing, and to grow their business with confidence. The Project and Technical Assistance in the Governor’s Office said, overall, the strategy is really about helping people to feel more confident and comfortable while using financial services and understanding and building trust with the financial system. The ECCB has been working with key groups across the ECCU to ensure the Financial Inclusion and Literacy Strategy meets the needs of the people of the currency union. Shaw-Archibald shared that the strategy was shaped by considering all stakeholders, from consumers to fintech companies and financial institutions, to build it. She stated that from the beginning, the strategy was shaped around listening to the people that it’s about to serve. Shaw-Archibald said that among others, they also met with PennyPinch in St. Lucia and Serra in Montserrat because they wanted to make sure that their feedback and their real-life experiences really shape and guide how the bank would fill the gaps to really resolve the problems for the people of the currency union. The strategy will work alongside other ECCB efforts, such as the establishment of the Office of Financial Conduct and Inclusion, which is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2026, and the introduction of basic bank accounts with no maintenance fees to improve accessibility. Meantime, in related news, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Montserrat and other Small Island Developing States (SIDS) face significant financing barriers due to limited collateral, high transaction costs, and extreme vulnerability to climate-related shocks. It is against this background that on the most recent episode of ECCB Connects, Shana Derrick, Communication Officer (Ag) in the Corporate Relations Department, discussed with the CEO of the Eastern Caribbean Partial Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECPCGC), Carmen Gomez-Trigg, about how this entity is changing the financial landscape to help turn business potential into real opportunity across the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union. Gomez-Trigg uses statistics to demonstrate the ECPCGC’s pivotal role for small businesses in the region. She quoted that from December 2025, they have done over 300 loans to a loan value of 30 million EC dollars across the six islands, noting it as a valuable achievement, because it means that people, some of whom would not normally have access to loans at all, because they didn’t have the collateral or other requirements, are now able to get funding to grow their businesses. The CEO of the ECPCGC explained that they are meeting clients where they are, with five offerings to facilitate access to financing. Traditional commercial banking remains a primary source; these firms increasingly rely on multilateral development support and innovative “blue” or “green” finance. Blue finance is an emerging focus on sustainable ocean economies where investment is often driven by “trusted individual” networks. Green finance refers to investments, loans, and financial instruments (like green bonds) designed to support environmentally sustainable projects. The ECPCGC continues to work to fill the financing gap for small and medium enterprises across the wider ECCU.

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MAPS Extends Opening Hours

Community, News

The Montserrat Animal Protection Society (MAPS) is extending its opening hours for the next few weeks. According to MAPS, this is to encourage more persons to drop by and walk, groom or play with the animals. The Shelter will now be open on Tuesdays from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, Wednesdays 2 pm to 4 pm, Fridays from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, and Sundays at 8:00 am. Persons are encouraged to continue supporting MAPS as they strive to improve and develop their services for the island’s animals.

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Visiting Specialist Calls for Greater Autism Awareness in Montserrat

Community, Health, News

A visiting specialist in autism support, child development and psychology has underscored the need to raise the awareness level of the condition locally. Cassandra Ryner, who is married to a Montserratian, has been sharing her experience as a parent bolstered by working in mainstream education with autistic individuals and their families, especially in the United Kingdom. She was at the time speaking about the condition on the latest “eyes on the country” programme on Radio Montserrat. Mrs Ryner explained further the difference in communication between an autistic child and one who doesn‘t present with the condition.

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