Cruise economy lift: Saint Lucia’s 2025/26 cruise season is the strongest since COVID, with 673,700 arrivals—up about 6% year-on-year and just 0.5% below the 2018/19 peak—driven by larger ships even as ship calls edged up only slightly. Vendor compensation debate: Deputy PM and Tourism Minister Ernest Hilaire says displaced Castries Vendors Arcade traders should get support, but not “equally,” calling for a clear review of who owes rent and what losses were. SME funding push: OECS launched the second call for proposals under Window 2 of the Regional MSME Matching Grants Programme, targeting value chain groups in fisheries, coastal tourism and waste management with grants of US$100,000–US$150,000. Trade and investment links: Saint Lucia is advancing trade ties with Martinique via a French delegation engagement, aiming to strengthen commerce, investment and cultural cooperation. Business finance update: First Rock Real Estate Investments is negotiating income-generating property acquisitions in Costa Rica and Martinique worth about US$28m as it returns to profit, with rental income sharply higher. Climate resilience drive: A Climate Change Adaptation Investment Pitch and Matchmaking Summit is underway to turn adaptation plans into funded projects. Labour and compliance: NIC warns late employer remittances can delay worker benefits, urging businesses to stay compliant. Transport policy concern: NWU challenges a driver’s licence fee rule that charges returning nationals for time lived abroad, calling it punitive and unfair.