AGP Executive Report

Overseas Funding: France’s 2027 budget for overseas territories rises 10% to €3.68 billion, with support for jobs and economic activity among its priorities. MPs say the headline increase may mask cuts within existing programs, a debate with direct stakes for Martinique. Tourism Economy: Grenada projects visitor spending of EC$1.068 billion in 2026, after EC$1.047 billion last year. Stayover spending alone is expected to exceed EC$1 billion, with officials looking to direct more gains to local businesses. Digital Infrastructure: Work has begun on a US$25 million landing site in Curaçao for the CELIA submarine cable, which will link the island with Martinique and other Caribbean destinations. The system is expected to come online in late 2027, adding regional internet capacity. Climate Finance: Central Bank governor Larry Howai warned that extreme weather can drive inflation, disrupt supply chains and threaten financial stability across the Caribbean, urging policymakers to plan for climate shocks.

Overseas Funding: France’s proposed 2027 budget for overseas territories reaches €3.68 billion, up 10%, but lawmakers say the increase masks cuts. The government cites support for jobs, business activity, housing and cost-of-living relief. Regional Tourism: Grenada forecasts visitor spending of EC$1.068 billion in 2026, following EC$1.047 billion in 2025; stayover spending alone is expected to top EC$1 billion. Digital Connectivity: Work has started on Curaçao’s US$25 million CELIA submarine cable, planned to connect the island with Martinique, Aruba, Antigua, Puerto Rico and Florida by late 2027. Fuel Costs: Grenada’s new prices keep gasoline and diesel at EC$17 per gallon, while kerosene and larger LPG cylinders rise; the changes also apply in Carriacou and Petite Martinique. Business Climate: Cost-of-living protests have prompted localized curfews in France, with incidents also reported in Martinique. France’s interior minister says more than 2,500 people were detained.

Overseas Funding: France’s proposed 2027 budget for overseas territories rises 10% to €3.68 billion, but lawmakers say the headline increase masks cuts. The allocation covers priorities including jobs, business activity and the cost of living. Climate and Finance: Central Bank Governor Larry Howai says climate disasters threaten Caribbean economic stability by disrupting supply chains, damaging infrastructure and pushing up food prices. Digital Links: Curaçao has begun work on a US$25 million submarine cable project that will connect the island with Martinique and other Caribbean destinations, with service planned for late 2027. Air Links: Air Caraïbes plans daily flights between Guadeloupe and St Maarten from January 8, adding more than 54,000 seats; advertised return fares start at €249 from Fort-de-France.

Overseas Budget: France’s proposed 2027 budget allocates €3.68 billion to overseas territories, up 10%, but lawmakers say the headline increase masks funding cuts. Priorities include cost-of-living pressures, jobs and economic activity. Digital Connectivity: Work has begun in Curaçao on a US$25 million submarine cable linking the island with Martinique and other Caribbean destinations, with service expected by the end of 2027. Climate and Finance: Central Bank governor Larry Howai warned that climate disasters threaten Caribbean financial stability, disrupting agriculture and supply chains while driving up prices. Regional Trade: Air Caraïbes plans daily flights between Guadeloupe and St. Maarten from January 2027, adding regional connections and more than 54,000 seats; advertised return fares start at €249 from Fort-de-France. Business Disruption: France is considering further local curfews after cost-of-living protests, with incidents reported in Martinique and businesses affected by the unrest.

Cost-of-Living Unrest: France is weighing further local curfews after weekend protests, with incidents also reported in Martinique. The unrest could disrupt businesses as the government faces pressure to address rising living costs. Regional Air Links: Air Caraïbes plans daily flights from Guadeloupe to St Maarten from January 8, adding more than 54,000 seats a year and connections for Martinique travellers; return fares start at €249 from Fort-de-France. Tourism Economy: Grenada projects visitor spending will reach EC$1.068 billion in 2026, its second year above EC$1 billion. Stayover visitors drove most of the 2025 total, while cruise spending climbed 56.6%—a regional reminder of tourism’s economic reach.

Regional Tourism: Grenada expects visitor spending to reach EC$1.068 billion in 2026, its second year above EC$1 billion. Stayover visitors are projected to account for more than EC$1 billion, underscoring the scale of tourism competition across the Caribbean. Martinique Connectivity: Air Caraïbes plans daily flights between Guadeloupe and Sint Maarten from January 8, 2027. Return fares start at €249 from Fort-de-France, expanding options for regional travel and onward connections. Cost-of-Living Unrest: Demonstrations over rising prices have also seen incidents in Martinique. France has introduced localized curfews in some areas and reported 2,513 arrests nationwide after weekend protests.

Business Disruption: France’s prime minister said further local curfews could follow weekend protests over the cost of living. Incidents were reported in Martinique, while business federation Medef said at least 3,000 businesses had been affected nationally. Regional Air Links: Air Caraïbes plans daily flights between Guadeloupe and St Maarten from January 8, 2027, adding connections for Martinique travellers; advertised return fares start at €249 from Fort-de-France. Island Tourism: Ferry services link Martinique with Guadeloupe, Dominica and Saint Lucia, offering operators and visitors another way to travel around the region. Passenger Rights: EU261 protections apply to qualifying flights departing from Martinique, including cancellations, though claims must be made to the airline that operated the flight.

Cost-of-Living Unrest: France may impose further local curfews after weekend protests over living costs. Authorities reported a mostly calm night, but incidents continued in Martinique; business federation Medef criticized the state’s handling of public order. Regional Air Links: Air Caraïbes plans daily flights from Guadeloupe to St. Maarten from January 8, 2027, with return fares advertised from €249 from Fort-de-France. The route is set to expand options for Martinique travelers connecting across the region. Passenger Rights: EU261 protections apply to flights departing Martinique and to some journeys arriving from outside the EU. For cancellations, claims must go to the airline that operated the flight.

Cost-of-Living Unrest: France may impose more local curfews after weekend protests, including incidents in Martinique. Business federation Medef criticized the state’s handling of public order, as demonstrators press their grievances over rising costs. Regional Air Links: Air Caraïbes plans daily Guadeloupe–St. Maarten flights from January 8, 2027, adding more than 54,000 seats; return fares advertised from Fort-de-France start at €249. Island Tourism: FRS Express des Îles links Martinique with Guadeloupe, Dominica and Saint Lucia, offering ferry connections that can support multi-island travel. Passenger Rights: Martinique is covered by EU261 flight protections, which may entitle eligible passengers to assistance or compensation after cancellations; claims go to the airline that operated the flight.

Air Travel: EU261 passenger protections apply to flights departing Martinique, including eligible cancellations; claims go to the airline that operated the flight, not the booking site or ticket seller. Regional Connections: Air Caraïbes plans daily Guadeloupe–St Maarten flights from January 8, 2027, adding more than 54,000 seats. Advertised return fares start at €249 from Fort-de-France, subject to conditions. Island Tourism: FRS Express des Îles links Martinique with Guadeloupe, Dominica and Saint Lucia, offering ferry access that could help travelers explore the region—and support island tourism businesses.

Regional Tourism: FRS Express des Îles’ ferry network links Fort-de-France with Guadeloupe, Dominica and Saint Lucia, offering visitors a way to combine island stays and supporting regional tourism. Air Connectivity: Air Caraïbes will add a daily Pointe-à-Pitre–St. Maarten flight from January 8, 2027, using an ATR 72-600. The route is expected to add more than 54,000 seats; advertised round-trip fares start at €249 from Fort-de-France.

Island Connectivity: FRS Express des Îles links Fort-de-France with Guadeloupe, Dominica and Saint Lucia, while also serving Les Saintes and Marie-Galante. The ferry network offers a boost to regional travel and tourism businesses. Air Travel: Air Caraïbes plans daily flights between Guadeloupe and St. Maarten from January 8, 2027, adding regional connections for Martinique travellers. Advertised return fares start at €249 from Fort-de-France, subject to availability. Grenada Business Costs: Grenada will hold VAT-free shopping days on October 30–31, alongside electricity and fuel measures aimed at easing costs for households and businesses.

Regional Air Links: Air Caraïbes will start daily Guadeloupe–St. Maarten flights on January 8, adding connections for Martinique travellers; return fares are advertised from €249 from Fort-de-France. The airline also resumed direct Paris–St. Maarten flights on October 15. Grenada Business Policy: Opposition leader Emmalin Pierre has pledged to cut corporate tax from 28% to 25% if elected, arguing the reduction would help businesses expand and create jobs. Retail Activity: Grenada has scheduled its final two VAT-free days for October 30–31, aiming to ease household costs and boost purchases at local businesses.

Regional Air Links: Air Caraïbes will launch daily flights between Guadeloupe and St Maarten on January 8, 2027, with return fares advertised from €249 from Fort-de-France. The airline has also resumed direct Paris–St Maarten service, operating Mondays and Thursdays. The new route adds options for Martinique travellers connecting across the Caribbean and to Paris.

Regional Air Links: Air Caraïbes will launch daily flights between Guadeloupe and St. Maarten on January 8, 2027, strengthening connections across the French Caribbean and beyond. Return fares start at €249 from Fort-de-France, with the airline saying the route will add more than 54,000 seats between Guadeloupe and St. Maarten.

Air Connectivity: Air Caraïbes will add daily Guadeloupe–St. Maarten flights from January 8, 2027, with return fares advertised from €249 from Fort-de-France. The new route is set to expand options for Martinique travellers connecting across the region and to the airline’s wider network.