Success of the economy hinges upon seasonal variations in agriculture, tourism, and construction activity as well as remittance inflows. Much of the workforce is employed in banana production and tourism, but persistent high unemployment has prompted many to leave the islands. 

St Vincent and the Grenadines has a relatively undeveloped economy, nevertheless providing a relatively high quality of life. It is vulnerable as the economic base is very small, and is heavily dependent on agriculture, especially bananas.

The government treats foreign investors and local investors equally with respect to the establishment, acquisition, expansion, management, conduct, operation, and sale or other disposition of investment in its territory. 

The graphs on this dated (2009) World Bank site provide an overview of the sample and highlight the biggest obstacles experienced by private sector firms in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. 

Information on International Business Companies (IBC) in St. Vincent/Grenadines

This World Bank site provides a detailed summary of the bureaucratic and legal hurdles faced by entrepreneurs wishing to incorporate and register a new firm in St Vincent and the Grenadines. 

This World Bank site provides a detailed summary of the bureaucratic and legal hurdles faced by entrepreneurs wishing to incorporate and register a new firm in St Vincent and the Grenadines. 

Company registration information from a law firm doing business in St. Vincent/Grenadines

This site provides a detailed summary of the taxes and mandatory contributions that a medium-size company must pay or withhold in a given year, as well as administrative burden in paying taxes and complying with postfiling procedures.

This site provides a chart of the corporate tax rate in St. Vincent/Grenadines (39.3% as of 12/2106)

Income tax is levied on all persons whose chargeable income is more than EC$18,000 per annum. Rates range from 10% to 32.5%. There is no capital gains tax.

Nonresidents are taxed on their income from sources in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Married couples are assessed and taxed separately.

The May 2007 introduction of VAT in the jurisdiction means the abolition and replacement of five different consumption taxes, which were charged at rates of up to 55%, with one tax at a standard rate of 15%.

This World Bank site provides a tax table including VAT (15%)

Visas for St Vincent and the Grenadines are not required by nationals referred to in the chart on this site

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines tourist visa is not required for citizens of United States of America for a stay up to 30 days.

A report on plans to improve the telecom network in the Caribbean including St. Vincent/Grenada

A brief and dated commentary on the telecom business in St. Vicent/Grenadines

The public bus system in St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a little odd to say the least. The routes and schedules can be a bit difficult to understand. The other option is to take a taxicab. Finding a cab generally isn’t too much of a problem and they’ll be available in the town centers and at most major destinations.

Taxis are available on the larger islands like St Vincent and Bequia. On some of the smaller islands of the Grenadines such as Mayreau or Petit St Vincent there are none available, but the islands are small enough to walk around and you can ask your hotel for a pick up. 

This World Bank site provides a detailed summary of some of the labor regulations that would apply to local entrepreneurs wishing to hire workers, organize working schedules, improve job quality for workers, or make workers redundant for economic reasons in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

A report from the St. Vicent/Grenadines Department of Labor regading the minimum wage.

PROTECTION OF EMPLOYMENT ACT, 2003

This World Bank site provides a detailed summary of some of the labor regulations that would apply to local entrepreneurs wishing to hire workers, organize working schedules, improve job quality for workers, or make workers redundant for economic reasons in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

The cost of everyday items and services in Kingston, St. Vincent

Average prices of more than 40 products and services in Saint Vincent And The Grenadines. 

The climate varies between the islands, as the Grenadines to the south are slightly drier and marginally warmer than St Vincent.

This site includes monthly tables on temperature, sunshine and rainfall

Latest travel advice for St Vincent and the Grenadines including safety and security

As a longtime playground for the rich and famous St. Vincent and the Grenadines has generally been a very safe place to visit. Petty street crime has been in a problem in the towns after dark, so generally you should avoid going down empty streets that are poorly lit after dark. 

Education on the twin Islands of St. Vincent and The Grenadines in the Caribbean Sea is free, but not compulsory, which undoubtedly contributes to the nation’s alarming record of child labor.

This site provides links to information on all levels of the education system in St. Vincent/Grenadines

St Vincent & The Grenadines all inclusive holidays.

Quick reference guide to public holidays dates in St Vincent & the Grenadines

See “People and Society” on this CIA site

This site discusses the demographics of the population of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, including population density, ethnicity, religious affiliations and other aspects of the population.

Generosity is the main feature of Vincentian conduct. Vincentians give of themselves and their resources to an extraordinary degree. Two customs that may strike the visitor as unusual are that it is a serious breach of etiquette to call someone’s name in public and that the use of cameras by foreigners is likely to elicit an angry or violent response.

This Customs and Excise site provides a calculator to determine the costs related to imported goods

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Customs regulations and procedures for imported goods

A summary of import and export regulations

This site provides key information on Saint Vincent & the Grenadines’ participation in the WTO. Saint Vincent & the Grenadines has been a WTO member since 1 January 1995 and  a member of GATT since 18 May 1993.

The Treaty of Chaguaramas established CARICOM in 1973. Its purpose is to promote economic integration among its fifteen (15) Member States. Investors operating in St. Vincent and the Grenadines are given preferential access to the entire CARICOM market. (See 14 “Bilateral Investment Agreements” on this site)

A listing of top hotels in St. Vincent and the Grenadines

This site provides hotel, guest house and villa information for the various islands that comprise St. Vincent and the Grenadines

A string of 32 islands and cays comprises the nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. St. Vincent is one of the least touristy islands in the Caribbean

White sand beaches, crystal blue waters, swaying palm trees — St. Vincent and the Grenadines offer all the hallmarks of a tropical getaway in the Caribbean, without the tourist traffic of its better-known isles.