Last Updated on June 17, 2026, 11:56 AM AST by Anthony Morris
Investment Gateway Summit 2026 has opened at the St Kitts Marriott Resort with remarks by Deputy Prime Minister, Dr Geoffrey Hanley. Dr Hanley, delivered the welcome remarks to declare the four day event open on behalf of Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew.
The event was attended by high level officials from various sectors of St Kitts and Nevis, attendants of the opening ceremony include Governor General Marcella Liburd, Premier Mark Brantley, Minister of Public Utilities, et al, Konris Maynard and Executive Chairperson of the CIU, Calvin St Juste.
The Minister welcomed all the attendants, investors, delegates, authorised agents, international partners to the summit. The opening remarks from the Deputy Prime Minister recalled how the summit has evolved since its inaugural staging in 2024.
In the last three years, the summit has become a globally recognised forum for investment, innovation and sustainable development. The event, which started as a summit has evolved into a platform where investors, entrepreneurs, citizens and global partners can hold fruitful discussions and build relationships that would carry on beyond the four-day gathering
The growing influence of the summit is proven by the fact that the summit is being attended by highly intellectual guests. To punctuate his point, Minister Dr Hanley recalled the keynote speaker for IGS 2025, Swiss aerospace physician and scientist Dr. Oliver Ullrich.
In his address, Minister Hanley highlighted that the federation wants to position itself as a recognised thought leader in sustainable development and strategic investment. He also added that in a world where small island states are expected to follow global trends, St kitts and Nevis wants to be the one to shape them.
Dr Hanley added that due to its small size and resource constraints, St Kitts and Nevis has had to rely on innovation and resilience. According to the Deputy PM, this places St Kitts and nevis in a unique position lead conversations about sustainability, efficiency and responsible growth.
In his address, Dr Hanely talked about the four priority sectors which will be showcased throughout the four day summit. These four priority sectors are:
- Energy
- Real Estate
- Technology
- Climate Resilience
Talking about energy, Minister Hanley said that the nation is pursuing a cleaner, more secure and more independent energy future. Talking about the investor offering, Dr Hanley said, this is among the most compelling propositions St. Kitts and Nevis offer.
The investors can help the nation as it pursues its energy transition.
The Minister said that the investors will also be able to get returns in an economy that is moving decisively away from dependance on imports and towards sustainability
Minister Hanley called Real Estate a cornerstone of the St Kitts and Nevis economy and the country’s citizenship programme alike. At the same time Minister Hanley said that they do not want development for the sake of it.
He said, “We seek partners who will build responsibly, hotels, residences and resorts that respect our environment, employ and uplift our people, and stand as lasting additions to the landscape rather than burdens upon it.”
He also talked about the growing prominence of technology in the digital transformation of the country. He highlighted that the nation is already working towards digital transformation and we are building the conditions for technology and entrepreneurship to flourish here.
The Minister also highlighted the significance of climate resilience for a small island nation such as St Kitts and Nevis. The Minister has shared that they are building resilience into everything: infrastructure, the coastlines, energy systems and the nation’s economy. He said that they are on the forefront of the climate crisis at this time despite playing the least role in causing it.
The Minister said that climate resilience is not a cost centre. It is one of the defining growth sectors of this century and invited investors to talk support the nation by building alongside them.
The Minister closed his speech by reafiirming the nation’s commitment to integrity and transparency. He talked about the introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system which came before the 2025 summit to punctuate this commitment. He also said that the government is continuously working on more transparency measures in the country’s Ciitizenship Programme.
Minister Hanley said, “The Government is advancing a new generation of transparency initiatives, measures designed to make our processes clearer, our standards more visible, and our commitment to integrity more demonstrable to investors, to partners, and to the international community.”
He called on all the attendants of the summit to partner with St kitts and Nevis and support the growth of the twin island federation as they buid towards a sustainable future. The Investment Gateway Summit will run through June 20, 2026, with a series of meetings, panel discussions and unique experiences waiting for the attendants during the rest of the week.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
