CARTAC Chief Praises SVG Support Amid Funding Constraints 

By Val Matthias. Updated 1:57 p.m. Monday, September 7, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

St Vincent and the Grenadines has been praised for helping a major Caribbean technical assistance body continue its work across the region at a time of financial constraints.

Speaking at the opening of a regional workshop on Artificial Intelligence and Public Financial Management at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Diamond on Monday September 7th, Director of the Caribbean Regional Technical Assistance Centre, CARTAC, Matthew Byrne, said that St. Vincent and the Grenadine’s decision to host the event had provided important support to the organisation.

Mr Byrne revealed that CARTAC is facing significant financial pressures as it seeks to provide assistance to its 23 member countries and territories across the Caribbean.

He said St Vincent and the Grenadines’ contribution in hosting the workshop had helped ease some of that burden and would allow the organisation to continue delivering support throughout the region.

“It means that CARTAC can do more for our members right across the Caribbean,” Mr Byrne told participants.
The CARTAC Director also welcomed representatives from across the region, noting that 19 of the organisation’s 23 members were represented at the workshop.

He described the turnout as a strong show of commitment by governments and public institutions seeking to better understand the opportunities and challenges presented by artificial intelligence.

Mr Byrne thanked participants for taking time away from their duties to attend the programme, acknowledging the important roles many of them hold within their respective governments and ministries. The weeklong workshop has brought together public financial management officials and information technology practitioners from Small Island Developing States across the Caribbean.

Hosted by the Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines through the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, the event is being held in collaboration with the International Monetary Fund and CARTAC.

Participants are exploring how artificial intelligence, and digital technologies can be used to strengthen public financial management systems, improve efficiency and modernise government operations while maintaining accountability and fiscal sustainability. The workshop runs from September 7 to 11.

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This article was written and submitted by freelance journalist Mr. Val Matthias, a trained communicator with more than two decades in the media sector. All supporting materials for this story have been presented, vetted, and verified. Mr Matthias can be reached at [email protected].