NEW YORK, CMC – The new St. Vincent and the Grenadines Consul General to the United States, Roland U.C. “Patel” Matthews, says he is assuming his diplomatic posting with “an open mind and a strong sense of purpose.”
Matthews, a former legislator, replaces Rondy “Luta” McIntosh.
“The consulate serves as a critical bridge between St. Vincent and the Grenadines and its Diaspora, as well as key partners in the United States,” Matthews told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) on Sunday after the announcement was made.
“My priorities are aligned with the national mandate from Kingstown (the Vincentian capital), but I am particularly focused on modernization and efficiency. The consulate must evolve with advancing technology to serve the Vincentian community better. Enhancing service delivery and improving efficiency for our Diaspora are central to my agenda.
“Additionally, I aim to strengthen partnerships across strategic sectors to support national development. As a small state with limited resources, we must cultivate relationships with businesses and organizations that can generate mutual benefits.
“I also believe there is significant untapped potential within our indigenous Diaspora. By developing targeted initiatives to engage this community, we can promote cultural preservation, expand opportunities in the arts, and stimulate tourism and investment in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.”
The new consul general also said one of his key objectives is to foster unity among Vincentians in the Diaspora.
“I am committed to avoiding the political divisions that can sometimes emerge abroad. Instead, I aim to harness the talent, expertise, and experience of our nationals in a way that transcends partisan lines and contributes meaningfully to national development,” said Matthews, noting that serving as consul general was not originally a personal aspiration.
But, when he was invited to consider the position, he said he “reflected carefully before accepting.
“Ultimately, my decision was guided by a longstanding commitment to serve my country at the highest possible level. Having spent a decade in parliamentary service, I view this role in New York as a natural continuation of my contribution to national development.
“Together, with my team, we have begun prioritizing initiatives that deliver measurable impact across education, investment, Diaspora engagement, trade, and national development,” he said, disclosing that the Consulate General has partnered with Leadership Initiatives to facilitate over US$54,000 in scholarships for Vincentian students and supported a US$10 million expansion of St. James Medical School.
“At the same time, we are laying the groundwork for a comprehensive Diaspora investment framework to connect skills and capital to national priorities better,” he added.
Matthews said the Consulate General has drafted a concept note, “Enhancing Diaspora Investment in National Development Through Trade and Investment”, and has “the blessings and support of the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Fitzgerald Bramble) to begin execution.”
He said the aim is “to bridge the gap between the host country and the home country and to capture, beyond remittances, the contribution of our Diasporans in national development.”
Matthews said more information on the components, activities, and deliverables will be shared in the near future, along with a “soft launch” of the project.
He said the Consulate General is also strengthening strategic partnerships, including engaging with organizations such as the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, Ethniv, and the Trinidad and Tobago Consulate in New York.
In addition, he said efforts are already underway “to further elevate the cultural presence of St. Vincent and the Grenadines through targeted initiatives such as lending support to a cultural day for Vincentian students at Columbia University.”
Importantly, Matthews said the Consulate General’s work has extended to national security and institutional capacity-building.
He said this includes discussions to support close protection training for police officers, aimed at enhancing professional standards and strengthening national safety.
Matthews said the Consulate General has also begun efforts not only to enhance operations but also to raise awareness of its function and purpose.
“These early efforts reflect a focused and results-driven approach to positioning the Consulate as a vital bridge between opportunities in the United States and sustainable development at home,” he said.
A distinguished public servant with over three decades of experience, the Consulate General said in a statement that Matthews brings “a wealth of knowledge in governance, education, diplomacy, and community development.”
It said that Matthews’s appointment reflects the incumbent New Democratic Party administration’s “continued commitment to strengthening diplomatic relations and advancing strategic engagement with the United States, including in the areas of trade, investment, and Diaspora relations.”
The Consulate General said Matthews’s professional background includes service as a research officer to the Leader of the Opposition, as well as a career in education, where he taught history, social studies, and woodwork at the secondary level.
Matthews holds a Bachelor of Arts (honors) in history, with a minor in government, from the University of the West Indies (UWI), as well as additional qualifications in national development and education, the Consulate General said.
“My goal is to serve diligently and faithfully, always acting in the best interest of the Vincentian people. While our consulate is relatively small, efficiency and professionalism are our highest priorities. The services we provide must be timely, responsive, and of the highest standard,” Mathews said.
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