The Caribbean Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (CAIPA), in partnership with representatives from the CARICOM Consular Corps, (namely the Consulate Generals of Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Vincent & the Grenadines and Antigua & Barbuda), hosted the inaugural USA – Caribbean Investment Forum on Sept. 15 and 16 at the prestigious Marriott Hotel in Times Square, New York City.
This landmark event brought together government officials, investment promotion agencies, entrepreneurs, and business leaders to explore investment prospects and discuss the opportunities for investment in the Caribbean region.
“This landmark event is only the start of renewed efforts by CAIPA to increase its partnership with a wider cross section of stakeholders including regional and international entities like the Offices of our Consulate Generals, USAID, IDB Lab, the Caribbean Development Bank and the National Commercial Bank Jamaica Limited, as well as private sector parties such as the St. James School of Medicine, MSN Air and Century21 Guyana. I was also very pleased to see CAIPA members like Invest Barbados step up to take a leadership role in supporting efforts to position Caribbean in the US market. This event marked a new era of engagement for CAIPA,” notes Ronald Theodore, CAIPA President.
Distinguished speakers, including representatives from the New York State Governor’s Office and the Office of the Mayor of New York City (NYC), delivered insightful perspectives on investment and collaboration between the city of New York and the Caribbean. Keynote speakers included Ms. Molly Bauer, Industry Development Associate from the NY Governor’s Office representing Governor Kathy Hochul on Day 1, and NYS Commissioner Jeanette Moy NYS Office of General Services representing Governor Kathy Hochul on Day 2; NYC Commissioner Edward Mermelstein, NYC Mayor’s Office International Affairs, representing Mayor Eric Adams; Minister Kenneth Bryan, Minister for Tourism & Ports, Cayman Islands, and Chair of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), as well as E. Jay Saunders, Deputy Premier, Minister of Finance, Trade, and Investment, Turks and Caicos Islands, contributed their expertise and perspectives to the discussions.
Representatives of CARICOM Consular Corps, Consul Generals Mackie Holder (Barbados), Jerome Andre Laveau (Trinidad & Tobago), and Rondy McIntosh (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines), also attended the event and shared valuable insights around the potential to forge even stronger connections between the Caribbean Diaspora residing in the United States, their respective countries and the Caribbean as a whole.
Over the course of two dynamic days, attendees engaged in networking sessions and dialogues focused on the opportunities for investment for US investors. The event also placed a spotlight on the potential for the Caribbean nationals residing in the United States to invest in their respective homelands.
“The Caribbean is the new investment frontier. The Caribbean is where you vacation while you work. The Caribbean is where the weather, the scenery, the topography, and the investment landscape are all warm, friendly, hospitable, and inviting as the people who inhabit the region. We are just awaiting your interest to capitalize on the untapped opportunities and resources in our slice of paradise. The time to invest in the Caribbean is now, and we await you with open arms,” said Consular General Rondy McIntosh of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
“The USA Caribbean Investment Forum provided an excellent opportunity for the participating CARICOM Countries to present their collective and individual strengths as investment destinations. I go away from the Seminar with a confidence that our attributes such as political and social stability, near-shore location, scholarisation of our populations and moreover, readiness to do business, do in fact distinguish us and make us attractive at this particular juncture and moving forward. Discussions brought forth very insightful prescriptions for the attraction of capital from institutional investors as well as the welcoming of diaspora capital- financial and human. This is an excellent platform for further investment promotion by all of our countries and we expect to intensify our encounters in the coming months. Excellent outcome!!!!” said Consul General Jerome Andre Laveau of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
According to organizers Bernadette Ambrose, Chair of the Caribbean Consular Corps CARICOM at 50 Committee in the United States, and Suzette Hudson, CAIPA Manager, the event was a resounding success having achieved the desired objectives with strategic follow ups for the successful realization of the Caribbean Diaspora Investment Strategy, a key mechanism of sustainability emanating from the event.
The USA Caribbean Investment Forum served as a powerful catalyst for forging new connections and fostering partnerships, paving the way for a brighter economic future in the Caribbean.
