CE 2025 Annual Results Report web

Caribbean Export: Transforming businesses, transforming lives, and delivering impact where it counts most.

OUR VISION To be the driving force behind the

Caribbean's economic transformation by enabling a globally competitive and resilient private sector.

OUR MISSION To strengthen the Caribbean private sector by providing targeted strategic support, mobilizing resources, and building impactful partnerships that drive innovation, resilience, and sustainable economic growth.

2 | CARIBBEAN EXPORT ANNUAL RESULTS REPORT 2025

Annual Results Report - 2025 CARIBBEAN BUSINESS 30 YEARS OF DELIVERING FOR

Contents

Acronyms Message from the Chairperson of the Board Message from the Executive Director Message from the European Union About Caribbean Export Strategic Goals – Then. Now. Next Projects Implemented in 2025 Partnerships for the Goals Delivering Results – 2025 at a Glance

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30-Year Snapshot and Project implementation Projects Implemented Over 30 Years (from 1996)

Catalysing Investment: From Discussion to Deals SMART. GREEN. CONNECTED: Caribbean Investment Forum, Jamaica Beharry Group–Amber Group Joint Venture:

28

CIF as a Catalyst for Digital Transformation in Guyana Project Update: Eleuthera Energy – Renewable Energy Project Digital Horizons: Unlocking Innovation, Inclusion and Competitiveness Advancing Digital Innovation Through the EU‑LAC Digital Accelerator in 2025 IDMAPS and EngAge S.P.A: Building AI Driven Fraud Detection Across the EU and the Caribbean Transforming Caribbean Businesses for the Digital Future EU-LAC Social Accelerator: Catalysing Inclusive Social Innovation in the Caribbean Empowering Businesses through Co-Financing for a Green, Smart, and Connected Future – BRIDGE 2025 Unlocking Finance and Export Potential for Businesses From Potential to Performance: Driving Exports Through Targeted Programmes Caribbean Women Generating Resilient and Inclusive Trade (GRIT) Building the Capacity of the Region Regional Private Sector Development Programme III Absolutely Caribbean: Export Promotion that Converts Interest into Opportunity Success Story: Choko Lakay Expands Market Reach Through Strategic Export Support Then. Now. Next. A 30-Year Commitment, Measured in Business Breakthroughs Facilitating Access to Finance

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Acronyms

Afreximbank

African-Export Import Bank

AgTech

Agricultural Technology

B2B

Business to Business

BSO

Business Support Organisation

CAF

Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean

CARIFORUM

Caribbean Forum of African, Caribbean and Pacific States

CCREEE

Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency

CDB

Caribbean Development Bank

CDTI

Caribbean Digital Transformation Institute

CIF

Caribbean Investment Forum

EPA

Economic Partnership Agreement

EU

European Union

EU-LAC

European Union - Latin America and the Caribbean

FDI

Foreign Direct Investment

IDB

Inter-American Development Bank

MOU

Memorandum of Understanding

MSME

Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprise

RPSDP III

Regional Private Sector Development Programme III

SDG

Sustainable Development Goals

UNCTAD

United Nations Conference on Trade and development

CARIBBEAN EXPORT ANNUAL RESULTS REPORT 2025 | 5

MESSAGES

Message from the Chairperson of the Board

As we present the Annual Results Report 2025, we do so in a milestone year – it has now been 30 years since Caribbean Export began delivering practical, results-driven support to Caribbean businesses. This anniversary is more than a marker of longevity; it is a reminder of purpose. For three decades, the Agency has stood alongside the private sector to help firms compete beyond our borders, attract investment, and build resilience in an increasingly complex global economy. On behalf of the Board of Directors, I extend sincere appreciation to our Executive Director, management, and staff for their commitment and professionalism throughout 2025. The quality of delivery reflected in this report across investment facilitation, digital transformation, export development, and access to finance is the result of dedicated teams executing with clarity, discipline, and regional purpose. 2025 underscored both the Caribbean’s vulnerability and its potential. The region continues to contend with climate shocks, global market volatility, and rising competitiveness requirements from sustainability standards to digital readiness. Yet, Caribbean Export’s work in 2025 demonstrates that with the right partnerships and targeted interventions, Caribbean firms can respond, adapt, and grow. This year, the Agency continued implementation of the European Union-funded Regional Private Sector Development Programme III, advanced flagship initiatives such as the Caribbean Investment Forum (CIF) in Montego Bay, and expanded programming that strengthens firms’ ability to access finance and convert export capability into market outcomes. Through new and active partnerships including with the Inter-American Development Bank, Global Affairs Canada, Republic Bank, and EU-LAC programme partners, Caribbean Export further strengthened its role as a catalyst for private sector-led growth across CARIFORUM. Importantly, the Agency’s work is now anchored in a new strategic cycle. The 2025– 2028 Strategic Plan captured in this report through the “Then. Now. Next.” framing sets a sharper direction: strengthening private sector competitiveness for global market integration, attracting foreign direct investment through bankable projects, and deepening institutional resilience to deliver at greater scale and with stronger measurement. The Board fully supports this focus and will continue to ensure that governance, transparency, and performance remain at the centre of Caribbean Export’s operations. As we reflect on 30 years of progress, we also look forward with resolve. The next chapter will require deeper collaboration, smarter financing solutions, and more deliberate investment in innovation and resilience. Caribbean Export is well positioned to lead this effort, building on a trusted legacy, a growing network of partners, and a clear roadmap for the future.

Dr. Lynette Holder Chairperson of the Board of Directors Caribbean Export Development Agency

“For three decades, the Agency has

stood alongside the private sector to help firms compete beyond our borders”

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MESSAGES

Message from the Executive Director

Caribbean Export marks an important milestone of 30 years delivering for Caribbean businesses. While the Agency’s mission has remained consistent – strengthening the private sector to compete globally – the environment in which we operate has changed dramatically. Today, firms must navigate tighter market standards, increased climate risk, rapid technological shifts, and intensifying global competition. This Annual Results Report covers 2025 and once again reflects how Caribbean Export is responding: with more targeted support, stronger partnerships, and a sharper focus on measurable outcomes. Throughout the year, we advanced implementation across a strong portfolio of development programmes and partnerships. With European Union support under the Regional Private Sector Development Programme III, we continued to deliver interventions that build export readiness, strengthen standards compliance, improve logistics capability, and connect firms to new markets. At the same time, we expanded our work in innovation and inclusion through the EU–LAC Digital Accelerator and the launch phase of the EU–LAC Social Accelerator positioning Caribbean entrepreneurs, startups, and ecosystem stakeholders to access new collaboration opportunities and emerging forms of impact finance. A defining feature of 2025 was our continued shift from discussion to deal-making in investment promotion. The Caribbean Investment Forum (CIF) 2025 in Montego Bay, Jamaica, delivered under the theme SMART. GREEN. CONNECTED. strengthened the region’s investment narrative while advancing practical, investor-facing outcomes. CIF is now firmly established as a flagship platform that helps convert Caribbean ambition into bankable opportunities, supported by structured project packaging, stronger investor engagement, and sustained follow-up beyond the event itself. Access to finance remained central to our competitiveness agenda. In 2025, we launched and operationalised the EU-funded BRIDGE facility, awarding 15 grants totalling €1 million to help firms implement tangible upgrades aligned with green transition and digital transformation priorities. Through THRIVE delivered with Republic Bank and EU support we also helped entrepreneurs strengthen financial literacy, export readiness, and pathways to financing. These initiatives reflect our practical approach: removing constraints that prevent firms from investing in the systems, standards, and tools required to scale. We also commenced implementation of GRIT, funded by Global Affairs Canada, to strengthen productivity, competitiveness, and export readiness for women-led businesses across six focus countries ensuring that trade and growth pathways are inclusive and that more women entrepreneurs can access training, networks, market intelligence, and technical support. As we closed 2025, we also began a new strategic chapter. Our 2025–2028 Strategic Plan framed in this report as Then. Now. Next. sharpens our direction around three priorities: (1) strengthening private sector competitiveness for global market integration, (2) attracting foreign direct investment through a stronger pipeline of bankable projects, and (3) deepening institutional resilience so we can deliver at greater scale, with stronger data and improved service delivery. I extend sincere thanks to our Board of Directors for their guidance and support, and to our development partners for their continued confidence in Caribbean Export. Most importantly, I thank the staff of the Agency whose dedication and professionalism make this work possible and the businesses we serve, whose ambition continues to inspire our commitment. Thirty years in, our focus remains unchanged: turning Caribbean potential into performance now, and in the years ahead.

Dr. Damie Sinanan Executive Director Caribbean Export Development Agency

“The Agency’s mission has remained consistent – strengthening the private sector to compete globally ”

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MESSAGES

Message from the European Union

For 30 years the European Union and Caribbean Export have worked in close partnership to support private sector development across the Caribbean, rooted in a shared commitment to sustainable growth, enhanced competitiveness, and the value-added of deepening economic cooperation between our 2 regions. A key focus of our partnership has been the implementation of the CARIFORUM–EU Economic Partnership Agreement, a trade agreement which provides duty-free and quota-free access for all Caribbean goods and services to the European Single Market, allowing them to reach approximately 450 million consumers. Working together has created opportunities for Caribbean firms to strengthen their export capabilities, improve competitiveness, attract investments and adapt to the changing global economy. Specifically, the European Union has supported the diversification and competitiveness of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across the region through actions that equip businesses with the tools to increase their competitiveness in international markets using digital and green technologies. In 2025 alone, over 2,000 companies participated in business support activities and targeted interventions designed to strengthen export readiness, innovation capacity, logistics, and regulatory compliance. In addition, 18 firms benefited from participation in two trade fairs in Europe, while €1 million in grant funding was allocated to support investments in innovation, digitalisation, and green solutions. The results of this collaboration are part of the European Union’s broader support across the Caribbean region to promote investment, innovation and entrepreneurship as set out in our Global Gateway Strategy. Implementing Global Gateway brings together the European Union, its 27 Member States and their development financing institutions with the European private sector to leverage investments in renewable energy, digital connectivity and maritime logistics. Investing in key infrastructure supports our partners in further improving the business environment, developing skills to strengthen export capacity and building more resilient and sustainable economies. We are therefore delighted that Caribbean Export has been nominated as the Caribbean’ focal point for the European Enterprise Network, a platform that will greatly facilitate business cooperation, knowledge exchange and strategic partnerships between European and Caribbean companies. I commend the Caribbean Export Development Agency for its unwavering dedication to enhancing competitiveness and promoting innovation among small businesses in the Caribbean and we are proud to be able to work hand-in-hand to further the export of Caribbean goods and services to the European market.

Her Excellency Ambassador Fiona Ramsey Head of Delegation, Delegation of the European Union to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean States and the OECS

“The EU’s partnership with Caribbean Export is anchored by our joint commitment to drive private sector innovation, strengthen business performance, and advance sustainable economic development in the Caribbean.”

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ABOUT CARIBBEAN EXPORT

About Caribbean Export

This edition marks the Agency’s 30th anniversary, celebrating three decades of supporting private sector-led growth, expanding export opportunities, and facilitating investment across the region. Guided by a clear vision and mission, our programmes respond to the Caribbean’s distinct realities and ambitions. We work with the private sector, governments, and development partners to deliver practical support technical assistance, training, market intelligence, investment facilitation, and access to finance, while promoting innovation, inclusivity, and climate responsibility. In doing so, we align our work with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and regional priorities for sustainable development. Caribbean Export’s transformative agenda is anchored in three strategic areas: Caribbean Export is the leading regional trade and investment promotion agency dedicated to strengthening the Caribbean’s competitiveness and advancing a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable economy.

These priorities shape our efforts to enhance market access, attract investment, and accelerate the shift to greener and more productive business models. From digitalisation and e-commerce to green manufacturing and renewable energy, we help Caribbean firms move into higher-value markets while strengthening resilience to global economic shifts and climate risks. We are committed to expanding participation in trade and investment, creating pathways for underrepresented groups particularly women, youth, and marginalised communities, to access resources, training, networks, and financing. Our results-driven approach is supported by robust monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems that demonstrate measurable outcomes and continuous improvement. With offices in Barbados and the Dominican Republic, Caribbean Export delivers high-impact programmes across the region, supported by strong partnerships and effective execution. We remain focused on mobilising resources, leveraging innovation, and delivering tangible results that contribute to a more prosperous, resilient, and sustainable Caribbean. Building on 30 years of impact, we remain committed to shaping a globally competitive and sustainable Caribbean future.

Sustainable Agriculture

Digital Transformation

Green Economy

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STRATEGIC GOALS - THEN. NOW. NEXT

Strategic Goals -

For three decades, Caribbean Export has helped Caribbean firms compete beyond our borders building export capability, opening doors to new markets, and strengthening the partnerships that make regional growth possible. The Caribbean stands at a pivotal moment in a fast-changing global economy. Caribbean Export, the region’s premier trade and investment promotion agency, is responding with a sharper, more integrated approach: accelerating private sector led growth through competitiveness, resilience, and innovation. Our 2025–2028 Strategic Plan reflects this focus, aligning programmes and partnerships to deliver measurable results for MSMEs and member states. Over the next three years, we will deepen impact by scaling what works, modernising how we deliver support, and positioning the Caribbean as a more investable, digitally enabled, climate-resilient economic space. This next phase is built on stronger collaboration with governments, donors, private sector stakeholders, and international development partners creating an ecosystem where Caribbean businesses can thrive in global markets. Then. Now. Next

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STRATEGIC GOALS - THEN. NOW. NEXT

This roadmap is delivered through three strategic objectives:

1. Strengthen Private Sector Competitiveness for Global Market Integration

2. Attract Foreign Direct Investment Through Bankable Projects

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Over the years, Caribbean Export has worked to elevate the region’s investment profile by convening partners and showcasing opportunities to global investors. We are now strengthening the pipeline of investment ready projects through initiatives such as the Caribbean Investment Forum and working with partners to develop a Project Preparation Facility, supporting firms to meet investor expectations and international sustainability standards. As we move into 2026 and beyond, our focus is on increasing the volume and quality of bankable projects prioritising green, resilient, and high-impact investments that drive economic diversification and long-term value creation.

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We have built a foundation of export readiness and market linkages to help Caribbean firms enter and compete in priority markets. Building on this foundation, we are expanding support for MSMEs by accelerating digital adoption, promoting data and market intelligence driven decision-making, and strengthening business resilience so firms can scale faster and compete more effectively. Our work now focuses on supporting businesses to move from readiness to revenue and scale, enabling more firms to grow sustainably, diversify markets, meet international standards, and innovate across priority sectors.

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3. Institutional Strengthening and Resilience Over the past 30 years Caribbean Export has established itself as a trusted regional partner, grounded in strong governance and consistent results-based delivery. We are now focused on modernising systems, strengthening accountability, and using digital transformation to improve operational efficiency, transparency, and impact tracking. It is our aim to become even more agile and data-driven, strengthening performance management, learning, and service delivery so we can scale programmes and respond faster to regional needs. - - -

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PROJECTS IMPLEMENTED IN 2025

Projects Implemented in 2025

EU: Regional Private Sector Development Programme III (RSPDP III) The RPSDP III commenced in October 2023 and aims to enhance employment opportunities, foster inclusivity (especially for youth, women, and indigenous communities), and alleviate poverty across CARIFORUM States. The programme pursued three primary objectives: reinforce private sector diversification and competitiveness in the Caribbean with a special focus on MSMEs including women and youth owned enterprises; and to enhance trade and investment between the Caribbean and the EU in the framework of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) including support to B2B dimension and assisting the Caribbean private sector to grow in an inclusive and sustainable manner, including in the area of services. EU-LAC Digital Accelerator The EU-LAC Digital Accelerator is a five-year programme being implemented by a consortium consisting of ten partners from across Latin America and Europe, led by Tecnalia and comprised of Octantis, Tecnalia Colombia, European Business and Innovation Centre and Network (EBN), European Business Angel Network (EBAN), IDB Labs, Expertise France, IESE Business School and Wayra; with Caribbean Export positioned as the implementing partner of activities in the Caribbean region and IDB Labs as programme collaborator. The EU-LAC Digital Accelerator is an initiative to foster innovation and digital transformation across the three regions, through accelerated collaboration among multiple stakeholders and the private sector. The programme aims to enhance competitiveness, digital skills, and innovation, and establish EU-LAC partnerships between European and Latin American/Caribbean businesses operating within the digital sphere. EU-LAC Social Accelerator The EU-LAC Social Accelerator is an EU regional programme, under the Inclusive Societies Programme, that aims to reduce gender and other inequalities in Latin America and the Caribbean with a focus on women, youth and vulnerable groups, including the poorest 40% of the population. It will strengthen the social dimension of the EU-LAC Global Gateway Investment Agenda (EU-LAC GGIA) with a 360-degree approach, providing opportunities for capacity building, multi stakeholder partnerships, third-party funding, and the scaling of social innovation

solutions that drive a green, digital, just, and inclusive transition. Global Affairs Canada: Caribbean Women Entrepreneurs – Generating Resilient and Inclusive Trade (GRIT)

Funded by Global Affairs Canada, GRIT is a 4-year regional initiative (2025-2028) that aims to strengthen the productivity, competitiveness and export readiness of women-led businesses across the Caribbean. GRIT delivers targeted support through training, technical assistance, matching grants, trade missions and access to market intelligence, enabling women entrepreneurs to grow resilient

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PROJECTS IMPLEMENTED IN 2025

Inter-American Development Bank

Republic Bank Ltd: Project THRIVE In 2023, Caribbean Export and Republic Bank Ltd, the largest indigenous bank in the Caribbean, extended their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to support small business development in the region. This collaboration is focused on equipping MSMEs with the skills, tools, and financial knowledge needed to scale their operations, improve competitiveness, and expand into international markets. Project THRIVE was launched in 2025, offering a transformational capacity building programme designed to empower Republic Bank Ltd. business clients through a strategic mix of training, mentorship, and financial literacy initiatives. Funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), this project seeks to create a regional public good that strengthens capacity through training, tools, and resources designed to help firms improve energy efficiency and transition to green energy solutions. Addressing a critical gap in the region, this initiative will have a transformative impact on Caribbean MSMEs, which make up over 70% of businesses. By equipping them with the knowledge and support needed to adopt sustainable energy practices, the project will drive cost savings, enhance competitiveness, and contribute to a greener Caribbean economy. Funded by the Inter-American Development Bank in collaboration with the Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility, this three-year (2022-2026) project aims to establish the CDTI as a regional public asset. The project’s primary objective is to coordinate the regional ecosystem to facilitate the transformation of MSMEs through the adoption of digital technologies. In Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, GRIT will directly support 800 women entrepreneurs in agriculture, agro-processing, artisanal products, renewable energy, eco-tourism and digital services. An additional 10,000 women will benefit from wider access to training and market intelligence tools. GRIT prioritises inclusive growth by particularly supporting women-led enterprise that are youth-led, rural-based, indigenous owned or led by women with disabilities. Inter-American Development Bank: Caribbean Green Energy Adoption and Energy Efficiency Toolkit for MSMEs Compete Caribbean: The Caribbean Digital Transformation Institute (CDTI) Project enterprises, create sustainable employment and contribute to the region’s green and digital transitions.

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PROJECTS IMPLEMENTED IN 2025

MOUs Signed in 2025 Caribbean Export continued to strengthen strategic alliances that advance economic growth, sustainability, and resilience across the Caribbean. In 2025, the Agency both formalised new partnerships and advanced implementation across an active portfolio of MOUs and cooperation agreements supporting investment promotion, trade facilitation, MSME competitiveness, innovation, logistics, and the green and digital transition. Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) (signed 5 February 2025) – Agreement to introduce a grant funding initiative aligned with the EU-LAC Digital Accelerator, supporting corporate venturing and entrepreneurial innovation. The initiative provides grant funding of up to US$75,000 for eligible Jamaican tech entrepreneurs and innovators, once a partnership is established between a corporate entity and a tech entrepreneur. Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) (signed 30 July 2025) – MOU to collaborate on strengthening project readiness and structuring; expanding a pipeline of bankable investment opportunities aligned with the region’s sustainable development goals; and enhancing regional coordination by engaging investment promotion agencies and key stakeholders. Caribbean Dragons (signed 14 October 2025) – Agreement to advance innovation, entrepreneurship, and access to finance for Caribbean businesses, with emphasis on youth- and women-led enterprises. Boost Acceleration Camp (Boost AC) (signed 4 December 2025) – MOU signed in Santo Domingo during Boostcamp 2025, delivered as part of the Dominican Republic programming for Global Entrepreneurship Week 2025. Under the partnership, Caribbean Export – representing the EU-LAC Digital Accelerator – and Boost AC will strengthen startup-corporate collaboration and expand participation by Dominican MSMEs and startups in the EU-LAC Digital Accelerator. The framework prioritises pipeline development, capacity building (export readiness, digital transformation, green innovation, scaling, investor preparedness), investor linkages and access to finance, mentorship, and market opportunities, including for high-growth startups and youth- and women-led ventures. MOUs Active During 2025 During the reporting period, Caribbean Export advanced implementation across the following MOUs that were active in 2025: • CAF Bank (signed 15 February 2023) • Afreximbank (signed 12 June 2024) • DHL Group (signed 9 October 2024) • Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE) (signed 13 November 2024) • Republic Financial Holdings Limited (signed 23 October 2023)

European Union Pillar Assessed Internal Control 01

Accounting System 02

External Audit 03

Procurement 04

Grants 05

Exclusion from Access to Funding 06

Publication of Information on Recipients

07

08 Protection of Personal Data

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PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE GOALS

Partnerships for the Goals

Strengthening Resilience Through Collective Action As Caribbean Export marks 30 years of service to the region, 2026 presents a moment not only of reflection, but of renewed purpose. Since opening our offices in 1996, the Agency has anchored its work in the belief that partnerships are the most powerful catalyst for sustainable development. Today, that belief is even more urgent.

The events of 2025 have underscored the profound vulnerabilities of our region. Hurricane Melissa, one of the most intense storms to impact the Caribbean in recent years, brought widespread destruction damaging infrastructure, displacing communities, and disrupting businesses across multiple islands. For the thousands of small businesses that form the backbone of our economies, storms like Melissa are not isolated events; they represent a growing pattern of climate-driven shocks that threaten livelihoods, supply chains, and long-term economic stability. Against this backdrop, the Caribbean must strengthen the collective resilience of its private sector. This calls for deeper collaboration within the region, across sectors, and with the global community. It also reinforces the importance of Sustainable Development Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), which remains central to Caribbean Export’s mission and to the transformational agenda outlined for 2025–2028.

30 Years of Partnership: A Foundation for the Future

Over the past three decades, Caribbean Export has evolved into the region’s premier partner for private sector development, cultivating alliances that expand economic opportunities. Our long-standing collaboration with development partners such as the European Union, has provided foundational support that enabled Caribbean Export to build institutional capacity, deliver high-impact programmes and expand opportunities for businesses across the region.

Building on this core partnership, and more recently diversifying collaborations with institutions such as the Global Affairs Canada (GAC), Inter-American Development Bank, Compete Caribbean, the Caribbean Development Bank, and regional governments, Caribbean Export has been able to:

• Channel critical resources to MSMEs • Drive export diversification and competitiveness • Accelerate digital transformation • Support the green transition and climate resilience • Facilitate investment flows into high-growth sectors

These partnerships have strengthened our collective ability to respond to crises, adapt to global shifts, and seize new opportunities demonstrating the enduring value of cooperation in a region defined by small economies but big potential.

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DELIVERING RESULTS 2025 AT A GLANCE

Delivering Results 2025 at a Glance

The Caribbean private sector is ever evolving, and Caribbean Export has been the main regional agency fostering private sector development across the Caribbean. During 2025, Caribbean Export has continued implementing the RPSDP III, funded by the EU, and began implementation of the GRIT project funded by Global Affairs Canada, while managing funds from other developmental partners. In light of the challenges affecting the geopolitical environment, Caribbean Export has expanded its partnerships to introduce strategic programmes that meet the needs of the Caribbean private sector.

Development Programmes 7

Over 4427 business professionals across the Caribbean participated in over 72 interventions in 2025

USD 32M in Managed Funds Caribbean Export is directly managing funds of over USD32M from 7 different international development partners

Caribbean Export is implementing 7 economic development programmes supporting the advancement of Caribbean businesses

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DELIVERING RESULTS 2025 AT A GLANCE

Key sectors represented Professional & Business Services Manufacturing (Non-Food) Agriculture & Agri-business

Women continue to represent the largest percentage of beneficiaries at 61.93%

Caribbean Export continues to reach new audiences and has an active follower base of over 70,176 across the Caribbean.

followers 70,176

Male Representation 38.07% and Youth Representation 11.92%

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30 - YEAR SNAPSHOT AND PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION

30-Year Snapshot and Project implementation Projects Implemented Over 30 Years (from 1996)

8th European Development Fund (EDF) 1996 - 2004

10th European Development Fund (EDF) - Regional Private Sector Development Fund (EDF) $37,500,000.00 2011 - 2016 10th European Development Fund (EDF) – Trade Component $7,200,000.00 2016 - 2018 11th European Development Fund (EDF) - Regional Private Sector Development Programme $28,370,000.00 2017 - 2023

11th European Development Fund (EDF) - Haiti-Dominican Republic Binational Programme – Trade and Private Sector Component $6,780,000.00 2018 - 2023 EU-LAC Digital Accelerator Programme

9th European Development Fund (EDF) $8,180,000.00 2005 - 2010

$825,000.00 2023 - 2026

Caribbean Trade and Private Sector Development Programme (CTPSDP) - Phase 2 $8,076,000.00 2008 - 2010

Regional Private Sector Development Programme III $12,590,000.00 2023 - 2027 EU-LAC Social Accelerator Programme $15,000,000.00 2025 - 2028

Cooperating to Export - EPA Implementation Support Programme $1,450,000.00 2009 - 2014

Development and Promotion of the Caribbean Health and Wellness Tourism Sector $980,000.00 2010 - 2015 Development of the Specialty Food Sector of the CARICOM $1,950,000.00 2010 - 2019

Link-Caribbean: Accelerating Early-Stage Investment in the Region $1,600,000.00 2016 - 2018

Cooperating to Export - Supporting Sustainability Aspects in the Implementation of EU Economic Partnership Agreements

$180,000.00 2017 - 2020

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30 - YEAR SNAPSHOT AND PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION

Total Funds Managed $126 Million US

Total Beneficiaries Engaged Over 20,000

Total Projects Implemented 22 Projects

Total Grants Awarded to Caribbean MSMEs Over 16 million USD

GreenToCompete Hub - Caribbean In-Kind 2021 - 2024

Technical Assistance Programme $600,000.00 2021 - 2023

Caribbean Digital Transformation Institute (CDTI) $680,000.00 2022 - 2026

Virtual E-Commerce Accelerator Programme (VEAP)

Transcultura Programme $139,100.00 2023 - 2023

Thrive $50,000.00 2025 - 2026

$205,229.00 2022 - 2023

Caribbean Women Entrepreneurs Generating Resilient and Inclusive Trade (GRIT) $2,410,000.00 2025 - 2029

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CATALYSING INVESTMENT:

FROM DISCUSSION TO DEALS

Catalysing Investment: From Discussion to Deals

Investment is central to the Caribbean’s transition to a smarter, greener and more connected economy. Caribbean Export has continued to move beyond traditional promotion towards building a dynamic deal-making platform that channels capital into high-impact projects across the region.

At the heart of this effort is the Caribbean Investment Forum (CIF), now firmly established as the region’s flagship marketplace for sustainable investment. Staged in Trinidad and Tobago (2022), The Bahamas (2023), Guyana (2024) and most recently Montego Bay, Jamaica (2025), CIF has convened more than 400 investors, private sector leaders, governments and development partners each year, with delegates representing close to 40 countries. The 2025 edition alone showcased a curated pipeline of investment-ready opportunities, including twelve projects valued at over US$80 million in priority sectors such as agribusiness, digital transformation, logistics and the green economy. Through CIF and its follow-up engagement, Caribbean Export is strengthening investor confidence, deepening partnerships with institutions such as the European Union and IDB and positioning regional firms to access long-term financing on competitive terms. As the Agency marks 30 years of service, the Caribbean Investment Forum has become a cornerstone of its investment promotion architecture – connecting global capital with Caribbean ambition and turning ideas into implementable projects that drive jobs, resilience and inclusive growth.

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CATALYSING INVESTMENT:

FROM DISCUSSION TO DEALS

SMART. GREEN. CONNECTED: Caribbean Investment Forum, Jamaica

Hosted in partnership with the Government of Jamaica, the European Union and the CARICOM Secretariat, CIF 2025 was held in Montego Bay from 29–31 July under the theme SMART. GREEN. CONNECTED. The Forum aligned directly with Caribbean Export’s strategic priorities around green economy transition, digital transformation and innovation, sustainable agriculture and food security, and logistics and transport. Over three days, more than 330 participants from 20 countries – including 83 firms and 18 investors – engaged in high-level policy dialogue, practical workshops and focused deal-making. Partnering for Impact: Strategic Alliances Powering and Emerging from CIF 2025 The Caribbean Investment Forum is intentionally designed as more than an event. It is a platform that convenes the institutions, financiers, governments, development partners and private sector actors needed to position the Caribbean as a credible and attractive destination for foreign direct investment. Through CIF, Caribbean Export actively connects these stakeholders, turning dialogue into operational collaboration and building the strategic and functional partnerships that help move regional investment opportunities from concept to financing. This is achieved not only through sponsorship and visibility, but also through alliances that strengthen project preparation, bolster investor confidence and deepen long-term institutional cooperation across the region. A key operational partnership underpinning CIF 2025 was Caribbean Export’s collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to strengthen the investment readiness of projects presented at the Forum. Together, the organisations led the selection and packaging of high potential opportunities across the Caribbean, supporting project sponsors with investment profiling, financial structuring, and refinement of their presentations and pitches. This joint effort ensured that projects showcased at CIF were backed by robust financial models, clear risk assessments and professionally developed materials that met international investor expectations, significantly enhancing the credibility and attractiveness of the regional project pipeline.

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CATALYSING INVESTMENT:

FROM DISCUSSION TO DEALS

Under the MoU, both institutions will collaborate through 2026-2027 to:

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Improve project readiness and standardisation; Launch an online project pipeline; Deliver targeted training to project developers and investment promotion agencies; and Introduce a new technical assistance instrument to support further project structuring.

From Concepts to Bankable Projects: Strengthening the Pipeline

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A defining milestone of this year’s Forum was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Caribbean Export and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to establish the ONE Caribbean Project Preparation Coordination Mechanism (PPCM). The PPCM creates a structured, region-wide platform to generate, prepare and present a pipeline of well-designed, investment-ready projects to international financiers. Future editions of CIF will serve as the flagship venue for showcasing projects refined through the PPCM, ensuring that investors can reliably access vetted, high-quality opportunities across the Caribbean

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Investment Village: Showcasing Smart, Green and Connected Opportunities

For CIF 2025: 15 projects were fully packaged, with 12 projects The total packaged portfolio was valued at approximately US$82.2 million , with US$75.9 million showcased during the Forum; successfully presented live to investors during the forum;

Projects spanned four priority sectors:

Sustainable Agriculture Green Economy Transition Digital Transformation Logistics and Transformation

The Investment Village remained the centerpiece of CIF’s transaction-focused agenda. Built on Caribbean Export’s structured investment-packaging methodology developed with UNIDO and financed by the European Union, the Village translated regional ambitions into concrete, investable ventures.

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CATALYSING INVESTMENT:

FROM DISCUSSION TO DEALS

Each project was presented through a structured pitch to an expert evaluation panel comprising Veronica Hildenbrand (Senior Associate, CrossBoundary Advisory), Artur Sosna (Head of Global Expansion, Voltmax SARL), Norman Thompson (Lead Officer, Financial Services, IDB Invest), and Simon Johnson (Senior Investment Officer, IDB Lab), collectively representing development finance institutions, impact investors and private-sector advisory expertise. The pitching session was followed by curated B2B meetings, giving project sponsors immediate, substantive feedback and direct engagement with potential financiers and strategic partners. Over the 2023–2025 period, the investment-packaging effort comprised thirty projects across eleven CARIFORUM countries, with an aggregate value exceeding US$172 million, reflecting the progressive strengthening and maturation of the regional investment pipeline.

CIF 2025 Investment Village

Country Represented

Focus Area

Project

Investment (USD)

Haiti

Sustainable Agriculture

Agrifood Enterprise Center (AEC)

USD 4,100,000

Dominican Republic

Sustainable Agriculture

Alternative Flour & Super Foods Project

USD 4,000,000

Saint Lucia

Green Economy

ECOTRACK

USD 5,000,000

Transition

Grenada

Sustainable Agriculture

Green Feeds Ltd.

USD 1,500,000

Trinidad and Tobago

Green Economy

PET Plastics (Trash2Treasure)

USD 51,000,000

Transition

Saint Lucia

Sustainable Agriculture

Revolutionizing Sea Moss, Tilapia, and Shrimp Integrated Farming on Land in SIDS

USD 1,420,000

Grenada

Green Economy

SarGas Ltd.

USD 2,100,000

Transition

Suriname

Sustainable Agriculture

Transforming Agriculture and Livelihoods in Suriname through sustainable Crop Cultivation

USD 1,000,000

Trinidad and Tobago

Green Economy

Sew + Supply EcoStudio

USD 1,750,000

Transition

Jamaica

Logistics and Transport

SkyJetZ Airways

USD 2,500,000

Jamaica

Green Economy

Vector 1

USD 500,000

Transition

Saint Lucia

Digital Transformation

RifBid

USD 1,000,000

“We met a lot of people from the industry and had a better understanding of what is happening within the Caribbean region in the renewable energy space and within other spaces.” - Portland Plantation 'Climate Resilient' Hybrid Wind Farm & Solar Farm

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CATALYSING INVESTMENT:

FROM DISCUSSION TO DEALS

Building Connections that Last Beyond the Forum Beyond plenary sessions and

project sponsors all represented. These formal sessions were complemented by hundreds of organic meetings coordinated through the event app, which logged thousands of private messages, group chats and business card exchanges among delegates.

showcases, CIF 2025 prioritised one to-one engagement. The Business Opportunity Centre facilitated 135 structured B2B meetings, engaging 111 participants and 83 firms, with investors, development banks, IPAs and

Participant feedback underscored CIF’s continued relevance and impact: of respondents indicated that the Forum met their expectations, up from 82% in 2024 93% Overall satisfaction returned to a peak 95%, matching CIF 2023 and maintaining a four-year track record above 89% ; and Nearly 70% of attendees reported being only “somewhat aware” of Caribbean investment opportunities prior to the event, highlighting CIF’s role in closing information gaps and converting interest into informed engagement. • • •

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CATALYSING INVESTMENT:

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Nurturing the Next Generation of Caribbean Ventures Recognising that future investment pipelines depend on today’s innovators, Caribbean Export, together with long-standing Platinum Partner Republic Bank, launched the Investment Sprint and Business Pitch Competition as a flagship entrepreneurial feature of CIF 2025. While global investor interest in emerging markets is rising, Caribbean SMEs still face barriers to private equity, angel, and venture capital due to gaps in investment readiness, strategy, and investor engagement. The Investment Sprint directly addressed these challenges through a structured, high-impact programme designed to strengthen capacity, build investor confidence, and accelerate deal flow. Working with technical partners Caribbean Dragons and RevUp Caribbean, selected founders received one-on-one investor sessions, tailored feedback, and mentoring on valuation, storytelling, and pitch development.

Key outcomes included:

50+ applications from more than 10 CARIFORUM countries;

24 founders shortlisted and 10 finalists from

US$15,000 in prize funding awarded, with

+ US$10,000 to first-place winners

US$5,000 to second-place winners

Jamaica Saint Lucia Barbados Grenada

The top award went to ChatFlow, an AI-powered customer support platform for Caribbean businesses, while ARTEL’s Earthquake Impact and Recovery Tool secured second place with its AI-driven resilience analytics solution. Through mentoring, valuation clinics and live investor feedback, the sprint helped these ventures sharpen their investment cases and signal the region’s readiness to compete in high-growth, technology-enabled sectors. With the introduction of the Investment Sprint, Caribbean Export is intentionally addressing the full spectrum of enterprises that require external capital to grow. While the CIF Investment Village is designed to connect large scale, transformational projects in priority sectors with institutional and development finance investors, the Investment Sprint creates a parallel pathway for early stage and growth stage startups. It provides founders with the practical tools to refine their fundraising strategies and pitching skills, while opening a credible entry point to catalytic financing from angel investors and venture capital actors who are increasingly active in the region.

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CATALYSING INVESTMENT:

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Strategic Sponsorship and Communications CIF 2025 continued to deepen the strength and credibility of the CIF brand, with a four-tier sponsorship programme (Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze) and a total of 21 partners investing across the tiers, closely aligned to the Forum’s thematic focus areas.

Host country leadership – Jamaica

Tiered sponsorship at a glance

Lead partners:

PLATINUM SPONSORS:

CARICOM

Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce (MIIC) and JAMPRO

Anchor partners providing strong private sector and development finance leadership

Supported by six Jamaican government entities:

GOLD SPONSORS:

shaping key conversations on green transition, digitalisation and sustainable growth SILVER SPONSORS:

BRONZE SPONSORS:

adding depth and broad regional representation across the Forum

Jamaica Special Economic Zone Authority (JSEZA), Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ), Agro-Invest Corporation, Jamaica Bauxite and Mining, JIFSA

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Expanding Global Awareness An integrated communications campaign under the theme SMART. GREEN. CONNECTED. combined advertising, PR, digital marketing, creative production, media partnerships and event support to amplify CIF’s visibility across the Caribbean and internationally.

Key outcomes included:

Campaign reach: Over 3.8 million digital impressions across social, programmatic and SMS channels, reinforcing CIF’s brand presence in key markets.

Web engagement: 4 4,809 unique visitors, generating 81,830 page views and more than 214,000 interactions, with visitors from 147 countries engaging with CIF website content.

Email outreach: Targeted campaigns to more than 155,000 recipients achieved a 32% open rate, surpassing industry averages and playing a vital role in driving registrations and nurturing engagement.

Media coverage: Advertising ran across major Jamaican TV and radio networks (including TVJ, CVM-TV, RJR, Nationwide and IRIE FM) and leading newspapers (Jamaica Gleaner, Jamaica Observer). Coverage also included feature stories in Barbados Today, Trinidad Guardian, Jamaica Gleaner, Jamaica Observer and Loop Caribbean, alongside interviews and live social media coverage By coupling a diversified sponsorship base with a high-impact communications campaign, CIF 2025 further consolidated its position as the Caribbean’s premier investment convening platform, extending global awareness of the region’s “smart, green and connected” investment opportunities. Looking Ahead: Scaling Impact in Caribbean Export’s 30th Year As Caribbean Export marks its 30th anniversary, CIF 2025 has reinforced the Agency’s evolution from a promoter of opportunities to a curator of bankable projects and a convener of capital. The integration of the IDB’s PPCM, the expansion of a high-quality project portfolio, the deepening of investor networks and the cultivation of a new generation of entrepreneurs all signal a maturing investment ecosystem. In the year ahead, Caribbean Export will focus on operationalising the PPCM, expanding blended-finance partnerships and preparing the ground for CIF 2026 in Barbados. Through these efforts, the Agency will continue to connect global capital with Caribbean ambition, ensuring that investment translates into jobs, resilience and shared prosperity across the region.

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