Caribbean Investment Forum Magazine

THE WORLD BANK & INVESTORS ARE SUPPORTING GROWTH IN THE CARIBBEAN’S AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY

In March, the World Bank approved $25 million in fi nancing for the Belize Climate Resilient and Sustainable Agriculture Project to increase food production capacity and to implement technologies that will support climate resiliency. Over 7,000 farmers in Belize will now have access to technical information to improve yields and assist with planning. In addition, 3,700 small farmers will receive grant funding. Lilia Buruniuc, World Bank Country Director for the Caribbean, said, “Both the World Bank and Belize know the sector can be an engine of growth to support the well-being of families and communities and improve the economic prospects of the country.” Likewise, the IADB has invested in projects in countries like Suriname, providing millions in grant funding for sustainable agriculture development. In Belize alone, they are investing $15 million in the agriculture sector in 2022. A variety of trade agreements increase the Caribbean’s agribusiness market size to $38,419 billion and 941 million customers. This has created opportunities for investors in specialty food products. For example, the Caribbean is growing the world’s fi nest cocoa - one of several high-value agricultural export opportunities available within the region. As another example, 1 million tonnes of sweet potatoes are produced in the Caribbean annually for export. View high tech agribusiness investment opportunities at www.investincaribbean.org AGRICULTURAL EXPORT OPPORTUNITIES