The Caribbean Export Development Agency (CEDA) will be hosting its third Caribbean Investment Forum in Georgetown Guyana from July 10 to July 12 at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre. The CEDA is the regional trade and investment promotion agency focused on accelerating the economic transformation of the Caribbean.
This year’s Caribbean Investment Forum will focus on three essential areas to support Caribbean development: shifting to green economies, sustainable agriculture, and business digitalisation. According to the Caribbean Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (CAIPA), investing in the Caribbean has various strategic benefits, including stable government policies and a highly educated workforce. The World Bank in 2020 reported that 82.33% of the Caribbean’s workforce has an advanced education.
In a meeting with His Excellency Dr. Irfaan Ali, the Caribbean Export Development Agency’s Executive Director, Deodat Maharaj, expressed the organization’s enthusiasm in showcasing innovative and sustainable agriculture investment opportunities in the “region’s breadbasket.” Dr. Maharaj said that while bringing together investors and Caribbean firms results in funding for a range of activities, the ultimate goal is to create more jobs and long-term prospects in both the commercial and government sectors.
This Investment Forum is one of the ways Caribbean leaders are attempting to address the challenges that countries in the region face in terms of economic development. Despite obstacles such as climate change, food insecurity, and inflation, Caribbean countries are making significant efforts to boost commerce among themselves and position themselves for direct international investment.