Caribbean Export Signals New Era of Growth at 30-Year Milestone

The Caribbean Export Development Agency is positioning itself for a new era of growth and regional impact after overcoming significant financial and operational challenges, as it marked its 30th anniversary with the launch of its 2025 Annual Results Report.

Speaking at the event held at the Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lord’s Castle, Chair of the Board, Dr. Lynette Holder, described the milestone as both a moment of reflection and a signal of renewed purpose. “Tonight is a moment of reflection, accountability and celebration,” she said, noting that the agency’s journey over three decades reflects its ability to evolve alongside the needs of Caribbean economies. Dr. Holder revealed that one of the agency’s most significant achievements in recent years has been its financial turnaround.

“At the end of 2020, the agency faced a serious financial challenge… We moved during the last five years from being in the red to being today in the black,” she announced to applause.
She explained that the recovery was driven by improved financial stewardship, strengthened governance, and deliberate engagement with member states to resolve long-standing outstanding contributions.

Executive Director Dr. Damie Sinanan reinforced the agency’s impact, pointing to measurable outcomes across the region. He reported that Caribbean Export has managed over US$126 million in funds, supported more than 20,000 beneficiaries, and directly disbursed over US$16 million in grants to businesses. “These are not just statistics,” he said. “They represent a commitment… to the belief that the private sector is central to our region’s prosperity, resilience and future.” Dr. Sinanan also highlighted a strategic shift in the agency’s approach—from facilitating dialogue to driving tangible investment outcomes.
“Not simply by convening and speaking, but by catalyzing and putting deals together,” he said, referencing investment partnerships and projects valued in the tens of millions of US dollars emerging from its Caribbean Investment Forum.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training, Sandra Husbands, underscored the broader economic context, warning that global instability continues to expose the vulnerabilities of small island developing states.
“These forces directly affect energy prices, food import bills, export logistics and foreign exchange earnings,” she said. She stressed that the region must pivot strategically by diversifying exports and building resilience, while also addressing a critical gap in workforce readiness.

“There is a dysfunction between how education functions and what we produce and what is really needed in the marketplace,” Husbands noted, calling for stronger collaboration between Caribbean Export and education systems to better align skills training with economic demand.
Despite global uncertainties, speakers emphasized that the Caribbean’s entrepreneurial spirit remains strong and that institutions like Caribbean Export play a vital role in unlocking that potential.

As part of its forward outlook, the agency also announced that Barbados will host the 2026 Caribbean Investment Forum, signalling continued efforts to position the region as a competitive and investment-ready market. As it enters its fourth decade, Caribbean Export says its focus remains clear: strengthening the private sector, expanding partnerships, and building a more resilient and globally competitive Caribbean economy.