Organisers of the Caribbean Investment Forum (CIF) 2026, now being held in Barbados, are hoping that participants will capitalise on the US$25 million in regional projects and business opportunities being showcased at the event.
CIF is being held at Hilton Barbados Resort by the Caribbean Export Development Agency in collaboration with Government and other partners, and the organisation’s chair, Dr Lynette Holder, said it was evident that the region was not short of investment inititiaves.
“Across successful fora, we have showcased a growing pipeline of regional projects and business opportunities. Last year, we had about US$20 million in investment opportunities, and this year the number is just shy of US$25 million in investment projects,” Holder told the official opening ceremony yesterday.
“We’ve created a space for direct engagement between businesses and investors, and strengthened collaboration among governments, investment promotion agencies, development institutions, and the private sector.”
This year is the fifth edition of CIF and it has attracted 530 registrants. Holder hoped the event would continue to reinforce an important message, which was that “the Caribbean is not simply a region of small and separate markets”.
“We are a region of ideas, talents, innovation and opportunity. And when we work together, we are better able to present that opportunity to the world,” she said.
Caribbean Export executive director Dr Damie Sinanan said his organisation’s focus on was now on how CIF “can deliver even greater impact”.
“CIF must continue to be a place where ideas move forward, where introductions lead to engagement, and where opportunities take shape and attract investment,” he said.
“Over the next [two] days, we will combine strategic discussions with practical engagement. Investment spotlights will be followed by deal rooms, carefully vetted [business-to-business] meetings, and we will create a space for targeted conversations.
“Sessions on investment readiness and access to finance will focus not only on the challenges that we face, but on how we can move deals forward. So, to put it succinctly, CIF is not about talk, it’s not about discussions for discussion’s sake, it’s about engagements that will lead ultimately to actual dollar investments,” he said. (SC)