BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - The Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) says it will convene a one day seminar to examine the essential imperatives for creating an enabling trade ecosystem for the region.
The region’s premier financial institution said that the seminar is taking place as it recognises the critical importance of trade for economic growth and that the event, titled “Accelerating Development: Optimising Trade Connectivity and Logistics for Growth’ the June 20 seminar will be held in Canada.
The CDB said that the event to be held during the bank’s 54th annual meeting, will facilitate discussion among policymakers, private sector leaders, and technical experts on strategies to strengthen trade systems and improve trade logistics across the Caribbean.
It said utilising findings from CDB-commissioned Logistics Chain Studies fr Grenada and St. Lucia, the seminar will identify enhancements required for the trade-facilitating environment, including improved regulations, updated legislation, quality infrastructure, and increased use of technology. Additionally, it will pinpoint specific opportunities for greater regional trade and the establishment of value chains across the Region.
“Trade is essential for building resilience in production and advancing development through sustained income growth. By addressing the bottlenecks in our trade and logistics systems, we can create value chains that enhance intra-regional and extra-regional trade.
“This seminar represents a crucial step in building consensus around the necessary imperatives to achieve these goals. The insights and recommendations from this event will help shape the future of trade connectivity and logistics in the Caribbean,” said CDB’s Director of Economics, Ian Durant.
The CDB said that agenda includes an overview of the main findings of the CDB-commissioned reports followed by a panel discussion involving Fatima Arroyos, Programme Leader for the Caribbean at the World Bank’s Latin America and Caribbean region; Wilson Pearce, Senior Director of Global Business Development, Canadian Commercial Corporation; Corah Ann Robertson-Sylvester, President, Shipping Association of Jamaica; and Darwin Telemaque, Port Manager of the Antigua and Barbuda Port Authority.
“Panellists will examine measures to encourage sustainable and inclusive trade, increase investments in modern trade infrastructure, and foster a conducive trade environment through an effective legislative framework. The discussion will also explore the digital transformation of trade systems and its potential for enhancing the competitiveness of intra-regional products,” the CDB added.
