Trade and Economic Issues
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CARICOM Special Ministerial Taskforce endorses regional response matrix
Ministers of Agriculture of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have emphasised that coordinated short- and long-term strategies are essential to safeguard food security and economic stability, as they endorsed a matrix to address the impact of the conflict in the Middle East. CARICOM’s heavy reliance on imported fuel, fertilisers, food, and maritime logistics makes the Region particularly susceptible to disruptions from…
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CARICOM Agriculture Investment Bulletin focuses on fish sector
The CARICOM Secretariat today issues the second Agriculture Investment Bulletin that highlights the Region’s efforts to strengthen food security, promote investment opportunities, and foster agricultural innovation. The publication provides policy updates and insights into the demand trends for key agriculture commodities within the CARICOM Single Market, offering a comprehensive look at the programmes shaping the agricultural landscape as the Region…
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CARICOM BOOST: Empowering Women and Youth in Agriculture | Caribbean Resilience in Action!
As the Caribbean confronts intensifying climate challenges, the CARICOM Secretariat, with the support of the Government of New Zealand, has unveiled a bold new initiative: CARICOM Boost Women and Youth in Agriculture. This transformative project is designed to strengthen the resilience of the Region’s agri-food systems by empowering women and youth across Member States. By enhancing capacity in the agribusiness sector,…
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CARIFORUM Supports St. Kitts and Nevis Stakeholders to Maximise Economic Partnership
St. Kitts and Nevis addressed implementation of the CARIFORUM-EU and CARIFORUM-United Kingdom Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) during a CARIFORUM Directorate technical mission held from 24 to 26 March. The Director General of CARIFORUM, Ms Alexis Downes-Amsterdam, spearheaded the mission in collaboration with the Ministry of International Trade, Industry, Commerce and Consumer Affairs. The CARIFORUM team, comprising technical experts assigned to…
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Launch of second phase of cooperation on intellectual property rights and innovation in the Caribbean
Representatives of CARIFORUM States and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) met in Belize, 17-19 March, for the launch of the second phase of an initiative to strengthen regional collaboration on innovation and intellectual property rights. Phase II of the EU‑funded CARIFORUM Intellectual Property Rights and Innovation (CarIPI II) Project was launched at the start of the three‑day regional…
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Coordinated approach necessary for consistent application of vat systems – tax officials
Participants at a recent tax outreach programme underscored the need for a coordinated, inclusive approach to international standards to support the consistent application of national VAT systems and effective taxation of digital services. The virtual workshop, held on 4 March, was convened under the theme- VAT: Digital Trade, Design and Implementation. It was co-hosted by the Caribbean Community/Caribbean Organisation of Tax Administrators…
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CPSO Welcomes Afreximbank’s US$5B Commitment to Strengthen CARICOM Trade and Investment
The CARICOM Private Sector Organization (CPSO) has welcomed the African Export-Import Bank’s (Afreximbank) decision to increase its investment commitment to the Caribbean from US$3 billion to US$5 billion, describing the move as a major step toward expanding trade, investment, and economic cooperation between the Caribbean Community and the African Union (AU). The announcement was made during the engagement between President…
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CDB President Charts Decisive Decade for Caribbean Resilience
President of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB, the Bank), Mr. Daniel M. Best, has unveiled a transformative agenda to position the Region for long-term resilience, calling this period the Caribbean’s “decade of decision.” Speaking at the Bank’s Annual News Conference on 3 March, President Best underscored the scale of the moment, noting that heightened geopolitical tensions, climate volatility, technological disruption, and shifting global supply chains are reshaping the global…
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Key Outcomes and Agreements | Fiftieth Regular Meeting of the Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government | 24-27 February 2026
The Fiftieth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) was convened in Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis, from 24 to 27 February 2026. The Meeting was presided over by the Honourable Dr Terrance Drew, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, in his capacity as Chairman of the Conference. Here are some highlights…
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Deeper CARICOM integration key to navigating fractured global trade order – Amb. Wayne McCook
A senior Caribbean Community (CARICOM) official has positioned deeper regional integration as a strategic response to an increasingly fragmented and uncertain global trade environment, as global rules-based systems weaken and economic nationalism intensifies. Ambassador Wayne McCook, Assistant Secretary-General, CARICOM Single Market and Trade, was a panelist discussing Prospects for International Trade in 2026 in the Context of the Changing Global…
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