Johannesburg, South Africa – July 22–24, 2025 

Caribbean Export was honoured to participate in the inaugural ITC SME Ministerial Meeting and Global TPO Leadership Dialogue, hosted in Johannesburg, South Africa, by the International Trade Centre (ITC), in collaboration with the AfCFTA Secretariat and Afreximbank. 

Our Executive Director, Dr Damie Sinanan joined trade promotion leaders and ministers from across the globe for three days of dynamic discussions aimed at enhancing the role of SMEs in intra-African trade. This historic gathering placed special emphasis on shaping recommendations for Ministers responsible for SME development — ensuring that the voices and realities of small businesses are embedded in regional integration strategies. 

A key highlight of the visit was our Executive Director’s keynote intervention at the High-Level Awareness Raising Roundtable session on ‘Trade Promotion Organizations – Gateways to Facilitating Private Sector Gains from the AfCFTA’. This session explored the transformative role of Trade Promotion Organisations (TPOs) as drivers of SME competitiveness and integration into Africa’s continental market. 

In an engaging discussion alongside Alberto Silini of Switzerland Global Enterprise, the conversation centred on regional partnerships, knowledge sharing, and the practical steps needed to empower SMEs to take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The forum also underscored the importance of TPOs as enablers—bridging policy with private sector action and driving investment across borders. 

We extend our congratulations to the ITC team, including ITC’s Executive Director – Pamela Coke-Hamilton, and all organising partners for championing this pioneering initiative. By enabling a direct interface between TPOs, Ministers, and SMEs, the meeting charted a forward-looking path for stronger economic ties between Africa and the Caribbean. 

As we look ahead to the Caribbean Investment Forum, we are especially excited to continue these conversations and welcome the insight of Pamela Coke-Hamilton, for the ‘Keynote – Trade Resilience in a Fragmenting World: A Blueprint for the Caribbean’ whose leadership remains instrumental in shaping SME-led development globally.