The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) has announced the election of Ms. Sunita Daniel, Chief Executive Officer of Export Saint Lucia, as Chairperson, and Mr. Ishmael Quiroz, Executive Director of the Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE), as Deputy Chairman. The elections took place during the Agency’s 46th Meeting of the Board of Directors.
The leadership transition comes as Caribbean Export marks its 30th anniversary, building on three decades of support for Caribbean enterprise, trade and investment. The incoming leadership will support the Board’s strategic guidance as the Agency continues to strengthen partnerships and expand opportunities for the regional private sector.
An economist, Daniel has led Export Saint Lucia for eight years, working with a team of trade professionals to increase the value and volume of Saint Lucian exports. Her experience includes serving as Saint Lucia’s Chief Planning Officer for Agriculture and as Programme Liaison Officer to the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. She brings expertise in policy and planning, trade facilitation, agricultural and business development, and resource mobilisation.
Commenting on her election, Daniel said:
“I am honoured by the confidence reposed in me by my regional compatriots through their selection of me to serve as the Chairperson of the Caribbean Export Development Agency.
“I welcome the opportunity and challenge with optimism, and a vision to elevate Caribbean talent, creativity and entrepreneurship to higher levels of prosperity, at home and abroad. Through innovation and regional collaboration, Caribbean enterprises will help shape global trade and not merely participate in it. We stand with confidence, boldly declaring that the Caribbean is open for business, investment and hospitality.”
Quiroz brings more than 20 years of experience in national and international civil service, with a focus on private-sector development in Belize. His expertise spans public-private dialogue, investment and trade promotion, business climate reform and innovation. Before leading BELTRAIDE, he served as Director of Public-Private Dialogue in the Office of the Prime Minister of Belize and worked in private-sector operations at the Inter-American Development Bank. His work has included initiatives supporting the modernisation of Belize’s Companies Act, digital transformation, entrepreneurship and microenterprise growth.
Quiroz said:
“It is a tremendous honour for BELTRAIDE to represent Belize in this role, noting the critical importance of growing exports emanating from the Caribbean region. We take up the Deputy Chairmanship of the Board of Directors of the Caribbean Export Development Agency with much seriousness and commitment to deliver meaningful progress.”
Welcoming the new Board leadership, Dr. Damie Sinanan, Executive Director of Caribbean Export, highlighted the value of their experience and the importance of working together to deliver meaningful results for Caribbean businesses:
“I warmly congratulate Ms. Daniel and Mr. Quiroz on their election and look forward to working closely with them and the Board. Their understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing Caribbean businesses will be invaluable as we strengthen our support for the private sector. Together, we will build on the Agency’s progress, deepen our partnerships and maintain a clear focus on delivering meaningful results for the businesses and communities we serve.”
Caribbean Export also extends its appreciation to outgoing Chairperson Dr. Lynette Holder for her leadership and service. During her tenure, the Board worked with management to strengthen oversight, accountability and institutional governance, while guiding the Agency through successive strategic planning periods. These efforts provide an important foundation for the incoming leadership.
Under its new Board leadership, Caribbean Export looks forward to deepening collaboration with member states, development partners and the private sector, maintaining a shared focus on helping Caribbean businesses compete, access new markets and contribute to the region’s economic resilience.