The Caribbean Investment Forum (CIF) 2026 has concluded in Barbados after showcasing US$39 million in bankable projects, with the Caribbean Export Development Agency setting out a clear priority for the next phase: sustained work to convert investor interest into financing and long-term partnerships.
Held from 5 to 7 October at the Hilton Barbados Resort under the theme "Invest. Innovate. Accelerate.", the fifth edition was organised by Caribbean Export in partnership with the Government of Barbados and the European Union.
Preliminary registration figures indicate more than 500 registered participants from 29 countries, including almost 300 from Barbados. Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and the United States were also among the countries with strong representation.
Caribbean Export Executive Director Dr. Damie Sinanan emphasised that the forum's success must be assessed not only by participation or the opportunities presented, but by the progress made afterwards.
"Every promising meeting needs diligent follow-up and interest needs to be converted into sustained engagement, due diligence and ultimately investment," he said in his opening remarks.
Scaling ambition and removing barriers
In her feature address, Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley called for a substantial increase in the scale of Caribbean investment ambition, supported by stronger project preparation and the discipline needed to translate ideas into financing. She recognised Caribbean Export as "that anchor and that glue that can bring everybody together", highlighting its role in connecting the institutions needed to advance regional investment.
Mottley also requested a post-forum report card identifying policy shortcomings and obstacles to regional business, including areas where progress under the CARICOM Single Market and Economy could be accelerated. Her call reinforced the importance of using the forum's discussions to inform practical improvements in the conditions for investment and business growth.
Connecting sector opportunities with capital
The programme focused on sustainable agriculture and food security, digital transformation, logistics and transportation, and the green economy transition. Investment Spotlights, Deal Rooms and targeted business-to-business meetings complemented sessions on investment readiness and access to finance, providing opportunities for investors and project proponents to discuss what is needed to move projects forward.
Programme highlights included entrepreneur and investor Piers Linney's keynote, "Small Markets. Global Capital. Big Ambition: Building the Caribbean's Next Generation of Investable Businesses", alongside discussions on climate finance, investor decision-making and "Investing in Caribbean Resilience - Introducing the CARICOM Sustainability Bond". Together, these themes placed business growth, investment readiness and financing for resilience at the centre of the programme.
Building a year-round pathway to investment
Caribbean Export's ambition is to develop CIF beyond an annual event into a year-round regional investment platform. This would identify promising businesses and projects earlier, strengthen their investment readiness, connect them with suitable investors and financing, and sustain engagement between editions of the forum.
The agency's partnership with the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) supports that direction. CDB President Daniel Best said the Bank's PROPEL programme is supporting targeted investor outreach, readiness support, matchmaking, structured follow-up and stronger pipeline management, helping project proponents progress from investor interest towards financing and strategic partnerships.
"The next step is conversion," Best said. "Moving from introductions to partnerships, from interest to engagement and from engagement to investment."
Best emphasised that stronger institutions, predictable policies and resilient infrastructure are essential to building investor confidence and attracting investment that creates jobs, transfers skills and strengthens productive capacity.
Partnerships that build Caribbean businesses
European Union Ambassador Fiona Ramsey reaffirmed the EU's longstanding partnership with Caribbean Export and its support for CIF. She linked that work to the EU's Global Gateway approach, which brings public policy objectives together with private investment.
"Our focus is on uniting public policy objectives with private investments that can deliver sustainable growth," Ramsey said.
She highlighted the importance of stronger local value chains, high-quality jobs and opportunities for Caribbean talent to thrive in the region. Examples of EU engagement included pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, maritime transport and connectivity, and digitalisation.
The forum coincided with Caribbean Export's 30th anniversary. Chairperson Dr. Lynette Holder highlighted the agency's work in supporting Caribbean enterprise, trade and investment, while calling for deeper partnerships and connections that continue beyond the event. She also pointed to Caribbean Export's recent Green Climate Fund accreditation as an opportunity to connect regional businesses and projects with climate finance.
Caribbean Export also recognised the contribution of its platinum sponsors: Republic Bank Limited, which has supported CIF since its inception; Invest Barbados; Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.; the Inter-American Development Bank; CAF; JMMB Group; and LunaLite Technologies.
Looking ahead to the Dominican Republic
The sixth edition of the Caribbean Investment Forum will take place in the Dominican Republic in 2027. In the period ahead, Caribbean Export will continue working with its partners to maintain investor interest, address gaps in project readiness and connect projects with financing.
"Every opportunity at CIF should have a next step, and every promising opportunity should have a pathway forward," Sinanan said.
Investors and prospective partners can explore the project opportunities at www.caribbeaninvestmentforum.com/invest
