Caribbean Leaders Unite to Strengthen Investment Facilitation and Boost Foreign Direct Investment

• High-level event in Miami highlighted WTO investment agreement and the IDB’s strategic support for productive development and sustainable regional growth. 

Caribbean government officials, private sector leaders, and international development partners convened in Miami for a high-level dialogue to advance investment facilitation and boost foreign direct investment in the Caribbean. 

The “Strengthening Investment Facilitation in the Caribbean Region” event, co-organized by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the International Trade Centre (ITC), and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), served as a platform to advance the implementation of the World Trade Organization’s Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) Agreement and explore solutions to unlock greater FDI in that region. 

The May 23 event brought together senior representatives from OECS, ITC, IDB, alongside prominent investors and CEOs, to discuss how to make the Caribbean a more attractive and predictable investment destination. 

Participants explored how the IFD Agreement—finalized in 2024 by 123 WTO Members—can help simplify procedures and increase transparency in investment procedures and processes. Several Caribbean governments, including Barbados, Suriname, Belize, and the Dominican Republic, have already endorsed the Agreement, signaling a strong regional commitment. 

Discussions emphasized the importance of trade and investment facilitation, streamlined administrative processes, and digital tools, such as Single Investment Windows — platforms to enhance investors’ confidence and efficiency.  

The IDB presented a range of initiatives designed to strengthen national institutions, modernize regulatory frameworks, and foster investor services across the Caribbean. These include tailored technical cooperation, capacity building, and financing instruments to support reform implementation. 

With the right policies and tools, countries across the Caribbean can attract investment that brings innovation, creates jobs, and strengthens value chains. Through tailored technical assistance and financing, the IDB is supporting governments in translating investment opportunities into tangible development impact. 

The event underscored the Caribbean’s readiness to pursue strategic reforms that enhance competitiveness, attract sustainable investment, and generate lasting regional development impact. As a next step, the partners will work with Caribbean governments to co-design implementation roadmaps for the IFD Agreement, aligning support with national priorities.