The second UK-Caribbean Trade and Investment Summit took place in London last week. Organised by UK Export Finance (UKEF), the UK’s export credit agency, the summit brought together government officials from both the UK and the Caribbean, along with senior investors, to explore business partnerships and funding opportunities for projects across the Caribbean.

In the year leading up to April 2024, UK exports to the Caribbean countries involved in CARIFORUM reached £2.7 billion, marking an impressive 36% increase compared to the previous year.

The forum showcased the vast potential for trade and investment between the UK and the rapidly growing economies of the Caribbean. UKEF is helping UK businesses access billions of pounds in financial support to win and deliver projects in the region. With expanded financing now available in countries like Jamaica, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, as well as more recently Grenada, St Lucia, and St Kitts & Nevis, UK companies have significant opportunities to enter or expand in these markets.

Several UK businesses are already reaping the benefits of UKEF’s support. For example, Severfield Steel secured a £4.5 million contract to supply materials for a hospital project in Georgetown, Guyana. In Jamaica, Lagan Construction completed a $7 million resurfacing project at Norman Manley International Airport and is now poised to undertake additional work in Bermuda.

See: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-caribbean-trade-and-investment-summit-brings-uk-export-opportunities