THE Caribbean Investment Forum (CIF) at its upcoming staging in November is to increase focus on the building of more sustainable economies of commerce while supporting the Caribbean’s transition to a ‘SMARTer, GREENer’ region.

The high-level business forum scheduled to run from November 8-11 will facilitate discussion among Caribbean leaders as they move to take urgent steps to action opportunities that will support the sustainable development of island states and to build Brand Caribbean’s assets beyond beaches and beers and its world-renowned tourism product.

Organisers, Caribbean Export, have indicated that the event, to be held in Trinidad and Tobago this year, is to be used as a launching pad for thought leaders keen on accruing the benefits of first-mover advantages in the developing space.

The event, in forging alliances to accelerate growth across key areas, particularly in the blue and green economies, aims to also jump-start a new period of transformation for the Caribbean. Almost three years since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus pandemic, which upended the lives of many across the region and the globe, stakeholders are now intent on doing things differently, consequently pushing healthier, environmentally friendly, and globally acceptable information technology-driven best practices. This, as they also push to strengthen the region’s economic resilience against exogenous shocks.

Attracting more than 400 delegates, including high-level industry experts, government policymakers, and investment facilitation agencies, participants over three days will discuss the avenues available to support the Caribbean’s transition to a GREENer, SMARTer, success-driven economy and to discover unique opportunities for businesses. Participants will also be provided an opportunity to connect with investors having interest in bankable investment projects and prospects in the Caribbean.

“The Caribbean Investment Forum connects key regional decision-makers, innovators, and entrepreneurs with the world’s most influential investors. Under the theme ‘Building A SMARTer, GREENer, Caribbean’, stakeholders will learn and explore some of the most attractive investment opportunities in technology, agriculture, renewable energy, and innovation — projects that will improve the lives of over 30 million people in the Caribbean and in the 23 countries across the region and in the global diaspora,” a notice said.

The regional forum, spearheaded by the Caribbean Export Development Agency, is also being done in collaboration with the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, Caricom, the Caribbean Development Bank, the Caribbean Association of Investment Promotion Agencies, and with the support of the European Union.