Symposium for Caribbean women entrepreneurs slated for Barbados in September

The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) is set to host a significant event focused on women entrepreneurs at its headquarters in Barbados on September 26, 2023.

The event marks the launch of the SheTrades Regional Hub in the Caribbean, a significant move to empower women-led and women-owned businesses in the region.

A platform for networking and trade opportunities

The inaugural meeting aims to facilitate direct interactions between the Bank and Caribbean women leading or owning businesses.

The initiative will lay the foundation for these women to network globally and explore international trade opportunities via the SheTrades platform, which itself is a globally recognized initiative supported by the United Nations and the World Trade Organization’s International Trade Centre (ITC).

Critical discussions for global competitiveness

The symposium is designed to be a comprehensive space for sharing knowledge and expertise. Seasoned women entrepreneurs from the Caribbean, along with business support organizations, will discuss how to make women-led businesses globally competitive.

The event will also examine the significant socio-economic impact of having women at the forefront of export-ready and competitive enterprises.

The vision behind the hub

Lisa Harding, the Bank’s Acting Head of Private Sector Division, highlighted the enthusiasm surrounding the SheTrades Caribbean Hub.

According to her, the CDB is committed to enhancing economic opportunities for women-owned Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) in the Bank’s 19 Borrowing Member Countries.

Expanding the global footprint of SheTrades

SheTrades is already a global phenomenon, with 14 hubs spread across 30 countries.

The initiative aims to advance various economic sectors by promoting quality data, implementing fair policies, and enabling market access. It also focuses on unlocking financial services and ensuring women’s ownership rights.

The Caribbean Hub will further the Bank’s commitment to inclusive economic growth by boosting the competitiveness and market reach of women-led MSMEs in its Borrowing Member Countries.

The SheTrades Regional Hub in the Caribbean is planned as a two-year program.

Supported by the ITC, the CDB will spearhead its implementation, making it a collaborative endeavor aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs for years to come.