Advancing Canadian innovation and sustainable solutions in the Caribbean

April 12-14, 2022

Join the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, for a Canada-Caribbean trade mission that will explore sustainable business opportunities in clean technology and green infrastructure in four Caribbean markets: Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago.

The Caribbean is rich in diversity, natural resources and shares a mutual interest with Canada in further developing their green and blue economies. Growing Canadian partnerships with members of the Caribbean Community allows Canadians to promote their businesses and for our nations to work together to build sustainable recoveries from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Caribbean is poised for a post COVID-19 economic recovery with opportunities for growth in green infrastructure, renewable energy, climate resilience, financial services, extractives, tourism and education.

The Canada-Caribbean Trade Mission is suited for Canadian small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the clean technology and green infrastructure sectors, and will focus on four Caribbean markets: Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad & Tobago.  Companies outside of these sectors, but interested in exploring these markets, are encouraged to join the virtual program.

Why participate?

• Explore priority sectors in the Caribbean and learn how to expand your international presence
• Learn more about export services and funding programs available for Canadian entrepreneurs
• Discover the role that the clean technology and green infrastructure industries play in the Caribbean’s post COVID-19 economic recovery
• Hear from Canadian entrepreneurs who have experienced success expanding internationally into the Caribbean

Program (*subject to change)

This trade mission is a hybrid event where individuals will be asked to register for the virtual program or the in-market program.

Virtual Program

The virtual program will offer three days of online programming including:

• Panel discussions focussed on the business environments and opportunities in Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago;
• Presentations on the products and services available to Canadian companies;
• Overviews of the clean technology and green infrastructure sectors in the Caribbean;
• Snapshot of a Caribbean economic forecast, and;
• Virtual networking opportunities.

Day 1 will focus on preparing to do business in the Caribbean. These sessions are open to first time and experienced Canadian exporters exploring opportunities in any of the Caribbean markets of focus: Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.

Days 2 and 3 will speak to the clean technology and infrastructure sectors in these markets. These sessions are best suited for Canadian export-ready small- and medium-sized enterprises (SME) with strong potential for the Caribbean market in the clean technology and green infrastructure sectors.

In-market program

An in-market program will be offered in Georgetown, Guyana and Kingston, Jamaica.

The program will have some intersection with the virtual program in addition to:

• On-ground business briefings by our trade commissioners on-ground
• Business roundtables with local industry
• Networking opportunities
• B2B meetings

A limited number of pre-qualified companies will be selected for the in-market program. All applications for the in-market program will be screened for suitability based on the focus of the trade mission and capacity to provide the needed services and/or goods in Guyana and Jamaica.

Travel considerations

Before deciding to travel, review the travel health notice for COVID-19 and International Travel. No matter where you plan to travel, make sure you check the Travel Advice and Advisories page for your destination twice: once when you are planning your trip, and again shortly before you leave. Safety and security conditions may change between the date you book your travel and your departure date.

• Travel advisory – Guyana
• Travel advisory – Jamaica

It is the responsibility of participants to make their own travel arrangements, including all air and ground transportation to and from the airport (unless otherwise noted in the business program).

Please make sure to purchase cancellation insurance and/or a refundable ticket in the event that the dates of the mission change.

Participants are responsible for covering all related travel costs including airfare, accommodations, ground transportation and meals not included in the program.

Register

Register now by April 4, 2022 (deadline extended) to participate in these events! Applications will be screened for suitability and to determine program placement.

Key contacts

Find out more about the trade mission and the Trade Commissioner Service.