Government ministers and business executives from the Caribbean
are meeting in London for the second UK-Caribbean Trade and
Investment Forum, which happens today on 6 November.
Hosted by UK Export Finance (UKEF), the UK's export credit
agency, the event will showcase the role which UK government and
private sector support can play in helping Caribbean countries
deliver infrastructure, transportation and renewable energy
projects.
Delegates will participate in workshops emphasising the huge
potential represented by trade and investment between the UK and
rapidly growing Caribbean economies.
This is supported by UKEF, which under its mandate can help UK
businesses access billions of pounds in financial support to
deliver high priority projects in the Caribbean.
Given positive macroeconomic developments for many Caribbean
markets over the past year, UKEF now has more capacity to finance
projects than the previous year especially across Jamaica,
Guyana, and Trinidad & Tobago, generating significant
opportunity for British business.
UKEF financing support is also now available for projects in
Grenada, St Lucia and St Kitts & Nevis which will benefit UK
exporters to these markets.
Tim Reid, CEO of UK Export Finance, said:
The UK can offer quality and innovation which make it a partner
of choice for trade and investment in the Caribbean. There are
huge opportunities for UK business to support the region's major
investment in infrastructure and energy security.
Closer trading ties will support all our countries in achieving a
shared goal of sustainable economic growth and a more prosperous
future.
As the Caribbean sets ambitious development ambitions, UK
companies of all sizes are winning and delivering major bids in a
number of areas:
-
Backed by UKEF support, Severfield Steel secured a £4.5 million
contractto supply steel to a paediatric and maternity
hospital being built in Georgetown, Guyana.
-
MICEM UK Ltd has won a €23.5 million mechanical, electrical
and piping subcontract for the same hospital in
Georgetown.
-
Lagan Construction has completed a $7 million resurfacing
contract at Norman Manley International Airport, Jamaica, and
is also going to deliver major works at L.F. Wade
International Airport, Bermuda.
