COUNTRY FOCUS : CARIBBEAN
A focus on the newly launched CARICOM Resilience Fund – which has ICT as a key sector – and an ongoing regional success story .
United States and CARIC Fund partner launch US $ regional development
Bridgetown , Barbados
The CARICOM Development Fund ( CDF ), in partnership with the United States , has officially launched the CARICOM Resilience Fund .
The new US $ 100 million fund , with technical assistance provided by the US Agency for International Development / Eastern and Southern Caribbean , is dedicated to supporting initiatives that will enhance growth and resilience across the region in the face of climate change . It also aims to reduce a financing gap by expanding investment on adaptation and climate change in the eastern and southern Caribbean .
The Fund will make investments in resilience-focused small and medium enterprises ( SMEs ) and critical infrastructure projects through flexible debt and equity investments targeting six key sectors : information and communication technology renewable energy , clean transport , blue economy , sustainable agriculture and financial services .
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the launch event in Barbados , Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley commended the CDF for taking what he called a ‘ bold step ’ to launch the new resilience fund and looked forward to the support of the region and interested parties to invest in the fund .
US Ambassador Roger Nyhus said : “ The Resilience Fund symbolizes not just an allocation of resources , but a promise to invest in innovative solutions ,
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