The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has awarded an estimated USD 420,000 in grants to twenty women-owned and led Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (WMSMEs) across seven of its Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs).
The funding, delivered through the Bank’s SheTrades Caribbean Regional Hub Grow and Go Grant Facility, is aimed at helping these entrepreneurs expand operations, access new markets, and close operational and technical gaps.
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The SheTrades Caribbean Hub—created in partnership with the International Trade Centre (ITC)—is a transformative initiative designed to accelerate growth, boost export readiness, and strengthen the global competitiveness of women-led businesses in the region. Out of 106 applications, the final twenty were selected for their strong business models, innovative strategies, and significant growth potential.
“In a fast-changing global trade environment, access to finance remains one of the biggest hurdles for women entrepreneurs,” said Lisa Harding, Division Chief of the CDB’s Private Sector Division. “The SheTrades Caribbean Grow and Go awards are more than grants—they are keys, unlocking export opportunities and giving women-led businesses the tools, confidence, and platform to thrive on the world stage.”
Representing Barbados, Belize, the Cayman Islands, Dominica, Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago, the winners span industries including agriculture, agro-processing, manufacturing, health and wellness, creative arts, ICT, and tourism. These sectors are at the forefront of regional innovation, resilience, and economic transformation.
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Each recipient will benefit from a tailored development plan, created using the ITC SME Diagnostic Assessment Methodology, to help scale their operations, increase market penetration, and strengthen their presence in regional and global value chains.
“These grants are both a celebration of achievement and a strategic investment in the entrepreneurial capacity of Caribbean women,” said Kayanne Anderson, SheTrades Caribbean’s Regional Coordinator. “The businesses selected reflect the creativity, resilience, and innovation that drive our region forward.”
In the weeks ahead, the awardees will take part in a storytelling campaign and mentoring initiatives to inspire other women entrepreneurs. Following this pilot phase, the CDB will evaluate the programme’s impact to inform future efforts to boost the global competitiveness of women-led enterprises throughout the Caribbean.
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