The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has introduced the SheTrades Caribbean Grow and Go Grant Facility, a USD 500,000 programme designed to strengthen the competitiveness of women-led businesses across the region. The initiative, launched virtually on March 27, 2025, marks a significant step toward enhancing women’s participation in international trade.
Targeting women-owned and led micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in CDB’s 19 Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs), the programme provides financial support to help businesses scale, access new markets, and improve economic resilience. It also offers technical and capacity-building assistance through the SheTrades Caribbean Hub, a collaboration with the International Trade Centre (ITC).
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Eligible businesses can apply for grants of up to USD 25,000, available for enterprises across exporting sectors such as agriculture, creative industries, manufacturing, technology, tourism, and hospitality. The funding is distributed through two categories:
- GROW: Focused on strengthening internal capacity and business systems.
- GO: Designed for businesses ready to expand internationally.
Investing in Women-Led Businesses
CDB’s Acting Director of Projects, Mr. L. O’Reilly Lewis, underscored the importance of supporting women entrepreneurs in a rapidly evolving global economy:
“Empowering women in business is not just the right thing to do; it is a strategic imperative. By investing in their success, we are ensuring that women-led businesses thrive and lead in this interconnected world.”
Dr. Judith Fessehaie, Head of the Women and Trade Programme at ITC’s SheTrades Initiative, highlighted the programme’s role in eliminating financial obstacles for women entrepreneurs in the Caribbean:
“By breaking financial barriers, this initiative ensures that more women can participate in and benefit from international trade.”
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Meanwhile, Ms. Lisa Harding, CDB’s Acting Head of the Private Sector Division, addressed the gender gap in international trade, noting that only 15% of global export businesses are women-led.
“At the current pace, it could take over a century to close this gender gap. But we have the opportunity to accelerate change and build a future where women are leading in international trade,” she stated.
Supporting Women Entrepreneurs Across the Region
The virtual launch was attended by over 240 members of the SheTrades Caribbean Hub, along with representatives from Gender Affairs Anguilla, Invest Turks and Caicos, Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce, Export Barbados, BELTRAIDE, the Inter-American Development Bank, Compete Caribbean, and PowerHerful Women Centre of JMMB Group Limited.
Since its inception in 2023, the SheTrades Caribbean Hub has been a key driver of women’s economic empowerment in the region. Looking ahead, CDB plans to release findings from its Flagship Study on Access to Finance in May 2025, aimed at identifying solutions for improving financial access for women-led businesses.
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How to Apply
Women entrepreneurs interested in the SheTrades Caribbean Grow and Go Grant Facility must be:
✅ Legally registered and operating in one of CDB’s 19 BMCs.
✅ Members of the SheTrades Caribbean Hub.
✅ Able to demonstrate a strong funding proposal and participation in capacity-building programmes.
Applications must be submitted via the SheTrades website no later than April 27, 2025.
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