Petipha Lewis for Greater Collaboration and Collective Action to Reduce Barriers to Trade in the Caribbean
Miami, FL, 6 December 2023 — There is an urgent need for greater collaboration and coordinated action among Caribbean nations to streamline processes and reduce barriers to trade. This according to the head of CARICHAM, the Network of Caribbean Chambers of Commerce.
Petipha Lewis, Chair and President of CARICHAM was addressing delegates on critical issues affecting regional trade and economic development in the region, at a special Business Forum at the Connected Caribbean Summit in Miami, FL,
Lewis emphasized the vital importance of addressing challenges related to port efficiency, the free movement of goods and services, and the need for more harmonized customs procedures across the Caribbean. She highlighted the impact of these trade-related issues on the growth and sustainability of businesses in the region.
“Greater collaboration and coordinated action are urgently needed if we are to streamline trade processes, reduce barriers, and create a more conducive environment for commerce within and from the Caribbean,” Lewis stated.
“By addressing these challenges, the Caribbean can unlock new opportunities for businesses, stimulate economic growth, and enhance the overall competitiveness of the region,” she added.
Lewis’s contribution added a crucial perspective on trade-related challenges at the Summit, which included over 150 business, government, justice and other leaders from North America and the Caribbean. Her address sparked important discussions on the role of regional trade in fostering innovation, economic resilience, and sustainable business growth.
ABOUT THE SUMMIT
The Connected Caribbean Summit is a pivotal annual gathering uniting various sectors to explore and devise strategies for expediting transformative action for Caribbean Development. This unique summit shines as a beacon of opportunity for fostering new levels of regional collaboration, uniting Caribbean chambers and businesses with key stakeholders and partners to provide actionable insights for trade facilitation, business resilience and market growth.
The event was hosted by the Caribbean Agency for Justice Solutions, the Network of Caribbean Chambers of Commerce (CARICHAM), and the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU), in partnership with the American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN), the Caribbean Network Operators Group (CaribNOG), and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission.
MORE INFO
connectedcaribbean.org
For media inquiries, please contact: Jesse Deane-Smith, Media Coordinator, ccsummit@connectedcaribbean.org