Source: caribbeannewsglobal.com, News Editor, First Published May 26th, 2025 CASTRIES, St Lucia – The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission, in collaboration with the International Trade Centre (ITC), successfully concluded two pivotal high-level events in Miami on 22 and 23 May 2025, aimed at bolstering investment facilitation reforms through the implementation of the Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) Agreement at the World Trade Organization (WTO). These events brought together ministers, heads of investment promotion agencies, and representatives from key international organisations to advance efforts in creating more transparent, efficient, and predictable investment environments. The events were held at the W Hotel in Miami. The events commenced on May 22, 2025, with the OECS Investment Facilitation Self-Assessments: Strategies to Enhance the Investment Climate and Attract Sustainable FDI. Organised by the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the OECS Commission, this session focused on reviewing and finalising the categorisation of IFD provisions for notification to the World Trade Organization (WTO). Six OECS countries—Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Saint Kitts and Nevis— had completed draft investment facilitation selfassessments in September 2024, providing a foundation for discussions on implementation strategies and capacity building to attract highquality, sustainable investment. Following this, the strengthening investment facilitation in the Caribbean region high-level event took place on May 23, 2025. The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) partnered with the OECS OECS COMMISSION – DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS CONCLUDE EVENTS FOCUSED ON STRENGTHENING INVESTMENT FACILITATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Commission and the ITC to facilitate this second event. In addition to OECS countries, it also involved several member states of the Caribbean Community, the Dominican Republic and Ecuador. Investors and private sector stakeholders were also present. This gathering aimed to raise awareness and understanding of the developmental impacts of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and the transformative potential of the IFD Agreement for the Caribbean’s investment landscape. Speakers from the private sector shared insights on the importance of investment facilitation for their operations, fostering an exchange of experiences on the value of the IFD Agreement within national development plans and the associated technical assistance support. 11 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN VOLUME 12, ISSUE 05 OPENING LINES
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