CIBC Caribbean champions ESG innovation and business resilience at manufacture 360°

At a time when Jamaican businesses are being called to navigate climate shocks, geopolitical uncertainty, supply chain instability, and rapidly evolving global markets, CIBC Caribbean positioned itself at the forefront of the national conversation on sustainable growth and economic resilience as a Pinnacle Sponsor of the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA) Manufacture 360° Conference.

Held at the AC Hotel by Marriott Kingston under the timely theme “Robust Recovery for Resilient Growth,” the conference brought together influential voices from government, finance, manufacturing, sustainability, and industry to explore how Jamaica’s productive sectors can adapt, innovate, and emerge stronger amid mounting global and local challenges.

More than a conference, Manufacture 360° became a critical platform for redefining how Jamaican businesses think about resilience, competitiveness, and long-term value creation — particularly as the country continues recovering from the impact of Hurricane Melissa while confronting ongoing global disruptions linked to geopolitical tensions and shifting trade dynamics.

Delivering one of the conference’s most forward-looking presentations was Lisa S. Howard, Associate Director, Sustainability at CIBC Caribbean, who challenged businesses to rethink how Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles are integrated into their operations, decision-making, and growth strategies.

Through her presentation, “How Should Your Business Be Thinking About Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)?” Howard explored how ESG has evolved from a niche investment concept into a defining framework shaping modern business performance, investor confidence, operational resilience, regulatory readiness, and global competitiveness.

Her presentation highlighted that ESG is no longer simply about corporate social responsibility, but about understanding how non-financial factors directly influence long-term business success.

Howard examined how issues such as climate resilience, workforce development, energy efficiency, supply chain management, cybersecurity, stakeholder trust, governance structures, and sustainability reporting are now central to building resilient and future-ready enterprises.

“This conference was particularly important given that Jamaica is still actively in a period of recovery and advancing resilience,” Howard stated.

“My presentation sought to demonstrate that Environmental, Social and Governance frameworks are no longer optional considerations for businesses. ESG has become a strategic 

business tool that helps organisations identify risks, unlock opportunities, improve transparency, strengthen stakeholder confidence, and build long-term value in an increasingly unpredictable global environment,” she explained.

Howard emphasized that businesses across every sector must now think beyond short-term profitability and begin evaluating how operational decisions impact sustainability, resilience, reputation, employees, investors, and future growth.

“The businesses that will lead the future are the ones that are proactively preparing today — strengthening governance systems, investing in people, building climate resilience, improving operational efficiency, and understanding the broader environmental and social impacts of their decisions. ESG is ultimately about creating stronger, smarter, and more sustainable businesses,” she added.

The conference’s focus on resilience and transformation strongly aligned with the remarks delivered by Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Senator the Hon. Aubyn Hill, who underscored the urgency for Jamaican manufacturers to modernize their operations and strategic thinking.

“We’re navigating supply chain disruptions, geopolitical volatility, tariff realignments, and climate-related shocks that continue to reshape global commerce and investment. The unpredictability of the global trading environment is the new normal. For Jamaica’s manufacturers to achieve robust, resilient growth, our strategic thinking must match the complexity of the challenge,” Minister Hill stated.

The Minister further stressed that technology integration, artificial intelligence, workforce upskilling, and operational agility will become increasingly critical to Jamaica’s economic competitiveness and resilience.

Meanwhile, Kathryn Silvera noted that this year’s conference was intentionally designed around the realities facing Jamaican manufacturers as they rebuild from recent disruptions.

“Recovery is not enough. We must rebuild stronger, smarter, more resilient. This year, we structured the conference around the realities keeping our members up at night and the solutions that can genuinely move the needle,” Silvera said.

Throughout the day, industry leaders explored topics including resilient supply chains, business continuity planning, climate adaptation, financing and insurance, artificial intelligence, workforce development, and sustainable operational practices — all seen as essential pillars for the future of Jamaica’s manufacturing and export sectors.

For CIBC Caribbean, supporting Manufacture 360° reflected the Bank’s wider commitment to advancing innovation, sustainability, and economic transformation throughout Jamaica and the wider Caribbean region.

By championing conversations around ESG, resilience, and future-focused business strategies, CIBC Caribbean continues to play an active role in empowering businesses to navigate uncertainty, seize emerging opportunities, and build a more sustainable and competitive future.