Invest Barbados signs partnership agreement with Caribbean Economic Forum 2026

Commitment to becoming Caribbean’s hub for capital mobilization/ economic transformation 

Durrant Pate/Contributor

Invest Barbados, the island nation’s official investment promotion agency, has signed a formal Partnership Agreement with the Caribbean Economic Forum (CEF) 2026, marking a significant milestone in the islands’ commitment to becoming the leading hub for capital mobilisation and economic transformation across the region.

Under the agreement, Invest Barbados will serve as the premier partner of the forum with the event carrying the distinguished billing: “Caribbean Economic Forum 2026, Powered by Invest Barbados.” The two-day inaugural event from June 18-19, 2026 at the Hilton Barbados Resort, brings together approximately 150 of the world’s most influential investors, development finance institutions, government leaders, infrastructure funds and private sector executives.

They will mull around four high-impact sectors: Energy Transition and Resilient Power Systems; Water, Ports and Climate-Resilient Infrastructure; Food and Agriculture Systems Modernisation; Blue Economy, Maritime Infrastructure and Coastal Resilience. These sectors are backed by over US$5 billion in available blended finance, guarantees, and technical assistance, with the forum targeting a minimum of US$1 billion in transaction arrangements over the two-day event.

Historic first for the Caribbean

CEF 2026 is the region’s first dedicated investment and deal-making platform, designed to move conversations rapidly toward concrete commitments, bankable project pipelines, and actionable partnerships. Convening approximately 150 global and regional stakeholders at the Hilton Barbados Resort on 18-19 June 2026, the forum targets a minimum of US$1 billion in transaction arrangements across four priority sectors backed by over US$5 billion in available blended finance.

The dedicated deal-origination and investment platform was conceived to fundamentally transform how capital flows into the Caribbean. Unlike traditional conferences, CEF 2026 is purpose-built as a structured deal-making environment to compress the typical 12- 24-month fundraising timeline required for bilateral introductions between banks, Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), private investors, governments, and project sponsors, delivering those outcomes within just 48 hours.

The region is at an investment inflexion point, and the timing of CEF 2026 is particularly significant. UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) estimates that FDI inflows to Latin America and the Caribbean rose to about $204 billion in 2025 from $167 billion in 2024, highlighting renewed investor interest across the wider region, even as Caribbean inflows remain comparatively modest. 

The region has already installed approximately 700 MW of renewable energy capacity, with substantial room for additional bankable projects. Agriculture, tourism, and blue economy sectors face growing climate pressures, creating significant demand for innovative, resilient solutions.

As premier partner, Invest Barbados will receive exclusive top-tier branding across all official event communications, marketing materials, digital platforms, on-site signage, and post-forum publications with global reach.

Forum being given full marks 

CEF Founder Gregory Hill is excited about the forum, saying ”This partnership places Barbados at the very centre of Caribbean economic transformation. By anchoring the region’s first dedicated deal-origination platform, Invest Barbados is not only showcasing the island as the premier jurisdiction for capital and commerce, but it is also actively driving the transactions and partnerships that will define the region’s economic future.” 

For his part, Invest Barbados CEO Kaye Greenidge echoed similar sentiments, articulating, “The Caribbean Economic Forum represents exactly the kind of high-impact, outcome-driven platform that Barbados needs to accelerate investment, showcase our pipeline of bankable projects, and connect our private sector with global institutional capital. We are proud to stand as the headline partner of this landmark initiative, setting the tone for the Caribbean region and future CEF events and initiatives.”