Hosted by the Caribbean Export Development Agency in partnership with the Government of Jamaica, JAMPRO, CARICOM, and the European Union, this year’s Forum carried the theme “Smart. Green. Connected.” The message was one of urgency and ambition, urging the region to embrace innovation, sustainability and digital integration as cornerstones of future growth.
The Forum’s spotlight on sectors such as sustainable agriculture, digital transformation, the green and blue economies, and logistics reflects the Bank’s vision for a future-ready Caribbean built on inclusion, technology, and environmentally responsible growth.
During the panel discussion “Financing the Future – Blended Capital for a Green Caribbean,” Republic Bank Vice President, Karen Yip Chuck, emphasized the need for collective action. “With concessionary financing, targeted risk-sharing, and a strong appetite for ESG-aligned initiatives, we can support Caribbean governments in advancing critical areas such as renewable energy, infrastructure, agriculture and SMEs. But this transformation cannot happen in isolation, it requires collaboration, commitment, and coordinated action from the public and private sectors, multilateral development banks, first-loss guarantee agencies, insurance providers, and of course, the commercial banks.”
The Bank’s role at CIF 2025 builds on a history of collaboration with the Caribbean Export Development Agency, following previous sponsorships of Forums in Trinidad and Tobago, The Bahamas and Guyana. As a signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Banking, Republic Bank has pledged to align its operations with global sustainability standards, contributing to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Key outcomes of the 2025 Forum included bold discussions on climate-smart investment, the vital importance of regional connectivity and new investment pitches designed to mobilize capital for high‑impact Caribbean ventures. The event also raised the region’s profile as a hub not only for tourism, but for innovation, manufacturing, and sustainably led enterprise.