The Caribbean Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (CAIPA), was launched on November 20, with the support of Pro€invest and the CDE, in collaboration with Jamaica Trade & Invest (JTI), Jamaica’s investment and export promotion agency.

CAIPA aims to facilitate cooperation and understanding between the various Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) in the Caribbean. It is intended to become a collective organisation federating opportunities for investors at a regional level.

The CDE/Pro€invest’s support has taken the form of funding for an initial seminar in 2004 at Port of Spain (Trinidad), followed-up by support for preparation of the statutes and draft business plan for the future organisation. CDE also supported the organisation of the meeting in Jamaica in November in collaboration with JTI.

CAIPA has determined the following activities :

• develop cooperation and coordination between IPAs in the Caribbean ;
• coordinate the gathering, monitoring and exchange of information;
• share investment experience by country among regional agencies;
• support IPAs in their approach of aid agencies for technical assistance;
• supply advice and services to members in the areas of promotion, policy advocacy, training and research. 

The decisions taken by CAIPA at its constitutive meeting provide for a three-year work programme. The premises of the Caribbean Export Development Agency (CEDA) in Barbados will host CAIPA’s secretariat. The World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA) will form part of the Caribbean association’s advisory committee.

Contact : Peter Alling pal@cde.int