A look back at Serge Letchimy’s official visits to Barbados
CARICOM: Martinique’s historic membership of CARICOM opens up a privileged avenue for strengthening human, cultural and economic exchanges between the island and its Caribbean neighbors. Beyond the commercial stakes, it’s an invitation to discover the realities, talents, know-how and shared challenges that shape today’s Greater Caribbean.
With this in mind, Serge Letchimy, President of the Executive Council of Martinique, travelled to Barbados to meet several key players in regional development. The aim was to build genuine economic cooperation together, based on in-depth mutual understanding.
These strategic meetings highlighted the complementary and mutually enriching nature of several priority sectors:
✔ Agri-food processing and food safety,
✔ Sustainable fishing and the blue economy,
✔ Commercial and tourism logistics,
✔ Regional private sector development.
Integration boosts the private sector
Caribbean Export: a lever for economic cooperation
One of the highlights was a meeting with Dr. Damie Sinanan , Executive Director of the Caribbean Export Development Agency and his teama regional organization supporting private sector development.
“This is a tremendous step forward. Caribbean Export is focused on connecting companies in the region to generate business opportunities. Martinique’s integration into CARICOM will open many doors.”
– Dr. Dimi Sinanan
The agency focuses on three priority areas:
✔ Food safety and supply chain optimization.,
✔ The transition to a green economy,
✔ The digitalization of companies.
The Caribbean Investment Forum: an opportunity for Martinican companies
Each year, Caribbean Export organizes the Caribbean Investment Forum (CIF)a not-to-be-missed event where international investors meet Caribbean companies.
“We have investors from the US, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Our mission is to connect these investors with local businesses to stimulate regional economic development.”
– Dr. Dimi Sinanan
For the first time companies from Martinique can submit their projects for participation and access to international financing..
Link to call for projects : https://carib-export.com/opportunities/call-for-projects-caribbean-investment-forum-2025-cif/
DigiLabels: a local, export-oriented business model
A visit to DigiLabels Inc.with Edzii Edinboro, gave us an insight into how a local of a local exporting company operating successfully in the region. Based in Barbados, DigiLabels is already working with several customers in Martinique and exports its labels to various Caribbean islands.
“DigiLabels is the only company in Barbados to offer a combination of hybrid digital and flexographic printing, guaranteeing high quality and fast turnaround times.” – Edzii Edinboro.
The meeting highlighted the challenges and best practices of Caribbean companies involved in exportingDigiLabels provides valuable lessons for the development of Martinican companies wishing to enter the regional market. DigiLabels illustrates how an SME can succeed internationally if it relies on high quality standards and appropriate marketing strategies.
Fishing and the blue economy: building bridges between Martinique and Barbados
During the visit to the Barbados Fisheries Division, Dr. Shelly-Ann Cox , Chief Fisheries Officerand Adrian Forde, Minister of Environment and Blue Economy of Barbadosdiscussed the sector’s challenges and opportunities with Serge Letchimy.
Discussions focused on :
✔ Strengthening port and seafood processing infrastructures.,
✔ The development of aquaculture and new fishing techniques.,
✔ The fight against sargassum and the recovery of marine waste.
“We need to build a collaboration based on the exchange of scientific and technological knowledge. That’s how we can ensure the sustainability of our industries and the region’s food security.” – Adrian Forde
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is under discussion to structure a lasting sustainable partnership between Barbados and MartiniqueA Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is under discussion to structure a lasting partnership between Barbados and Martinique, promoting the exchange of best practices and strengthening the fishing industry.
Food processing: a model to follow for Martinique
At the International Food Science Centerdirected by Dr. Mark Hill the delegation discovered an innovative model for supporting local producers. The center gives them access to :
✔ Modern, certified processing infrastructures,
✔ Technical and regulatory support to promote exports,
✔ Networking with international markets.
Serge Letchimy stressed the importance of adopting a similar model in Martinique:
“It’s very important, it allows the farmer to concentrate on production and ensure the regularity and quality of his production. – Serge Letchimy
A scheme to encourage Martinique companies: BòKay freight assistance
During his visit to Barbados, Serge Letchimy highlighted the “Fret BòKay” scheme, designed to provide concrete support for Martinican companies in their trade with the Caribbean and the Americas. According to the President of the Executive Council, the aim is to “compensate for additional transport costs between Martinique and third countries in the Caribbean”.
A Caribbean united by its talents, know-how and exchanges
These encounters between Martinique and Barbados open up a promising path towards a regional model where economic cooperation is built first and foremost on the discovery of others, the exchange of knowledge and the valorization of local realities.
By deepening these authentic, human ties, the whole Caribbean region can move towards a stronger, more sustainable and prosperous economy, by putting its most precious assets first: its talents, know-how and shared identity.
