CAIPA joins regional leaders and WFZO in backing new Caribbean Special Economic Zone Association

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Caribbean Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (CAIPA) has joined regional leaders and the World Free Zones Organization (WFZO) in strongly backing the creation of the Caribbean Special Economic Zone Association (Cari SEZA). Cari SEZA is envisioned as a regional, non governmental, not for profit body dedicated to strengthening the design, governance and performance of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) across the Caribbean, while deepening coordination between zones, investment promotion agencies (IPAs) and policymakers.

With support from the WFZO, the conceptual framework for Cari SEZA was developed and launched with CAIPA and the Jamaica Special Economic Zone Authority serving as thought leaders and co authors. Cari SEZA secured the endorsement of five regional SEZs and authorities at the WFZO 12th Annual World Congress in Panama City on 12 May 2026, marking a significant step toward giving the Caribbean a more visible, coherent and influential presence within the global free zones ecosystem.

At the Caribbean Ministerial meeting held during the Conference, the CAIPA President Kaye Greenidge, CEO of Invest Barbados, emphasized that investment promotion and SEZ development must move in lockstep if the region is to attract high quality, resilient investment. She warned that when SEZ and IPA strategies are developed separately, countries risk promoting opportunities that zones cannot deliver or running zones that are weakly connected to national and regional project pipelines. From CAIPA’s perspective, she underscored, Cari SEZA is a partner in development rather than another layer of bureaucracy, providing a structured interface where zone standards, learning and cooperation can align with CAIPA’s work on investor targeting and facilitation.

“In practical terms, a zone strategy that is not aligned with investment promotion is a promise without a delivery mechanism, and an investment promotion strategy without strong, credible zones is a promise without a platform,” Greenidge said, highlighting CAIPA’s commitment to ensuring a seamless path from investor interest to implementation. Working alongside Cari SEZA, CAIPA will encourage its 25 member IPAs to deepen collaboration with SEZ authorities on shared data, common investor facing standards and flagship regional projects that showcase the Caribbean as a connected, future ready economic platform. CAIPA stands ready to continue engaging ministers, SEZ regulators, the WFZO and other partners as the region advances toward the official launch of Cari SEZA.

About CAIPA

The Caribbean Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (CAIPA) is a network of 24 national and sub national investment promotion agencies dedicated to positioning the Caribbean as a premier destination for foreign direct investment. CAIPA works with its members and partners on capacity building, research and data, international brand promotion, strategic partnerships, and policy advocacy to strengthen the region’s business environment and expand sustainable, private sector led growth. Through initiatives in areas such as digital infrastructure, tourism, logistics, agribusiness, the blue economy, and the wider digital economy, CAIPA presents a unified, region wide value proposition to investors seeking scalable opportunities across multiple Caribbean markets.

For further information, please contact:

CAIPA Secretariat
(Caribbean Association of Investment Promotion Agencies)
www.investincaribbean.org