Bridgtown, 2 September 2022 (TDI): The first-ever AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF2022) opened in Bridgetown, Barbados on 1 September.
It is being convened by African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and Government of Barbados in collaboration with African Union Commission (AUC), African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, Africa Business Council, the Caribbean Community Secretariat, and Caribbean Export Development Agency.
AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF) 2022 https://t.co/kEaZCGsdGv
— Afreximbank (@afreximbank) September 2, 2022
Remarks of Chairman Afreximbank
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, Professor Benedict Oramah mentioned that there had been tremendous progress in accelerating the membership of Carrabean Community CARICOM nations in Afreximbank.
“And if we do agree, the Bank will work with governments of the CARICOM to set up a Caribbean Exim Bank as an Afreximbank subsidiary or affiliate”, he further added.
He reminded the audience of the atrocities of the trans-Atlantic slave trade which saw many Africans enslaved and forcibly transported to the Americas and the Caribbean.
He also highlighted the close links and shared history and identity of the African and Caribbean people.
“We must be proud that this is a reunion arising out of a felt need, underpinned by a solid economic, cultural, historical rationale”, he also added.
AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum ACTIF2022
ACTIF2022 was structured to provide an essential opportunity for the Caribbean and African business communities to establish new commercial and strategic relationships.
Moreover, it will expand trade between the two regions and source necessary inputs for designing and manufacturing high-value products.
The three-day event includes addresses from Barbados’ Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, President Chandrikapersad Santokhi of Suriname, and Chairman of CARICOM. While, Amadou Hott, Minister of Economy, Planning and International Cooperation, Republic of Senegal will also join.
Over 1,500 delegates from 93 countries have registered to participate in AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum, ACTIF2022. ACTIF2022 attendees will also witness the launch of the African Caribbean Trade and Investment Report. The theme for ACTIF2022 is ‘One People, One Destiny: Uniting and Reimagining Our Future’.
