The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB, the Bank) unveiled its new Trade Finance Guarantee Programme (TFGP) to regional banking leaders, marking a significant step toward enhancing access to trade finance for Caribbean enterprises, particularly Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs).

Speaking at the Caribbean Association of Banks Annual Conference, held at the Hyatt Regency in Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Isaac Solomon, Vice President (Operations) of CDB, introduced the initiative as a strategic tool to bridge risk and build access to global markets. 

“This Guarantee Programme sits squarely in the middle of our transformation agenda - it is anchored on accelerating transformative financing, advancing opportunities for MSMEs to thrive, and scaling impact through partnerships,” said Dr. Solomon.

The Trade Finance Guarantee Programme is designed to mitigate the risk exposure of confirming banks by providing partial guarantees against defaults by issuing banks within CDB’s 19 Borrowing Member Countries. This mechanism aims to strengthen correspondent banking relationships, unlock capital, and expand trade finance portfolios across the region. 

“Adequate trade finance is not just a financial service; it is an enabler of growth, job creation, and regional resilience,” Dr. Solomon emphasised. “By enabling more transactions, this programme will directly support efforts to grow exports and increase foreign exchange earnings.”

The pilot phase of the programme will be launched in collaboration with JP Morgan and IDB Invest, covering 14 issuing and confirming banks across six Caribbean countries. CDB will also provide targeted capacity building to institutions with limited trade finance offerings, with the goal of establishing a long-term, self-sustaining platform for trade facilitation.

CDB also convened a dynamic panel on the future of trade finance in the Caribbean, exploring how greater access and affordability can drive enterprise growth. The discussion showcased how CDB’s Trade Finance Programme will expand regional access to trade finance products, featuring insights from Mr. Stephen Thomas, Head of the Financial Institutions Team for the Caribbean Region; Ms. Joanna Charles, General Manager, Antigua Commercial Bank; Mr. Bevon Alvarez, General Manager, Republic Bank; and Ms. Lisa Harding, Division Chief, Private Sector Development, CDB.

At the event CDB also reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with regional financial institutions to ensure the success of the pilot and to position the programme as a flagship initiative for Caribbean trade development.