This summit will explore opportunities for agricultural technology companies in the Caribbean.
The region’s agricultural industry is bolstering productivity, decreasing costs and mitigating the effects of climate change by adopting powered equipment and advanced technologies. This is a key part of the association’s broader plan to empower and increase the wealth of its farming communities, and a major platform in attracting international businesses.
Under the “ACP Business-Friendly: Supporting value chains through inclusive policies, investment promotion and alliances” Programme, an Intra-ACP action funded by the European Union and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), UNIDO helps improve quality of investment projects in the Caribbean.
UNIDO is providing investment monitoring and promotion support to CAIPA strengthening the regional investment promotion efforts.
Outline
| Date: | October 5-7, 2021 |
| Time (Eastern time, US and Canada): | 9:00-15:00 (Day 1); 9:30-15:00 (Day 2); 9:30-11:00 (Day 3) |
| Organizers: | Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export), in collaboration with the Caribbean Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (CAIPA) |
| Language: | English |
| Registration fee: | Free of charge |
| Registration: | Register here |
Agenda
Day 1 – October 5
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM | Opening Remarks
Mr. Deodat Maharaj, Executive Director, Caribbean Export Development Agency
Her Excellency Ambassador Malgorzata Wasilewska, Head of Delegation, The Delegation of the European Union to Barbados, Eastern Caribbean Countries, OECS, CARICOM/CARIFORUM
Keynote Address: His Excellency, Irfaan Ali, President of Guyana
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM | Expanding Agribusiness in the Caribbean through AgTech
Mr. Deodat Maharaj, Executive Director, Caribbean Export Development Agency
Ms. Annette Mark, President, Caribbean Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (CAIPA)
Mr. Vassel Stewart, President, Caribbean Agribusiness Association (CABA)
Mr. Jeremy Knops, General Delegate, COLEACP
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Why the Caribbean for high-tech agriculture investment
Trends in the AgTech industry in 2021 and beyond – The case of Israel
Ms. Danielle Abraham, Executive Director, Volcani International Partnerships
The value proposition of the Caribbean
Dr. Roger Hosein, Department of Economics, University of the West Indies (St. Augustine)
A Caribbean AgTech success story
Mr. Mark Reynier, CEO, Renegade Rum Group
A Caribbean AgTech success story
Mr. Peter Dillon, CEO, Marquis River Farm and Plant, Grow, Eat
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM | Country presentation – Jamaica
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Country presentation – Turks & Caicos Islands
Day 2 – October 6
9:30 AM – 11:00 AM | A review of investment opportunities in key market segments
Moderator: Mr. Vassel Stewart, President, Caribbean Agribusiness Association
Root crops and other staples
Ms. Vermaran Extavour, Regional Project Coordinator, FAO
Agroprocessing and the fruit (including orchard crops) and vegetables
Mr. Rajeev Diptee, President, Supermarket Association of Trinidad (TBC)
Honey production
Mr. Aubrey Roberts, Secretary, the Guyana Apicultural Society (TBC)
The meat and fish products
Mr. Kent Vieira, Owner, Kent Farms Ltd
Mr. Keith Amiel, Manager Corporate Affairs at CB Group (TBC)
Medicinal herbs
Dr. Simpson Dasilva, Executive Director, 1 Million Right To Household Food And Nutrition Security Ambassadors
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM | Country presentation – Belize
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Country presentation – St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Day 3 – October 7
9:30 AM – 11:00 AM | Roundtable – The Future of AgTech in the Caribbean
Moderator: Ms. Diane Edwards, President, JAMPRO (TBC)
Panelists
Mr. Roel Messie, Chief Investment Officer, IDH Farmfit
Mr. Ralph Birkoff, Chief Commercial Officer, Island Growers Caribbean
Mr. John Hartnett, CEO and Founder THRIVE by SVG Ventures (TBC)
Mr. Ray Klein, Group Head, Investment Banking, Republic Financial Holdings Limited