Photograph, from left: Xavier Blackman, CEO, Continental Gateway Group (CGG) and Rodinald R. Soomer, CEO, CARICOM Development Fund (CDF), formalize their partnership with a handshake following the signing of this landmark collaboration agreement.
The CARICOM Development Fund (CDF) and Continental Gateway Group (CGG) have formalised a strategic Collaboration Agreement, signed in Barbados in March 2026, aimed at strengthening sustainable development efforts across CARICOM Member States.
The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation to advance shared objectives, including reducing economic and development disparities among Member States, promoting climate resilience, and supporting inclusive and sustainable growth across the Caribbean.
The timing of this partnership is particularly significant. CARICOM countries continue to face escalating climate-related losses, underinvestment in resilient infrastructure, stagnating agricultural productivity, and persistently high youth unemployment. These interconnected challenges threaten long-term economic competitiveness and development gains. By leveraging their complementary networks, technical expertise, and project development capabilities, CDF and CGG intend to address these systemic challenges and catalyse sustainable investment across priority sectors.
Under the agreement, CDF and CGG will explore collaboration in the following key areas:
- Environmental resilience and climate action, with emphasis on renewable energy and energy efficiency;
- Infrastructure development at national, sectoral, and community levels;
- Agricultural sector transformation to enhance livelihoods and food security;
- Human capacity development and enterprise competitiveness, including SME and youth entrepreneurship; and
- Community empowerment initiatives targeting vulnerable and underserved populations.
CDF’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Rodinald Soomer, highlighted the importance of regional collaboration and noted that “by aligning our perspectives and combining our respective areas of expertise, we are better positioned collectively to help Member States translate regional priorities into impactful, investable projects”.
Xavier Blackman, Chief Executive Officer, Continental Gateway Group, added that “CGG has a strong multi-sectoral project pipeline aligned with the thematic areas of this agreement, including climate action, agriculture, renewable energy, and the circular economy and looks forward to supporting the CDF in identifying opportunities, structuring viable initiatives, and mobilising investment across the Caribbean and beyond.”
The agreement does not create financial obligations for either organisation. Instead, it serves as a strategic framework to facilitate collaboration, co-development of project proposals, and engagement with public and private sector stakeholders.
This partnership reinforces CDF’s and CGG’s shared commitment to building a resilient, equitable, and sustainable future for the Caribbean.
