Caribbean countries have long recognized the importance of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) as major contributors to employment and growth within their communities, nations and region as a whole.

The "Caribbean Small Business Development Center Project" is a partnership program with the U.S. Permanent Mission to the Organization of American States (OAS), the OAS, the Caribbean Export Development Agency (CE) and the University of Texas at San Antonio. The project will assist in the creation of sustainable small business assistance networks in Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Jamaica and St. Lucia based on the proven U.S. SBDC model. It will also engage and actively enlist the support from the government, higher-education, NGOs and private sector for a more effective and integrated infrastructure for MSME assistance and help improve upon existing programs. This would ensure an effective, efficient and integrated regional Caribbean SBDC network that would provide micro, small and medium enterprises with the high-value assistance that will enable them to grow sales, improve competitiveness, create sustainable jobs and long-term economic impact.

The newly created network of Caribbean SBDC programs will be linked with each other and existing partners located in the U.S., Mexico, Colombia, El Salvador and other countries in Central America to not only share program successful practices but also to connect their clients with multilateral international trade opportunities.

Most importantly, this project will create a network of SBDC programs in the Caribbean that would leverage the immense talent, expertise and infrastructure that exists.

For more information on the Caribbean SBDC Project please contact:

• Robert McKinley, Associate VP, UTSA Institute for Economic Development | Tel: +1.210.458.2450 | E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Maryse Robert, Director, Department of Economic Development, Trade and Tourism | Tel: +1.202+458.3600 | E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Christopher McNair, Director, Competitiveness and Innovation, Caribbean Export | Tel: +11.246.436.0578 | E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.