A stronger, more coordinated push to mobilise Caribbean capital and attract international investment is essential if the region is to close the gap in global returns and deliver lasting prosperity for its citizens, Minister of Finance Ryan Straughn said on Thursday.

He told the opening of the Caribbean Economic Forum that policymakers are committed to creating a stable economic and regulatory environment designed to attract high-quality financial partners.

He highlighted a stark regional disparity in savings and returns, noting that while Caribbean citizens maintain relatively high savings rates, their rate of return is frequently less than half of that enjoyed by investors in North America and Europe. He argued that regional institutions must collaborate more effectively to mobilise domestic capital and deliver equitable financial rewards.