Holder exits Caribbean Export with ‘finances restored, wider funding partnerships’

Outgoing Caribbean Export Development Agency chairman Dr Lynette Holder said on Friday she leaves the organisation with its finances restored, wider international funding partnerships and more than US$170m ($340m) in targeted investment capital attracted to over 30 regional projects during her five-year tenure.

In an interview with Barbados TODAY, Dr Holder, also chief executive of the Barbados Small Business Association (SBA), said Caribbean Export has built a solid, sustainable foundation for expanding micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

Reflecting on her five-year tenure as head of the intergovernmental trade and investment promotion body representing 15 CARIFORUM member states, Dr Holder highlighted key changes in how it tackles barriers to commerce: access to growth capital, capacity building and institutional governance.