CAF Partners with Chamber and EXIMBANK to Strengthen SMEs in Trinidad and Tobago

Speaking at the opening ceremony of Catalyst 2025: Propelling SMEs for Success, Bernardo Requena, CAF’s Director Representative in Trinidad and Tobago, emphasized the need for targeted interventions to strengthen the SME sector. He noted that CAF’s recent USD 35 million facility with EXIMBANK Trinidad and Tobago is designed to help SMEs scale their operations, embrace technology, and improve their competitiveness in global markets.

"Our economies cannot survive without SMEs. They are the job creators, the innovators, and the drivers of sustainable growth. This is why CAF is committed to fostering partnerships that remove barriers and unlock their full potential," Requena stated.

Recognizing their role in driving economic growth, CAF – the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean was the title sponsor for the event, which was organised by the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce. The two-day conference brought together key business leaders, policymakers, and development partners to discuss solutions for SME expansion. Discussions focused on agri-business, the creative economy, and digital business—industries positioned to drive economic diversification.

“It is because of their contribution to economic development that we at CAF seek out partnerships that support MSME expansion and growth, that help small businesses overcome barriers to ensure they contribute even more to the economies that they help sustain,” Requena stated.

CAF’s participation underscored its broader mission to support SMEs across Latin America and the Caribbean. Over the past two years, the institution has backed over 30,000 micro-entrepreneurs and 20,000 small and medium-sized businesses, reinforcing its role as a key development partner in the region.

In 2024, CAF also launched its innovation series in the Caribbean, aimed at accelerating innovation-based economies in the region. This program, which seeks to promote innovation among SMEs, aligns with the overall objectives of the program. 

CAF’s support for SMEs extends beyond financial interventions and includes training programs, technical assistance initiatives, and policy research to strengthen SME ecosystems.