January 14, 2025 | Bridgetown, Barbados – The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) is deepening its commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs across the region through a strategic partnership with Caribshopper, an e-commerce platform designed to connect Caribbean businesses with consumers in North America. Through the SheTrades Caribbean Hub, a joint initiative between the CDB and the International Trade Centre (ITC), women-led businesses in the Bank’s 19 Borrowing Member Countries will gain access to Caribshopper’s digital marketplace, significantly expanding their reach into the United States and Canada.
This collaboration marks a pivotal step in advancing trade opportunities for women entrepreneurs in the Caribbean by removing key barriers to international commerce. Caribshopper, with its well-established logistical hubs in Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, currently showcases nearly 10,000 Caribbean-made products from over 650 brands. By onboarding SheTrades Hub members, the platform will provide a seamless avenue for businesses to tap into international markets while receiving essential logistical and compliance support.
CDB’s Acting Director of Projects, L. O’Reilly Lewis, highlighted the significance of the initiative, stating that the Bank is constantly exploring innovative ways to build resilience and foster private sector growth. He emphasized that the SheTrades Caribbean Hub is a crucial vehicle for advancing the interests of women-led businesses and Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs). By integrating these businesses into Caribshopper’s platform, market access opportunities for women entrepreneurs will be substantially increased, leading to greater trade and export potential across larger markets.
Lisa Harding, Acting Head of CDB’s Private Sector Division, reinforced the importance of the partnership, noting that it builds on an existing relationship with Caribshopper to further support women in business. She underscored the value of digital commerce in overcoming logistical and financial constraints, allowing women entrepreneurs to engage with international consumers in a way that was previously out of reach.
Kadion Preston, Founder and CEO of Caribshopper, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, emphasizing the company’s commitment to empowering Caribbean women entrepreneurs. He noted that e-commerce presents unparalleled opportunities, and this partnership ensures that women-led businesses are well-equipped to leverage the digital economy to its fullest potential.
The official launch of the initiative will take place during a virtual event on February 4, 2025, at 11:00 AM AST, accompanied by a Call for Applications for SheTrades Caribbean Hub members seeking to join Caribshopper. The event will provide further insights into how businesses can benefit from the platform and participate in this groundbreaking opportunity.
The SheTrades Caribbean Hub serves as a vital resource center for women-owned and women-led businesses, offering access to training, networking, mentorship, and market expansion initiatives. In 2024, the Hub facilitated the participation of three Caribbean women entrepreneurs at the prestigious Ambiente Consumer Goods Trade Fair in Frankfurt, Germany, and supported women-led businesses at the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Gender Equality Village Entrepreneurial Marketplace in Antigua and Barbuda. These initiatives, in collaboration with ITC, underscore the Hub’s commitment to equipping Caribbean women with the tools and opportunities needed to thrive in the global market.
Caribshopper’s innovative approach to e-commerce has already transformed the way Caribbean businesses connect with international consumers. By providing an accessible and well-supported platform, the company ensures that entrepreneurs can seamlessly navigate the complexities of global trade, from logistics to compliance requirements. The new partnership with SheTrades Caribbean Hub will further enhance the digital commerce landscape, positioning Caribbean women entrepreneurs for long-term success.
For more information on the SheTrades Caribbean Hub and its market access initiatives, interested businesses can reach out via shetrades@caribank.org.
