Castries, Saint Lucia – April 3, 2025 – A major boost has been delivered to women entrepreneurs across the Caribbean with the official launch of the SheTrades Caribbean Grow and Go Grant Facility, a USD 500,000 programme by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) aimed at increasing the competitiveness of women-led businesses throughout the region.
The virtual launch, held on March 27, 2025, marks a critical milestone in the region’s journey toward gender equity and economic resilience. The initiative is part of CDB’s ongoing commitment to empowering women in business, with grant funding of up to USD 25,000 now available to eligible women-led micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the Bank’s 19 Borrowing Member Countries, including Saint Lucia.
The facility, launched through the SheTrades Caribbean Hub in partnership with the International Trade Centre (ITC), targets women-led businesses in exporting sectors such as agriculture, creative industries, tourism, manufacturing, technology, and hospitality. It offers two streams of funding: “GROW” – to strengthen internal capacity and systems, and “GO” – for businesses ready to export or expand into international markets.
“In an era where global competition is intensifying and markets are rapidly evolving, empowering women in business is not just the right thing to do, it is a strategic imperative,” said Mr. L. O’Reilly Lewis, CDB’s Acting Director of Projects. “By investing in their success, we are fortifying our region’s position on the global stage.”
Dr. Judith Fessehaie, Head of the SheTrades Initiative at ITC, echoed the urgency of financial inclusion for Caribbean women entrepreneurs, noting the initiative’s potential to break down long-standing economic barriers. “By breaking financial barriers, this initiative ensures that more women can participate in and benefit from international trade,” she said.
Ms. Lisa Harding, Acting Head of CDB’s Private Sector Division, highlighted that women currently lead only 15% of businesses involved in international trade. “What’s even more concerning is that at the current pace of progress, it could take more than a century to bridge this gender gap,” she noted. “But I believe we are at a turning point. Today, we have the opportunity to build a future where women lead in global business.”
The launch drew participation from over 240 stakeholders, including representatives from Gender Affairs Anguilla, Invest Turks and Caicos, Export Barbados, BELTRAIDE, and the Inter-American Development Bank. Also present were members of the private sector, chambers of commerce, and women-led business networks such as the PowerHerful Women Centre of the JMMB Group Limited.
The SheTrades Caribbean Hub, which has been operating since 2023, continues to drive inclusive trade and economic empowerment across the region. In May 2025, CDB will also release the findings of its Flagship Study on Access to Finance – a research initiative expected to shape more inclusive financing frameworks for women-owned businesses.
Women entrepreneurs in Saint Lucia and across the region who are interested in applying must be legally registered, operate within a CDB Borrowing Member Country, and be members of the SheTrades Caribbean Hub. Applications will be assessed on the strength of the funding proposal and the applicant’s engagement in technical and capacity-building programmes.
The deadline to submit applications via the SheTrades website is April 27, 2025.
