Movement between the Caribbean and the African Continent must become easier for trade, investment and tourism opportunities to be realised.

Transportation will be one of the topics explored during the inaugural AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum 2022 (ACTIF 2022) scheduled for September 1-3 at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre. The focus will be on devising solutions to the logistical challenges on both sides of the Atlantic. This will allow for south-south cooperation to be better facilitated.

Barbados intends to play a strategic role in improving air and sea links between the two regions. Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, during a courtesy call with Executive Vice President of Afreximbank’s Intra-African Trade Bank, Kanayo Awani, said that given the island’s geographic location, it is perfectly positioned to be the logistics hub for Africa into the Americas and vice versa.

Executive Vice President Awani, weighing in on the issue, said the Bank is keen to provide the “implementation impetus” to advance opportunities for increased collaboration between the Caribbean and Africa, including direct transportation links. During her recent visit to Barbados ahead of ACTIF 2022, she informed that the Afreximbank will also assist in promoting the Caribbean as an ideal place to trade with, invest and travel for leisure.