The Caribbean Private Sector Organization (CPSO) convened its 6th Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 11th August, 2026, bringing together representatives from across the Caribbean private sector to review the organization’s accomplishments during the 2025 - 2026 financial year, address governance matters, and outline priorities for the year ahead.
Among the exciting developments highlighted during the meeting was the CPSO’s growing collaboration with WizdomCRM Caribbean Ltd., a partnership rooted in a shared commitment to education, innovation and the development of the region’s future leaders. During the meeting, Dr. Patrick Antoine noted that the CPSO is working closely with WizdomCRM, recognizing that both organizations share common goals when it comes to advancing education and creating greater opportunities for Caribbean students. He described the partnership as an exciting collaboration, reflecting the potential for technology and private-sector leadership to contribute meaningfully to education across the region.
The collaboration also comes at an important time for WizdomCRM’s education initiatives. WizdomCRM’s AI Tutor is a listed CXC tool, further highlighting the platform’s growing relevance within the Caribbean education landscape. WizdomCRM is also expected to engage with the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) in future discussions, with plans for meetings involving WizdomCRM and CXC, both jointly and separately. These engagements represent an opportunity to explore how innovative educational technology can continue supporting students and educators across the Caribbean.
The meeting subsequently moved into a review of CPSO’s governance and organizational matters. Members formally approved and ratified changes to the composition of the CPSO Council and Executive Committee arising from appointments, resignations and changes in representation. The meeting also approved a two-year extension of the terms of the CPSO Council and Executive Committee, effective August 1, 2026, through July 31, 2028, allowing the current leadership structure to maintain continuity as the organization advances its existing work programme.
The AGM highlighted the breadth of private sector representation within the organization, with members and representatives drawn from across the Caribbean. The CPSO emphasized the importance of maintaining strong representation from business organizations and chambers throughout the region as it continues to develop its regional agenda.
A central part of the meeting was the Chairman’s report, which focused on the progress made by the CPSO during the 2025–2026 financial year. Among the major initiatives highlighted was the advancement of efforts toward the establishment of a regional stock exchange, an initiative positioned as an important step toward strengthening regional financial markets and creating greater opportunities within Caribbean economies.
The organization also reported on work surrounding the development of regional ferry services, with discussions involving parties interested in improving maritime connectivity across the Eastern and Southern Caribbean, including Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Guyana and Suriname. Improved regional transportation remains an important opportunity for strengthening movement and economic integration across Caribbean markets.
Another significant area of focus was the evolving international shipping environment and the potential implications of the International Maritime Organization’s net-zero framework for the Caribbean. The CPSO highlighted concerns that changes affecting shipping could increase transportation costs for the region and emphasized the need for Caribbean stakeholders to understand and prepare for the potential economic impact.
The organization also reflected on its work to help governments and private-sector stakeholders respond to challenges associated with international trade and the region’s dependence on imports. Studies undertaken by the CPSO examined opportunities to identify alternative sources for products currently imported from the United States, with the organization identifying potential import savings estimated at US$2 billion to US$3.5 billion through alternative sourcing.
These efforts form part of a wider push toward greater regional resilience, including initiatives aimed at strengthening Caribbean food security and reducing vulnerabilities created by heavy dependence on external markets.
The AGM also reflected on the CPSO’s engagement with Caribbean Heads of Government through its private-sector breakfast series. The organization reported strong participation from regional leaders and described the sessions as an important platform for direct dialogue on major economic issues affecting businesses and citizens throughout the Caribbean. Discussions have included trade barriers, affordability, food imports, and energy diversification.
One notable outcome from these engagements has been a renewed approach to addressing barriers to doing business across the region. Rather than treating these challenges solely as government matters, the CPSO is pursuing a collaborative model that brings private-sector representatives and governments together to identify specific obstacles, determine which agencies are responsible for addressing them, and work toward practical solutions.
Affordability also emerged as an important regional priority. The CPSO reported discussions around the development of a tripartite compact involving the private sector, governments and labour, with the objective of creating a broader collaborative response to affordability challenges. The organization emphasized that addressing affordability requires more than simply examining business margins and should involve a wider consideration of the factors influencing prices throughout the region.
Energy was another key issue identified for continued attention. Alongside discussions about food imports, the CPSO highlighted opportunities for energy and fuel diversification and the potential to accelerate the Caribbean’s energy transition.
Looking ahead, the organization indicated that its engagement with regional Heads of Government will continue through its private-sector breakfast series, with plans to hold at least one such engagement annually. These sessions are intended to provide members with opportunities to participate directly in conversations surrounding major regional economic and business issues.
The CPSO is also supporting dialogue surrounding theregional refined sugar industry, including discussions involving a sugar refinery being developed in Belize and plans for a facility in Guyana. The organization is facilitating conversations between stakeholders involved in sugar production and potential offtakers, including businesses that use refined sugar as an input in manufacturing. The CPSO emphasized its role as a facilitator, helping stakeholders work toward practical solutions that consider issues including price, quality and appropriate transition periods.
As the Caribbean continues to navigate shifting global trade conditions, rising costs, transportation challenges and the transition toward more sustainable economies, the CPSO’s 6th Annual General Meeting underscored the importance ofregional cooperation, innovation and a strong, coordinated private-sector voice.
The AGM ultimately reflected an organization focused not only on responding to the challenges facing Caribbean businesses today, but also on building partnerships and initiatives that can shape the region’s future. From regional financial markets and transportation to education technology, trade, affordability and energy, the CPSO continues to position collaboration at the centre of its efforts to advance Caribbean business and economic development.