Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Senator Aubyn Hill on Wednesday emphasised the Caribbean’s growing attractiveness as a destination for sustainable investment.

He was speaking on a high-level panel during the opening session of the CAF International Economic Forum: Latin America and the Caribbean 2026, currently underway in Panama City, according to a press release by the ministry.

The panel discussion, “Economic Development Opportunities for the Caribbean”, explored how innovation, sustainability, technology, creative financing and public–private partnerships can reduce risk and open regional and global markets.

According to the release, Hill emphasised what he said was Jamaica’s “discipline and internationally recognised good economic performance”, adding that the country is keeping its debt manageable.

“Government spending is being directed to investment that builds resilience in the future and supports long-term economic growth,” he said. “We have an independent central bank, no currency controls, strong institutions that must be protected, and a clear commitment to getting education, ICT, and skills development right.

“Jamaica will stay the course, and we are open for investment,” Hill continued. “At the regional level, Latin America and the Caribbean must come closer together to strengthen our position and attract the scale of investment our region deserves.”

The conference was organised by the Development Bank of Latin America and The Caribbean (CAF).

Minister Hill joined Prime Minister Andrew Holness; Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kamina Johnson Smith; and Minister of Finance and the Public Service Fayval Williams in a roundtable discussion with the President of CAF, Sergio Diaz-Granados, and other CAF executives.

A wide range of prospects and investment and financial collaboration were discussed with the bank. According to the release, significant progress was made in strengthening the relationship and collaboration in the near and longer-term future.

Minister Hill also had several meetings with various regional and international financial and infrastructure-building companies from Panama, elsewhere in the region, Europe and the Middle East.

As part of the conference, business-to-business meetings were held Thursday and will continue Friday with several executives from Jamaican ICT and manufacturing companies who are seeking to build their business in the Latin America region.