KINGSTON, Jamaica — The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has stepped up its engagement with Jamaica, hosting its first roadshow in the country as it seeks to expand trade, investment and industrialisation opportunities between the Caribbean and Africa.

The June 2 event comes less than a year after Jamaica signed Afreximbank’s Partnership Agreement and follows the bank’s approval of a US$5-billion financing facility for Caribbean countries, including Jamaica.

Held under the theme “Empowering Jamaica’s Growth: Catalysing Trade, Investment and Industrialisation through Tailored Afreximbank Solutions”, the roadshow brought together government officials, business leaders and financial institutions to explore financing and investment opportunities available through the Cairo-based lender.

The event was also used to introduce Afreximbank’s trade finance, investment and advisory services to the Jamaican market while allowing bank officials to gather information on the country’s development priorities, financing requirements and investment opportunities.

Finance and Public Service Minister Fayval Williams said Jamaica’s relationship with the institution continues to deepen as the bank expands its presence in the Caribbean.

“It is clear that the partnership between Afreximbank and Jamaica continues to strengthen,” Williams said, encouraging Jamaican institutions to increase their engagement with the lender to unlock greater trade and investment opportunities between Jamaica and Africa.

Eric Monchu Intong, Afreximbank’s group managing director for client relations and regional office operations, said the bank sees industrialisation as a key driver of sustainable economic growth and trade expansion.

“To trade successfully with Global Africa, we must first produce,” Intong said. He pointed to investments in industrial parks, special economic zones and manufacturing as areas that could help Jamaica reduce import dependence, expand value-added exports and create jobs.

According to Afreximbank, the engagement strengthened its understanding of Jamaica’s business environment and will help inform the development of financing and investment solutions tailored to the country’s needs.

The bank said it remains committed to supporting increased trade between Africa and the Caribbean through expanded access to trade finance, investment capital and advisory services.

— Dashan Hendricks