Investment opportunity with the Caribbean
Foreign Office Minister Henry Bellingham participated in a panel discussion on investment opportunities within the Caribbean and Europe today in London.
Speaking after the event the Foreign Office Minister said:
鈥淭his event was an excellent opportunity to stress the importance of the long-standing trade and investment relationship between the UK and the Caribbean. British firms already operate successful in the Caribbean, as do Caribbean firms here in the UK. But I believe there is much more we can do to raise the level of commercial relations between the Caribbean, the UK and the rest of Europe鈥�
鈥淭he 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games offer a once-in-a-generation opportunity to enhance Britain鈥檚 reputation as an experienced and dynamic business partner and to deliver a lasting economic legacy for the whole country. We want the Caribbean to share in this, and to maximise the benefits for the region. I am delighted that events like these and others organised by Caribbean Diplomatic Missions in London have sought to take advantage of the wider international audience to promote tourism and trade.鈥�
Last year the UK鈥檚 bilateral trade with the Caribbean exceeded 拢800 million (拢379m in UK imports, 拢446m in UK exports).
The CARIFORUM-EU Business forum was organised by the Caribbean Export Development Agency.