Caribbean Export Agency Elects New Regional Leadership
Exporters should monitor new leadership for potential shifts in trade development and regional policy oversight.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in People
Live Poll
Do you believe regional trade organizations effectively support the growth of businesses in your area?
Export Saint Lucia CEO Sunita Daniel has been elected chairperson of the Caribbean Export Development Agency. The board also appointed Ishmael Quiroz, executive director of the Belize Trade and Investment Development Service, as deputy chairman.
Why it matters
These appointments provide new leadership for the regional agency as it marks its 30th anniversary, signaling a potential shift in strategic oversight for cross-border trade initiatives across the Caribbean.
The leadership changes were finalized during the 46th meeting of the Board of Directors. The incoming chair brings 8 years of experience leading Export Saint Lucia, while the deputy chair brings over 20 years of public service experience in Belize.
The players
Sunita Daniel
Chief Executive Officer of Export Saint Lucia who has held the role for eight years.
Ishmael Quiroz
Executive director of the Belize Trade and Investment Development Service with two decades of public service experience.
Caribbean Export Development Agency
A regional organization focused on trade development that is currently marking its 30th anniversary.
The details
The Caribbean Export Development Agency oversees regional trade coordination and development programs. As chairperson, Daniel will guide the agency's strategic oversight and efforts to advance regional trade, collaborating with deputy chair Quiroz to manage its institutional agenda. The transitions occur as the agency reaches its 30th year of operations.
Timeline
October 15, 2026: Appointments announced following the board meeting.
Market Landscape
The election of new leadership marks a pivotal transition for the agency as it enters its fourth decade of operations. These appointments follow the 30th anniversary of the Caribbean Export Development Agency, a milestone for regional trade coordination.
Operators engaged in cross-border Caribbean trade should monitor the agency for updates to trade development programs and regional regulatory alignment. The new leadership's strategic priorities will likely influence future support structures for regional exporters.
The takeaway
The agency's shift in leadership signals a potential change in how it manages regional trade resources and development initiatives. Business leaders should track upcoming board meeting minutes to identify new directives that may impact regional market access and trade policy compliance.
Further reading
For more on industry shifts, visit our People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by St. Lucia Times.
Live Poll
Do you believe regional trade organizations effectively support the growth of businesses in your area?
