Caribbean Businesses Must Integrate Resilience for Capital
Operators in the region face tighter financing conditions and must adopt ESG standards to manage climate and social risks.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Economic Policy
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Caribbean Development Bank president Daniel M. Best urged businesses and governments on September 15, 2026, to prioritize resilience in their strategic planning. The call comes as the bank forecasts a regional economic growth rate of 1.1 percent for the year.
Why it matters
Operators must navigate an environment increasingly shaped by climate risks, shifting trade policies, and geopolitical tensions. Integrating resilience and sustainability into corporate strategy is now a prerequisite for managing costs and securing financing.
Regional economic growth is projected to reach 1.1 percent in 2026, following a decline to 0.6 percent in 2025 from 1.4 percent in 2024. The Caribbean Development Bank previously raised CHF 100 million in 2025 through its first sustainability bond.
The players
Daniel M. Best
President of the Caribbean Development Bank, a regional multilateral financial institution that provides loans and technical assistance for economic development.
American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago
A prominent business association that serves as a regional host for industry policy and trade discussions.
The details
Businesses are being encouraged to embed environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into their core operations to manage climate-related shocks. By aligning operations with these standards, firms may gain access to financing on more favorable terms, while countries create the fiscal space necessary for stability. The bank now targets 30 percent of total financing and 35 percent of concessional resources for climate adaptation and mitigation efforts.
Timeline
2024: Regional economic growth registered 1.4 percent.
2025: The bank raised CHF 100 million through a sustainability bond and regional growth was 0.6 percent.
September 15, 2026: Daniel M. Best delivered the keynote address in Port of Spain.
2026: Regional economic growth is projected at 1.1 percent.
Market Landscape
This focus on resilience extends the bank's established climate adaptation financing targets, which allocate 30 percent of total funds toward mitigation. It reflects an effort to shift regional business practices in line with established ESG mandates.
Business owners should review their operational strategy to determine if climate risks are adequately addressed, as ESG integration will likely impact future access to concessional capital. Monitor how regional lenders adjust their financing requirements in response to these evolving institutional targets.
The takeaway
The move signals that long-term fiscal viability is increasingly tethered to climate resilience rather than raw growth. Operators should evaluate their firm's climate risk profile and prioritize investments that meet current sustainability thresholds to remain competitive for institutional lending.
Further reading
For broader trends in regional planning, see our coverage of Economic Policy.
Live Poll
Do you trust that businesses are sufficiently prioritizing long-term resilience over short-term financial gains?
