Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley urged Caribbean nations to pursue multi-billion dollar projects rather than small-scale ventures to achieve economic growth. Addressing 500 delegates at the opening of the Caribbean Investment Forum on October 13, 2026, she argued the region must abandon its comfort with minor projects to transform sectors like renewable energy and artificial intelligence.
Mottley stated that investments of US$20 million or US$30 million are insufficient for real transformation. She emphasized that governments providing substantial tax incentives must ensure those businesses support other local sectors rather than operating in isolation. "Without scale, there is no transformation," Mottley noted, highlighting that Barbados provides more than BDS$850 million annually in tax incentives, yet the region lacks sufficient ongoing training. She also criticized the tendency to ignore trade agreements with Central and Latin America in favor of familiar North Atlantic markets.
The three-day forum focuses on at least 30 bankable investment opportunities for potential backers. Mottley warned that businesses attempting to recover post-pandemic losses through unsustainable pricing will likely face failure. She challenged attendees to view the Caribbean as a "joined-up equation," encouraging regional industries to utilize technology and trade platforms to market services globally.