The Caribbean Council is at the centre of a network of membership organisations which aim to build mutually beneficial relationships between international companies and their Caribbean partners. The Caribbean-Britain Business Council (CBBC) covers the entire region, with a strong focus on the English Speaking countries and the Dominican Republic. The Cuba Initiative relates specifically to Cuba.
The CBBC is a not-for
-profit membership organisation which brings together over 100 companies and associations with trade and investment interests in and from the Caribbean.
The CBBC supports and promotes increased two way trade and investment activity between the UK and the Caribbean. It makes representations on behalf of business, provides market information, and organizes trade visits, seminars, conferences and networking events. In addition, all members of the CBBC receive a weekly publication, Caribbean Insight, covering economic, political and commercial news from across the Caribbean.
The CBBC has the following key objectives:
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To support companies to develop trade and investment between the UK and the Caribbean
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To facilitate dialogue between its members and others in the UK, the Caribbean and continental Europe to support their commercial and other interests
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To act as the voice of the UK private sector on the Caribbean in discussions with UK Government departments and agencies
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To raise a positive profile of the Caribbean amongst the UK private sector and government
The CBBC recognizes the important long-term role the private sector has to play in delivering sustainable social and economic development in the Caribbean
The President of the CBBC is the Rt. Hon Lord Foulkes of Cumnock.
Member Services
The CBBC delivers an unrivalled programme of activities and market intelligence on the Caribbean that includes:
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Regular events enabling members to learn more about markets and to network
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Outward trade and investment missions to the Caribbean
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Inward missions from the Caribbean to the UK
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Lunches and dinners for visiting Heads of Government, Ministers and senior business people.
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An annual networking reception
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A weekly electronic news briefing ‘Caribbean Insight’
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Participation in trade and investment promotion projects
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Active liaison with other stakeholders such as Caribbean High Commissioners, Caribbean governments, UK members of Parliament, government Ministers and officials, private sector intermediary organisations in the UK and the Caribbean
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The CBBC consultative committee, made up of a cross section of CBBC corporate and premier members, meets 2 to 3 times a year with the British government through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Members have the opportunity to provide input to government on its Caribbean trade policy and other issues
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Access to a reduced rate for Allied Membership of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association
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Access to a reduced rate for membership of the Royal Commonwealth Society at the Commonwealth Club, offering a saving of up to £180
Download: CBBC Membership Information 2011-2012 CBBC Membership Application Form
The Cuba Initiative seeks to improve and strengthen the relationship between the UK and Cuba and to catalyse trade and investment between the two countries.
Facilitating regular meetings with Cuban Ministers and senior officials, and leaders of Cuban enterprises who are visiting the UK, the Initiative organises trade missions and individual visits for UK businesses to Cuba as well as other inward visits by trade or government delegations. Throughout the year, it also organises seminars and conferences on themes relevant to Cuba and publishes a weekly bulletin on Cuba, Cuba Briefing, as part of a package of services to its broadly based membership.
The Initiative was founded in 1995 in response to a request from the Governments of the United Kingdom and Cuba for an independent, bi-lateral, non-governmental body able to support and develop programmes that enhance the UK/Cuban relationship. As such, the work of the Cuba Initiative complements the official UK/Cuban government-to-government relationship.
The principal focus of the Cuba Initiative is on trade and investment with a focus on the following key strategic sectors:
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Tourism
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Energy and mining
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Biotechnology
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Pharmaceutical industry
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IT and communications
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Agriculture
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Finance
In addition to its business role, the Initiative facilitates and fosters exchange in the fields of politics, government, trade, investment, science, sports, education and culture. It also identifies ways to enhance relations between Cuba and the European Union and to strengthen Cuba’s ties with its neighbours in the Caribbean region
The Cuba Initiative is apolitical and aims to develop a consensus among all those with an interest in Cuban development of all political persuasions. It aims to be self-funding through the provision of services, member subscriptions, grants and fund-raising events.
The present Chairman of the UK-side of the Initiative is Ian Taylor. A parallel and similar body in Havana is chaired by Rodrigo Malmierca, the Cuban Minister for Foreign Trade.
Member Services
The Cuba Initiative delivers an unrivalled programme of activities and market intelligence on Cuba that includes:
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Regular events enabling members to learn more about markets and to network
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Outward trade and investment business missions to Cuba
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Inward visits from Cuba to the UK
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Lunches and dinners for visiting senior officials
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An annual networking reception
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A weekly e mailed news briefing ‘Cuba Briefing’
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Participation in trade and investment promotion projects
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Advice and assistance in developing business with Cuba
Download: Cuba Initiative Membership Information 2011-2012 2011-2012 Cuba Initiative Membership Application Form 2011-2012
To discuss how membership could be of benefit to you please contact Stephanie Whittle stephanie.whittle@caribbean-council.org