In a groundbreaking, strategic move on 24 July, the Grenada Coalition of Services Industries (GCSI) signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding with the Barbados Coalition of Service Industries (BCSI) as well as with key local entities: Grenada Investment Development Corporation (GIDC), the Grenada Development Bank (GDB) and the Grenada Bureau of Standards (GDBS).
As GCSI prepares to be re-launched on 25 July after a 3-year hiatus, following the Covid-19 pandemic, under the theme “Transformation through Collaboration and Innovation” it views the MOU ceremony as both timely and strategic, in its quest to forge meaningful partnerships (local and regional), to bring added value to its stakeholders seeking to develop services with export potential. According to GCSI’s newly re-elected chairman Jude Bernard, GCSI expects to sign at least 4 more key local organisations in the upcoming days. “GCSI’s MOU with sister coalition BCSI, is not just historic for regional CSIs, but also pivotal as GCSI; it seeks to forge, not just local, but also regional strategic partnerships.”
The Barbadian delegation of Michelle Smith-Mayers (BCSI’s Executive Director) and Alicia Selman, Senior Project Officer for Projects, Research and Trade Relations, includes professionals from various industries, aiming to foster bilateral partnerships, share industry expertise, and explore export-readiness and investment potential within Grenada’s services sector.
According to Selman, “One-on-one meetings and focused roundtable discussions are being held throughout the week to connect Barbadian and Grenadian professionals to deepen trade dialogue, and identify new avenues for regional collaboration.” Selman continued, “The BCSI is proud to partner with GCSI, and plans to identify areas where our service industries can grow together. This visit is the beginning of long-term collaboration, innovation, and joint progress.”
As global trends continue to shift toward service-driven economies, this initiative signals a bold move by Caricom nations to work together for more sustainable development, economic resilience, and regional competitiveness.
Grenadian service providers and sector representatives are encouraged to engage with the BCSI delegation to explore future partnerships, investments, and shared initiatives that will uplift the services sector both locally and regionally.
Adapted from GCSI release
