Caribbean Export and Canada launch GRIT to empower female entrepreneurs in the region
THE Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export), in partnership with the Government of Canada, has launched Caribbean Women Entrepreneurs Generating Resilient and Inclusive Trade of (GRIT) – a transformative initiative designed to strengthen the capacity of women-led businesses across the Caribbean to access regional and international markets.
The project aims to foster more inclusive economic growth by addressing persistent gender gaps in trade.
GRIT will work with women-led businesses, and trade support institutions, to build capacity, improve access to resources, and enhance visibility in key export markets.
GRIT represents the first-ever partnership between the Government of Canada and Caribbean Export, and will focus on enhancing export-readiness, boosting access to trade information and networks, and promoting gender-responsive trade policies.
The project will also include regional business-to-business (B2B) matchmaking, digital promotion support, and capacity-building of trade support institutions to better serve women entrepreneurs.
With C$3.16 million in funding from the Government of Canada, GRIT is a four-year initiative that provides targeted support to women-owned businesses with a particular focus on increasing exports to the Canadian market.
The project seeks to address key barriers to trade, provide technical assistance and tools, and foster a gender-inclusive trade environment.
GRIT will be implemented across Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, and the Grenadines.
The official launch event, held on Wednesday Saint Lucia, will be followed by a full-day export readiness workshop tailored for local women entrepreneurs and is hosted with the support of Export Saint Lucia and DHL.
“GRIT is providing targeted technical support, grants, and market intelligence to help these businesses transition to digital platforms, adopt green production methods, and meet international standards” said Dr Damie Sinanan, executive director of Caribbean Export.
“Initiatives like GRIT are not only about empowering women—they are about shaping the future of Caribbean trade. A future where our businesses, particularly MSMEs, are positioned to navigate global complexities and seize opportunities in diversified markets,” added Sinanan.
Speaking at the launch of GRIT, St Lucia’s Minister for Commerce, Manufacturing, Business Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs Emma Hippolyte emphasised the national impact of women’s economic empowerment.
“When Saint Lucian women thrive in business, our entire country benefits. This is not theory. This is a fact.” said Hippolyte.
“Through GRIT, we are strengthening our trade capacity, expanding our networks, and positioning Saint Lucian women to take full advantage of regional and international markets,” added Hippolyte.
According to Abebech Assefa, counsellor (development) and head of cooperation at the Canadian High Commission to Barbados, “The name ‘GRIT’ speaks to the courage, perseverance and passion that women entrepreneurs bring to their work every day”.
Assefa said GRIT is part of Canada’s broader commitment to advancing inclusive economic growth and women’s empowerment across the region.
She noted that Canada remains steadfast in its efforts to support economic cooperation for shared prosperity by helping more women entrepreneurs contribute to their own success and that of their communities.
