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An Investor Perception Survey: This was undertaken in 2013
and formed the basis for the development of the RIPS. The survey
was undertaken by the Financial Times and studied 100 investors’
perceptions of the Caribbean. Individual country perception studies
were also undertaken as a part of this work and the information was
shared with each IPA.
•
Incentives Benchmarking Study: This study was undertaken in 2013
as well with a view to increasing understanding about the region’s
incentives used to attract investors. The study highlighted that the
Caribbean has some of the highest incentives in the world and it
recommended the use of performance based incentives and
claw-back mechanisms grounded in a programme of monitoring the
performance of investors.
•
Reinvestment Study: This study was undertaken in 2015 with a
survey of 54 regional investors. This activity forms a part of the work
programme with the IDB under the Regional Public Goods
Programme. The overall objective of the study was to develop a
reinvestment programme the Caribbean given that approximately
50% of FDI in developing countries is taking place as reinvestment,
according to UNCTAD, and with the opportunity to develop and
share best practices in reinvestment across the region. A very positive
finding from the survey is that 81% of investors are considering expansion
in the host country and a further 61% of investors are considering
expansion in other countries in the Caribbean. 71% of investors would be
likely or very likely to recommend the host country business climate.
These really positive messages show the great potential for IPAs from the
region to work with existing investors to secure more FDI. The survey also
highlighted the areas in which investors need support from the IPAs and
action plans were developed to increase the IPAs capacity to meet these
needs and target re-investors.
•
Virtual Meetings: Each year, Caribbean Export purchases a license for
GoToWebinar and GoToMeeting allowing CAIPA members to host virtual
meetings as an Association but the IPAs also use the tool to host meetings
with investors. The tool offers a cost-effective means of reaching
stakeholders and to date CAIPA has hosted 2 webinars, one with a group
of Chinese investors and another with business process outsourcing (BPO
stakeholders in the region. Another is being planned as a follow-up to the
mission to Mexico – with Mexican investors for 2016.
•
FDI Databases: Seven licenses
were purchased by Caribbean
export for access to
fDiMarkets, one of the largest
databases of investors in the
world. The database is owned
by the Financial Times and all
CAIPA members had access
to the software for a period of
12 months so that information
on strategy investors could
be downloaded and assist in
the targeting efforts. The
subscription was discontinued
due to its high cost.
REGIONAL INVESTOR OF THE YEAR
AWARD
The inaugural Regional Investor of
the Year Award (RIYA) was held in
Belize on November 22, 2013 as part
of the 4th CAIPA General Assembly.
The award is a collaborative initiative
between CAIPA and Caribbean Export
through funding under the 10th EDF
RPSDP. It recognises and promotes
the contribution of regional, foreign
and local investors to the Caribbean
economy, their ability to create new
jobs, and adherence to high standards
of corporate social responsibility. The
award also recognises investors in
strategic niche areas of importance to
the region, e.g. green energy, research
and development and those that
involve a high degree of innovation
and creativity or are championed by
women.
ENHANCING COMPETITIVENESS
AND PROMOTING INNOVATION