Export Saint Lucia Chief Executive Officer Sunita Daniel has been elected chairperson of the Caribbean Export Development Agency, giving Saint Lucia a leadership role in the regional organisation responsible for supporting trade and export development.
Daniel was elected at the agency’s 46th meeting of the Board of Directors, where Ishmael Quiroz, executive director of the Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE), was appointed deputy chairman.
The appointments come as Caribbean Export marks its 30th anniversary.
Daniel, an economist, has led Export Saint Lucia for eight years, working to increase the value and volume of Saint Lucia’s exports.
Her previous roles include serving as the country’s Chief Planning Officer for Agriculture and as programme liaison officer to the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation. Her expertise spans policy and planning, trade facilitation, agricultural and business development, and resource mobilisation.
In a statement following her election, Daniel said she was honoured by the confidence placed in her by regional colleagues.
“I am honoured by the confidence reposed in me by my regional compatriots through their selection of me to serve as the Chairperson of the Caribbean Export Development Agency,” she said.
She said she welcomed the opportunity to help advance Caribbean enterprise and expand opportunities for regional businesses.
“I welcome the opportunity and challenge with optimism, and a vision to elevate Caribbean talent, creativity and entrepreneurship to higher levels of prosperity, at home and abroad,” Daniel said.
“Through innovation and regional collaboration, Caribbean enterprises will help shape global trade and not merely participate in it.”
As chairperson, Daniel will contribute to the agency’s strategic oversight and efforts to advance its regional trade and export development mandate.
Caribbean Export Executive Director Dr Damie Sinanan welcomed the appointments, citing the experience Daniel and Quiroz bring to the agency’s work with Caribbean businesses.
Quiroz has more than 20 years of public service experience in Belize, with expertise in private-sector development, investment promotion and business climate reform. He affirmed BELTRAIDE’s commitment to advancing Caribbean exports.
