The CARO Centre has been established as part of the OHADAC-CARO project, led by ACP Legal and co-financed by the Interreg Caribbean 2021-2027 Programme, with the support of the European Union and the French Development Agency (AFD). This initiative aims to strengthen regional integration by facilitating economic exchanges and securing investments through tailored legal instruments, particularly in the field of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). The CARO Centre thus contributes to the development of a more secure economic environment and supports Caribbean stakeholders in their growth and development

At the end of March 2026, the CARO Centre continued its efforts to foster regional economic development by participating in a mission to Trinidad and Tobago alongside companies supported by the Martinique Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The mission also provided an opportunity to establish and strengthen regional partnerships while promoting Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) as a valuable tool for securing commercial exchanges.

1. A Business Mission at the Heart of the Trinidadian Market: Immersion and Cooperation Opportunities

From 23 to 26 March 2026, the CARO Centre joined a mission in Trinidad and Tobago to support several companies as part of an initiative organized in collaboration with Team France Export Overseas Territories, which brings together the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Martinique, Guadeloupe and French Guiana. The mission aimed to facilitate meetings between businesses from Martinique, Guadeloupe and French Guiana and local stakeholders selected by the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers' Association (TTMA) according to their profile.

Participating companies from a range of sectors, including agri-food, payment solutions and innovative infrastructure, had the opportunity to present their projects and engage directly with potential partners. They also benefited from legal guidance provided by Mrs. Natthoya Baptiste, Esquire, of Equitas Chambers and the CARO Centre. Discussions focused on key issues relating to international investment, contract security, intellectual property, Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms and the services offered by the Centre.

The program also included visits to several leading industrial facilities, notably Acado, Extra Foods and Blue Waters, providing participants with a deeper understanding of local production capabilities. A visit to the port and discussions with CMA CGM further underscored emerging logistical opportunities, particularly through the establishment of regular maritime routes strengthening connectivity between Caribbean territories.

An additional highlight of the mission was the reception hosted at the French Residence by Mr Guillaume Pierre, Ambassador of France to Trinidad and Tobago. The event offered a valuable platform for dialogue with local economic stakeholders, including Caribbean Airlines, as well as representatives of Interreg Caribbean and the Alliance Française.

The CARO Centre extends its sincere gratitude to the Martinique Chamber of Commerce and Industry for its valued partnership in the organization of this mission, and to Mrs. Natthoya Baptiste, Esquire, for her expertise and continued commitment to supporting participating businesses.

Our sincere thank you are also directed to local stakeholders, particularly the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers' Association (TTMA), for their warm welcome and the interest shown in the CARO Centre's initiatives to promote regional economic cooperation.

Finally, the CARO Centre congratulates the participating companies on the quality of their projects and their commitment to expanding opportunities within Caribbean markets.

2. Regional Connectivity and Academic Exchanges: Strengthening Ties to Build the Future

Beyond supporting businesses in their economic development efforts, the mission in Trinidad and Tobago represented an important step in strengthening regional dialogue on Alternative Dispute Resolution.

During the mission, Anaïs Leray, OECS Collaborator at the CARO Centre, had the opportunity to identify and meet with numerous key stakeholders from the local legal ecosystem, including lawyers, judges, mediators and arbitrators, in order to exchange views on existing practices, ongoing developments and prospects for the growth of ADR in Trinidad and Tobago.

These discussions made it possible to establish an initial overview of existing mechanisms and gain a deeper understanding of efforts already undertaken to promote mediation and arbitration. They also opened concrete avenues for regional cooperation, notably through exchanges with Ms Shivangelie Ramoutar, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Law at The University of the West Indies (UWI).

The CARO Centre would like to extend its sincere thanks to all the professionals who participated in these meetings for their warm welcome, availability and the quality of the discussions, which reflected their willingness to actively contribute to these reflections. Their commitment demonstrates a growing interest in developing alternative dispute resolution mechanisms tailored to the economic realities and challenges of the region.

These exchanges are part of a shared ambition: to make Alternative Dispute Resolution not merely a secondary option, but a first-line approach to managing commercial disputes, thereby contributing to a more efficient, secure and collaborative economic environment.

By strengthening these connections and encouraging exchanges among legal practitioners throughout the Caribbean, the CARO Centre continues to pursue its objective of building a regional network of experts and actively contributes to the promotion and development of Alternative Dispute Resolution across the Caribbean.