Leonard Wants Stronger Caribbean Trade, Plans to Bring International Business Missions to St. Maarten

GREAT BAY--President of the St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce and Industry (COCI) Tamara Leonard wants to place greater emphasis on trade between Caribbean countries in 2027, while exploring opportunities to bring international business delegations directly to St. Maarten. The proposed direction would build on the Chamber's current efforts to expand access to foreign markets and create more opportunities for local entrepreneurs to develop commercial partnerships without always having to travel abroad.

Leonard explained that while the Chamber's immediate focus is its upcoming Miami trade mission, she believes St. Maarten and its Caribbean neighbors must also invest in stronger economic relationships within the region.

She said the Caribbean should make better use of its existing trade opportunities and establish commercial networks that can help businesses withstand disruptions involving larger international markets.

Leonard's position is that Caribbean economies should not depend exclusively on business relationships with countries such as the United States when there are opportunities to strengthen trade and commercial cooperation among neighboring territories.

She suggested that the type of initiative currently being organized for Miami could eventually be adapted to facilitate direct business exchanges within the Caribbean.

The objective would be to connect regional entrepreneurs, encourage trade in locally manufactured goods, increase business-to-business cooperation and create additional outlets for products and services developed within the region.

Such cooperation could also allow Caribbean businesses to identify regional suppliers, distribution partners and investment opportunities that may be more accessible than those in larger international markets.

Speaking on The Breakfast Lounge with Lady Grace on Power 102.7 FM on Tuesday, Leonard disclosed that she has become chair of the Caribbean Committee within the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, a position she intends to use to help strengthen business connections between the Caribbean and the wider international commercial community.

She explained that establishing a presence within established business networks can create opportunities for other Caribbean entrepreneurs to gain access to relationships and resources that might otherwise be difficult to reach.

Her involvement with the Greater Miami Chamber is through her own business, while her presidency of COCI provides a separate institutional platform for promoting the interests of St. Maarten's business community.

Leonard sees these connections as complementary opportunities to encourage international cooperation and expand the commercial reach of Caribbean businesses.

She indicated that the Chamber could explore a more structured focus on Caribbean trade next year, once the current Miami initiative has been completed.

Leonard also revealed that work is being explored to reverse the usual direction of overseas trade missions by inviting foreign business representatives and industry delegations to St. Maarten.

Rather than requiring local entrepreneurs to travel internationally for every opportunity, the concept would provide a platform for visiting companies, investors, distributors and other commercial partners to meet with St. Maarten businesses on the island.

She explained that discussions are being considered around different types of incoming business missions, including initiatives focused on individual industries.

Leonard indicated that the Chamber could concentrate on three or four selected sectors in 2027, allowing more targeted attention to the commercial needs and development potential of those industries.

Such an approach would allow participating businesses to benefit from activities designed around their respective markets, whether the objective involves increasing sales, identifying suppliers, accessing new technologies or establishing commercial partnerships.

However, Leonard made clear that the proposed initiatives still require further discussion with the COCI board before specific arrangements can be finalized.

No firm dates or participating foreign delegations were announced.

The proposed initiatives reflect Leonard's view that the Chamber should play a more active role in facilitating economic development rather than concentrating exclusively on its statutory registration responsibilities.

She has repeatedly emphasized the importance of providing businesses with practical tools, exposure and connections that can contribute to their long-term growth.

The current From Island Roots to Global Routes mission, scheduled for November 16 to 19 in Miami, is being positioned as an initial step in establishing a broader network of international and regional commercial relationships.

Leonard believes the relationships developed through such initiatives can create opportunities for continued cooperation, including future visits by international business representatives to St. Maarten.

The concept also has potential implications for the country's economic diversification efforts, particularly if it allows smaller businesses to reach customers and commercial partners beyond the local market.

Greater regional cooperation could help businesses identify alternative sources of materials, share expertise and expand their customer base while strengthening commercial relationships between Caribbean economies.

For Leonard, the wider objective is to ensure that St. Maarten businesses are not limited by the size of the island's domestic market and can participate more actively in regional and international commerce.

The Chamber's plans for 2027 remain under development, with further decisions expected following internal discussions and the completion of the Miami trade mission.

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