WASHINGTON – IDB Invest and British International Investment (BII), the United Kingdom’s development finance institution and impact investor, have signed a memorandum of understanding to expand investment opportunities and mobilize additional capital for private sector projects in Belize, the Dominican Republic, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, and Suriname.
The agreement establishes a framework to facilitate joint investments, streamline financing processes, and improve coordination between the two institutions. By working more closely on the identification, structuring, and execution of transactions, IDB Invest and BII aim to expand financing opportunities for businesses and projects.
“The Caribbean is a strategic priority for IDB Invest, and we are committed to expanding investment opportunities and supporting sustainable growth across the region,” said James Scriven, CEO of IDB Invest. “Our partnership with British International Investment is an important step in that direction. By combining our regional expertise and origination capabilities with BII’s investment capacity, we can mobilize more private capital, unlock new investment opportunities, and deliver greater development impact across the Caribbean.”
Leslie Maasdorp, the Chief Executive of BII, said: “BII has played a role in the economic development of the Caribbean since the 1950s. In 2022, we formally announced our return to the region after a 20 year absence. This proposed partnership with IDB Invest will enable us to commit greater sums of capital in the region to create jobs and support countries to adapt to meet the challenges of the climate emergency.”
Since announcing its return to the Caribbean, BII has made a $10 million commitment to the Private Equity fund, SEAF Caribbean SME International.
This alliance also supports IDB Invest’s Originate-to-Share business model, which seeks to mobilize additional resources by bringing partners and investors into transactions originated and structured by IDB Invest. Through this collaboration, both institutions aim to make more efficient use of their financing capacity and expand private sector investment in the Caribbean.
About IDB Invest
IDB Invest, a member of the IDB Group, is a multilateral development bank committed to promoting the economic development of its member countries in Latin America and the Caribbean through the private sector. IDB Invest finances sustainable companies and projects to achieve financial results and maximize economic, social, and environmental development in the region. With a portfolio of $22 billion in assets under management and more than 440 clients in 25 countries, IDB Invest provides innovative financial solutions and advisory services that meet the needs of its clients in a variety of industries. Visit our website: www.idbinvest.org/en.
About British International Investment
British International Investment is the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor. The organisation invests in businesses in developing countries to improve people’s lives and help protect the planet. BII’s work targets the underlying causes of poverty and the climate crisis, helping countries break free from aid dependency for good.
Between 2026-2031, at least 40 per cent of BII’s total new commitments by value will be in climate finance. BII is also a founding member of the 2X Challenge which raised over $33 billion between 2018-2023 to empower women’s economic development. The company has investments in nearly 1,700 businesses and total net assets of £9.88 billion. For more information, visit: www.bii.co.uk | watch here. Follow British International Investment on LinkedIn, Bluesky and X.