Chamber launches Cayman Made

Chamber of Commerce President Nelson Dilbert announced the launch of Cayman Made – an exciting new programme aimed at promoting and protecting products that are made in the Cayman Islands – at the Cayman Islands Centre for Business Development Small Business Expo on Thursday 5 October.

Introducing the new initiative, Mr. Dilbert said: “There are many small businesses engaged in manufacturing things here – hot sauces or cakes using many locally grown ingredients, or perfumed soaps, skin creams and cosmetics made from coconut oil; caymanite jewelry. They all share the need to create a Cayman-centred brand – something that gives the customer assurance while developing and marketing a recognised and trusted Cayman Islands brand identity. That’s the idea behind Cayman Made: A new marketing campaign designed to take much of the heavy-lifting out of marketing a unique, Cayman-made product.” 

The Cayman Made initiative has been specially developed by the Chamber to support local entrepreneurs who create, manufacture, assemble and sell products locally. Participating businesses benefit by belonging to a network of local producers and creatives and can share in their experiences, suppliers, and services. It will also benefit from being extensively promoted through the Chamber’s promotional platforms and will be listed on the Cayman Made website. Participating businesses can use the Cayman Made logo on their packaging and promotional material and will be invited to participate in Cayman Made trade shows locally and abroad - enabling access to new markets that would have otherwise been out of their reach.

Businesses that can apply are those who create, design, manufacture or assemble products locally, and who hold a valid trade & business license. Applications are reviewed by a committee of the Chamber Council, appointed by the Chamber President. There is a refundable CI$75.00 application fee (if the application is declined) and an annual subscription based on the category that matches your business.

Mr. Dilbert also announced the Chamber’s trade mission to Panama in March 2024, to attend Expocomer, the largest trade show in Central America. Anyone interested in participating in the trade mission can contact the Chamber by emailing wil.pineau@caymanchamber.ky

During his address, Mr. Dilbert shared his own experience in starting a small business – a local microbrew pub – before going on to develop Seven Fathoms Rum. Small businesses had always been at the heart of Cayman’s economy, he said, and the Chamber had always supported small businesses through its advocacy programme as well as through its training courses – aimed at small business success.

Mr. Dilbert Shared the Podium with the Hon. Premier, Wayne Panton, who. praised the CICBD for all their hard work in putting on the expo.  He stressed the Government’s continuing commitment to providing healthy environments for small businesses which account around 70% of Cayman’s economy. He paid tribute to Cayman’s entrepreneurial spirit, where “dreams could become reality,” provided the entrepreneur maintained their passion and commitment to making sure the business succeeded.