Ministry of Trade Development Appoints Trade Consultants

The Ministry of Tourism and Trade Development is pleased to announce another significant milestone in the Government’s Trade agenda, with the appointment of a consultant to develop the Cayman Islands first comprehensive Trade Development Framework.

Following an open procurement process, GFA Consulting Group, headquartered in Germany, has been awarded the contract to deliver the work outlined in the Terms of Reference approved by Cabinet. The contract was signed on 17 July 2026 and will run for a period of twelve months.

The engagement will be led by Preville and Associates Consulting Group (International) Limited, a member of the GFA Group that is based in Saint Lucia. The three-person team from Preville and Associates brings extensive regional expertise in trade economics, legal and regulatory reform, sector analysis and stakeholder engagement.

The team is led by Claudius Preville who is an internationally recognised trade economist with over 25 years of experience in trade policy design, economic modelling, and international trade negotiations, particularly within Small Island Developing States. Holding a PhD in Economics of Development with a focus on trade liberalisation modelling, he brings deep expertise in quantitative analysis, trade agreements, and policy formulation. He has led more than 20 large-scale international trade projects, including the development of national trade policies (Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu), export strategies (Grenada), and regional trade facilitation frameworks (OECS). His experience spans World Trade Organisation (WTO) negotiations, CARICOM regional integration, and Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA), positioning him as a leading expert in aligning national policies with international trade systems.

Dr Preville is supported by Lawyer Nicole Garraway. She is a specialized international trade lawyer and regulatory expert with over 13 years of experience in trade compliance, legal reform, and institutional design, particularly within CARICOM and OECS jurisdictions. She holds a Master of Laws (LLM) in International Trade Law with distinction and combines legal expertise with strong economic and policy analysis capabilities. She has led assignments involving the development of regulatory authorities, compliance systems, and digital trade frameworks. Her work on biosecurity legislation and customs risk management systems, directly aligns with the Cayman Islands’ plans to review and streamline import processes and reduce regulatory inefficiencies.

Completing the team is Dr. Geneve Phillip-Durham who brings a unique combination of technical policy expertise and practical stakeholder coordination, having led more than 10 multi-stakeholder consultations across the Caribbean involving government, private sector, and civil society actors. Her qualifications include a PhD. International Relations; an MSc. In Global Studies and a Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip.) in International Relations.

Working in close collaboration with the Advisory Trade Commission, the consultants will undertake a comprehensive review of the Cayman Islands’ current trade landscape.

This will include examining how the goods that the country relies on are sourced, where they originate from, and identifying opportunities to broaden the Islands network of reliable trading partners while maintaining the security and continuity of critical imports.

The Scope of Works also includes a comprehensive analysis of import costs, to identify practical measures for reducing the cost of goods and key commodities that have the greatest impact on the cost of living. Additionally, the team will assess ways to enhance the Cayman Islands resilience in an increasingly dynamic and unpredictable global environment.

The project will be delivered in three phases, commencing with an Interim Report expected within six months. The report will outline the current trade landscape, identify key opportunities, and provide the overarching strategic direction for the Framework, including the import cost analysis.

A Draft Trade Development Framework will follow approximately two months later, presenting detailed findings, recommendations and proposed strategies.

The final Trade Development Framework, which will include a practical implementation roadmap, monitoring and evaluation plan, and recommendations for future partnerships and resource requirements, is scheduled for completion within twelve months.

Hon. Gary Rutty, Minister for Tourism and Trade Development, welcomed the consultancy appointment, regarding it as another important step towards strengthening the Cayman Islands’ economic resilience.

“The contracting of Preville and Associates Consulting Group (International) Limited is a crucial element in establishing a much-needed Trade Development Framework for our Islands,” he said. “This Framework is not only relevant for how we trade today; it is also about ensuring that Cayman has a structured, data-driven approach for managing how, where, and who we trade with, well into the future. I am especially encouraged that the consultants are Caribbean based, and bring a deep understanding of the unique opportunities and challenges faced by island nations. I look forward to working closely with the Advisory Trade Commission, and continuing to progress this important initiative to ultimately deliver tangible cost savings for our people.”

Chairman of the Advisory Trade Commission, Wil Pineau, said the Commission is eager to begin working with the consultancy team and stakeholders across the Cayman Islands.

“The Advisory Trade Commission looks forward to working closely with the consultants, the Ministry and stakeholders across the public and private sectors. Our priority is to ensure that the process is inclusive, evidence-based and firmly grounded in Cayman’s circumstances.

The resulting Framework should provide practical, measurable recommendations to strengthen trade relationships, improve supply chain efficiency, identify new opportunities, support local businesses, and help address the cost of importing essential goods. Meaningful stakeholder participation will be critical to producing a Framework that is realistic, actionable and capable of strengthening the resilience and long-term competitiveness of the Cayman Islands economy.”

The appointment marks the next phase in Government’s commitment to developing a strategic approach to trade that supports economic diversification, strengthens the resilience of the Cayman Islands’ economy, and creates long-term benefits for businesses and consumers alike.