InCarib.net Launches Caribbean Infrastructure Suppliers Directory

Inspired by rebuilding efforts in the region after the 2017 hurricane season, this online resource strives to connect private sector suppliers and government, utility, and regional development agencies.

The only directory of Caribbean infrastructure suppliers, www.InCarib.net, is now live, with the aim of allowing companies that provide services or commodities to the Caribbean Infrastructure Sector to get listed. InCarib will serve as a resource that bridges the gap between private sector suppliers and Government, Utility, and regional development agencies. With the 2018 hurricane season approaching, the director’s developer and owner, Lauren Thomas, says, “Weather patterns are becoming more unpredictable leaving the region vulnerable to devastating consequences that cause problems with food and water supply, sanitation, electricity and transportation. InCarib.net is an open-access resource where infrastructure suppliers can tell the region what they do differently, so project developers and decision makers can quickly find who is available to meet their needs.”

Thomas adds, “Globally, the conversation has turned toward building sustainable and climate resilient infrastructure. For Caribbean countries, it’s at the top of the agenda. However, decision makers aren’t always aware of state-of-the-art solutions and technologies and they don’t have immediate access to the expertise. On the other hand, companies that do business or want to do business in the region in this space often find it difficult to get in front of the decision makers. InCarib bridges the gap. This is a resource that has been called for, for many years. The devastation left behind in 2017 just emphasized the need.”

Ronald Jackson, Executive Director of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency, comments, “As I reflect on the unprecedented events of 2017, I am reminded of the need for us to have quick access to regional assets and services to help in the immediate relief and subsequent recovery efforts. I am pleased to endorse this timely initiative and wish to congratulate the developers for their vision.”

hurricane seasonIn the wake of the 2017 Hurricane season, funding has turned up from regional agencies to help build back the Caribbean and improve or replace aging infrastructure. Projects are ramping up across Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Puerto Rico, Sint Maarten, and the US Virgin Islands. InCarib.net aims to provide a way for project developers and managers, looking for service providers for infrastructure projects in specific locations, to find these companies.

InCarib.net encourages every company interested in enabling, sustaining, and improving Caribbean living conditions to register to get listed. This can be done by visiting the website, or completing an application (https://goo.gl/forms/SX7xloIZ09C6EnhF2). The site is live while the directory is being populated. It is anticipated the directory will be available by August 2018.

“In building a resilient Caribbean, we need to have the contacts for technical expertise at our fingertips. InCarib.net is a timely and useful tool for building a better Caribbean,” says Ignatius Jean, Chairman if the Board of Directors, Caribbean Agriculture Research and Development Institute.

The digital directory was born as an idea after Thomas, a resident of the US Virgin Islands and a marketing professional involved in the water industry for many years, witnessed the destruction left behind by hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. At a water conference shortly thereafter, she also witnessed policy makers, utility executives and regional development partners clamoring to bring together professionals and service providers to help restore infrastructure across a wide geography. She has developed InCarib.net is a mechanism to bridge the gap between the private sector and the government, utility, and regional development agencies.