Caribbean Export Elects New Chairperson and Deputy

Sunita Daniel and Ishmael Quiroz have been named to lead the board of the regional trade development organization.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in People

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The Caribbean Export Development Agency has appointed Sunita Daniel as chairperson and Ishmael Quiroz as deputy chairman, marking the agency's 30th anniversary. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Caribbean Export Development Agency has elected Export Saint Lucia CEO Sunita Daniel as its new chairperson. Additionally, Belize Trade and Investment Development Service executive director Ishmael Quiroz has been appointed as deputy chairman.

Why it matters

These leadership appointments arrive as the agency celebrates its 30th anniversary, marking a significant transition in its strategic oversight of regional trade efforts. The new board members are expected to guide the organization's regional trade agenda through its next development phase.

Sunita Daniel brings eight years of experience leading Export Saint Lucia to the role, while Ishmael Quiroz contributes over 20 years of public service in Belize. These appointments occurred during the agency's 46th Board of Directors meeting.

The players

Sunita Daniel

She serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Export Saint Lucia and has led the organization for eight years.

Ishmael Quiroz

He is the executive director of the Belize Trade and Investment Development Service and has two decades of public service experience.

Caribbean Export Development Agency

This is a regional trade development organization that is currently observing its 30th anniversary.

The details

Sunita Daniel and Ishmael Quiroz were selected to steer the agency's efforts to advance regional trade. The leadership change comes during a milestone year as the organization commemorates three decades of operation.

Timeline

  1. October 15, 2026: Official publication of the board appointments.

Market Landscape

These leadership changes solidify the agency's governance as it aligns with its 30th anniversary milestone. By appointing veteran regional trade leaders, the agency positions itself to maintain competitive continuity against broader economic shifts in the Caribbean.

The transition in leadership aims to streamline regional trade initiatives, which may eventually impact cross-border commerce policies for regional stakeholders. Stakeholders and business partners can expect continued focus on the organization's existing trade development strategies.

The takeaway

The appointment of experienced leaders like Daniel and Quiroz reflects a commitment to stable institutional growth. These roles are critical in maintaining the agency's long-term influence over trade policies within the region.

Further reading

For more information on regional organizational updates, visit the People section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by St. Lucia Times.

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