Kaiso and Carnival were some of the poetic but very familiar words spoken by Nigerian spoken word, performance poetry artist, and award-winning author Dike Chukwumerije.
Professor Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Africa Export-Import Bank; Her Excellency Dr. Carla Barnett, Secretary-General of the CARICOM; His Excellency Chandrikapersad Santokhi, President of the Republic of Suriname and current Chair of CARICOM; His Excellency Amadou Hott, Minister of Economy, Planning and International Cooperation of the Republic of Senegal; and the Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, were the key speakers during the opening ceremony.
Incorporated into the opening ceremony was a brief signing ceremony for partnership agreements between the Africa Export-Import Bank and a number of high-level officials including Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew.
Following the opening ceremony, Prime Minister Drew participated in a panel discussion looking at linkages in Trade and Investment, and the building of cultural ties between the Caribbean Region and Africa.