October 26, 2021
The Caribbean Export Development Agency has appointed Mr Leo Naut as the Deputy, Executive Director based in their Santo Domingo, Sub-Regional Office (SRO). Mr. Naut will assume the position from November 1, 2021 leading the execution of the Dominican Republic – Haiti Bi-National Programme and the implementation of the 11th EDF (European Development Fund) Regional Private Sector Development Programme.
“We have an opportunity to further catapult Caribbean products and services as part of the global recovery from this past year. Having been a part of Caribbean Export before, I am excited to work once more alongside our stakeholders across the region to empower businesses to grow and thrive domestically and abroad” expressed Mr. Naut.
Mr Naut is an experienced professional in the areas of economic development and government relations and has specialised in the development of policy-building initiatives related to foreign direct investment and private sector competitiveness.
A former employee of Caribbean Export, Mr. Naut most recently served as the Deputy Head of Investment Promotion for the New York Office of Invest Hong Kong. He has also previously collaborated in implementing free trade agreements, negotiating bilateral investment treaties, and enabling international public-private dialogue.
“We are pleased to welcome Leo back to Caribbean Export, and I am confident his leadership will help the Agency soar to new heights of private sector development not only in the Dominican Republic and Haiti but across the Caribbean” shared Deodat Maharaj, Executive Director at Caribbean Export.
Mr Naut is a national of the Dominican Republic and holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Boston University and a Doctor of Law from Universidad Iberoamericana in Santo Dominigo, Dominican Republic.