The Barbados-based Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) says the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) has contributed US$1,000 to the CTO Relief Fund to aid Caribbean countries impacted by natural disasters.
CTO said on Friday that the Brooklyn-based CACCI president Dr. Roy Hastick made the presentation recently to CTO Secretary General Hugh Riley.
“Over the past three decades, the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry has provided assistance with disaster relief efforts throughout the region,” said Grenadian-born Hastick, who is also CACCI’s founder and chief executive officer.
“Over the years, we have partnered with many institutions and groups in New York to raise funds and anonymous donations through CACCI-member contributions for the Caribbean,” he added. “Through its Educational Foundation, CACCI made this donation to the CTO Relief Fund to aid in St. Maarten’s continuing recovery from last year’s hurricane.”
Riley said CTO was “grateful for the generosity of CACCI, its members and their industry partners for their donation to the CTO Relief Fund, as it assists us with providing support to those member countries in need.”
CTO said it collects donations through the CTO Relief Fund for relief efforts in any of the member countries affected by natural disasters.
CTO said its Relief Fund has 501(c)(3) status, which means it has been approved by the US Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt, charitable organization.
CACCI is a New York statewide organization, with more than 1,700 members.
It offers expertise in providing business assistance to small start-up and emerging businesses in areas of business planning, financing, preparation for business expansion, economic development and export/import opportunities.
In August 2017, CTO said it partnered with CACCI in formalizing a “cooperation strategy between the two organizations to enhance the level of engagement with the Caribbean Diaspora and to strengthen relationships with entities serving the people of the Caribbean.”
