OECS, Inc.

What OECS, Inc. does

The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) is an inter-governmental organisation established on June 18, 1981 by the Treaty of Basseterre among seven Eastern Caribbean states, and restructured by the Revised Treaty of Basseterre (signed June 18, 2010; entered into force January 21, 2011), which created an economic union enabling free movement of goods, people, services, and capital among its Protocol Member States. It now comprises 12 territories — 7 Protocol Members (Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) and 5 Associate Members (British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Saint Martin, the last joining March 19, 2025). The Commission's headquarters is in Castries, Saint Lucia, with diplomatic/liaison offices in Brussels (EU), Geneva, Ottawa, and Rabat.

OECS delivers its mandate through a portfolio of programs and digital infrastructure rather than commercial products. Notable technology assets include the OECS Multi-Purpose Identification System (MPID) supporting free-movement verification, a Harmonized Border Management System (BMS) with biometric data capture, a Regional Risk Management System for the Customs Union, and trade-intelligence tools (OECS Trade Map, Market Access Map). Programmatic offerings include the €11.32 million EU-funded RIGHT Programme (Regional Integration Through Growth, Harmonisation and Technology), the €8 million INTERREG CambioNet Project (agricultural bioeconomic modernisation), the €6.8 million Odyssea Project (blue-routes tourism), the €2 million Blue BioTrade Project (queen conch with UNCTAD/CITES), the US$1 million Eastern Caribbean Green Entrepreneurship Initiative (Qatar Fund for Development/GGGI), the TECHIE entrepreneurship hub, and the €4 million Eastern Caribbean Institute of Tourism (ECIT). Connected institutions include the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority, and Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority.

OECS is a non-profit inter-governmental body and does not charge fees for its regional integration services. Its operating model relies on member-state contributions and grants from development partners — primarily the European Union, World Bank, UNDP, UNCTAD, FAO, GIZ, Green Climate Fund, Caribbean Development Bank, Commonwealth Secretariat, and Qatar Fund for Development. Governance is structured through the OECS Authority (Heads of Government), Council of Ministers, OECS Assembly, and the OECS Commission (secretariat), led since May 2014 by Director General Dr. Didacus Jules. The organisation's principal "customers" are its member-state governments and, indirectly, citizens of the Protocol Member States who benefit from free movement and harmonised policies; downstream beneficiaries include MSMEs reached through matching-grant, entrepreneurship, and trade-facilitation programmes.

Name

OECS, Inc.

Legal name

Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States

Website

https://oecs.int

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) is an inter-governmental organisation that drives regional integration, economic union operation, and cross-border policy harmonisation among 12 Eastern Caribbean territories, delivering free movement, trade facilitation, and development programs funded by member states and donor partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Intergovernmental Regional Integration Services

NAICS

International Affairs (928120)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPADAAAB

Regional Intergovernmental Organizations

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Multilateral & Intergovernmental Organizations

SECONDARYBPADAAAC

International Economic & Trade Cooperation Organizations

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Multilateral & Intergovernmental Organizations

Keywords

• Regional economic integration
• Intergovernmental development programs
• Trade facilitation systems
• Border management technology
• Sustainable blue economy

Headquarters

HQ city

Castries

HQ country

St. Lucia

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

OECS operates as a treaty-based inter-governmental organization driving Eastern Caribbean regional integration. It runs an Economic Union among seven Protocol Member States enabling free movement of goods, persons, services, and capital, and coordinates harmonized policies across trade, customs, education, health, environment, and disaster resilience. Operationally, it delivers cross-border digital infrastructure (Multi-Purpose Identification System, Harmonized Border Management System, Regional Customs Risk Management System, Trade Map, Market Access Map), multi-country capacity-building programs (RIGHT, Blue BioTrade, INTERREG CambioNet, UBEC Matching Grants, ECIT tourism training), and shared diplomatic representation for twelve territories.

Product overview

OECS, Inc. (Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States) is an inter-governmental organization, not a technology product company. It offers a portfolio of regional integration programs and services organized around economic union establishment, trade facilitation, sustainable development, and capacity building. The core offerings include the Economic Affairs and Regional Integration Division (EARID) coordinating economic policies; the RIGHT Programme (€11.320 million EU-funded) advancing border management and digital systems; blue economy initiatives (UBEC Matching Grants, Blue BioTrade); green entrepreneurship programs (TECHIE hub, Qatar-funded initiative); tourism development (ECIT training institute); trade intelligence tools (OECS Trade Map, Market Access Map); and publications (OECS Integrates magazine, Green Link Newsletter). These programs collectively support the Eastern Caribbean Economic Union among seven Protocol Member States and engage five Associate Members.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• OECS Regional Integration Programme The core umbrella service facilitating establishment of the Eastern Caribbean Economic Union through harmonized policies and free movement of persons, goods, services, and capital across member states.
• RIGHT Programme (Regional Integration Through Growth, Harmonisation and Technology) EU-funded programme (€11.320 million from the 11th European Development Fund) advancing regional integration through border management systems, free movement regimes, trade facilitation, and digital ID mutual recognition across OECS member states.
• Blue BioTrade Project €2 million initiative empowering small-scale coastal producers to sustainably trade queen conch products in domestic, regional, and international markets, implemented with UNCTAD and CITES.
• INTERREG CambioNet Project €8 million bioeconomic modernisation project accelerating sustainable agriculture in the Eastern Caribbean through innovative solutions for small farms, co-funded by INTERREG Caraïbes and European Regional Development Fund.
• UBEC Matching Grant Programme Financing mechanism supporting MSMEs and communities in blue economy value chains including tourism, fisheries, and waste management in Saint Lucia, Grenada, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
• Eastern Caribbean Green Entrepreneurship Initiative US$1 million project funded by Qatar Fund for Development supporting green business development through incubators and accelerators, creating inclusive green jobs.
• OECS Technology Competitiveness Hub for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (TECHIE) Entrepreneurship development program providing business support services including orientation, training, mentoring, coaching, access to financing, and seed capital for tech startups.
• OECS Trade Map Trade intelligence tool providing statistics on trade flows among OECS member countries and external partners, helping businesses identify potential trading partners.
• OECS Market Access Map Trade intelligence tool providing detailed information on trade and investment opportunities, tariffs, non-tariff measures, and trade regulations across seven OECS countries.
• Eastern Caribbean Institute of Tourism (ECIT) EU-funded €4 million tourism and hospitality training institute with Centres of Excellence in nine member states, harmonizing human resource development across the OECS Economic Union.
• OECS Laissez-Passer Certificate Travel document service facilitating official travel documentation for OECS personnel and authorized individuals.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerImplementing partner for Blue BioTrade Project focused on sustainable queen conch trade and production in Eastern Caribbean markets
• Caribbean Community (CARICOM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOECS coordinates CSME implementation with CARICOM; member states participate in wider Caribbean Single Market and Economy
• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment partner supporting sustainable development initiatives including INTERREG CambioNet Project and OECS Development Strategy
• Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerImplementing partner for Eastern Caribbean Green Entrepreneurship Initiative (US$1 million project funded by Qatar Fund)
• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting partner for Blue BioTrade Project providing expertise on sustainable conch trade regulations
• Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner supporting agricultural development and food security initiatives across OECS member states
• Institut national de la recherche agronomique (INRAE)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead partner for INTERREG CambioNet Project on bioeconomic modernisation of Eastern Caribbean agriculture
• Caribbean Community Implementing Agency for Crime and Security (CARICOM IMPACS)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for strengthening border management systems and harmonized border control implementation
• International Trade Centre (ITC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for ACP TradeCom II Programme building trade capacity in OECS member states
• Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman development agency supporting regional cooperation and climate action initiatives
• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for environmental sustainability and climate change initiatives across the region
• Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in agricultural research and development initiatives including INTERREG CambioNet Project
• Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner supporting health initiatives and health systems strengthening across OECS member states
• University of the West Indies (UWI)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner supporting education and research initiatives including Caribbean Examinations Council alignment
• Caribbean Export Development AgencymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional agency coordinating trade promotion and business development support through various programmes
• Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for climate and disaster resilience initiatives across the Eastern Caribbean
• Commonwealth SecretariatmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting trade capacity building through Hub & Spokes Programme for Commonwealth member states

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Commonwealth Secretariat: Intergovernmental organization supporting 56 Commonwealth member states — directly comparable to OECS in intergovernmental mandate and a current OECS partner. Operates at much larger global scale across political, trade, and development functions.
• Caribbean Development Bank (CDB): Regional development bank financing development projects across OECS and wider Caribbean. Comparable as an established regional institution operating in OECS territory with a broader Caribbean mandate and financial-instrument capabilities OECS lacks.
• World Trade Organization (WTO): Global intergovernmental organization setting international trade rules and supporting trade capacity-building for small economies. OECS member states engage WTO via the Geneva mission; comparable as a multilateral rule-setter for trade facilitation.
• African Union (AU): Continental intergovernmental organization of 55 African states pursuing regional integration, free movement, and continental policy harmonization. Comparable to OECS in intergovernmental integration mandate but operates at vastly larger scale and scope.

Direct peers

• Indian Ocean Commission (IOC): Intergovernmental organization of five Indian Ocean island states (Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Réunion, Seychelles) focused on regional cooperation, sustainable development, and climate resilience — a closely analogous island-state regional IGO to OECS.
• Pacific Community (SPC): Regional scientific and technical organization serving Pacific Island states with development, climate, and capacity-building programs — comparable to OECS as a multi-purpose regional body serving small island states with donor-funded programming.
• Pacific Islands Forum (PIF): Regional intergovernmental organization for Pacific island states pursuing regional integration, climate advocacy, and collective diplomacy — directly comparable to OECS as a regional IGO serving small island developing states with similar mandates.
• Caribbean Community (CARICOM): The wider Caribbean regional intergovernmental organization coordinating 15 member states on economic integration (CSME), foreign policy, and functional cooperation. OECS members participate in CARICOM, and the two bodies coordinate CSME implementation — making CARICOM the most direct comparable peer.
• East African Community (EAC): Regional intergovernmental organization of seven East African states operating a customs union and common market with a Secretariat in Arusha. Comparable to OECS as a treaty-based regional economic community with a secretariat, customs union, and free-movement ambitions.

Others

• CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (CARICOM IMPACS): CARICOM institution implementing regional crime and security cooperation, including border management systems — directly comparable in mandate and a current OECS partner for strengthening border management under the RIGHT Programme.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about OECS, Inc.