Can-Cara at the OOCUR Conference: Partnership, Progress and Water Security
Robert Taylor - Chairman, Can-Cara Limited
Description: Can-Cara shares highlights from the 20th OOCUR Conference, including sponsorship, exhibition and insights on water investment.
KINGSTON, JAMAICA - Can-Cara is proud to have participated in the 20th Conference of the Organisation of Caribbean Utility Regulators (OOCUR), held from 27 April to 1 May 2026 at the Ocean Coral Spring Convention Centre in Falmouth, Trelawny.
Held under the theme “Navigating Caribbean Regulatory Challenges: Opportunities, Innovations and Collaborations”, the conference brought together regulators, utility providers, government leaders and other stakeholders from across the Caribbean. For Can-Cara, it was an important opportunity to support regional dialogue on water, infrastructure and sustainable development.
A strong Can-Cara presence
Can-Cara participated in the conference as a sponsor, exhibitor and panelist. Our presence reflected our ongoing commitment to Jamaica’s water sector and to the wider regional conversation on utility resilience and growth.
At our booth, delegates and visitors engaged with the Can-Cara brand, learned more about our operations, and explored the role of water and wastewater services in national development. Our company video generated strong interest, while the signage for our Greater Bernard Lodge (GBL) project which is discussed below, sparked valuable discussion about infrastructure, service delivery and community expansion.
These conversations reinforced the importance of clear, practical engagement. They also showed growing interest in local solutions that can support long-term development across Jamaica and the Caribbean.
Chairman Robert Taylor on water infrastructure investment
A key highlight of the conference was the participation of Chairman Robert Taylor in the panel discussion “Securing Investments in Water Infrastructure”. His presentation focused on public-private partnerships and innovative funding mechanisms, both of which are critical to expanding and sustaining water services.
In his remarks, Mr Taylor shared Can-Cara’s journey as a 100% Jamaican-owned company with deep roots in housing development, water treatment and wastewater services. He explained how the company’s growth has been shaped by the need for long-term infrastructure planning and financing models that match the realities of the sector.
A major part of that story is Greater Bernard Lodge, where Can-Cara was awarded a Government of Jamaica contract to provide water and sewerage services to a large and growing township. This project demonstrated the value of the public-private partnership (PPP) model, particularly in financing major fixed assets such as conveyance systems, pumping stations and plant expansion.
His presentation highlighted three clear lessons:
Water infrastructure requires patient capital.
Traditional short-term financing is often a poor fit for the sector.
Public-private partnerships can unlock sustainable national development.
These points were especially relevant in a regional setting where many utility providers face similar challenges around financing, growth and resilience.
Why collaboration matters
The OOCUR Conference showed the value of bringing regulators, operators and policymakers together. Across the Caribbean, water, energy and telecommunications providers are dealing with increasing demand, climate pressures and the need for smarter infrastructure investment.
For Can-Cara, collaboration is not just a conference theme. It is central to how sustainable development happens. Strong partnerships help create systems that are reliable, scalable and better able to serve growing communities.
As a company working in both water and wastewater treatment and real estate development, we understand that progress depends on joined-up thinking. Communities need infrastructure that is built for the long term, and that requires cooperation across the public and private sectors.
Looking ahead
Can-Cara was honoured to be part of this important regional event and to contribute to the discussion on the future of utility services in the Caribbean.
The conference highlighted the role that innovation, partnership and careful investment must play in building stronger, more sustainable systems. It also reaffirmed Can-Cara’s belief in the value of practical collaboration in Jamaica’s water sector.
We are proud to have supported the 20th OOCUR Conference and look forward to helping shape a more resilient and sustainable future for the region.
Robert Taylor - Chairman, Can-Cara Limited.