11TH European Development Fund Implementation Report 2017- 2023

(1) Caribbean Kitchen at ANUGA 2017 Caribbean Kitchen was a strategic initiative aimed at showcasing the Caribbean's specialty foods on the global stage, particularly within the European Union (EU). This endeavor facilitated a deeper understanding of the nuances involved in conducting business in Europe, empowering firms to capitalize on opportunities afforded by the CARIFORUM EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). By fostering business-to-business (B2B) connections and forging investment and distribution partnerships, Caribbean Kitchen paved the way for export growth among participating firms. Sponsored by the 11th EDF RPSDP, seven (7) CARIFORUM companies attended the ANUGA food fair in Germany from October 7-11, 2017. The mission's primary objective was to enhance awareness of CARIFORUM specialty foods in the EU and German markets, consequently driving exports to these regions while promoting the Caribbean Kitchen brand. Additionally, the mission served as an invaluable learning opportunity for participating firms, providing crucial insights into the intricacies of EU and German markets. Feedback from participants highlighted the mission's efficacy in strengthening their understanding of the EU market, with four firms identifying newfound market access opportunities and four firms successfully initiating negotiations for potential contracts with European counterparts. (2) CARIFESTA XIII Caribbean Export actively participated in CARIFESTA XIII, hosted by the Government of Barbados from August 19 26, 2017. The programme facilitated the involvement of ten fashion designers and artisans (specializing in spa and home décor) from across CARIFORUM, along with eight buyers from Europe. The primary objective was to showcase the designs and products of regional artisans to potential European buyers, aiming to penetrate the EU market. To optimize the exhibitors' experience at CARIFESTA XIII, Caribbean Export organized several supporting activities, including consultations with industry experts to prepare exhibitors for the event and a breakfast meeting for one on-one introductory sessions with buyers. Additionally, two workshops hosted by European buyers were conducted, open to all CARIFESTA exhibitors. Post-event debriefing sessions were held with both exhibitors and buyers to gather feedback and discuss future development plans for the culture and creative industries in the region. While opinions on the event's overall outcome varied, many exhibitors capitalized on media coverage and networking opportunities available.

Implementation of the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) Regional Private Sector Development Programme (RPSDP)

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