11TH European Development Fund Implementation Report 2017- 2023

(3) SIAL Paris The SIAL PARIS Show is one of Europe’s largest and most important food and beverage fairs for exhibitors who wish to showcase their products to potential buyers in the European market. The event boasts of attracting over 7000 exhibitors (85% international) and 155,000 visitors, including thousands of international, buyers from around the world. Caribbean Export, with funding from the 11th EDF, supported a contingent of eleven (11) companies from the Agro-processing sector, across five CARIFORUM countries in 2018 to participate, and a further 14 companies participated in 2022. From the 2018 cohort, an average of 75 leads were sourced per participant with two companies (Naledo and Ron Veleiro) signing contracts for supplying new markets. Two other companies (Benedicta SA and J&J Spirits) were able to expand their exports, through existing channels. At SIAL in 2022 the 14 firms participated in 105 B2B meetings generating 60 leads. Participants were able to network and gain knowledge on industry best practices and areas for research and development. (4) Food Matters Live Food Matters Live is a trade show in the UK focused on natural, functional ingredients and sought to bring together stakeholders including buyers (wholesalers, importers, retailers and importers) in this innovative segment. While Food Matters Live 2020 was envisaged as an in-person trade show, due to the pandemic, the event was held virtually in October 2020 when four CARIFORUM Firms showcased. The trade show provided the selected CARIFORUM firms in the Natural Products and Nutraceutical sectors access to buyers from the UK and wider European markets to increase their visibility and engage in B2B meetings for potential export to these markets. Naledo, an agro-processing firm from Belize, also won the Best New Food award. As part of CE’s package in 2021, a webinar and podcast were executed to raise the profile of CE and the 11th EDF programme and participating firms.

The programme facilitated the attendance of seven CARIFORUM firms in the 2021 virtual edition:

Naledo, Belize

Jamrow Trading Company, Jamaica

Home Choice Enterprises, Jamaica

O’s Inc., Barbados Total Health Foods and Services, Saint Lucia

Vincyfresh Limited, St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Procesadora Vizcaya, Dominican Republic

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

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