11TH European Development Fund Implementation Report 2017- 2023

i. Trade and Business Intelligence (TBI), and Research Capacity Strengthened

3) GUYEXPO 2017 and GUYTIE Planning During the period February 9-10, 2017, Caribbean Export participated in a planning meeting with the Ministry of Business in Guyana, in preparation for the GUYEXPO and Guyana Business Expo (Guytie), which took place in October 2017. The purpose of the mission was to support the Ministry in the development of a new vision and strategy for the GUYEXPO, with the aim of making it a more business-oriented trade show; to develop a work plan for the hosting of the new rebranded Guyana Trade and Investment Exhibition (GUYTIE) ; and to build greater awareness about the Caribbean Export brand at the local level. Eighteen (18) persons attended the planning meeting, which was facilitated in the format of a workshop. Representatives from the Ministries of Business, Trade, Tourism and Industry; the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI); and the New Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) were also present. The recommendations emanating from the workshop were incorporated into a concept document, which charted the way forward for a new trade show and was presented to the Minister of Business. As an immediate outcome, stakeholders (1) CEIntelligence Portal The Caribbean Export Intelligence (CEIntelligence) Portal was developed to serve as a strategic tool designed to support firms in refining their market entry strategies. It offers Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs) and BSOs access to accurate, high-quality data at no cost, streamlining the process of making informed business decisions and reducing associated costs, time, and effort. The portal furnishes users with trade and business intelligence, facilitates access to finance by listing regional financial institutions and opportunities, provides comprehensive export guides supplemented with explanatory videos on the CARIFORUM EU EPA, furnishes insights on foreign direct investment, and offers information on food safety regulations for key markets such as the EU, USA, and Canada. Launched in July 2018, the portal catalyzes the realization of regional brands' full potential by leveraging high-quality information to inform decision-making processes.

Under the 11th EDF programme

18 work shops The website receives on average 2700 visitors each month.

Focussed on market intelligence and the use of the CEIntelligence portal have been conducted with 527 beneficiaries from both BSOs and CARIFORUM businesses.

(2) Services Registry To facilitate CARIFORUM service providers in leveraging opportunities from the EPA, it is imperative to aid them in identifying export prospects and capitalizing on EU provisions for market access. Currently, CARIFORUM lacks registries for service providers, except for mandated professional sectors like accountants, architects, engineers, and lawyers, as well as cultural services sectors in Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago. Recognizing this gap, the Services Registry was established for CARIFORUM within the CEIntelligence Portal, and currently boasts registration from over 400 businesses.

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

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