11TH European Development Fund Implementation Report 2017- 2023

Table 11: Absolutely Caribbean Virtual Expo Participants

Country

Number of Participants

Antigua and Barbuda Barbados Belize Dominica Dominican Republic Grenada Haiti Jamaica Saint Lucia St. Vincent and the Grenadines St. Kitts and Nevis Suriname The Bahamas Trinidad and Tobago Total

1

8

2

2

5

During the virtual tradeshow, exhibitors engaged in two hundred (200) B2B meetings. The ACVT attracted seventy (70) qualified buyers, four hundred and fifty (450) registrants and two hundred and forty-three (243) attendees. Seven themed webinars based on the sectors of interest were hosted with industry experts during the tradeshow. To further augment traction gained from the virtual expo, Caribbean Export initiated the development of an online cooking show aimed at promoting CARIFORUM food and beverage products. The show spotlighted Caribbean cuisine and featured chef social media influencers – Original Flava¹². Its objectives included supporting 10 CARIFORUM firms in e-commerce by showcasing products that met European and North American market entry requirements, aiding companies with an active digital presence, and facilitating online purchases through e-commerce sites. The chefs prepared Caribbean meals using Agency-selected products, with the videos shared online to the followers of the Original Flava chefs. The campaign generated over 1.2 million impressions, over 309,650 views and 25,625 total actions.

1

1

11

4

1

1

2

3

5

47

Notes: - DEXIA and DAIC exhibited jointly for Dominica, in addition to one firm. - Barbados exhibitors included the WIRSPA - Of the total 47 exhibitors: 18 were new firms and 29 were 2019 BF exhibitors

(3) European Development Days 2017 Caribbean Export was invited to participate and showcase at the 2017 edition of European Development Days (EDD) held June 7-8, 2017, in Brussels, Belgium. Organised by the European Commission, the EDD brings the development community together each year to share ideas and experiences in ways that inspire new partnerships and innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges. The Agency used the opportunity to showcase its export development work under the 11th EDF during the two-day event. The overall purpose of the mission was to network and build relationships with development partners and donors in Brussels for the benefit of the Caribbean private sector, while representing the Agency’s interests and highlighting the work being undertaken. Caribbean Export made presentations on two panels: ‘Boosting Investment for ACP Inclusive Trade and Development’, and ‘Building on EPA Opportunities’. In addition, the Agency participated in two meetings: ‘ACP Concertation in the Framework of the Steering Committee of the ACP Private Sector,’ and the ‘2nd Meeting of the PSD Strategic Steering Committee’ at the ACP Secretariat. During the event, Caribbean Export highlighted its work under the recently concluded 10th EDF RPSDP and presented a small sample of unique products from the Region. There was also increased awareness of the opportunities and challenges germane to the Caribbean in areas of trade, investment and EPA implementation. Additionally, the Agency and the 1th EDF PRPSDP

12 https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXVvM_VZd--65kZxL3JdkaloYLJIHQVxZ&si=dQ-T5Px-QrWPQpIW

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

51