11TH European Development Fund Implementation Report 2017- 2023

Strengthening partnerships with key BSOs was prioritized to facilitate the delivery of grant proposal training. Engagements were held with entities such as the OECS Export Development Unit (Dominica), Dominica Coalition of Service Industries, Dominica Employment and Small Business Support Agency, Invest SVG, Office of Private Sector Relations (OPSR), Manufacturers Association Suriname (ASFA) (Suriname), Chamber of Commerce and Ministry of Trade and Industry (Suriname), Ministry of International Trade, Industry, Commerce and Consumer Affairs (St. Kitts & Nevis), and Chamber of Industry & Commerce St. Kitts-Nevis. Export Development and Promotion In the areas of export development and promotion the major lesson to learn is that consistent showcasing at regional and internation events is crucial. Sporadic or inconsistent appearances at expos hinder market intelligence, business matchmaking, networking, and brand recognition, all of which are essential for increasing demand and market access. Implementing the use of qualified market experts or buyer recruiters ahead of showcases should be considered a best practice to maximize effectiveness. Outreach to High Commissions, Embassies, or leveraging the presence of commercial attachés during business missions or trade shows is essential. Diaspora engagement plays a critical role in enhancing demand for products, particularly as importers and distributors often rely on this demand to signal interest in a product. Further, leveraging local media, especially in areas with a strong diaspora market, can significantly increase awareness and visibility of the brand Caribbean. Providing greater support to SMEs for product certification, packaging, labelling, and leveraging online tools and marketing, as well as market intelligence, is imperative for successful export development. Consistent training via workshops, supplemented by coaching, mentoring, and experiential learning, is vital for SME uptake and growth in export markets. Collaboration with Business Support Organizations (BSOs) is key to identifying training needs and ensuring continuity post training, ultimately contributing to the sustained success of export development initiatives. Capacity Building and Market Intelligence The capacity building and MI training conducted throughout the programme duration garnered positive feedback, yet attendance from exporting and export-ready firms was limited particularly at MI training sessions. This calls for a reassessment of the current approach to ensure that the training content caters to firms at varying levels of readiness. Enhancing the effectiveness of training workshops could involve leveraging the experiences of established exporting firms to provide valuable insights. Furthermore, there is a need to expand market opportunities beyond traditional markets, thereby diversifying trade avenues for CARIFORUM firms. Utilizing alternative communication tools such as animated videos or short webinar series can enhance engagement and information dissemination to firms as seen from the successful Road to Success campaign. Additionally, building internal capacity to offer value-added services, such as staff training and study tours, is essential for providing comprehensive support to stakeholders. Establishing strategic partnerships with in-market contacts is crucial for gaining insights into the cultural and business nuances of member states and target markets, thus improving the quality of support provided to beneficiaries. Services Sector Over the programme period, the Agency implemented a range of interventions supporting service providers from industries such as business and professional services, animation, information communication technology (ICT) and the creative industry including fashion and music. These interventions included both capacity building, technical assistance and export promotion activities and the provision of funding aimed to improve competitiveness thereby creating jobs for our people. It recognised that the successful export of services hinges on the existence of appropriate domestic regulations. While Caribbean Export lacks direct influence over policy and regulation development, we can facilitate the involvement of relevant public sector officials in our initiatives, aiming to contribute to policy development or updates as necessary. There is a pressing need for heightened awareness regarding trade in services, particularly focusing on export modes. It is anticipated that increased awareness will foster a deeper understanding and cultural shift, leading to more service providers entering the formal economy.

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

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