Caribbean Export 2021 Annual Report FINAL

Market Intelligence In collaboration with the University of the West Indies (UWI) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) a series of webinars aimed at ‘Building strong trade capacity in the Caribbean with market intelligence: understanding international trade statistics’ was hosted between March – April 2021. Over 900 participants from across CARIFORUM joined the 3-part series which homed in on: understanding international trade statistics; assessing market requirements such as tariffs and non-tariff measures and how to use the export potential map and other free databases on trade. Further, through a partnership with ITC the Agency embedded the ITC Market Access Map and Trade Map into the CE Intelligence portal. Improving Digital Capacity Today online presence is no longer an optional investment for food companies to engage consumers and buyers. As many B2B events become virtual or hybrid, small and medium enterprises must be able to clearly demonstrate what differentiates their brand and products. Caribbean Export partnered with ITC on a 7-part series of webinars ‘Taste Online’ that provided a roadmap and key considerations to overcome commercial barriers and trained how to use marketing materials to improve business. Over 700 participants from across CARIFORUM were able to increase their knowledge in digital marketing, and the use of marketing tools to engage buyers and consumers.

Using the CARIFORUM-EU EPA The CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) is more than a free trade agreement, as it contains a strong development component with clear links to development aid for adjustment and mordernisation of CARIFORUM economies. The development of businesses lays firmly at the centre as the Agency continues to implement the 11th EDF Regional Private Sector Development Programme (RPSDP). Since the signing and adoption of the EPA in 2008 the Agency has created a range of communication tools to increase it’s understanding for businesses to leverage the EPA benefits. In 2021, the Agency released a new set of videos featuring a cross section of businesses that have participated in Caribbean Export interventions and programmes using both the agreements development component and the trade facility to export into European markets. The video series titled ‘I’m an Exporter’ shared real experiences from business owners in areas such as intellectual property, how to use quota free access, how the EPA is supporting creatives and the services sector, amongst others.

Through dissemination and promotion on the Agency’s social channels including YouTube to date the ten (10) videos have aggregated 174K views.

Annual Results Report - 2021 | Building Business, Transforming Lives for a Resilient Caribbean 23