Caribbean Export & EPA Implementation in the Caribbean Servi

16

Caribbean Export and EPA Implementation in the Caribbean Services Sector EXPORT DEVELOPMENT & PROMOTION

BREAK POINT

Break Point is Caribbean Export’s competitive reality TV series for businesses, which seeks to demonstrate the advantages of the CARIFORUM-EU EPA for regional firms and generate awareness for the Agreement in the region. Break Point also exposed CARIFORUM firms to opportunities for increased exports to the EU market, through distribution channels, investment, and joint ventures, while providing regional and international exposure for CARIFORUM firms. The EPA opens up 27 markets in Europe to CARIFORUM companies, and Break Point brings them all to the table to help firms gain the opportunity for greater access to these markets. Four firms within the services sector were among the finalists selected for Break Point. These firms represented the professional services (management consultants) and creative industries (fashion, film, and handicraft). Overall, 83 beneficiaries from firms trading in services participated in Caribbean Export’s engagement of Europe following these interventions (Annex 2). Combined, these

initiatives not only exposed regional businesses to opportunities within the European market, but also unveiled the uniqueness and authenticity of the Caribbean brand to the rest of the world while providing a much- needed jumpstart to the utilisation of the CARIFORUM-EU EPA. Successes are expounded in the Beneficiaries Highlight section. Subsequent and prior to London Engage, Caribbean Export mounted export promotion missions to foster entry into the EU market for firms representing the creative industries (animation, design, fashion, film, and music), and professional services (management consultants). A total of 377 benefited from these programme- based initiatives (Annex 3).