Caribbean Export Implementation Report 2017-2020

SPECIAL PROGRAMMES

WE-XPORT PROGRAMME

Under the 10th EDF, there was an increase in the number of female participants (53%) across several of the Agency’s programme-based activities. However, the results of a 2017 Agency survey showed that women entrepreneurs were still experiencing challenges in developing their businesses and exporting goods and services. The survey revealed that women entrepreneurs most needed technical assistance in business strategy (67% of respondents) and cost and financial management (64% of respondents). Importantly, 59% of respondents felt that limited access to finance was a major hinderance in doing business for women. The overall data compiled from the survey was compelling and the information emanating from the research was used to conceptualise and craft the Agency’s Women Empowered through Export (WE- Xport) programme.

The WE-Xport programme was a cross-cutting and innovative initiative that focused on CARIFORUM women entrepreneurs. It was launched in 2018 and spanned over twelve months. The programme provided capacity building, technical support, and export promotion services to twenty (20) women-owned businesses. However, seventeen (17) businesses completed the programme, which was intended to improve the firms’ export development and competitiveness. Components of the programme were crafted to suit each firm’s critical needs under the access to finance, capacity building, access to markets, and advocacy pillars. The WE-Xport activities included an access to finance (A2F) workshop; angel investing webinar training; a business coaching programme; a podcast series; technical assistance provided by experts; and regional and international trade missions, namely the EDD, SIAL France, and BMEX.

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