Caribbean Export OUTLOOK 2016 - 2017

message from The Chairperson of the Board

Building Economic Resilience in the Caribbean is morethanjustathemeonanattractivepublication; it is at the core of the activities of the Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) – an organisation that I proudly serve as Chairperson of the Board. This publication, now in its second edition, not only highlights the tremendous potential that the Caribbean has in terms of international trade, but also the breadthof opportunities available for international investors looking to capitalise onwhat is arguably one of the best locations in the world. The natural diversity inherent in the Caribbean is part of the region’s competitive advantage. When you review the country briefs of The Bahamas, Barbados, Suriname and theDominicanRepublic it will become abundantly clear that the region is a stable environment bursting with creativity and opportunity. In spite of the challenging economic times of recent years, where we have seen significant changes on a global scale – from the financial crisis, to wars and uprisings causing oil price fluctuations – the Caribbean has maneuvered through a minefield of ammunition to survive and is now on a trajectory of growth.

region’s only international trade and export publication, is an important collection of articles, views and reports, which raises awareness of key industries such as medical tourism, renewable energy, financial services, and the creative industries. It is one of a number of initiatives by Caribbean Export to drive regional private sector development and support investment to the region. Over the past five years, the Agency has been implementing the Regional Private Sector Development Programme (RPSDP) funded by the European Union’s (EU)10th European Development Fund (EDF) for which we are deeply grateful. The funds have facilitated export development initiatives across industry sectors, such as agro-processing, creative industries, renewable energy and tourism. They have also been utilised to provide over 312 firms with financial grants to develop and enhance their business operations and to start or expand their exports while utilising the benefits of the EU- CARIFORUMEconomic PartnershipAgreement (EPA). Moving forward, the Agency is committed to enhancing the competitiveness and value of Caribbean brands, and it is our vision that this publication will contribute towards fuelling Caribbean private sector development.

The Caribbean Export OUTLOOK , as the

Donnalee Bowe Chairperson of the Board The Caribbean Export Development Agency

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www.carib-export.com