Caribbean Export OUTLOOK 2016 - 2017

message from The Executive Director

One year ago, Caribbean Export launched the inaugural edition of the Caribbean Export OUTLOOK to respond to the needs of the private sector and our various stakeholders for market information on trade and exports. We recognised thatwith such a dearth of information, our exporters were limited in their awareness of trends in export markets, and that individuals interested in CARIFORUM products had no single source through which they could discover the excellent products and services of our small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). Through theOUTLOOK, we have sought to bridge this gap in the market at both ends. In the first edition, we highlighted key markets for exporters, including select countries in West Africa, Germany and Brazil, while in this edition our attention focuses on the burgeoning interest in Cuba and China as potential markets. Moreover, attention to this publication has been increasing. To date, our readership spans the Caribbean and beyond, with the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada among the top 10 countries that have demonstrated interest in the online English version. In addition, the Spanish version is not only read in the Dominican Republic, but also in Mexico. With an online distribution in excess of 22,000 individuals – and growing – we are again reminded of the strong appeal of Caribbean brands.

Caribbean brands continues to drive us as we implement the RPSDP under the 10th EDF. As such, we have specifically chosen to focus this publication on key sectors such as agri- business (primarily cocoa), creative industries (specifically music), renewable energy, financial services and specialty tourism (mainly medical tourism). However, we must continue to tackle the systemic challenges associated with doing business in the Caribbean, such as high energy costs, limited access to finance and intellectual property rights protection, which are highlighted in this year’s publication. We have also included a feature on the proposed Caribbean Creative Industries Management Unit (CCIMU), which is envisioned to respond to the needs of the regional creative sector and will address issues such as data collection, access to finance, trade and export development and the protection of intellectual property. The featured exporter this year is none other than Dr. Ralph ‘Bizzy’ Williams who started his first company, Terrapin Racing & Developments Ltd in 1972 and since then has expanded to nine other companies that export all throughout the Caribbean. His experiences will provide exporters with an inside view of what it takes to build a Caribbean brand. We hope that you will enjoy this year’s edition as we continue to celebrate and support Caribbean exporters.

Enhancing the competitiveness and value of

Pamela Coke Hamilton Executive Director The Caribbean Export Development Agency

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www.carib-export.com