Caribbean Export OUTLOOK 3rd Edition

122 Exporter s ' Toolbox

design event displaying the Caribbean’s finest handmade designs and innovative products. Visit www.designcaribbean.com • Authentic Caribbean Authentic Caribbean will be identifying the best in quality of Caribbean made products and services developed by Caribbean Export. It aims to instil trust and confidence, that products and services sold under Authentic Caribbean are made with the highest standards and practices. • Caribbean Kitchen Caribbean Kitchen seeks to expose CARIFORUM firms in the agro-processing and specialty foods sector that have the DNA to be globally competitive. • Caribbean Essence The Caribbean Essence Fashion Showcase is a Caribbean Export project that demonstrates the vibrancy and creative expression for which we are known. This is where Caribbean Export presents the region’s trends in fashion design and the amazing potential within this industry. • Soul Fusion Soul Fusion is a musical showcase of Caribbean culture with artistes from the diverse nature of musical genres from across the Caribbean namely Reggae, Soca, Creole Music (Zouk, Kompa), Caribbean Jazz, Folk and Afro-Haitian. • Caribbean Exporter of the Year Awards (CEYA) The Caribbean Exporter of the Year Awards was devised to create an export culture across the region by encouraging CARIFORUM firms to begin exporting or to expand their exports through a programme that acknowledges and rewards exporters. There are six awards available, and they are: Emerging Exporter of the Year; Young Exporter of the Year; Female Exporter of the Year; Green Exporter of the Year; Caribbean Exporter of the Year and a Special Award for Excellence in Services Exports. Access to Finance One of the most direct ways in which Caribbean Export impacts SMEs is through its funding programmes. The Agency offers both traditional grant programmes and alternative mechanisms for finance such as Angel Investing: • The Direct Assistant Grant Scheme (DAGS) The DAGS is a reimbursement grant funding facility specifically designed to provide financial assistance to legally registered firms/individuals/ BSOs with the potential to export their goods and services. • Special Call for Proposals The Agency also provides special calls for proposals allowing applicants to submit proposals for funding outside of the regular DAGS facility e.g. Special Call

• Market Pointers Given the fact that exporters usually have little time to plough through tedious and complicated market research publications, Caribbean Export provides information on areas which are important for exporting in a succinct and well organized manner. Upon request, the Agency can provideMarket Pointers on a specific product and target export market. The tool represents an effective tool for presenting data collected on potential markets in a way which is easy to understand. • Market Opportunity Brief Market Opportunity Briefs provide key insights on the demand conditions for a particular product in both traditional and non-traditional markets. This tool analyses various trends such as market size, market growth rate, market consumption capacity, wholesale and retail trends, social factors affecting demand, supply factors, and opportunities for regional companies. • SME Diagnostic Tool Caribbean Export has developed a tool that will enhance competitiveness in the private sector by creating a standardised, expert-based methodology for accurately assessing SMEs and identifying the areas where development is required. Export Promotion Services Caribbean Export offers direct market penetration opportunities for firms through branded platforms for specific industries.

• Design Caribbean Design Caribbean is the region’s leading contemporary

www.carib - expor t.com