Caribbean Export and Business Support Organizations

CARIFORUM Private Sector Trade Needs

CARIFORUM firms are faced with increasing competition in international markets, as well as within their own domestic sphere. The challenges faced with entering, supplying, and operating in global and regional markets are compounded by a lack of understanding and information on the part of SMEs, as to what these markets demand and their current conditions. The needs of CARIFORUM firms in export and trade currently include: • Market research and competitive intelligence including market entry requirements; consumer and import demand patterns and historical trends; • Technical assistance with meeting competitive requirements for export markets; • Assistance with identifying and securing supply inputs and enhancing supply capacities; • Support to implement new production methodologies and approaches; • Assistance with understanding and dealing with regulatory requirements and business practices in the export target market; as well as with trade agreements; and • Support with effective trade promotion strategies including participating in trade missions, trade shows, and exhibitions, among others. Caribbean Export responds to these needs through a range of initiatives focused on support to BSO project and programme activities; enhancing BSO capacity through access to finance, training and certification, and facilitating participation in trade promotion activities; in addition to strengthening BSO partnerships.

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