Implementation of the 10th EDF Regional Provate Sector Programme

ENHANCING COMPETITIVENESS AND PROMOTING INNOVATION

CARIFORUM PARTICIPATION IN MANAGEMENT CONSULTING BUSINESS SYMPOSIUM

firms participating in these Business Symposia includes Spain, France, Belgium, Germany and the UK. This platform has led to CARIFORUM firms engaging in strategic business partnerships with regional as well as European counterparts with positive implications for the generation of business opportunities. To date, 138 regional management consultants have participated in the annual Business Symposium. Further, in September 2014, Caribbean Export supported the Caribbean Institute of Certified Management Consultants (CICMC) in hosting a Management Consultants Conference in Trinidad and Tobago. Under the theme “Strategic Partnerships for Knowledge Brokers: Caribbean Consultants CreatingValue for Clients”, 30 delegates from across the region gathered for three days of dynamic speakers from various industries including both the private and public sectors. In addition to informative discussions and networking opportunities, the participants also benefited from training in the development of entrepreneurship, increasing exports in services, barriers to entering new markets, organisational excellence, and tools and tips for a consultant’s tool kit in the digital age. This capacity building initiative facilitated by Caribbean Export has led to CARIFORUM firms engaging in strategic business partnerships with regional as well as extra-regional counterparts, with

Antigua & Barbuda

Barbados

Belize

Dominica

Dominican Republic

Grenada

Guyana

Haiti

Jamaica

St. Kitts & Nevis

St. Lucia

Suriname

Bahamas

Trinidad & Tobago

positive implications for the generation of business opportunities. An analysis of the Agency’s work in this area revealed that 51% of the 120 surveyed industry practitioners reported adjusting their services offered as a result of participating in the Symposia with a view to maximising revenue. Additionally, the rate of persons reporting that their ability to trade services in Europe had been enhanced was 31%, and 74% respondents revealed that they have been made more aware of the CARIFORUM-EU EPA. Overall, 40% of respondents indicated that the Business Symposia contributed to their business seeing an increase in export activity ranging from 2-100%. The Agency’s work in the Management Consulting sector has also resulted in the launch of five CICMC national chapters in the Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago. Capacity was also built within the CICMC to provide business development services to constituents, and the delivery of training sessions for members.

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