Implementation of the 10th EDF Regional Provate Sector Programme

ENHANCING COMPETITIVENESS AND PROMOTING INNOVATION

CARIFORUM PARTICIPATING IN DESIGN CARIBBEAN BY COUNTRY

CARIFORUM firms in the gift and craft sector in order to increase exports to these markets; provide the selected CARIFORUM firms in the gift and craft sector with information and practical experience on the gift and craft sector; offer the selected CARIFORUM firms with significant insight into the European market for gift and craft products; and build the awareness of the brand Design Caribbean. Ninety-one percent (91%) of the participants noted that the mission met their expectations, with 75% of them achieving their objective of accessing UK and European buyers. Some of the immediate outcomes as a result of attendance included the ability to network with other artisans, the discovery of new trends within the creative industries sector, promotion of products and services to new customers, meeting potential distributors, and a greater understanding of the opportunities and challenges for regional artisans. Further, 48 business leads were secured, and a total of 27 orders were confirmed on site with follow-up activities to be undertaken. In 2016, Design Caribbean took the innovative approach of showcasing regional artisans in the form of a Pop Up Shop in Camden, London, UK from November 24-28, 2016. Six firms participated on this occasion, with the aim of increasing access and exports to the UK and EU markets, as well as gaining practical experience

The Bahamas

Barbados

Belize

Dominica

Dominican Republic

Grenada

Guyana

Haiti

Jamaica

St. Lucia

St. Kitts & Nevis

Suriname

Trinidad & Tobago

During an evaluation of the initiative, participants credited Caribbean Export with providing their company with opportunities for networking and export that would have been difficult to secure on their own. Beneficiaries further shared that they participated in the mission to gain new regional and international customers, generate site sales, market and expose products to new buyers, gain access to new markets, and promote the Caribbean for high quality products and services. Additionally, all participants were able to generate sales from the event at an accumulated value of approximately US$11,100 from buyers in CARIFORUM, Europe, and North America. Beneficiaries also secured between 2-6 contacts, including manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers, other artisans, boutiques, industry consultants, promoters, and agents. Design Caribbean was hosted for a third time in Birmingham United Kingdom within the ambit of Autumn Fair from September 6-9, 2015. The four-day event, regarded as the season’s number one gift and home trade event in the UK for international buyers, was the optimal platform to showcase a collection of 10 of the region’s finest designers and producers. The objectives of the initiative were to: facilitate better access to buyers from the UK and Europe for the selected

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