Implementation of the 10th EDF Regional Provate Sector Programme

ENHANCING COMPETITIVENESS AND PROMOTING INNOVATION

Study Tours to Europe

and significant insight on the gift and craft sector in these markets. Following an immediate evaluation of the event, three firms reported receiving sales valued at approximately US$870 and the establishment of 14 buyer leads. Beneficiaries also revealed that the intervention met their expectations, and assisted them in achieving their objectives of exploring new markets, and increasing brand awareness. A six-month follow-up evaluation will be conducted in 2017 to gauge any additional sales, or increased exports to the UK and Europe markets following participation in this initiative. Overall, in addition to immediate outcomes mentioned above, Design Caribbean participants were able to secure approximately US$49,000 in orders from buyers. Three firms were also able to enter new CARIFORUM markets, and one firm secured new buyers from one international market, these include Jamaica, the British Virgin Islands and the United States. A total of 113 artisans from 13 CARIFORUM countries have showcased in Design Caribbean to date, the full list of which is available at Annex 4.

During June and July 2012, two Study Tours to the UK, Germany and France for 45 CARIFORUM businesses from the manufacturing (agro-processing) and cultural industries (music, fashion and film), were undertaken. The Study Tour concept was embedded in the overarching arrangement of the CARIFORUM-EUBusiness Forum,which sought to create an environment for the identification and easier utilisation of business opportunities within both regions. The main objective of the Study Tours was to expose participants toEuropeanmarketswhile inculcatinga greater understanding of the provisions

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