Implementation of the 10th EDF Regional Provate Sector Programme

PROMOTING TRADE AND EXPORT DEVELOPMENT

As a follow up to this workshop, fromMay 18-27, 2016 ECI training was delivered to staff to realise the goal of building capacity in Caribbean Export to support the maintenance of the Index. The ECI training provided staff with insights on the methodologies used in developing the ECI and guidelines on its maintenance. Key steps included the outline of the secondary and primary research and consultations used to develop the ECI; understanding the United Nations Central Product Classification (UNCPC) code and its use in defining industry sectors; understanding the underlining issues in measuring competitiveness; the development of appropriate criteria and weights for measuring export competitiveness; the development and determination of the appropriate indicators of export competitiveness; methods of extracting firm level data the World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness Index (WEF GCI) which will be incorporated into the ECI; and the outline of resource requirements, timelines and costs that Caribbean Export will require in order to implement and ECI on a sustainable basis. Five Caribbean Export staff members participated in this training, which was facilitated by A-Z Information Jamaica Limited. Held over a two-day period, participants were trained on the methodology used in developing the ECI, evaluating the survey instruments to be used to gather ECI data, and discussing the role out and maintenance of the Index. The training comprised of five modules. Module 1 and 2 covered the ECI project overview, understanding the methodology used in the selection of sectors, and highlighting the issues encountered in measuring competitiveness. Module 3 covered the methodology used in selecting criteria and the determination of the appropriate weights to be used in the index. Module 4 detailed the sectors to be covered and the survey instruments used in extrapolating the data to build the ECI. Module 5 highlighted the methodology to be used in collecting firm level data for CARIFORUM members not currently covered in the World Economic Forum competitiveness index. Participants provided feedback on refining the survey instruments on the ECI, and suggested possible models on extracting the required data from each country. Within the framework of the 10th EDF RPSDP, Caribbean Export commissioned the design of a SME Diagnostic Tool. This web-based enterprise level tool enables a scientific assessment of regional exporting firms (across all key sectors including services). This Diagnostic Tool forms the first step in a holistic approach to increase firm competitiveness in CARIFORUM Region. This first step involves a methodology for diagnosing and identifying the strengths andweaknesses of firms leading to interventions in the areas including but not limited to: Management; Production; Access to Finance; and Marketing. The aim of the tool is to increase SME Diagnostic Tool

the competitiveness of the Region’s firms by providing a standardised, methodological assessment for diagnosing and identifying areas of support to be delivered though Caribbean Export and its various partners. To date the tool has been completed and is hosted online on our MI portal at http://sme-analysis.ceintelligence.com During the period December 2014 - January 2015 Caribbean Export undertookafive-countrymissionwithin the framework of the development of a Regional Export Strategy for the Agroprocessing and Higher Education sectors. The mission to Belize, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica, was planned with the objective of gathering information on the amount, and quality of enablers and stakeholders within the agro-processing sector. There was also a preliminary assessment of the major supply side constraints and challenges within the sector of these three markets, and the opportunities available for the development of the sector. Preparations were further commenced for the MRI scan phase of the project. During the mission, consultations were held with 35 stakeholders within the three countries including private sector firms, policy makers and other enablers. The consultations will serve to increase the co-ordination of projects within the region towards the development of export competitiveness within the agro-processing sector. Regional Export Strategies Developed

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