Implementation of the 10th EDF Regional Provate Sector Programme

PROMOTING TRADE AND EXPORT DEVELOPMENT

The fact-finding missions among Higher Education Institutions (HEI) in Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada, sought to identify areas of interest and focus for these institutions to capitalise on opportunities under the CARIFORUM-EU EPA. This was also an occasion to gather relevant information on the higher education services, which subsequently informed the discussions on that segment during the 3rd CARIFORUM-EU Business Forum in Jamaica. The overall Regional Export Strategy for CARIFORUM Higher Education Services includes the commissioning of a consultancy to map the value chain for the educational services sector in select international markets with a view to identifying opportunities and possible impact for the Caribbean private sector, and for the articulation of a sector focused strategy for addressing the challenges and constraints faced by CARIFORUM education institutions in entering the value chains. Caribbean Export undertook series of MRI scans in Jamaica and the Dominican Republic for the Higher Education and Agro-processing sectors from February 16-19, 2015. The overall objective of the mission was to facilitate and host, in partnership with the commissioned consultant, three MRI scans with sector representatives in both countries regarding the development of a regional export strategy for higher education services and agro-processing in the CARIFORUM region. During the session for higher education in Jamaica, meetings were held with nine representatives from the Ministry of Education, and tertiary level institutions. Subsequent to theMRI scans for higher education, the consultant the importance of representative agents in accessing target markets abroad owing to the highly personalized nature of marketing in some markets; and the University of the West Indies (UWI) intends to develop this approach. It was further shared that the formulation of a singular regional sector strategy could prove difficult because of the diversity of the regional product offering. As an approach, which focuses on sub-sector/country specificity may be, more appropriate and will be determined. The MRI scans for the Agro-Processing sector saw participation from 21 representatives in Jamaica and 28 persons from the Dominican Republic. The reports from the agro-processing MRI scans will form a part of the overall export strategy development. Regional Export Strategy MRI Scans

requests for similar initiatives to be held locally, to provide firms with an opportunity to gain greater insight into the benefits of IP. In response to this need, the Agency delivered the first in a series of these IP Clinics in Belize in April 2014, with the aim of introducing participants to the IP tools that may be used to enhance their businesses and increase exports. Duringthetwo-dayClinic,Belizeanfirms Marie Sharp’s Fine Foods and Travellers Liquor Ltd. presented case studies to participants. The beneficiaries also engaged in a Business Assessment Exercise to identify their company’s IP assets. The Agency also delivered a presentation on the proposed activities under the 2014 work programme as it relates to intellectual property. Additional IP workshops continued with the delivery of a Geographical Indicators (GIs), Origin Linked Products (OLPs), and Branding workshop in Antigua and Barbuda in May, and Trinidad and Tobago in October 2014. The overall goal was to contribute to the increased understanding and utilisation of intellectual property rights as a trade development tool by governments and private sector, in particular the development of geographical indications in the region, During the Antigua and Barbuda delivery of the workshop, the Agency facilitated the participation of three persons from Grenada, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago, who benefited froma presentation on the status of the following products in each country:

Increased Understanding of the Utilisation of Intellectual Property Rights

In November 2013, Caribbean Export, in collaboration with theWorld Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), hosted a regional Workshop on the Use of Intellectual Property (IP) as a Tool for Enhancing Export Development, in Barbados to CARIFORUM SMEs. Following this initial workshop, participants submitted

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