Implementation of the 10th EDF Regional Provate Sector Programme

STRONGER TRADE AND INVESTMENT RELATIONS BETWEEN CARIFORUM, FCORS AND OCTS

total of 77 firms participated in these initiatives, and saw 205 B2B meetings being conducted. Caribbean Export also published two studies, which provides further insight into opportunities available. These are Feasibility Study on the Establishment of a Technical Management Unit in the FCORs; and Comprehensive Study on the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBTs) and other Technical Requirements that affect CARIFORUM Exports to the FCORs. Additionally, a fiche on technical cooperation between Caribbean Export and the Regional Council of Guadeloupe was developed and a MOU signed betweentheGovernmentofAntigua and Barbuda and Guadeloupe. With the aim of promoting stronger trade and investment relations betweenfirmsfromtheCARIFORUM and their counterparts from the FCORs and OCTs, Caribbean Export facilitated the participation of 32 OECS SMEs on trade missions to Guadeloupe andMartinique, aswell as Anguilla and Saint Maarten. The 10-day mission to Guadeloupe and Martinique was held from March 27-April 5, 2014 with the objectives of establishing regional and international networking linkages with buyers of goods and services, and BSOs within the two FCOR OECS-FCORs and OCT Trade Mission

countries, and the wider EU market. Additionally, the mission served as an opportunity for Caribbean Export to expand linkages within the FCORs in preparation for the technical meetings on the Octroi de Mer. The mission to the OCTs was held from October 12-17, 2014 with the aim of expanding the relationship between OECS private sector firms and businesses in the host countries. The occasion set the platform for participating firms to establish regional and international networking linkages with buyers of goods and services, and other relevant agencies within Tortola and St Maarten, as well as Europe. During both missions, participants were provided with an opportunity to negotiate for joint ventures, partnerships, distributorship and other synergistic investment undertakings that may result in increased competitiveness and trade. In addition to showcasing their goods and services in selected sectors, beneficiaries gained a clearer understanding of the doing business in in the FCOR and OCT markets, and with European business interests. Overall, beneficiaries cited a number of main learning points as a result of participation. These included a better understanding of the FCOR and OCT market, strengthening of business relations with host country firms, and trade requirements for EU through the FCORs and OCTs. Further, 31% of respondentswereable tosecurecontracts/saleswithanaccumulatedvalue of US$35,000, and another 20% anticipate an increase in sales as a result of their participation. Additionally, 76% of participating firms indicated that they are more knowledgeable about trade relations between FCORs- OCTs and CARIFORUM. In June 2014, Caribbean Export supported the participation of 55 regional firms in a CARIFORUM-FCOR/ OCT Business Forum in Cayman Islands. The Business Forum sought to facilitate networking and partnerships between private sector firms and other key stakeholders in CARIFORUM, with their counterparts in the FCORs and OCTs. Participants were also given the opportunity to learn from the Cayman Islands’ experience in developing and promoting their financial services and tourism sectors, as well as to develop strategies based on their experience. In addition to presenting the opportunity for networking and potentially forming partnerships, the initiative also afforded those present to examine and evaluate the barriers to trade which may still exist and the CARIFORUM-FCOR/OCT Business Forum

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