Implementation of the 10th EDF Regional Provate Sector Programme

STRONGER TRADE AND INVESTMENT RELATIONS BETWEEN CARIFORUM, FCORS AND OCTS

Foods and Greencell to conclude their negotiations and sign long term contracts. • Wonderfoods SPRL, Belgium - The leading world foods distributor for Belgian Grocery Multiples, such as Carrefour and Achan, met with 11 Jamaican processed foods and beverage brands owners; these firms were pre-identified prior to visiting Jamaica. The mission facilitated direct communication with the Jamaican brand owners, and allowed for direct business relationships to be established. The parties discussed labelling requirements for Belgium and it is anticipated that distribution agreements will be concluded in the future. From July 1-5, 2014 13 firms from the Dominican Republic participated in TTMA’s Trade and Investment Convention (TIC), which was held in Trinidad and Tobago. The multi-sectoral tradeshow, brings together local, regional, and international businesses with the aim of fostering intra and extra regional trade. Exhibitors with thousands of product, meet hundreds of buyers seeking new suppliers, goods, and services. With structured networking events, business education programmes, and matchmaking services, the TIC platform seeks to maximise the export potential of exhibitors. The firms participated, with support from Caribbean Export, in the four-day trade mission with the overall aim of promoting stronger trade and investment relations between CARICOM and the Dominican Republic. Participation in TIC also proved to be an opportunity to raise awareness about the products and services offered by Dominican Republic firms, in addition to fostering enhanced market opportunities with CARICOM firms, buyers, and distributors. In addition to the exhibition, the 7th CARICOM-DR Business Forum was also hosted by the Agency. During the Forum, representatives from BSOs in the Dominican Republic and Trinidad held discussions on barriers to trading between the two territories, and the opportunities that exist for market access. A presentation on “How to Do Business in the Dominican Republic” was also delivered to participating firms. Overall, approximately 250 persons attended TIC, which served as increased exposure for Dominican Republic firms. Participants in the Forum also cited a better understanding of the respective trade laws and regulations of both countries. CARICOM-DR Trade and Economic Relations Meetings Caribbean Export, in collaboration with the Round Table of the Commonwealth Countries in the Dominican Republic, the Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences Trade and Investment Convention

CARIFORUM member states in order to promote the sectors that are readily positioned to do business within the global context. Immediate outcomes of the mission are as follows: agreement with Shavuot Farms and Truly Jamaican Farms Limited to grow and harvest 500 tonnes of sweet potatoes for distribution. • Greencell, UK - Established an agreement with Shavuot Farms and Truly Jamaican Farms Limited for the farming and purchase of sweet potatoes. The buyer also met with other farmers to source avocadoes and citrus. • DG Fruits, UK - Contracted Carita (Jamaica) Ltd. to provide a wide range of fresh produce to be consumed primarily by the Afro-Caribbean diaspora in the UK. An order was also negotiated to supply chocho, jelly nuts, habanero peppers, guava, and puna yams. • Fresh Produce Consortium, UK - Shared the cost for Shavuot Farms and Truly Jamaican Farms Limited to participate in the London Produce Show, a fresh produce exhibition held in London in June 2014. It is anticipated that the exhibition will assist both companies in generating increased sales in the UK, promoting their fresh produce, and holding meetings with QV • QV Foods, UK - Reached an

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