Vol. 5 No. 2 JUlY–AUGUST, 2012 Caribbean Architecture ... · Fusion to take Regional Talent to London Caribbean Cuisine and Hospitality to be showcased during London ... and Tobago

Tradewatch • The Official E-Newsletter of the Caribbean Export Development Agency • Vol. 5 No. 2,July-August, 2012 1

Caribbean Architecture Highlighted during International Architecture and Design Showcase

The architects participating in the

upcoming Caribbean Design Showcase included

Kevin Talma, Talma Mills Studio (Barbados

& Trinidad & Tobago), John Allsopp, Amonle

Studios (Barbados) and Bryan Bullen, Caribbean

Office of Co-operative Architecture (Grenada).

The photos used in the Heritage Photo Display

were provided from a variety of sources and

submitted by Sue Courtney, VIVIDARCH (Belize).

In this Issue

Three (3) regional architects showcased their talent during the Caribbean Design Showcase at the University of Westminster in London, UK during the Summer, 2012.

p 3

p 5

p 6

COMPETITIVENESS & INNOVaTIONBreak Point Firms Move to Next Round of Business Competition

TradE & ExPOrT dEVElOPMENTCaribbean Investment Week

TradE & ExPOrT dEVElOPMENTPromoting Greater Trade and Investment between CARIFORUM and the FCORs

Caribbean Soul Fusion to take Regional Talent to London

Caribbean Cuisine and Hospitality to be showcased during London Olympics

Six emerging artistes and two headline acts

will showcase regional talent during the

London 2012 Olympics as Caribbean Export

hosts Caribbean Soul Fusion on August 9,

2012 at Grosvenor House, London, UK.

This event, which forms a part of the

Agency’s London Engage initiative, will

highlight a wide range of Caribbean genres,

namely Reggae, Soca, Creole Music (Zouk and

Kompa), Caribbean Jazz, Folk and Afro-Haitian.

CARIFORUM food companies will have the

opportunity to showcase and market their

products to United Kingdom (UK) businesses as a

part of Caribbean Export Development Agency’s

(Caribbean Export) London Engage initiative.

These companies along with

two regional and two UK chefs will

participate in the Caribbean Cuisine and

Hospitality Suite being held at Grosvenor

House London, August 6 and 7, 2012.

Official E-Newsletter of the Caribbean Export Development Agency Vol. 5 No. 2 JUlY–AUGUST, 2012

The Showcase, which is a part of Caribbean

Export Development Agency’s (Caribbean

Export) London Engage initiative, featured

a 3D projection of regional architects

designs, as well as a wall to wall photo

display of traditional uses of indigenous

earth friendly building materials in home

construction; the showcase ran from June

28 - July 15, 2012.

The Caribbean Design Showcase was

supported by the European Union’s 10th

European Development Fund (EDF) Regional

Private Sector Development Programme

(RPSDP).

For additional information please contact

Mr. Sheldon Jackman, Advisor - Market

Intelligence at [email protected]

or telephone (246)-436-0578. (TW)

Kevin Talma, Talma Mills Studio (Barbados & Trinidad and Tobago)

John Allsopp, Amonle Studios (Barbados)

Bryan Bullen, Caribbean Office of Co-operative Architecture (Grenada)

Continued on page 2 Continued on page 2

2 Tradewatch • The Official E-Newsletter of the Caribbean Export Development Agency • Vol. 5 No. 2, July-August, 2012

Caribbean Cuisine and Hospitality to be showcased during London Olympics

The special hospitality bar and lounge

showcase will include special invitees and

key business executives to experience the

Continued from page 1


Caribbean Soul Fusion to take Regional Talent to London

“One of the best identifiers of the Caribbean

Brand and its uniqueness is our music. Its

ability to have global appeal is unquestionable.

What we are seeking to do with Caribbean

Soul Fusion, is to showcase that authentic

Caribbean culture and widen the market

appeal for our regional music”, commented

Pamela Coke Hamilton, Executive Director,

Caribbean Export. “As such, the artistes

preforming will represent the diverse nature

Michele Henderson Mr. DaleClaudia Edward

Christopher MartinMystic (Guyana) Auturo Tappin

of musical genres across the Caribbean. Not

only will the entertainment industry benefit

from the increased demand for the products

on offer, but also performers will have the

opportunity to display the export potential of

their craft and its appeal to an international

audience”, Coke Hamilton concluded.

The six emerging artistes scheduled to

perform are: Michele Henderson (Dominica),

BelO (Haiti), Mystic (Guyana), Claudia Edward

(St Lucia), Mr. Dale (Barbados) and Xiomara

Fortuna (Dominican Republic). Headline acts

for the Concert are reggae singer/songwriter

Christopher Martin (Jamaica) and jazz/reggae

saxophonist Arturo Tappin (Barbados).

Caribbean Soul Fusion will also serve

as the closing reception for the 2nd

CARIFORUM-EU Business Forum, which

is scheduled from August 8 - 9, 2012.

The CARIFORUM-EU Business Forum is

supported under the European Union’s

(EU) 10th European Development Fund

(EDF) Regional Private Sector Development

Programme (RPSDP), and in collaboration

with CARIFORUM Directorate, the CARICOM

Secretariat, and Deutsche Gesellschaft fur

Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).

For additional information about

Caribbean Soul Fusion please contact Mr.

Damien Sorhaindo, Advisor - Competitiveness

& Innovation at dsorhaindo@carib-export.

com and Mr. Zamani Moodie, Advisor - Market

Intelligence at [email protected],

or Tel: 246-436-0578.(TW)

taste of the Caribbean, enjoy the Olympic

games and discuss potential business

opportunities.

The companies participating include

Beverages Caribbean Inc. (BCI) (which

represents companies form Barbados,

Belize, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago);

Bel-Mer Winery (Belize); Parry W. Bellot

& Co. Limited (Dominica); Caribbean Labs

(Dominican Republic); De La Grenade

Industries (Grenada); Bloxburgh Gourmet

Creations Jamaica Limited, Central Food

Packers Limited and Tijule Company Limited

(Jamaica); Baron Foods Limited (St. Lucia)

and Tobago Cocoa Estate W.I. Ltd and

Caribbean Agribusiness Export Company

Limited (Trinidad and Tobago).

The Chefs, Barrington Douglas (UK); Jacqui

Tyson-Niederhauser (Jamaica); Hasan Defour

(UK) and Omar A. Robertson (Barbados), will

prepare a special Caribbean inspired cuisine

using products, which are equipped to

make use of the CARIFORUM-EU Economic

Partnership Agreement (EPA) and have the

requisite requirements in place to enter the UK

and EU markets.

This initiative is supported under the

European Union’s (EU) 10th European

Development Fund (EDF) Regional Private

Sector Development Programme (RPSDP),

and in collaboration with CARIFORUM

Directorate, the CARICOM Secretariat, and

Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale

Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).


Caribbean Cuisine and Hospitality Suite,

contact Sam Kruiner, skruiner@carib-export.

com and copied to Cora Lowe at clowe@

carib-export.com or Tel: (246) 436-0578.(TW)

Hasan DeFour and Omar Robertson are two of three regional Chefs who will be showcasing

their talent during the Caribbean Cuisine and Hospitality Showcase

Claudia Edward, Dale Rudder, Michele Henderson and Xiomara Fortuna and BelO, will perform as the region’s emerging artistes in London

Arturo Tappin and Chris Martin, Headliners at Caribbean Soul Fusion


Break Point Firms Move to Next Round of Business Competition

Following video pitches and three one-

day coaching sessions at the Cave Hill

School of Business (CHSB) in Barbados, the

participants completed the next phase of

the competition: Business Pitches.

This first round of face-to-face

pitches were held throughout the region

on the following dates Jamaica (June

7th), this group Jamaica included firms

from Bahamas, Belize, Jamaica, and the

Dominican Republic; St Lucia (June 11th)

with firms from the Organisation of Eastern

Caribbean States (OECS); and Barbados

(June 18th) including firms from Barbados

and Trinidad and Tobago.

The final 12 firms have now been

selected and will pitch their ideas to a panel

of UK venture capitalists, investors and

businesspersons on August 9, 2012 during

Caribbean Export’s London Engage.

Break Point is a Caribbean Export

business competition for the CARIFORUM

private sector, to encourage them to

take advantage of the CARIFORUM-EU

Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). The

competition is open to CARIFORUM majority

owned or joint venture firms that intend

to use the EPA as a tool to immediately

target (i.e. within 6 months) the UK and EU

markets for exports. Priority areas include:

Agro-processing, Alternative Energy,

Creative Industries, Fashion/Garments,

Light Manufacturing, Professional Services,

and Specialised Tourism.

Break Point is supported by the UK

Department for International Development

(DFID) and the European Union’s 10th European


Sector Development Programme (RPSDP).

For additional information please

contact Mr. Damien Sorhaindo, Advisor

– Competitiveness and Innovation at

[email protected] or telephone

246-436-0578..(TW)

Tradewatch COMPETITIVENESS aNd INNOVaTION

With less than two months to go, thirty (30) CARIFORUM firms moved one step closer to a chance at final selection in the Caribbean Export Development Agency’s (Caribbean Export) regional business competition, Break Point.

Caribbean Export Supports Caribbean Fashion Week 2012

Caribbean Export continues to show support for the region’s creative industry through their involvement in Caribbean Fashion Week (CFW) 2012.

The Caribbean’s premier fashion and style event celebrated 12 years

this June and the Agency is excited to have supported the initiative

and by extension, the vibrant and growing Caribbean fashion industry.

Caribbean Export sponsored 11 designers from 9 CARIFORUM States

to participate in CFW, and these designers will also showcase their

work during the Agency’s London Engage initiative during the Summer

Olympics. These collections were filmed by Caribbean Export and from

this a video documentary will be produced and shown during the

London Engage Initiative.

Supermodel Sanyo Hughes in a Sonia Noel Design at CFW 2012

Top Model Kimanee Wilson in SGFH hot turquoise silk chiffon gown

Photo credit: Brittany Turnquest

Continued on page 3

Break Point Judges (l-r) Christopher Williams, Genevieve Jodhan, Joseph Matalon, and Kenneth Green. Missing is Dr. Basil Springer


Caribbean Export will also select three of the

participating designers to showcase pieces of

their collection in a live catwalk in London.

From June 7 - 11, 2012 CFW showcased

collections from designers representing

the various countries from across the

Caribbean region, in addition to top stylists

from Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin and

North America.

“Caribbean Export views this event as

one that is in line with the Agency’s focus

on export development, marketing, and

capacity building, all of which are aimed

at increasing international awareness

and business generation for the region’s

fashion industry”, commented Pamela

Coke Hamilton, Executive Director. “CFW

is the seminal fashion, entertainment and

lifestyle event that has come to epitomize

the essence of Caribbean style. The Agency

therefore recognizes the importance of not

only this event, but also similar initiatives,

which seek to showcase and drive the

continued development and enhancements

of the regional creative industries”, Coke

Hamilton concluded.

Caribbean Fashion Week was supported

under the European Union’s (EU) 10th European


Sector Development Programme (RPSDP). The

feedback received from the spectators and

participating designers was very positive and

engaging. Sonia Noel, a designer from Guyana

stated, “I am grateful to Caribbean Export

for giving me this opportunity to showcase

at CFW. I am very happy with the reviews

my collection is receiving, and this is what

energises me and reignites my passion for the

fashion industry.”


Caribbean Fashion Week and the upcoming

Fashion Showcase in London, please

contact Mr. Christopher McNair, Manager -

Competitiveness and Innovation at cmcnair@

carib-export.com and copied to Mr. Leonel

Naut, Advisor - Competitiveness and

Innovation at [email protected].(TW)

Caribbean Export Supports Caribbean Fashion Week 2012

Tradewatch COMPETITIVENESS aNd INNOVaTION


Caribbean Export participates in 13th Virtual Educa Symposium

From June 19 - 22, 2012, Caribbean Export participated in the Virtual Educa Symposium in Panama. Virtual Educa Panama 2012 is the 13th edition of the Virtual Educa International Symposium, which is a Conference, Multilateral Forum, and Exhibition on “Education, Innovation, and Information Communication Technologies (ICT)”, hosted at the ATLAPA Convention Center in Panama City, Panama.

The Symposium was made up of three elements:

Conference and Multilateral ForumEducators and experts from 25 countries provided

a “state-of-the-art” unique perspective at the

Conference. The Multilateral Forum brought

together decision makers, representatives from

international organisations, higher education

institutions, corporate experts and other

relevant stakeholders, to analyse policies and

provided recommendations on how decisions in

those fields may be carried out.

Exhibition “Education, Innovation, and ICT”The Exhibition is an excellent space for

companies specialising in Education,

Innovation, and ICT to showcase their

products and services, as well as to develop

networks and create business opportunities.

The exhibition is a must to adapt the Education

systems, Higher Education institutions and

Human Resources training programmes to

the 21st century “Knowledge Society” in Latin

America and the Caribbean, one of the fastest

growing regions in the world.

Caribbean Initiatives in Education:Presenters under this theme included:

Fanisha Salamat, Coordinator & Virtual

Educa Caribbean Director [Suriname]

Damien Sorhaindo, Caribbean Export

Development Agency [Barbados]

Koen DePryck, School 21st Century, Centre

for Adult Education Antwerp [Bélgica]

Caroline Rahan-Chin, Anton de Kom

Universiteit van Suriname [Suriname]

Riyad Insanally, OAS Office Director

[Trinidad & Tobago]

Mary Markowsky, President, E.T. C.

International [United States of America]

Mr. Sorhaindo presentation focused on how

Caribbean Export could provide technical and

financial support, under the Agency’s Direct

Assistance Grant Scheme, to Private Sector

firms and Business Support Organisations

who are involved in ICT in Education initiatives

from a business perspective. In addition, he

highlighted the support provided to six (6)

such firms from CARIFORUM at the 1st ever

Virtual Educa Caribbean staged in Suriname

from February 29th to March 2nd, 2012.(TW)

Damien Sorhaindo, Advisor Competitiveness and Innovation Conference Participants during the Virtual Educa Symposium in Suriname


Tradewatch TradE aNd ExPOrT dEVElOPMENT

CARIFORUM Manufacturing and Cultural Industry Firms Participate in Study Tour

Forty-four (44) manufacturing and cultural industry firms from across

CARIFORUM recently participated in two European Study Tours organised

by Caribbean Export and ACP Business Climate (BizClim) from June 20 -

July 11, 2012.

The Study Tours are a precursor to the 2nd CARIFORUM-EU

Business Forum scheduled to take place in London on August 8 and

9, 2012 during Caribbean Export’s London Engage initiative. The

firms toured Manchester (UK), Hamburg/Berlin (Germany) and Paris

(France), with the aim to form strategic business alliances with their

European counterparts.

“The manufacturing sector plays a critical role in strengthening the

region’s capacity to be competitive in all sectors”, commented Pamela

Coke Hamilton, Executive Director, Caribbean Export. “As such, it is

paramount that we find new and innovative ways to establish mutually

beneficial European trade relationships, while taking advantage of the

opportunities presented by the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership

Agreement. It is with this view that we embarked on this study tour to

Europe”, Coke Hamilton concluded.

“The cultural industries sector has the potential to deliver

significant benefits to the region through innovation and knowledge

creation, as well as contribute to economic growth in the Caribbean,”

remarked Carlos Wharton, Senior Trade Policy Advisor, Caribbean

Export. “As such the objective of this Tour is to foster dialogue between

European and CARIFORUM business leaders with the view to enhance

the region’s investment potential”, Wharton concluded.

The Study Tours and the 2nd CARIFORUM-EU Business Forum

are supported by ACP BizClim Programme Management Unit and the

European Union.

For additional information about Study Tour and the Business

Forum please contact Mr. Carlos Wharton, Senior Trade Policy Advisor at

[email protected] and copied to Ms. Gayle Gollop, Advisor -

Trade Advocacy at [email protected] or Tel: 246-436-0578.(TW)

Caribbean Investment Week

From May 14 – 19, 2012, Caribbean Export participated in Caribbean Investment Week 2012. Caribbean Investment Week 2012 is a culmination of the Caribbean Investment Forum (CIF) and the Trade and Investment Convention (TIC). Above is a photomontage of both events, which were held in Trinidad and Tobago.(TW)

Business Roundtable meeting at the German Chamber of Commerce organised by the Latin America Business Association (LAV)

(l) Mr Chris Persaud from Baron Foods and Mr. Sebastien Wenderdel of KHS Coroplast Gmbh

(r) Mr Luc Biermé, Show Manager, and Christelle le Moing, Sales Executive, Who’s Next (Fashion Show), Paris speaking with Study Tour participants


Promoting Greater Trade and Investment between CARIFORUM

and the FCORsBy Carlos Wharton

Senior Trade Policy Advisor

Tradewatch TradE aNd

ExPOrT dEVElOPMENT

Caribbean Export Develeopment Agency

was established by an Inter-Governmental

Agreement, signed by the 15 CARIFORUM

States and is responsible for promoting regional

trade and investment. The Agency was formally

established on January 01, 1996 with offices

in Barbados and the Dominican Republic.

Over the past seven years, Caribbean Export

has played an instrumental role in enhancing

cooperation between the CARIFORUM Private

Sector and their counterparts in the FCORs

(French Guiana, Martinique, Guadeloupe, St

Bartholomew, and St Maarten). The Agency’s

role in such cooperation is in line with the

CARIFORUM policy that seeks to actively

and continuously widen and deepen its

cooperation with the FCORs.

This article will examine the importance of

deepening cooperation between CARIFORUM

States and the (French Caribbean Outermost

Regions) FCORs, as well as highlight some

of the activities carried out by Caribbean

Export to achieve this objective. It is also

set against certain developments whereby

the FCORs have (in the past and) in recent

times, signalled their intention to establish

formal observer/associate membership status

within the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean

States (OECS) (and CARIFORUM) grouping.

The CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership

Agreement (EPA) and the Caribbean Regional

Indicative Programme/Regional Strategy

Paper between CARIFORUM States and the

European Union (EU) also prioritise greater

cooperation between CARIFORUM States

and the neighbouring French Caribbean

Regions. On the French Caribbean/European

side there have been many attempts to

facilitate continuous dialogue and action

on economic and social issues - notably

through CARIFORUM and OECS participation

in INTERREG-Caribbean Space Programme

2007-2013, the establishment of bilateral

Memoranda of Understanding with some

CARIFORUM States that promote cooperation

in social and economic issues, and the

establishment and operation of joint Task

Forces in agreed areas.

Enhancing Cooperation with the FCORs

on matters pertaining to social and private

sector development is important at this time

because they share the same geographic

space with most CARIFORUM member States,

and as such are exposed to similar resource

constraints and environmental vulnerabilities.

Additionally, the FCORs and CARIFORUM

States share similar history and values that

bind them culturally. With the signature of

the CARIFORUM-EU EPA, there are numerous

opportunities for growth and partnership in

trade and investment related issues between

CARIFORUM States and the FCORs and as

such, Caribbean Export’s role is to facilitate

these opportunities where possible.

Trade relations between CARIFORUM

States and the FCORs were governed by

the LOMÉ and the Cotonou Conventions

from 1975 to 2007. The current trade and

investment relationship is now governed

by the CARIFORUM-EU EPA. As the French

Caribbean Regions are regions of France

and by extension the EU, they were in the

past, granted preferential duty-free quota

free access to most goods originating from

CARIFORUM States. Under the CARIFORUM-

EU EPA however, the French Caribbean will

over time, have improved market access for

trade in goods. Additionally commitments

on services, investment, innovation and

intellectual property within the EPA, provide

new opportunities for an increase in trade and

investment between these regional trading

partners. The EPA also seeks to promote

enhanced cooperation between CARIFORUM

States and the FCORs in all areas covered by the

EPA as well as areas relating to enhancing social

links, investment promotion, transportation

and communication. It also promotes joint

programmes between CARIFORUM States

and the FCORs though the EU’s framework

programmes that, inter alia, seeks to foster

improved innovation and scientific knowledge.

It is important to note that most

CARIFORUM States enjoy a trade in goods

surplus with the FCORs. In 2008, the value

of CARIFORUM exports to the FCORs totalled

US$ 238,145,616 whereas the FCORs

exported US$ 16 218 092 to the CARIFORUM.

Carlos Wharton, Senior Trade Policy Advisor


Trinidad & Tobago is the leading exporting

CARIFORUM country and key CARIFORUM

exports to the FCORs include: mineral

products such as gasoline, gas oil, aviation

fuel, pebbles and gravel, foodstuffs and

vegetable products such as: bread and pastry,

biscuits, aerated beverages, pepper sauces,

jams, jellies, pastes, beer and other fermented

beverages, ground provisions, herbs, flowers,

spices, rice, tea, coconuts, vegetable fats &

oils, conch, lobster and shrimp. It is important

to note that CARIFORUM States and the

FCORs have similar production structures

and product mix. Therefore CARIFORUM

States have enjoyed and continue to enjoy

a preferential relationship in a number of

products that are also produced in FCORs

and this in part accounts for the trade

balance in favour of CARIFORUM States (both

individually and collectively).

Requirements and Norms

– Language

– Visa Requirements

– Lack of on the ground representation in

the FCOR to facilitate CARIFORUM Firms

– No Mutual Recognition Agreements

(MRAs) and Co-production Agreements

exists

– Limited Bilateral Investment Instruments

(Double Taxation Treaties, Investment

Promotion and Protection Treaties etc)

These challenges notwithstanding, there are

a number of advantages and opportunities

that exist for the private sector through joint

cooperation between CARIFORUM States

and the FCORs. It is widely believed that

FCOR service suppliers can provide solutions

to assist CARIFORUM producers in meeting

export requirements in the EU. Additionally,

there is significant opportunity for increased

services exports from the CARIFORUM States

to the FCORs (particularly in professional,

cultural-related, education, management

consulting, energy and travel related). As

such many of Caribbean Export’s activities in

the FCOR market have focused on promoting

trade and development cooperation in some

of these services sectors.

Caribbean Export is working closely

with numerous institutions in the

FCORs – including the Regional Councils

Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana,

Chambers of Commerce of Martinique

and Guadeloupe, INTERREG Technical

Secretariat, Manufacturing Association

in Martinique (AMPI), Institute for French

Caribbean Cooperation (Guadeloupe),

Centre D’echanges Informatisés Branche

Antilles (Guadeloupe). Caribbean Export has

partnered on numerous activities aimed at:

improving the Agency’s understanding of

the FCOR Markets; developing meaningful

programmes that expose CARIFORUM

firms to the FCOR Market and improving

the level of trade and market information

sharing between Caribbean Export and key

institutions in the FCORs.

The Agency has been able to carry

out cooperation activities that have been

co-financed by INTERREG IV Caraibes, a

European Regional Development Fund Facility

that is designed to promote cooperation

between the EU Outermost Regions and its

neighbours. Currently Caribbean Export is

jointly implementing a programme entitled

INVEST KARAIBE that focuses on information

Successfully exporting to the FCORs is

considered an important test for many

CARIFORUM firms who are seeking to

penetrate the wider European market. By

virtue of their geographical proximity and

market structure, the FCORs provide the

necessary stepping-stone for exporting firms

that are more comfortable trading within

the Region but have not yet taken the step

to export to the EU Mainland. Throughout

our consultations with the private sector

over the past three years, a number of issues

however continue to limit the level of trade

and investment between CARIFORUM States

and the FCORs these include:

– Other Duties and Charges

– Technical Barriers to Trade (Technical

Requirements, Packaging, Labeling, SPS etc)

– Cargo Security Requirements (ICS)

– Limited Knowledge of the Market

The table below provides a brief outlook at the value of CARIFORUM Exports to the FCORs between the period 2006-2008.

Value of CARIFORUM Exports to the FCORs between the period 2006-2008

Country 2006 2007 2008 TOTAL AVERAGE

Antigua & Barbuda 0 176,100 - 176100 88,050

Bahamas 39,196 27,754 7,330,264 7397214 2,465,738

Barbados 945,900 910,629 1,175,786 3032315 1,010,772

Belize 105,155 0 - 105155 52,578

Dominica 3,381,513 3,598,836 5,271,900 12252249 4,084,083

Dominica Republic 4,740,767 10,322,596 7,330,263 22,393,626 7,464,542

Grenada 562 0 791,540 792102 264,034

Guyana 1,751,351 1,733,897 2,058,972 5544220 1,848,073

Haiti 251,294 237,130 236,334 724758 241,586

Jamaica 4,504,578 3,183,448 3,920,432 11608458 3,869,486

St. Kitts -Nevis 138,741 291,977 281,950 712668 237,556

St. Lucia 817,934 409,248 647,847 1875029 625,010

St. Vincent & the Grenadines 63,235 27,801 7,450 98486 32,829

Suriname 617,870 2,612,407 3,206,072 6436349 2,145,450

Trinidad & Tobago 321,850,117 107,603,604 205,886,806 635340526.9 211,780,176

TOTAL 339,208,213 131,135,427 238,145,616 708,489,256 236,163,085


sharing, market research, trade promotion

and joint public relations. Some of the

main activities carried our thus far include a

Seminar on the CARIFORUM-EU EPA and Joint

CARIFORUM-Martinique participation at the

Work Music Expo 2011, Denmark. Caribbean

Export is also engaged in discussions with

the Regional Council of Guadeloupe on

the development of a programme aimed at

providing technical and capacity building

assistance to firms interested in doing

business between CARIFORUM and the FCOR.

Caribbean Export also has the

responsibility for convening and chairing

the CARIFORUM/FCOR/OCT Task Force

on Trade and Investment. In 2005 at the

Clovis Beauregard Seminar, Martinique, it

was agreed that four Task Forces were to

be set up to promote cooperation between

CARIFORUM and the FCORs/OCTs. These Task

Forces focus on the following:

• TradeandInvestment(CaribbeanExport

Chairs)

• Inter-Connection(Transportation,

Communications)

• Naturaldisasters

• HIV/AIDS

To date, Caribbean Export has convened six

meetings of the Task Force, where discussions

have ranged from implementing the

CARIFORUM-EU EPA to the development of

cooperation programmes aimed at improving

trade and investment. The Task Force is an

important vehicle to ventilate issues that

affect trade and investment CARIFORUM

States and the FCORs. Additionally it provides

an opportunity for information sharing

and to discuss the status of development

cooperation projects between the institutions

represented at the Task Force.

Under its 9th European Development

Fund (EDF) Caribbean Trade and Private Sector

Development Programme CTPSDP (2008-

2010), Caribbean Export engaged in a number

of activities with the FCOR. These included the:

– Hosting of the CARIFORUM/FCORs/OCTs

Task Force on Trade & Investment;

– Preparation of studies on doing business

between CARIFORUM States and the

FCORs and OCTs;

– Co-hosting of seminars related to the

Economic Partnership Agreement and

priority sectors;

– Preparation of Fiche and implementation

of Joint INTERREG supported programmes;

and

– Provision of direct and technical

assistance to CARIFORUM Firms and BSOs

that were interested in doing business in

the FCORs/OCTs Markets.

Under the 10th EDF Regional Private Sector

Development Programme (RPSDP), Caribbean

Export has a mandate to promote stronger

trade and investment relations between

CARIFORUM, FCOR and EU OCTs. The main

components of this programme address the

following objectives:

• Increasingknowledgeofrespectivetrade

and investment laws and regulations;

• Identifyingandexploitingexport

opportunities among CARIFORUM/FCORS/

OCTs; and

• ContinuingtheoperationsoftheJoint

CARIFORUM/FCORS/OCTs Task Force on

Trade and Investment

Some of the activities envisaged over the next

year include joint participation in international

trade fairs, participation in Caribbean Export

activities on the CARIFORUM-EU EPA, the

development of relevant market intelligence,

technical and capacity building for CARIFORUM

Firms seeking to do business in the FCORs,

hosting of the CARIFORUM/FCOR/OCT Task

Force in Trade and Investment as well as the

development and/or finalisation of technical

cooperation agreements with Guadeloupe

and French Guiana. Caribbean Export remains

committed to assisting CARIFORUM Firms

export their goods and services to the FCORs

and will also act as an information-sharing

conduit for FCOR Firms seeking to do business

in CARIFORUM States.(TW)

Management Consultants meet in Jamaica for 4th Annual Business SymposiumCaribbean Export hosted the 4th Annual Management Consulting Business Symposium in Montego Bay, Jamaica from Tuesday June 19 - Thursday June 21, 2012.

The objectives of the Symposium were

to provide a forum that seeks to achieve

increased levels of penetration in EU

markets by CARIFORUM firms, through

a business-to-business (B2B) interface

between EU and CARIFORUM management

consulting firms, as well as training to

enhance the competitiveness of CARIFORUM

management consultants.

The event also examined requirements

and strategies for making effective use of

the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership

Agreement (EPA), and promote cooperation

and partnerships between CARIFORUM

firms/practitioners and their counterparts

of the wider Caribbean.

“Caribbean Export’s support of this

Symposium continues to demonstrate the

Agency’s commitment to the development

of the regional management consulting

sector. This year’s event will see participation

from regional and international experts

examining the continued expansion of this

area”, commented Mr. Anthony Bradshaw,

Chief Operating Officer.

The 4th Annual Management Consulting

Business Symposium is supported under

the European Union’s (EU) 10th European

Development Fund (EDF) Regional

Private Sector Development Programme

(RPSDP), by the Deutsche Gesellschaft

fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)

and the Caribbean Institute of Certified

Management Consultants (CICMC).

For further information about the 4th

Annual Management Consulting Business

Symposium, please contact Mr. Markson

Gill, Operations Officer at mgill@carib-

export.com and copied to Mr. Zamani

Moodie, Advisor - Market Intelligence at

[email protected] or Tel: 246-

436-0578. (TW)

Tradewatch TradE aNd ExPOrT dEVElOPMENT


Tradewatch INVESTMENT PrOMOTION

CAIPA Hosts Regional Investment Promotion Steering Committee and Board Planning MeetingThe inaugural meeting of the Regional Investment Promotion

Steering Committee (RIPSC) was planned and executed from June

12-13, 2012 in Guyana with a view to increasing collaboration and

cooperation among regional entities involved in the promotion

of investments, for the realisation of a comprehensive regional

investment promotion strategy and implementation roadmap for

the region as a whole. It was also intended that the Committee

would select a Chair and Deputy Chair and that the near-term

activities for the RIPSC would be defined at this meeting. The stated

objectives were realised with the Chairman elected being Professor

Alvin Wint, Pro Vice Chancellor of the University of the West Indies,

and the Deputy Chair being Ms. Sonia Roden, General Manager of

the Grenada Industrial Development Corporation and representing

the 2nd Vice President of Caribbean Association of Investment

Promotion Agencies (CAIPA). The Committee has committed

to the development and initial implementation of the regional

investment promotion strategy and implementation roadmap, an

incentives study and a regional investor perceptions study, as its

main priorities.

As the Secretariat for CAIPA, two strategic planning meetings

of the Board are scheduled for implementation each year, to assist

the nascent Association develop its work plan and to provide some

guidance to its operations. The first of the two meetings for the

year was held in Curacao from June 15-16, 2012. The aim was to:

review activities implemented during the period December 2011-

June 2012 under the 10th EDF; review activities to be implemented

for the remainder of the year (2012); plan activities for 2013; and

discuss and agree on CAIPA operational matters. These objectives

were achieved with the next scheduled meeting planned for

December 2012, at the time of the CAIPA General Assembly. (TW)

The series began with a training session on May 9 and 10, 2012 at the

Pegasus Hotel, Georgetown Guyana. This was followed by workshops

in St Vincent and the Grenadines (May 21 - 25), Barbados (May 29) and

Tobago (May 31).

The main objectives of the sessions and workshops was to increase

the awareness of the Direct Assistance Grants Scheme (DAGS) among

the regional private sector to increase competitiveness, as well as

deliver hands-on assistance to Business Support Organisations (BSOs)

as they facilitate the application process across the various sectors.

“Caribbean Export is pleased with the turn out at these sessions,

this continues to confirm the level of interest that the private sector

has not only in the growth and development of regional companies,

but also in regional trade initiatives”, commented Kirk Brown, Senior

Grant Advisor. “Through the DAGS, firms can make improvements in

areas of marketing, equipment upgrade, personnel training, standards,

and intellectual property among others” Brown concluded.

The DAGS is funded by the European Union’s 10th European

Development Fund (EDF) Regional Private Sector Development

Programme (RPSDP). (TW)

Tradewatch dIrECT aSSISTaNCE graNTS SChEME

Regional Private Sector benefits from Grant Writing Training Sessions

Kirk Brown, Senior Grant Advisor

Caribbean Export recently hosted a series of Grant Writing Training Sessions and Workshops in the lead up to the Call for Proposals, which was published on June 6, 2012.


Tradewatch uPCOMINg EVENTS

Tradewatch CarIbbEaN ExPOrT aNNOuNCEMENTS

Relocation NoticeCaribbean Export wishes to advise the public that effective July 1, 2012 our office at Hastings and Weymouth have been relocated to the 1st Floor Baobab Towers, Warrens, St Michael.

Our telephone and facsimile contact numbers remain the same. For additional information please feel free to contact us at [email protected].

New Staff AnnouncementsThe following persons were inadvertently omitted from the previous edition. Apologies

for any inconvenience caused:

Ms. Asha Prescod - Programme Assistant

Ms. Shernelle Worrell - Financial Assistant

Mr. Leonel Naut - Advisor, Competitiveness and Innovation

Ms. Suzette Hudson - Senior IPA Advisor

Caribbean Export Appoints New Senior Financial Advisor

Financial management and accounting professional Mr. Jenning Mc Comie, a national of Trinidad & Tobago, possesses 15 years solid, diverse experience in public and private sector projects. Apart from his ACCA Level II accreditation, he

holds an MBA with specialisation in Strategic

Planning and has worked nationally and

regionally on activities spanning 18 countries.

In addition to his core competency in

accounting, Mr. Mc Comie also has experience

in ICTs and their applications in business,

process and workflow re-engineering as

well as employee incentive and development

interventions.

Mr Mc Comie has extensive experience

in the financial administration of regional

development projects and programmes. He

has collaborated with the European Union

(EU), the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB),

the Canadian International Development

Agency (CIDA), United States Agency for

International Development (USAID) and Inter

American Development Bank (IDB) overseeing

fiduciary activities and ensuring adherence

to donor guidelines and maintenance of the

projects’ financial integrity.

He transitions to the Caribbean Export

from the Caribbean Disaster Emergency

Management Agency (CDEMA) where he

served as the Accounting Officer for the

Institutional Support and Capacity Building

(EDF) Project. While at CDEMA he also

supported the activities of the Regional

Monitoring & Evaluation System for Disaster

Risk Management Project, the Climate

Change Adaptation in the Caribbean Tourism

Sector Project Phase II and Tsunami and

Coastal Hazards Early Warning Systems

Project as well as the Comprehensive Disaster

Management Harmonisation Implementation

Programme. (TW)

Jenning Mc Comie, Senior Financial Advisor

July

CARIFORUM-EU Study Tours (con’t from June 20) France, Germany, UK | July 1 - 11

Caribbean Design Showcase (con’t from June 28)

London | July 1 - 15

Small Business Development Centre Certificate Training Belize | July 5 - 6

Sub-Committee Meeting - Financial Services Conference Barbados | July 10

Private Sector Consultation - Architects

St Lucia | July 12-13

Assertive Communication Workshop Barbados | July 16

Continued on page 11


September

Expo-Cibao Dominican Republic | September 10 - 16

XVII WAIPA Annual Investment Conference Dubai, UAE | September 17 - 18

Performance Management Training (Managers) Barbados | September 24-25

CCJ/CALCA Seminar on WTO/EPA/CSME Law and PracticeTrinidad & Tobago | September 24-28

ITC/Caribbean Export Trade Information Training Workshop Trinidad & Tobago | September 24-28

Performance Management Training (Staff)Barbados | September 27-28

Grant Proposal Writing WorkshopHaiti | TBD


August

Soft Launch of African Caribbean Business Experience London | August 4

Essence/Fashion Event London | August 4

Official Opening of African Caribbean Business Experience London | August 5

Caribbean Cuisine and Hospitality Suite London | August 6 - 10

2nd CARIFORUM-EU Business Forum/Investment Forum London | August 8 - 9

Break Point London | August 9

Caribbean Soul Fusion London | August 9

Grant Proposal Writing Workshop Grenada | August 22 - 23

Webinar for Entry-level Investment Promotion Professionals On-line | TBD

Grant Proposal Workshop & Sensitizing Financial Institutions Antigua & Barbuda | August 29 - 30

Caribbean Export Partners with ITC on Two Regional Training ProgrammesWork has begun on the coordination of the Regional Trade Information Training Programme and the Data Processing and Collecting Mechanism Training, which will be undertaken in collaboration with the International Trade Centre (ITC).

Twenty (20) companies are expected to participate in these

Programmes, which will be held on September 24-28 and October

1-3, 2012 respectively in Trinidad and Tobago.

The Programmes will cater to Managers and officers of business

information services in trade promotion organisations, chambers of

commerce, business associations and other organisations involved

in searching, processing or disseminating trade information. The

topics to be covered in the course include a number of information

management and information resource themes, including:

• Assessinguserneeds

• Web2.0intradeinformationmanagement

• Effectiveinformationsearchtechniques

•Informationserviceplanning

• Deliveryoftradeinformation

• PromotionofInformationservices

Identifying relevant information sources:

• Companyinformation

• Marketnews,trendsandreports

• Marketaccessandtraderegulations

• Tradestatistics

• InternationalPrices

For additional information about the Trade Information Training

Programme please contact Ms. Cora Lowe at clowe@carib-

export.com or Tel: 246-436-0578. (TW)


We are very interested in your feedback.

Please email your comments to: [email protected] material copyright © 2012 Caribbean Export

Caribbean Export Development Agency

Head Office: 1st Floor Baobab Towers

Warrens

St Michael BB22026

BARBADOS, W.I.

Tel: (246) 436-0578

Fax: (246) 436-9999

Email: [email protected]

Sub Regional Office:Calle Carlos Lora No.9

Ensanche Los Restauradores

Santo Domingo

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Tel: (809) 531-2411

Fax: (809) 473-7532

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.carib-export.com

www.facebook.com/Caribbean.Export

www.twitter.com/CaribXport

www.youtube.com/TheCaribbeanExport

Caribbean Export’s Key Result Areas And Goals

•Fostering an enabling environment – for trade and investment

within the region through regional integration, cooperation and

advocacy initiatives designed to position the region more effectively

in the world economy.

•Enhancing Competitiveness – Increase the competitiveness of firms

in CARIFORUM countries in selected sectors through investment,

management and product development, market expansion and

export diversification.

•Promoting Investment - Promote the Caribbean region as a prime

destination for intra and extra-regional investment.

•Strengthening Institutional Capacity and Networking - Enhance

the capacity of public and private sector BSOs, particularly sector

associations, trade promotion organisations and investment

promotion agencies, and support the development of vibrant

Caribbean business networks to improve services to clients.

Tradewatch abOuT uS

TradeWatch is made possible through the kind support of the European Union.


Services Scoop, the pioneering trade magazine

of the Caribbean, has announced a call for

articles for their publication. The magazine is

heavily circulated throughout the Caribbean

to trade‐related agencies across the world.

For the magazine to truly engender the desired

impact, Services Scoop is seeking contributions

to the magazine. The second edition of Services

Scoop will be released early next year.

For additional information please

contact Michelle Hustler, Editor via email at

[email protected] (TW)

Services Scoop Call for Articles

Documents

Vol. 5 No. 2 JUlY–AUGUST, 2012 Caribbean Architecture ... · Fusion to take Regional Talent to London Caribbean Cuisine and Hospitality to be showcased during London ... and Tobago