The Caribbean Export Development Agency, in collaboration with the Delegation of the European Union in the Dominican Republic, the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Development (MEPyD), and the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and MSMEs (MICM), hosted the workshop “Business Opportunities in Europe and Latin America.” This event served as a unique platform for startups and technology companies in the Dominican Republic to establish product linkages with corporations from Europe and Latin America, exploring possibilities for strategic alliances aimed at innovation and growth in the international market.

The workshop is part of the Digital Connectors initiative, which is included in the EU-LAC Digital Accelerator program financed by the European Union as part of its Neighborhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI-Global Gateway). With over 170 corporations and 900 startups from Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean connected in a cooperation network, this program seeks to drive digital transformation and foster strategic collaborations to provide solutions to the technological challenges of private companies worldwide.

Opening Remarks During the event’s opening, authorities emphasized the importance of international collaboration for the growth of the technological sector in the Dominican Republic. They highlighted that events like this workshop contribute to the global positioning of Dominican technology companies and strengthen their capacities to face challenges in the international market.

“Through Digital Connectors, we are committed to supporting the Dominican Republic and the entire region in building an innovation ecosystem with new opportunities for the growth and internationalization of local companies,” stated Melvín Asín, Head of Cooperation of the Delegation of the European Union in the Dominican Republic.

“In recent years, the country has experienced a significant digital transformation. The proliferation of connectivity, access to smart devices, and the implementation of emerging technologies have marked a transition towards a more digital society. Our government has made a strong commitment to digital transformation, making it a priority in the Multi-Year Public Sector Plan,” commented Olaya Dotel, Vice Minister of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Development (MEPyD).

“Collaboration with European and Latin American corporations is an invaluable opportunity for our startups to grow and face new challenges,” highlighted Fantino Polanco, Vice Minister for Industrial Development of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and MSMEs.

“At Caribbean Export, we are committed to driving digital transformation at the regional level and to the potential of our startups to integrate into global value chains. Through the EU-LAC Digital Accelerator, we aim for these companies to establish strategic connections and generate international business opportunities that drive their economic growth and job creation in the country,” declared Leo Naut, Deputy Executive Director of the Caribbean Export Development Agency.

Speakers and Topics Covered The workshop featured participation from experts in international partnerships and collaboration strategies in the ICT sector:

• Maika Gorostidi, Co-Director of the EU-LAC Digital Accelerator, who introduced the program’s objectives and detailed how it connects Dominican startups with corporations from Europe and Latin America.

• Francisco (Paco) Prieto, Co-Director of the EU-LAC Digital Accelerator, led the session on Strategic Connections: Companies from Europe and Latin America seeking collaborations with ICT companies and startups to generate business and address digital challenges, analyzing the opportunities and benefits of collaboration between startups and corporations.

• Miguel Rodríguez, Innovation Consultant of the EU-LAC Digital Accelerator, who shared key strategies for establishing business relationships with international corporations and startups, focusing on open innovation and solving common digital challenges.

This event marks the first workshop specifically aimed at startups and technology companies in the Dominican Republic as part of the Digital Connectors program agenda. The program will continue with other workshops focused on training corporations in open innovation, as well as bilateral meetings between these corporations and both governmental and private trade support organizations, to strengthen the technology ecosystem and facilitate strategic connections that drive the international expansion of the technology sector in the region.

The Caribbean Export Development Agency, in partnership with the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and SMEs (MICM) and the European Union (EU) in the Dominican Republic, has launched the “Digital Connectors” initiative. This groundbreaking program aims to create new business opportunities for Dominican industries in the digital sector.

Deputy Executive Director of Caribbean Export, Leo Naut, explained the initiative’s scope and benefits for both large corporations and SMEs at the event held at the MICM headquarters. “Participating companies in Digital Connectors will work with entrepreneurial startups and international experts. Local technology organizations will be able to identify new market opportunities and strategic alliances with key players from Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean, achieving productive linkages that help them grow through the export of their services,” said Naut.

A New Era for Digitalization

The “Digital Connectors” initiative seeks to address the challenges of digitalization and create business opportunities by connecting companies from the Dominican Republic with innovation ecosystems in Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean. This pilot program of open innovation will allow local companies to access high-quality digital acceleration services, opening up new commercial opportunities in digital transformation and global competitiveness.

The Digital Connectors program is part of the EU-LAC Digital Accelerator Programme, funded by the European Union’s Global Gateway.

Key Figures

The EU Ambassador to the Dominican Republic, Katja Afheldt, expressed, “The Digital Connectors program is a flagship example of European Union cooperation in the Dominican Republic: accompanying the country in its major reforms and innovation through knowledge transfer, the exchange of best practices, and support for the business sector and the talent of young Dominicans. This program paves the way for a more innovative, competitive, and digital future.”

“We are convinced that this collaboration with the European Union will allow us to continue advancing in our mission to create a more competitive, dynamic, and innovative economy,” stated Minister Bisonó.

Who Can Participate?

The Digital Connectors program targets technology companies and corporations operating in key sectors such as industry, consumer goods, tourism, logistics, distribution, energy, health, agribusiness, and pharmaceuticals, among others. It is also open to startups, entrepreneurs, and any company interested in improving its competitiveness through innovative and digital solutions. Interested companies can register through the following link

Upcoming Workshops

To socialize the concepts of open innovation and corporate entrepreneurship with local industries, a workshop will be held on October 28th for technology companies with expansion visions, seeking innovative solutions to grow in international markets. On October 29th, industries and corporations from various sectors will participate in a training session focused on companies willing to collaborate with entrepreneurs and technology firms from Europe and Latin America to identify innovative solutions that generate operational and financial improvements.

What is the EU-LAC Digital Accelerator?

The EU-LAC Digital Accelerator is a platform financed by the European Union (EU) as part of its EU-LAC Digital Alliance, created under the Global Gateway framework. Over five years, this initiative will facilitate collaboration between the private sector and various stakeholders from the EU, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

Led by TECNALIA, the Digital Accelerator brings together prominent international innovation players, such as IESE Business School, WAYRA-Telefónica, and the European Business and Innovation Centre Network (EBN), among others, promoting competitiveness, digital skills, and business transformation in Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

The concept of a “green economy” has been building momentum as nations around the world seek more holistic ways to achieve economic growth while simultaneously mitigating the impacts of climate change and maintaining sustainable development.

Across the Caribbean, the transition towards green economies is well underway. Countries like Barbados, Jamaica, Grenada, St. Lucia, Guyana and others have already begun implementing national development plans which feature green economy principles.

Furthermore, regional entities such as the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have helped to set regional green energy targets and the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) has established an open-ended working group on green energy initiatives with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). These steps have set the region on a pathway to the establishment of robust green economies. However, there is much more work to be done to realise their full potential.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), a green economy can be defined as one which is “low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive. In a green economy, growth in employment and income are driven by public and private investment into such economic activities, infrastructure and assets that allow reduced carbon emissions and pollution, enhanced energy and resource efficiency, and prevention of the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services.”

Meanwhile, as was noted in the 2014  Green Economy Action Learning Group’s Green Economies in the Caribbean Country Report, Caribbean stakeholders have characterised a green economy as one that is “equitable in its distribution of economic benefits and costs; productive in its management of ecological resources; investing in resilience to climate change and other external shocks; pro-poor, generating decent jobs and working conditions for local people; aiming to create a regional economy that is self-directed and self-reliant, resistant to foreign control; [and] rooted specifically in the rich local culture of the Caribbean.”

Regional leaders are therefore tasked with ushering in a new economic paradigm that puts the well-being of the environment and people at the centre of economic activity. This requires strong political will and strategic policy decisions. Already, with the adoption of green energy technologies in several Caribbean countries – including wind and solar farms – the stage has been set for a steady reduction in dependence on fossil fuels, and reduced expenditure on such products. This, in turn, will play a substantial role in reducing the Caribbean’s carbon footprint and protecting the environment.

Meanwhile, job creation is one way in which the shift to green economies can deliver substantial opportunities for Caribbean people. Projections by the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) suggest that Latin America and the Caribbean could gain 15 million new net jobs by 2030 in sectors such as agriculture, renewable energy, forestry, construction and manufacturing, by promoting a zero net emissions economy rather than following current trends.

With the transition requiring large-scale infrastructural development and the integration of new technologies, new opportunities are emerging for people to find work. As was stated in an article produced by the Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI), “In the Caribbean, key sectors for greening include agriculture, construction, energy, fisheries, manufacturing, tourism, transportation, and water”. As the greening of these sectors occur, there will be further opportunities for Caribbean people to find new forms of work.”

Key to the region’s transition to a green economy will be the development of robust policy and legal frameworks, the political will to drive innovation and social change, and the development of strategic public/private partnerships. The Caribbean Investment Forum (CIF) 2024 is one space in which such policies can be shaped, the will and foresight of political leaders assessed, and strategic partnerships realised.

The third iteration of the seminal event developed by the Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) will be held in Guyana from July 10 – 12, 2024, bringing together global investors, innovators, industry leaders and policymakers to discuss opportunities across four key tracks – the Green Economy Transition, Sustainable Agriculture, Digitalization of Business, and Sustainable Development.

Within its packed, progressive agenda, CIF Guyana 2024 will feature a Green Economy Transition Exhibition which will include two Green Living Hub presentations as well as a short presentation on “Greening the Future: Transitioning to a Sustainable Economy.” There will also be a feature presentation on Charting the Course: Accelerating the Green Revolution in the Caribbean – A Forward-Thinking Blueprint for Government Action.

The ministerial roundtable on Fostering Sustainable Development Through Innovative Investment Strategies in the Caribbean: Opportunities and Challenges also promises to offer insightful perspectives from regional leadership on the broader issue of sustainable development. It will be moderated by Executive Director of Caribbean Export, Dr. Damie Sinanan, and include perspectives from Grenada’s Minister of Climate Resilience, the Environment, and Renewable Energy, the Honourable Kerryn James; Guyana’s Minister of Agriculture, the Honourable Zulfikar Mustapha; and Minister in the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Investments, Senator, the Honourable Chad Blackman.

Furthermore, attendees will discover exciting projects unfolding across the region during the country presentations and learn about investment facilities and global funds that can be accessed to realise transformative projects.

Be part of CIF 2024 in Guyana to discover how the green economy transition is unfolding across the Caribbean and how you can contribute to the transformation.

Register now at https://caribbeaninvestmentforum.com! Join us at the CIF 2024 in Guyana!

Consumers around the world are demanding more from the agricultural sector.

Today there is more information available about what goes into producing food and an enhanced awareness of the environmental impact and carbon footprint left from its production. Armed with this knowledge, consumers have been demanding that more environmentally responsible and ethically sound practices be used in growing crops and raising livestock.

In a paper produced by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) on the role of consumer preferences in agricultural production practices, the authors noted, “Overall, consumers in the 21st century have changed dramatically. They now demand to know everything they can about what they consume: who produces the food, how it is produced and how it is distributed. There is a growing desire to know more about the primary production process and to establish a special connection with agriculture. Humans wish to feel safe in every dimension, which also extends to food; ensuring a healthy diet and avoiding foodborne diseases has become the trend.”

In the Caribbean, consumers have become increasingly aware of both the economic and environmental costs of food importation. They are also aware of the linkages between the quantity and quality of the food they consume, and the incidence of chronic, non-communicable diseases plaguing their communities. These facts, among other things, are shaping and changing their food demands.

In a 2020 article on Lonely Planet that reviewed how some Caribbean islands were supporting sustainable agriculture, it was noted that the demand for local produce and sustainable seafood in Grand Cayman had “grown exponentially, creating a circular effect in which farms utilising greenhouses and fishermen abiding by eco-friendly practices now have increased capital to expand their operations.”

In the article, Executive Chef at the Kimpton Seafire in Grand Cayman, Massimo De Francesca, explained, “In Grand Cayman, we have a great outpouring of community encouragement for local farmers markets to showcase locally grown food items and sell products at local stands.”

This is just one example of how local demand for sustainably grown or harvested food is creating opportunities for the sector. It’s also proof that sustainable practices can be viable and profitable in the long run.

Consumers are also calling for more organic produce, free of harsh chemicals. Regional farmers, in turn, have been shifting to organic farming, transforming their operations and gaining certifications as organic producers. Furthermore, as more people recognise the importance and benefits of sustainable farming practices, innovative agripreneurs have emerged. They are creating sustainable, eco-friendly solutions that are advancing organic farming practices.

The choices and demands that consumers are making are forcing the evolution of the agricultural sector across the region. However, there is much more work to be done in order to realise the full potential of sustainable agriculture for individual islands and the region as a whole.

That’s why sustainable agriculture is one of the key issues that will be addressed at the upcoming  Caribbean Investment Forum (CIF) 2024. The third iteration of the seminal event developed by the Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) will be held in Guyana from July 10 – 12, 2024, bringing together global investors, innovators, industry leaders and policymakers to discuss opportunities across four key tracks – Sustainable Agriculture, Green Economy Transition, Digitalization of Business, and Sustainable Development.

The panel discussion “Fields of Fortune: Investing in Sustainable Agriculture for a Flourishing Caribbean” will be particularly beneficial to attendees seeking to engage regional partners or find investors for agricultural projects. The moderator will be the General Manager of Guyana Marketing Corporation, Teshawan Lall. Panelists include: Sustainable Agriculture, Food & Innovation, Entrepreneur, Consultant, Jody White; Director – Investments US International Development Finance Corporation, Patrick Starr; Head of Agribusiness, IDB Invest, Carlos Eduardo Narvaez; and Chief Executive Officer Latitude Geospatial, Dr. Haimwant Persaud.

The Sustainable Agriculture Showcase is also sure to draw great interest from attendees and will feature a blitz presentation from White on Harvesting Hope: Sustainable Agriculture, and two Farm-to-Table Marketplace presentations.

Be part of CIF 2024 to discover how sustainable agricultural practices are evolving in the Caribbean and how you can contribute to the transformation.

Register now at https://caribbeaninvestmentforum.com! Join us at the CIF 2024 in Guyana!

In the vibrant world of culinary delights, nothing quite ignites the senses like a dash of hot pepper sauce. And when it comes to igniting taste buds, Marie Sharp’s Hot Pepper Sauce from Belize is a name that stands out. Recently, this fiery condiment made its much-anticipated debut in the Dominican Republic, following its successful showcase at HUB Santo Domingo 2022. Sponsored by Caribbean Export through the 11th EDF regional private sector programme financed by the EU, Marie Sharp’s journey to the Dominican market is not only about flavor but also about collaboration and support. Let’s delve into the story behind the introduction of Marie Sharp’s Hot Pepper Sauce to the Dominican Republic and the sizzle it’s bringing to tables across the country.

A Taste of Belize in the Dominican Republic

Marie Sharp’s Hot Pepper Sauce isn’t just any hot sauce; it’s a culinary masterpiece crafted with passion and tradition in Belize. Established in the early 1980s by Marie Sharp herself, a humble school teacher turned entrepreneur, the brand has become synonymous with quality, flavor, and authenticity.

Marie Sharp’s journey began in the verdant landscape of Belize, where she cultivated her own habanero peppers on her family farm. Drawing inspiration from traditional recipes passed down through generations, she began experimenting with different combinations of ingredients, striving to create a hot sauce that would capture the essence of Belizean cuisine.

A Culinary Sensation

From its humble beginnings, Marie Sharp’s Hot Pepper Sauce quickly gained popularity among locals and visitors alike. Its bold flavors and unique blend of habanero peppers, carrots, onions, and other natural ingredients set it apart from mass-produced hot sauces, earning it a loyal following and cult status within Belize.

As demand for Marie Sharp’s Hot Pepper Sauce grew, so did its reputation beyond Belize’s borders. Exported to countries around the world, it introduced global audiences to the vibrant flavors of Belizean cuisine, garnering acclaim and awards along the way.

Cultural Exchange Through Cuisine

The introduction of Marie Sharp’s Hot Pepper Sauce to the Dominican Republic represents more than just a new condiment on the shelf; it symbolizes a cultural exchange between two Caribbean nations. Through the shared love of food and flavors, it bridges gaps and fosters connections, enriching culinary traditions and sparking new culinary adventures.

As Dominican chefs and home cooks embrace Marie Sharp’s Hot Pepper Sauce, they embark on a flavorful journey that transcends borders. It’s not just about adding heat to dishes; it’s about celebrating diversity, embracing new flavors, and forging bonds through a shared appreciation for good food.

Looking Ahead

As Marie Sharp’s Hot Pepper Sauce continues to make waves in the Dominican Republic, the future looks promising. With its commitment to quality, authenticity, and innovation, it’s poised to become a staple condiment in Dominican households, adding a touch of Belizean flair to traditional dishes and culinary creations.

Moreover, its success serves as a reminder of the power of passion, perseverance, and a little bit of spice in shaping culinary landscapes and bringing people together. So, the next time you’re in the Dominican Republic and craving a culinary adventure, be sure to reach for a bottle of Marie Sharp’s Hot Pepper Sauce. It’s more than just a condiment; it’s a taste of Belizean tradition and a journey to fiery flavors.

The introduction of Marie Sharp’s Hot Pepper Sauce from Belize to the Dominican Republic marks an exciting chapter in the world of Caribbean cuisine. Through its rich history, bold flavors, and commitment to quality, Marie Sharp’s has captured the hearts and taste buds of food enthusiasts around the world, proving that great taste knows no boundaries.

Open Call #1 Results and Insights

The results of the first Open Call for EU-LAC Partnerships are now available, bringing to light valuable insights and lessons from our initial wave of business collaborations between Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean. This month’s newsletter dives into the activity on our matching platform, the applications received, the selected partnerships, and the sectors they represent.

Our Matching Platform: A Hub for Innovators

🚀 Over 1,000 EU-LACkers! Our Matching Platform has become a bustling hub with over 1,000 innovators actively expanding their business networks. This platform is where startups and corporates meet, share challenges, and form partnerships to drive innovation. Ready to grow your network? Join our community here!

Open Call #1: Applications and Selections

We received 18 applications for EU-LAC partnerships, all aimed at accelerating business collaboration from proof-of-concept to scaling up. These partnerships began with corporates identifying challenges and seeking digital solutions through our matching platform. Startups then connected with these corporates, leading to the formation of EU-LAC partnerships.

Selected Partnerships: We have selected 10 partnerships in this first open call, focused on smart production challenges. These partnerships will receive 6-month in-kind acceleration services valued at up to 30,000 euros to foster growth and innovation. (Note: 2 partnerships are still under revision.)

Open Call #1: Regional Insights

Our corporate venturing model spans Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Here’s a breakdown of the applications:

• Europe: 100% of applications involve a partner from Europe.
• Latin America: 80% (16 applications) involve a partner from Latin America.
• Caribbean: 20% (3 applications) involve a partner from the Caribbean.

Subscribe to the EU-LAC Newsletter and see on this new edition interesting information on To Do’s for Corporates: Innovating Collaboratively, Regional Highlights, and more!

Remember to join our Network by subscribing to the emailing Newsletter that we release every two-month with project updates and opportunities!

Upcoming Open Call: Cleantech Sector

Ready to make a positive impact on our planet? Our next call for EU-LAC partnerships will focus on the cleantech sector. European, Latin American, and Caribbean corporates facing sustainability challenges are invited to share them on our matching platform. We aim to connect you with startups offering digital solutions that enhance performance, reduce ecological impact, and improve resource use.

Share your challenge here! Link to platform

Let’s begin a new wave of EU-LAC business partnerships committed to fostering a positive impact on our planet!

When the Crafts for Export Cluster was launched for the first time in the Dominican Republic in June of this year, architect Fátima Polanco was already 18 years old when, together with two sisters, she started a business selling items including costume jewelry, her true passion.

After the experience with her sisters, she became independent in 2010, when she opened her first store and formalized her commercial activity with a view to reaching a wider and more diverse public. For this moment, it has also defined its design line and production materials in which the native, Dominican and island materials such as semi-precious stones Larimar and amber prevail.

Fátima Polanco 3 estilos, is the name of the brand created with her two sisters and that she has kept in honor of them. The designer, whose mission is to position her creations in the international market, is a member of the Dominican Federation of Artisans, FEDARTE, the National Association of Women Artisans, Designers and Artists, ANADAMA and the Promotion of Craft Development, FODEARTE, among others in the craft sector.

The Crafts Cluster of the Dominican Republic is made up of the subsectors of jewelry, fashion, accessories, textiles, decoration, wood and recycling, and is an initiative supported within the framework of the Trade and Private Sector Support component of the Haiti/Dominican Republic Binational Cooperation Program financed under the 11th International Cooperation Program. European Development Fund and implemented by Caribbean Export. Under this same program, Fatima Polanco 3 estilo is a beneficiary of the binational chain of handicrafts, jewelry, fashion and accessories.

Thanks to her participation in the program, the designer has received technical assistance for the formulation of the re-launch of her brand, with updating of the digital platform and networks.

The optimization of the brand’s graphic line, as well as having a stronger presence on the web and social networks, has contributed to the strengthening of the company, achieving a more recognizable image in the eyes of the public and more in line with its nature. On the web, we are working to improve the user experience, facilitating the navigation of potential customers and a better display of jewelry in a visually attractive catalog.

With the support of Caribbean Export, it has also acquired equipment to contribute to the development of productive capacities that in turn are at the service of the artisan sector, including women and young people interested in strengthening capacities with workshop and training programs that allow the promotion of links to increase the competitiveness of production, allowing access to international markets and thus improve the quality of life of the artisan sector. On the other hand, the opportunity to acquire endemic materials of the island for the elaboration of jewelry, which increases the economic development of the sector and that the raw material is acquired from local producers both in the country and in neighboring Haiti. This promotion contributes to strengthening the production capacity of the handicraft value chain, promoting creative diversity and optimizing product marketing processes.

Currently the raw material par excellence of Fatima Polanco’s creations are the semi-precious stones larimar and amber native to the Dominican Republic and in this way she is profiling her company as a Country Brand, “guaranteeing to show the world the beautiful shades and colors of Larimar, and position our handcrafted jewelry as the number one option in the national and international market”.

As part of this support provided by Caribbean Export, the exhibition of handcrafted jewelry “Symbiosis” was held, of which she was part, and in which the public could enjoy and purchase handcrafted jewelry made with raw materials from the island, including larimar and amber, jasper, malachite, azurite. This production, marked by process improvement and added value, corresponds to the objectives of targeting binational handicrafts to foreign markets.

For Fatima Polanco, the Agency’s support will contribute to strengthening the country’s handicraft sector in terms of training, specialization and the evolution of quality levels to meet the demands of a more demanding international market, especially the English Caribbean. The Crafts for Export Cluster is part of the results of the Caribbean Export program, whose initiative includes companies, public and academic institutions related to the jewelry, fashion and decoration sectors.

For the future, Fátima Polanco envisions teamwork in the handcrafted jewelry sector with a view to creating greater opportunities for the growth and productive and economic capacity of the sector that will position and promote it to capture new international markets, placing the Dominican Republic at the forefront with colorful and modern designs, positioning the larimar in all the showcases of the world.

The Spanish explorer and conqueror Juan Ponce de Leon, who was governor of Puerto Rico, and conqueror of Florida (he lived in our country before going to Puerto Rico) thought that when he sighted the things of Florida, it was the mysterious island of Bimini, they thought it was an island, which was what this advance guard of the crown was looking for. Specifically, the mysterious island of Bimini, a place where, according to natives of Puerto Rico and Quisqueya, there was a fountain that “turned old men into young men”. While others sought gold, the colonizer sought something even more valuable, eternal youth. He never made it to the island, and of course, he never found the fountain of youth either.

But myth and history have kept alive the idea of trying to avoid aging and its consequences. And we have come a long way. The market is overflowing with offers and promises to counteract the passage of time. Wonderful creams, cosmetic surgeries, pills and potions with extraordinary properties.

But in our country, Leonardo de León Miranda, who according to his father, belongs to the descendants of the Spanish conquistador, has dedicated part of his life to study and obtain from nature products that, although they do not promise eternal youth, are a natural alternative to maintain health and general wellbeing.

A natural sportsman, De León always felt the need to consume products and supplements free of industrial processes, and in that personal search he started what today has become a successful project that in a short time has positioned itself as a natural alternative for food supplements and cosmetic products based on what nature has to offer.

“More than 20 years ago I was looking for protein supplements, because I have always exercised and I needed and need that supplementation. But I couldn’t find what I was looking for, neither in the country nor in the United States. I was looking for something that had no sweeteners, no flavorings or preservatives, that was as natural as possible. What I found had at least six chemical or artificial ingredients and my body did not like that. When I consumed that, my body reacted against it, it rejected it. I started to prepare my own supplements from natural products such as cocoa, products without chemical processes. That was the beginning, because when I saw the results in me, I thought that this could benefit many people. That was the beginning of The Fountain of Youth,” Leonardo de Leon tells us.

The products offered by La Fuente de la Juventud are obtained from fruits and plants carefully cultivated and selected to guarantee the consumer products free of artificial elements, guaranteeing verifiable results in their health.

The quality of Fountain of Youth ‘s natural products has been welcomed by customers. “The people who have tried our products have shown absolute satisfaction with the results. This is part of our success,” says De León, who never misses an opportunity to express his pride and gratitude for what has been achieved so far.

La Fuente de la Juventud has its organic farm in Rancho Arriba, San José de Ocoa province, but it has also built up a portfolio of suppliers that guarantee products whose cultivation process it oversees. “We wanted to involve small producers, especially women, whom we teach to grow and handle the products we buy from them, giving them the opportunity to obtain a source of resources, to develop themselves,” explains the president of La Fuente de la Juventud.

Caribbean Export, an invaluable help

De León does not miss an opportunity to highlight the support received by Caribbean Export, without which he believes he could not have taken his project to the level it is currently at. “Caribbean Export is present in every success we have achieved, in every product we exhibit. That is why their brand is on the label of our products, as a sign of pride, recognition and guarantee”, he expresses visibly excited.

“Our relationship with Caribbean Export began when we participated in a contest organized by them, and we won with a project to create essential oils. Thanks to that first support from Caribbean Export, we have become the first factory that produces from the bush, we are an absolutely ecological and organic factory,” says De León.

It is currently part of the project led by Caribbean Export to strengthen the binational value chain of essential oils/cosmetics, which is part of the trade and private sector support component of the Haiti-Dominican Republic binational program with funds from the 11th European Development Fund.

“As part of this program, one of the major achievements was the installation of a water purification system that updates our irrigation and production processes. This ensures optimum water quality for our processes,” added De León.

Standardization is a key element in supporting innovation and conveying knowledge. Over the last ten years, cooperation between Haiti and the Dominican Republic on standards has developed and intensified through a partnership supported by the bi-national cooperation program.

Improving the quality of goods produced in both countries, promoting and formalizing trade and consolidating institutional cooperation between Haiti and the Dominican Republic are the main thrusts of the bi-national cooperation program between the two countries, whose “trade and private sector component” is being implemented by the Caribbean Export Development Agency, Caribbean Export, with support from the European Union. The partnership between the Bureau Haïtien de Normalisation, BHN, and INDOCAL, the Dominican standards bureau, is a concrete expression of these three objectives.

BHN guarantees standards in Haiti

Created in 2012, the Bureau Haïtien de Normalisation (BHN) is under the supervision of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Its mission is to develop, certify and publish standards for all fields: products, services or organizations. It is also responsible for distributing documentation relating to standards (guides and procedures), marks of conformity and quality labels. The BHN is also the organization that enables certification, and above all, it is the sole guarantor of metrology, i.e. the scientific guarantee of measurements: this enables any buyer to be assured that when he buys a liter or a gallon, there really is a liter or a gallon of product.

A specialist in agro-industry, Monorde CIVIL joined the BHN at its inception and has been its director since 2020. ” As early as 2013, cooperation and collaboration between the two neighboring countries, Haiti and the Dominican Republic, was supported and promoted by the European Union’s 1^0th EDF,” he explains, citing the first collaboration protocol signed between BHN and Indocal. For him, this bi-national collaboration on standards is essential, as it is the cornerstone of trust between the two countries, and more broadly at the international level, where the BHN represents Haiti.

Successful partnership between BHN and INDOCAL

As of 2013/2014, Caribbean Export, which is in charge of this aspect of binational cooperation, is inviting entities from the two neighboring countries to create quality infrastructures and work together. BHN and Indocal take part in quality events, exchange information and know-how, and take part in training courses together. Technicians from the two offices train together, particularly in metrology, especially for mass and volume. ” Our missions are the same, but our challenges are different ! Indocal has been around longer and has more experience, but above all it has a law that creates the Dominican standardization and quality system,” explains Mr. Civil, who regrets that Haiti has not yet been able to pass the law prepared by the BHN.

The BHN and Indocal have been cultivating a fruitful collaboration for some ten years now, which has intensified with the bi-national cooperation program. The two institutions took a closer look at the three value chains supported by Caribbean Export under this program: cocoa and chocolate, essential oils and handicrafts. The security situation in Haiti has unfortunately reduced the scope for action, but through this highly technical collaboration, the two institutions have made enormous progress in establishing quality standards, particularly in the cocoa and chocolate sectors.

A bi-national standard for chocolate

“For there to be a standard, all the stakeholders have to come together in a technical committee and agree by referring to an international standard. “explains the BHN director. Indocal therefore set up a technical committee and organized bi-national meetings with the BHN. Both countries referred to the Codex alimentarius standard, which all countries use for the food sector. As a result, the chocolate standard has been published by the Dominican Republic, and as soon as it has been translated into French, the Bureau Haïtien de Normalisation will approve it for Haiti too. This standard guarantees the quality specifications for the product in question, and as the two institutions have signed a cooperation agreement, this will open up access for a “chocolate” product to standards in the other country, and vice-versa.

A common language : metrology

Despite the Covid 19 pandemic and the upheavals in Haiti that have slowed it down, the bi-national partnership between BHN and Indocal has gone from strength to strength. From an exchange platform, cooperation has moved on to training courses, notably on the certification system for both countries. In the field of metrology, technicians from both countries, who attend training courses all over the region, also worked in pairs on highly specialized courses in the Dominican Republic. ” The technicians in both countries are highly trained and work in the same way. Even if English and Spanish have to be combined for training courses, their common language is definitely metrology. Exchanging skills and know-how is a win-win situation “Mr. Civil is pleased to report that, following the training course, a department was set up to check propane kiosks in Haiti.

A website under construction for BHN

Thanks to the bi-national program, BHN will soon be able to set up its own website. ” This portal is essential for raising awareness and communicating about the institution’s work, and for connecting the BHN and its users. Standards concern all aspects of life. There are standards for products and services, but also for adaptation to climate change, environmental standards, and so on. Our work is very cross-functional, and every time a standard is approved, it is published on the “He is delighted to see this site project, undertaken and supported by Caribbean Export in 2022 and 2023, moving forward. From now on, all the standards currently available at the BHN will be accessible and can be obtained, for a fee, by interested parties in Haiti, to produce or serve in compliance with national, binational and, in some cases, international standards. We will also be publishing information on training courses available to young people, as well as public surveys. A major step forward for BHN and for national and bi-national standardization.

What they have in common is an island, a material, but also unique know-how. Some twenty artists, designers and entrepreneurs from Haiti and the Dominican Republic worked together, rigorously and perseveringly, over several years to put together an original collection of 153 ornaments, to be presented in June 2023 under the aegis of Caribbean Export, with funding from the European Union.

Santo Domingo, Thursday June 22, 6 p.m., in the first exhibition room, busts of mannequins dressed in sober velvet appear, revealing their finery in stone, horn, metal, wood… With particular dexterity and creativity, Haitian and Dominican designers have played with materials as one plays with brushes to reveal to the world a collective collection of exceptional works through a new Caribbean brand “Symbiosis”.

We’re at Quinta Dominica, in the heart of the Zona Colonial. The spotlight is on the event. Red and green jasper from Haiti mingle with larimar and amber from the Dominican Republic, while metals are joined by fibers, horn and wood or coconut in a dazzling symbiosis. There is both unity and uniqueness, and above all a remarkable enthusiasm on everyone’s part for this exhibition and the project that gave rise to it. As Anny Abate, the exhibition’s curator in charge of its installation, put itIt’s a project that has strength, that expresses something and that seeks its balance. The challenge of the Symbiose exhibition is to connect the creators’ work, giving each of them their own space, without changing the meaning…”

In the beginning, a Taino theme…

It all began in 2019, with the launch of a technical assistance project aimed at strengthening the production capacities of the crafts value chain in the two neighboring countries. This project, part of the “Trade and Private Sector” component of the Haiti-Dominican Republic Bi-national Cooperation Program, financed by the European Union and implemented by Caribbean Export, the only trade and investment promotion organization for the CARIFORUM countries, has truly fostered the synergies desired by the program throughout the process, which are focused on co-promotion and co-production.

From the outset, the idea of ajoint, exportable jewelry collection with a defined Caribbean identification, is proposed as the culmination of the Taino project. Symbiosis, the brand that was born, was intended as a collaborative encounter between Haitian and Dominican designers, based on what we have in common“explains Philippe Dodard, then Director of ENARTS, Ecole Nationale des Arts, some of whose students also took part in this project through exchanges between the two training institutions, ENARTS in Haiti and CENADARTE in the DR.

16 designers in perfect symbiosis

Nine Haitian artists and seven from the Dominican Republic took part in this adventure. Two names come up regularly in their testimonials: that of the famous designer Jenny Polanco, without whom the project would not have seen the light of day and who unfortunately succumbed to covid before seeing it come to fruition, and that of Jorge Caridad, the “master” of stone, founder of the amber and larimar museums, who opened his workshop and his arms wide to all the participants, to share his talent and his knowledge of the mineral, the raw material of most of the jewels on display.

These sessions remain memorable and particularly enriching for everyone. “At the start of the project, none of us Haitians were jewelers or knew anything about stones, and we met specialists in DR. Working together on cutting and polishing techniques was completely new to us.“says Sandra Russo, who accompanied the project. “In Haiti, we have a very ancient tradition and techniques for working with horn and wood. On Michel Châtaigne’s initiative, the Bureau des Mines d’Haïti offered stones then unknown to the Dominicans, such as quartz, jasper, malachite and azurite.“.

Sharing know-how…

This exchange of material know-how, as much as the contribution of new stones, seems to have inspired craftsmen and artists in both countries.

Gisselle Mancebo Castillo, a well-known name in larimar jewelry, exhibited a dozen magnificent sautoirs, blending the blues, reds, yellows and greens of the island’s stones in a kaleidoscope of colors: “It’s the first time I’ve worked with these stones, and it’s been an incredible experience“. Gimarie Grullon, designer of the Tiaggi brand, has also adopted Haitian red and yellow jasper, harmoniously blended with amber in a remarkable creation. For her, it’s a wonderful experience as a designer, “as well as an honor and a pleasure to work with Haitian artisans“.

New designers

Right next to it, a delicate and original finery decorates not only a bust in a majestic way, covering shoulders, arms, chest and even the head. The stones are soberly linked by copper wire and chain. This sober yet intriguing creation by Garibaldi Jean Baptiste captivates visitors. Just like that of Emmanuel Saincilus, whose artistic universe as a painter, visual artist and sculptor is reflected in his highly original hammered goldsmith’s work. These young Haitian designers, graduates of ENARTS, weren’t there to talk about the creative experience, but their creations spoke for them.

Michel Châtaigne, a Haitian fashion icon with extensive experience in the design of clothing, shoes and accessories, signed his first metal jewelry creations here, using the cut-iron technique and combining copper, brass and stones. It’s the same technique that inspired Nora Leurebours of Tipik Créations, accustomed to designing fashion accessories and objects for the home from paper maché, cow horn or natural fiber, and who found herself inspired by the metals and stones available to her creativity.

Blend of materials…

Happy combinations of stones and other materials such as horn and wood were found in the work of several designers such as Gisela Maria Lozada, from the Shelaia Store brand (RD), or Barbara Taveras (RD), each of whom delicately combines wood, shells, amber or larimar. This was also characteristic of the highly ethnic pieces presented by Cristina Nuñez, always rich in endemic inputs from the Dominican Republic such as coconut, bone, amber or larimar, to which she discreetly associated a few stones from Haiti.

Daphnée Floréal, who trained in jewelry making at the Altos de Chavon design school, has had fun enhancing her Bijou Lakay creations (pectoral necklace), where horn is very present, with a few accents of new colors and materials.

An expert in the fusion of tribal elements and urban design, Martine Bourjolly Cantave, Haitian jewelry designer of the Héritage Nomade brand and host of the only jewelry workshop ever held in Haiti, presented a number of striking pieces from her version of the Symbiose brand.

All first times

Like Martine Bourjolly Cantave, Haitian designers have often chosen to stay close to the Taino theme. Régine Tesserot Fabius and Ariel Fabius, designers of furniture and home accessories, have thus created pieces resolutely inspired by Taino designs and objects, sometimes incorporating traditional materials (leather, horn, wood) as well as the stones fashioned and mounted for them in Dominican workshops. “We were led to create on a theme and in a medium new to us,” they report.

An architect by profession, Fatima Polanco developed a passion for jewelry design, and proved herself a virtuoso in the palette of indigenous stones. Symbiosis seems to have inspired his imagination with a rich collection of all the island’s stones arranged with originality.

Tangible evidence of collaboration

The first edition of Symbiosis, both a project and a brand, showcases the creation of handmade jewelry and fashion accessories using the island’s raw materials. For Leonel Naut, Director of Caribbean Export, this first collection is a tangible testimony and the product of a collaboration that highlights the island’s exceptional potential and artisanal talent. “ This collection promotes binational dialogue between the two countries, thanks to the collaborative spirit with which these pieces have been created. It’s an avant-garde project. A collection that can bring so many positive results, it’s moving…” he declared, underlining the extent to which the island’s creative and cultural diversity and the development of new value-added products can enhance the exportable offer and contribute to the sector’s economic development.

The trajectory of the laboratory’s evolution makes it a model of business resilience.

After a vast managerial career in some of the most prestigious companies in the country, at the age of 45, Noel Ureña wanted to become an entrepreneur against all odds: “Many people told me that I was crazy. How could I leave a well-paid job to start a company from scratch”. Although not entirely; it is true that the company he managed to acquire with the capital he had at the time did not resemble the multinationals in which he excelled as an executive, the basic structure of the business was defined. A sketch from which to start. And so it was that Mi Kakito, went from selling shampoo in sachets (1978), to become what we know today as MK Laboratories, producer of several brands of hair care lines, pioneer in the Beauty Products Cluster of the Industrial Innovation Program of the Association of Industries of the Dominican Republic, AIRD.

The letters MK for Mi Kakito, evolved to MK for “Master Knowledge”: maximum knowledge in what we do,” explains Ureña, who preserves the company’s first brand for the nostalgic market and has been introducing subtle changes to the graphic line to bring it in line with the new times. In 2008, the packaging of Mi Kakito products was changed from sachets to plastic bottles. But, before that, in 2005, MK Laboratories was already prepared to launch new product lines in response to the needs identified in market studies and after analyzing the costs of importing the most important raw materials: essential oils, whose quality must meet the standards of the certifications obtained by MK Laboratory, ISO 9001 Quality Management System, ISO 22716 certification that guarantees the implementation of good manufacturing practices to control the hazards and risks associated with cosmetic products, as well as local certifications granted by the Ministries of Public Health and Environment.

From 2005 to 2007, MK Laboratories launched its Finely and Sedoso hair product lines, available in stores and supermarkets, and the Vitaly line for professionals, available in beauty salons and authorized centers. In 2016, Ebo Beauty was born, for sale only on Instagram.

Laboratorio MK’s philosophy of continuous improvement and vision towards excellence has been translated into national and international recognition. In 2013, they obtained the SME Excellence Award granted by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce; the National Quality Award from the Private Sector in 2014 in the Small Business category, and in the same contest, a Bronze medal in the Large Business category. This is the highest recognition at the national business level that is awarded to the quality management and excellence of Dominican companies dedicated to the production of goods and services. Laboratorio MK has also been recognized by the National Association of Industries of Herrera, and internationally by MasterCard in its Latin American SME Success Stories award.

Caribbean Export arrived at the right time

At a time when MK Laboratory was preparing to expand, the largest volume of sales, around 90%, was exported to the United States (New York, Boston, Laurence, and Puerto Rico), as well as Panama and Colombia. The company applied and was selected to participate in the Binational Value Chain Strengthening Program in the essential oils/cosmetics line implemented by Caribbean Export as part of the trade and private sector support component of the Haiti/Dominican Republic Binational Program financed under the 11th International Trade Agreement. European Development Fund. Through this program, MK Laboratories was able to develop activities that allowed them to recover quickly from the ravages of the pandemic on the national economy and their business.

Among the program’s achievements was the donation of an automatic labeling machine which, according to Ureña, tripled the quantity of finished products and, as a result, increased production. “We are projecting earnings of more than double digits,” Ureña explains. In addition, technical assistance was provided to optimize the company’s technological systems in order to make processes more efficient and achieve the objective of expanding the export market, for which Caribbean Export offered advice on market research “at destination”, i.e., in the field of study. “In Puerto Rico, Boston and Miami, we visited the main distributors that handle products similar to ours, stores, commercial chains, Beauty Supplies, among others, and we were able to gather information to work on sales strategies and expand our client portfolio. MK’s president describes the mission as successful, as they have been able to negotiate with three potential international clients with tangible purchasing possibilities.

As former president of the Beauty Products Cluster of the Industrial Innovation Program of the Association of Industries of the Dominican Republic (AIRD), Noel Ureña, president of MK Laboratories, believes that the expansion of its products contributes to the presence of the Dominican brand in international markets, strengthening the reliability and prestige of the destination, which makes it attractive to future investors. The impact would result in the strengthening of the Dominican economy and, therefore, the development of society.

In 10 years, TiSakSuk has gone from a platform for selling “Made in Haiti” handicrafts to an increasingly renowned brand of painted clothing, which finds its market in Haiti and abroad. Behind this success lies a passion, dreams, hard work and opportunities that the company has seized!

Having left to study in the United States, Daphnée Valmond Bourgoin stayed on to launch her professional and family life. But after the 2011 earthquake, she was one of the many Haitians who enthusiastically returned to build on their native soil. It all began with Daphnée’s passion for handicrafts and “made in Haiti”, as she was in charge of selecting products for the store she managed at the US Embassy in Haiti. A devotee of her country’s objects and products, she even earned the nickname “Madame Made-in-Haiti”, when she had the idea of promoting and selling the products of Haiti’s artisans on her social networks, then on a website … under the profile of TisakSuk. And so the adventure began.

Tisaksuk will grow up!

Daphnée has gone from being a promoter of local products to a creator of local products. First by having linen clothes made for herself, then by having them personalized by an artist. Shirts, dresses and pants painted in the colors of Haiti quickly attracted the attention of those around her, and then of her “followers”. The market was there, and the obvious thing to do was to create a workshop under the Tisaksuk brand.

Tisaksuk means “little bag of sugar” in Creole. This is how the man who would become her husband had christened his childhood friend Daphnée, when they were growing up in the same Carrefour district of the capital. Little did Vladimir Bourgoin know that “Tisaksuk” would become his wife and the founder of a promising small business. Today, it’s the name of a collection that’s on a roll.

Change of scale, but still artisanal

With the brand’s success, Vladimir left his own career to strengthen that of his wife. The small company now has a team of 20 people, half of them women, to make and paint the year’s collection. The workshop, created in their original Carrefour neighborhood in 2013, had to move to Frères for safety reasons. Today, between local sales and online sales to elegant Haitian women in the diaspora, the brand has undergone remarkable expansion. International sales, mainly in the United States, account for 80% of sales. But while TiSakSuk is moving to a new level of production and distribution, the brand is committed to maintaining its artisanal standards of manufacture and quality. Each garment in the annual collection, available in six to ten models, is a unique piece, hand-painted by a Haitian artist.

Technical support crucial to growth

This growth, which has been gradual over the last ten years, has recently gained momentum with the support of Caribbean Export. Through the binational program financed by the European Union, Tisaksuk has benefited from substantial technical support, with training and support in accounting and management. ” We’ve been a beneficiary of this value chain support project since 2019, but between Covid and the problems in Haiti, everything had slowed down a little. We’re catching up now… “explains the designer. In 2023, the pace quickened: while the company’s administrative capabilities were being strengthened and two team members were being trained on Quickbooks, the Caribbean Export program also helped to boost product availability and visibility. Tisaksuk’s participation in an annual fair for small and medium-sized enterprises in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, was intended to expose the company to other markets. ” Their support has enabled me to take part in Semana Mipynes in June 2023. I was impressed by the reception the collection received. I never imagined that the Dominican market, and the Caribbean market by extension, would be interested in our creations.. I’m delighted by this discovery, as it opens up so many new avenues …” confides D. Bourgoin, who is looking forward to the experience. Bourgoin, who is delighted with the experience.

An international distribution platform

Increased sales abroad prompted the company to set up a distribution platform in Tampa, Florida, to distribute TisakSuk orders more cost-effectively. Tomorrow, this platform could even become a dispatch point for other designers.

Alongside the strengthening of production organization and the prospecting of new markets, the success of the Santo Domingo fair has reinforced Tisaksuk’s plans to make the Tampa platform a veritable hub for Made in Haiti products… and why not for Made in the Caribbean products, which are struggling to find adequate distribution. ” Our dream is to become the Amazon of Caribbean Made by 2025. “emboldens Daphnée Valmond Bourgoin. The little bag of sugar can become a big project!