Tobago Trekkers gana inversión en la competencia Animation Accelerator Pitch

Eight teams of Caribbean animators and gaming practitioners pitched their animation concepts to international content buyers on the final day of the Animation and Gaming Accelerator training. The E-IDCOT Tobago Project with their Tobago Trekkers game won the top prize of $10,000 USD provided by the Caribbean Development Bank via the Cultural Industries Innovative Fund (CIIF). Caribbean animation content has now been positioned to secure 200 hours of Caribbean content to be shown on US networks.

The pitch sessions were held on the final day of the Animation and Gaming Accelerator training at the Government Plaza Complex on Friday 16th August 2019, hosted by Animae Caribe in collaboration with the Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export), the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the University of Trinidad and Tobago, CARICOM, CARIFESTA, FilmTT and the Global Services Promotion Programme.

The panel of judges that included industry content buyers, investors and producers saw eight pitches which were scored on their strength of concept, experience and the game or series ability to succeed on the international platform.

Tobago Trekkers

The winning animation pitched was Tobago Trekkers delivered by the three-person team of the Eco-Industrial Development Company of Tobago (E-IDCOT) Ltd. The team which included Oshun Oya Trim, Terrence Murray and Carlton Lindow showed how their Tobago Trekkers concept had the scalability to develop into other areas such as merchandising and tourism.

Speaking about his experience judge Stephen Hodge – Managing Director of Toon Googles, a premier on-demand entertainment destination for children shared “I’ve been delightfully enlightened by the quality of animation and concepts and projects that I’ve seen out here. And I definitely feel that quite a few of these have quite a bit of potential in the global market, so I’m excited to see how this further develops”

As part of the implementation of the 11th EDF Regional Private Sector Development Programme (RPSDP) Caribbean Export has been supporting the export services and the creative industry. Animation has been identified for its huge potential for both the talent within the region in terms of content creation and the outsourcing of animation services to international production studios.

“We have seen that the region has the talent and the skills to develop a buoyant animation industry and so for us it’s about providing the opportunities or the platforms for this talent to be seen” informed Allyson Francis – Services Specialist at Caribbean Export. “What has been encouraging to see is how each concept that was pitched included some level of cultural reference to the Caribbean be it folklore, mythical creatures for example”.

Buyers at Market

Kim Wright content buyer for Sesame Street Workshop and also a judge expressed that “It’s been great. I’ve met some very talented animators here and it’s a very rewarding experience being of Jamaican descent, and to see the wealth of talented yet young animators in general from across the Caribbean is always refreshing and rewarding experience for me, especially students. I find that really great to meet students and to let them know that these opportunities exist to pitch to companies like Sesame Street Workshop and have their work seen internationally”.

Following the pitch sessions Ty Richardson, serial entrepreneur and investor announced that discussions had started to secure 200 hours of Caribbean content on US based Beacon TV. Working with Camille Selvon Abrahams – Founder and Creative Director for Animae Caribe Festival, Richardson would be able to source Caribbean content to be aired on the US television network.

“We definitely have some exciting stuff. I’m excited to distribute, I’m excited to present. The story lines ranged from far and wide, I love the direction some of these kids are going in and I love the fact we can even do a pilot channel with pilot, after pilot, after pilot. We don’t have to have fully developed series or content and it gives everybody an opportunity to see their stuff on a screen and enjoy that moment in the sunlight”.

The Agency supported seven animators from Grenada, Saint Lucia, Barbados and Guyana and will continue to support the animation industry at the upcoming 4th CARIFORUM-EU Business Forum scheduled for September 26-28th September in Germany.

Accelerator Training listo para revolucionar la oferta de animación y juegos del Caribe

More than twenty-five (25) emerging and established Caribbean animators and gaming practitioners have been selected for an accelerator training programme scheduled from 12th – 15th August 2019 in Trinidad. Teams from Jamaica, Barbados, Tobago, Guyana, St. Lucia, Grenada and Trinidad have been selected for this intensive training opportunity that will enhance their technical capacity in the area of 360 design development, allowing them to design an animated series and a game based on a single concept. In collaboration with the Caribbean Development Bank, Caribbean Export Development Agency, the University of Trinidad and Tobago, CARICOM, CARIFESTA, FilmTT and the Global Services Promotion Programme, the training is presented by Animae Caribe as a critical element of their continued work towards developing the animation industry and network throughout the Caribbean.

Dr. Marielle Barrow Maignan, Coordinator of CDB’s Cultural and Creative Industries Innovative Fund (CIIF), shared “ The timing of this training was critical for us as the Accelerator comes just ahead of CARIFESTA XIV which is also being held in Trinidad and Tobago. CARIFESTA is the nexus of Caribbean cultural creativity and we wanted animation and gaming to be involved as we move to support new cultural industries. In addition to providing flights and accommodation for regional participants, we have pledged a prize of USD10,000 from CIIF to enable the winners to produce an Animation Production Bible, Game Production Bible and a 30-60 second trailer. CDB is committed to enhancing the technical and business skills of the Creative Industries (CI) in the Region and Accelerator programmes like this one allow us to equip a larger cadre of professionals with these skills while increasing access to resources.“

The Animation and Gaming Accelerator training has been designed for emerging and established practitioners engaged in animation/game design to bring new projects and ideas into game and animation reality. Ten teams were selected from 49 applications from across the Caribbean. Each team is comprised of three persons inclusive of an animator/illustrator, an experienced writer and a game developer. Directed by international trainers Eric Elder and Tyree Dillihay from Monday August 12th -Thursday 15th, the camp takes place at the University of Trinidad and Tobago, John Donaldson Campus, in Port of Spain. The training will be closed sessions for pre-selected animation and gaming teams from the Caribbean and Trinidad & Tobago.

Caribbean Export Development Agency has supported this Accelerator, by facilitating the opportunity for youth to pitch to international buyers on the final day of the Accelerator. Participants will have the opportunity to pitch to their two trainers and representatives from the Caribbean Development Bank, alongside international animation sector buyers and mentors: Kimberly Wright – Sesame Workshop; Stephen Hodge -Toon Goggles LA; Audrey Kamga – Arte France; Animation Business Consultant – Joan Vogelesang and Dr. Ty Richardson – YoPro Global.

Founder and Creative Director for Animae Caribe Festival, Camille Selvon Abrahams says, “Caribbean animation is attracting tremendous attention. We are on the cusp of some great opportunities and we continue to ready a team of animation professionals. We are thankful that we have been able to work alongside funding agencies who understand the social and economic impact that jobs and careers in animation can make. I can’t wait to see what happens next.”

Introducing the Trainers
Trainer – Tyree Dillihay, joins us from SONY PICTURES ANIMATION, makers of Spider-Man: Into The SpiderVerse. Previously he spent 8 years as a director on Fox’s hit animated sitcom, “Bob’s Burgers” with 32 episodes and 2 consecutive Emmy Nominations to his credit. As an Animation Director, some of his past director credits include “Da Jammies” for Netflix, “Allen Gregory” for Fox, and “Good Vibes” for MTV with various other projects ranging from pre-school to Not Safe For Work (also known as “get in here, shut the door, and come look at this!”). Outside of animation, you can find Tyree on Instagram(@sneadsbyree) where he’s built a niche social media following combining his love of cartoons, fashion, sneakers and sports working as a content producer for brands such as NIKE, CONVERSE, RED BULL, REEBOK, and FOOT LOCKER. Tyree graduated from California State University, Northridge with a BA in English and ’til this day, no one cares.

His training sessions will focus on Writing for Animated Series, this short course designed for the Beginner, will see students participate in a 32 hour programme where lectures and directed independent study will cover topics such as Character development & design, basics of design and ideation, ideation to concepts.

Our Game Development trainer is Eric T. Elder, graduate of the University of the Arts in Philadelphia as an Animation Major with a BFA degree. Soon after, he began teaching animation production at the Art Institute of Philadelphia, his illustrious career with the Art Institutes spans over 15 years. When not working in education he has been a professional artist and producer at animation, gaming and media studios. He began his studio career at MTV Animation in New York on the Beavis and Butt-Head feature. He then moved to California where he worked as a key animator at Film Roman on King of the Hill and the Simpsons.

He then assumed his role as Academic Director of Game Art & Design at the Art Institute of California – Los Angeles in Santa Monica. There he founded his special video game production team course, the Game Wizards. The Game Wizards under Elder’s leadership produced over 20 titles mostly in Unreal and had team sizes ranging from 5 to over 100. His Game Art & Design program was the most successful in the entire Ai system with 300+ students and placement rates of 90%-100% at AAA game studios including: Electronic Arts, Activison/Blizzard (Luxoflux, Treyarch, Neversoft, Infinity Ward), THQ (Heavy Iron), Id Software, Sony Santa Monica, Microsoft and Rockstar San Diego.He also created and launched a new degree program in Game Programming. The Game Programming degree he developed has gotten near 100% placement in the game industry for graduates since its inception. In 2009 he achieved the title of Game Industry Development Representative (G.I.D.R.) and expanded his responsibilities for the 12 campuses in the Western Region and the over 45 across the Ai system.

In Trinidad, his Game Prototype Design Short Course will allow participants to Learn the fundamentals of design, mechanics, theme and gameplay. Teams will design and build a paper prototype version and then test and pitch the game to the group, followed by a formal pitch panel on Friday. This session is highly inter-active and our objective is that by the end of the week, there is a first version of a playable game that you can then take into digital development along with the skills to create future designs.

For more information on the exciting elements of the Animae Caribe Festival CARIFESTA XIV Edition visit – www.animaecaribe.com and follow on Facebook and Instagram.

Press Contact:
Roxanne Colthrust
Colthrust PR Limited

Crecen exportaciones de aceites esenciales del Caribe a Europa por el auge de la cosmética natural

  • Natural cosmetics are growing at an annual rate of 8-10% in the EU, increasing demand for natural ingredients like essential oils
  • 50% of British consumers favour cosmetics made from natural ingredients, the highest figure in Europe
  • In the past year, exports of essential oils from CARICOM to the EU have grown by 33%
  • Caribbean companies in the cosmetics industry will participate in the 4th CARIFORUM-EU Business Forum from 26 to 28 September in Frankfurt
Sugar Town Organics will be exhibiting at the 4th CARIFORUM-EU Business Forum

It is becoming increasingly common to find natural cosmetic products in large retail stores, perfume stores and supermarkets. In Europe, the cosmetics market is valued at 77 billion euros,[1] making it the largest market in the world and, within this, natural cosmetic products account for approximately 5% of the market. The sector is currently growing at an annual rate of 8-10%. The UK’s certified natural and organic cosmetics market is at an all-time high as sustainable shoppers continue to drive the market for green beauty. Around 50% of British consumers favour cosmetics made from natural ingredients – the highest figure in Europe[2].  In 2018, sales of certified organic and natural beauty products grew for an eighth consecutive year to reach £86.5m, up 14% on the previous year.

The European Union is not only the largest supplier of cosmetics in the world but also the main source of demand for natural ingredients for developing these products, particularly plant-based oils and fats. Around 45% of EU imports of essential oils come from developing countries. “In 2018, Caribbean countries (CARICOM) exported essential oils valued at over 32 million euros to the EU,[3] which represents 8% of all imports to the region”, indicates Damie Sinanan, the competitiveness and export promotion manager of the Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export). “We are seeing this demand increase year by year, in large part due to greater concern about sustainability and ethics on the part of European consumers. In the past year, exports of essential oils from CARICOM to the EU have grown by 33%”. The UK imports €679K of essentials oils from CARICOM.

Consumers’ growing concern about the side effects of chemical products, dissemination of information about the benefits of natural ingredients and the rise in ethical consumption[4] are some of the factors driving the growth of the natural cosmetics segment within the industry. Four out of ten (41%)[5] British females frequently check the label on the packaging about ingredients of the cosmetics they use. The common concern concentrates on potential risks of harmful chemicals to human health and the possibility of skin irritation.

CASTOR OIL AND COCONUT OIL, KEY INGREDIENTS IN NATURAL COSMETICS

BahamaSpa will be exhibiting at the 4th CARIFORUM-EU Business Forum

The Caribbean is not only famous for its heavenly beaches and rum but also for the natural ingredients produced in this region. Specifically, Jamaican black castor oil and coconut oil are two of its star ingredients. The first is used in moisturizing or hydrating products for dry skin, as well as to strengthen hair and prevent hair, eyebrow and eyelash loss. Coconut oil, for its part, is used in moisturizers for the body, lips and scalp, as exfoliants, and even for preventing the appearance of premature wrinkles and spots, thanks to its antibiotic and anti-microbial properties that protect against UV rays and free radicals.

“Apart from the health benefits of these oils and other natural ingredients many Caribbean companies sell in the EU, they also work hard to make products as sustainable as possible, from production to packaging, with the aim of not generating waste or harming the environment”, comments Sinanan. Consumers are demanding that companies use less plastic, more recyclable materials and eco-friendly products and packaging. “In fact, some of the region’s best-selling products in Europe are those that are fully biodegradable, like the soaps from bahamaSpa™, and those made without cruelty to animals and that support eco-trade of local farmers in the Caribbean, like those of True Shade Cosmetics Limited and Sugar Town Organics”.

This year, eighteen Caribbean companies in the cosmetics and nutraceutical industry will participate in the 4th CARIFORUM-EU Business Forum, which is being held from 26 to 28 September in Frankfurt. This event, organized by Caribbean Export together with the European Union and the German Development Agency (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH), aims to promote trade relations between the countries of the Caribbean and Europe, as well as to raise the visibility of the natural products and ingredients that originate in the Caribbean region.

 â€œI have seen a shift over the last year alone where more and more consumers are requesting oil-based products for their skin, such as those offered in Europe.  We started out from a place of offering plant-based cosmetics and receive many enquiries from concerned persons who are curious about our use of natural produce that are found within the Caribbean and whether our ingredients are indeed 100% natural. We are happy to respond and invite them into our garden space where they can see for themselves. We also share photos and behind the scenes shots on our social media pages,” expressed Anastasha Elliott owner from Sugar Town Organics, one of the participant companies at the event.

BEYOND NATURAL COSMETICS

Caribbean Cure will be exhibiting at the 4th CARIFORUM-EU Business Forum

The healthy lifestyle of Europeans along with the region’s efforts to promote sustainability is driving the demand for natural ingredients beyond the cosmetics industry. In Europe, this demand is concentrated in the EU5 countries, which include Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom, and it is being seen in the food sector especially.

Seven in ten consumers would be willing to give up their favourite products in favour of others that do not contain artificial ingredients;[6] and six in ten consumers value the fact that the food they buy or consume is produced sustainably, particularly when they reduce the use of pesticides and are affordable.

“If you take the Dominican Republic for example, the country has dedicated more than 150 thousand hectares to organic farming, and what is produced on that acreage generates over 447 million euros, according to the FAO. In fact, approximately 95% of Dominican organic banana exports are shipped to the European Union, making up nearly 50% of its supply[7]”, states Sinanan. “Interest in ecological and sustainable production and fair trade are helping to make trade relations with Europe more fruitful.”

For more information about the 4th CARIFORUM-EU Business Forum, visit: http://www.cedev.local/businessforum/

Press Contact:
Apple Tree Communications
Natalia Amores: na@homeatc.com
Adriana Navarro: an@homeatc.com
Tel.: 91 319 05 15


[1] Cosmetics Europe – The Personal Care Association. “Socio-Economic Contribution of the European Cosmetics Industry”. May 2018

[2] Mintel. 2018. Global Beauty Trends 2018. Available online: http://www.mintel.com/beauty-trends/ (accessed on 12 November 2018)

[3] Trade Map. Value data for TARIC code 3301

[4] Future Market Insights. “Natural Cosmetics Market: Products Comprising Nutritional Ingredients Gaining Traction in China: Global Industry Analysis 2013 – 2017 and Opportunity Assessment 2018 – 2027”. February 2019. Available at: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/natural-cosmetics-market

[5] Mintel. 2018. Global Beauty Trends 2018. Available online: http://www.mintel.com/beauty-trends/ (accessed on 12 November 2018)

[6] International Food Information Council Foundation. “2018 Food & Health Survey”. Available at: https://foodinsight.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/2018-FHS-Report-FINAL.pdf

[7] FAO. “Organic banana production in the Dominican Republic”. Available at: http://www.fao.org/world-banana-forum/projects/good-practices/organic-production-dominican-republic/en/#.XTrBi5MzY6U

Salsas picantes y condimentos caribeños que aportan sabor a su comida

European imports of spices and herbs from developing countries have grown significantly in recent years, as much as 6.6% annually between 2013 and 2017. The Caribbean is well known for its prepared sauces, condiments and seasonings. The countries in the region have not hesitated to share their spicy goodness with the rest of the world and continue to find opportunities to do so. Chief among these are the makers of pepper sauce, or hot sauce as some people call it, which is made from a variety of peppers including chilli, scotch bonnet, scorpion, habanero and cayenne.

With the global spices market expected to grow by 5.1% between 2017 and 2021, as reported by CBI due to increased demand for spices and herbs, the Caribbean Export Development Agency is supporting producers of pepper sauce and other spices and condiments at its upcoming 4th CARIFORUM-EU Business Forum which will be held from September 26 to 28, 2019 at the Union Halle in Frankfurt, Germany.

Here’s a look at just five producers of prepared spices and condiments companies that will be at the 4th CARIFORUM-EU Business Forum.

1. Baron Foods
A leading food manufacturer in the Caribbean, Baron Foods’ has over 150 products which include exotic and gourmet sauces, spices, flavorings, salad dressings and even drink cocktails. With manufacturing plants in Saint Lucia, Grenada and Trinidad, Baron Foods produces three hot sauces including its Classic Pepper Sauce and Blazing Hot Sauce made with ground scotch bonnet peppers. They also manufacture a West Indian Hot Sauce from fresh, wholesome peppers blended with mustard to create its very own individual piquant flavor. Let’s not forget they also have an award winning Banana Ketchup!

2. Viking Traders
Also based in Saint Lucia is Viking Traders – a mature company that was established in 1979. They manufacture a range of over 100 different award-winning food products, including specially blended herbs and spices, flavorful condiments, baking goods, drinks and gift items many of which use recipes that are the original creations of the founder and embody the authentic taste of the Caribbean. Viking Traders produces three hot sauces – Viking Mild Pepper Sauce, Viking Hot Pepper Sauce and Viking Dam Hot Pepper Sauce, all of which won a Scovie Award in the World’s Best Hot Sauce category. The Viking Dam Hot Pepper Sauce also placed first in the Fiery Food Challenge out of 275 competing pepper sauces from the Caribbean and the United States.

3. Winfresh
When it comes to condiments to tantalise your taste-buds the Winfresh brand created in 2009, brings a range of sauces and condiments to do just that. Made from fresh herbs and spices grown by farmers across the Windward Islands – that is Dominica, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Winfresh are on a mission to bottle the true taste of the Caribbean. Based in Saint Lucia, they manufacturer a range of wholesome food products including premium juices, sauces, cordials, marinades, and pepper jellies. Winfresh offers a variety of sweet, spicy and hot pepper sauces to create authentic Caribbean meals. These include their Sweet & Spicy Tamarind Sauce, Sweet Ginger Hot Sauce, Hot Jalapeno Pepper Sauce, Sweet Jalapeno Hot Sauce, and Hot Caribbean Pepper Sauce. At Winfresh it’s about putting the Caribbean and its people first – working together to improve lives across the Caribbean.

4. Hot Mama’s Belize
If you like it hot and hotter then Hot Mama’s Belize’s Habanero Hot Sauce – Too Hot XXXX is one to try. The company started in 1996 producing habanero pepper jelly and exporting fresh peppers. Initially exporting just a few pounds of peppers, the export pepper business grew to 100,000 pounds significantly enough to add value by actually producing pepper based products such as habanero pepper sauces, gourmet sauces, jellies, and specialty items including honey, fudge, and BBQ sauce. Currently they produce four hot sauces including the Hot Mama’s Habanero Hot Sauce – Mild X, Habanero Hot Sauce – Hot XX, Habanero Hot Sauce – Fiery XXX, and Habanero Hot Sauce – Too Hot XXXX. Hot Mama’s Belize is promoted under the Belizean Pepper Sauce name in the United States of America and believes in a culture of giving back to the local community by working hand-in-hand with the farmers “one bottle at a time.” Look out for their ‘Mangenero’ sauce – a fusion of fresh mangos and habanero peppers.

5. Super Blend
This Barbadian company offers a wide variety of condiments ranging from seasonings to syrups. Quite often when food tastes so good, we expect it to be packed full of all the bad stuff, the excess salt and sugar, but at Super Blend they’ve created products with your health in mind. The brand owned by Jays Enterprises is committed to using less sugar wherever possible and providing salt free alternatives to some of their seasonings. The end result is dried condiments including home-blends of all purpose and chicken seasonings, curry and an exceptional blend of salt free feasoning which is excellent for enhancing the flavor without the added salt. They have blended wet seasonings and pepper sauces depicting traditional Barbadian heritage and The Premium blend is the flagship in this range. Additionally, they have a gourmet range which includes Ginger Pepper Jelly, Spicy Mango Chutney, Zesty Onion Relish and four Caribbean fruit sauces. The marinates, are quick and easy to use and popping with the flavor of herbs and spices to add zest to meals.

Click here to see all the companies in the sauces and condiments sector.

The 4th CARIFORUM-EU Business Forum will be held from 26th-28th of September at the Union Halle, Frankfurt, Germany where over 60 companies from across the Caribbean will be there to showcase their produce and meet with retailers and distributors interested in sourcing products from the Caribbean.

Pretty Boy exporta creativamente música caribeña

Watch out world, the Caribbean is coming for its own piece of the global music pie!

That’s the intention of Trevor Pretty, CEO of Pretty Boy Worldwide and Pretty Boy Music and Publishing, a Caribbean independent label dedicated to exporting Caribbean artists internationally, while ensuring that 50% of the profits earned are returned to the region.

And unlike many regional counterparts, Pretty Boy Worldwide is not only targeting the United States (US) market. Instead, Trevor is also focused on getting his artists known in the United Kingdom (UK), Europe, Asia and Australia.

“Asia likes anything that has any culture attached to it. More reggae, dancehall and R&B artists do better in Asia. Europe is the same thing. How they consume the music is so different. We studied the markets big time and decided these are the markets we want to go into,” he said.

The Caribbean Export Development Agency ( Caribbean Export) is also committed to prioritising the export of music under the EPA and is hosting the 4th CARIFORUM-EU Business Forum in Frankfurt, Germany from September 26- 28, 2019. This event, which is being held in collaboration with the European Union and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ) will provide a platform for Caribbean musicians to meet with their European counterparts and explore opportunities to enhance the penetration of Caribbean music into Europe.

Trevor Pretty reasoned that Caribbean music has been performing well in the European and Asian markets and pointed to reggae sensation Chronixx who toured Japan for a month. He also mentioned Konshens, a dancehall artist who performed in several European countries in 50 days.

Hailing from Barbados, the Pretty Boy CEO sought to highlight the talent signed to his label differently. Instead of auditioning at record companies, he staged the Pretty Boy Experience – a four-day cultural trip to Barbados in June, 2019.  Industry executives and media professionals were invited to experience the label’s music firsthand.

Over a dozen radio producers, DJs, music journalists, A&Rs (artists and repertoire) and music scouts from the UK, the US and the Bahamas signed up. The Caribbean Export played an integral role in bringing four of the executives into the island.

Dan Bean, a British DJ and consultant with Black Butter Records, said he believed the potential for Caribbean artists in the UK hasn’t been fully explored. However, he said the expansion and evolution of the digital age opened new opportunities for the music.

He said Caribbean sound was already being consumed in mainstream genres such as pop.

“We have seen in the last few years that big pop stars like Justin Bieber are borrowing tempos, riddims and instruments from the Caribbean…. Sonically people might not realize that the record they like has origins in soca, reggae or dancehall. So I feel like everyone’s ears are prime for [Caribbean music] but it just needs the right infrastructure for people to start shining light on the wealth of talent in the region,” he outlined.

 For him, the Pretty Boy Experience confirmed that there was so much diversity in the regional product, ranging from old school reggae to modern soca to contemporary R&B. “You have varying genres and styles that don’t need to fall into pigeon holes and categories, it’s a melting pot much like the Caribbean.”

Dan Bean expressed “thanks and humbleness” to Caribbean Export for bringing him to the island. “I am going to spread the word through my platforms about all the good things going on here,” he promised.

Trevor Pretty explained the purpose behind staging the Pretty Boy Experience: “The idea is that if [industry executives] come to the Caribbean, they would understand the culture by tasting the food, enjoying the music and seeing the sights. There is a big Afrobeats movement happening in the UK and lots of people have been going back to Ghana, Nigeria and other parts of Africa, and that is making the music even bigger.

“So we figured that if we can have a Caribbean movement, they should come to the Caribbean to experience the culture, because people just think about Jamaica when they think Caribbean.”

The usual audition process before a successful signing includes countless meetings, performances and artist showcases. “It does not happen overnight, so bringing the industry executives here for the weekend, they have said to me they learnt so much more about the artists in this four to five-day period than by having meetings in their office.”

While on island, the visiting group experienced Caribbean culture, attended rehearsals and listening parties featuring Shiloh from St. Vincent and the Grenadines; Blvckhaze from Curacao; Arii Lopez who grew up in Jamaica; Sherika Sherrard, who was born and raised in the UK to her Guyanese mum, and Briel Monroe, who is of Barbadian descent but grew up in the US.

Another music executive was Jennifer Goicocehea, Director of A&R at Epic Records, who spends most of her time between Atlanta and L.A.

Pretty Boy Experience 2019pt1

She said the Pretty Boy Experience gave her the incredible opportunity to see the artists in their space. “I feel like this helped me to see the vision,” said the music executive responsible for signing Hood Celebrity, a Jamaican currently taking the US market by storm with her popular tune, Walking Trophy.

Jennifer was really impressed with how developed the Pretty Boy artists were. “I was pleasantly surprised to see people had actually rehearsed, when you came into their space they were writing and actively grooming their talent.”

 She believes there is a demand for Caribbean music in the US. “A super big dancehall artist hasn’t come out in a while, so I think our appetite is open, we just need the acts.”

 Adding that Caribbean music “brings fun”, she believed the music should be exported to the US market in its authentic form.  “I definitely think the talent was on a level that could service our market but of course with anything, you need to work on visuals, develop the content and what their actual story is. I think in the States what we appreciate is the story,” she explained.

Jennifer praised Caribbean Export for “bringing the opportunities to people who wouldn’t normally get it.”

 Also blown away by the talent was Allyson Francis, Services Specialist at Caribbean Export; she explained why the agency assisted the Pretty Boy Experience.

“At Caribbean Export we are committed to supporting the development of the Caribbean cultural and creative industries and with the level of interest from the music executives and media persons subsequent to the performances we are really encouraged,” the Services Specialist at Caribbean Export expressed.

Since the showcases Pretty Boy Worldwide has been presented with a number of offers for their artists as well as music distribution deals in Europe and Asia.

Also at the showcase was Henrie Kwushure, a presenter at Reprezent Radio in South London; she described the Pretty Boy Experience as “amazing and completely different”.

“Although there is strong Caribbean heritage in London, one can never truly experience the lifestyle until you come here…, you get to see people in their authentic spaces, in London you just hear stories about it” Henrie observed.  

Insisting there was definitely a market for Caribbean music in the UK, she pointed out it was heavily dominated and influenced by Jamaican dancehall.  The radio presenter complained that some Caribbean artists in London even spoke Jamaican patios although they were from other islands.

“That needs to change…, if you are from a different island you represent it to the fullest so someone who is not from the Caribbean don’t see you as a homogenous Caribbean person…

“There is a very strong Jamaican influence in London but there could be more singularity from the different islands so we know what is what… and that should also come forth in the music. Dancehall is prominent but I feel there should be some more soca…,” Henrie Kwushure suggested, adding it was a “big thing” in England to highlight where you are from especially if you were black.

Music is a key element in the creative industry and the Caribbean Export Development Agency has been instrumental in providing technical assistance, business development support and access to finance to music industry professionals who are seeking to export their talent and services. (SP/Caribbean Export)

Los sectores de alimentos agroprocesados ​​e ingredientes naturales y las industrias creativas: claves para la expansión del Caribe en el mercado europeo

  • The value of Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) exports has shrunk by an estimated interannual rate of 1.6% in the first quarter of 2019, according to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)
  • The slowdown in LAC foreign sales has been partially counteracted by buoyant exports from the Caribbean
  • The Caribbean Export Development Agency is committed to promoting the agro-processed food and natural ingredient sectors and the creative industries in Europe in order to fuel expansion

Following two years of uninterrupted growth, goods exports from Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) have fallen in the first months of 2019, due to a decline in the volume of exports as well as a drop in the prices of raw materials.[1] The Caribbean countries – Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Barbados and Suriname – together with Mexico, Ecuador and Costa Rica, are the only ones to record positive developments from January to March. However, the slowdown is marked and for this reason the countries in the region are making a concerted effort to foster their overseas commercial relationships in order to counter the drop in demand.

The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) in cooperation with the European Union and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH or GIZ in short is holding the fourth CARIFORUM-EU business forum from the 26 to the 28 September 2019 in Frankfurt, with the aim of improving commercial relationships between fifteen (15) Caribbean countries (CARIFORUM) and Europe, and increasing awareness of the private sector of business opportunities in the European market. Caribbean Export has identified the agro-processed food and natural ingredient industries and the cultural and creative industries as the sectors with the highest potential for growth in Europe.

Rum and seasonings, the Caribbean’s booming products

The Caribbean is world-famous as the home of rum. Global rum exports have increased by 26.86% over the last three years to reach a value of 1.45 million euros, and the countries in Latin America and the Caribbean are its major producers.

In Europe, consumption in this market is led by Germany and Spain. In Spain, rum consumption makes up 14% of the spirits market,[2] and in 2018 over 68% of global imports of rum came from the European market.

“Over the last decade, the production of rum has diversified to include a wide range of flavours, including apple, pineapple, mango and passionfruit,” comments Damie Sinanan, Manager for Competitiveness and Export Promotion at Caribbean Export. “With these changing trends and increased demand, we hope to see a more diverse range of Caribbean rum available in the European market.”

In addition, there is a noticeable increase in imports of spices and seasonings from developing countries to Europe (97% of the total import volume). This owes to the healthy lifestyle trends, interest in new flavours and sustainability. In fact, the global spice market is forecast to grow by 5.1% from 2017 to 2021, according to Eurostat.

Natural ingredients, Caribbean treasure

Europe’s love for natural plant-based ingredients combined with the region’s efforts to promote sustainability is fueling the demand for natural products, in different industries such as the cosmetics market.

The Caribbean has an abundance of naturally grown produce that can be used within the nutraceutical and natural cosmetics market. Coconuts for example can be used in a wide range of products including cosmetics and the FMI reports that the natural cosmetics market is projected to grow at 4.9% volume CAGR through 2027. In 2017, the European cosmetics market was valued at €77.6 billion, making Europe the largest cosmetics market in the world and natural cosmetics accounts for around 5% of total market. Among the European countries, Germany has the largest market for cosmetic products, valued at €13.6 billion, followed by France (€11.3 billion), the UK (€11.1 billion), Italy (€10.1billion) and Spain (€6.8 billion).

Another interesting segment isgluten-free foods & beverages. Approximately, Europe accounts for 25% of global gluten free product demand.

“European consumers are increasingly concerned by their health and diet, which has a positive impact on the demand for naturally sourced products found in the Caribbean including those believed to have health benefits,” explains Sinanan.  Wheat based flour contains varying levels of the protein gluten which has gained significant notoriety over the past decade due to increasing prevalence of gluten related health complications and a general switch by consumers to more health-conscious options across the board. Furthermore, the gluten free market is expected to grow to the value of €29 billion by 2025.

Potential for growth of creative industries

The increase in demand for Caribbean music is reflected in the huge popularity of festivals featuring this genre of music in European countries, such as Summerjam reggae festival in Germany, Ibiza Soca festival in Spain and Reggae Sun Ska Festival in France, along with many others.

“One of the aims of this forum is to promote Caribbean cinema and animation as well as music, and animation in particular as we know that it is one of the most widely-circulated categories in Europe,” indicates Damie Sinanan of Caribbean Export.

For more information about the 4th CARIFORUM-EU Business Forum visit: http://www.cedev.local/businessforum/

About Caribbean Export

Caribbean Export is a regional export development and trade and investment promotion organisation of the Forum of Caribbean States (CARIFORUM) currently executing the Regional Private Sector Programme (RPSDP) funded by the European Union  under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF)  Caribbean Export’s mission is to increase the competitiveness of Caribbean countries by providing quality export development and trade and investment promotion services through effective programme execution and strategic alliances.

Caribbean Export Development Agency

Contact: JoEllen Laryea, PR and Communications

Tel: +1(246) 436-0578, Fax: +1(246) 436-9999

Email: jlaryea@carib-export.com 

Apple Tree Communications

Contact: Natalia Amores, PR and Communications

Tel: +1 (34) 91 319 05 15

Email: na@homeatc.com


[1] Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). “Estimations of commercial trends: Latin America and the Caribbean”

[2] Annual socio-economic report produced by the Spanish Spirits Federation (Federación Española de Bebidas Espirituosas, FEBE).

SBA y Caribbean Export Partner para apoyar el crecimiento económico impulsado por las exportaciones

The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) has partnered with the Small Business Association (SBA) of Barbados to host a two-day workshop on leveraging the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).

Over 50 exporters from across the region gathered at the Radisson Aquatica Resort to hear from experts from the European Union, Caribbean Export and the SBA of Barbados on the tools available to support the growth of their export businesses whilst leveraging the EPA.

A central theme to the dialogue as highlighted by Senator Lynette Holder, CEO of the SBA of Barbados in her Opening Remarks was the importance of strategic partnerships.  Senator Holder called for businesses to work together to reap the benefits of the EPA.

The CARIFORUM-EU EPA was developed to facilitate integration and regional cooperation further the EPA supports enhanced sustainable growth, increased production and supply capacity. The Hon. Sandra Husbands, Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Trade with the Government of Barbados echoed Senator Holders sentiment, “We cannot do this alone. Not as individual companies, not as individual islands or countries but rather we must do this together”.  The overall objective of the EPA is the sustainable development of the ACP States and their integration into the world economy and the eradication of poverty.

Speaking about the workshop in general Minister Husbands charged that “This is a vital part of the strategy toward attaining export led economic growth and this is what is needed in Barbados at this time.”  The Minister went on to encourage the participating companies to take advantage of the workshop discover a mechanism that allows participants to work together in groups and in teams to leverage the benefits of the CARIFORUM-EU EPA.

The EPA is the most comprehensive agreement between the EU and the ACP and remains a flagship for the European Union making its successful implementation a priority informed Filipe de la Mota, Head of Regional Section at the EU Delegation to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean.

“Increased attention has been and will continue to be placed on those areas required to assist CARIFORUM States and the regional private sector in maximising the benefits and mitigating the challenges presented by the integration efforts” he continued.  “One of the EPAs main objectives is to promote economic growth within the region with the aim to increase chances for Caribbean businesses to participate in global value chains and support the conditions for increasing investment in private sector initiatives, enhancing supply capacity, and competitiveness in CARIFORUM States.  We strongly believe that strengthening competitiveness and trade capacity will ensure stronger supply chains in succeeding in the global market and effectively contribute to sustainable development”.

Caribbean Export will host the next EPA workshop at the upcoming Trade and Investment Convention (TIC) scheduled for July 4-7, 2019 in Trinidad and Tobago.

La transformación de la educación a través de la realidad virtual y los juegos gana el primer premio en el Caribbean Entrepreneur Challenge

Over the past 5 months young entrepreneurs have been battling it out to secure a place in the final of the Caribbean Entrepreneur Challenge (CEC), a component of the Trade Enhancement for the Eastern Caribbean (TEECA) project, hosted by the Martinique Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the CTM, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States and supported by the Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export), with funding by the European Regional Development Fund through the INTERREG Programme.

CEC was an initiative which aimed to raise awareness amongst the younger Caribbean people on regional cooperation and to encourage entrepreneurial innovation. Students initially applied to the challenge online where they gave a presentation of their business idea in one of the following areas: fashion, agro transformation, ICT, environment or music.

The top 10 presentations were selected to attend workshops on marketing, management, creativity, innovation and pitching to help develop enhanced business plans. The five most realistic innovative projects were then invited to pitch their ideas to a Caribbean panel in the final, where they could win a prize of between €1,000 to €10,000.

Nineteen-year-old Sophie Klein from Saint Lucia grabbed the top prize at the CEC final held on Wednesday June 5, 2019 in Trois-Ilets, Martinique for her business plan to transform education through incorporating greater virtual reality and gaming. The top prize of €10,000 and technical guidance will be used to kickstart her business.

With her project titled “JOIE” and in keeping with the ethos of her school Sir Arthur Lewis Community College “The cure for poverty is not money but knowledge” she set out a business plan that unlocked the utilisation of virtual reality and gaming to enhance the learning experience.

Other finalist included Miah Scott from Grenada with a range naturally made skin moisturisers and hair products under the name Shea Miah’s Way; Kenna Questelles from St. Vincent and the Grenadines with her project Linkup an online directory of restaurants menus and events; Leona Melius also from Saint Lucia presented Lily’s Healthy Eats – an organic and local food delivery service for schools and workplaces; and Tehillah Bannis offered cosmetics products that are safe and of good quality for the skin from Dominica with her project Herbie Care.

“Caribbean Export is pleased to support a project which encourages young people to be innovative and develop solutions for their immediate communities. We are looking forward to seeing how these business ideas turn in to reality” expressed Gayle Gollop, Special Advisor – Trade and Legal Affairs, Caribbean Export.

Mujeres Emprendedoras del Caribe ¡Listos para Exportar!

Nineteen Caribbean female entrepreneurs have successfully completed the WE-Xport Programme, an initiative geared at helping them to start exporting or to increase exports of their products and services.

Organized by the Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) in cooperation with the European Union, WE-Xport commenced in March 2018 and climaxed with a closing ceremony on Friday, June 7, 2019, at the Hilton Barbados Resort. 

“We believe that this WE-Xport programme has been a tremendous success,” Mr. Zamani Moodie, Market Intelligence Advisor at Caribbean Export said on behalf of Ms. Cecile Humphrey, Chairperson of the Board of the Directors.

“Caribbean Export understands the complexed challenges faced by regional firms, particularly those owned by women.” A study by the Women’s Entrepreneurial Venture Scope, funded by the Multilateral Investment Fund on doing business, ranks many Caribbean countries at the bottom of the list for female entrepreneurship. 

“Access to finance and women’s business skill capacity are identified amongst the reasons for this low ranking. Against this backdrop, the Caribbean Export Development Agency developed a special programme called WE-Xport to assist women entrepreneurs in the region,” he explained.

In addition, a study by infoDev, “Profiling Caribbean Women Entrepreneurs: Business Environment, Sectoral Constraints and Programming Lessons”, draws attention to the state of women-owned businesses in the Caribbean. The study shows that these businesses have little to no employees, are concentrated in low growth sectors and have difficulty accessing finance. Other challenges are their lack of self-confidence and women’s fear of failure in their businesses. Women also struggle with work life balance because many are primary caregivers.

Mr. Moodie further outlined that the objectives of WE-Xport were to build capacity amongst women-owned enterprises as well as to access alternative sources of funding.  It also aimed to provide capacity building tools to help the entrepreneurs improve their international competitiveness and increase penetration in new markets.

Additionally, the WE-Xport programme sought to advocate for the empowerment of female entrepreneurs by strengthening their network and by creating awareness amongst business support organizations, development partners and stakeholders.

Over the year participants benefited from technical assistance, finance workshops, online business training, a personal business coach and access to grant funding.

The entrepreneurs had the opportunity to showcase their products and services to regional and international buyers at a Buyers’ Programme organized by the Barbados Investment and Development Corporation and the Caribbean Export.  They also got the chance to sell and display goods at BMEX, Barbados’ largest manufacturing expo.

“We hope that you had a rewarding experience and had obtain tangible benefits that you will continue to use to enhance the competitiveness of your businesses. We wish tremendous success to you,” Mr. Moodie said.

He also thanked the European Union (EU), the Caribbean Development Bank, the German International Corporation and UN Women for partnering with Caribbean Export on the programme.

Ms. Celine Anselme, Programme Manager in the delegation of the EU to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean, the OECS and CARICOM/CARIFORUM, described WE-Xport as “innovative”.

Noting that the EU supported the important role that private sector played in generating employment and economic growth within the region, she said the EU had been working with Caribbean Export for approximately 20 years.

She added that since 2017 the EU had been running a US $30 million private sector development programme which is being implemented by Caribbean Export. It will end in 2021. 

“WE-Xport is one of the many successful activities being implemented. WE-Xport is not just any initiative, it is innovative. It is the first women only initiative designed within Caribbean Export to enhance the export capacities of women-owned enterprises.

“WE-Xport got off the ground for two critical reasons. The first was a need to address the fact that women-owned enterprises in the Caribbean are concentrated in saturated sectors thereby making them difficult to grow. Second, research has shown that in the Caribbean, women’s participation in self-employment is lower than their male counterparts, and when self-employed, women are more likely to operate at the micro level with sometimes no employees,” she explained.

Ms. Anselme said the EU regarded women’s empowerment as a matter of human rights, democracy and good governance and argued that it makes good economic sense.

“Women normally control the house provisions and the financial decisions for their families and by extension, women are a significant pool of consumers and clients.”

Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Trade in Barbados, Sandra Husbands told the WE-Xport entrepreneurs that they played an important role in transforming their countries’ economies.

“The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of your country needs you. While you may think your business is small, while you may think you are struggling… every single penny that you turn over in your business contributes to the GDP of your country. Therefore, what you do every day is not only important to you and your family, it is important to your country.”

Minister Husbands told participants it was critical to look beyond their country to achieve true growth and pointed out that the Barbadian government was encouraging the local business community to explore markets in Guyana, Suriname and Panama.

Taribba do Nacimento from St. Lucia, who owns the designer handmade bag company, Meme Bete, said the WE-Xport programme was very beneficial.

“St. Lucia has a population of 180,000 people, if I do not export my business cannot survive. I am not selling fish, I am not selling food. There are so only many handbags a local lady can and will buy.

“I am not selling a need, I am selling a want in an affordable luxury market with lots competition. The WE-Xport programme allowed me to finally set up my website. I was grateful to have a business coach who worked in fashion and understood the industry,” Ms. do Nacimento said. 

Mrs. Grace Foster-Reid, owner of EcoFarms in Jamaica, an enterprise which produces organic honey and a range of honey by-products, also praised the WE-Xport Programme.  Through the initiative, she secured a deal to supply honey to the international coffee franchise Starbucks.

She thanked her coach for helping her “to take the Starbucks order from 95 per cent to 100 per cent”. However, she said the highlight of her experience was forming a sisterhood with the other women.

“I thought I was coming for information about financing and mentorship, but the relations were fabulous. Immediately I felt like I was with sisters. Entrepreneurship is a lonely place. On Friday evening, everybody is worried about how to pay their workers. Right away I had a family, women with whom I could share and be vulnerable with.”

Observing they were the first group to participate in the initiative she appealed to Caribbean Export to continue the WE-Xport programme given the benefits derived.

“This should not be the last experience, there are many other women in the Caribbean who could benefit from this,” Mrs. Foster-Reid emphasized. 

Caribbean Export continúa apoyando el comercio

Supporting regional trade is central to the work of the Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export).  Caribbean Export in collaboration with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH or GIZ in short, supported the participation of four CARIFORUM companies to exhibit at the recently held Jamaica International Exhibition (JIE) at the Montego Bay Convention Centre from May 30 to June 1, 2019.

“Participation in the JIE enabled us to gain meaningful feedback on our new product line and promote our existing teas with various key players in the Jamaican market. We were able to present our teas to hotel management, distributors and even the Mayor of Montego Bay which was encouraging as the feedback was fantastic” informed Sophia Stone, CEO at Caribbean Cure Ltd from Trinidad and Tobago.

Other exhibiting companies included Benedicta SA producers of the region’s only cider alcoholic beverage from the Dominican Republic, Gom Foods out of Suriname who produce a range of marinades and condiments; and from Saint Lucia the Winfresh Group also presented their range of sauces and condiments.

Speaking on his experience at the JIE Gustavo Cruz Jerez, Co-Founder and CEO at Benedicta SA highlighted that they “made good business contacts for Jamaica, Guyana, Costa Rica, Suriname, Grenada and Miami.” 

Inclusion of CARIFORUM firms at National Trade show such as JIE is an important intervention for the Agency.  In addition to JIE the Agency supported seventeen (17) of the WE-Xport firms to participate in BMEX in Barbados over the period June 7-10, 2019 together with regional buyers in the BIDC Buyer Program.  Caribbean Export in cooperation with the European Union will continue supporting national trade shows throughout the year such as the Guyana Trade and Investment Exhibition (GuyTie); Everything Vincy 2019 in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the upcoming Trade and Investment Convention (TIC) in Trinidad and Tobago.

Caribbean Export will itself be hosting a trade exhibition in Frankfurt, Germany on September 27th as part of the 4th CARIFORUM-EU Business Forum, a 3-day event to support increased trade between CARIFORUM and the EU.  Over 60 CARIFORUM companies will participate in the business forum many of whom have had tremendous success at the aforementioned national events.

“We are grateful to Caribbean Export and GIZ team for supporting us in this initiative and helping us progress one step further in international market penetration” expressed Stone.

¡El momento de invertir en BPO en el Caribe es ahora!

Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), has the potential to be transformative for countries in the Caribbean and should be further explored and exploited.  This is the charge from the Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) organisers of the 2nd Outsource to the Caribbean Conference (OCC) 2019.

Hosting the event in collaboration with the Caribbean Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (CAIPA) and with the Curaçao Investment and Export Promotion Agency (CINEX) some 23 countries were represented by delegates looking to explore new sourcing opportunities and discover what the Caribbean has to offer in the BPO sector.

President of the Caribbean Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (CAIPA), Tessa Jacques in her opening remarks of the conference, shared that “We’ve done the homework and the site selection companies and potential investors have indicated to us that they know the Caribbean but have challenges identifying our individual territories. This is not a bad thing. Our goal as CAIPA is to build on this perception of the Caribbean and identify for investors niche opportunities in each of our territories.”

Collaboration between the Caribbean countries was the main theme throughout the conference for the region to achieve long term success in the industry.  Jamaica is one country applauded by the Hon. Eugene Rhuggenaath, Prime Minister of Curaçao, for its growth in the sourcing sector as it has led the way in the regions BPO industry “Jamaica is a pure example of the success in the BPO industry, with over 36,000 employees from 60 players.  Jamaica’s BPO industry has grown on average 20% per year and is expected to continue growing 15-18% in 2019.  Congratulations Jamaica”.

Jacques highlighted that in 2010 the Caribbean’s BPO sector provided employment for 47,000 workers, and by 2015 this figure had grown to 74,000 and continues to grow.  With companies generating close to US$25million in revenue for every 1000 agents.  The opportunity for the Caribbean to capitalise upon technology enabled service delivery is apparent. Ahead of the conference Caribbean Export carried out a poll on the OCC website and found that 60% of all first-time visitors to the site had intentions to expand in the region within the next 12-24 months.  This is a strong signal of continued growth in the sector in the near to medium term.

“This impressive growth in the BPO sector will accelerate and become even bigger for Caribbean destinations” continued the Prime Minister as he underscored that the success of the Caribbean was deeply rooted in its heritage, diversity, versatility and creativity as “One Caribbean, one nearshore solution for our partners in the America’s, Europe and even Africa”.

At the event, two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between Caribbean Export, CAIPA, the Caribbean Association of Telecommunications Organizations (CANTO) and the ACCA Caribbean. This is an indication of their commitment to work together to continue supporting the growth and development of the Caribbean’s BPO sector.

Another significant undertaking at the event was the hosting of the first Caribbean BPO of the Year Awards. The event sought to celebrate the accomplishments of Caribbean BPO firms over the period 2017/2018, with a focus on jobs created, investment and innovation in service delivery. The applicants were scored by Anupam Govil of AVASANT, Margaret Rose of Site Selection Magazine and Kirk Laughlin of Nearshore Americas. The winners were announced at the celebratory reception at the Conference, where itelBPO of Jamaica and the Bahamas copped the coveted Caribbean BPO of the Year Award. itelBPO, also won the Caribbean BPO Employer of the Year Award. The winner of the other 2 categories, that is, Caribbean BPO Investor of the Year Award and Caribbean BPO Innovator of the Year Award was Qualfon of Guyana. Accepting the award was Luanna Persaud, Country Director.

The next edition of the Outsource to the Caribbean Conference is scheduled for 2021.

Acelerando la moda caribeña

Caribbean fashion and contemporary designers are getting a boost to help them penetrate the international market, through an accelerator programme jointly funded by the Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) in cooperation with the European Union and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). The Bank’s funding is through its Cultural and Creative Industries Innovation Fund (CIIF).

Starting on May 6th, twenty (20) designers from across the region have been participating in an intensive boot camp-style workshop led by Sandra Carr, one of the pioneers of the Caribbean Academy of Fashion and Design at the University of Trinidad and Tobago.  The twenty (20) participants will work with an expert team to refine their products for the export market, and they will go through a process of identifying where best to place their products; and how to develop their brand.  They will also learn how to leverage social media platforms to reach their target audience and develop a go to market strategy. The programme runs until May 17th.

“We received 70 applications to participate in this programme, which has been devised specifically to get the designers to a certain point where they can capitalise further on future aspects of the programme such as the grants from CDB and participation at the Caribbean Fashion Showroom” commented Allyson Francis, Services Specialist at Caribbean Export.

Caribbean Export and CDB through its Cultural and Creative Industries Innovation Fund (CIIF), are collaborating to enable a larger cadre of professionals within the Creative Industries to access critical resources.  Caribbean Export has gained resources from the European Union as part of the 11th EDF Regional Private Sector Development Programme (RPSDP).  The Agency’s collaboration with CDB has enabled the pooling of resources to provide added support to the region’s fashion industry.

After completing the workshop, participating designers from CDB member countries will become eligible to apply for a CIIF Improving the Competitiveness of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) grant and also gain access to Caribbean Export’s market integration platform the Caribbean Fashion Showroom.

“We are extremely pleased with the response by our Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs)to the opportunity being provided through this fashion accelerator, and we are delighted that the beneficiaries of the programme come from 13 of CDB’s 19 BMCs. It is an excellent opportunity for designers to network, share experiences and learn from each other. Over the 10 days, designers have benefited from the tutelage of more than five influencers and experts in the fashion industry. This capacity building intervention is a key component of CIIF, which seeks to improve the competitiveness of creative industries practitioners in the Region” shared Lisa Harding, MSME Coordinator at CDB.