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Emerging and established Caribbean fashion designers benefited from expert advice and industry tips while participating in the recently concluded Fashion is Big Business Workshop, held during the International Fashion Festival – Barbados Fashion Week between 26-28 October 2018.

The workshop, which was facilitated by the Caribbean Market Centre, featured a frank and open discussion with international fashion designers, buyers and industry experts.  Caribbean Export supported the participation of regional designers at this workshop with funding from the European Union via the 11^th EDF Regional Private Sector Development Programme.

Ouigi Theodore, founder of the Brooklyn Circus, a retro-urban fashion boutique and label was part of the discussion and he encouraged the designers to take advantage of the Caribbean’s unique style and to market their designs to this region’s diaspora.

Mr. Theodore, a Haitian who moved to Brooklyn, New York when he was eight, urged the designers to understand their culture and to recognize the strength of the Caribbean identity in the diaspora.

Insisting that they needed to go after that market, he pointed to the success of reggae and hip hop in the black community as examples.

“You have to know what you do best and continue to do it best with the little you do have.  I am a huge advocate of reggae music and hip hop. They are about digging into their culture and representing… Many of those guys didn’t go to the best school, some can’t even read music but hip hop is dominating the world, reggae is on the radio outside of Jamaica…

“There is a Haitian middle class who is not living in Haiti and it’s the diaspora. I am a representative of that middle class. What Haitian rapper, Wyclef Jean and guys of that generation did, was make it okay and cool to wave the Haitian flag.  It is the same for you guys as Bajans. Rihanna has made it okay for you guys to wave the Bajan flag and say I am from Barbados and I am proud to be Barbadian. But that is not enough, you need to be on the ground, go back and forth, bridge the gap and push your designs” Ouigi Theodore said.

Also speaking at the workshop was Sharifa Murdock, co-founder and owner of Liberty Fairs and founder of Envsn Festival.  She agreed with Mr. Theodore and urged the designers to be the first to represent their brand.

“If you have a clothing line, you have to be your first buyer and lead by example. Believe in your dream and your product,” she said, adding it was critical for designers to also create simple products that could maintain cash flow.

“What a lot of designers put on runway is not what they put in the stores because you have to find something people can wear.  If you have a couture line do something simple like t-shirts that is an easy sell. All you have to do is produce things that can give people a memorable moment of your brand,” Sharifa suggested, while advising Caribbean designers to go after the tourist market by placing their work in local stores.

“There needs to be authenticity into your designs. You guys are from the islands and no one takes the opportunity to really produce products for here. Everyone wants to go to the States but you have a big community here… and there is so much tourism,” she said.

The workshop’s moderator Ronny Oppong, a Global Retail Relations Director at Liberty Fashion and Lifestyle Fairs, agreed with the need for authenticity and gave some insight into customization, which he noted was becoming more desirable among customers.

“We’ve done trade shows and noticed that buyers just love a unique piece of something that is specially for them, like something with their name on it. So if your style is couture, you can drape or cut a bunch of t-shirts in your signature style. That’s a piece of your craft, something customized,” he explained, noting that the investment for such a product was smaller so the end price would be more attractive to buyers.

Another fashion expert at the workshop was Hillary Joseph, Director of Cabaña Swim, a consultant on Fashion for Brazil and a swimwear buyer for Nads Swim.

Ms. Joseph addressed product placement and distribution.  Asking the designers, “who do you sit next to?” She said: “the worse answer you can get is that I am different and I don’t sit next to anybody.”

Stressing that research was required to effectively answer the question, the fashion consultant outlined, “It’s knowing who your brand sits next to based on your set up and your price point and then understanding what store that is. Everyone wants to be in a Barneys or Saks Fifth Avenue but that might not necessarily be where your brand needs to be. So it’s really being realistic and knowing what is right for your brand,” she said.

However, she did acknowledge it could be challenging to get into established stores and urged the designers to consider doing “pop up shops” – which is a short term store or sales space.

Also imparting words of wisdom was Luam Keflezghi, an international buyer of ready to wear fashion.  Ms. Keflezghi cautioned the designers against waiting on “existing systems” to build their success, especially if they hoped to get people in Caribbean to support their brands.

“Do not wait on existing systems to include you. Create your own system, a pipeline to your audience. So for example, the tourists will come. You have to figure out marketing so they find out about you before they visit so when they get here, they come directly to you. To do that, you need to use Instagram and the internet to get people to plug into a system that you already created,” she said.

Emphasizing that these platforms needed to be professional, she told the designers their brands needed to be easy to find and constantly refreshed.

Channing Hargrove, a Fashion writer for Refinery 29 and owner of the blog Channing In the City, advised the designers to get strong marketing platforms, not only for promotion purposes but to generate sales.

“You need to have relationships with editors, writers and public relations experts. Your photos should be strong on both social media and your website. You must also have a direct commerce link so people can click and buy immediately.  If your website is not great and you don’t have a link to buy, you can’t get eyes on you and you cut out so many sales,” Ms. Hargrove pointed out.

The fashion writer also proposed that the designers used video and photos done by professionals as opposed to solely relying on their phone cameras.

Also sharing her perspective on the industry was Danielle Cooper, a fashion influencer and owner of the blog and podcast Shesagent.com.

She stressed that authenticity was really critical for designers. “Research, know your target audience and what is your niche.  More and more people are attempting to follow trends or follow others, that will come out and people will notice. So pay attention to your self-expression and stay true to yourself and your niche.  Be authentic because it’s going to shine and more people will be able to relate to you,” Ms. Cooper said.

The last bit of advice came from International model and runway coach, Stacey McKenzie, who is famously known for her coaching and judging appearances on America’s next top model.

She stressed that it was imperative that both models and designers treated their craft like a business.

“What they fail to understand is that it’s a business and [they] need to treat it as such. People see all fluff in the forefront and make you think this is some fabulous life. No its work and its hard work.  Research the industry and know your craft. You always have to be evolving, switch up, be fresh and new,” the Jamaican born model said.

Caribbean Export is committed to the development of the region’s Creative Industry, in which fashion is key sector. The Agency supports businesses in the industry to develop their export potential, build capacity, access finance through grant schemes and benefit from training and technical assistance. (SP/Caribbean Export)

Fashion is a key sector of the region’s creative industries with designers creating some of the most unique styles inspired by their environments.  Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) in cooperation with the European Union is supporting the participation of eight (8) CARIFORUM based designers in this years’ International Fashion Festival Boutique Business (IFFBB) 2018 giving them an opportunity to showcase their creativity and meet with the international buyers that will be present. The overall event is managed by the Caribbean Market Center in partnership with Liberty Fairs New York and the Barbados Investment Development Cooperation (BIDC).

Indira Moss from The Bahamas will present her label ILashan which includes a range from swimsuits to ready-to-wear and bridal designs.  Current WE-Xport participant Kimya Glasgow will showcase her classic Caribbean look for the modern woman that present a relaxed elegance influenced by the Caribbean aesthetic coming from St. Vincent and the Grenadines.  Not forgetting the male designers, David André from Haiti with his self-named David André Collection will show how diverse you can be with a single colour pallet.

The opportunity for regional designers to learn from industry experts and from those who have ‘made it’ should not be over looked.  The 3-day event will start with a fashion expo in the Queen’s Park Art Gallery on the evening of Friday 26^th October 2018.  One of the highly anticipated events will be a workshop under the theme Fashion is Big Business on Saturday 27^th at the Hilton Barbados where attendees will hear from Sharifa Murdock co-owner of the leading business to business fashion trade event Liberty Fairs; Quincy Theodore founder of Brooklyn Circus, an incubation programme for emerging designers and Samantha Belfer, senior buyer responsible to finding new emerging designers for luxury department store Saks Fifth Avenue who will present on what retail buyers are looking for from designers.

“We know the Caribbean is burgeoning with talent within the creative industries, but our creatives also have to be good at business.  Caribbean Export is pleased to be able to support CARIFORUM designers participate and leverage the opportunity” expressed Alison Beckles, Services Consultant at Caribbean Export.

Other designers participating include Bhwram Atelier and Harvey Robertson from Trinidad and Tobago; Natalie Eastmond and Roy Thompson from Barbados; and Kristin Frazer from the British Virgin Islands.

The Caribbean is a youthful region, with over 60% of the population under the age of 30 years.  The inclusion of youth is central to region’s economic development and as such the Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) in cooperation with the European Union are supporting 8 youth owned agro-processing businesses from across the CARIFORUM to participate in the Caribbean Week of Agriculture’s Market Place.

Caribbean Export will have a pavilion (located at E 14) where attendees will be able to see a range of products manufactured by youth owned business.  This showcase of innovative products using the region’s finest natural resources includes Red Diamond Compost – Barbados; Naturindas Foods – Barbados; Kayaweng Women Agro-Processors – Guyana; Big G’s – Dominica; Natural Fusion Partners – Jamaica; Cacoa Sainte Lucie – Saint Lucia; Sugar Town Organics – St Kitts And Nevis and Farmer’s Farm Ltd – Trinidad and Tobago.

In addition to the pavilion, Caribbean Export will host a session on intellectual property rights and branding for agropreneurs.  This introductory session will explain intellectual property and how trademarks and design can be used as branding tools, amongst others.  Exhibitors and attendees of the Market Place interested in attending must register online at the Caribbean Export Website.

The Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA) provides an excellent platform for youth in agro-processing to network and promote their goods and services while giving them a voice in industry discussions.

Two Caribbean companies have been selected as finalists in the SIAL Innovation Awards 2018 for their product innovation.  They are Caribbean Cure Ltd of Trinidad and Tobago and Naledo Belize Ltd.

SIAL is regarded as the world’s largest food innovation exhibition and hosts the SIAL Innovation Awards each year to recognise those who help to shape what we eat both today and tomorrow.  Taking place in Paris from October 21-25, 2018, the Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) in collaboration with the European Union are supporting twelve food and beverage producers to participate at SIAL under the Caribbean Kitchen banner.

Of the twelve companies Caribbean Cure and Naledo’s participation has already started draw attention given their shortlisting for a SIAL Innovation Award for their dynamic and creative product offerings.

Naledo Belize Ltd are one of the world’s first manufacturers of fresh turmeric paste.  Developed by CEO Umeeda Switlo, Naledo use a recipe based on her own traditional Indian cooking to create Truly Turmeric.  Turmeric is a healthy root often found in supermarkets and health stores in a powered or capsule form to be taken as supplements however, Naledo Belize Ltd have transformed it to create a deliciously healthy wildcrafted whole root turmeric paste making it a niche product within the global market.

“We are very excited to be a finalist in the SIAL 2018 product innovation award for Truly Turmeric. Naledo is the first company in the world to manufacture a fresh turmeric paste and our CEO Umeeda Switlo came up with this recipe based on her traditional Indian cooking. This nomination means that our company has been recognized for the innovative product we produce and our social enterprise model. We hope that it opens trade doors to the EU and beyond” declared Nareena Switlo, COO at Naledo.

Naledo is a social enterprise based in Toledo, Belize and focuses on youth entrepreneurship, sustainable production, regenerative agriculture, and community empowerment. With every jar sold customers know that they are directly impacting our network of small-scale growers in Belize

Keeping with tradition Caribbean Cure Ltd produce a line of loose leaf natural healing teas that utilise indigenous plants found within the Caribbean.  Their handcrafted teas which utilise premium organic ingredients are crafted through the preservation of nutrients found within the roots, herbs and flowers of plants that have been used for generations within the Caribbean to heal and treat ailments.

“When we began hand- crafting our blends, we had one simple mission – to share our passion and love for the age-old traditions and healing qualities of Caribbean herbs. We visited farmers, herbalists and tea lovers from across the region to find out what makes the perfect cup of natural tea. We were determined to create much more than tea with health benefits. We are excited to share the Caribbean tea experience at Sial Paris and will continue to share our passion with the world on this global platform” commented Sophia Stone, Founder and Managing Director at Caribbean Cure Ltd.

“We are thrilled that two of the companies that will be attending as part of the Caribbean Kitchen pavilion have been recognised for a SIAL Innovation Award and we hope that they receive a prize.  This doesn’t only bode well for Caribbean Cure and Naledo but also for the region as a whole.  We have some fantastic food innovations across CARIFORUM and we need to gain greater visibility for them” expressed Chris McNair, Manager – Competitiveness and Export Promotion, Caribbean Export.

The participation of CARIFORUM companies at international trade shows is a key intervention of Caribbean Export to support the region’s exporters to increase their market penetration namely in Europe.

“It’s important for Caribbean companies to be present at international events.  We have to leverage the support from the European Union via the 11^th EDF to ensure the innovation, great products coming out of the region are seen internationally.  At the end of the day there’s no point in having great products if no one knows about them” McNair went on to comment.

The Caribbean is widely known for its impeccable beaches, rhythmic music and tantalizing food, not to mention the rum!  At this years’ SIAL, Paris from October 21-25, 2018 visitor will get the opportunity to sample first hand a collection of the Caribbean’s finest food and beverage producers at the Caribbean Kitchen’s debut staging.  Twelve different producers from six Caribbean islands will exhibit a range of exotic authentic sauces, natural food products, herbal teas and a range of liquors and alcoholic beverages including rum.

The participation of exhibitors under the banner Caribbean Kitchen will be found connecting halls 3 and 4 and is a collaborative effort between the Caribbean Export Develop Agency and the European Union to support Caribbean private sector development, promoting sustainable job creation to ultimately alleviate poverty.  With EU funding under the 11^th European Development Fund (EDF) it is hoped that the participation of Caribbean companies at SIAL will support increased exports of food and beverage products to the EU and contribute to our Region’s much needed foreign reserves and economic growth.

Of the twelve producers exhibiting Caribbean Cure Ltd, Global Seafood Distributors Ltd and Hot Mama’s Belize are women owned and include herbal teas, seafood and a range of flavoursome hot sauces and condiments.  Other exhibitors include, traditional Jamaican ackees from Island Packers and Blue Mountain Coffee from Country Traders Limited; Carita Jamaica Ltd producers of natural food products; the Caribbean’s only cider producer Benedicta S.A from the Dominican Republic; Ron Veleiro rum and J&J Spirits, SRL with their ready-to-drink mamajuana Kalembu ; honey from the Caribbean Beekeeping Services SRL; Vincyfresh Limited sauces and condiments and Naledo Belize Ltd with turmeric based products.

The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) in collaboration with the European Union officially launched their market intelligence portal, known as CE-INTELLIGENCE.

At the media launch held at the newly renovated Warrens Great House on Tuesday 10^th, July 2018, Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton outlined the importance of the CE-Intelligence portal for private sector firms looking to grow their businesses through exporting to new markets.  “Trade, business intelligence and market research are key for the successful entry into export markets” explained Coke-Hamilton.  The portal will enable firms to “develop their own customised reports to learn more about market entry requirements in any given country, important trade data, and key business contacts” informed Coke Hamilton.

Head of Cooperation at the Delegation of the European Union to Barbados, Eastern Caribbean States, OECS and CARICOM/CARIFORUM Mr. Luis Maia highlighted that market intelligence is an indispensable commodity in today’s technology driven environment.  Further the portal will complement the EU’s Trade Helpdesk to enhance the business opportunities of those looking to penetrate the EU markets.  “For no longer can business persons operate successful businesses, without adequate knowledge of market requirements,” Maia explained to the attending private sector.

The CE-Intelligence portal was conceptualized to assist firms in being more strategic in their market entry plans as it provides an easily accessible platform for the region’s Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs) and Business Support Organisations (BSOs) to access accurate and high-quality data free of charge, which reduces the cost, time and effort required to make strategic business decisions.

The question as to why many businesses did not make that move to export was raised by the Hon. Minister Sandra Husbands in her keynote.  Charging that a cultural fear of the unknown was often a reason for businesses not venturing in to export, Minister Husbands congratulated the Agency for providing a much-needed tool that will make it easier for firms to move out of their comfort zones to explore export markets and benefit from the economies of scale that are synonymous with larger markets.  Moreover, Minister. Husbands called on entrepreneurs to make it second nature to include export as part of their business plans in view of the small market typical of small islands.

The CE-Intelligence portal provides information for its users in the areas of trade and business intelligence; access to finance with a listing of financial institutions and opportunities across the region; step by step export guides including a series of videos that explain the key elements of the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA); foreign direct investment and a section on food safety providing information on the market entry requirements of key markets such as the EU, the USA, and Canada.

It is hoped that with the introduction of the CE-Intelligence portal the true potential of regional brands is unlocked with the use of high-quality information to aid in decision making.

The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) in partnership with the Caribbean Development Bank has kicked off the inaugural activity of the Women Empowered through Export (WE-Xport) programme with a two-day workshop aimed at increasing participating firms’ and regional business support organisations’ (BSOs) access to finance.

Access to finance has been identified as one of the largest hindrances to businesses in their efforts to expand. Through an increased understanding of the necessary requirements to access funds from traditional banking institutions and funding agencies, it is hoped that more women-owned businesses will be able to access the finance needed to expand their businesses, and take advantage of the Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM) European Union Economic Partnership Agreement (EU-EPA) to export their products and services to CARICOM and Europe.

“This disproportionate access to finance, which women face, limits their ability to participate in, and contribute to the economy, and hinders the improvement of their lives,” said Lisa Harding, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Coordinator, Technical Cooperation Division, CDB.
“Further, we believe this barrier and the consequent under-representation in entrepreneurship represents a missed economic opportunity for our Region,” she said. “It is against this backdrop that CDB is pleased to be partnering yet again, with Caribbean Export, in the WE-Xport programme, and particularly to fund participants in the “Access to Finance” component.”

At the opening of the workshop Pamela Coke Hamilton, Executive Director of Caribbean Export, outlined how issues such as sector concentration, lack of innovation and informal business structures, impede access to finance. Coke-Hamilton informed attendees that the WE-Xport programme aims to tackle many of these challenges; and the Access to Finance workshop would address the concerns of financial institutions regarding “weak financial literacy, and not keeping proper business and financial records”. Further, following the workshop, local Business Support Organisations in all 15 CARIFORUM countries will receive six months of technical assistance to enable them to better equip firms in their respective countries in preparing to access finance.

Coke-Hamilton closed by stressing “to the financial institutions, you also have a vital role to play in ensuring that when these companies make the necessary adjustments on their end to meet the requirements, that they are facilitated in their respective countries”.

The European Union has done a considerable amount of work in support of private sector development over several decades. Their continued commitment to achieving the overall objective of increasing the growth and prosperity of MSMEs and by extension decent job creation and wealth formation in the region was highlighted by Camille Wildman, Project Officer-Private Sector Specialist at the Delegation of the European Union to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean States, the OECS and CARICOM/CARIFORUM in her remarks. Wildman commended the CDB, Caribbean Export and UN Women on the organization of the workshop to improve the ability of the attending BSOs and women-owned businesses to meet the requirements of the formal banking sector and improve their overall ‘financial intelligence’.

Caribbean Export launched the WE-Xport programme in March, 2018 and selected 20 women-owned businesses from across CARIFORUM to participate in a range of activities and intiatives to build their capacity and support the growth and development of their businesses. Following the Access to Finance workshop, three companies from the WE-Xport programme will be showcasing their businesses at European Development Days (EDD) in Brussels, Europe. Following this event, participants will benefit from a three-month intensive business coaching programme.

In addition to workshops, activities under the WE-Xport programme include technical assistance grants, a podcast series to address issues affecting women in business and a women’s business forum.

Caribbean Export will showcase at Europe’s leading forum on international cooperation and development, European Development Days (EDD) bringing greater publicity to their women focused programme Women Empowered through Export (WE-Xport).

WE-Xport was launched in March of this year with the aim of supporting women-owned businesses to grow through assisting in their development to either start exporting or increase their exports. Nineteen businesses have been selected to participate in the programme and are expected to focus on exporting their products and services primarily to the European Union, utilising the benefits of the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement.

The participation of Caribbean Export together with two participants of WE-Xport; EcoFarms from Jamaica and Sugar Town Organics from St. Kitts and Nevis will bring focus to the Agency’s work with the European Union and specifically the Agency’s focus on female entrepreneurs under the 11th EDF Regional Private Sector Development Programme.

The theme of EDD 2018 is ‘Women and Girls at the Forefront of Sustainable Development: protect, empower, invest’ and is expected to attract over 6,000 participants from 140 countries, representing 1200 organisations from the development comunity. It is anticipated that the inclusion of WE-Xport participants will raise the visibility of Caribbean women in business and provide an opportunity for greater market penetration within Europe.

The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) in cooperation with the European Union commenced a 3-day workshop to train Country Advisors from OECS countries on the Direct Assistance Grant Scheme (DAGS) at the Trade Winds Hotel, St. John’s, Antigua yesterday, April 4, 2018.

The Agency announced last month that grant funds would be provided to CARIFORUM businesses via the DAGS and they would be accepting proposals from businesses from April 23, 2018.  A key component to maximise the utilization of the grant funds allocated under the 11^th EDF Regional Private Sector Development Programme (RPSDP) is through ensuring companies understand the application process and the procedures.  Country Advisors are being trained across the region to provide assistance to companies during the application and reimbursement stages of the programme.

DAGS is a reimbursement grant funding facility specifically designed to provide financial assistance to legally registered firms and individuals with the potential to export their products and services.  Under the new DAGS programme grants from a minimum of €10,000 and to a maximum of €50,000 are available to CARIFORUM firms.

Speaking at the opening of the workshop, Min. Asot Michael congratulated the Agency for the timely and crucial programme to support the region’s private sector encouraging firms to participate in the programme.

Direct assistance grants have typically been used by companies to modernize equipment, upgrade facilities to international food and quality standards, enhance products and packaging, implement alternative energy systems, train staff, develop collateral materials, market and promote products and services for export. The DAGS provides a platform that supports Caribbean businesses to become more innovative and compete internationally.

“Access to finance is a critical pillar to enable companies to expand, create new jobs for our economies and generate foreign exchange” highlighted Christopher McNair, Manager – Competitiveness and Export Promotion at Caribbean Export.

The Agency has now trained thirty-eight (38) Country Advisors across the region and details can be found on the Agency’s website.

The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) in cooperation with the European Union today announced they are gearing up to provide grant funds to the CARIFORUM private sector via the DIRECT ASSISTANCE GRANT SCHEME (DAGS).

“The DAGS is one of the Agency’s most direct ways of providing support to the CARIFORUM private sector.  This reimbursement grant funding facility is designed to provide financial assistance to companies that are exporting or have the potential to export.  Under the revised DAGS programme, the ceiling for grants has increased to 50,000 Euros, with a minimum grant amount of 10,000 Euros” informed Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director, Caribbean Export.

Over the next few months Caribbean Export will be sensitising businesses and Business Support Organisations (BSOs) across the region on the process to apply under the Direct Assistance Grant Scheme (DAGS). This is to build the awareness of the Program ahead of the open call for proposals on April 23^rd, 2018. Additionally, the Agency will be training representatives from in each of the CARIFORUM countries to become DAGS experts. Named Country Advisors, they will provide ongoing assistance to businesses during the application and reimbursement stages of the Program.

Luis Maia, First Counsellor, Head of Cooperation at the European Union Delegation to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean States, the OECS and CARICOM/CARIFORUM during his remarks stressed the vital role of small businesses in the creation of employment or for the reductions of unemployment and thus is the intention of the European Union to enhance the operation of small businesses in the Caribbean.   Small businesses provide “opportunities for those seeking to empower themselves to be innovative in developing businesses in new niche areas that can likewise employ others and also contribute to the economy. It is these types of enterprises that the Direct Assistance Grant Scheme will seek to foster and grow so that they can be positioned to penetrate export markets in the wider Caribbean as well as internationally, particularly utilising the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement” said Mr. Maia.

The European Union remains the world’s largest donor organisation and their cooperation with Caribbean Export to implement the 11^th EDF Regional Private Sector Development Programme valued at EUR 24 Million is a key regional initiative ultimately to support the increase employment creation, inclusiveness, particularly for youth, women and indigenous groups, and overall poverty reduction in CARIFORUM states.

“Given the need for urgent foreign exchange inflows to each of our regional economies, it is my view that DAGS can be leveraged, as an innovated investment interruption of our fragile economies through the mapping of creative funding options like this with an equally commensurate enterprising business support regime” expressed the Hon. Donville Inniss, Minister of Industry, International Business, Commerce and Small Business Development.  Minister Inniss went on to say, “I am therefore of the strong view that going forward the focus of access to capital and market interventions must primarily be on local enterprise competitiveness among those MSMEs that fall within identified special priority sectors of the region.”

DAGS is reimbursement grant funding facility specifically designed to provide financial assistance to legally registered firms and individuals with the potential to export their products and services.

Direct assistance grants have typically been used by companies to modernize equipment, upgrade facilities to international food and quality standards, enhance products and packaging, implement alternative energy systems, train staff, develop collateral materials, market and promote products and services for export. The DAGS provides a platform that supports Caribbean businesses to become more innovative and compete internationally.

Caribbean Export is now taking applications from Caribbean women-owned businesses to participate in their newest programme: Women Empowered through Export or WE-Xport.

At the Hilton Barbados Resort, Caribbean Export in cooperation with the European Union announced the commencement of the WE-Xport programme which aims to support Caribbean women in business to grow their businesses through assisting in their development to either start exporting or increase their exports, namely to the European Union, utilising the benefits of the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement.

EU Ambassador, Daniela Tramacere said: “The European Union is therefore pleased to provide financial support to Caribbean Export’s efforts to assist the growth and development of female-owned firms in the Caribbean to increase their competitiveness in the local, regional and international markets”.

Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director at Caribbean Export encouraged the regions female entrepreneurs to take full advantage of the WE-Xport programme and the opportunity to grow their businesses, connect with others and make their mark in our region, “we know you have the potential to do great things with your companies and with the right mix of support we aim to provide”.

WE-Xport is said to address women-owned businesses access to finance through the provision of workshops and technical assistance in partnership with the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).  “We recognise that access to finance is an obstacle too many women owned MSME in our Region face and therefore ensuring access to finance and business advisory services is essential to unlock the economic potential of the region” said Monica La Bennett, Vice President of Operations (CDB).  The programme will have an intensive business coaching programme to build the participants capacity and also increase their access to export markets and networks.

Further, an MOU was signed between Caribbean Export and UN Women as their commitment to work together in raising awareness around many of the challenges women face in conducting business and to advocate on their behalf to address these constraints and drive greater change and inclusion in our regional economies. Representative from UN Women, Alison McLean shared that the economic empowerment of woman is one of the mail of objectives of UN Women and they have developed the “women empowerment principles which offer practical guidance to the private sector on how to empower women in the work place, market place and communities”.

Senator, the Hon. Maxine McClean highlighted that many women operated “lifestyle businesses” often as a means to supplement income and was therefore pleased that the WE-Xport programme provides an opportunity to empower female entrepreneurs to move outside of their limitations.

The WE-Xport programme is open to businesses from CARIFORUM States that are at least 51% owned by a woman or women and has been in operation for at least two years.  Full details of the eligibility criteria can be found on the Agency’s website.