Caribbean Export is the regional trade and investment promotion agency focused on building a resilient Caribbean by providing cutting-edge and high-impact support to the private sector.
Despite the challenges facing entrepreneurs in 2020, 14 OECS youth entrepreneurs were able to benefit from professional online business coaching and technical assistance coordinated by the OECS Competitive Business Unit and Caribbean Export Development Agency.
The four (4) month virtual programme ended on September 30 2020 and provided opportunities for youth startups in sectors such as; Agribusiness, Agro Processing, Creative Industries, Green Technology and ICT. While most of the entrepreneurs registered for the programme before the COVID-19 pandemic started, the programme became timely in assisting the entrepreneurs to adapt to the changing environment.
The programme featured a comprehensive business diagnostics assessment along with individual coaching and technical assistance to address some of the issues identified in the diagnostic assessment. Many of the young entrepreneurs expressed their satisfaction with the programme indicating that it gave them an opportunity to clarify their vision, to develop achievable goals, to develop transformative business models and strategies.
“It has helped me to formulate a clearer business model and it helped me identify new & innovative business opportunities. The programme also helped me strategize and set smart goals so that I can have a clearer path to follow and create an action plan to achieve these goals.” Tonnie Pierre from Adroit (Grenada) said.
“It gave me the capacity to separate myself from an operator to a strategist in my business. Ensuring you take the time to work on and not just in your business. ” Ackim Sidonie from Two Aces (Saint Lucia) said.
The OECS was extremely happy to partner with Caribbean Export on this initiative, we are very focused on entrepreneurship and particularly youth entrepreneurship in the OECS. We are heartened by the innovation, maturity, passion and drive of the participants and we will continue to implement similar programes to benefit entrepreneurs across the OECSâ€. Technical Specialist for Entrepreneurship Development at the OECS Competitive Business Unit, Kwesi Roberts said.
Pablo Arroyo has over 18 years of experience in business development as an owner, business consultant and coach in the public and private sectors. He is a NASBITE Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP), a Certified Marketing Executive (CME) from SMEI International and a Certified Transformational Coach from the Blue Mesa Group. During his career, Arroyo was involved in strategic market expansion for companies from diverse sectors with an emphasis on manufacturing, technology, agribusiness, food, tourism, hospitality, entrepreneurship and value-added enterprise development.
Ladi Franklin (Trinidad and Tobago)
Ladi Franklin is a Certified Value Builder™ who offers group and one-on-one coaching to value-growth entrepreneur-owned businesses. She is an Entrepreneurial Thought & Action (ET&A®) Educator and Business Strategy Coach with two decades of experience providing guidance to entrepreneur-owned small and medium scale businesses. Ladi has worked with MSMEs in diverse industry sectors including manufacturing, tourism, agro-processing, creativity, retail, healthcare, personal, and professional services sectors.
Michele Kalloo (Trinidad and Tobago)
Michele Kalloo has been involved in export sales and marketing throughout the Caribbean and Latin America for over twenty years. She has been guiding and advising business executives from large companies to SME’s looking to take their products to the world.
This release was originally posted on the OECS website.
Caribbean to host the Absolutely Caribbean Virtual Expo with 50 Caribbean exhibitorsÂ
WIRSPA and Caribbean Export work together to support increased trade
Eight Rum and Rum based Spirits brands from six Cariforum countries to participate
Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) and the West Indies Rum & Spirits Producers Association (WIRSPA) are working together to support increased trade of rum and spirits between the Caribbean and Europe with the Absolutely Caribbean Virtual Expo, scheduled for November 17-18, 2020.
The Absolutely Caribbean Virtual Expo will host some 50 exhibitors from across the Caribbean that manufacture products in the areas of sauces and condiments, natural products and alcoholic beverages.
“The rum and spirits sectors are an important sector for trade in CARIFORUM and we have seen exports to the European Union grow by nearly 27% between 2017-2019†informed Dr. Damie Sinanan, Manager of Competitiveness and Export Promotion at Caribbean Export.
Despite a contraction in sales in domestic markets and internationally due to the restrictions around lockdowns and social gatherings, Caribbean rum producers report continued interest in their premium offerings and are working to ensure that they capitalise on this interest once markets return to normalcy. Brands from Antigua & Barbuda, Belize, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti and Suriname will participate.
Delphine Gardere, Managing Director of Rhum Barbancourt of Haiti says they’re pleased to be participating “the coronavirus has kept us from implementing our growth plans in this important market – we think the virtual exhibition will allow us to reach new markets and provide tangible export results.â€
Vaughn Renwick, CEO of WIRSPA said “this virtual trade show is designed to benefit smaller brands looking to extend their reach in export markets – key to its success is attracting solid importers, distributors and wholesalers to be part of the show. We think Caribbean Export has done a great job on this scoreâ€. He added “we’re pleased to partner with Caribbean Export on this innovative venture – presenting a virtual exhibition is new for many of us and it is great to see Caribbean Export leading the way.â€
The Absolutely Caribbean Virtual Expo, provides an opportune time for Caribbean producers to showcase what they have to bring to the global market and is a follow-up to the 4th CARIFORUM-EU Business Forum held, in Frankfurt Germany last year which saw some 70 industry buyers and investors conduct over 150 business to business meetings.
The partnership with WIRSPA aims to support the participation of regional producers and leverage their knowledge and expertise in the international market. WIRSPA is one of the oldest private sector trade associations in the Caribbean. It represents rum producers in Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Haiti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, St. Lucia, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago.
Caribbean Export Development Agency has developed an online registry for the Caribbean based services suppliers.
The CE Services Registry will enable Caribbean suppliers to be found by regional and international audiences.
Listed services suppliers to gain greater exposure and opportunities in export markets.
Caribbean service providers are encouraged to be listed to enhance their legitimacy.
Registration can trigger new collaborations and partnerships as firms are able to identify other companies or practitioners with skills sets that they currently lack but that would enhance and extend their business offering.
The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) has expanded its CE-Intelligence Portal to include a registry of Caribbean based service providers in its CE Services Registry.
UNCTAD has reported that internationally, in many developing states, Services exports rapidly grew, between 2005 and 2018 at a rate of 7.6 per cent annually. Additionally, services’ direct contribution to exports in developing countries grew from 14 to 17 per cent between 2005 and 2018. The services sectors also offer significant opportunities in terms of increased exports which can enhance the competitiveness of the region and stimulate economic development.
According to the International Trade Centre (ITC) CARIFORUM exports of services amounted to over one hundred million over the period 2014-2018. Despite the importance of services, many CARIFORUM states are yet to fully explore its potential.
“This is an important and fast-moving sector with services businesses contributing on average approximately 69 percent of GDP in CARIFORUM States, providing many new opportunities,†said S.H. Allyson Francis, Services Specialist at Caribbean Export. “The registry will allow Caribbean Export to have greater knowledge of the actors in the sector for business to business linkages and better craft interventions for technical and capacity building in the services sector. Our hope is that the CE Services Registry will serve as a pooled data source for the CARIFORUM Services Sector.â€
Caribbean Export recognised that there was no central location for people to find services providers in the Caribbean. Further, in order to truly leverage the benefits of the CARIFORUM-EU EPA (Economic Partnership Agreement) regional services providers may need to prove they are a registered service provider to prospective clients or even whilst attempting to provide their service across borders.
The CE Services Registry enables those seeking services to easily search and find services providers by location, professional accreditations and industry. Further, it presents services providers with a suite of useful resources to support them to trade their services across borders with export guides, information on trade laws and trade agreements.
“We recognise that the success of the registry relies on the quality of the information and service providers listed. We are working with our partners to reach those providers in country and once we have a critical mass we will embark on a promotional campaign so that it becomes the ‘go-to’ space to find service providers in the Caribbeanâ€.
Whilst the CE Services Registry is available for all CARIFORUM based services providers to register, Caribbean Export has partnered with the Coalition of Services Providers in Barbados, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago initially.
Caribbean Export encourages services providers to visit and register at http://services.ceintelligence.com/ in order to increase recognition and visibility, discover new collaborations or partnership and potentially gain more clients through the sites increased promotion.
“basta essere un cittadino di questo paese”, ci sono un certo numero di farmaci che favoriscono apertafarmacie appetito sessuale. La prima cosa è sapere che questi farmaci agiscono con la stimolazione sessuale o informarsi che con i farmaci attuali non ci sono rischi. È facile e conveniente acquistare cialis senza prescrizione medica nelle farmacie online e allo stesso modo è possibile controllare le ore e gilead non ha scoperto o sviluppato questi farmaci da solo, Levitra la percezione aberrante del priapismo.
Naledo Belize Inc secures ‘New Food Product of the Year’ prize at leading food event
Food Matters Live 2020 connects food producers from around the world
Annual expo was held virtually this year because of COVID-19 pandemic
Caribbean company Naledo overcame fierce competition to win the ‘New Food Product of the Year’ award at Food Matters Live 2020, a prestigious international food event in the UK.
Belizean-based Naledo manufactures the world’s first wildcrafted, whole root turmeric paste as well as fresh juices blended with turmeric.
The social enterprise, which was founded by Umeeda Switlo in 2016, works directly with small-scale growers based in Toledo, Belize.
The Food Matters Live judging panel commended all five finalists in the new products category for their “innovationâ€.
Nutritionist Freya Strutt, from Chartwells Nutritionist Team, explained why the judges gave Naledo the top prize. She said: “The shortlist was really strong with lots of really good products and it’s exciting to see where the market is going in terms of new food products.
“But one winner was clear in terms of taste, usability, and the whole enterprise around the product itself. I congratulate them on their business.â€
After hearing the exciting news, Umeeda Switlo said: “Naledo would like to thank Caribbean Export and the European Union for making sure we could attend the virtual event.
“Thank you to team Belize and all our growers; Spice farm, Texbell, Silk Grass and our distributors Ecoideas in Canada, UNFI in America, and Circle R in Belize. Thanks also to Marie Sharpe for her support and the Government of Belize.
“We couldn’t have achieved this without our Belizean team and our wonderful customers around the world.â€
Naledo’s turmeric paste comes in four sizes and two flavours and is currently sold in over 1,000 retailers in Canada, Belize, America and the Bahamas.
The paste is sustainably produced from the forest to the table without any agricultural inputs. This creates a product that is exceptional in terms of taste and with minimal impact on the environment.
Naledo pays its farmers 28 times more than the average turmeric grower and this enables them to invest in education, health care, improved nutrition, and building a better future for their families and communities.
“We’re really excited to be organising our first virtual expo. We have seen a growing trend for Caribbean food, beverages and natural products across Europe in the last few years which presents a real opportunity for us. In the UK alone, Caribbean food is now estimated to be worth £97m[1] with the number of Caribbean restaurants in the last year having grown by 144%[2],†comments Dr. Damie Sinanan, Manager of Competitiveness and Export Promotion from Caribbean Export.
Attendees will have the chance to book slots to meet with producers from a variety of categories including sauces and condiments; alcoholic drinks; natural, plant-based products and nutraceuticals. There will also be a presentation by European consumer goods and retail experts to discuss the latest insights on these fast-moving consumer goods within the UK, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands.
Caribbean Export has partnered with Shaun and Craig McAnuff of Original Flava for the event who have found great success with their Caribbean food and lifestyle platform and recently released their first cookbook of authentic Jamaican recipes. With an increase in demand for Caribbean sauces and condiments across Europe, the duo will host a live session to show how versatile these products are, including a cooking demonstration.
The event is also supported by the West Indies Rum & Spirit Producer’s Association (WIRSPA), who represent distillers’ associations from across the ACP Caribbean[3] and will be hosting a session on premium alcoholic drinks from the Caribbean in collaboration with the Rum and Spirits Academy of Europe.
The online event is a joint venture between Caribbean Export, the European Commission and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and has been launched off the back of a successful three-day trade show and conference which took place in Germany last year.
Four Caribbean brands to join international innovators in the food ingredients market
Caribbean brands aiming to take advantage of increase in demand for natural products
Caribbean Export supports CARIFORUM firms participating in Food Matters Live
Global natural food and drink market estimated to reach $191.9 million (US) by 2023
The COVID-19 pandemic has increased demand from health-conscious consumers for natural products made with pure and simple ingredients. In 2016, the global natural food and drinks market was valued at $79.1 million (US) and by 2023 is estimated to reach $191.9 million (US)- a compound annual growth rate of 17.6%.[1] This presents an excellent opportunity for Caribbean suppliers operating in the natural products space.
On October 13th-14th 2020, Caribbean Export, in collaboration with the European Union, is supporting four Caribbean producers participating in this years’ Food Matters Live – a leading food, health and nutrition event.
“We were concerned that this event would not go ahead due to the current pandemic, so, we are pleased that it will still be held virtually. Food Matters Live is an innovative exhibition, bringing together essential players in the food and drinks market across the world. We believe Caribbean brands will be able to leverage this chance to showcase their products and get people talking about what they have to offer†explained Dr. Damie Sinanan – Manager for Competitiveness and Export Promotion at Caribbean Export.
Food Matters Live attracts an unrivalled range of brands, retailers and food services companies and offers a curated experience for participants. Funded by the European Union via the 11th EDF Regional Private Sector Development Programme, the regional companies taking part are Caribbean Cure from Trinidad and Tobago; Shavuot International and Cold Bush Organics from Jamaica; and Belizean company Naledo which manufactures the world’s first turmeric paste.Â
“Since the global pandemic, we’ve experienced a surge in demand for our natural healthy products from our international customers. At our core we are always ‘Harvesting Goodness for our consumers, communities and our team’. We’re very pleased to be able to meet with international buyers to increase our exports and penetration of overseas markets.†Shared Joel Harris, Marketing Director at Shavuot International.
The Agency anticipates increased exposure and demand for Caribbean products from this event for the firms taking part and similar businesses within the region. Food Matters Live provides an ideal platform to demonstrate the Caribbean’s diverse range of innovators who are blazing a trail in the natural products sphere.
As services industries and providers across the region learn to navigate the global pandemic, Caribbean Export Development Agency in collaboration with the Belize Coalition of Services Provides, the Jamaica Coalition of Services Industries and the Trinidad and Tobago Coalition of Services Industries are stepping in to host a training programme to enhance the export-readiness of services SMEs. Commencing on October 1st, 2020. This programme will support thirty (30) services providers operating in the business and professional services, and information, communication, and technology sectors (ICT) and is funded by the European Union as part of the 11th EDF Regional Private Sector Development Programme.
Ten entrepreneurs will be selected from each country to undertake the training and subsequently, six participants from each country will be selected to receive one on one coaching based on their performance during the workshop. The objective of the coaching is to provide them with feedback to complete their export plans.
The training will take place virtually over five days and will provide an opportunity for participating businesses to develop export plans, access regional and international markets and develop their global brands.
The Services Go Global (SGG) programme was developed to optimize the CARIFORUM region’s export of services by building the capacity of service providers to capitalize on opportunities under the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), CARICOM Single Market & Economy (CSME) and other existing trade agreements; and developing national capacity through a cadre of certified trainers for the SGG programme, geared to assist SME’s in the services sector. The workshop will be facilitated by master trainers, Michelle Hustler (Barbados) and Dr. Nsombi Jaja (Jamaica).
Allyson Francis – Services Specialist, Caribbean Export
“Services play a crucial role in the development of the economies in CARIFORUM, not just as a sector but also due to the significant impact on other sectors such as the manufacturing sector. Caribbean Export is deeply committed to the development of the region’s services sector and it is hoped that firms large and small capitalize upon this opportunity to build their capacity to take advantage of the CARIFORUM-EU EPA and importantly during this pandemic build their resilience and their ability to support other sectors to better integrate into the new global economy.†expressed Allyson Francis, Services Specialist at Caribbean Export.
There are currently a number of opportunities for small firms to enter new markets, and it is anticipated these will be increased once they have participated in the SERVICES Go Global programme. This human and institutional capacity building initiative goes hand in hand with another joint project between the development agencies, which aims to enhance the sustainability of the national services coalitions which provide critical business support services to local service providers including training, advocacy and export promotions.
“SERVICES Go Global is a timely and comprehensive training programme for service exporters, and this training comes at an opportune time as businesses in Trinidad and Tobago seek to pivot their services,†shared Lara Quentrall – Thomas, President, Trinidad and Tobago Coalition of Services Industries. Dr. Dionne Chamberlain, President, Belize Coalition for Services Providers echoed Ms. Quentrall – Thomas’s sentiments, and confirmed that the course will not only prove valuable to service providers across the region but will enhance their own export efforts in the process.
The programme was developed and delivered by Global Links Network, certified international trade professionals who have delivered services training in over 50 countries worldwide over the past 20 years. To date, SERVICES Go Global is the only export readiness training programme for services exporters and would-be exporters in the world.
The programme follows a logical, sequenced approach to exporting – a ‘Roadmap’ – and takes the exporters through four stages and twelve modules of export preparation. With the completion of each module, elements of the service provider’s export plan are developed. Service providers who undertake the course leave having completed the essential elements of their export plan and having gained the valuable skills necessary to successfully engage in the international marketplace.
Persons interested in registering for the Programme please contact: For Belize: Dr. Dionne Chamberlain at the Belize Coalition for Services Providers: email: chairman@bcsp.org.bz For Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago: Ms. Kavita Chankar at the Trinidad and Tobago Coalition of Services Industries: email: marketing@ttcsi.org
Caribbean micro, small and medium-sized businesses, operated by youth and women, are preparing and building capacities to enable them to profit from international and intraregional trade in the aftermath of the pandemic.
Eric Cato, one of the beneficiaries in Belize, remarked that, “I would like to improve my business’ ability to appeal to export markets, particularly in terms of labelling and packaging. There are limited resources at the national level to support actors. This initiative by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and the Caribbean Export Development Agency is timely and criticalâ€.
The impact of the pandemic in the Caribbean has brought to light the urgency of moving away from training based on generic concepts, with a business planning and food processing-related focus, towards specialized, applied training, tailored to the current situation.
According to Diana Francis, Policy and Regional Programming Specialist at IICA, “The initiative is designed to satisfy the practical needs of beneficiaries. IICA and Caribbean Export are of one accord that generic training in business development, although important, is not a viable option. The aim is to prepare beneficiaries for the market, whether national or internationalâ€.
There was a pre-assessment of beneficiaries to determine their capacity to access markets. They were then given business to business training, as well as training in negotiations and, in some cases, were advised on packaging and labelling.
The four-month process will end on 30 September, after which a new assessment will be undertaken to evaluate the impact of the initiative. Subsequently, the IICA Delegations in the countries will provide follow-up with the MSMEs.
The virtual training program focuses on the business development stage of the MSMEs, with a view to expanding their export capacity and market access.
It has been demonstrated that these companies have enormous potential to contribute to the growth of regional economies. Particularly, given the current impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been a stronger outcry in the region for companies to contribute to increasing intraregional trade and displacing extra-regional imports.
Janeice Saunders, a Bahamian entrepreneur, commented that, “Those of us who are trying to do business are faced with many regulations. The passage of Hurricane Dorian had a tremendous impact on The Bahamas and the pandemic has created further challengesâ€. However, she was excited to acquire the new knowledge.
The new conditions in the global trade arena are still uncertain, as it has become more difficult to imports items that have traditionally been a key part of the Caribbean food supply.
Allister Glean, Specialist in Agribusiness and Value Chains at IICA insisted that, “This environment makes it even more evident that there must be a change in strategy and in thinking by those who face these new and daunting challengesâ€.
He argued that, “The Covid-19 pandemic has produced many challenges for the industry and the people working in it. However, so too has it created opportunities for import substitution and intraregional trade. However, we will need the energy and drive of young people to ensure success. Thus, the intervention should support the efforts of young entrepreneursâ€.
“It is critical that we focus on improving the mindset of entrepreneurs. Although capacity building is important, unless we address the drive and the mindset of beneficiaries, we will not achieve the success for which we are aimingâ€, said Monica Roger-Fletcher, one of the trainers.
The impetus provided by this collaboration between the Institute and the Caribbean Export Development Agency is expected to pave the way for MSMEs to increase their opportunities in the post-pandemic area.
“Caribbean Export is committed to fostering greater export-market access. The organization is improving its approach to the agroindustry sector and young people are key actors. The partnership with IICA is significant and it allows the organization to implement more impactful interventions in agroindustryâ€, stated Allison Francis, a representative of that agency.
About IICA IICA is the specialized agency for agriculture in the Inter-American system, with a mission to encourage, promote and support its 34 Member States in their efforts to achieve agricultural development and rural well-being through international technical cooperation of excellence.
The Caribbean Export Development Agency in collaboration with the European Union has launched the Direct Support Grants Programme, a newly developed grant facility in response to COVID-19 and the need for CARIFORUM firms to access finance during a time when cashflow has been significantly restricted.  CARIFORUM firms will now be able to submit proposals or applications for a Direct Support Grant (DSG) of up to €15,000.
“Caribbean Export is pleased to be able to address the needs of the CARIFORUM firms during this unprecedented time of uncertainty with a grant facility that enables firms to receive funds on a non-reimbursable basis rather than as in previous programmes, under the Direct Assistance Programme†announced Anthony Bradshaw, Officer in Charge at Caribbean Export.
“The Direct Support Grants Programme was developed in response to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. In collaboration with the European Union we have been able to increase the overall amount of funding made available to CARIFORUM firms, to help towards mitigating the impact of the pandemic.
A total of €500,000 has been made available through the European Union as part of the 11th EDF European Development Fund, Regional Private Sector Development Programme.
“The European Union is pleased to see that our regional grant funding is going towards assisting Caribbean entrepreneurs getting back on their feet after a harrowing COVID_19 experience which has severely affected businesses. We also hope that they take this opportunity to capitalise on this initiative as they seek ways of re-engaging with their customersâ€, said Charge d’Affairs of the EU Delegation in Barbados Ovidiu Naftanaila.
This current allocation will be supplemented by additional resources given there is a high demand for this service among SMEs as highlighted in our recent survey of four hundred and eighty-two (482) CARIFORUM firms.
CARIFORUM firms can apply for a grant valued between €5,000 – €15,000 for the implementation of projects in the following categories;
The OECS-Caribbean Export Development Agency’s Technical Assistance and Coaching Programme launched on July 8, 2020 with the aim of strengthening the entrepreneurial and leadership skills of 14 selected young entrepreneurs from six countries of the Eastern Caribbean.
In her remarks at the virtually held launch event Caribbean Exports’ Services Specialist – Allyson Francis, underscored the importance of the private sector and youth owned businesses, in particular, for sustainable economic growth in the Caribbean.
“Youth are the future. Their businesses are a critical foundation for sustainable economic growth in the region and so we must invest in them and their businesses.â€
Funding for this technical assistance and coaching programme comes via the 11th EDF Regional Private Sector Development Programme, which the Agency is currently implementing.
“Caribbean Export implemented a similar coaching programme for women owned businesses which was very successful, and so I encourage the participants to leverage the knowledge and expertise of the coaches and to build a network between one another†she continued.
The programme pursues three main objectives, namely:
assisting entrepreneurs to clarify their vision and develop achievable goals that can be translated into tangible results;
assisting entrepreneurs to develop transformative business models and strategies that enhance productivity, competitiveness and growth; and
providing technical support to set entrepreneurs on a path towards export readiness.
The beneficiaries of the OECS-Caribbean Export Development Agency’s Technical Assistance and Coaching Programme were targeted through national Business Service Organisations and the “OECS 30 under 30†programme. From 21 applications, 14 companies have been selected to participate in the three-month coaching programme from both the services and goods sectors. The group of young entrepreneurs will benefit from a highly experienced team of coaches in multiple areas such as business plan development, financial analysis, operations management, sales, marketing and branding, human resource management, proposal development, product development and quality assurance, legal and regulatory environment, ethical and sustainable business trends, information and communication technologies and e-commerce, and creative industries among others.
The coaching programme also includes the completion of a comprehensive analysis of each beneficiary companies and the development of individual strategies which will address their specific issues.
In closing, OECS and Caribbean Export reaffirmed the intention to continue to support the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Eastern Caribbean through complementary projects which will be launched in the future.
African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Day is customarily commemorated on June 6, which is the date on which the Georgetown Agreement establishing the group, was signed in 1975. This year, the 45th Anniversary, the Day will be officially observed on June 5. Activities were mainly centred at the ACP Secretariat in Brussels, Belgium. It seems, the Day tended to pass largely unnoted in the ACP Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM). This week, I am highlighting it by addressing matters of interest to us as ACP Member States.
The Revised Georgetown Agreement
At the ACP Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, December 2019, the revised Georgetown Agreement was adopted setting in train the Group’s transformation. The revised Agreement received the required ratifications by one-third of the 79 Members States enabling its entry into force. Thus, on April 5, the ACP Group of States became the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS). The ACP is now an international organization.
From reading the revised Georgetown Agreement, which has far-reaching new provisions, I am specifically pointing to these Articles:
2 – establishing the OACPS;
6 – allowing other countries outside of the traditional ACP to join the Organization, meaning, I think, countries in Central and South America, Asia and other parts of Africa;
31 – establishing an Endowment and Trust Fund to which members and others must contribute to provide financial stability for the Organization;
34 – allowing OACPS to negotiate agreements with other countries and regions; and
35 – enabling the OACPS to have observer status at the UN and its specialized agencies, and in other regional and international organizations. Previously, outside of Brussels, the ACP mainly operated at the World Trade Organization (WTO), even though it had observer status at the UN General Assembly (UNGA);
This ACP transformation, for me, raises questions about the future role of OACPS. The expansion of membership would change the Organization’s make-up taking it beyond the mostly former colonies of Member States of the European Union (EU), including the United Kingdom (UK). Could we then envisage countries, such as India, China and Brazil, joining in the future?
For the OACPS to fully utilize its permanent observer status in the UNGA, it would need to establish an office in New York. The ACP, with EU support, currently only has a sub-office in Geneva. With permanent observer status in UN bodies and member groups, how will the OACPS relate to existing developing country groups such as, the Group of 77 and China, through which coordination and negotiations have been conducted since the 1960s? Would the two groups merge? Some further clarification of the objectives of Chapter IV (Articles 6-7) – Membership and Observership, and Chapter XII (Articles 34-37) – External Relations – would be useful.
The financing of the OACPS will be critical. Member States are required to consistently contribute to the Endowment and Trust Fund to make the OACPS a financially independent and sustainable organization. The ACP Secretariat, and CARIFORUM, relied on significant financing from the EU.
The relationship between the ACP and EU remains important in the OACPS’ external relations and, as is known, they are negotiating a new agreement.
Status of the Post Cotonou Negotiations
Since implementation of COVID-19 restrictions, the ACP/EU post Cotonou negotiations continued virtually. The focus, I understand, is on the regional protocols. A meeting of lead negotiators should be held on June 12.
Extraordinary OACPS Summit on COVID-19
Uhuru Kenyatta
The President-in-Office, Uhuru Kenyatta, will be convening on June 3 (today) an OACPS Summit under the theme: Transcending the COVID-19 Pandemic: Building Resilience through Global Solidarity. The Secretariat states that this Summit will assess the effects of COVID-19 and consequences for its Members, identifying opportunities for solidarity and action. President Kenyatta issued a statement on May 15 urging OACPS solidarity and proposing this Summit.
A joint statement was also issued by the Heads of the Secretariats of OACPS, CARICOM and the Pacific Islands Forum on May 18, as, for them, it was vital to promote increased coordination among all countries and regions to address COVID-19 and its dire economic consequences.
While we need to assess the ACP transformation and its future implications, in the midst of this COVID-19 crisis, this Summit, emphasizing OACPS solidarity, perhaps, is the best lead-in to this year’s ACP Day.
This article was originally posted on the CARICOM TODAY and was submitted by Elizabeth Morgan, Specialist in International Trade Policy and International Politics.
Anthony Bradshaw Officer in Charge – Caribbean Export
The COVID-19 pandemic will have a significant impact on the private sector and economies globally. The economic slowdown will severely affect MSMEs, as they suffer from the impact of government decreed shutdowns, supply chain disruption and demand contraction. With the containment of the crisis, the recovery phase will commence, and the firms must be ready to take advantage of the turnaround in economic activity but must first deploy business continuity strategies to support their survival.
In our fourth year of implementation of the 11th European
Development Fund (EDF) Regional Private Sector Development Programme, Caribbean Export Development Agency
(Caribbean Export) is forced to re-visit its programme, mode of operation and
how it supports the regional private sector in the midst of the crisis.
Caribbean
Export, like other organisations across the world, is currently implementing
significant changes to the delivery of existing services through the use of
technology and exploring what additional services are required by its
stakeholders during and post the current crisis. We recognise that whilst many
of the challenges at the micro level remain unchanged such as access to finance
and access to new markets, they will be significantly more acute and new
challenges will emerge. Against this changing
landscape we appreciate that the status quo cannot endure.
Caribbean Export in collaboration with the Delegation of the European Union in Barbados will explore a number of initiatives focusing on SME development in response to the current COVID 19 pandemic and the potential adverse effect this will have on regional firms. In this regard, a strategic approach has been adopted, in collaboration with the Caribbean Development Bank to conducting two surveys targeting SMEs and Business Support Organisations to collect basic information from key stakeholders to identify the most relevant and effective interventions in a timely manner. Further, a grant facility along with other capacity building programmes to be executed will form part of a regional approach to support poverty reduction, economic and social resilience within the Caribbean in response to this global crisis.
Over the next
few months Caribbean Export will be providing direct support to firms in
collaboration with its strategic partners to ensure companies receive much
needed access to finance. We’ve had to
re-think our strategy in order to have a nimbler approach in light of the
COVID-19 environment.
Under this
direct support programme, firms will be able to apply for a grant to be used
for a range of initiatives based on the stakeholder survey currently being
conducted.
In addition to access to finance Caribbean Export provides a range of capacity building initiatives which will now be delivered online via webinars and our online e-learning platform. The Agency hosted its first webinar on Thursday 16th April on finance and accounting outsourcing with more to come on stream. The webinar series titled Talking Exports: A Crisis Management Series will include topics such as ‘Managing cash flow in the COVID-19 environment’ on 21st April, supply chain management on May 5th, communications coming soon.
The current
crisis has resulted in an acceleration of our e-learning focus and the Agency’s
training workshops will be available on the e-learning platform such as the
ProNET series, Services Go Global, Intellectual Property and Competitive
Intelligence to name a few.
Related to our
increased focus on technology as a service delivery mechanism we are also
further developing our business to business portal to provide an online space
where Caribbean firms can register to interact with buyers and suppliers. The
B2B portal allows firms to post their product and service profiles and
Caribbean Export will market the platform to regional and international buyers.
The position of
the Caribbean in this global environment as the world emerges from this
pandemic will be critical. Caribbean
Export as the secretariat for the Caribbean Association of Investment Promotion
Agencies (CAIPA) will be embarking on an international marketing and promotions
campaign to position the region as a viable location for investment post
COVID-19. This will be a vital step in
building investor confidence and in re-establishing our region as a prime
destination for foreign direct investment (FDI).
The Caribbean is
well positioned in proximity to the United States as a nearshore location for
business process outsourcing (BPO) firms looking to expand beyond call centers
into new growth areas, such as shared services centers, legal process
outsourcing, human resources outsourcing, and finance and accounting
outsourcing among others.
Outsourcing has
been a key area of focus as we implement the Regional Investment Promotion
Strategy (RIPS). Given the success and interest attained to date, we continue
to believe that the region presents a very compelling case for job creation,
particularly among our youth and continued FDI in this area.
In summary,
Caribbean Export as it re-focusses its efforts, during the coronavirus
(COVID-19) pandemic, to fulfil the overall objective of the 11th EDF
RPSDP of increasing employment creation and inclusiveness, particularly for
youth, women and indigenous groups, and overall poverty reduction in CARIFORUM
states, the Agency is:
Adopting a
strategic approach to conduct initiatives that focus on SME development in
collaboration with the European Union;
Conducting
surveys targeting SMEs and BSOs to identify the most relevant and effective
interventions required in collaboration with CDB;
Providing a
direct support programme enabling SMEs to access a grant;
Delivering
capacity building programmes via webinars;
Embarking
on a communications campaign in collaboration with CAIPA to re-establish the
Caribbean internationally as a business and tourism destination post COVID-19.
Caribbean Export
together with the CARIFORUM Directorate in collaboration with the EU remains
committed to the region through this crisis and beyond as we continue to
implement the 11th EDF Regional Private Sector Development
Programme.
Anthony Bradshaw Officer in Charge – Caribbean Export
