Pretty Boy exporteert creatief Caribische muziek

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)

De sectoren van agroverwerkte voedingsmiddelen en natuurlijke ingrediënten en de creatieve industrie: sleutels tot de expansie van het Caribisch gebied op de Europese markt

  • 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 en Caribische exportpartner ter ondersteuning van door export geleide economische groei

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.

Onderwijs transformeren door middel van virtual reality en games wint hoofdprijs bij 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.

Caribische vrouwelijke ondernemers exporteren klaar!

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. 

Caribische export blijft handel ondersteunen

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.

De tijd om te investeren in BPO in het Caribisch gebied is nu!

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.

Caraïbische mode versnellen

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.

CARIFORUM-bedrijven kunnen opnieuw een voorsprong krijgen met een directe bijstandsbeurs

The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) in cooperation with the European Union is accepting proposals from CARIFORUM firms for grants of up to €30,000 the equivalent of approximately $33,000 USD, under their 2nd Call for Proposals for the DIRECT ASSISTANCE GRANT SCHEME (DAGS).   

In the 2018 1st Call for Proposals over €2.1M was awarded to fifty-three (53) CARIFORUM firms that successfully applied for a grant.  Businesses from a range of sectors including agro-processing, manufacturing, tourism, services, wood products, renewable energy, film and tv production, information technology and alcoholic beverages were awarded grants.

“We were encouraged to see the diversity of proposals from companies looking for a grant” shared Damie Sinanan – Manager, Competitiveness and Export Promotion at Caribbean Export.  “This time we have reduced the maximum value of the grants available in an effort to provide more grants to firms and make it more accessible” he continued.

The DAGS is a reimbursement grant funding facility which requires firms to fund their projects upfront and be reimbursed at their completion.  The fund was specifically designed to provide much needed financial assistance to legally registered CARIFORUM firms and individuals that are exporting or have the potential to export their products and services. 

This latest Call for Proposals is open until June 11, 2019 and interested companies are asked to visit the Caribbean Export website at www.carib-export.com for further information.

Workshop over het verbeteren van het bedrijfsklimaat door de procedures voor het starten van een bedrijf in het Caribisch gebied te versterken

Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export), in partnership with the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Caribbean Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (CAIPA), has set its sight on improving the business climate in the Caribbean with a focus on strengthening the procedures to start a business in the Region.

The Agencies convened a two-day workshop at the Radisson Aquatica Hotel in Barbados from 9-10th April 2019, to discuss the region’s business climate.

“Our focus will be 3-fold,” notes Suzette Hudson, Snr. Advisor of Investment promotion at Caribbean Export. “We want to assess the current procedures, cost and time to start a business in the Caribbean, guided by the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Report, review global best practices with a focus on Jamaica and finally, develop action plans or next steps for that will be implemented in the near-term.”

Jamaica ranks among the top 10 in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Report for Starting a Business. “It is hoped that in the future we can continue to work with CAIPA to tackle other hurdles that are negatively affecting or may negatively affect the attraction of investment into the Caribbean.”

Participating countries included: Antigua and Barbuda; the Bahamas; Barbados; Belize; Dominica; Grenada; Guyana; Jamaica; St. Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; St. Vincent and the Grenadines; and Trinidad and Tobago. From these countries 32 stakeholders, the investment promotion agencies, attorneys who assist foreign firms in incorporating their companies, registrars of companies and other private sector interested parties participated.

Commenting during the opening session, Ms. Evelyn Wayne, the Director of Economic Policy and Development, of the CARICOM Secretariat noted that “This initiative is directly aligned to the commitment to adopt a Community Investment Policy for CARICOM States, which, among other things, addresses the modernization of the role of public authorities, to improve investment facilitation procedures.”

“Creating an enabling environment to facilitate investment through regulatory reforms is critical for small States with limited ability to offer incentives for FDI attraction “noted, Ms. Opeyemi Abebe, Trade Advisor with the Commonwealth Secretariat. “At the Secretariat, we are committed to helping the developing and small member States of the Commonwealth address challenges faced in facilitating investment and building that capacity to implement some key interventions that Governments can execute to improve the business climate for attracting investment.” The Commonwealth Secretariat is the international donor, funding the execution of a study to develop action plans to strengthen the procedures to start a business in the Caribbean. The funding from the Secretariat also covered the hosting of the regional workshop.

Caribische animators leren, verdienen en tonen op KingstOOn 3

Caribbean animators had the opportunity to showcase their skills to an audience of local, regional and international players in the content and technology industry and access seed funding for their animated concepts thanks to the KingstOOn 3 Animation Festival which was held in Jamaica April 5 -7, 2019.

Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) supported the participation of three animators: Barbadian Joshua Clarke, Alain Bidard from Martinique and St. Lucian Tevin Loctar.

Alain Bidard of Martinique receives award for Best Caribbean Short Film “The Flight” from Jacqueline Lynch-Stewart, Chief Technical Director, Office of the Prime Minister, Jamaica

During the three – day event, attendees engaged with global industry leaders and were better able to understand the global animation pipeline, pre-qualified individuals were paired with potential content and Afro-descendant animated content from around the world was showcased. 

The KingstOOn3 Animation Conference and Afro-descendant Film Festival included expert animation panels and keynote presentations, workshops, a film festival and three animation competitions.  Alain Bidard, whose participation was supported by Caribbean Export won Best Caribbean Short Film with “The Flight” in the Emerging Animated Content Competition.  Also, of note was the Pitch Bootcamp and Competition which allowed four selected finalists, of five team members, to refine their pitching skills and concepts under the guidance of world-class experts in the animation industry and to be assessed by a panel of executives from major studios.

Caribbean Export in cooperation with the European Union via the 11th EDF Regional Private Sector Development Programme currently being implemented, remains committed to the development of the Caribbean animation community and was happy to collaborate with the organizers of the 3rd edition of the KingstOOn event to ensure that it was a resounding success. 

Caribbean Creative Practitioners worden voorbereid om toegang te krijgen tot exportmogelijkheden naar de Europese Unie

Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) in cooperation with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ) and T&T Coalition of services Industries hosted a Cultural and Creative Industries Workshop in Trinidad and Tobago.

The event which occurred from March 27th – 28th, 2019 empowered Caribbean creative practitioners with the much-needed information to build their export capacity.

Allyson Francis, Services Specialist of the Caribbean Export noted that not only are the cultural and creative industries a priority sector for regional governments but also for Caribbean Export which will focus on the fashion, music, animation and film sectors during 2019. She further stated that ‘…helping cultural practitioners to gain a better understanding of the opportunities under the EPA and … to facilitate an increasing number of services trading with Europe through the Agreement.’ was extremely important.

The cultural and creative industry globally generates more than US 2.2 billion in revenues and employs more than 29 million people. During the economic downturn which started in 2008, global exports of creative goods and services grew annually by 14%, while international trade decreased by 12%. The growth in this sector presents a tremendous opportunity for Caribbean professionals who are now more equipped, due to the two-day Workshop, to take advantage of this development engine.

The workshop discussed opportunities under the EPA and presented an in-depth approach to critical topics such as quality and standards, pricing strategy, intellectual property rights, marketing and branding and creating unique value propositions.

Seventy (70) creative professionals, in the music, fashion and animation sectors, from the region, welcomed the critical technical and practical information provided, fully aware that it would be essential in assisting them in bridging the gap to take full advantage of their export potential, particularly in the European market.

To ensure the success and longevity of this initiative Caribbean Export will engage the respective Coalition of Services Industries to follow-up and provide support to the participants.

This site is registered on wpml.org as a development site. Switch to a production site key to remove this banner.