Opportunities

Institution: Inter-American Development Bank
Country: IDB Caribbean Countries: Belize, Bahamas, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago
Project: The Caribbean Digital Transformation Institute
Sector: Private Firms and SME Development
Abstract: The consulting services aim to advance digital technology adoption among Caribbean MSMEs in sectors such as tourism, agro-processing, and manufacturing, by designing tailored digital adoption and innovation policies and strategies. This initiative, with an implementation period of six months, includes assessing digital maturity, identifying gaps in digital skills, and analyzing barriers to technology adoption. The consultancy will engage with Business Support Organizations, provide customized country recommendations, and develop a roadmap with specific action steps and performance indicators. Additionally, the consultancy will compile a database of regional digital service providers to support the establishment of a two-sided marketplace, further promoting digital transformation within the region.
Grant No.: ATN/OC-19079-RG
TC No.: RG-T3992
Deadline: 23rd November 2024

The Caribbean Export Development Agency has received financing from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), toward the cost of The Caribbean Digital Transformation Institute and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.

The consulting services (“the Services”) include conducting a comprehensive assessment of digital technology adoption needs for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Caribbean, particularly in tourism, agro-processing, and manufacturing sectors. This involves analyzing digital maturity and identifying gaps in digital skills using tools like the Digital Check-up Tool, along with surveying barriers that hinder technology adoption. Additionally, the services encompass engaging with Business Support Organizations (BSOs) and local representatives to align with country-specific contexts, designing tailored policies and strategies to support digital integration, and developing an implementation roadmap with clear timelines, responsibilities, and performance indicators. The final deliverables include a detailed report with best practice recommendations and a dissemination plan, alongside a classified list of digital service providers in the region to support a digital marketplace framework. The implementation period for these services is six months.

The Caribbean Export Development Agency now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. Please view the terms of reference below.

The shortlist shall comprise five to eight firms with a wide geographical spread.

Consultants will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out in the Inter-American Development Bank: Policies for the Selection and Contracting of Consultants financed by the Inter-American Development Bank GN-2350-15 and is open to all eligible bidders as defined in the policies.

Consultants may associate with other firms in the form of a joint venture or a sub-consultancy to enhance their qualifications. For the purpose of establishing the short list, the nationality of a firm is that of the country in which it is legally incorporated or constituted and in the case of a Joint Venture, the nationality of the firm appointed to represent it.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Selection Based on the Consultants’ Qualifications (CQS) method set out in the Consultant Policies.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by fax, or by e-mail) by 23rd November 2024.

Jonathan Seecharan
Attn: Innovation and Digital Business Officer
1st Floor Baobab Tower Highway 2 Warrens St. Michael
BB22026
Bridgetown
Barbados
Tel: +1(246) 436-0578
Fax: +1(246) 436-9999
E-mail: jseecharan@carib-export.com

• EU-LAC Digital Accelerator’s Digital Connectors offers expert support to Dominican companies in their digital transformation through open innovation.
• Participating companies will gain access to business opportunities with innovation ecosystems in Europe and Latin America.
• The program’s activities will guide Dominican companies to apply for in-kind services from EU-LAC Digital Accelerator valued at €40,000.

EU-LAC Digital Accelerator introduces its new innovation program, DIGITAL CONNECTORS, in the Dominican Republic. This program is designed to drive open innovation in Dominican companies, providing expert support in identifying digitalization challenges and generating business opportunities by connecting them with innovation ecosystems in Europe and Latin America.

Innovation Week, driven by Digital Connectors, will take place from Monday, October 28 to Friday, November 1, aiming to facilitate connections between the corporate needs of Dominican companies and the innovative talent of startups from Latin America and Europe. This internationalization of the Dominican business ecosystem will create a positive impact both in the country and the region, transforming the innovation landscape and generating key development opportunities.

Highlighted activities of the Digital Connectors program include workshops and specialized support designed for companies to outline their digital challenges and explore innovative solutions to optimize their processes, improve their competitiveness, and advance their digital transformation. The identified challenges will focus on specific company problems and will be addressed using the latest trends and emerging technologies.

• Monday, October 28: Business Opportunities in Europe and Latin America – In-person workshop for the ICT sector and startups from the Dominican Republic.
• Tuesday, October 29: Boost Open Innovation and Solve Digital Challenges – In-person workshop for corporations in the Dominican Republic.
• Wednesday, October 30, Thursday, October 31, and Friday, November 1: Meetings with innovation agents and interviews with startups and corporations to outline their roadmap.

Through the Digital Connectors program, participating Dominican companies will receive the necessary support to apply for in-kind acceleration services valued at up to €40,000, tailored to their needs. These services, provided by experts from EU-LAC Digital Accelerator, include a personalized acceleration roadmap, the design and implementation of a proof of concept, validation of their business model, and assessment of their readiness for growth and subsequent investment.

About EU-LAC Digital Accelerator

EU-LAC Digital Accelerator is a project funded by the European Union and the Global Gateway initiative under the EU-LAC Digital Alliance. With a five-year duration, it focuses on fostering collaboration among multiple stakeholders and the private sector, competitiveness, digital skills, and innovation through the establishment of the EU-LAC Digital Accelerator. TECNALIA leads the initiative, involving key international figures in entrepreneurship and innovation from Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean, such as IESE Business School, WAYRA Hispam, European Business and Innovation Centre Network (EBN), European Business Angels Network (EBAN), Expertise France, OCTANTIS, Inter-American Development Bank BID-Lab, TECNALIA-Colombia, and Caribbean Export Development Agency.

Disclaimer

Funded by the European Union. However, the views and opinions expressed are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Neighborhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI-Global Europe). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) is seeking consultancy services to update and digitize the ProNET training program. This initiative aims to enhance the capacity and competitiveness of private sector SMEs in the CARIFORUM region by aligning the training modules with current global trends and emerging business needs.

Objective: The consultancy aims to:

• Review and enhance the existing ProNET course modules.
• Strengthen private sector competitiveness by updating course content.
• Develop new training modules addressing innovation, business model development, e-commerce, and other emerging areas.
• Digitize the ProNET training program for the Caribbean Export’s eLearning platform, powered by Velsoft.

Requirements

This consultancy requires the following qualifications and experience:

• A post-graduate degree in International Trade, International Business, Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience developing training curricula, including workshops, presentations, and training exercises.
• Demonstrated strengths and experience in developing the capacity of SMEs, preferably in the context of island nations.
• Prior work experience in the Caribbean region, especially with SMEs is required.
• Demonstrated experience in digitizing content, developing online learning modules, and utilizing digital platforms to enhance training delivery and engagement, including experience with virtual workshops, e-learning tools, and digital resource creation.
• Fluent in English, however ability to speak Spanish, French and/or Dutch would be an asset.

Submission

To apply, please download the full Terms of Reference (TOR) and submit the required documentation, including;

• Technical proposal/concept design for the delivery of services.
• Financial proposal in Euro to meet the scope of works.
• Applicant Declaration Form.

Documentation should be submitted to pronet@carib-export.com  with a copy to Mrs. Natasha Edwin-Walcott at nwalcott@carib-export.com  no later than 4:30 pm AST on October 11, 2024.

With support from the Global Gateway Regional Private Sector Development Programme III (RPSDP), the Caribbean Export Development Agency is initiating efforts to enhance the market entry of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in CARIFORUM countries into the European Union (EU). The CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), signed in 2008, aims to boost trade and investment between CARIFORUM states and the EU, but CARIFORUM’s exports to the EU have been marginal. This initiative aims to address the technical and regulatory challenges faced by SMEs in the Caribbean.

The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) leads private sector development programmes across the Caribbean through innovative, targeted initiatives designed to increase Caribbean business growth, sustainability, and job creation.

The Capacity Building Programme on Standards and Certification for SMEs aims to enhance the global competitiveness of Caribbean SMEs by equipping them with the necessary certifications and technical knowledge required to access and succeed in the EU market.

Objective

The overall objective of this initiative is to enhance the global competitiveness of Caribbean SMEs by equipping them with the necessary certifications and technical knowledge required to access and succeed in the EU market. This objective is pursued through a collaborative effort between Caribbean Export, CROSQ, and National Standards Bureaus. The programme focuses on several key areas:

• Phase 1: Capacity Building Workshops: Design and deliver workshops to raise awareness among SMEs about the importance of international standards and certifications.
• Phase 2: Technical Assistance Program: Provide targeted technical assistance to SMEs, helping them achieve the necessary certifications and comply with EU market requirements. Create action plans addressing their specific challenges in obtaining certification.

Requirements

This consultancy requires the services of a key expert with the following qualifications and experience:

• A postgraduate degree in at least one of the following relevant fields of study: trade policy, engineering or natural sciences.
• At least five (7) years’ experience in the field of Quality infrastructure.
• Knowledge of relevant international standards including; ISO standards as well as voluntary sustainability standards.
• Demonstrated knowledge of EU market access requirements, including technical barriers to trade, labelling and packaging regulations/requirements for market access.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the CARIFORUM‐ EU Economic Partnership Agreement.
• Demonstrated experience working in the Caribbean and with CARIFORUM SMEs
• A minimum of five (5) years’ experience in delivering professional training to SMEs.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Excellent command of written and spoken English.
• Excellent technical and report‐writing skills.

Submission

To apply, please download the full Terms of Reference (TOR) and submit the required documentation, including:

• Technical Proposal/Concept Design
• Financial Proposal in EURO
• Applicant Declaration Form

Submit these documents to Ms. Mikaela Stoute, Export Development and Promotion Officer, at mstoute@carib-export.com , copied to Mrs. Natasha Edwin-Walcott, Manager (Ag), Competitiveness and Export Promotion, at nwalcott@carib-export.com.

The submission deadline is 4:00 pm AST on September 30, 2024.

Background

With support from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Caribbean Export Development Agency is initiating efforts to support the digital transformation of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Caribbean. The IDB, established in 1959, is the principal source of financing for economic, social, and institutional development in Latin America and the Caribbean, offering a comprehensive suite of services, including loans, grants, guarantees, policy advice, and technical assistance.

The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) leads private sector development programmes across the Caribbean through the provision of innovative, targeted initiatives designed to increase Caribbean business growth, sustainability and job creation.

The initiative aims to enhance the resilience and competitiveness of Caribbean MSMEs, in the post-COVID digital economy. By leveraging its expertise and extensive network, Caribbean Export is committed to ensuring that the objectives are achieved, thereby fostering sustainable digital transformation across the Caribbean.

Objective

The overall objective of this initiative is to enhance the resilience and competitiveness of Caribbean MSMEs in the post-COVID digital economy by facilitating comprehensive digital transformation. This objective is pursued through a collaborative effort between Caribbean Export and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). The initiative focuses on several key areas:

1. Policy Development for Digital Adoption: Crafting and implementing policies that facilitate digital adoption at the firm level, creating a supportive environment for transformation.
2. Supply-Side Enhancement: Expanding digital capacity-building offerings tailored to the Caribbean context, ensuring businesses have access to high-quality training and specialized IT consultants or resources required to support their digital transformation.
3. Skill Creation and Training: Addressing both advanced and basic digital skills to meet the private sector’s needs, thereby enhancing the workforce’s capability to utilize digital technologies effectively.
4. Digital-First Strategy: Encouraging a digital-first business approach, integrating digital technologies into core operations to enhance productivity and competitiveness.

Requirements

A team comprising of at least two qualified experts, with the following qualifications and
experience:

• A Postgraduate Degree in Social Sciences, Innovation and Entrepreneurship or a related field.
• A minimum of five (5) years’ experience in supporting private sector firms in the areas of digital business, e-commerce adoption, technology adoption, innovation or digitization.
• Strong project management skills – A certification in project management will be an asset.
• Knowledge of the various relevant regional trade agreements.
• Experience working with enterprises and with national trade promotion organizations and/or other business support organizations.
• Experience and a track record in resource mobilization.
• Proven relationship management skills.
• Fluent in English.
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office programmes especially Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Project and Microsoft PowerPoint.

Submission

To apply, please download the full Terms of Reference (TOR) and submit the required documentation, including the:

• Technical Proposal
• Financial Proposal
• Applicant Declaration Form

Submit these documents to Christopher Richards, Consultant, at crichards@carib-export.com, copied to Natasha Edwin Walcott, Manager (Ag), Competitiveness and Export Promotion, at nwalcott@carib-export.com .

The submission deadline is 4:30 pm AST on September 20, 2024.

• EU-LAC Digital Connectors Digital Accelerator will offer expert support to Dominican companies in their digitization through open innovation.
• Participating companies will be able to access business opportunities with innovation ecosystems in Europe and Latin America.
• Program activities will guide Dominican companies to apply for EU-LAC Digital Accelerator in-kind services valued at €40,000.

EU-LAC Digital Accelerator presents its new innovation program, Digital Connectors, in the Dominican Republic. This program is designed to promote Open Innovation in Dominican companies, offering expert support both in the identification of digitalization challenges and in the generation of business opportunities, connecting them with innovation ecosystems in Europe and Latin America.

Through the Digital Connectors program, participating Dominican companies will receive the necessary support to apply for in-kind acceleration services valued at up to €40,000, tailored to their needs. These services, provided by EU-LAC Digital Accelerator experts, include a customized acceleration roadmap, design and implementation of a proof of concept, validation of your business model and assessment of your readiness for growth and subsequent investment.

Among the highlights of the Digital Connectors program are workshops and specialized support, designed to enable companies to outline their digital challenges and explore innovative solutions that optimize their processes, improve their competitiveness and enable them to advance in their digital transformation. The challenges identified will focus on specific business problems and will be addressed by leveraging the latest trends and emerging technologies.

The Digital Connectors program will take place during the week of Monday, October 14 through Friday, October 18, with the objective of facilitating connections between the corporate needs of Dominican companies and the innovative talent of Latin American and European startups. This internationalization of the Dominican entrepreneurial ecosystem will generate a positive impact on both the country and the region, transforming the innovation landscape and generating key development opportunities.

Companies interested in participating can register until Wednesday, September 18 through the form available on the EU-LAC Digital Accelerator website dedicated to the program : https://eulacdigitalaccelerator.com/digital-connectors/

About EU-LAC Digital Accelerator

EU-LAC Digital Accelerator is a project funded by the European Union and the Global Gateway initiative in the framework of the EU-LAC Digital Alliance. With a five-year duration, it focuses on fostering multi-stakeholder and private sector collaboration, competitiveness, digital skills and innovation through the establishment of the EU-LAC Digital Accelerator. TECNALIA leads the initiative and counts with the participation of important international references in entrepreneurship and innovation in Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, such as IESE Business School, WAYRA Hispam, European Business and Innovation Centre Network (EBN), European Business Angels Network (EBAN), Expertise France, OCTANTIS, Inter-American Development Bank IDB-Lab, TECNALIA-Colombia and Caribbean Export Development Agency.

Disclaimer

Financed by the European Union. However, the views and opinions expressed are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Neighborhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI-Europe Global). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

The Government of Belize has received eight million US Dollars (US $8M) in loan financing from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) for the implementation of the Project – Trade and Investment Facilitation Program in Belize (TIFP). The Trade and Investment Facilitation Program is a response to the low investment flows and limited international trade competitiveness faced by Belize. The general objective of the program is to promote Belize´s foreign direct investment and trade performance.

Qualified Consultants should submit one (1) signed pdf application in English, using the required template via e-mail to tjoseph.ceu@med.gov.bz indicating in the subject – “Consultancy Service for the Design of the SPD– BL-L1040”.

The Deadline for submission is no later than August 16, 2024, by 10:00 a.m. Local Belize Time. No late submissions will be accepted.

• EU-LAC Digital Accelerator’s Open Call supports Digital Business Partnerships, with a specific focus on Cleantech and Smart Production areas.
• EU-LAC Partnerships must include one corporate and one startup from the following regions: European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Selected candidates will receive the accelerator’s in-kind services, valued at up to €30,000, or €40,000 if a Caribbean partner is involved.

EU-LAC Digital Accelerator continues supporting cross-regional partnerships between Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean to develop digital businesses. The accelerator launches the second Open Call for EU-LAC Partnerships focused on Clean Technologies, running in parallel with the first opportunity area in Smart Production. Selected candidates will receive in-kind acceleration services valued at up to €30,000, or €40,000 if a Caribbean partner is involved. These services that the program provides to the partnerships are detailed in a Catalogue and include a customised acceleration roadmap, design and implementation of a proof-of-concept, validation of its business model, and assessment of its investment and scaling readiness.

In this second Open Call, EU-LAC Digital Accelerator will accelerate EU-LAC Partnerships involving a corporate facing a digital challenge, mainly focused on Cleantech and/or Smart Production area and a startup or innovative SME providing a digital solution from a different region. The accelerator’s experts will support these partnerships until they reach an investment-ready stage.

Supporting corporates and startups to build Digital Business Partnerships

EU-LAC Digital Accelerator’s Open Call is an opportunity for corporates and startups looking to expand internationally by developing business collaborations. To facilitate business connections and generate eligible EU-LAC Partnerships of corporates and startups – following an open innovation approach – the accelerator offers a Matching Platform accessible on its website. By now, this platform gathers a community of over 1,000 stakeholders, including corporates, startups, SMEs, business organisations, accelerators, and public bodies across Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

To participate in the second Open Call, corporates willing to transform their products, processes, and services can register on the platform and start sharing their digital challenges, preferably on Cleantech and Smart Production areas. In turn, startups and SMEs with digital innovations can create their profile and match their value proposition with the corporate challenge. Once these connections are established and meet the criteria, the generated EU-LAC Partnership can apply for the Open Call and, if selected, embark on an open innovation journey with EU-LAC Digital Accelerator.

The accelerator also encourages EU-LAC Partnerships that are already collaborating to apply for the Open Call if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Open call: How to apply?

To qualify for the EU-LAC Partnership acceleration services, such a partnership must consist of at least one corporate and one innovative startup or SME, both from different eligible regions (European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean). To demonstrate their partnership, the partners must have signed a formal agreement.

Interested EU-LAC Partnerships can submit their application form via the ‘Open Call’ website, where they will find the Guidelines for Applicants with all the necessary documentation.

For more information, contact the EU-LAC Digital Accelerator team member Tonya Cummins.

Disclaimer

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Neighborhood, Development & International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI-Global Europe). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

Caribbean Export is inviting to submit proposals for the Construction and Design Services for an exhibitor booth at the SIAL Paris Trade Show 2024, scheduled to take place at the Parc des Expositions de Paris-Nord Villepinte, Paris, France, from October 19-23, 2024. This initiative is being undertaken in collaboration with the European Union’s Global Gateway Regional Private Sector Development Programme III (RPSDP).

The goal of this project is to provide a pavilion for CARIFORUM agro-processors to exhibit their products under the Absolutely Caribbean brand. The pavilion will occupy 90 sqm of floor space and accommodate nine (9) exhibitors. The aim is to increase the market share and accessibility of Caribbean products in European markets, engaging in B2B meetings, and securing contracts.

Interested parties are required to design and construct a pavilion reflecting a Caribbean theme and the Absolutely Caribbean brand, complete with branded walls, lighting fixtures, individual display units, a lounge area, secure storage, a small kitchen space, and TV screens. All materials must be sourced, transported, and the booth dismantled post-show.

To participate, download the full terms of reference (TOR) and submit the required documentation, including a technical and financial proposal, to Natasha Edwin Walcott, Senior Advisor Competitiveness and Export Promotion at nwalcott@carib-export.com and copied to sialparis2024@carib-export.com, by 4:30 pm AST on July 19, 2024.

Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) is seeking a consultancy for the final review of its 2021-2024 Strategic Plan. This review will assess the agency’s effectiveness in achieving its goals and objectives, and will provide recommendations for future strategic direction.

The main objective of this consultancy is to conduct a comprehensive final review of Caribbean Export’s 2021-2024 Strategic Plan, assessing achievements, challenges, and lessons learned. The plan, themed ‘Building Business, Transforming Lives, for a Resilient Caribbean’, aimed to address key challenges and opportunities facing the Caribbean, including the impacts of global economic trends, climate change, and the need for diversification and innovation.

The consultancy will involve a mixed-method approach, combining desk research, quantitative analysis, qualitative assessments, and stakeholder consultations. The consultant will evaluate the extent to which the strategic plan’s objectives were achieved, identify key challenges, assess monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, and document best practices and lessons learned.

Those interested should download the full terms of reference (TOR) and submit the required documentation as outlined in the TOR to proposals@carib-export.com, no later than 4:30 pm AST on June 06, 2024.

Caribbean Export invites businesses to apply to participate in the Caribbean Investment Forum’s Investment Villages and Expo. The Forum will be held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre from July 10-12, 2024.

Key Benefits:

• Strategic Exposure: Position your company at the leading investment forum in the region.
• Networking & Collaboration: Connect with potential partners to explore new business opportunities in Guyana and the wider Caribbean Region.
• Market Access: Engage with key business leaders from across the Caribbean for market entry opportunities.

Booth Package

• One (1) 10 x 10 feet prefabricated booth inclusive of One (1) electrical outlet
• Three (3) booth walls. Dimensions: 126″ x 102″ inches (per panel left, right and back)
• Header Board Dimensions: 120″ x 12″ inches
• One (1) Table and Two (2) Chairs
• One (1) Complementary CIF2024 Ticket
• One (1) Social Media post.
• Full access to the CIF2024 Event App which includes business-to-business meeting functionality, discussion forums and activities updates.

Cost: USD 3,500

Apply no later than June 21st, 2024. The deadlline to submit artwork is June 29th, 2024.

Download the full exhibitor documentation below.