Opportunities

Convocatoria para una incubadora de emprendimientos: Desarrollo de las exportaciones y   oportunidades de merado en el sector de la artesanía  

**Contexto y propósito**

Esta convocatoria de solicitudes se lanza en el marco de Transcultura: Integrando a Cuba, el Caribe y la Unión Europea mediante la Cultura y la Creatividad, un Programa cuatrienal implementado por la Oficina Regional de Cultura para América Latina y el Caribe de la UNESCO, con el apoyo de la Unión Europea.

El propósito general del Programa es profundizar en la integración cultural en el Caribe y fortalecer la cooperación y el intercambio entre los pueblos de la región y con la Unión Europea.  En particular, el componente de Emprendimientos e Incubadoras tiene como objetivo fortalecer las capacidades para el desarrollo de nuevos proyectos culturales, el autoempleo y las actividades de puesta en marcha/ampliación. El desarrollo de proyectos innovadores y emprendedores apoyados por el Programa mejorará el acceso de los beneficiarios a nuevos conocimientos, mercados, modelos de gestión y fuentes de financiación.

En este contexto, la incubadora de emprendimientos: Desarrollo de las exportaciones y oportunidades de merado en el sector de la artesanía es una iniciativa de incubadora en línea que ofrece un marco innovador para el desarrollo de las exportaciones y el aumento de las oportunidades de mercado. A través de esta iniciativa, las ideas de proyectos creativos y escalables dentro del subsector de la artesanía en las Industrias Culturales y Creativas y en sus primeras etapas de generación, podrán fortalecer sus competencias para la promoción de las exportaciones, las nuevas oportunidades de entrada en el mercado y la creación de redes regionales.

Durante este programa de seis semanas, desde agosto de 2023 hasta principios de septiembre de 2023, los participantes se involucrarán en una variedad de actividades enriquecedoras diseñadas para mejorar las competencias empresariales de los Artesanos:

1. Curso de capacitación en línea sobre el emprendimiento:

Durante un período de seis semanas, los participantes se inscribirán en un curso integral en línea que abordará temas esenciales como:

• Ideación de productos y servicios,  
• Estrategias para la fijación de precios y la comercialización,
• Preparación para la exportación y entrada en nuevos territorios,
• Comercio electrónico,
• Creación de redes regionales e integración en el mercado,
• así como Técnicas de venta y recaudación de fondos.

El curso se impartirá en línea entre agosto y principios de septiembre de 2023, con una duración total de dieciocho (18) horas. Las actividades se impartirán todos los jueves, tres (3) horas cada día.

2. Asesoramiento personalizado en línea con expertos profesionales del mundo empresarial:

Los participantes tendrán la inestimable oportunidad de recibir la orientación personalizada de profesionales empresariales experimentados. A cada participante se le asignará un mentor especializado, que le proporcionará un asesoramiento experto y un apoyo centrado en sus necesidades específicas durante un periodo de dos semanas.

3. Online Trade Show Event:

Un aspecto destacado del programa será una dinámica expo comercial en línea de un día de duración. Durante este evento, los participantes dispondrán de una plataforma para mostrar sus nuevas ideas de productos y servicios a un público destinatario. Harán presentaciones que destaquen el valor y la singularidad de sus ofertas, al tiempo que explorarán las nuevas oportunidades de negocio que puedan surgir a partir del evento. Al participar en estas actividades, los participantes adquirirán valiosos conocimientos, recibirán orientación personalizada y tendrán la oportunidad de mostrar sus iniciativas emprendedoras a un público más amplio, lo que, a la larga, les permitirá sobresalir en sus proyectos empresariales.

La iniciativa de la incubadora está dirigida por la Agencia de Desarrollo de las Exportaciones del Caribe (CEDA, según sus siglas en inglés). La Agencia promueve el comercio y la inversión en la región del Caribe y apoya al sector privado. Se centra en aumentar las exportaciones, atraer inversiones y crear empleo para lograr los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible. Creada en 1996, Exportaciones del Caribe ayuda a las empresas a expandirse a escala nacional, regional e internacional mejorando su capacidad y competitividad. La Agencia prioriza esferas como el comercio electrónico, la digitalización, la energía verde y la transición a una economía verde y azul. Además, apoya a los proveedores de servicios no turísticos y a las industrias creativas a fin de promover el espíritu emprendedor y aprovechar las oportunidades.

**Quién puede presentar su solicitud**

Para ser tenidos en cuenta para la incubadora de emprendimientos de UNESCO Transcultura, los solicitantes deben cumplir los siguientes requisitos:

1. Edad: Los solicitantes deben tener entre 18 y 35 años.

2.Alcance geográfico: Los solicitantes deben ser ciudadanos y residentes permanentes de cualquiera de los siguientes 17 países del Caribe dentro del alcance geográfico del Programa Transcultura: Antigua y Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belice, Cuba, Dominica, Granada, Guyana, Haití, Jamaica, Montserrat, República Dominicana, Saint Kitts y Nevis, Santa Lucía, San Vicente y las Granadinas, Suriname o Trinidad y Tobago.

3. Requisitos profesionales: jóvenes emprendedores con una iniciativa / proyecto empresarial en fase inicial dentro del ámbito artesanal del sector cultural y creativo.

De esta convocatoria se seleccionarán treinta y cuatro (34) participantes. Las actividades de incubación se dividirán en grupos por idiomas: inglés, español y francés.

**Proceso de solicitud**

Los solicitantes deben presentar su solicitud a través de este modelo de solicitud en línea

para proporcionar datos personales, e información sobre su empresa y/o iniciativa/proyecto empresarial artesanal

En el momento de presentar la solicitud, se pedirá también a los candidatos que presenten los siguientes documentos acreditativos:

1. Portfolio con evidencia de trabajos relacionados con el ámbito artesanal dentro del sector de la cultura y las industrias creativas.
2. Copia digital de su carné de identidad o pasaporte.

La fecha límite para presentar las solicitudes es el 31 de julio de 2023, a las 18:00 hora de París (UTC +2h)

**Proceso de selección **

• Una vez recibidas todas las solicitudes, serán sometidas a un riguroso proceso de selección.
• Un Comité de Selección, compuesto por profesionales experimentados de la Agencia de Desarrollo de las Exportaciones del Caribe y miembros del equipo de UNESCO Transcultura, seleccionará un máximo de treinta y cuatro (34) jóvenes emprendedores caribeños, en función de su trayectoria e iniciativa/proyecto empresarial.

Los candidatos seleccionados serán notificados a más tardar el 18 de agosto de 2023.

Sírvase tener en cuenta que:

• Sólo se tomarán en consideración las solicitudes totalmente cumplimentadas y se evaluará su idoneidad.
• Una vez recibidas todas las solicitudes, el Comité podría solicitar información adicional. Se invita a los solicitantes a revisar regularmente sus bandejas de entrada, incluidas las de SPAM.
• El Programa Transcultura de la UNESCO se reserva el derecho de utilizar la información de los solicitantes con el fin exclusivo de la implementación de la iniciativa, y preservando la confidencialidad.

¡Se alienta a todos los jóvenes emprendedores caribeños apasionados del sector de la artesanía a que aprovechen esta oportunidad de desarrollo personal y profesional!

For any inquiries related to this activity, please contact Remorno Hamilton – Competitiveness and Export Promotion consultant rhamilton@carib-export.com copying dsinanan@carib-export.com.

Call for an Entrepreneurship incubator: Export development and market opportunities in the handcraft sector.

**Context and purpose**

This call for applications is launched in the framework of Transcultura: Integrating Cuba, the Caribbean and the European Union through Culture and Creativity, a four-year Programme implemented by the UNESCO Regional Office for Culture in Latin America and the Caribbean with the support of the European Union.

 The overall purpose of the Programme is to deepen cultural integration in the Caribbean and to strengthen people-to-people cooperation and exchange within the region and with the European Union.  In particular, the Entrepreneurship and Incubator component aims to strengthen capacities for the development of new cultural projects, self-employment and start-up/scale-up activities. The innovative and entrepreneurial project development supported by the Programme will improve beneficiaries’ access to new knowledge, markets, management models and sources of funding.

In this context, the entrepreneurship incubator: Export development and market opportunities in the handcraft sector is an online incubator initiative which offers innovative framework for export development and increasing market opportunities. Through this initiative, creative and scalable project ideas within the handcraft sub-sector of the Cultural and Creative Industries and in their early stages of generation, will be able to strengthen their export promotion skills, new market entry opportunities and regional network building.

During this six-week program, from August 2023 to early September 2023, participants will engage in a variety of enriching activities designed to enhance Artisans entrepreneurial skills:

1. Online Entrepreneurship Capacity Building Course:

Over a period of six weeks, participants will enroll in a comprehensive online course covering essential topics such as:

• Product and services ideation,
• Pricing and marketing strategies,
• Export readiness and market entry into new territories,
• E-commerce,
• Regional networking and market integration,
• as well as pitching and fundraising techniques.

The course will be delivered online between August and early September 2023, with a total duration of eighteen (18) hours. Activities will be delivered every Thursday, three (3) hours each day.

2. One-on-One Online Mentoring with Expert Business Professionals:

Participants will have the invaluable opportunity to receive personalized guidance from experienced business professionals. Each participant will be paired with a dedicated mentor, who will provide expert advice and support tailored to their specific needs over a designated two-week period.

3. Online Trade Expo Event:

A highlight of the program will be a dynamic one-day online trade expo event. During this event, participants will have the platform to showcase their scaled-up product and service ideas to a targeted audience. They will deliver presentations that highlight the value and uniqueness of their offerings while also exploring potential new business opportunities that may arise from the event. By engaging in these activities, participants will gain valuable knowledge, receive personalized guidance, and will have the opportunity to showcase their entrepreneurial endeavors to a wider audience, ultimately empowering them to excel in their business ventures.

The incubator initiative is led by the Caribbean Export Development Agency (CEDA). Caribbean Export promotes trade and investment in the Caribbean region and supports the private sector. Caribbean Export focuses on increasing exports, attracting investment and creating jobs to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Established in 1996, Caribbean Export helps businesses expand nationally, regionally and internationally by enhancing their capacity and competitiveness. Caribbean Export prioritises areas such as e-commerce, digitalisation, green energy and the transition to a green and blue economy. In addition, Caribbean Export supports non-tourism service providers and the creative industries to promote entrepreneurship and capitalise on opportunities.

**Who can apply**

To be considered for the UNESCO Transcultura entrepreneurship incubator, applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Age: Applicants must be between 18 and 35 years old.

2. Geographical scope: Applicants must be citizens and permanent residents of any of the following 17 Caribbean countries within the Transcultura Programme’s geographical scope: Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Monserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname or Trinidad and Tobago.

3. Professional requirements: young entrepreneurs with an early-stage business initiative /project within the handcraft field of the cultural and creative sector.

Thirty-four (34) participants will be selected from this call. Incubation activities will be broken down in groups by language: English, Spanish and French.

**Application Process**

Applicants should apply through this online application form to provide personal data, and information on their handcraft business and / or entrepreneurship initiative / project.

At the time of application, candidates will also be asked to provide the following supporting documents:

1. Portfolio with evidence of work related to the handcraft field within the culture and creative industries sector.
2. Digital copy of your ID or passport.

The deadline for submitting the applications is 31 July 2023, at 23:59 Paris time (UTC +2h)

**Selection Process **

• Once all the applications are received, they will be subject to a rigorous selection process.
• A Selection Committee, comprised of experienced professionals from Caribbean Export and members of the UNESCO Transcultura team, will select a maximum of thirty-four (34) young Caribbean entrepreneurs, based on their background and business initiative/project.

Successful applicants will be notified no later than 18 August 2023.

Please note that:

• Only fully completed applications will be considered and evaluated for suitability.
• Once all the applications are received, the Committee might request additional information. Applicants are invited to check their inboxes regularly, including SPAM boxes.
• The UNESCO Transcultura Programme reserves the right to use the applicants´ information for the exclusive purpose of the implementation of the initiative and preserving confidentiality.

All passionate young Caribbean entrepreneurs within the handcraft sector are encouraged to seize this opportunity for personal and professional growth!

Description of Intervention

Since its inception, the primary source of funding for Caribbean Export has been the European Development Fund (EDF) provided by European Union (EU) to African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states. Over the years, the Agency has mobilized small amounts of funding support from development partners, such as the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the Commonwealth Secretariat, the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ), among others. However, the current funding streams are not sufficient to adequately address the development challenges facing the region across the three strategic pillars identified in Caribbean Export’s 2021-2024 Strategic Plan (https://strategicplan.carib-export.com/).

Moreover, there has been a major shift in donor funding. Donors are transitioning from countries with improved macro income levels and are earmarking their support to programmatic areas that are aligned with their national priorities for development aid and/or to facilitate accountability. Caribbean Export is affected by these trends and will need to adopt a business model which utilizes a targeted and systematic funding mechanism; focuses on developing and maintaining private-sector partnerships, leveraging the expertise of the Agency, and building on a solid structure that effectively leverages resource mobilization. For this reason, it is important for Caribbean Export to develop and strengthen its capacities to identify and mobilize specific funding programmes from current development partners invested in the region and also harness the ability to ideate and grow private sector partnerships that allow for the sustainability of the Agency, and the projects and programmes that are implemented that support private sector development..

In this framework, the Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) requests the Business ACP Technical Assistance (TA) to strengthen Caribbean Export’s capacities to:

• Identify new engagement tools to identify and onboard new partners that enable Caribbean Export’s to implement programming within the region in consonance with its strategic objectives.
• Ideate and launch a tactical strategy and internal mechanism to grow resource mobilization initiatives from within Caribbean Export, thus ensuring sustainability of the Agency and the initiatives developed.
• Develop a value proposition and operational strategy that enables Caribbean Export to onboard private sector partners from within and outside the region to access funding to implement and/or augment trade/investment initiatives in the Caribbean region.

Objective

The general objective of the intervention is to contribute to the development of the private sector in the Caribbean region.

The specific objective of the intervention is to strengthen Caribbean Export’s capacities to mobilize resources and to ensure its sustainability and the implementation of key programmatic areas outlined in Caribbean Export’s 2021-2024 Strategic Plan (https://strategicplan.carib-export.com/ ). It is also expected that the intervention will contribute to building the capacities of the OACPS Regional Focal Points in the Caribbean Region to enable them implement key interventions that respond to the needs of the region at the time and have lasting effect in the continued development of the Caribbean.

Submissions

To apply, please submit a CV to Alicia Castillo at castillo@ibf.be with Charlotte Lyne in copy at lyne@ibf.be no later than July 21, 2023.

Relevant Background

The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) in collaboration with the Caribbean Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (CAIPA), the Caribbean Development Bank along with other stakeholders, hosted the inaugural Caribbean Investment Forum (CIF) in Trinidad and Tobago on 8-11 November 2022. The purpose of the CIF was to serve as an investment attraction platform, providing opportunities for delegates to make contacts, forge partnerships, deepen relationships and cooperate on various projects. The conference positioned the Caribbean as a prime destination for investment in areas leading to transformation and positive economic impact in the region. The CIF focused on four key sectors, namely, agriculture technology, green energy, transport and logistics and Information Communications Technology and digital business. A total of 535 persons from 46 countries representing 7 continents and regions attended the conference over the three days. A total of 452 persons, including 39 investors registered to participate in Business -to-Business meetings. From this number, 202 persons attended. Over the three days, 268 meetings were facilitated. A total of 23 projects were presented during the sessions that were well attended by qualified investors. 85% of survey respondents who attended the country pitches indicated that the sessions were useful in assisting them to discover new investment opportunities.

The hosting of the Forum aims to achieve the following goals:

• Generate investment into priority sectors in the Caribbean;
• Build partnerships with key business entities, that can be sustained over time;
• Promote the Caribbean as a place for investment;
• Showcase opportunities/areas for investment;
• Showcase successful investment in the Caribbean;
• Engage potential investors and financing institutions in discussing their interest and requirements for investing in the opportunities;
• Pitch specific ventures to specific investors;
• Raise the Caribbean’s profile in the global business community through the creation of links with media, journals, newsletters and key influencers and networks in that community ;
• Work towards attaining the sustainable development goals focused on eliminating poverty, hunger and increasing good health and well-being, decent work, and economic growth; and
• Forging strategic partnerships within the investment community.

The agency is now focused on working with regional Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) to follow up on the leads acquired as well as the convening of the second Caribbean Investment Forum scheduled for October 23-25, 2023, at the Atlantis Paradise Island in The Bahamas.

Objective

The general objective of this assignment is the development of packaged investment projects for the Investment Promotion Agencies of the beneficiary countries in the target sectors of renewable energy, agri-business and technology, transport and logistics and ICT/Digitalization of Business. Furthermore, the provision of investment facilitation support towards presenting the projects to qualified leads from the CIF in Trinidad and Tobago as well as the upcoming CIF 2023.

Required Documentation

The Applicant must submit technical and financial proposals in USD, together with the completed Applicant Declaration Form and the required forms noted in the RFP, to Ms. Tonya Cummins, Advisor- Investment Promotion at tcummins@carib-export.com with a copy to Dr. Damie Sinanan, Manager, Competitiveness and Export Promotion at dsinanan@carib-export.com no later than 4:30 pm AST on July 14, 2023.

1. RELEVANT BACKGROUND

The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) in collaboration with the Government of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, the CARICOM Secretariat along with other stakeholders, will be hosting the 2nd annual Caribbean Investment Forum (CIF) in The Bahamas in October 2023.

The hosting of the Forum will serve to:

• Generate investment into priority sectors in the Caribbean;
• Build partnerships with key business entities, that can be sustained over time;
• Promote the Caribbean as a place for investment; Showcase opportunities/areas for investment;
• Showcase successful investment in the Caribbean;
• Engage potential investors and financing institutions in discussing their interest and requirements for investing in the opportunities;
• Pitch specific ventures to specific investors;
• Increase the Caribbean’s insertion into the global business community through the creation of links with journals, newsletters and key influencers and networks in that society; and
• Work towards attaining the sustainable development goals focused on no poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, decent work and economic growth, life on land and partnerships.

Much like the inaugural CIF, the 2023 edition will feature the presentation of bankable investment opportunities in projects and sectors that are a priority for the region as it seeks to boost its transition to a GREEN-er and SMART-er economy with green investments. The priority sectors for this event are agribusiness (with a focus on AgTech), the green economy, including renewable energy and logistics & distribution, IT enabled services and transportation. The aim is to build on the successes of the first event by continuing the dialogue on the value proposition of the region in the priority sectors as well as between investors and business persons in the Caribbean.

To support the successful execution of the project and to realise project goals of attracting investment into the Caribbean, an investor lead generation firm is being sought to identify and confirm the participation of potential investors.

2. OBJECTIVE, PURPOSE & EXPECTED RESULTS

2.1 Overall Objective
The general objective of this assignment is the hosting of an investment conference that seeks to showcase to investors investment opportunities available in the Caribbean. Moreover, as a premier platform for business-to-business engagements, this event seeks to secure long-term partnerships from global players that will assist in sustaining the investment promotion effort of Caribbean Export.

2.2 Specific Objectives
Specifically, this assignment seeks to retain the services of a Conference Platform firm to provide access to a web-based conference management platform that is customized to meet the needs of the Caribbean Investment Forum scheduled for the Bahamas in October 2023.

2.3 Purpose of consultancy and expected results
A conference management platform with the following minimum features for the Caribbean Investment Forum:

• Registration of minimum 600 attendees and related payment gateway that is globally recognized
• Host meeting agenda; speakers images and profiles
• Multiple language enablement (via closed-caption)
• Attendee directory with ability to build-out individual profiles
• Business match making, meeting scheduling and chat function
• Onsite registrant badge printing (including equipment rental)
• Download link to presentations and on-demand session viewing
• Poll and feedback survey
• Automated event reminders, prompts and push notifications
• Automated data management and event analytics
• Marketing and promotional opportunities (ability to receive display logos)
• Mobile friendly

3. Required Documentation

The Applicant must submit technical and financial proposals in EUROS, together with the completed Applicant Declaration Form   to Mrs. Natasha Edwin- Walcott, Senior Advisor – Competitiveness and Export Promotion at nwalcott@carib-export.com and copied to Dr. Damie Sinanan, Manager, Competitiveness and Export Promotion at dsinanan@carib-export.com no later than 4:30 pm AST on Friday June 16, 2023.

Relevant Background

The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) in collaboration with the Government of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, CARICOM along with other stakeholders, will be hosting the 2nd annual Caribbean Investment Forum (CIF) in The Bahamas in October 2023.

The hosting of the Forum will serve to:

• Generate investment into priority sectors in the Caribbean;
• Build partnerships with key business entities, that can be sustained over time;
• Promote the Caribbean as a place for investment;
• Showcase opportunities/areas for investment;
• Showcase successful investment in the Caribbean;
• Engage potential investors and financing institutions in discussing their interest and requirements for investing in the opportunities;
• Pitch specific ventures to specific investors;
• Increase the Caribbean’s insertion into the global business community through the creation of links with journals, newsletters and key influencers and networks in that society; and
• Work towards attaining the sustainable development goals focused on no poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, decent work and economic growth, life on land and partnerships.

Much like the inaugural CIF, the 2023 edition will feature the presentation of bankable investment opportunities in projects and sectors that are a priority for the region as it seeks to boost its transition to a GREEN-er and SMART-er economy with green investments. The priority sectors for this event are agribusiness (with a focus on AgTech), the green economy, including renewable energy and logistics & distribution, IT enabled services and transportation. The aim is to build on the successes of the first event by continuing the dialogue on the value proposition of the region in the priority sectors as well as between investors and business persons in the Caribbean.

To support the successful execution of the project and to realise project goals of attracting investment into the Caribbean, an investor lead generation firm is being sought to identify and confirm the participation of potential investors.

Overall Objective

The general objective of this assignment is the generation and confirmation of qualified investor leads and the scheduling of business meetings for the Caribbean Investment Forum in the Bahamas. This consultancy also seeks to secure long-term partnerships from global players that will assist in sustaining the investment promotion effort of Caribbean Export.

3. Requirements

3.1 Work Experience

• Demonstrated experience in generating investor leads, pre-qualifying investors and securing the participation of potential investors in meetings and events to discuss investment opportunities (Please provide evidence of at least 2 investor lead generation exercises executed in the past 3 years);
• Demonstrated experience in marketing and public relations, with a particular focus on location marketing and the use of social media to generate investor leads; and
• Experience working in or with the Caribbean and specifically the investment promotion agencies of the region would be an asset.

3.2 Required Documentation

The Applicant must submit technical and financial proposals in EUROS, together with the completed Applicant Declaration Form  to  Mrs. Natasha Edwin- Walcott, Senior Advisor – Competitiveness and Export Promotion at nwalcott@carib-export.com with a copy to Dr. Damie Sinanan, Manager, Competitiveness and Export Promotion at dsinanan@carib-export.com no later than 4:30 pm AST on Friday May 12, 2023.

The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) is implementing the “Trade and Private Sector Component” of the Haiti-Dominican Republic Binational Cooperation Program, under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) of the European Union. The Haiti-Dominican Republic Value Chain Project is a component of this programme and focuses on improving the quality of goods produced in both countries and the competitiveness of enterprises, with special attention to the Cocoa/Chocolate; Essential Oils/Cosmetics; and Handicraft/Fashion/Accessories/Jewellery value chain.

A total of twenty-five (25) businesses in Haiti and the DR were identified, to be part of the Value Chain Project and an individual strategy/a detailed Action Plan was prepared for each, to improve its quality and international competitiveness, including possible collaborations with other international institutions.

Now that the programme is coming to an end, Caribbean Export wishes to highlight participating firms on the Caribbean Export blog and social media channels to raise awareness around the programme and its results and impact.

Objective

The overall objective of the Consultancy is to contract the services of a creative content writer to develop engaging articles that feature Binational Programme beneficiaries for the Caribbean Export blog.

Scope of Work

1. A total of five (5) articles, 700-900 words each featuring the following beneficiaries:
   • CONACADO, Yamasá, Dominican Republic
   • Producciones PSI, Montenegro, Dominican Republic
   • Laboratorios MK, Santo Domingo Oeste, Dominican Republic
   • Laboratorios Capilo Español, Santo Domingo Oeste, Dominican Republic
   • Fatima Polanco Jewelry Designer, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
2. Photo Album with at least 15 high quality pictures (per feature/article).

Submission Deadline

All required documentation in article 8.3 ( full terms of reference) should be submitted by 4 p.m. AST, May 12th, 2023. All submissions should be sent to: Romily Thevenin at rthevenin@carib-export.com

1. Relevant Background

The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) in collaboration with the European Union, the Government of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, and the CARICOM Secretariat will be hosting the Caribbean Investment Forum (CIF) in The Bahamas in October 2023.

The hosting of the Forum will serve to:

• Generate investment into priority sectors in the Caribbean;
• Build partnerships with key business entities, that can be sustained over time;
• Promote the Caribbean as a place for investment;
• Showcase opportunities/areas for investment;
• Showcase successful investment in the Caribbean;
• Engage potential investors and financing institutions regarding their interest and requirements for investing in the opportunities;
• Pitch specific ventures to specific investors;
• Increase the Caribbean’s insertion into the global business community through the creation of links with journals, newsletters, key influencers and networks; and
• Work towards attaining the sustainable development goals focused on no poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, decent work and economic growth, life on land and partnerships.

The focus for this event will be placed on presenting bankable investment opportunities in projects and sectors that are a priority for the region as it recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic and seeks to fast track the transition to a GREEN-er and SMART-er economy.

Priority sectors will include agribusiness (with a focus on AgTech), IT enabled services (digitalizations/digital economy), the blue economy, the green economy (including renewable energy) and logistics and transportation, to name a few.

To support the effective implementation of this event an experienced marketing and communications agency is required to support the production of the Caribbean Investment Forum – Bahamas including the development of the communications strategy to support event participation.

2. Overall Objective

The overall objective of the Consultancy is to promote the Caribbean Investment Forum by raising the profile of the event in the international market through effective marketing and public relations.

3. Requirements

3.1 Work Experience

• Demonstrated experience managing high-profile events including communications (Please provide some evidence of at least 3 events that have been executed in the past 8 years);
• Demonstrated experience implementing event websites (Please provide some evidence of at least 3 events that have been executed in the past 8 years);
• Demonstrated experience creating event materials;
• Demonstrated experience in location marketing;
• Experience working with and in the Caribbean would be an asset.

3.2 Required Documentation

• The Applicant must submit technical and financial proposal together with the completed Applicant Declaration Form to Ms. JoEllen Laryea, Manager (Ag) – Partnerships, Advocacy and Reporting at jlaryea@carib-export.com and copied to dbrathwaite@carib-export.com no later than 9:00 am AST on May 11, 2023.

The Caribbean Export Development Agency invites interested CARIFORUM SMEs to submit their applications to participate in a trade and investment mission to Accra Ghana scheduled for 5-9 June, 2023.

Objectives

The objective of the mission will be to explore opportunities for trade, investment and cooperation between countries of the Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM) and Ghana.

Specifically, the mission will seek to:

1. Identify potential partnerships for joint activities to promote trade and investment between CARIFORUM countries and Ghana
2. Facilitate Business – to – Business meetings between CARIFORUM SMEs and private sector counterparts in Ghana in identified sectors.

The sectors of focus for this activity are:

1. Renewable energy;
2. Agriculture and Agriculture Technology (AgTech); and
3. Information Communications Technology (ICT) including Financial Technology (Fintech).

To be considered for this mission, please download the full document below and complete the Expression of Interest by midday AST 12th April 2023. For answers to queries, email the team at africamission[@]carib-export.com.

Caribbean Export has embraced the task of propelling the development of the Caribbean private sector through forging relationships with key in-market partners in Ghana and Nigeria, both private and public, facilitating knowledge and technology transfer and sharing of best practice. Consequently, Caribbean Export will lead a small delegation of SMEs and business/investment support organisations from the region to participate in this programme. The dates for the programme are as follows: Accra Ghana, 5-10 June; Lagos Nigeria, 11-15 June, 2023.

2. OBJECTIVE, PURPOSE & EXPECTED RESULTS

The overall objective of the Consultancy is to explore opportunities for trade, investment and cooperation between CARIFORUM countries on the one hand and Ghana and Nigeria.

2.2 Specific Objectives

The specific objectives of the Consultancy are:

1. Explore opportunities for trade, investment and cooperation between CARIFORUM countries and Ghana and Nigeria on this inaugural mission by Caribbean Export.
2. Identify areas for trade, investment and cooperation in 3 targeted sectors:
   • renewable energy
   • agriculture and AgTech,
   • ICT including fintech
3. Secure participation of private sector firms, organisations, business support agencies, investment promotion agencies and other industry associations, as well as qualified investors from Ghana and Nigeria, for a schedule of business meetings with Caribbean participants.
4. Secure partnerships with a view to undertaking Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) between Caribbean-Africa key public and private sector stakeholders.
5. Secure partnerships for joint activities to promote trade and investment between both regions.
6. Secure commitment and participation of African counterparts to a reciprocal trade and investment mission in CARIFORUM – the Caribbean Investment Forum 2023 scheduled for October 2023 in the Bahamas.
7. Assist in finalizing of logistical arrangements such as coordination of meetings.

2.3 Purpose of consultancy and expected results

The target for this consultancy is at least 40 confirmed business matchmaking meetings broken down as follows:

• 20 investors and private sector firms in target sectors in Accra Ghana;
• 10 business support organizations, investment promotion agencies, chambers of commerce and industry associations including 3 partnership agreements in Accra Ghana;
• 10 business support organizations, investment promotion agencies, chambers of commerce and industry associations including 3 partnership agreements in Lagos Nigeria.

The expected results include a robust business-to-business programme that will enhance the prospect of increasing business and trade opportunities; increase the understanding of doing business across the two regions; CARIFORUM SMEs will be exposed to best practice and learn from the African counterparts; and open the Africa-Caribbean trade corridor in identified sectors.

3. SCOPE OF WORK

The consultant is expected to deliver the following results:

• Business matchmaking: The identification, confirmation, and profiling of at least 20 qualified firms and investors in Accra Ghana, and the scheduling of meetings with CARIFORUM participants as part of business matchmaking programme. (Please note that CARIFORUM SMEs in the three sectors identified will only attend mission in Accra Ghana, while the rest of the delegation will proceed to Lagos Nigeria).
• Development of partnerships: Provide support in identifying and securing 10 business and investment promotion partners (business support organizations, investment promotion agencies, chambers of commerce and industry associations) to attend and participate in a matchmaking programme with similar agencies from CARIFORUM, in each of the two locations, with 6 of these resulting in signed MOUs. These partnerships may include Chambers of Commerce, Private Sector Organisations and other business/investment promotion agencies with a focus on internationalising their local firms, among others.
• Event co-ordination in both markets: Provide support and guidance to Caribbean Export in coordinating the mission in both locations, including conferencing facility and attendant agenda including welcome reception and business agenda, accommodation and logistics/transport etc. to site visits where applicable. The full scope of deliverables will be determined in consultation with Caribbean Export.
• Post event feedback: Provision of a final report that includes feedback on the lead generation and partnerships and scheduled meetings, with recommendations for future work.

4. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

The Applicant must submit technical and financial proposals in EUROS, together with the completed Applicant Declaration Form to Mrs. Natasha Edwin- Walcott, Senior Advisor Competitiveness and Export Promotion at nwalcott@carib-export.com with a copy to Dr. Damie Sinanan, Manager Competitiveness and Export Promotion at dsinanan@carib-export.com no later than 4:30 pm AST on Friday April 7, 2023.

Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) was commissioned by the Governments of the Dominican Republic, Haiti and the European Union to implement the “Trade and Private Sector Component” of the Haiti-Dominican Republic Binational Cooperation Program, under the eleventh (11th) European Development Fund (EDF) FED/2018/399-379.

The general objective of this Program is “Strengthen economic and trade cooperation between Haiti and the Dominican Republic in a sustainable manner, supporting initiatives that can reduce current imbalances in the long term and reduce poverty levels.”

This call for proposals is part of the activities to support the expansion of the Dominican company Recursos Globales.

Caribbean Export is looking for suitable suppliers in the Dominican Republic to submit a quotation for the supply of equipment.

The deadline to submit quotations is April 7, 2023. Please review the document below and send your proposal to Ms. Ileana Tejada at itejada[at]carib-export.com .

Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export/the Agency) is the only regional export and
investment promotion Agency in the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States. Caribbean Export was
established by an Inter-Governmental Agreement signed by the 15 States of the Caribbean Forum
(CARIFORUM), namely: Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Dominican
Republic, Haiti, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines,
Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. Caribbean Export has Headquarters in Barbados and a Sub-regional
office in the Dominican Republic. Currently, the Agency also operates with a Programme Office in Portau-Prince, Haiti.

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 with development partners. Since its inception, the primary source of
funding has been the European Development Fund (EDF). During the period 2017 to 2023 the Agency is
executing a work programme with funding under the 11th EDF Regional Private Sector Development
Programme (RPSDP). Additionally, during the period 2018 to 2023 Caribbean Export implements the 11th
EDF Trade and Private Sector component of the Haiti-Dominican Republic Binational Cooperation
Programme. The Agency receives contributions from the fifteen (15) CARIFORUM states under the
Agreement establishing Caribbean Export with the main financial partner being the European Union,
together with Caribbean Development Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, Tecnalia and Enterprise
France among others.

A critical factor in Caribbean Export’s future success will be its ability to build valuable and sustainable
partnerships with key stakeholders. This will require the consolidation of existing partnerships and the
creation of new ones.

It is against this background that Caribbean Export is seeking to hire the services of a Partnership Officer
Consultant, for a six-month period on a full-time basis, who will help identify and access funds from
traditional and non-traditional sources that will allow for sustained action by the Agency to achieve its
mandate.

Objective

The objective of this assignment is to help the Caribbean Export Development Agency mobilze funding
and forge new relationships and partners via researching possible opportunities, developing project
proposals/concept notes and writing proposal submissions for donor funding.

Submission

Interested persons are required to submit a quotation to deliver the scope of work outlined in EUROS, together with the completed Applicant Declaration Form , curriculum vitae and two (2) references to Ms. JoEllen Laryea – Manager (Ag), Partnerships, Advocacy and Reporting no later than 4:30 pm AST on April 3, 2023.