Support of the Caribbean Export Development Agency to the Regional Private Sector

1. Support of the Caribbean Export Development Agency to the Regional Private Sector CARICOM/DR BUSINESS FORUM  Jamaica March 30th, 2011

2. Primary Issues • Market Intelligence • Knowledge of and Implementation of provisions in CSME, CARICOM/DR, EPA and other FTAs • Strengthening firm capacity through support to innovation and sectoral clusters • Focus on rapid growth sectors within which the Region has comparative advantage, trade surplus and proven capabilities to compete

3. Primary Issues • Enhanced capacity of BSOs to service their members • Leveraging other programs to achieve maximum benefit for stakeholders and avoid duplication (CC Challenge Fund, Export Plus, GIZ, CARTfund etc) • Strengthening CARICOM, DR, FCORs and OCT linkages and exploiting synergies for regional growth and market penetration

4. Caribbean Export will manage the 10th EDF Regional Private Sector Development Programme (RPSDP) 5 years - 34.6 Million Euros of which 28.3 million from the EDF “The overall objective of the 10th EDF RPSDP is to contribute to the gradual integration of CARIFORUM countries into the world economy enhancing regional economic growth and by extension alleviate poverty.”

5. 9th EDF Grants by Sectors

6. Specific objectives of 10th EDF RPSDP • Enhancing Competitiveness and Promoting Innovation among CARIFORUM's private sector • Promoting Trade and Export Development among CARIFORUM States • Promoting stronger trade and investment relations between CARIFORUM, French Caribbean Outermost regions (FCORs) and EU Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) in the Caribbean. • Promoting stronger trade and investment cooperation between CARICOM and the Dominican Republic • Strengthening the institutional capacity of Caribbean Export to implement trade and investment promotion programmes

7. Regional Trade and Market Intelligence system developed Regional Export Strategy drafted and promoted Caribbean Export Outlook publication and information portal launched Knowledge of bilateral, regional, and international trade agreements by the private sector increased Increased understanding and utilization of IPR as a trade development tool by governments and private sector Formal establishment and operationalization of the CARIFORUM-EU Business Forum. Capacity of BSOs to provide wider range and quality of services strengthened Promoting Trade and Export Development

8. Knowledge of respective trade and investment laws and regulations increased Export opportunities between CARICOM/DR identified and exploited Operations of the CARICOM/DR Forum continued Promoting Trade and Investment between CARICOM and the Dominican Republic

9. Knowledgeof respective trade and investment laws and regulations increased • Collection and dissemination of strategic information • Inventory of regulations and laws developed • Development of a interactive website for companies • Market intelligence information developed and business to business missions pursued

10. Export Opportunities between CARICOM/DR identified • Trade missions • Development of business linkages • Collection and dissemination of strategic information

11. Operations of the CARICOM/DR Forum • Facilitating convening of meetings • Technical assistance where required • Enhancing effectiveness of the Business Forum

12. 10th RPSDP EDF Activities • Direct Assistance to SME’s and BSO’s • Support in the implementation of trade related agreements • Promoting Investment via the strengthening of CAIPA • Support to Priority Sectors • Capacity building via training, workshops, seminars… • Supporting networks and exchange of best practices • Quality enhancement and promotion of standards • Business Intelligence Support • Market intelligence • Commercial missions and trade shows • Enhancing the regulatory framework via public private sector dialogue, studies, surveys...

13. Mrs. Pamela Coke-Hamilton Executive Director