CARICOM DR BUSINESS FORUM

1. CARICOM DR BUSINESS FORUM March 30th 2011 Jamaica

2. The project proposes an integrated intervention, combining four actions aimed at: The sustainable capacity building of the involved intermediary associations´ staff, and The development of different means that will facilitate networking between the associations involved. The project is designed as a catalyst to attract other Caribbean intermediary associations to the network, creating a multiplier effect. Overall objective: Strengthen the networking and cooperation between Caribbean enterprise associations Acting first on the relation of the AIRD with other industrial intermediary associations in the Dominican Republic, and second on the relation between the AIRD with the CAIC and with AMEC. The objective is to be achieved through the combination of four actions, defined separately, but interrelated in their execution and timelines. Four Key Actions Create a solid base with the Capacity Building of the targeted entities, Provide them with a series of instruments to maximise their networking and collaboration options. This will cover two of the four activities. Create a specific cooperation instrument, based on the exchange of information between our target associations: A Documentation Centre. A Partnership Event,including a B2B Meeting event as closing action. Project Overview

3. A.1.1. Phase I: Diagnosis of the integration between the AIRD and its 13 member associations Three senior experts from AMEC travelled to Santo Domingo to interview the executive directors of each of the 13 member associations . A.1.2. Phase II: Detachment and training of 14 executive staff (1 of each I.O. including AIRD) in cooperation models of associations Design an appropriate Training programme aimed at: The transfer of AMEC’s knowledge in the organization and management of a business association, the rendering of services and the improvement and internationalization of competitiveness. The transfer AMEC’s experience as a member entity of federative structures and supra-regional associations at the European and international levels. Exercise and Methodologies for strategic reflecting and planning. A.1.3. Phase III: Provide Technical assistance for the implementation of strategic decisions. A.1.4. Phase IV: Conclusions and final report A1. Strengthen the AIRD´s networking capacity with Dominican Republic intermediary associations

4. A.2.1. Phase I: Diagnose the integration between the CAIC, its member associations and the AIRD; Accompanied by the AIRD project coordinator, 3 AMEC experts l travelled to Port of Spain to carry out interviews with the CAIC itself and 6 of its member associations, namely: Jamaica Chamber of Commerce, Antigua & Barbuda Chamber of Commerce, Suriname Chamber of Commerce & Industry Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers Association, The Energy Chamber of Industry & Commerce, Trinidad & Tobago Coalition of Services Industries A.2.2. Phase II: Detachment and training of 6 executive staff in cooperation models of associations AMEC designed an appropriate Training programme aimed mainly at the transfer of AMEC’s knowledge intermediary associations management as at the transfer of AMEC’s experience in federative structures. The objective was to provide participants with enough tools to adapt this theory to their own particular reality and environment, and with an exercise and instruments for strategic reflecting and planning. This phase was done in parallel time as A.1.1. A.2.3. Phase III: Provide Technical assistance for the implementation of strategic decisions A.2.4. Phase IV: Conclusions and final report Included customised response to the associations. CAIC's role was fundamental as project coordinator between AIRD and the CAIC members. A2. Strengthen the CAIC´s networking capacity with Caribbean intermediary associations

5. A.3.1. Creation of the basic infrastructure A.3.1.1. Creation of a Help Desk based in the DR and responsible for the management of the CADC. A.3.1.2. Organisation of contents of the CADC Objectives of the Centre: Information about commercial contacts in the region, how to export within the CARICOM and EU, Information on preferential access in the region, prevailing investment laws, etc. Information and analysis of the CARICOM and EU Trade Patterns, EU trends and an overview of ongoing economic developments in different sectors. Organize seminars and business mission to promote investment in the region. Support the setting up of a Market Information System includeing e-commerce to facilitate Support interested investors with the preparation of preliminary analyses Draw up a national awareness campaign on contents and expected commitments of the EPA. A.3.1.3. Creation of supporting website A.3.1.4. Training of the personnel involved with the functioning of the CADC (1 in AIRD, 1 in CAIC) A.3.2. Execute and publish 3 studies through the CADC : A.3.2.1. Export/Import policies in Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda,Trinidad and Tobago,Suriname (AIRD & external experts) A.3.2.2. Legislation for FDI in Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda,Trinidad and Tobago,Suriname (external expert). A.3.2.3. EU trade opportunities –CARIFORUM exportable sectors analysis A.3.2.4. Presentation of the studies through three press conferences in Barcelona, Santo Domingo and Port of Spain A3. Create the CAIC–AIRD Documentation Center (CADC)

6. A.4.1. Organise a CARIFORUM-SPAIN Partnership event to launch a Networking Platform starting with AIRD, CAIC and AMEC. The Documentation Centre and its services will be presented. and the first 3 studies executed will be presented. The 19 associations that participated in activities A.1. and A.2. will be called upn to sign a collective Partnership Agreement of good intentions and collaboration. A.4.2. Business Meetings between Dominican, Trinidad and Tobago and Spanish enterprises with commercial, cooperation and investment objectives. A.4.2.1. Launch and Kick off meeting A.4.2.2 Preparation of promotional materials A.4.2.3 Promotion and call for participation A.4.2.4 Selection and registration of participating companies A.4.2.5. Matchmaking and Agenda organisation and confirmation A.4.2.6. Business meetings A.4.2.7. Follow up, conclusions and final report A.4.2.8. Logistics A.4 Organise a Partnership event to promote networking between participating intermediate organisations, AIRD, CAIC and AMEC

7. CAIC and its members will benefit as follows: On the activity A2 “Strengthen the CAIC’s networking capacity with the Caribbean intermediary associations” Subsidized (100%) cost of diagnosis, consultancy and training from amec’s experts to CAIC and its 6 member associations Subsidized travel cost (100%) to Trinidad & Tobago for CAIC’s associations outside T&T Contribution: Each association will contribute with 350 EUR and will sign a letter of commitment with the project (after activity A.2.1. Phase 1). On the activity A3 “To create the CAIC –AIRD Documentation Centre (CADC)” The Documentation Centre (CADC) and its documentation and information, which will be a shared centre by AIRD and CAIC The 3 studies that will be carried on and the dissemination of their results One staff from CAIC will benefit from a training for the functioning of the CADC On the Activity A4 “Partnership event and Business Meeting” Subsidized travel cost (<100%) to the Partnership event and Business Meeting 6 Companies from Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda and Suriname will benefit from Meetings with Spanish companies and companies from Santo Domingo/The Caribbean Overall Benefits

8. TheDocumentation Center Project: Strengthening of the AIRD-Dominican Republic Industrial Association, its sector associations and the CAIC-CARIBBEAN association of industry and commerce to facilitate networking amongst them

9. Background

10. STRONG LINKAGES • Experience has proven that strong linkages, including supply of inputs and technology transfer with regional partners, are a fundamental contribution to successful implementation of free trade • A key driver of this transformation will be a strengthened partnership between the sector and regional partners in the Caribbean Region

11. WORKING IN OUR REGION IS A MUST The Caribbean market represents a big opportunity for all of us

12. The CARIFORUM industries must build better prepared companies to exploit global opportunities, and learn to compete with speed and flexibility, instead of lower costs as is the case sought mainly in Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Suriname SPEED AND FLEXIBILITY

13. A LOT OF INFORMATION BUT… Who has them? Or where do I get them? And of course, we can’t forget, the example of one employee who had the document and no longer is with us.

14. TheDocumentation Center

15. What is it? • A new common instrument, based on the transfer of know how and market information for the AIRD, CAIC and its members and stakeholders

16. Which are the main objectives? • Achieve an increased effectiveness of regional integration, in order to lead to a more dynamic industrial sector reaping the benefits of improved trade and investment policies • Disseminate information and render related services to AIRD’s and CAIC’s associations and enterprises. • Contribute in improving the business climate of the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean Community • To develop a channel to encourage the gathering and transfer of information • Collect, update and process trade information. • Strengthen the influence of AIRD, CAIC and its members in trade policy of their countries and the region. • Acquire, organize and preserve documents and relevant information

17. Vision • The Caribbean Documentation Center (CDC) is a recognized reference center dealing with a wide scope of trade subject related to the industrial sector in CARICOM and DR countries.

18. The DC will • Be based on the best international practices • Expand on the array of services in strategic communication offered by both Chambers, to their internal and external clients and constituents • Assist in improving management in the handling of trade documents, to better inform and service its clients. • Allow for a larger flow of information regarding trade matters in the Caribbean, to assist in the capacity building of the institutions and the general public. • Foster synergies with other business institutions and its counterparts • Better position both institutions, through better coverage of trade information, not covered by other private institutions nor its official counterpart. • Foster the exchange of information among the industrial sector of the Caribbean

19. 2 main sections The business center: Its main activities are the acquiring, organizing information and provide services, including a desk for answering or addressing inquires. Visitor’s center’s Website: A web-based databank to disseminate information.

20. What will you find on the Documentation Center • Commercial contacts in the region, how to export within the CARIFORUM and EU • Information on preferential access in the region, prevailing investment laws, etc. • Information and analysis of the CARICOM and EU Trade Patterns, EU trends and an overview of ongoing economic developments in different sectors. • Legislations, publications and documents of interest for the correct interpretation of FTA’s among the parties • Documents related to the FTA’s under negotiation • Relevant documentation of the primary areas of International Trade, such as Technical Norms, Trade Defense, among others, to proper service the inquires of the clients and constituents. • Systematization of Legal Texts, Documents, Publications, Sector Studies of interest for internal and external clients.

21. What will you find on the Documentation Center • Applicable legislation, and links to diverse areas of interest related to international trade, such as competition policy, transportation and logistics among others. • Be the channel of communication between AIRD and its member and associates to increase the services in international trade. • Indicate periodic reports, statistical trade data from primary sources, but also processed by the DC (import, export, trade balance and investment) • Links to other institutions of interest for the user, either a internal or external client, national or international.

22. Where are we and next steps • Gathering and organizing all information • Tech evaluation and proposal • Creation of supporting website

23. TheForum

24. Pro€Invest Business Forum. Strenghtening Networks in the CARIFORUM. CARICOM – DR – Spain May, 30th and 31st, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

25. Which are the main objectives? • Business meetings between the companies from • Dominican Republic • Spain • Trinidad & Tobago • Jamaica • Suriname • Antigua & Barbuda • Launch of the Documentation Center • Present the studies’ results and findings • AMEC - AIRD - CAIC partnership agreement signing

26. Participants • Spain: Between 13 and 17 companies will be coming to Santo Domingo • Dominican Republic: 30 to 40 companies • Caribbean: At least 7 CARICOM companies, Caribbean Export is almost on board to help with at least 7 others

27. Next Steps • Invitation to all associations and its members will be sent out at the beginning of next week • Selection and registration of participating companies • Matchmaking, Agenda organization and confirmation

28. Thanks and Carol and I hope to see you soon in DR