Trade Watch V8 No 3 July 2014

EXPORT PROMOTION

Haitian Women Exhibit in Exclusive Trade Show

The creative industries have been pegged as a potential niche sector for growth and, as such, Caribbean Export invests heavily in initiatives, which support the development of the sector. The Agency demonstrated this commitment at Femmes en Démocratie in Port-au- Prince, Haiti. The Femmes Créations & Productions, which ran from May 3-4, 2014, was the nine staging of the event which is organized by Haitian non-governmental organization, Femmes en Démocratie. The trade showwas conceptualized to showcase the endeavours of female entrepreneurs in small, artisanal businesses, as well as to allow for engagement with potential wholesalers and retailers. Caribbean Export made a proactive effort to facilitate this engagement through the sponsorship of professional buyers from the Jamaica and the US to attend the show. Femmes Créations & Productionsplayed host to some 80 exhibitors, whose products ranged from hand- crafted cosmetics to intricate beadwork tapestries. The cornucopia of offerings was a true expression of the creativity and resourcefulness of the Haitian people. The fare was well received by those who attended, particularly the buyers from Sandals, Jamaica, Gail Bell, Greater Good Wholesale in Miami, Debi Goldman and Greater Good Retail, Michelle Schechtman. Ms Bell commented that she always looks forward to visiting Haiti as she can find authentic and innovative Caribbean goods for the Sandals chain, which are not only appealing and affordable but are manufactured locally as opposed to the majority of merchandise, which is sourced from Asia. The trade show afforded female entrepreneurs, who may not otherwise have had the opportunity, to interact with buyers, such as those sponsored by Caribbean Export. This interaction is crucial to forgoing inter-territorial relationships which take advantage of the duty free tariffs among CARICOM Member States. In addition, this would foster greater commercial collaboration between the English speaking CARIFORUM States and OCTs, which is one of Caribbean Export’s principle mandates under the 10th EDF. A strong Caribbean network can be the foundation for a regional export strategy which would then galvanize creative enterprises to take on extra-regional export markets. Events such as Femmes Création & Production help to break down previously prohibitive barriers between countries in a similar fashion to the ongoing Bi-national Programme between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, which Caribbean Export’s Sub-regional Office champions through a number of initiatives. (TW)

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A sample of the products on display during the Femmes Créations & Productionsin Port-au-Prince, Haiti

10 Tradewatch • The Official E-Newsletter of the Caribbean Export Development Agency • Vol. 8 No. 3 July 2014