Caribbean Export and Business Support Organizations

BSO Success Highlights

Caribbean Network of Services Coalitions The Caribbean Network of Services Coalitions was formed in 2010 under a Pro€nvest funded coalition-strengthening project. As the regional coalitions and services champion, the CNSC was founded to encourage closer collaboration among the region’s service organizations in an effort to raise awareness on services issues, including joint lobbying and advocacy efforts, generate support at national and regional levels for the coalition movement, and to share best practices. Ultimately, the Network’s interest is in the development of the region’s services industries. To date, CNSC’s membership comprises 16 members: Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Belize, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. Within the framework of the 10th EDF, Caribbean Export’s work with the CNSC has primarily been in partnership with GIZ, and support provided directly to the national CSIs, the Agency has also sponsored the Network’s planning and networking sessions. In 2014, Caribbean Export continued its cooperation GIZ to launch two projects for the Caribbean services sector: CSI Sustainability Framework, and the Services Exporters Train the Trainer Programme. The CSI Sustainability Framework seeks to identify key actions or activities that will support sustainability, and will also address other institutional strengthening needs. The Framework will focus on a more cohesive approach to meeting the needs of SME service providers, while collaborating fully with all key stakeholders including sector associations, TPOs and donor agencies. The Sustainability Frameworkwill be based on practical strategies utilised by other member-based international TSOs, and will feature a menu of sustainability enhancing activities and initiatives, and an implementation plan for each of these activities. In addition to significant improvement in member services, another key result of this project will be enhanced harmonisation of efforts between CSIs, reducing duplication and maximising on resources.

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