Caribbean Export OUTLOOK 2016 - 2017

9 / 140

message from
The Executive Director
One year ago, Caribbean Export launched the
inaugural edition of the Caribbean Export
OUTLOOK to respond to the needs of the
private sector and our various stakeholders for
market information on trade and exports. We
recognised thatwith such a dearth of information,
our exporters were limited in their awareness of
trends in export markets, and that individuals
interested in CARIFORUM products had no
single source through which they could discover
the excellent products and services of our small
and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). Through
theOUTLOOK, we have sought to bridge this gap
in the market at both ends.
In the first edition, we highlighted key markets
for exporters, including select countries in
West Africa, Germany and Brazil, while in this
edition our attention focuses on the burgeoning
interest in Cuba and China as potential markets.
Moreover, attention to this publication has been
increasing. To date, our readership spans the
Caribbean and beyond, with the United States,
the United Kingdom and Canada among the top
10 countries that have demonstrated interest
in the online English version. In addition, the
Spanish version is not only read in the Dominican
Republic, but also in Mexico. With an online
distribution in excess of 22,000 individuals – and
growing – we are again reminded of the strong
appeal of Caribbean brands.
Enhancing the competitiveness and value of
Caribbean brands continues to drive us as we
implement the RPSDP under the 10th EDF.
As such, we have specifically chosen to focus
this publication on key sectors such as agri-
business (primarily cocoa), creative industries
(specifically music), renewable energy, financial
services and specialty tourism (mainly medical
tourism). However, we must continue to tackle
the systemic challenges associated with doing
business in the Caribbean, such as high energy
costs, limited access to finance and intellectual
property rights protection, which are highlighted
in this year’s publication. We have also included
a feature on the proposed Caribbean Creative
Industries Management Unit (CCIMU), which
is envisioned to respond to the needs of the
regional creative sector and will address issues
such as data collection, access to finance, trade
and export development and the protection of
intellectual property.
The featured exporter this year is none other
than Dr. Ralph ‘Bizzy’ Williams who started his
first company, Terrapin Racing & Developments
Ltd in 1972 and since then has expanded to nine
other companies that export all throughout the
Caribbean. His experiences will provide exporters
with an inside view of what it takes to build a
Caribbean brand.
We hope that you will enjoy this year’s edition as
we continue to celebrate and support Caribbean
exporters.
Pamela Coke Hamilton
Executive Director
The Caribbean Export Development Agency
7