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Study Tours to Europe
During June and July 2012, two Study
Tours to the UK, Germany and France
for 45 CARIFORUM businesses from
the manufacturing (agro-processing)
and cultural industries (music, fashion
and film), were undertaken. The
Study Tour concept was embedded in
the overarching arrangement of the
CARIFORUM-EUBusiness Forum,which
sought to create an environment for
the identification and easier utilisation
of business opportunities within both
regions. The main objective of the
Study Tours was to expose participants
toEuropeanmarketswhile inculcatinga
greater understanding of the provisions
and significant insight on the gift and craft sector in these markets. Following an
immediate evaluation of the event, three firms reported receiving sales valued
at approximately US$870 and the establishment of 14 buyer leads. Beneficiaries
also revealed that the intervention met their expectations, and assisted them
in achieving their objectives of exploring new markets, and increasing brand
awareness. A six-month follow-up evaluation will be conducted in 2017 to gauge
any additional sales, or increased exports to the UK and Europe markets following
participation in this initiative.
Overall, in addition to immediate outcomes mentioned above, Design Caribbean
participants were able to secure approximately US$49,000 in orders from
buyers. Three firms were also able to enter new CARIFORUM markets, and one
firm secured new buyers from one international market, these include Jamaica,
the British Virgin Islands and the United States. A total of 113 artisans from 13
CARIFORUM countries have showcased in Design Caribbean to date, the full list
of which is available at Annex 4.
ENHANCING COMPETITIVENESS
AND PROMOTING INNOVATION