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The fact-finding missions among Higher Education Institutions (HEI) in Trinidad
and Tobago and Grenada, sought to identify areas of interest and focus for these
institutions to capitalise on opportunities under the CARIFORUM-EU EPA. This
was also an occasion to gather relevant information on the higher education
services, which subsequently informed the discussions on that segment during
the 3rd CARIFORUM-EU Business Forum in Jamaica. The overall Regional Export
Strategy for CARIFORUM Higher Education Services includes the commissioning
of a consultancy to map the value chain for the educational services sector
in select international markets with a view to identifying opportunities and
possible impact for the Caribbean private sector, and for the articulation of a
sector focused strategy for addressing the challenges and constraints faced by
CARIFORUM education institutions in entering the value chains.
Regional Export Strategy MRI Scans
Caribbean Export undertook series of MRI scans in Jamaica and the Dominican
Republic for the Higher Education and Agro-processing sectors from February
16-19, 2015. The overall objective of the mission was to facilitate and host, in
partnership with the commissioned consultant, three MRI scans with sector
representatives in both countries regarding the development of a regional export
strategy for higher education services and agro-processing in the CARIFORUM
region. During the session for higher education in Jamaica, meetings were held
with nine representatives from the Ministry of Education, and tertiary level
institutions.
Subsequent to theMRI scans for higher education, the consultant the importance
of representative agents in accessing target markets abroad owing to the highly
personalized nature of marketing in some markets; and the University of the
West Indies (UWI) intends to develop this approach. It was further shared
that the formulation of a singular regional sector strategy could prove difficult
because of the diversity of the regional product offering. As an approach, which
focuses on sub-sector/country specificity may be, more appropriate and will be
determined. The MRI scans for the Agro-Processing sector saw participation from
21 representatives in Jamaica and 28 persons from the Dominican Republic. The
reports from the agro-processing MRI scans will form a part of the overall export
strategy development.
Increased Understanding of the Utilisation of Intellectual Property Rights
In November 2013, Caribbean Export, in collaboration with theWorld Intellectual
Property Organisation (WIPO), hosted a regional Workshop on the Use of
Intellectual Property (IP) as a Tool for Enhancing Export Development, in Barbados
to CARIFORUM SMEs. Following this initial workshop, participants submitted
requests for similar initiatives to be
held locally, to provide firms with an
opportunity to gain greater insight into
the benefits of IP.
In response to this need, the Agency
delivered the first in a series of these IP
Clinics in Belize in April 2014, with the
aim of introducing participants to the
IP tools that may be used to enhance
their businesses and increase exports.
Duringthetwo-dayClinic,Belizeanfirms
Marie Sharp’s Fine Foods and Travellers
Liquor Ltd. presented case studies to
participants. The beneficiaries also
engaged in a Business Assessment
Exercise to identify their company’s IP
assets.
The Agency also delivered a
presentation on the proposed activities
under the 2014 work programme
as it relates to intellectual property.
Additional IP workshops continued
with the delivery of a Geographical
Indicators (GIs), Origin Linked Products
(OLPs), and Branding workshop in
Antigua and Barbuda in May, and
Trinidad and Tobago in October 2014.
The overall goal was to contribute
to the increased understanding and
utilisation of intellectual property
rights as a trade development tool
by governments and private sector,
in particular the development of
geographical indications in the region,
During the Antigua and Barbuda
delivery of the workshop, the Agency
facilitated the participation of three
persons from Grenada, Jamaica, and
Trinidad and Tobago, who benefited
froma presentation on the status of the
following products in each country:
PROMOTING TRADE
AND EXPORT DEVELOPMENT