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total of 77 firms participated in
these initiatives, and saw 205
B2B meetings being conducted.
Caribbean Export also published
two studies, which provides further
insight into opportunities available.
These are Feasibility Study on
the Establishment of a Technical
Management Unit in the FCORs;
and Comprehensive Study on the
Technical Barriers to Trade (TBTs)
and other Technical Requirements
that affect CARIFORUM Exports
to the FCORs. Additionally, a
fiche on technical cooperation
between Caribbean Export and the
Regional Council of Guadeloupe
was developed and a MOU signed
betweentheGovernmentofAntigua
and Barbuda and Guadeloupe.
OECS-FCORs and OCT Trade
Mission
With the aim of promoting stronger
trade and investment relations
betweenfirmsfromtheCARIFORUM
and their counterparts from the
FCORs and OCTs, Caribbean Export
facilitated the participation of 32
OECS SMEs on trade missions to
Guadeloupe andMartinique, aswell
as Anguilla and Saint Maarten. The
10-day mission to Guadeloupe and
Martinique was held from March
27-April 5, 2014 with the objectives
of establishing regional and
international networking linkages
with buyers of goods and services,
and BSOs within the two FCOR
countries, and the wider EU market. Additionally, the mission served as
an opportunity for Caribbean Export to expand linkages within the FCORs
in preparation for the technical meetings on the Octroi de Mer.
The mission to the OCTs was held from October 12-17, 2014 with the
aim of expanding the relationship between OECS private sector firms
and businesses in the host countries. The occasion set the platform for
participating firms to establish regional and international networking
linkages with buyers of goods and services, and other relevant agencies
within Tortola and St Maarten, as well as Europe. During both missions,
participants were provided with an opportunity to negotiate for joint
ventures, partnerships, distributorship and other synergistic investment
undertakings that may result in increased competitiveness and trade.
In addition to showcasing their goods and services in selected sectors,
beneficiaries gained a clearer understanding of the doing business in in
the FCOR and OCT markets, and with European business interests.
Overall, beneficiaries cited a number of main learning points as a result of
participation. These included a better understanding of the FCOR and OCT
market, strengthening of business relations with host country firms, and
trade requirements for EU through the FCORs and OCTs. Further, 31% of
respondentswereable tosecurecontracts/saleswithanaccumulatedvalue
of US$35,000, and another 20% anticipate an increase in sales as a result
of their participation. Additionally, 76% of participating firms indicated
that they are more knowledgeable about trade relations between FCORs-
OCTs and CARIFORUM.
CARIFORUM-FCOR/OCT Business Forum
In June 2014, Caribbean Export supported the participation of 55 regional
firms in a CARIFORUM-FCOR/ OCT Business Forum in Cayman Islands. The
Business Forum sought to facilitate networking and partnerships between
private sector firms and other key stakeholders in CARIFORUM, with
their counterparts in the FCORs and OCTs. Participants were also given the
opportunity to learn from the Cayman Islands’ experience in developing
and promoting their financial services and tourism sectors, as well as to
develop strategies based on their experience.
In addition to presenting the opportunity for networking and potentially
forming partnerships, the initiative also afforded those present to
examine and evaluate the barriers to trade which may still exist and the
STRONGER TRADE AND INVESTMENT RELATIONS
BETWEEN CARIFORUM, FCORS AND OCTS