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CARIFORUM member states in order
to promote the sectors that are readily
positioned to do business within the
global context. Immediate outcomes
of the mission are as follows:
• QV Foods, UK - Reached an
agreement with Shavuot Farms
and Truly Jamaican Farms Limited
to grow and harvest 500 tonnes of
sweet potatoes for distribution.
• Greencell, UK - Established an
agreement with Shavuot Farms
and Truly Jamaican Farms
Limited for the farming and
purchase of sweet potatoes. The
buyer also met with other
farmers to source avocadoes and
citrus.
•
DG Fruits, UK - Contracted
Carita (Jamaica) Ltd. to provide
a wide range of fresh produce
to be consumed primarily by
the Afro-Caribbean diaspora
in the UK. An order was also
negotiated to supply chocho,
jelly nuts, habanero peppers,
guava, and puna yams.
•
Fresh Produce Consortium,
UK - Shared the cost for
Shavuot Farms and Truly
Jamaican Farms Limited to
participate in the London
Produce Show, a fresh produce
exhibition held in London
in June 2014. It is anticipated
that the exhibition will assist
both companies in generating
increased sales in the UK,
promoting their fresh produce,
and holding meetings with QV
Foods and Greencell to conclude their negotiations and sign long
term contracts.
• Wonderfoods SPRL, Belgium - The leading world foods distributor for
Belgian Grocery Multiples, such as Carrefour and Achan, met with 11
Jamaican processed foods and beverage brands owners; these firms were
pre-identified prior to visiting Jamaica. The mission facilitated direct
communication with the Jamaican brand owners, and allowed for direct
business relationships to be established. The parties discussed labelling
requirements for Belgium and it is anticipated that distribution agreements
will be concluded in the future.
Trade and Investment Convention
From July 1-5, 2014 13 firms from the Dominican Republic participated in TTMA’s
Trade and Investment Convention (TIC), which was held in Trinidad and Tobago.
The multi-sectoral tradeshow, brings together local, regional, and international
businesses with the aim of fostering intra and extra regional trade. Exhibitors
with thousands of product, meet hundreds of buyers seeking new suppliers,
goods, and services. With structured networking events, business education
programmes, and matchmaking services, the TIC platform seeks to maximise the
export potential of exhibitors.
The firms participated, with support from Caribbean Export, in the four-day
trade mission with the overall aim of promoting stronger trade and investment
relations between CARICOM and the Dominican Republic. Participation in TIC
also proved to be an opportunity to raise awareness about the products and
services offered by Dominican Republic firms, in addition to fostering enhanced
market opportunities with CARICOM firms, buyers, and distributors.
In addition to the exhibition, the 7th CARICOM-DR Business Forum was also
hosted by the Agency. During the Forum, representatives from BSOs in the
Dominican Republic and Trinidad held discussions on barriers to trading
between the two territories, and the opportunities that exist for market access.
A presentation on “How to Do Business in the Dominican Republic” was also
delivered to participating firms. Overall, approximately 250 persons attended TIC,
which served as increased exposure for Dominican Republic firms. Participants
in the Forum also cited a better understanding of the respective trade laws and
regulations of both countries.
CARICOM-DR Trade and Economic Relations Meetings
Caribbean Export, in collaboration with the Round Table of the Commonwealth
Countries in the Dominican Republic, the Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences
STRONGER TRADE AND INVESTMENT RELATIONS
BETWEEN CARIFORUM, FCORS AND OCTS