This workshop/webinar will cover a broad range of topics including but not limited to: 

• The Ins and Outs of Branding and Packaging and Definition of Packaging Terms.
• How to brand your business and package your product to Sell
• Identifying an appropriate Packaging Supplier for your needs:
  • Strength, Safety, Hygiene, Storage, Transportation (Shipping/Handling), End Use, Protection, Preservation, Environmental Impact
• Premium Packaging at an affordable price
• Avoiding Branding and Packaging Disasters
• Strategies for launching a new product
• International Packaging Standards and Regulations: With emphasis on the European Market
• Understanding the consumer
  • What are consumers looking for in brands and in their product packaging?
  • What will make a consumer choose your product?
  • How can I differentiate my product from other similar products
  • Retail Trends
• Dissemination of the following:
  • Packaging Information Websites and/or publications
  • Directory of Qualified Packaging suppliers in the Caribbean, North America, Europe, and China.

The expected results of the workshop are as follows:

• Participants will learn to effectively brand and package their products to sell.
• Participants will be aware of the Packaging Standards required for the European market.
• Participants will be provided with recommendations for the improvement of their current packaging.
• Participants will learn winning strategies for launching a new product.
• Participants will be able to better understand what consumers look for in brands and in their product packaging.
• Participants will be provided with a directory of reliable Packaging Suppliers.
• Participants will be provided with various reputable sources of packaging information.
• Branding and Packaging Manual will be created, which will include packaging and labeling standards for Europe by country

Participant Sign-up Details

Interested firms must complete the attached Company Assessment Form.

All required documentation must be submitted to Caribbean Export Development Agency no later than 4.30pm on June 17^th, 2013 and should be addressed to:

Damien Sorhaindo – Advisor, Competitiveness & Innovation

c/o Caribbean Export Development Agency

1st Floor Baobab Tower

Warrens

ST MICHAEL BB22026

BARBADOS

Submissions can also be e-mailed to dsorhaindo@carib-export.com

The criteria for participating in this Brand Development and Packaging Workshop are set out below:

1. Products      include agro-processed goods (including packaged food and beverage),      cosmetics, packaged aromatherapy and spa products, and neutraceuticals.
2. Companies must already be      exporting or deemed export ready with a strong focus on exporting.
3. Companies      must be registered in the region and products must be made in the      Caribbean (proof of product origin may be required).

SELECTION PROCESS (Evaluation Criteria: Demand, Brand Appeal, Management Structure & Export readiness)

All applicants will be reviewed by a selection panel, comprising members of Caribbean Export staff

WHAT TO SEND

Images or brochures of products in digital format by email or on a CD/DVD disc must be submitted along with the Company Assessment form for all interested companies.

Fees:  Successful applicants will be required to pay a participation fee of US $50 (Barbados participants)

Reporting to the Manager – Competitiveness & Innovation, the Advisor – Competitiveness & Innovation will work closely with the Manager to purposefully engage regional private sector companies to increase their export sales through the facilitation of processes to enhance their ability to compete globally.

The successful candidate will, inter alia:

- Have responsibility for conducting research and providing analysis, to ensure that relevant private sector companies understand and can take advantage of niche market access opportunities and engage in best practice;

- Work very closely with the Direct Assistance Grant Scheme (DAGS) as well as play a supporting role to the programmes related to the capacity building of the Caribbean Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (CAIPA);

Interested applicants must send their CV and cover letter by email to advisordr@carib-export.com

Deadline for submissions is: Friday, June 7, 2013at 4:30pm AST

Download the full Advisor, Competitiveness and Innovation Job Description here.

The Caribbean Export Development Agency is looking for motivated individuals to fill the following position in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

Trade Development Expert – Haiti

Summary of Responsibilities

 The Trade Development Expert will provide guidance in facilitating, strengthening and monitoring the implementation of trade agreements as well as promoting trade flows between Haiti and the Dominican Republic and from these countries to the world.

The Trade Development Expert will also provide support to the private sector through initiatives aimed at identifying measures which are needed to enhance the regulatory framework, and promote trade between both countries.

Interested applicants must send their CV’s accompanied by a motivation letter by e-mail to SRORecruitment@carib-export.com

Closing date: June 3^rd 2013

Download the full Trade Development Expert Job Description/TOR in ENGLISH

—————————————————————————————————————-

Expert  en Développement du Commerce – Haïti

Le Caribbean Export Development Agency est à la recherche de personnes motivées afin de pourvoir le poste suivant à Port-au-Prince, Haïti

RÉSUME DES RESPONSABILITÉS

L’expert en développement du commerce fournira des orientations afin de faciliter, renforcer et surveiller la mise en œuvre des accords commerciaux ainsi que de promouvoir les échanges commerciaux entre Haïti et la République Dominicaine et à partir de ces pays vers le monde entier.

L’expert en développement du commerce fournira également un soutien au secteur privé d’Haïti et de la République Dominicaine par le biais d’initiatives qui visent à identifier les mesures qui seront nécessaires pour améliorer le cadre réglementaire et développer les échanges commerciaux entre les deux pays.

Les candidats intéressés doivent envoyer leur CV accompagné d’une lettre de motivation par e-mail à SRORecruitment@carib-export.com

Fermeture d’applications: le 3 Juin 2013

Download the full Expert en Développement du Commerce Job Description/TOR in FRENCH

—————————————————————————————————————-

Experto en Desarrollo de Comercio – Haití

Caribbean Export Development Agency informa que estará recibiendo aplicaciones para la siguiente posición de trabajo en Port-au-Prince, Haití

RESUMEN DE LAS RESPONSABILIDADES

El Experto de Desarrollo de Comercio servirá de guía para facilitar, fortalecer y monitorear la implementación de los acuerdos comerciales, así como la promoción de los flujos de comercio entre Haití y la República Dominicana y de estos países hacia el mundo.

El Experto de Desarrollo de Comercio también brindará apoyo al sector privado a través de iniciativas dirigidas a la identificación de medidas que son necesarias para mejorar el marco regulatorio y promover el comercio entre ambos países.

Los interesados deben enviar su CV acompañado de una carta de motivación por correo electrónico a SRORecruitment@carib-export.com

Fecha de cierre de las aplicaciones: el 3 de Junio del 2013

Download the full Experto de Desarrollo de Comercio Job Description/TOR in SPANISH

Caribbean Export in partnership with the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) offers ProNET training to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). Working together with local Business Support Organisations (BSOs) these training programmes are designed to provide institutional strengthening and export marketing training to the SME sector thus improving their basic business skills while at the same time increasing their productivity and competitiveness.  The eventual goal of these trainings are  to make regional firms export ready and positioned to take advantage of the opportunities available under the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).

ProNET is a training programme specifically for owners and managers of Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) primarily in the manufacturing sector.  The programme aims to raise the level of productivity and profitability in SMEs allowing owners and managers to operate their businesses more efficiently and effectively.

ProNET offers a series of 9 modules that cover the key areas in managing an enhancing the competitiveness of a business.  They are;

For more information on ProNET, please contact Robertha Reid at Caribbean Export tel: +1 246 436 0578 or email rreid@carib-export.com

Design Caribbean is the re-branded Caribbean Gift and Craft Show (CGCS), which was staged for the first time in 2011. Design Caribbean has received plaudits from exhibitors, visitors, buyers and the press for successfully re-establishing the event, as the largest contemporary design trade event in the Caribbean.

Inspired by the passion and talent of both distinguished and aspiring artists, Design Caribbean showcases the very best of the region’s finest handmade products and innovative designs – in contemporary craft, music, fashion and film.

Design Caribbean boasts over 100 regional exhibitors with more than 1000 products – it is the place to spot future talent and emerging brands and is where visitors from the region, North America and Europe leave with a true sense of the diversity and creativity that breathes vibrancy into the Caribbean region.

Design Caribbean is truly committed to quality, in terms of show presentation and promotion, as well as having a selective approach to exhibitors alongside a comprehensive roster of the best media and industry partners across the region.

Design Caribbean is organized by Caribbean Export, a trade and promotion organization with 15 state regions, whose mandate is to “take Caribbean excellence to the world”.

Encapsulating the spirit of design to ‘celebrate the beautiful,’ the event is held bi-annually within a CARIFORUM member state.

Design Caribbean 2013 will be held at the Grand Lucayan Resort, Freeport, Grand Bahama, The Bahamas from October 24-27, 2013.  Visit www.designcaribbean.com for further details on the exhibitors and to get involved.

Speakers at the inaugural Caribbean Exporters’ Colloquium held at the Hilton Barbados Resort, Barbados on March 20-21, 2013 included Dr. The Honourable Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister for St. Vincent and the Grenadines, who will gave a keynote address on the first day of the event.

The two day event took an in depth look at the report of the West Indian Commission – Time for Action, and was followed by an analysis of the regions exports.  Panellist including The Honourable Anthony Hylton, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce for Jamaica, Sir Shridath Ramphal, Former Chairman, The West Indian Commission, The Honourable Ryan Pinder, Minister of Financial Services, The Commonwealth of the Bahamas and Prof Victor Bulmer-Thomas of London University and UCL Institute of the Americas, London discuss the issues raised in the report and assess the region’s current export performance in light of developments taking place at the global level.

For information on the Caribbean Exporters‘ Colloquium contact Gayle Gollop, Advisor – Trade Advocacy, Caribbean Export Development Agency  email: ggollop@carib-export.com at Tel: +1 246 436 0578.

It is our passion that speaks to our “Essence” as Caribbean people and when one thinks of the “tropical allure” of our scenery and our people; this experience is vividly translated within our fashion sense and style. The Caribbean Essence Fashion Showcase is a Caribbean Export project that demonstrates the vibrancy and creative expression for which we are known. This is where Caribbean Export presents the region’s trends in fashion design and the amazing potential within this industry.

In April 2012, CARIFORUM firms and entrepreneurs throughout the 15 CARIFORUM Member States had the opportunity to participate in Break Point by first submitting a 2-3 minute video pitch, along with a 1 page executive summary of their business plan and a short application form to help the Agency capture some pertinent company data.

From a list of approximately 60 applicants, 30 firms were shortlisted based on evaluation criteria that spoke to demand, innovation, brand strength, Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) application, speed to market, and management strength. These firms then went through Break Point preparatory sessions in Barbados with coaches/mentors, mostly affiliated with the UWI Cave Hill School of Business.  They were provided with tools to improve their presentation skills and received feedback on how to enhance their business pitches and presentations.

Having completed these sessions along with 2 follow up virtual coaching sessions these 30 firms made their business pitches at a regional event in front of a judging panel comprised of successful Caribbean entrepreneurs and business executives. These regional events took place in Jamaica, St. Lucia, and Barbados and firms were selected to present at 1 of these territories based on their geographic location. From these regional events, the judges selected 10 firms to move forward to the final round in London, along with the 2 firms, who emerged as winners at the pilot launch of Break Point during the 7^th UK-Caribbean Forum in Grenada in January 2012. These 12 firms were given the ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity to travel to London during Caribbean Export’s “London Engage” the last week of the Olympics to make their final pitches to angel investors, venture capitalists, distributors, etc., and the chance to receive investment, joint ventures, and/or distribution aimed at gaining access to the EU market.

The Break Point series follows the journey of these 30 firms from their initial preparatory sessions at the UWI Cave Hill School of Business, to their regional pitches and the subsequent selection process that followed, all the way to the 12 firms’ final pitches in London.

The 30 Candidates that made it to Round 2 came from 10 different CARIFORUM countries and represented a diverse range of sectors and industries, such as Agro-Processing, Light Manufacturing, Creative Industries, Fashion and Garment, Professional services, and Specialized Tourism.

Break Point is a Caribbean Export initiative under and 10^thEuropean Development Fund’s (EDF) Regional Private Sector Development Programme, in partnership with the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID) and the United Kingdom Trade and Investment (UKTI) and will be shown on national and regional television stations.

Country:  Guyana

Profile:  

Sonia Noel is one of Guyana’s leading designers and over the last 16 years, has become one of the most recognizable names in the Caribbean fashion industry. Prior to this, Noel operated a boutique, which imported clothing for purchase. Even though this boutique housed some of the finest international clothing brands, Noel opted for a personal style that was more reflective of her Afro-Amerindian heritage, much to the delight of her customers. This prompted the fashionista to create the label Mariska’s Designs. Inspired by her older daughter, this brand depicts the many waters, forests and animals of the region. Thereby creating a unique hybrid of Guyanese artistry, Caribbean creativity and an all-pervasive universal style.

Noel’s designs have graced runways at numerous Caribbean Fashion-Week presentations and trade expositions from Jamaica in the north, to Guyana in the south, including the Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, French Guyana, Antigua, St Kitts, St Lucia, St Vincent and Trinidad. All of the intricate designs, unusual warm and glowing colors, fine fabrics and textures are sagaciously chosen by Noel herself. These pieces can be worn from the beach to the ballroom, and from housewives to first ladies.

Assistance received:

Sonia Noel has participated in a number of Caribbean Gift and Craft Shows (re-branded to Design Caribbean) and fashion-week productions with support from Caribbean Export. However, her most recent assistance came during the staging of the London Engage initiative during Summer 2012. The award-winning designer closed out the Caribbean Essence Fashion Showcase with captivating pieces from her line.

The Fashion Showcase served as the opening of Caribbean Export’s Grosvenor House presence and the Agency’s involvement in the African and Caribbean Business Expo in London. Noel shared the stage with five other regional designers at the invitation-only event attended by a mix of industry professionals including manufacturers, stylists and fashion consultants.

Impact:

Participation in the Fashion Showcase and the subsequent Business Forum led to the establishment of two significant contacts in the United Kingdom: David Roberts, Founder of Carib Direct, a multicultural blog that features a variety of news, lifestyle and entertainment pieces from across the Caribbean and its Diaspora; and Sherry-Ann Dixon, a Marketing and Public Relations Consultant.

Both of these connections have led to the establishment of future initiatives including the launch of Makin’ Styles, a Caribbean Lifestyle magazine, in April 2013 in Guyana and scheduled for June 2013 in New York, London and Toronto; as well as Noel’s participation in the French-Guiana Fashion Week.

The fashion designer extraordinaire will also be launching her new collection from Sonia Noel Designs called First Resort, which is an assortment of breezy ready-to-wear casuals, that can easily transform into trendy classic wear.

There has also been an increase in clientele for the brand Mariska’s Designs following the London Engage event, the majority of which is from the diaspora in the UK.

“Caribbean Export must be lauded for their commitment to entrepreneurs in the region, especially those within the fashion industry,” commented Sonia Noel.

The veteran designer also acknowledged the networking possibilities, media exposure and global visibility that have been afforded to participants in Caribbean Export-supported activities.

Insight:

Sonia Noel believes that the global attraction and universal appeal of the Caribbean brand places the region in a unique position to maximize on opportunities for growth and export. However, Noel notes “lack of investment is one of the biggest challenges faced by regional entrepreneurs and enterprises”.

“For those within the creative industries, this is compounded by nominal appreciation for the sector. However, Caribbean Export and similar entities recognize not only the cultural, but also the economic potential of the industry and have created a platform to take what the region has to offer to world. There is a great sense of appreciation for what the Agency has done to maximize the reach of the Mariska’s Design brand and for that I am especially thankful”, concluded Noel.

Contact Details:

Sonia Noel
Mariska’s Designs
Tel: +1 501-592-684-8129/226-3099
Web: www.sonianoel.com
Email: soniaenoel@gmail.com

This training initiative forms part of Caribbean Export’s implementation of the 10^th European Development Fund (EDF) funded Regional Private Sector Development Programme (RPSDP) relating to the development of the CARIFORUM management consulting industry. Caribbean Export has been implementing this €32.1m programme (€28.1m of which is financed by the European Union) since 2011 with the overall objective of contributing to the gradual integration of CARIFORUM countries into the global economy and by so doing, enhancing regional economic growth and contributing to the goal of poverty alleviation. More specifically, the 10^th EDF RPSDP is in part geared toward enhancing competitiveness and promoting innovation among the CARIFORUM private sector in several priority industries and sectors which include the management consulting industry.

In this regard, the training workshop will enable regional management consultants to advance toward the attainment of the Certified Management Consultant (CMC) qualification, an internationally recognized competence-based certification which prescribes standards for the practice of management consulting. This is important in the current environment where CARIFORUM management consulting firms face persistent challenges to their competitiveness in the regional market as well as their export capacity.

This training initiative forms one part of Caribbean Export’s work in the professional services sector for 2013. Proposed for June later this year in Trinidad and Tobago, the Agency will be hosting its 5^th Annual Management Consulting Business Symposium, which will focus on the development of strategic industry alliances and the exploration of opportunities for CARIFORUM management consulting firms to engage the European Union market. The Symposium will also include a training component which will build on the present initiative in the Dominican Republic.