The project targeted small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) of all CARIFORUM Countries and was jointly implemented by Caribbean Export and the following eight Intermediary Organisations:

·       Confederación Dominicana de la Pequeña y Mediana Empresa, (CODOPYME), Dominican Republic

·       Jamaica Manufacturers Association (JMA), Jamaica

·       Belize Trade Investment and Development Agency (BELTRAIDE), Belize

·       Guyana Office for Investments (GOINVEST), Guyana

·       Italian Giftware Association,( IGA), Italy·       Chamber of Kavala, Greece

·       Interco Aquitaine, France

·       Union de Exportadores de Muebles y Afines del Centro de España, Spain

66 enterprises participated in what they deemed to be a successful Sector Partnership Meeting and at least 23 potential agreements were initially reported. In addition, 15 formal Letters of Intent and one draft Collaboration Contract has already been received by Caribbean Export.  

The companies that are interested in developing agreements are listed in the full report click for report.

Another positive and unexpected outcome of the Sector Partnership Meeting is the establishment of a follow-up Committee for the “Contract” operations which will be coordinated by Caribbean Export’s Sub Regional Office, based in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.  

Caribbean Export is currently assessing a number of technical assistance programmes for the furniture sector as a follow up the Meeting and based on the expressed needs of companies in the sector. However, it is clear that future initiatives will involve other developmental agencies already active in the sector in the region such as the Centre for the Development of Enterprise (CDE) and PROINVEST.