Bridgetown, BARBADOS - The Caribbean Export
Development Agency (Caribbean Export) facilitated the planning session
for the 2015 work programme and annual general meeting of the Caribbean
Network of Service Coalitions last week at the Marriot Hotel, Barbados.
The
meeting which gathered representatives from the fifteen (15) CARIFORUM
States spent 4 days developing the work programme for Year 2 of the 10th
European Development Fund (EDF) Services Fiche; a programme with a
total value of €3.2million. Participants focussed on developing actions
both at the National level as well as the Regional level. At the end of
the exercise a draft work programme was developed which is anticipated
to be finalized within two (2) weeks after further consultations at the
respective National level.
The services sector
incorporates industries such as financial services, creative industries,
health and wellness, professional services, Information Communication
and Technology (ICT), education and also tourism. Chargé D’Affairs of
the European Commission to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Mrs.
Silvia Koffler noted at the closing ceremony that “the services sector
in most CARIFORUM countries is a significant contributor to GDP,
accounting for more than 50% of GDP in most cases”. She further
indicated that the Commission is always pleased to work with Caribbean
Export in the development and strengthening of the Services Sector in
the region so that mutual benefits under the Economic Partnership
Agreement (EPA) can be realized.
Caribbean Export is
reported to have awarded over €1.6million in grant funding to firms
operating within the region’s services sector during the implementation
of the 10th EDF Regional Private Sector Development Programme (RPSDP)
accounting for 28% of all grant contracts. The significance of the
contributions made by services sector to the region’s economies is
apparent and Caribbean Export Agency with the support of the European
Union is committed to developing the sector further. “The EPA provides a
platform for CARIFORUM firms to expand into the EU market….this
increased access under the EPA will facilitate successful transition in
the EU market.” stressed Koffler.
Services Specialist at
Caribbean Export Allyson Francis underscored that “it is only through
effective implementation that we can really provide the support for our
private sector to take advantage of the opportunities available under
the EPA.” She also urged her regional colleagues to return to their
respective institutions to pursue what was agreed following the
discussions during the meetings.
At its AGM, the CNSC
elected a new president – Julianne Jarvis of the Antigua and Barbuda
Coalition of Services. She will provide leadership of the Network over
the coming year. Caribbean Export wishes to congratulate Ms. Jarvis and
looks forward to working closely with the new Executive Team over the
coming months.
Pictured at the table from left;
Ms. Allyson Francis – Services Specialist, Caribbean Export
Mrs. Silvia Koffler – Chargé D’Affairs, Delegation of the European Union to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean
Ms. Marjorie Straw – Manager, Special Projects JAMPRO, Jamaica
Ms. Julianne Jarvis – Project Implementation Officer, Antigua & Barbuda Coalition of Services Industry
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