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Community : Grand Bahama Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM


CEDA/GBPA host export marketing training for local SMEs
By The Grand Bahama Port Authority
Jun 2, 2014 - 11:30:00 AM

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PROUD ProNet PARTICIPANTS – Participants of the recent ProNet Export Marketing & Management Module, proudly display their certificates following a grueling three days of training.

Freeport, Grand Bahama – Following three days of intense training, ProNet’s Export Marketing and Management Module concluded this past Thursday. The event was facilitated by internationally accredited ProNet trainers Donald Demeritte and Maxine Harris, and provided participants with training in market research, strategy development and the meticulous execution required to take their businesses global.

President of The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA), Ian Rolle was present for the closing session. As he expressed his thanks to Caribbean Export Development Agency, (CEDA) for their ongoing partnership, he noted to attendees the importance of GBPA’s relationship with CEDA in promoting growth and capacity building within Grand Bahama’s SME sector.

“This initiative is hosted as a collaborative effort between CEDA and GBPA’s  Enterprising Centre,” Rolle explained. “While it reflects CEDA’s mandate to build trade capacity and competitiveness amongst SMEs  regionally, it also demonstrates GBPA’s  commitment to foster growth, stability and sustainability for Freeport’s economy through its small business sector. We are therefore delighted to partner with CEDA and are grateful for their continued support,” he added.  

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AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT – CEDA Representative – Kevin Jones, Advisor - Competitiveness and Innovation, announced CEDA’s Special Call for Proposals - Food Safety, that would allow CARIFORUM agro- processing firms to receive financial assistance, as part of the Regional Private Sector Development Programme funded by the European Union’s (EU) 10th European Development Fund.

Export Marketing and Management is the third Module to be offered to small businesses this year. Modules I and II (Business Strategy and Finance Management) were hosted during March and April respectively; all very well attended. The class of more than 35 small business owners, spanned a number of economic sectors, including manufacturing, retail, agriculture and fisheries, handicraft, construction and numerous others.  

CEDA representative Kevin Jones, Advisor - Competitiveness and Innovation, welcomed participants to the training on behalf of CEDA. Jones also announced CEDA’s Special Call for Proposals in Food Safety, that would allow CARIFORUM agro-processing firms to receive financial assistance, as part of the Regional Private Sector Development Programme funded by the European Union’s (EU) 10th European Development Fund.  Submission deadline for proposals  is July 9, 2014. Additionally, Jones noted the opportunity for EU Market access for businesses within the agro-food processing sector, and encouraged firms which were already exporting or are very close to being export ready to participate.

GBPA Commercial Manager Charles Pratt, applauded the commitment of attendees  for seeing the programme through to its completion. “Your presence at these workshops indicate the value you place on developing your business; but also by extension, your commitment to support a thriving small business sector that will create stable employment for residents and a healthy economy for everyone,” Pratt expressed, as he presented participants with certificates.

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Upon successful completion of the Modules, participants received internationally recognized ProNet certificates. Pictured from left to right is Kevin Jones, Advisor, Competitiveness and Innovation - CEDA, Garnell Frith, Owner - Dollar Deals and Ian Rolle, GBPA President.

Pratt further noted that the ProNet Series was offered to assist SME owners with day-to-day management of their operations,  to become more productive, competitive and therefore more profitable. “We trust that as a result of the training, we would have assisted small business owners throughout Grand Bahama, to establish the required financial and business operations structures,  that would allow them to move their businesses forward and their products throughout The Bahamas, the Caribbean Region and beyond,” Pratt concluded.

Topics covered during the Module included Market Research, Export Readiness, Regulatory Compliance and Development of an Export Plan. As attendees expressed their gratitude to both GBPA and CEDA for hosting the training, they said they hoped to see similar initiatives continue, as the information received was relevant and beneficial.

Persons requiring further information regarding the recent CEDA Food Safety Proposal  Call, may visit CEDAs website at http://www.carib-export.com/2014/05/caribbean-export-and-the-eu-offers-grants-to-the-regions-food-producers/.


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