Saint Lucia/Canada Music Symposium

Expert panel solicited to guide TEPA’s hand in Creative Industries

Saint Lucia Investment Forum

Local Fashion Designer Featured at Labo Ethnik Fashion & Lifestyle

TEPA hosts “Rules of Origin” workshop

Exporters benefit from TEPA’s Technical assistance

Project Funding From CEDA

ProNet Training comes to Saint Lucia

Saint Lucia/Canada Music Symposium

Expert panel solicited to guide TEPA’s hand in Creative Industries

Saint Lucia Investment Forum

Local Fashion Designer Featured at Labo Ethnik Fashion & Lifestyle

TEPA hosts “Rules of Origin” workshop

Exporters benefit from TEPA’s Technical assistance

Project Funding From CEDA

ProNet Training comes to Saint Lucia

Taking Saint Lucia to the World

TEPA NEWSLETTERMay/June / VOLUME 2 ISSUE 3

SECTION 1 INSIDE TEPA

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KNOW YOUREXPORTS

PAGE 10

SECTION 2 FEATURED ARTICLES

SECTION 3 KNOW YOUR EXPORTS

Know your Exports!

FROOTSY FOODS

Know your Exports!

FROOTSY FOODS

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Saint Lucia/Canada Music Symposium

In an effort to expose, educate and explore opportunities for persons involved in

Saint Lucia’s Creative Industries (CI), TEPA collaborated with Filbert “Kayo” Salton, a Saint Lucian born rapper residing in Canada to execute The Canada Music Symposium & Showcase. Kayo has a strong passion for music and has actively pursued his dream of becoming a professional and accomplished musician.

This collaboration with Kayo provided TEPA and the Saint Lucia music industry by extension, with a perspective on the North American Music Industry, particularly in Canada. The overall objective of this initiative was to educate Saint Lucian artists and industry personnel on key components of the music business, and to understand the Canadian/ North American market. At the end of the symposium the following was achieved:

Practical methods for strengthening the local music industry;

A clear roadmap for Canadian music market penetration.

The event was conducted over two days and was delivered in the following format:

Music Showcase (Day 2)The showcase was held at the Sandals Grande Resort with ten artistes covering a wide spectrum of music genres including Pop, R&B, Reggae and Rock. The artistes showcased three songs each to the Canadian delegation and Sandals guests. The Delegation included Ian Stanger and Jason Murray of Black Box Music, Tom Kemp of The Feldman Agency, JP Boucher of Universal Music Canada and Filbert “Kayo” Salton.The showcase gave the Canadian delegation a taste of Saint Lucia’s talent and diversity in varied genres. The information gathered from this showcase was to assist in discussions and deliberation during the second component on day two.

The delegation reported their satisfaction with the showcase and commented that talent was of a high quality and the material “world class” in some cases. Each artiste was rated on stage presence, live sound, crowd engagement, song quality, export readiness and marketability to North American Audiences.

INSIDE TEPA

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Symposium Sessions (Day2)The symposium was held on Friday May 23rd at The Bay Gardens Inn. The Canadian music Industry delegation presented a series of sessions pertinent to exporting music to the North American market. Particular emphasis was placed on the Canadian Music Industry and creating intriguing and engaging music for a Canadian Audience.

Local Artistes who participated indicated their satisfaction with the symposium. TEPA will now work with the artistes to continue developing the industry with the ultimate goal of exporting internationally. Upcoming initiatives to hone in on the work started with this symposium will include:

Writing and Production Workshops: with an emphasis on song-writing, production and marketing. This will introduce participants to the process of song writing, releasing and marketing.

Export and Showcasing Opportunities: this component involves seeking and sourcing opportunities for St. Lucia to promote its music and artistes internationally.

These may include participation in established “music weeks”, festivals and showcase–style festivals internationally. TEPA will partner with the Ministry of Tourism, Heritage and Creative Industries, the Eastern Caribbean Copyright Organization and Music Industry Core team, to ensure the success of these initiatives.

The Saint Lucia TEPA is currently in the process of meeting with practitioners within the various subsectors of

the island’s creative Industry. The objective of these consultations is to form an advisory committee to assist with programming initiatives aimed at marketing and promoting the products of these sectors. To date, meetings have been held with personnel from the music sector, which have led

to the formation of a music industry advisory committee comprising representatives from the Ministry of Tourism, Heritage and Creative Industries, other Business support Organisations, managers, producers and promoters.

In the coming weeks, TEPA will engage representatives from the Arts and Craft, Film, Fashion and ITC subsectors.

Expert panel solicited to guide TEPA’s hand in Creative Industries.

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TEPA was a key stakeholder in the recently concluded Saint Lucia Investment Forum. The inaugural Saint Lucia

Investment Forum (SLIF) was held from May 4th - 6th, 2014, at the Sandals Grande St. Lucian Spa and Beach Resort. SLIF brought together a delegation of international and regional investors, business leaders, international media, investment consultants and key strategic partners to meet in plenary sessions and panel discussions on investment projects and opportunities in Saint Lucia.The main purpose of the SLIF was to:

Present real investment opportunities to potential investors based on the specific offerings available in Saint Lucia;

Demonstrate to the international investment community through updates on ongoing policy reforms and related initiatives that Saint Lucia is indeed primed for success;

Position Saint Lucia as the location of choice for investment in specific sectors and niches;

Facilitate the development of joint venture partnerships, PPPs, and other strategic alliances between foreign investors, Government and domestic businesses;

Showcase the successful investments and domestic products and services currently obtained in Saint Lucia.

On invitation from Invest Saint Lucia, TEPA presented the best of Saint Lucia’s exports under our recently unveiled “Taste of Saint Lucia” Campaign.

“Taste of Saint Lucia” campaign was launched on February 20, 2014, at the High Commission of Saint Lucia to introduce a range of premium brands to the United Kingdom building on the demand in the specialty market for quality and authenticity.

The showcase presented demonstrated what is currently taking place in the UK to develop markets for the brands of Saint Lucia, and to create routes to market for those products.

In addition to showcasing premium rums, cocoa, coffee, honey, gluten free flours, iconic sauces and seasonings, the display exhibited a range of health and beauty products, creative artwork and jewelry from some of the finest talent on the island. Also highlighted in the showcase was the famous coal pot, the essential traditional cooking aid for many Saint Lucians.

Saint Lucia Investment Forum

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In our bid to promote exporters in overseas markets by participating in promotional and marketing events, TEPA

provided assistance to Saint Lucian designer Lyn Bristol of LBM Designs, to participate in the recently held LABO ETHNIK Fashion and Lifestyle in Paris, France.

LABO ETHNIK Fashion & Lifestyle highlights tomorrow’s talents, local and international, selected for their creativity, their know-how and their capacity to produce.

Ms. Bristol, having made a name for herself in the fashion industry in St. Lucia with her specialty being hand painted designs using cottons and silks, was one of the chosen designers for the premier Hot Couture Fashion Show 2013, which formed part of the St. Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival. The invitation to participate in this high profile show was extended to her by the appointed Artistic Director Vincent Mc Doom.

On the catwalk, LBM Designs’ pieces were worn by many professional male and female models based in France, alongside St. Lucian Brittney Noon, Tangie Butcher and Annaleise Dayes. Her designs were accessorized with jewelry by Nadia Jabour and Alcina Nolley of Saint Lucia.

LBM Designs benefitted immensely from this opportunity as the audiences consisted of professionals (Buyers and Journalists) and individuals fond of exceptional pieces. Lyn Bristol was interviewed by the French Press “Fashion 1 TV,” which added to the exposure. She has since been invited to take part in two additional fashion shows, one in Paris and the other in Martinique.

TEPA applauds the efforts of LBM Designs to participate in these exhibitions as they provide the ideal opportunity to create awareness of the LBM Designs brand and line of products. They also introduce these products to new and established contacts in the market.

Local Fashion Designer Featured at Labo Ethnik Fashion & Lifestyle

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On Tuesday, June 17th, 2014, the Saint Lucia Trade Export Promotion Agency (TEPA) hosted a one day training

workshop focusing on “Rules of Origin” at Bay Gardens Inn. This workshop was facilitated by Mr. Claude A. Paul, former Comptroller of Saint Lucia’s Customs and Excise Department. The training exercise was geared towards assisting private sector firms presently exporting, or that are export ready to understand, adhere-to and apply the concept of “Rules of Origin” systems used in International Trade. Strong emphasis was placed on the application of those rules in the context of CARICOM and the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).The enabling objectives of this training exercise were achieved through presentations, discussions and group activities on the following:

Definition of the term “Rules of Origin” Explanation of the Rules of Origin Systems for CARICOM

and Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA); Identification of the documentation required for

CARICOM and EPA;

Certification and Verification; Using case studies to apply the Rules of Origin.

Thirty (30) individuals from the public and private sectors representing the St. Lucia Manufacturers Association (SMA), St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, St. Lucia Industrial & Small Business Association (SLISBA), St. Lucia Customs Brokers and Customs Clerks Association, Government department/agencies (Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Agriculture, EPA unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Civil Aviation) were in attendance for this training exercise. The participants were pleased with the delivery of the exercise and lauded the speaker for making it very interactive and interesting.

TEPA anticipates that providing firms and stakeholders with this information will give them a clearer overview of Rules of Origin (ROO), as well as demystify any preconceived complexities on the same.

TEPA hosts Rules of Origin workshop

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Exporters benefit from TEPA’s Technical assistanceHACCP Certification

Project funding from CEDA

The Saint Lucia Trade Export Promotion Agency (TEPA) provided assistance to Viking Traders Ltd, a local food

processing company through a short term consultancy, to “Design and Implement HACCP Plan and Procedures”. This assistance forms part of TEPA’s ongoing efforts to improve the competitiveness and viability of exporters by adhering to proper food safety management requirements. The consultancy hinges on the development and administration of required pre-requisite programs including:

The identification of critical training areas and the facilitation of training

The review of existing HACCP plan documentation An evaluation of existing operations, plans, work

Procedures and plant infrastructure undertaken by Viking Traders Ltd.

The main objectives under this consultancy are:

To Improve Food Safety Management Systems at the company;

To improve standards through implementation of Quality Management Systems;

To Increase market access and business development opportunities;

To enhance the quality and safety of the company’s products and the production process.

The consultancy will serve as the basis to make recommendations to complete HACCP implementation, allow for an internal audit followed by a HACCP certification audit by a third party agency.

With technical assistance from TEPA, three (3) business entities successfully applied for grants under the Caribbean Export Development Agency (CEDA) Call for Proposals – Regular Procedures. Converge Solutions Inc., Island Interactive Ltd and Dahlia Baby Softness will be awarded grant contracts under the Direct Assistance Grant Scheme (DAGS) to finance their proposed projects.

TEPA continues to work closely with SMEs offering

assistance in a range of areas in an effort to aid the growth of these businesses and Saint Lucia’s trade portfolio on a whole. Several entities, many of which have benefitted from TEPAs assistance in the past, were successful in obtaining grants under the Direct Assistance Grant Scheme (DAGS) – Accelerated Procedures, these include Viking Traders Ltd, Natmed Ltd, Windward Pasta, Clay Products Ltd, Tolyn Manufactures Ltd. and Moz Inc.

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ProNet Training Comes to Saint Lucia

One of the core functions of TEPA is Trade Facilitation. A component of our trade facilitation is capacity building

for exporters and stakeholders. TEPA will be partnering with Caribbean Export Development Agency (CEDA) to offer a ProNet training program starting in September. The first of three modules, “Business Strategy,” will be administered from September 16 to 18. The other two modules, “Cost and Financial Management” and “Export Marketing” will follow during October 14 to16 and November 11 to 13 respectively.

About ProNet - 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. The modules are Business Strategy, Quality Management, Production Management, Resource Management, Product Development, Information Management, Human Resources Management, Cost & Financial Management and Export Marketing.

For more information on ProNet, contact Glenfield Gilbert at 468-2051, or e-mail ggilbert@tepa.org.lc, or call Anthony John at 468-2123, or e-mail ajohn@tepa.org.lc. You may also download the ProNet brochure here http://www.carib-export.com/login/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/ProNet-Brochure-FINAL.pdf

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Caribbean Export Invests in Market Intelligence

Opportunities

The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) convened a high level regional consultation

to examine the rationale for market intelligence and its relevance to building export competitiveness; and to secure agreement on the development of a regional export strategy. The consultations took place from June 5th- 6th at the Radisson Aquatica Resort, Barbados. The meeting was attended by stakeholders from across the region.

In her opening remarks Executive Director for Caribbean Export, Pamela Coke Hamilton, stressed that “Market research and competitive intelligence can help, and is necessary for helping the CARIFORUM private sector to better understand a number of issues in export markets such as the market entry requirements for their products, consumer demand patterns and trends, competitor and substitute products, distribution networks and the regulatory requirements that affect their businesses.”

Read full story here http://www.carib-export.com/2014/06/caribbean-export-invests-in-market-intelligence/

Notice for CARIFORUM Fashion FirmsInvitation to participate in Dominicana Moda 2014

October 20-25, 2014Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) under the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) will be collaborating in the organization of Dominicana Moda 2014 (DM2014) in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Caribbean Export is highly committed to the development of the Fashion sector in the Region and seeks to enable opportunities such as these to engage relevant stakeholders and foster sector-wide integration. This collaborative effort will provide a great opportunity for emerging and established fashion designers in the Caribbean to expose their vision at a regional and international stage, thus positioning the Caribbean as an international go-to location for Fashion design and ingenuity.

For more information click on the link below:http://www.carib-export.com/2014/06/expression-of-interest-notice-dominicana-moda-2014/

Notice for CARIFORUM FirmsInvitation to participate in the VIII AmericasCompetitiveness Forum (ACF)

OCTOBER 8-12, 2014

The VIII Americas Competitiveness Forum (ACF) and Annual Meeting of the Inter-American Competitiveness Network (RIAC) will be held in Trinidad and Tobago during the period October 8th – 10th, 2014, which is the first time the ACF is being held in an English speaking country.

For more information click on the link below:http://www.carib-export.com/2014/07/expression-of-interest-participate-in-the-viii-acf/

FEATURED ARTICLES

Executive Director of the Caribbean Export Development Agency, Pamela Coke-Hamilton

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Social Media and Digital Marketing Corner

7 Reasons Your Business Is Failing -- And What To Do About It

How to Choose the Right Social Media Tools for Your Business

So many social media tools, so little time.

Sound familiar? It’s an issue many business owners face these days. You know you should be staying on top of all the new tools out there, but between doing client work, prospecting, and maybe once in awhile, having a life, it’s next to impossible.

The thing is, you know how important social networks can be to developing your business. Personally, my company has acquired several clients through relationships we’ve built on social networks like Twitter and Facebook. Social media works as a lead generation tool – but it takes time, and effort.So where is the best place to get started? Here are a few ideas that might help you choose.

Read blog here http://blog.hootsuite.com/right-social-media-for-your-business/

If sales are declining, you’ve got fewer customers coming in your door, or you’re having trouble paying your vendors, it’s

time to figure out what’s broken in your business and make a serious commitment toward fixing it.

While every business is different, there are some typical reasons for small business failure. See if any of these resonate with you, then check out the “What to Do About It” section to turn things around.

1. You Don’t Know How to Market Your BusinessNot every business owner is born knowing how to get the word out about their business, and that’s fine. But when a business owner’s shortcomings put their business in jeopardy, that’s when somebody must take responsibility and take action.

If you think marketing is too hard to figure out yourself, or you assume it costs more than you’ve got to hire someone, you’re essentially shutting down the possibility of finding new customers.

Read full article here:http://www.forbes.com/sites/jaysondemers/2014/06/24/7-reasons-your-business-is-failing-and-what-to-do-about-it/

Executive Director of the Caribbean Export Development Agency, Pamela Coke-Hamilton

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1. What is e-commerce?

E-commerce is the use of electronic communications and digital information processing technology in business transactions to create, transform, and redefine relationships for value creation between or among organizations, and between organizations and individuals. It

also pertains to “any form of business transaction in which the parties interact electronically rather than by physical exchanges or direct physical contact.”

2. What are the different types of e-commerce?The different types of e-commerce are as follows:

(a) Business-to-business (B2B); B2B e-commerce is simply defined as e-commerce between companies. This is the type of e-commerce that deals with relationships between and among businesses. About 80% of e-commerce is of this type.

(b) Business-to-consumer (B2C); Business-to-consumer e-commerce, or commerce between companies and consumers, involves customers gathering information; purchasing physical goods (i.e., tangibles such as books or consumer products) or information goods (or

goods of electronic material or digitized content, such as software, or e-books); and, for information goods, receiving products over an electronic network. It is the second largest and the earliest form of e-commerce.

(c) Business-to-government (B2G); Business-to-government (B2G) e-commerce is generally defined as commerce between companies and the public sector. It refers to the use of the Internet for public procurement, licensing procedures, and other government-related operations.

(d) Consumer-to-consumer (C2C); Consumer-to-consumer e-commerce (C2C) is simply commerce between private individuals or consumers. This type of e-commerce is characterized by the growth of electronic marketplaces and online auctions, particularly in vertical industries where firms/businesses can bid for what they want from among multiple suppliers. It perhaps has the greatest potential for developing new markets.

(e) Mobile commerce (m-commerce)Mobile commerce (m-commerce) is the buying and selling of goods and services through wireless technology i.e., handheld devices such as cellular telephones and personal digital assistants (PDAs). Japan is seen as a global leader in m-commerce.

1. No Category Research2. Limited Investment in Marketing & Trade Spending3. Another “Me-Too” Product4. Pricing is Too High5. Product not Labeled in the Local Language

6. Insufficient Due Diligence during the Distributor/ Partner Selection Process7. Diverting – New Customer Pick Up at your Plant8. No Focus on the Shelf9. Exporter Fails to Visit the Market10. Unrealistic Expectations

KNOW YOUR EXPORTS: Ask AnthonyAsk Anthony

a. 80% of the online population has used the internet to make a purchase, and 50% of the online population has purchased online more than once.

b. Apparel and Accessories’ is the fastest growing e-commerce sector of the 9 major categories.

c. India is home to the fastest growing e-commerce market, and France is experiencing the slowest growth.

Export Tip: Common Export Mistakes

Did you Know...

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Awards:

2004 -Caribbean Gift and Craft Show: Outstanding Creative Packaging, RUNNER-UP

Products:Food: Jams and jellies, fruit cheeses, green seasoning sauce, condiments, edible nuts, honey, essences, virgin coconut oil, vinegar

Chemicals: dish washing liquid, disinfectant, bleach

Manufacturer: Frootsy Foods Ltd

Address: Froosty Food Ltd Praslin, Mon Repos Saint Lucia

Contact person: Mr. Eldon Serieux

Contact: Tel: (758) 455-3076 Fax: (758) 455-3075 E-mail: frootsy@candw.lc or peterjean27@hotmail.com Website: http://www.frootsyfoods.com

Sector: Food, Chemical

Export Markets: Tortola, Puerto Rico

Know Your Exports

Exporter’s Information Awards

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Export Stats

Saint Lucia’s Export to OECS Countries 2009-2013

Saint Lucia’s Export totals to OECS Countries 2009-2013