How Can We Help You? We provide financial assistance to small - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

How Can We Help You? • We provide financial assistance to small businesses through our Direct Assistance Scheme, which is funded by the European Union. The Scheme is designed to support established businesses with strong potential to export their products and services. 2

Success Stories – 9 th EDF • Caribbean Export disbursed 83% ( € 2.7 million) to grant beneficiaries. • 197 CARIFORUM organizations awarded grants across a range of industries between 2008 and 2010 • Wide cross-section of sectors supported • Low decommitment (i.e. 17% ( € 470,000) 3

Success Stories 4

The New Direct Assistance – 10 th EDF • Increased promotion in 15 CARIFORUM Countries • Technical workshops - proposal writing & grant procedures in 15 CARIFORUM Countries • Revised Application form & Guidelines • Improved website • Online application process 5 • Interim reimbursement payments

The New Direct Assistance – 10 th EDF Applicants are eligible to apply if they are: • A firm (i.e. entity, individual or company) legally registered and operating in a CARIFORUM member state; • A legally registered Business Support Organization (BSOs) in a CARIFORUM member state such as trade association, chamber of commerce, partnering with at least two (2) private sector firms; 6

The New Direct Assistance – 10 th EDF Applicants are eligible to apply if they are (cont’d): • Trading in the following Sectors: Alternative Energy, Agriculture, Agro-Processing, Creative Industries, Health & Wellness, Information Communication Technology, Manufacturing, Professional Services, Tourism; • Exporting or potential to export goods and services; 7

The New Direct Assistance – 10 th EDF Applicants are eligible to apply if they are (cont’d): • Operational for at least two (2) years supported by last two years financial statements/accounts; and • Able to finance and sustain their projects fully at the outset; that is 100% financing is available prior to project initiation. 8

The New Direct Assistance – 10 th EDF Applicants are NOT eligible to apply: • Start‐ups; firms, entities or individuals not financially operational for two (2) years • Educational institutions such as Universities, Schools, Vocational centres, etc. • Non‐Governmental Organisations, including but not limited human-rights, social clubs, citizen associations and charity 9

Amounts to be Funded • Regular Procedures - € 5,000 – € 30,000 (reimbursed up to a maximum of 70% ( € 30,000) of project cost) • Accelerated Procedures - € 1,000 to € 5,000 (reimbursed up to a maximum of 70% ( € 5,000) of project cost) • Grants will have a maximum duration of six (6) months 10

Projects to be Funded • Research, Development and Innovation • Advisory services • Product and service development • Marketing services and activities (e.g. trade fairs participation, trade mission and in-market activities) • Quality and environmental systems • Promotional materials (e.g. brochures, catalogues, CDs and video) 11

Projects to be Funded • Training programmes • Implementation of IT solutions (e.g. website, e- commerce and multimedia) • Market research and testing • Packaging, design • Intellectual Property activities (e.g. brand registration and patents) This list is for guidance only and is not exhaustive. 12

Important Dates • October 12, 2011 Caribbean Export will officially launch The Direct Assistance Scheme. • 1 st Call for Proposals will be published on October 21, 2011. • Deadline for Applications November 28, 2011 13

THANK YOU CONTACT: Kirk Brown Senior Grant Advisor kbrown@carib-export.com Tel: (246) 436 0578 Fax: (246) 436 9999 14

QUESTION & ANSWERS 15