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.

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Success Stories – 9th 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)

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Success Stories

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The New Direct Assistance – 10th 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
• Interim reimbursement payments

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The New Direct Assistance – 10th 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;

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The New Direct Assistance – 10th 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;

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The New Direct Assistance – 10th 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
• utset; that is 100% financing is available prior to

project initiation.

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The New Direct Assistance – 10th EDF

Applicants are NOT eligible to apply:

• Start‐ups; firms, entities or individuals not financially
• perational 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

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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

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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)

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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.

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Important Dates

• October 12, 2011 Caribbean Export will officially

launch The Direct Assistance Scheme.

• 1st Call for Proposals will be published on October

21, 2011.

• Deadline for Applications November 28, 2011

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THANK YOU

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

QUESTION & ANSWERS

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