By JoEllen Laryea
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados — As services industries and providers across the region learn to navigate the global pandemic, Caribbean Export Development Agency in collaboration with the Trinidad and Tobago Coalition of Services Industries, Belize Coalition of Services Providers, Jamaica Coalition of Services Industries, Grenada Coalition of Services Industries and the Saint Lucia Coalition of Services Industries steps in to host a series of training programs designed to enhance the export-readiness of services SMEs commencing April 2021 for three months.
The training will support 120 services providers operating in the business and professional services, information, communication technology (ICT), health and wellness sectors, and sports and recreational services.
The Services Go-Global (SGG) training will take place virtually over four days and will provide an opportunity for businesses to develop their export plans, access regional and international markets and develop their global brand.
The SGG program was developed to optimize CARIFORUM countries export of services by building the capacity of service providers to capitalize on opportunities under the CARIFORUM – EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), CARICOM Single Market & Economy (CSME) and other existing trade agreements; and to build national capacity through a cadre of certified trainers for the SGG program geared to assist SMEs in the services sector. The workshops will be facilitated by master trainers, Yvonne Agard, President, Caribbean Network of Services Coalitions (St. Lucia), Dr Dionne Chamberlain, President, Belize Coalition of Services Providers, Reynaldo Guerrero (Belize), Dr Tamu Browne (St. Kitts) and Rabindra Jaggernauth (Trinidad and Tobago).
“Services play a crucial role in the development of the economies in CARIFORUM, not just as a sector but also due to the significant impact on other sectors such as the manufacturing sector. Caribbean Export is deeply committed to the development of the region’s services sector and it is hoped that firms large and small capitalize upon this opportunity to build their capacity to take advantage of the CARIFORUM-EU EPA and better integrate into the global economy.” expressed Allyson Francis, Services Specialist at Caribbean Export.
There are currently a number of opportunities for small firms to enter new markets, and it is anticipated this will be increased once they have participated in the Services Go Global training program. This human and institutional capacity building initiative goes hand in hand with another joint project between the development agencies, which aims to enhance the sustainability of the national services coalitions which provide critical business support services to local service providers such as training, advocacy and market visits.
“Services Go Global is a timely and comprehensive training program for services exporters. This training comes at the opportune time as businesses in Trinidad and Tobago look to pivot their services in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the past two years and with support from Caribbean Export, TTCSI has trained over fifty entrepreneurs. Three persons emerged winners of the Annual Lawrence Placide Services Go Global Award since its inception in 2019 and as we celebrate our 15th anniversary this year, we hope to increase the number of export plans completed by participants,” shared Vashti Guyadeen, chief executive officer, Trinidad and Tobago Coalition of Services Industries.
The program was developed by Global Links Network, a team of certified international trade professionals who have delivered services training in over 50 countries worldwide over the past 20 years. To date, Services Go Global is the only export readiness training program for services exporters and would-be exporters in the world. The program follows a logical, sequenced approach to exporting – a roadmap – that takes exporters through four stages and twelve modules of export preparation. With the completion of each module, elements of the service provider’s export plan are developed and finalized. Service providers who undertake the course will come away having completed the essential elements of their export plan and will have gained the valuable skills necessary to successfully engage in the international marketplace.
