The Caribbean Export Development Agency, in collaboration with the European Union, GIZ and BCSI, launched a two-day workshop for practitioners in the creative and cultural industries of CARIFORUM. The Agency hosted 40 representatives from across CARIFORUM to support the building of capacity in the areas of music, fashion, and craft in particular.
The workshop was designed to enhance the capacity of cultural practitioners in comprehending the dynamics of the above-mentioned global industries, thereby fostering opportunities for the export of CARIFORUM cultural and creative goods and services.
At the opening of the workshop, Janet Moreno, Team Leader for Economic and Social Development Support at the delegation of the European Union to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean States, the OECS and CARICOM/CARIFORUM, informed that the EU planned to support the region over the next four years with the implementation of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) specifically in the area of intellectual property: “For the coming next four years, the European Union plans to further support the region with the implementation of the EPA, by providing more than €20 million for important areas such as intellectual property rights.”
The workshop covered topics such as branding and marketing, and creating a unique value proposition. Further, participants were able to get a greater understanding of intellectual property (IP) and how to utilize the opportunities under the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement.
The cultural and creative industries globally grew by 14 percent following the economic downturn of 2008, and thus, regional governments have realized the potential economic benefits of a strong creative sector and have prioritized its development.
“The global creative industry is valued at some US$2.2 billion and employs 29 million people. The Caribbean has contributed towards this, but as a region, our practitioners and governments still have not unlocked its true economic potential,” said Allyson Francis, Services Specialist from Caribbean Export.
Sanya Alleyne, Technical Trade Advisor at GIZ, stressed the importance of practitioners becoming familiar with emerging technologies: “It is imperative that CARIFORUM practitioners become familiar with the emerging technologies that are changing production processes, distribution and marketing methods and, even, access to finance. The digital economy is well suited to aid CARIFORUM practitioners in overcoming current market entry hindrances.”
The two-day workshop coincided with the celebration of Services weekend in Barbados which saw a number of performances and displays at Firefly Shows, which the Agency also supported.
