The Caribbean Export Development Agency, (Caribbean Export), was established in 1996 by an Inter-Governmental Agreement. It is a regional export development and trade and investment promotion organization for the 15 Member States of CARIFORUM. The Agency’s Head Office is located in Barbados; there is a Sub-regional Office in the Dominican Republic.

Caribbean Export’s portfolio includes fostering an enabling environment, enhancing competitiveness, promoting investment, as well as strengthening institutional capacity and networking. The Organisation also supports the development of vibrant Caribbean business networks to improve its services to clients.

The Agency is currently implementing the Caribbean Trade and Private Sector Development Programme (CTPSDP) and has a specific funding agenda, the Direct Assistance Scheme which aims to enhance the competitiveness of CARIFORUM firms by increasing their export potential or increasing their export of goods and services.

The Direct Assistance Scheme has an established target of 150 firms being assisted. To date, 67 CARIFORUM firms have received similar grant funding assistance from Caribbean Export. The CTPSDP programme is funded by the European Union under the 9th European Development Fund.

Caribbean Export launched its 3rd Call for Proposals for the Direct Assistance Scheme on April 20, 2010. Sanch Electronix submitted an application and was approved for a grant on May 28. Sanch will be utilising the grant funding assistance to develop and initiate the Pan in Education project throughout CARICOM.

My article entitled, The classroom - an appropriate environment for nurturing Caribbean rhythms, has been published on page 42 of the May edition of the CXC Magazine, The Caribbean Examiner. It outlines a strategic plan for Pan in Education.

Information on the Direct Assistance Scheme is available from Caribbean Export’swebsite or Kirk Brown, Senior Grant Advisor ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

I have also written a new feature for ultraaudio that is online, effective July 01.

Simeon L. Sandiford
Managing Director