Fifteen Barbadian companies have been selected to participate in the Barbados Investment and Development Corporation???s (BIDC) 2016 Export Readiness Training Programme.

The programme, scheduled to run from March 9 to August 31, this year, is designed to empower companies with high export potential with the knowledge, skills and capabilities that will prepare them to expand into regional and international markets, and is geared towards both manufacturers and service providers.

The training will consist of five broad components including leadership; business development; specialised export training; mentorship development of an export marketing plan; and a practicum pitching session.

At the end of the six-month training course, participants will gain an opportunity to translate what they learned in the class room into a real world export marketing opportunity through participation in a regional trade mission.

The overall thrust of the programme, which has been on-going in collaboration with local facilitators, ActionCoach, is to grow Barbadian exports by increasing the number of companies which are actually exporting.

This year, the BIDC is also partnering with the Office of Trade Negotiations of CARICOM to deliver training on the trade environment in which Barbadian exporters work. This segment will cover trade agreements and regional institutions governing trade, with special emphasis on how these facilities could be leveraged.

BIDC personnel who work directly with exporting firms will also benefit from this year???s programme. ActionCoach has organised a special business coaching segment for BIDC???s Business Development Officers to enhance their professional business advisory skills.

The companies participating in the 2016 export readiness programme include: Food and Beverages ??? O???s Inc. (Breadfruit, cassava and sweet potato flour); Morgan’s Fish House, (Fish Weiners); Dining Club (Training Services in Food Preparation and Cookery); Craft – Crystal Forms; Printing and Paper Sub-Sector – Graphic Impressions (Barbados) Ltd.; Textile & Apparel Sub-Sector – A C Manufacturing; By Carlori (fashion Design); One Body Rosca (fashion design & garment manufacture – men???s wear); Joelle K (fashion design and garment manufacture); Furniture – A P Solutions; Spa and Wellness – Ibis Wellness Inc. (Natural and organic bath and body products); Miracle Balm (Balms, ointments, oils); Other Services – Distinct Innovative Designs (Graphic Design); 13 Degrees North Productions (Media production) and Renaissance Designs Inc. (event specialists).

theresa.blackman@barbados.gov.bb

Author: Theresa Blackman/BIDC

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