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As part of efforts to increase the visibility of Barbadian brands in key export markets, the Barbados Investment and Development Corporation (BIDC) will facilitate a trade mission comprising five buyers from the Caribbean, the United States of America (USA), Canada and the United Kingdom (UK) here next week.

The group will be in Barbados from June 8 to12, to coincide with the Barbados Manufacturers’ Exhibition (BMEX), one of the island’s premiere trade showcases.??

It is anticipated that in visiting BMEX, observing the new and existing products and interacting with companies, they will be encouraged to place orders and push Barbadian brands in overseas markets. The visit is part of the export marketing thrust of the BIDC’s Export Development and Promotion Division.

Meanwhile, Barbadian producers interested in penetrating the UK market will be given a firsthand look at the marketing requirements for tackling that destination successfully at a workshop being held next week.??

The seminar, entitled "Exporting to the UK" is scheduled for Wednesday, June 8, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at BIDC’s head office, Pelican House, Princess Alice Highway.

Targeted at exporters as well as potential exporters to the UK, the workshop will be facilitated by the BIDC’s UK Market Access Representative, Peter Martin, and major UK importer, Alexander Douglas of Dees Caribbean Imports.

Some of the topics to be covered are: ???Product Suitability’; ???Market Demand’; ???Marketing/Promotion of Products’; ???Timely and Consistent Supply of Products’; ???Pricing’; ???Ingredients/Allergens’; ???Packaging’; ???Long-Term Business Planning for Export’ and ???New Product Development’.

Over the past few years, Barbados has had an aggressive promotional and marketing programme in place in the United Kingdom which has seen, despite the negative economic conditions, an increase in the exports of sauces and condiments, baked goods and beverages.

The BIDC’s export thrust over the past seven months, which has seen successful missions to Martinique, Guadeloupe, St. Lucia and Grenada, as well as participation at a trade show in Canada, has generated significant interest in Barbadian brands.

The export effort will be further enhanced with product promotions at a consumer trade show in the United Kingdom in June and at an industry trade show to be held in the USA during the month of July, in collaboration with the Caribbean Export Development Agency.

??It is hoped that these activities will serve as tools to drive the export effort, resulting in increased exports and foreign exchange earnings.

askeete@barbados.gov.bb

Author: Andre Skeete/Jane Broome

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