Export Quality Management workshops for Caribbean companies

The Caribbean Export Development Agency hired Globally Cool to conduct a 5-days Export Quality Management workshop that took place virtually from the 11th -17th of December. Beneficiaries of this project included more than 60 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from the cocoa/chocolate, essential oils/cosmetics and handicraft value chains in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, as well as the Haitian Bureau of Standards (Bureau Haitien de Normalisation – BHN) and the Dominican Institute for Quality (INDOCAL).

Products

Year

2020

Country

EU (general)

Type of activity

  • Coaching
  • Strategy Development

Year

2020

Country

EU (general)

Type of activity

  • Coaching
  • Strategy Development
Technical Barriers to Trade (TBTs) continue to pose many challenges for small and medium-sized firms due to limited awareness of conformity assessment regimes, international quality certification requirements as well as a lack of resources to attain these requirements. These constraints limit companies from exporting to international markets. Transferring knowledge and information to businesses about international quality certifications is – therefore – critical to market access. The main objective was to strengthen the capacity of Haitian and Dominican firms selected from three value chains (cocoa, essential oils/cosmetics and handicraft) to access niche markets specifically in the EU.  The course was delivered virtually through Zoom webinars.

Activities

Among the activities are:
  • Developing and delivering the virtual training packages, comprising a number of live Zoom webinars, interactive assignments, Kahoot quizzes and self-assessments.
  • Tailoring the curriculum to the three key sectors at hand.
  • Highlighting the role and importance of quality certifications and quality management systems in a company’s export strategy.
  • Enhancing the knowledge of the SMEs about international product quality certifications and quality management systems required for exporting products from the three value chains – cocoa/chocolate, essential oils/cosmetics and handicraft – to the EU market.
  • Equipping the companies with practical information on the process to acquire international quality certifications accredited for products and quality management systems.

Results

Among the deliverables are:
  • Over 60 participants trained, including SMEs and quality institutes.
  • Virtual zoom webinars successfully delivered, supported by local translators.
  • Sector-specific curriculum available, tailored to the needs and backgrounds of the participants.
The testimonials and evaluations of the participants were very positive, and we are sure that companies will implement shortly what they have learnt in order to conquer new markets in Europe.