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.