Trade in engineering services is governed both internationally and domestically through the trade rules, policies, regulations and laws. In the case of Belize, the services sector is governed by various sector specific regulations from medical professions to tourism related jobs. Among these services sectors are engineering services.

As services industries and providers across the region learn to navigate the global pandemic, Caribbean Export Development Agency in collaboration with the Belize Coalition of Services Provides, the Jamaica Coalition of Services Industries and the Trinidad and Tobago Coalition of Services Industries are stepping in to host a training programme to enhance the export-readiness of services SMEs. Commencing on October 1st, 2020. This programme will support thirty (30) services providers operating in the business and professional services, and information, communication, and technology sectors (ICT) and is funded by the European Union as part of the 11th EDF Regional Private Sector Development Programme.

Ten entrepreneurs will be selected from each country to undertake the training and subsequently, six participants from each country will be selected to receive one on one coaching based on their performance during the workshop. The objective of the coaching is to provide them with feedback to complete their export plans.

The training will take place virtually over five days and will provide an opportunity for participating businesses to develop export plans, access regional and international markets and develop their global brands.

The Services Go Global (SGG) programme was developed to optimize the CARIFORUM region’s export of services by building the capacity of service providers to capitalize on opportunities under the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), CARICOM Single Market & Economy (CSME) and other existing trade agreements; and developing national capacity through a cadre of certified trainers for the SGG programme, geared to assist SME’s in the services sector. The workshop will be facilitated by master trainers, Michelle Hustler (Barbados) and Dr. Nsombi Jaja (Jamaica).

“Services play a crucial role in the development of the economies in CARIFORUM, not just as a sector but also due to the significant impact on other sectors such as the manufacturing sector. Caribbean Export is deeply committed to the development of the region’s services sector and it is hoped that firms large and small capitalize upon this opportunity to build their capacity to take advantage of the CARIFORUM-EU EPA and importantly during this pandemic build their resilience and their ability to support other sectors to better integrate into the new global economy.” expressed Allyson Francis, Services Specialist at Caribbean Export.

There are currently a number of opportunities for small firms to enter new markets, and it is anticipated these will be increased once they have participated in the SERVICES Go Global programme. This human and institutional capacity building initiative goes hand in hand with another joint project between the development agencies, which aims to enhance the sustainability of the national services coalitions which provide critical business support services to local service providers including training, advocacy and export promotions.

“SERVICES Go Global is a timely and comprehensive training programme for service exporters, and this training comes at an opportune time as businesses in Trinidad and Tobago seek to pivot their services,” shared Lara Quentrall – Thomas, President, Trinidad and Tobago Coalition of Services Industries. Dr. Dionne Chamberlain, President, Belize Coalition for Services Providers echoed Ms. Quentrall – Thomas’s sentiments, and confirmed that the course will not only prove valuable to service providers across the region but will enhance their own export efforts in the process.

The programme was developed and delivered by Global Links Network, certified international trade professionals who have delivered services training in over 50 countries worldwide over the past 20 years. To date, SERVICES Go Global is the only export readiness training programme for services exporters and would-be exporters in the world. The programme follows a logical, sequenced approach to exporting – a ‘Roadmap’ – and takes the exporters through four stages and twelve modules of export preparation. With the completion of each module, elements of the service provider’s export plan are developed. Service providers who undertake the course leave having completed the essential elements of their export plan and having gained the valuable skills necessary to successfully engage in the international marketplace.

Persons interested in registering for the Programme please contact:
For Belize:
Dr. Dionne Chamberlain at the Belize Coalition for Services Providers: email: chairman@bcsp.org.bz
For Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago:
Ms. Kavita Chankar at the Trinidad and Tobago Coalition of Services Industries: email: marketing@ttcsi.org

Caribbean Export in collaboration with the European Union and the Caribbean Development Bank is conducting a survey on the Region’s private sector to gain a greater understanding of the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on their businesses and their needs for support during this period.

In order to maximize the reach of this survey, we kindly ask that you share the link to the survey with your mailing lists and via your communication channels.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CEprivatesector

As you are aware the country is experiencing a complete lock down to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. As a result, musicians and entertainers throughout the country are experiencing a sudden and massive financial fallout because of cancellations due to Covid-19. In an effort to assist these freelance musicians and cultural workers, the Belize Music Agency and its partners will be hosting “The Belize Virtual Music Festival.”

The concert will be produced from the living rooms of artists from all over the country along with video interviews from various health professionals and workers from relevant government institutions. The entire production will practice social distancing, through remote production and internet access. The Live broadcast will feature ads, messages from the Ministry of Health, and emphasize on the call to everyone to find solutions to protect themselves in this crisis.

Most important the production will enable the public to contribute to individual artists via an online tip basket www.tips.bz . We are requesting the assistance of anyone who would like to participate in this initiative. Please feel free to share this with friends, family, and associates. If successful, we hope to have another concert featuring other Belizean musicians in an effort to provide assistance to help them during this difficult time. If you would like to assist please call us at tel: 632-3224 or e-mail us at belizevirtualmusicfestival@gmail.com.

The show will be streaming on Facebook on Friday, May 1, 2020, at 8:00 pm Belize time. Please tune in to experience a line-up of some of Belize’s best, all doing original songs, a unique mix of old favorites and the new.

“The Garifuna Collective continues it tours and shares its significance in world music”

“The National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) introduced a delegation of local artists set to participate in the Caribbean Festival of Arts 2019.”

“World Trade Organization (WTO) collaborated with the Directorate General for Foreign Trade (DGFT) to host a skills training on advanced trade negotiation targetting government officials.”

“Kavya Krishna, the co-founder of SOW Coders, discusses Belize Summer Coding Camp success.”

“The Garifuna Collective gives a sneak peek on one of its single from their upcoming album, Aban.”

“The Society of Women Coders, NGO based in New York, hosted its first coders camp for girls in Belize.”