For Immediate Release
June 15, 2022
“While we continued to offer programming during the height of the pandemic including virtual meetings, webinars, and customized consulting services, nothing replaces the value of meeting face-to-face, particularly in relationship-based economies”, says Abbie Hodder, econext’s COO and Director of International Business.
The Spring Mission saw 11 delegate organizations from across Atlantic Canada engaging in over 165 meetings across five countries in the Caribbean region – Barbados, St. Lucia, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Suriname.
Hodder says firms in Atlantic Canada are well positioned to engage in Caribbean markets. “The products and services developed in this region can work well in other island and rural coastal environments, such as those found in the Caribbean.” Hodder notes the region faces similar challenges such as the impacts of climate change, coastal zone erosion, distance from markets, and economies that are resource dependent. “We have a long history of trade with the Caribbean, and we are working to continue and deepen that tradition.”
“Something that sets our program apart is the customized nature of our trade missions. Each delegate receives a bespoke program based on their unique objectives and opportunities. We don’t believe in a ‘one size fits all’ approach. Atlantic Canadian companies are diverse, as are the markets we visit,” says Hodder. “There is a wealth of opportunity throughout the Caribbean in key sectors including the blue and green economy, infrastructure, and training and education. We believe that these opportunities can be successfully pursued through mutually beneficial collaborations between our regions, and that’s the crux of our programming.”
“It was a very productive trade mission,” says delegate Lisa Lovelady, Vice President Academic and COO of Academy Canada, “we look forward to following up on the new opportunities that were generated by our meetings. Academy Canada has established partnerships with local training providers as a direct result of the econext mission.”
In addition to the exploration of new partnerships and opportunities, many of the delegates were celebrating and expanding upon established connections. One such example is Velsoft’s partnership with the Caribbean Tourism Organization. Together they have recently launched the new online school “The Caribbean Tourism Institute”. Other partners such as the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association have now joined on to provide specialized skills training to the local tourism industry.
Another delegate organization, Work Safe Systems, has established a partnership with the Barbados Institute of Management and Productivity (BIMAP), for the delivery of Health, Safety, and Environmental training and consulting. In partnership with Edgewise Environmental, they are developing unique programs to address climate action and the blue economy.
econext’s next Caribbean Trade Mission is set for November 2022.
Since 2014, econext (formerly NEIA) has been collaborating closely with the Department of Industry, Energy and Technology (IET) and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) to deliver a suite of programming for Atlantic Canadian firms to pursue international business opportunities in the Caribbean region. econext’s Caribbean program is comprehensive, comprised of in-depth market research, information sessions, customized firm-level supports, and the coordination of incoming and outgoing trade missions. Atlantic Canadian companies with interests or questions about the econext Caribbean Program can contact Abbie Hodder at abbie@econext.ca or by visiting https://econext.ca/caribbean-program/
econext is an association of businesses that accelerates clean growth in Newfoundland and Labrador and works on behalf of over 200 members to foster environmentally sustainable economic development. More information can be found at https://econext.ca
View the backgrounder here.
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