OECS Export
Development Unit
Support Program for Business
Support Organizations of the
OECS
Background
OECS-EDU is an institution of the OECS
Secretariat, serving the 9 Member States
OECS-EDU is mandated to increase
exports from the region
Achieved by enhancing the
competitiveness of OECS products and
services in domestic, regional and
international markets.
Background - General Program of
Technical Assistance
• Management Enhancement - management
training and systems
• Product Development – quality
assurance/certification, product technology and
plant modernization
• Marketing – marketing plan formulation, market
intelligence, market visits, and market access
facilitation
BSO Development
Rationale
Strategic Partner to assist in
export expansion objective
Strategy
Promoting Sustainability of BSOs via
income-generating and training projects
Collaboration for demand-driven TA
Membership Mobilization thru high visibility
Teaching how to fish
Work Program for Business
Support Organizations (BSOs)
Enhancing Strategic Capabilities
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Development of Promotional Programs
Development of information dissemination through ITenhanced capacities for internet-based conferencing
Training of BSO personnel in strategic plan formulation
and management skills
Membership training
Work Program for Business
Support Organizations (BSOs)
Direct Support
Participation in national, regional and
international meetings and training opportunities,
and membership mobilization activities.
Delivery of training programs to BSO
membership in areas identified as a result of
cluster programs.
Highlights of Interventions/Support
Twelve (12) BSOs targeted under PE2 (OECS
Chambers of Commerce, Coalitions of Services,
Manufacturers Associations, Cultural Industries ECCO,
GIDC
Launching of the Dominica Coalition of Service
Industries (DCSI)
Training in work plan development for the St. Kitts, St.
Vincent, St. Lucia and Dominica CSIs and Trade in
Services Workshop in SVG.
Training in services exporting for the Dominica and St.
Kitts CSIs (which spawned a PR program)
Technical Assistance provided to the St. Lucia CSI to develop
strategic plans for four (4) associations (ICT, Trainers &
Facilitators, Health, Beauty & Spa, and Creative Industries);
SLMA training in Information System Management.
St. Lucia Manufacturing Assc. Support for Homecoming Exhibition
& for Supervisory Development Workshop.
Caribbean Export-supported Training in Proposal Writing
delivered in St. Kitts, Antigua, St. Lucia, Dominica, & Grenada
Technical Assistance Program for
Emerging BSOs
Sensitization campaigns and membership
mobilization activities
Training workshops - e.g. ask-the-experts
symposiums, which can also be used as a
means of fund-raising and proposal writing
which can contribute to sustainability
Technical Assistance Program for
Established BSOs
Association development – formation of
operational structures (bye-laws, codes of
ethics), work plans, and strategic plans
Management training
Information dissemination e.g. website
development
Participation in national, regional, and
international meetings and training
opportunities
Experts for short-term projects
Conclusion
In order for this program of support to
produce real benefits two options are
available:
Option 1 - Paid Staff*
Option 2 - Very committed board of
management
QUESTIONS?
info@ecs.org
THANKS!