The Caribbean Export Development Agency will next week host a regional Service Exports Pilot Training Program titled “Services Go Global,” in Saint Lucia.

The program aims to prepare and equip local service providers to take advantage of trading opportunities on the global market. It is intended to increase the export of services from CARIFORUM Countries to markets in the EU, Canada and the US.

The four-day training program will be held at the Coco Palm Hotel Conference Room from 9 a.m. on June 22 to June 25. It will bring together regional trainers from Belize, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Saint Lucia, who will be assessed for certification.

The certification team will comprise officials from Caribbean Export, GIZ, the Global Links Network and the Caribbean Network of Service Coalitions (CNSC).

The trainers will co-deliver the entire “Services Go Global” course over the four days. The course is an instructor-led, competency-based export training program aimed at building the export capacity of service providers.  The program follows a logical, sequenced approach to service exporting. It provides a roadmap that takes exporters, SME firms, or persons with intent-to-export through four stages and twelve modules of export preparation, based on globally accepted strategies and best practices.

The regional program targets small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and will enable participants to develop an export plan for their business; gain certification for becoming export-ready; become competitive and penetrate new markets regionally and internationally; boost innovation and competitiveness through exposure to new ideas; enhance credibility through participation in the global marketplace; earn foreign exchange and increase profits; understand the modes of service delivery; and increase their market share and specialization.

Representatives from the Trade Export Promotion Agency, financial institutions, professional associations and other business support organizations are expected to be in attendance.