Caribbean Export, EU to open grants call for Caribbean companies

By Michelle Nurse Last updated Mar 20, 2018

The Hon. Donville Inniss, Minister of Industry, International Business, Commerce and Small Business Development of Barbados Centre, Ms. Pamela Coke-Hamilton , Executive Director of Caribbean Export (right) and Mr. Luis Maia, First Counsellor, Head of Cooperation at the European Union Delegation to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean States, the OECS and CARICOM/CARIFORUM

The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) in cooperation with the European Union today announced they are gearing up to provide grant funds to the CARIFORUM private sector via the DIRECT ASSISTANCE GRANT SCHEME (DAGS).

“The DAGS is one of the Agency’s most direct ways of providing support to the CARIFORUM private sector. This reimbursement grant funding facility is designed to provide financial assistance to companies that are exporting or have the potential to export. Under the revised DAGS programme, the ceiling for grants has increased to 50,000 Euros, with a minimum grant amount of 10,000 Euros” informed Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director, Caribbean Export.

Over the next few months Caribbean Export will be sensitising businesses and Business Support Organisations (BSOs) across the region on the process to apply under the Direct Assistance Grant Scheme (DAGS). This is to build the awareness of the Program ahead of the open call for proposals on April 23^rd, 2018. Additionally, the Agency will be training representatives from in each of the CARIFORUM countries to become DAGS experts. Named Country Advisors, they will provide ongoing assistance to businesses during the application and reimbursement stages of the Program.