The INTERREG TEECA project
Despite the implementation of major projects aiming to accelerate trade in the Eastern Caribbean, small businesses which intend to export goods and services to neighbouring countries and access other markets are still facing multiple challenges. Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) play a major role in the entrepreneurship ecosystem of the Eastern Caribbean region. However, the size of these companies associated with their limited resources increase the challenges to benefit from business development opportunities both at the regional and the international level. Hence, developing trade in the Eastern Caribbean is one of the priorities of the OECS.
The accession of Guadeloupe and Martinique as Associate Members to the OECS enabled a closer relationship between organisations whose role is to provide support to companies and encourage the development of new and existing businesses in the English-speaking countries of the OECS and the French territories.
The INTERREG Trade Enhancement for the Eastern Caribbean (INTERREG TEECA) Project aims to accelerate trade in the Eastern Caribbean, especially by providing assistance to companies based in Martinique and the English-speaking countries of the OECS which wish to access to other markets.
The INTERREG TEECA project
The INTERREG Trade Enhancement for the Eastern Caribbean (INTERREG TEECA) Project is a €2 million project co-funded by the INTERREG Caraïbes programme under the European Regional Development Fund. The main objective of the project is to accelerate trade in the Eastern Caribbean by providing assistance to companies based in Martinique and the English-speaking countries of the OECS which wish to access to other markets.
The INTERREG TEECA Project is led by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Martinique (CCIM), in partnership with the OECS through its Competitive Business Unit, the Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export), and the Territorial Collectivity of Martinique (CTM).
The project was launched in 2018 when 29 companies were selected after the call for applications. The INTERREG TECCA project should be completed by the end of December 2021.
Project Status and Accomplishments to Date
Beneficiary Countries:
The INTERREG TEECA project mainly aims to accelerate trade in the Eastern Caribbean through the support of companies based in Saint Lucia, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Antigua and Barbuda, the British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, Montserrat, Martinique and Guadeloupe.
Goals
The INTERREG TEECA Project pursues four key objectives, including:
- strengthening trade within the Eastern Caribbean region,
- tackling exportation challenges,
- boosting the exportation of goods and services of companies based in Martinique and the English-speaking countries of the OECS which intend to access to other markets,
- connecting companies within a community
Activities
The activities below are currently being implemented as part of the INTERREG TEECA project in order to foster trade in the Eastern Caribbean:
- the development and implementation of a two-year coaching programme catered to the needs of the 29 selected businesses which intend to export their goods and services to other markets of the Eastern Caribbean region,
- the creation of networking opportunities for the selected companies through the coordination of business retreats, workshops, promotional events and the participation in major regional and international trade shows (i.e.: TechBeach Retreat in Jamaica, the Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum in Miami),
- the conclusion of partnerships between businesses which are operating in the same sector to encourage knowledge exchange and capacity building, and
- the development of business opportunities for participating companies as well as youth entrepreneurs.
Resources on Ocean Governance and Blue Economy in the Eastern Caribbean
Access more resources on Ocean Governance and Blue Economy in the Eastern Caribbean via the OECS Library.
Partners of the project
The INTERREG TEECA Project led by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Martinique (CCIM) gathers together multiple partners including the OECS through the OECS Competitive Business Unit, the Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export), and the Territorial Collectivity of Martinique (CTM).
