"EXCELLENCE through innovation and strategic linkages" is the theme of the of this year's Caribbean Gift and Craft Show (CGCS) which will be launched tomorrow in Barbados at the PomMarine Hotel, Hastings Christ Church. This theme demonstrates the commitment of the Caribbean Export Development Agency's (Caribbean Export) to the pursuit of excellence and to the high standard and well-earned reputation of the show.
The CGCS, featuring Caribbean Fashion Rhythms is celebrating its thirteenth anniversary and will be held at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort and Royal Beach Casino, St. Kitts on September 14-17, 2006. Veona Maloney, Caribbean Export's Manager, Core Services and Show Manager for CGCS 2006 explained, "We are urging our CGCS exhibitors to design and display new products, which are in tune with market requirements. We are therefore revamping our "Best of Show Awards" so that this year the top award will be for "Best New Product". To qualify for this award products must be created between September 2005 and September this year".
This year it is anticipated that approximately 160 exhibitors from over 20 countries comprising the CARIFORUM region and Association of Caribbean States (ACS) will participate. It is hoped that the event will attract 300 local, regional and international buyers and 5000 visitors. Exhibition space is limited (a maximum of 180 companies can register), therefore it is recommended that companies register early.
FirstCaribbean International Bank is sponsoring the event this year. According to Taiana Mora Ramis, Executive Director of Caribbean Export, "The bank's continued support and contribution to the craft and gift sector will ensure the sustainable development and competitiveness of the sector. It also highlights the importance of continued support for the region's micro, small and medium sized enterprises to ensure that they effectively compete and meet the challenges of the globalisation." She added, "Caribbean Export has formed a strategic alliance with the St. Kitts Show Co-ordinating Committee, the St. Kitts Tourism Authority, the Nevis Tourism Authority and the St. Kitts Information Service in promoting the show throughout the region and beyond". Last year's show which was held at the Sherbourne Conference Centre, Barbados was officially opened by Senator Lynette Eastmond, Minister of Commerce, Consumer Affairs and Business Development and a record breaking 227 exhibitors from 24 countries in the English, French, Spanish and Dutch speaking Caribbean and 300 trade buyers from the region, Canada, the USA and the UK participated.
In keeping with the theme of CGCS 2006, Caribbean Export recently completed a workshop on "Interior Decoration and Design" in Suriname on March 27-28. Forty-five artisans from Suriname, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, Jamaica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines attended the workshop and were provided training with the expectation that fresh and updated designs will be exhibited at CGCS 2006. The workshop was conducted in collaboration with the Netherlands based Centre for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries (CBI) and the Suriname Trade and Industry Association (VSB). Caribbean Export will also be hosting a workshop on "Effective Trade Fair Participation" on May 29 - 31, 2006 in Suriname.
