The Access Accelerator, Small Business Development Centre (SBDC) and the Caribbean Export Development Agency (CEDA) partnered to host a global export workshop for entrepreneurs. The 3-day workshop entitled “Services Go Global” was conducted by Dr Nsombi Jaja, CEDA Consultant, at the Access Accelerator.
CEDA is responsible for the European Union Development Fund (EUDF). The fund seeks to integrate CARIFORUM countries into the world economy to enhance regional economic growth, helping to ease poverty. As custodians of the EUDF, CEDA is on a mission to ready the service industry to prepare their export plans and produce better and highly consistent goods and services.
Eight entrepreneurs from the SBDC participated in the workshop learning business tools such as; understanding trade in services, conducting market research, developing a marketing strategy and entering the global market.
According to Dr Jaja, there are two main advantages to Bahamian entrepreneurs taking their products internationally.
"There are several benefits for The Bahamas when entrepreneurs market and sell their products outside of the country, “ Dr Jaja said. "Two main ones are, increasing business to the providers and another is visibility of unique Bahamian products and services."
The CEDA representative also believes that the Bahamian culture and creative industries have endless possibilities in store for them globally as the EU is focusing on that sector. Dr Jaja said, “The culture and creative industry are a big focus with the European Union (EU), who we have a partnership agreement with. These industries include many young persons and we want to get them engaged and exploring cultural and creative services meaningfully. These industries include animation, performing arts, fine arts, food and culinary tourism. There are endless opportunities there.”
Overall, participants labelled the workshop as a success and thanked their conductor, CEDA and the SBDC for the opportunity to acquire knowledge.
Cherelle Cartwright, the owner of Mama Sassy’s Gourmet Foods, attended the workshop and said, “I have not been that inspired in a long time. Dr Jaja’s export training class is priceless. Thank you to the SBDC for allowing us the experience to learn from Dr Jaja, as many of us are not at the stage in our business to afford what this course would cost had we had to pay for it ourselves!”
Another attendee, Jannifer Thurston–the owner of A Solutions Agency, said, “Thank you to Dr Jaja, for being such an inspiration and helping to bring clarity to my business planning process! Her ability to make the subject material relatable and enjoyable is truly a gift from the Father above. I’m looking forward to applying all that I have learned! Thank you SBDC! Job well done!”
The SBDC is the product of a tripartite arrangement between the Government, through the Ministry of Finance, University of The Bahamas (UB) and the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC). The Centre will work to guide the development, funding, growth, and evolution of Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises ("MSMEs") in The Bahamas.
Dr Jaja and Access Accelerator entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs enjoying and participating in a workshop activity
