17-18 November 2020
In a new era of international trade, the Absolutely Caribbean Virtual Expo provides a unique opportunity for Caribbean and European counterparts to meet virtually, foster relationships and be inspired to develop trade.
We’re proud to host the Absolutely Caribbean Virtual Expo 2020 where you’ll discover the range of products that can be sourced from the region. Focusing on natural products and nutraceuticals, sauces and condiments and alcoholic beverage, we’ve hand selected some of the hottest companies from the Caribbean.
Welcome to the first-ever Absolutely Caribbean Virtual Expo.
‘Matchmaking’ and networking with leading suppliers from the Caribbean with secure one-to-one video chats
3 thematic micro-communities for in-depth discussion and focused networking
Discover new suppliers and reduce sourcing costs
Buy directly from producers
Explore new opportunities for trade with the Caribbean
On-demand content providing resources and information on thematic areas
Take advantage of the EU-Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the Caribbean and source authentic Caribbean products and services.
With companies spanning three thematic sectors, this virtual expo is your opportunity to source unique products from the Caribbean, meet industry experts and develop collaborations that make a difference.
Participate in the Absolutely Caribbean Virtual Expo and put your company in the heart of the Caribbean industry and support sustainable trade.
As new challenges arise, so do opportunities to adapt and progress.
In these challenging times, Caribbean Export together with our partners are committed to ensuring the Caribbean remains connected to Europe with sustainable trade.
This has led to us reinventing our face to face activities in a digital environment that allows our visitors and exhibitors to remain connected.
We’re proud to host the Absolutely Caribbean Virtual Expo 2020 where the range of products that can be sourced from the region can be discovered. Focusing on natural products and nutraceuticals, sauces and condiments and alcoholic beverages, we’ve hand selected some of the hottest companies from the Caribbean.
Over the two days, we offer a variety of live and on-demand content for you to stay informed and inspired.
Tune in for LIVE sessions and join the lively discussions with our experts in the micro-communities.
1:00pm – 1:30pm (CET)
Senator Dr. Lynette Holder Chairperson, Board of Directors, Caribbean Export Development Agency
Ms. Cristina Miranda Gozalves Head of Unit, Directorate General for Trade, in charge of “African, Caribbean and Pacific, Overseas Countries and Territories, European Commission
Mr. Percival Marie Director General, CARIFORUM Directorate
Ms. Susanne Hartmann Project Manager, “Supporting sustainability aspects in the implementation of the EU Economic Partnership Agreements” GIZ 1:30pm – 1:40pm (CET) 1:40pm – 7:00pm (CET)Book a slot to meet the Caribbean brands making innovative natural products, renowned Caribbean alcoholic beverage brands and leading suppliers in sauces and condiments. This is the perfect opportunity to discover new suppliers, engage and build new business relationships.
2:00pm – 3:00pm (CET)A specially curated event where buyers get to hear from Original Flava on the versatility of Caribbean products in everyday cooking and meet the suppliers in the Caribbean Flava community.
Shaun and Craig McAnuff Chefs, Original Flava 3:00 – 4:00pm (CET)When it comes to the food industry, the COVID-19 outbreak has disrupted value chains and altered consumer behaviour. Sectors like hospitality and tourism are moving fast to adapt what they have on offer and overcome the challenges. How can the Caribbean food industry effectively navigate these changes? Alliances for Action presents a review on the main food trends and opportunities for the future.
Dr. Anaïs Iglesias Sánchez (Ph.D.) Professor / Culinary Action Manager, Basque Culinary Centre
Blanca del Noval Chef and Researcher, BCulinaryLAB, Basque Culinary Centre
Cristina Reni Alliances for Action – International Trade Center (ITC) 4:00pm – 5:00pm (CET)The Caribbean is a tropical haven for a range of plant-based ingredients. It’s no wonder the region is seeing a surge in demand for its natural produce. Hear from industry experts on how the Caribbean can meet this rising demand for innovative and functional natural products, natural cosmetics and nutraceuticals.
Dr. Damian Cohall Senior Lecturer, Pharmacology & Deputy Dean (Pre-clinical), University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus
Michael Hughes Director of Insights, FMCG Gurus 1:00pm – 7:00pm (CET)Book a slot to meet the Caribbean brands making innovative natural products, renowned Caribbean alcoholic beverage brands and leading suppliers in sauces and condiments. This is the perfect opportunity to discover new suppliers, engage and build new business relationships.
1:00pm – 2:00pm (CET)European consumer goods and retail experts discuss the latest insights on these fast-moving consumer goods. Join the sauces and condiments community to discover the new foods and growing trends sure to unlock business opportunities.
David Marston Category Director, Category Wins
Alexis Philippidis Sales Director, Category Wins 2:00pm – 3:00pm (CET)Chocolate is the perfect example of a commodity turned value-added product. At the same time, it is a product very much connected with the idea of the origin. Consumers increasingly ask about sourcing and request transparency, and craft brands are popping up around the world to address this demand. How do chocolate industry actors approach the idea of quantity versus quality in a rapidly changing hospitality and specialty food landscape? This session will be an opportunity to spark a dialogue around chocolate as a 'mass product' with the potential to leverage real change within our food systems.
Cristina Reni Alliances for Action – International Trade Center (ITC)
Nick Davis Founder One/One Cocoa (Jamaica)
Michael Laiskonis Pastry Chef, The Chocolate Lab - Institute of Culinary Education (USA)
Coral De Camps Cacaoteca (Dominican Republic) 3:00pm – 4:00pm CET)The coffee market is a global sector under stress from economic inequities, climate change and unfair trade practices - to name a few. To achieve positive, durable change, it is paramount that we connect the dots from producers to consumers. ITC-Alliances for Action draws on its global network of partners to present local, regional and international perspectives that address trends, business innovation and social inclusion. Ahead of the launch of ITC's 4th Edition of the Coffee Export Guide, this exchange will explore potential opportunities for the Caribbean without losing sight of the international framework it operates within.
Sarah Charles Alliances for Action – International Trade Center (ITC)
Jhannel Tomlinson Board Secretary and Sustainability Lead - Jamaican Women in Coffee (JAWiC), International Women's Coffee Alliance
Joao Mattos Supply Chain & Commercial Manager – Coffee, CLAC (Coordinadora Latino Americana de Comercio Justo - Brazil)
Philip von der Goltz Managing Partner - List & Beisler (Germany) 5:00pm – 6:00pm (CET)Caribbean and European aficionados explore the history, production and classification of centuries old Caribbean rum and spirits. Learn how these brands, synonymous with Caribbean leisure and past time have earned global appeal. These renowned Caribbean brands are poised to be your next leading suppliers.
Benjamin Boothe Co-Founder Rum and Spirits Academy of Europe
Kristoffer von Stedingk Co-Founder Rum and Spirits Academy of Europe
Dawn Davies Head Buyer, Specialty Drinks
Joshua Singh Partner and Export Manager, 1423.dk
Calbert Francis Global Export Manager, Antigua Distillery Ltd.The Absolutely Caribbean Virtual Expo 2020 is hosted by the Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) in collaboration with the European Commission and Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ). With the aim of supporting firms to increase exports, this year's event is focused on providing the space to facilitate business to business meetings and allow interested buyers to discover new products for their portfolios.
Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) is the regional export development, trade and investment promotion organisation of the Forum of Caribbean States (CARIFORUM). The Agency is currently executing the Regional Private Sector Programme (RPSDP) funded by the European Union under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF). Caribbean Export’s mission is to increase the competitiveness of the Caribbean countries by providing export development and investment promotion services through effective programme execution and strategic partnerships.
The European Union has 139 delegations throughout the world. Within the Caribbean, the role of the delegations is to actively promote the values and policies of the European Union in an open and equal partnership with the Governments and people of the region. In addition, they also programme development aid and trade assistance focusing on poverty alleviation. Emphasis is also placed on the promotion of Democracy, Human Rights and the Rule of Law as well as the smooth and gradual integration of the countries into the world economy.
The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH or GIZ in short, is a global service provider in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development. GIZ has over 50 years of experience in a wide variety of areas, including economic development, employment promotion, sustainable energy generation and consumption, preservation of the environment, as well as maintenance of peace and security. Our diverse expertise is in demand around the globe. We work with a multiplicity of actors from the private and public sector, civil society and research institutions, fostering successful interaction between development policy and other policy fields. In keeping our commitment to promote economic development, we continue to support the Forum of Caribbean States (CARIFORUM) to implement the EU- CARIFORUM Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) in a sustainable manner. The N.E.W Project supports the private sector by strengthening the capacity of businesses to export; establishing a participatory EPA monitoring and evaluation system and fostering platforms for cross-regional exchange for the public and private sector, civil society and research institutions between the Caribbean, Africa and Europe. These interventions are commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
The West Indies Rum & Spirits Producers Association (WIRSPA) represents rum producers in Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Haiti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, St. Lucia, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago.
Authentic Caribbean Rums, the products produced by the members of WIRSPA, represent a unique and distinct sector within the drinks industry, supported by common quality standards and rules. The Authentic Caribbean Rum (ACR) Marque was developed as a symbol of authenticity, provenance and quality for rums within the WIRSPA family. For more information visit www.wirspa.com www.acr-rum.com
The International Trade Centre’s (ITC) Alliances for Action (A4A) is an initiative that promotes inclusive and sustainable agricultural value chains through a model that works holistically across targeted agricultural value chains to increase producer resilience to shocks (environmental, economic, social). ITC A4A works with farmers, MSMEs and cooperative enterprises to capture market opportunities through the strategic positioning of diverse agricultural products from the ACP region in the responsible production and consumption market segment. It focuses on the development of value-added products and market innovations to maximize the income generating opportunities in the local, regional and international markets. Through its multi-stakeholder partnerships, it results in coordinated bottom up private public dialogue and investments. The A4A is also a network grouping different actors (producers, processors, buyers, support institutions) into strategic partnerships for market linkages and capacity building within their regional and national operating frameworks. This integrated support addresses aspects of living incomes, producer association competitiveness, agricultural productivity, climate change adaptation and mitigation, value addition and MSME empowerment to embrace change and adapt. It also fosters producers and MSME resilience and competitiveness through crop, market and income diversification – all factors which will be essential to build resilience to the current COVID-19 crisis.