TEPA takes four export-ready brands to Agroalimentaria 2017 in the Dominican Republic
Saint Lucian products are featuring alongside those of participating Latin American countries this week at Agroalimentaria 2017 trade show in the Dominican Republic.
St. Lucia Trade Export Promotion Agency (TEPA) coordinated the presence of the Saint Lucia booth and is representing local producers at the trade event, which began on Thursday and ends today. The Saint Lucia booth is displaying products from Baron Foods Ltd., St. Lucia Distillers Limited, Antillia Brewery Company and Jackman’s, a coconut oil manufacturer and Rain Forest Foods Ltd.
Now in its sixth year, the Agroalimentaria trade show is recognised as one of the most important food industry trade fairs in the Caribbean region. The trade show provides a unique opportunity for food, tobacco and beverage firms to showcase their products to international buyers.
The two-member contingent from TEPA on the ground in Santo Domingo includes JersonBadal, Director, Client Services Delivery, and Hyde Constantine-Felix, Client Services Manager.
While penetrating Latin American markets has been difficult for many countries in CARICOM, said TEPA’s Public Relations Officer Glenfield Gilbert, TEPA continues to provide support services to Saint Lucian producers and service providers who maintain interest in these markets. In this regard, Gilbert said TEPA believes that attending Agroalimentaria 2017 will not only benefit the products and services on display but will also aid in developing greater linkages with the commerce industry in the Dominican Republic.
Assistance to CARIFORUM exporters seeking to participate in Agroalimentaria 2017 was provided by Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) under the Regional Private Sector Development Programme (RPSDP) funded by the 11th European Development Fund (EDF). This assistance took the form of exhibition space, air travel and accommodation.
Agroalimentaria is organised by the Dominican Agroindustry Board (JAD) and the Dominican trade and investment promotion office (CEI-RD).
In the previous edition of 2015, 135 exhibitors participated, more than 2,900 matchmaking sessions were held and over US$200 million in negotiated sales were reported. Products exhibits fall within the categories of Organic and Fair Trade, Gourmet, Health and Wellness, Technology and Services, and Agribusiness Suppliers.
In March this year, TEPA successfully staged Saint Lucia’s very first regional multi-sector trade show in Saint Lucia with partnership support from AMERIJET and the OECS Commission. The four-day event attracted 150 exhibitors from the OECS as well as close to 30 regional and international buyers.