Strengthening the Development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) of the British and Dutch Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) in the Caribbean Region The EU Delegation to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean – 27 October 2010

For discussion purposes only OCTs and the EU  November 2001 – Decision of the Council on the association of the overseas countries territories with the European Commission [also called Overseas Association Decision (OAD)].  March 2003 – Establishment of Association of Overseas Countries Territories (OCTA).  December 2007 – Commission regulation allocating the indicative amounts for the OCTs under the 10 th EDF.  November Communication regarding ‘Elements of a Partnership between the EU and the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs)’.  January Single Programming Document, Overseas Countries Territories Association for regional envelope.

For discussion purposes only Strengthening the Development of SMEs of the British and Dutch OCTs in the Caribbean (EUR 15.0m)  February 2009 – 1 st submission of Project Identification Fiche (PIF) for the 10 th EDF OCT SME Programme for the Caribbean (€15m) submitted to Quality Support Group (QSG).  3 March 2010 – PIF approved by the QSG on the condition that in the preparation of the Action Fiche (AF) a detailed formulation study to be undertaken to refine the Programme.  June 2010 – Contract for the formulation of the Programme signed.  July 2010 – Consultative workshop held in the BVI, attended by representatives of Government and Private Sector Business Support Organizations from 10 of the 11 Countries and Territories in the OCT Caribbean Group.

For discussion purposes only Consultative Workshop: Output/1 Identified needs at different levels of intervention clustered by the Consultants into Specific Objectives and related Activities: 1. Macro-level Specific Objective : to strengthen the capacity of Government to serve the business sector. Activities:  Formulate PSD/SME Policies and Strategies  Formulate and update legislation affecting the private sector  Improving the environment for businesses (business start-up, registration of property, hiring and firing)  Strengthening investment promotion services and institutions.

For discussion purposes only Consultative Workshop: Output/2 2. Meso-level Strategic Objective: o improve the capacity of business service Strategic Objective: to improve the capacity of business service organizations (BSOs). Activities:  Review organizational structure, human resource endowment, quality assurance and management, website development, enterprise/client tracking systems and ISO certification.  Training and accreditation of managers, counselors and business advisors.  Review and revise available material for entrepreneurial training. Specific Objective : to strengthen the economic linkages between the British and Dutch OCTs and with the broader Caribbean region. Activities:  Improve information systems and flow of data on business in the OCTs.  Undertake initiatives for sub-regional and regional business and economic cooperation and collaboration.

For discussion purposes only Consultative Workshop: Output/3 3. Micro-level Specific Objective: to strengthen the market for development services to businesses. Activities: Activities:  Develop within BSOs and deliver to SMEs business diagnostic services, business plan development and implementation.  Develop within BSOs and deliver to SMEs training of entrepreneurs in basic business/management practices and ISO certification etc.  Develop regional and international partnerships.

For discussion purposes only Next Steps 1. Prioritization of needs by the respective Countries and Territories to match available financing. 2. Completion by the Consultants of the draft Action Fiche (AF)/Technical and Administrative Provisions (TAPs). 3. Submission of AF and TAPs to the Quality Support Group before end 2010.