Expression of InterestNotice, Companies

Invitation to Participate in a

Caribbean Cuisine Showcase, London 2012

August 6-10, 2012

Background

The Summer Olympics Games 2012 that will be held in London, United Kingdom (London 2012) poises itself as the go-to event in Europe this summer, with large expected audiences that will surpass 5 million people from all over the world. Given Caribbean Export Development Agency’s (Caribbean Export) objective to develop the region’s investment potential in various niche sectors in the global markets; the London 2012 Olympic Games provides the optimal stage to showcase the talent and opportunities available within an integrated Caribbean.

Caribbean Export under the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) Regional Private Sector Development programme (RPSDP) will be coordinating the “London 2012” initiative which will showcase Caribbean Music, Sports, Essence, Cuisine and Design. Another key feature of London 2012 will be an Investment Forum that will focus on creating business links and opportunities for UK investors and CARIFORUM firms.

Caribbean Cuisine

Specialty foods are being used increasingly in the tourism industry in response to the visitor demand for fresh, local, natural, organic, vegetarian, and exotic foods. Increasingly, families are finding Caribbean foods to be an affordable indulgence, while restaurants and food suppliers are discovering strong demand for Caribbean products. The increasing sophistication of the Caribbean supermarket shopper is also being reflected in heightened awareness and demand for specialty foods, as these are incorporated more and more into culinary experiences at their home and in restaurants.

The London 2012 cuisinecomponent will include a special hospitality section created for high value business executives where they can have a taste of the Caribbean culture and cuisine while enjoying the excitement of Olympics on a large screen. This will help to create a soft and welcoming environment to engage and court those business executives who could be key partners/investors.

A wide variety of Caribbean specialty food products will be selected for the showcase and product including product demonstrations and display. Special focus will be on the honey and cocoa sectors with which recent research have shown to have very high potential for investment including support to expand production, quality control, food Safety, traceability, packaging and labeling and market segmentation and value added products.

Speciality food firms in all CARIFORUM States are therefore invited to submit Expressions of Interest to participate in the proposed Caribbean Cuisine Showcase.

Interested persons must complete the attached Expression of Interest form and submit all required documentation to:

  • Caribbean Export Development Agency addressed to

MrSam Kruiner or

Ms Cora Lowe

c/o Caribbean Export Development Agency

Hastings Main Road

Christ Church

Barbados, BB15154

Submissions can also be emailed to or .

Expressions of interests must be submitted no later than April 18, 2012.

The criteria for participating at Caribbean Cuisine Showcase are listed below. Interested participants are also required to provide high definition photos (at least 300 dpi) of the products offer to be exhibited.

Criteria

Speciality food Companies
  • Must be an exporter/export ready and have been producing the product for at least three (3) years
  • Products covered include sauces, condiments, cakes, confectionery, processed fruits and vegetables etc. (See Annex A). Special consideration will be given to honey and cocoa exporters.
  • Companies must be registered in the region and products must be made in the Caribbean (proof of product origin may be required).
  • Previous participation in a regional or international trade shows/missions is not required but will be viewed as an asset

Beverage Companies
  • Must be an exporter/export ready and have been producing the product for at least three (3) years
  • Products covered include non-alcoholic beverages (beers, wines, fruit juices) and waters (See Annex A).
  • Companies must be registered in the region and products must be made in the Caribbean (proof of product origin may be required).
  • Previous participation in a regional or international trade shows/missions is not required but will be viewed as an asset

Annex A

Product categories
Alcoholic Beverages (Wine, beer, spirit)
Breads/Baking mixes/Flours/Meals
Cake/Candy Decorations
Cakes/Pastries (mixes, ready –to-eat)
Candy-chocolates
Candy-non-chocolates
Candy-novelties
Candy-Sugar-free/dietetic
Cocoa and Baking Chocolate
Coffee
Condiments/Relishes (including mustard, mayonnaise etc)
Cookies/Biscuits/Crackers (mixes, ready-to-eat)
Cookies/Biscuits/Crackers (sugar-free diabetic)
Dessert Toppings
Fish/Seafood Caviar
Fruits (fresh, frozen, canned, dried)
Fruit Juices/Ciders
Health/Natural/Organic Foods
Honey Syrups
Ice Cream/Sorbet products/Frozen desserts
Jams/Jellies/Preserves
Kosher Products
Meat/Game/Pates
Non-Alcoholic Beverages (beers, wines, fruit juices)
Salsa Dips
Sauces/Bases/Mixes
Soft drinks (Sodas, juices and functional beverages)
Seasonings/spices/herbs/extracts/flavourings
Shelf stable and refrigerated sauces, salsas and dips
Snack Foods (nuts, chips etc)
Soups/Stocks
Tea
Vegetables (fresh, frozen, canned, dried)
Waters