The first Caribbean Agri-Food Trade Convention will be held from 24-27 May, 2006 at the Paria Suites, in Trinidad and Tobago.  It is being held under the theme: “Enhancing trade and investment in the regional agri-food sector”.

The Convention will be a unique opportunity for producers and processors to showcase their products to hoteliers, restaurateurs, and/or their purchasing agents as well as the representatives from the supermarket trade, the processing sector and the cruise shipping industry among others. It also seeks to link buyers and sellers within the region to maximise the trade in regionally produced fresh and processed agri-food products. Enterprises providing services to the agri-food sector will also have an opportunity to showcase their services in such areas as technical support, financing and food safety among others.

The Convention aims to provide a platform for the development of strategic business alliances in the agri-food sector among enterprises from Member States of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).  CARICOM statistics reports that the region currently imports over US$1.5 Billion in agri-food products each year. It also seeks to link buyers and sellers within the region to maximize the intra regional cooperation to develop synergies and take advantage of economies of scale, thereby addressing some of the concerns placed by this increased demand for food and beverage products.

CEO of NAMDEVCO, the lead-implementing agency, Mr. Samaroo Dowlath emphasized the significance of the convention being held at a critical juncture amid the implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).

He pointed out that the event is also timely given that the region will be hosting the World Cup Cricket Tournament in 2007, and that it is imperative for the private sector in the region to be on board in order to take full advantage of the potential benefits of the World Cup to meet the demand for food and beverages from the expected large influx of tourists to the region.

Other collaborating agencies include the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), Caribbean Agri Business Association (CABA) and the Ministry of Trade and Industry/Food and Beverage Industry Development Committee.

The Convention will provide a forum to address issues such as grades and standards, packaging, labeling, transport, safety and other concerns with persons directly involved in manufacturing, trade and services. It is intended that the Convention will be rotated annually among CARICOM member countries and will be hosted by the respective National Agricultural Marketing Agency.

For Further Information please contact your local Agricultural Marketing Agency, IICA office, CARDI office or CABA office or the Convention Secretariat at Tel: 1-868-647-3218/7576, Fax 1-868-647-6087, Email: caftc@namdevco.com