Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) in collaboration with Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) conducted a survey to understand the current and expected impact of the pandemic on SMEs across the region. With an overwhelming response for the need for funding with favourable terms and conditions across all three time periods (short-, medium-, and long-term), Caribbean Export and CDB have developed the Technical Assistance Programme (TAP) in response to this need. The proposed total project costs and budget for TAP funding must NOT exceed the maximum amount of the grant (US$15,000).
The objectives of the TAP are as follows:
- To provide direct support to the region’s private sector including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) on a non-reimbursable basis, given the challenges being experienced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic;
- To provide support to facilitate activities focusing on business continuity;
- To facilitate the increase of exports within the Caribbean and/or international markets; and
- To capitalise on the benefits of the CARIFORUM-European Union Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), CARICOM Single Market Economy (CSME), or any other bilateral or multilateral arrangements signed by the countries of the region within the region or with ACP or European Union (EU) partners.
