The Caribbean Export Development Agency (CEDA) had a week of engagement in Suriname from Monday 8th till friday 12th of august 2022.  The week of engagement was with the Surinamese public and private sector. After initial discussions with government officials earlier this year that included 2 separate visits of CEDA teams here in Suriname and the VSB, and a visit by a high-level team including 3 Ministers  to CEDA, on monday we finally had the launch of the Market Intelligence training for the business support agencies, as well as a ProNET workshop on Business Strategy for the private sector. 

Alongside the VSB, CEDA also partnered with the Suriname Investment and Trade Agency (SITA) as well as the Ministry of Economic Affairs. 

Prior to any form of export, a series of checks must be carried out on an existing business to ensure that export is right for the company and that it has the capacity to deliver on export objectives.  During the Market Intelligence session the focus was on the Caribbean Export Diagnostic Tool. The Caribbean Export SME Diagnostic Tool is designed with a standardized and recognized expert based methodology, which is internationally used to accurately assess SMEs and identify areas where development is required.

The market intelligence training, delivered by Dr. Colin Porter, also focused on the efficient use of Market Intelligence Tools, Building strategic cross border partnerships and Exporting Services.

The business Strategy training consisted of a series of sessions in 3 days. The focus was on Profitability, Competitive Advantage, Product Strategy and Customer Strategy. The training ended with an internal view of the participants on their own organizations Business Strategy. The Business Strategy training was open for members and nonmembers of the VSB.