As part of the Caribbean Export Development Agency’s (Caribbean Export) implementation of the European Union’s Global Gateway Regional Private Sector Development Programme III (RPSDP), the regional agency is seeking to undertake a trade mission to Europe.

To this end, the regional trade and investment promotion agency has issued a request for proposals (RFP) from individual consultants and consultancy companies. Applicants must demonstrate extensive experience and expertise in international trade, market access, business matchmaking, and SME export development, particularly with a focus on the Caribbean and European Union markets. 

Caribbean Export hopes to begin planning for the trade mission by October 1, 2025, with the mission set for no later than February 28, 2026.

The trade mission to Europe forms part of a wider effort to deepen market access, expand export earnings, and foster inclusive, innovation-driven growth. It aims to directly address constraints by providing a structured, supported entry point into three of the EU’s most strategic and accessible markets: Belgium, France and the Netherlands. 

According to the agency, “These markets were strategically selected for their complementary strengths.

“Belgium is home to EU institutions and global distribution networks, making it a critical gateway to broader European commercial engagement. France offers a dynamic consumer base with rising demand for sustainable, natural, and culturally distinct products and services. The Netherlands is a top re-export hub with world-class logistics infrastructure and one of Europe’s most open economies,” it added.

For this trade mission, Caribbean Export is taking a dual-track approach, focusing on two priority sectors: value-added agro-processing and digital trade. Both sectors represent high-growth, high-value opportunities for the Caribbean’s private sector.

“While agro-processing strengthens rural and agricultural linkages, digital trade drives innovation, youth employment, and services exports. Together, they reflect the dual imperative of transforming traditional industries and embracing future-ready sectors—positioning the Caribbean as a diverse and dynamic partner in Europe’s trade and investment landscape,” Caribbean Export outlined.

By engaging in consultancy for the trade mission, the agency aims to enhance the export competitiveness of CARIFORUM exporters in the two sectors to meet the increasing demand for their products and services in the European market.  This effort is set out Caribbean Export 2025–2028 Strategic Plan, ‘Transforming the Caribbean Through a Resilient Private Sector‘.

The overall objective of the EU’s RPSDP is to increase employment creation, inclusiveness, and overall poverty reduction in CARIFORUM countries, which include CARICOM member states and the Dominican Republic. Caribbean Export’s role in accomplishing these goals involves the execution of targeted interventions, such as trade missions, that provide new and innovative frameworks for growth and development. 

The regional export and investment promotion agency notes that despite the existence of the European Union’s Economic Partnership Agreement, which came into effect in 2008, the regional private sector’s utilisation remains below potential.  This is due to limited awareness of the EPA benefits, regulatory complexities, and weak market connections continue to constrain Caribbean exporters—particularly micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

“This trade mission to Europe is therefore a direct response to the urgent need to diversify export markets, reduce vulnerability to external shocks, and enhance the competitiveness of Caribbean firms in high-growth sectors. It is designed to leverage the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA)—a comprehensive trade and development agreement that provides CARIFORUM states with duty-free and quota-free access to the EU for most goods and preferential treatment for services,” Caribbean Export explained.