The Tribune

The Caribbean Export Development Agency has urged the region’s private sector to exploit the funds made available under the Direct Assistance Grant Scheme it facilitates.

The grants are part of of the Regional Private Sector Development Programme (RPSDP) funded by the European Union under the 10th European Development Fund (EDF).

Firms can apply for grants of up to $30,000, providing they meet the eligibility criteria, their applications are accepted and they are exporting or demonstrate the potential to export goods and services.

Caribbean Export said that in the previous Call for Proposals in 2012, it received 239 applications that attained or exceeded the eligibility threshold.

“The Direct Assistance Grant Scheme is one of most impactful initiatives that we undertake,” said Pamela Coke Hamilton, Caribbean Export’s executive director.

“Some would argue that it is the most impactful because it injects finance into the benefiting firms. We believe that this Call for Proposals is an opportunity that should be exploited by any regional business that is looking to take that next step.

“ Finance is crucial to the development of any company, large or small, and to have a programme like this should not be overlooked, especially in this challenging economic climate”

The Direct Assistance Grant Scheme is a reimbursement grant funding facility specifically designed to provide financial assistance to legally registered firms, individuals and business support organisations who have the potential to export their products and services.

The deadline for this Call for Proposals is this Friday, March 7. More information about the Direct Assistance Grant Scheme can be found at www.carib-export.com