CEDA Press Release

Caribbean Export Development Agency

08/10/2003

Press Release

The 10th Anniversary Caribbean Gift and Craft Show, CGCS 2003 recorded its highest number of buyers ever when 239 buyers from 25 countries attended this year's event at the Grenada Trade Centre, September 25-28, 2003. According to the records at Caribbean Export, nearly fifty percent (49.7%) of these buyers were new to the show. Buyers came from CARICOM countries, Anguilla, Bermuda, Canada, Cayman Islands, Guatemala, Martinique, St Maarten, Puerto Rico, the Netherlands, US Virgin Islands and the USA. Indications are that 181 exhibitors from 17 countries participated in the CGCS this year.

The Best of Show awards, sponsored by first Caribbean International Bank, saw Classique Ceramics of Grenada adjudged the winner of the Best Booth Display while DEXIA /Carib Craft of Dominica was awarded the Best Handcrafted Product. The Outstanding Product Line prize went to Blue Mountain Aromatics (Jamaica) for Gift & Craft and Bill Edwards Clothing (Jamaica) for fashion. Star Fish Oils of Jamaica captured the Outstanding Creative Packaging Category.

An external Fashion Consultancy, Spices Model and Media Management Agency, headed by Mrs. Lexan Fletcher, managed the Fashion Show component of CGCS 2003, which by all accounts was well received by the crowd of people who attended the event at the Youth Development Centre.

Caribbean Export as part of its tenth Anniversary celebrations of the Gift and Craft Show also honoured several companies and individuals for consistent participation as exhibitors, Buyers and sponsors. Those honoured for consistent participation as exhibitors include: Cummings Leather Establishment (Guyana), Eddie's Craft (Guyana), Cleopatra's Collections (Jamaica), Cotton and Craft (Jamaica), Calypso Graphics (Antigua), Just Kids Limited (Jamaica), Harmony Hall Limited (Jamaica). The buyers who received awards for consistent participation included: Best of Barbados (Barbados), Cave Shepherd (Barbados), Vinico Ltd (St. Vincent and the Grenadines), Fat Virgin's Treasures (British Virgin Islands) and Lulu (US Virgin Islands). Caribbean Export also recognized consistent sponsorship over the years of the CGCS and made awards to: regional Airlines viz., BWIA, LIAT, Air Jamaica, First Caribbean International Bank, Harris Paints Ltd, Caribbean Packaging Industries Ltd. Ms. Anna Bella Proudlock of Harmony Hall was given a special award as a founding partner of the Caribbean gift and Craft Show.

The Jamaican Contingent at the Gift and Craft Show presented a plaque to Caribbean Export Development Agency in recognition of the Tenth Anniversary of the CGCS and the contribution of the Agency in promoting Trade in the region.

Caribbean Export will shortly be reviewing the recently concluded Gift and Craft Show, with a view to continually improving the show offered to buyers and exhibitors alike.

08/10/2003
Neil C.A. Paul
Trade Policy Advisor
Caribbean Export Development Agency