Bridgetown -- Oct. 16, 2008 -- The Caribbean Export Development Agency, in collaboration with the Caribbean Association of Industry and Commerce (CAIC) and the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery (CRNM) will be hosting the 1st CARIFORUM-European Union (EU) Business Forum in Barbados on November 24-25, 2008 at the Barbados Hilton Hotel, Bridgetown.

The CARIFORUM-EU Business Forum is a European Commission and ACP Secretariat supported initiative and will seek to build private sector capacity in the Caribbean Region by providing a platform to facilitate dialogue between entrepreneurs and investors from the

Caribbean and Europe. The principal objective of the Forum is to identify business opportunities for trade between the Caribbean and European Markets, as well as to attract foreign direct investment from Europe to the Caribbean.

This year, the CARIFORUM-EU Business Forum will focus on professional services. Specifically, the Forum will highlight Information Communications and Technology (ICT) and Creative Industries – film and video, architecture and interior design. We anticipate the participation of high ranking officials and business representatives from both Regions. The Forum will provide Caribbean business persons with an opportunity to network with these individuals and to seek new partnerships in the European and CARIFORUM markets.