Already, the Hull & Humber Chamber is representing businesses in the Caribbean through its sister Chamber the British-Caribbean Chamber working out of offices in Trinidad and Tobago. A recent visit by a group of food and drink exporters from the Yorkshire and Humber Region benefited from the support offered by Chamber staff based at our offices in Trinidad and Barbados. Amongst those that travelled out to the Caribbean on a whistlestop tour were Mark Williams, Hider Foods, Jon Loss, Petunia Group and Stephen Jibson, Potato Merchants from Gilberdike. "We can see the potential in the Caribbean market for next year's crop, said Stephen who has received enquiries from the market post the visit" Pauline Wade, Head of International Trade at the Chamber led the visit . Said Pauline, "there will be another opportunity for regional food and drink companies to visit the Caribbean early next year" "Although a small market there are opportunities for quality niche products, on the supermarket shelves. The British-Caribbean Chamber Chairman in Barbados, Andrew Bynoe, himself the CEO of three of Barbados's major supermarkets said. " We are constantly being asked for British products, by the large expatriate community living in Barbados and of course of the thousands of British visitors that come to the Island each year.

Developing links into Caribbean/ South America the Chamber recently signed a co-operation agreement with the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce, Guyana. Members of both Chambers can benefit from this new service which will offer companies sales leads and contact lists via the British-Caribbean Desk based at the Georgetown Chamber. Guyana is the only English speaking country in South America and while it is a developing country it will soon become a strategically important access and exit point to markets in South America. A road from Manaus in Brazil down through Guyana is currently under construction. The road will link Northern Brazil with the port of New Amsterdam which is being developed, significantly reducing the transit time for goods from these markets to Europe.

Edward Boyer, President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce, said by linking his Chamber with the Hull & Humber and British-Caribbean Chamber, opportunities will open up for everyone, for instance Guyana its looking to increase its exports to the EU in sugar, rum, timber, fruit agri-products and fish. Guyana is also rich in gold and diamonds. For the UK companies opportunities exist for services such as know-how and technical assistance, particularly in the food and drink and agri-business sectors. There is also a demand for British products in Guyana, particularly products that are required by their sugar and rum industry. There are also opportunities for food processing machinery, hardware and lighting equipment, equipment and products for infrastructure projects, tourism and second hand trucks to name but a few.

For further information please contact Keith Ward at the UK office.