Export Development and Promotion Division (EDPD)

The Export Development and Promotion Division is responsible for developing and facilitating exports of goods in order to achieve its primary goal of increased foreign exchange earnings through exports.

The Division's mandate, which is incorporated in the Act establishing the Corporation, is as follows:

To advise on, promote and facilitate the development of export trade;
To conduct and facilitate research into investment, industrial development and the export of products and services and to make information available to persons on request;
To engage in the export of such products and services as the Corporation considers necessary;
To provide financial, technical or other assistance to enterprises engaged in investment, production of goods and services and export of goods and services.

Functions

(a) Export Capacity Building

General business counselling
Product development including product testing and registration with overseas regulatory bodies e.g. FDA
Development and implementation of export marketing plans
Facilitation services
Special Technical Assistance Programme

(b) Overseas Market Development and Promotion

Identification of target markets
Identification of buyers, distributors, importers etc.
Market penetration and development
Provision of trade information
Establishment and management of market development programmes, which provide for representation in selected markets through strategic alliances with distributors
Organising of outward and inward trade missions
Arranging itineries for inward missions or individual buyers
Participation in international trade shows
Product and in-store promotions

(c) Certification

The BIDC is the certifying Authority for exports claiming preferential tretment under a number of Trade Agreements. Certificates of Origin relating to the following Agreements are authorised daily - CARICOM, CARIBCAN, CBI, GSP, CARICOM/Venezuela/Colombia/ Cuba/Dominican Republic/Costa Rica.