CARIBBEAN EXPORTER OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2015
The aim of the Caribbean Exporter of the Year Awards is to create an export culture across the region by
encouraging CARIFORUM firms to begin exporting or to expand their exports through a programme that
acknowledges and rewards exporters.
The specific objectives are:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
To give recognition to exporters (SMEs) that have demonstrated an ability to achieve exporting
success as demonstrated primarily through export volumes, diversity of export markets and
sound export strategies and action plans;
To give recognition to youth and female exporters across the CARIFORUM region;
To give recognition to exporters that have integrated green technologies into their operations;
To encourage exporters to innovate by investing in R & D to improve product development and;
To encourage exporters to engage in corporate social responsibility.
Firms can be nominated in more than one category. Entry is by nomination from a business
support organization, government institution, or peer within the CARIFORUM region through
Caribbean Export’s website (www.carib-export.com) by February 27, 2015 at 4:30 p.m.
Applications submitted by any other method or after the deadline will not be accepted.
Description of Awards
1.
Emerging Exporter of the Year
The Emerging Exporter of the Year Award recognises a company that has entered the export market
within the last 3 years and has already experienced success.
2.
Young Exporter of the Year
The Young Exporter of the Year Award recognises a company whose principle shareholder is 35 years
or younger and is a successful exporter.
3.
Female Exporter of the Year
The Female Exporter of the Year Award recognises a company whose principle shareholder is female
and is a successful exporter.
4.
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Green Exporter of the Year
The Green Exporter of the Year Award recognizes an exporter that has invested in green technologies
and integrated alternative/renewable energy solutions into its operations that has allowed it to
experience exporting success.
5.
Caribbean Exporter of the Year
The Caribbean Exporter of the Year Award recognizes a Caribbean firm that has achieved significant
exporting success and whose brand epitomizes Caribbean Export’s guiding philosophy of “Taking
Caribbean Excellence to the World.”
6.
Special Award – Excellence in Services Exports
The Special Award recognizes an outstanding Caribbean firm that has successfully exported its services.
Eligibility Criteria
The awards are open to all firms within the CARIFORUM region that meet the eligibility criteria
(see below) and are nominated by a business support organization, government institution or
peer within the CARIFORUM region. Nomination forms are available on Caribbean Export’s
website and should be submitted electronically on or before February 27, 2015 to
[email protected] . Winners will be announced prior to the awards
ceremony scheduled for April 16, 2015.
Interested applicants should meet the General Eligibility Criteria in addition to the
relevant Award Specific Criteria to which they are applying.
General Eligibility Criteria
Firms:
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Must be a registered company headquartered in a CARIFORUM country;
Must be majority owned by a CARIFORUM national;
Must have an established market presence in at least one export market (regional or
international)
Must have been in operation for at least three (3) years and exporting for at least two (2) of those
years (with the exception of the emerging exporter of the year award)
Product or service exported must contain significant CARIFORUM content
Produces goods/services that demonstrate significant appeal in the export market
Must have annual export earnings of at least US$50,000 (with the exception of the Emerging
Exporter of the Year Award)
Award Specific Eligibility Criteria
1. Emerging Exporter of the Year
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Firm must have annual export earnings of at least US$20,000
Firm has been in operation for three years or less and has been actively exporting for a maximum
of three (3) years
2. Young Exporter of the Year
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Principle shareholder (owns at least 51% of firm) must be 35 years or younger as at December
31st 2015 and must be active in daily operations of firm
3. Female Exporter of the Year
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Principle shareholder (owns at least 51% of firm) must be female of the firm and must be active
in daily operations of firm
4. Green Exporter of the Year
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Firm has prioritised investment in green technologies to enhance competitiveness
Firm has realised significant benefits (economic/environmental) as a result of integrating
alternative/renewable energy solutions into its operations
5. Caribbean Exporter of the Year
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Firm has demonstrated innovation in the area of product development
Firm has provided increased employment opportunities to CARIFORUM nationals with emphasis
on women and youth employment
Firm has demonstrated corporate social responsibility in the communities in which it operates
6. Special Award – Excellence in Services Exports
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Firm must be an exporter of services
Nomination Form
(Firms can be nominated for more than one award)
□
Caribbean Exporter of the Year
□
Emerging Exporter of the Year
□
Young Exporter of the Year
□
Female Exporter of the Year
□
Green Exporter of the Year
□
Special Award – Services
Contact Details of Nominating Organization
Name of contact
submitting nomination
Job Title
Company
Type of Organization
Address:
Email Address
Telephone Number
Candidate Details
Full Name
Job Title(s)
Gender
Date of Birth (applicable only to
Young Exporter of the Year nominees)
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Company Name
Company Address
Company Tel
Email Address
Website
Primary Sector of Operations
Date of Formation
Business Type/Legal Status
Major Brands (if applicable)
Description of Products or
Services (including HS code)
Has the firm benefitted from a Caribbean Export Intervention?
□ Yes
□ No
If yes; please list details including dates.
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Judging Criteria
This section outlines the judging criteria as well as information requested to assess.
Section 1: Overall Business Growth As a Result of Exports (40 points) - Firms must
demonstrate overall business growth as a result of exports as evidenced by exports as a
contribution to total sales.
2011
2012
2013
Total Sales Revenue (US$)
Export Sales Revenue (US$)
Year on Year Growth of Exports (%)
Total production (units)
Exports (units)
Actual production capacity (units)
Total number of employees
- Permanent
- Temporary
- Part Time
1
Number
of
employees
specifically towards exports
geared
Section 2: Market Appeal of Products/Services (30 points) – Firms must demonstrate
significant appeal in the export markets, both existing and new.
Indicate the estimated value and volume (if applicable) of exports in each export market
Export Market (Country)
1.
2.
1
Export Data Source to be submitted with application
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2011
2012
2013
2014
US$
and
volume
(units)
US$
and
volume
(units)
US$
and
volume
(units)
US$
and
volume
(units)
3.
4.
5.
Number of new markets entered since
commencing exports
Number of distribution channels/outlets
utilized
Section 3: Export Strategy (20 points) – Firms will be judged on the results of their documented
export strategy.
a)
Does the firm currently have a documented export plan/strategy?
□ Yes
□ No
b)
Describe the firm’s current export strategy and its results and impact on the firm. Targets
and actual results should be included (max 500 words)
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Section 4 should be completed by nominees for the Green Exporter of the Year Award only.
Section 4: Environmental Impact (30 points) – firms should demonstrate notable investment in
green technologies into its operations as well as benefits (environmental and economic) realized.
a) Describe how the company has incorporated green technology into its operations including
the benefits this has had on the company. (Include all environmental certifications obtained
and impact on the company’s production growth and profitability) (max 500 words)
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Sections 5, 6 and 7 below should be completed by nominees for the Caribbean Exporter of the Year
Award only.
Section 5: Contribution to Development of Youth and Women (10 points)
2011
2012
2013
2014
a) Number of women on staff
b) Number of employees under
35 years of age
Section 6: Innovation and New Product Development (20 points) – Firms will be judged on
notable investment in innovation as it relates to product development.
2011
2012
2013
2014
a) Company spend on research and
development/new product
development. (USD)
b) Please outline the impact that research and development/new product development has had
on market growth? (max 500 words)
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Section 7: Corporate Social Responsibility (10 points) – Firms must demonstrate a strong
commitment to corporate social responsibility in the communities in which they operate.
a) Provide a brief description of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility projects and
impact on community – including supporting documents where necessary
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Nominating Agency
Signature of Nominator
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Name of Company Representative
Signature of Company Representative
Checklist of attachments
□ Proof of Export Data (drawn from official data sources (Central Statistical Offices, Customs,
Central Banks, and Chambers of Commerce) or from official export documents from the firms
that have been verified by the nominating party)
□ Relevant financial statements (Profit and Loss/Income Statement and Balance Sheet)
□ Organizational Chart
□ Proof of Registration or Incorporation
□ Export Strategy/Plan- Executive Summary
□ Other supporting documents (Details on CSR projects, export marketing material,
relevant certifications, other awards, etc)
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