The CARO Centre took part in the webinar to prepare for the France Week collective mission in the Dominican Republic on December 3, 2021. The webinar was organised by the Islands of Guadeloupe Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIIG), which is leading the CARO Centre project, and Team France Export.

The CCIIG and Team France Export organised a trip to the Dominican Republic for a delegation of business leaders from December 7 to 10, 2021. The visit formed part of the Sustainable City Business Forum organised during the fourth France Week. The event was supported by the Franco-Dominican Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the French Embassy in the Dominican Republic.

The aim of the planning webinar was to give entrepreneurs from Guadeloupe a platform to ask questions prior to their trip to the Dominican Republic. They took the opportunity to share their experience and obtain advice and personalised support.

The webinar included input from the CARO Centre, whose Secretary-General, Marie-Camille Pitton, presented the Centre's services to the entrepreneurs before their departure for the Dominican Republic.

The business sectors represented by these Guadeloupe companies included sustainable development; waste and water treatment; and information and communications technology (ICT).

Economic, customs, legal, commercial and logistical aspects were addressed during the event to help business leaders and project promoters make the best possible preparations for their trip.

More specifically, the speakers and topics covered were as follows:

• Christopher Louis, CCIIG Elected Member - Head of the Guadeloupe delegation, was responsible for the introductory remarks, which he used to shed light on the trade situation and opportunities that entrepreneurs in the Dominican Republic will be able to take advantage of.
• Leonardo Adames, Consul of the Dominican Republic in Guadeloupe, presented the section of the webinar devoted to “Doing business in the Dominican Republic”, when he highlighted the major economic advantages of the island and the relevant commercial regulations.
• Laurence Point, Director of the Business Advice Unit - Economic Action Hub - Guadeloupe Regional Customs and Indirect Taxation Authority, presented the customs regulations applicable to exports with the Dominican Republic.
• Marie-Camille Pitton, Secretary-General of the CARO Centre, presented the OHADAC project and the tailor-made and affordable arbitration, mediation, assessment and facilitation services offered by the CARO Centre.
• Raïssa Goubin Kern, International Advisor - CCIIG, spoke about the support given to entrepreneurs on the theme: “How can you prepare properly for and optimise your prospecting mission?” The topics covered included identifying the target market; drawing up a list of prospects; drafting a sales pitch; adapting communication tools; the financial aspect, etc...
• Enaïe Leveille, Intern at the International Hub - CCIIG gave a presentation on the travel file which was made available to the entrepreneurs leaving for the Dominican Republic.

Useful links:

• To learn more about the OHADAC project, visit https://www.ohadac.com.
• For more information on the CARO Centre: https://www.carohadac.org.
• To find out more about the actions and services of the Guadeloupe Chamber of Commerce and Industry: https://www.guadeloupe.cci.fr.
• For more information on the advice and support offered by Team France Outremer: https://www.teamfrance-export.fr/outremer.
• To find out about the opportunities offered by the Franco-Dominican Chamber of Commerce: https://www.ccifranco-dominicana.org.
• For more information about the events organised by the French Embassy in the Dominican Republic: https://do.ambafrance.org.

Finally, if you have any questions, please contact: secretariat@carohadac.org.