Bridgetown, Barbados – Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) has facilitated the development of a ground-breaking project that saw the first of ten (10) Megapower solar carports being launched in Barbados on Friday, June 7, 2013.
The project, which is being implemented by Caribbean Consultant Limited, is one of many regional initiatives that have received support from the Agency under the Direct Assistance Grant Scheme (DAGS).
The DAGS, funded by the European-Union (EU), is a reimbursement grant funding facility specifically designed to provide financial assistance to legally registered firms, individuals and Business Support Organisations who have the potential to export their products and services.
The Scheme is an initiative under the 10th European Development Fund (EDF), Regional Private Sector Development Programme (RPSDP), which has the specific objective of enhancing competitiveness and promoting innovation among CARIFORUM’s private sector.
The Agency is pleased to have provided funding to Caribbean Consultant Limited on this innovative project, as it is one that demonstrates how Caribbean Export can assist the private sector’s vision to utilize alternate energy in innovative ways while reducing our carbon footprint and costs.
At the launch of their Megapower and Solar Carport on Friday June 7, 2013, Executive Director, Pamela Coke Hamilton, expressed that “this project is one of many, which continues to demonstrate the private sector’s efforts to introduce environmentally sustainable practices and alternative energy sources to fuel their businesses everyday needs.”
Caribbean Export, has been instrumental in assisting small businesses with a variety of projects including those relating to the environment. For example, other DAGS beneficiaries include Ruth’s Place in Antigua and Barbuda, and the Hotel Mocking Bird in Jamaica, who utilised their respective grants to install photo-voltaic systems which have resulted in them being able to convert sunlight into electricity, thereby reducing their overall electricity consumption and operational costs.
Recognition must be attributed to the European Union whose funding continues to support the private sector development across the 15 CARIFORUM Member States under the EU- funded 10th EDF RPSDP.
More information about The Direct Assistance Grant Scheme can be found at www.carib-export.com
