The Organization of American States (OAS) commissioned Duke GVCC to undertake a series of global value chain (GVC) studies in four different countries in the Caribbean: Barbados, Belize, Jamaica and Saint Lucia as part of a program to establish Small Business Development Centers. Between 2016 and 2018, a total of 10 reports were produced across the four nations. Duke GVCC supplemented research with a capacity building program that consists of a series of GVC training sessions in each country.
Week-long training workshops in each of the four nations, led by Duke GVCC researcher Karina Fernandez-Stark, helped government officials gain a deeper understanding of the GVC methodology and the challenges and opportunities SMEs face when participating in the global economy. In total, over 100 participants completed training sessions through the project.
Duke GVCC conducted 10 GVC studies in the selected nations. As part of the development of Small Business Development Centers, these studies focused on how to increase SMEs participation in global value chains. Studies include the following:
Barbados: Cruise Tourism and Rum
Belize: Cocoa/Chocolate; Offshore Services; and Shrimp
Jamaica: Coffee; Offshore Services; and Tourism
Saint Lucia: Bananas and Cruise Tourism