their exports through a programme that acknowledges and rewards exporters.

The specific objectives are:

• 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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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 beforeFebruary 27, 2015. 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:

• 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 and 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

Emerging Exporter of the Year 

• 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 

Young Exporter of the Year 

• Principle shareholder (owns at least 51% of firm) must be 35 years or younger as at December 31^st 2015 and must be active in daily operations of firm

Female Exporter of the Year

• Principle shareholder (owns at least 51% of firm) must be female of the firm and must be active in daily operations of firm 

Green Exporter of the Year 

• 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

Caribbean Exporter of the Year 

• 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 

Special Award – Excellence in Services Exports

• Firm must be an exporter of services