BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – At least 12 producers from six Caribbean countries will exhibit their goods at the five-day Salon International de l’alimentation (SIAL) trade fair that opens in Paris on October 21.

The Barbados-based Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) said that the producers will exhibit a range of exotic authentic sauces, natural food products, herbal teas and a range of liquors and alcoholic beverages, including rum, at the debut staging of “Caribbean Kitchen” at the fair.

It said the participation of the producers from the Caribbean, including Belize, Jamaica, St Vincent and Dominican Republic is a collaborative effort with the European Union to support Caribbean private sector development, promoting sustainable job creation to ultimately alleviate poverty.

“With EU funding under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) it is hoped that the participation of Caribbean companies at SIAL will support increased exports of food and beverage products to the EU and contribute to our region’s much-needed foreign reserves and economic growth,” Caribbean Export said.

SIAL, which is held every two years, specialising in the food processing industry, was first held in 1964 in Paris.