At the inaugural conference of OECS Private Sector, Fisheries and Trade Officials in Castries from November 3rd to the 4th participants noted the following issues for further dialogue.

The first issue, Rules of Origin of a product or service will help in areas such as Economic Partnership Agreements with the European Union and at World Trade Orgnanization (WTO) negotiations.

The delegates listed Market Issues, including the linkages between the fisheries sector and the tourism industry, its support from the Commonwealth Secretariat and food safety as another area.

A Mechanism for Increased Collaboration in Fisheries and Trade was also identified as an important follow-up item because of the need for enhanced information sharing to narrow the communication gap between both entities.

Also listed for follow-up discussion was the Socio-economic Significance of Fisheries to aspects such as poverty alleviation and overall national development.

The fifth area identified for subsequent talks is the area of Fisheries Subsidies Disciplines in the context of international trade negotiations; with the sixth area noted for further deliberation as A Caribbean Definition for Artisanal Fisheries.  This latter being mandatory if Member States are to position themselves to get best out of fisheries-related trade negotiations

The immediate step is to attempt the finalization of common approaches in Fisheries and Trade issues for the upcoming WTO Ministerial Conference in Hong Kong as well as concrete proposals on the way forward for presentation at the 43rd OECS Authority meeting in 2006.

The just ended inaugural OECS Private Sector, Fisheries and Trade officials meeting falls under the work programme of the OECS Trade Policy Project as well as the marine resources programme of the OECS Environment and Sustainable Development Unit.

It follows a CARICOM conference in March which considered the issue of fisheries subsidies and the need for dialogue among stakeholder groups to enhance sensitization on Fisheries and Trade matters.

Contacts:
Peter Murray OECS Environment and Sustainable Development Unit (ESDU)
Kendol Morgan Senior Communications Officer OECS Secretariat This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Raymond O’Keiffe Comm.Officer OECS Secretariat email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it