September 2009
The Trade Policy Unit continues to prepare for the upcoming WTO Ministerial meeting
The seventh Ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organisation is scheduled for the end of November in Geneva, Switzerland. At least three OECS Member States will be represented by Ministers. The Unit obtained financial support from the European Union to fund the participation of one official from each OECS-WTO Member State.
Although this meeting will not focus on negotiating issues such as agriculture and services participation is important in order to lend political support for the conclusion of the round of negotiations which has gained momentum after 35 countries met in New Delhi, India earlier this month. These negotiations will determine some of the rules which govern how goods and services are exported from OECS Member States.
The Trade Policy Unit to launch a publication on trade in services
In an effort to respond to the information needs of the Private Sector, in particular the Services Sector, the Unit is preparing to launch its First Volume of a trade publication dubbed “Spotlight on Services”: The monthly publication is intended to provide up-to-date trade information, status reports on Services initiatives implemented by the Secretariat, highlights of successful Services Firms in the OECS and news/upcoming events. The publication will be a collaborative effort of the Trade Policy and Export Development Units and the Geneva Technical Mission. The intended audience will be Coalitions of Services Industries, Chambers of Commerce, Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ministries of Tourism, Regional Integration Units, Overseas Missions and organisations such as ECTEL and ECCB.
OECS Secretariat to examine the potential impact of UK carbon tax on Member States
The Secretariat has secured assistance from the Commonwealth Secretariat to undertake analyses in connection with the impact of the soon to be imposed United Kingdom Air Passenger Duty (APD). It is necessary to undertake this work since the APD can impact negatively on visitor arrivals from the UK into the OECS Member States. The Commonwealth Secretariat will be undertaking two pieces of work, one to assess the impact of carbon emission regulations on small developing countries, and the other to determine the WTO compatibility of the APD. The results of this work will guide Member States in discussions with the United Kingdom on this matter.
The next issue of UpDate will treat with regional and international trade issues.
Email contact: tpu@oecs.org
An Update from the OECS Trade Policy Unit on Trade Matters of Importance to the Sub Region
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