October 2009

OECS Trade Policy Unit assists Member States to prepare for talks with Canada

During October 19 – 23, 2009, the Trade Policy Unit participated in the technical preparatory meetings for the CARICOM Canada negotiations which are scheduled to commence on 10th November 2009 in Barbados. The meetings addressed services, investment, non agricultural goods and agriculture. The officials reviewed CARICOM’s Negotiating Brief and agreed on the strategy that should be employed during the First Round of Negotiations with Canada. The meetings were convened by CARICOM Office of Trade Negotiations.

OECS Officials Discuss Intellectual Property

OECS trade and intellectual property officials met in Dominica on October 28 – 29, 2009, to discuss an OECS position on the issues being discussed in the WTO’s Council on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). The issues under discussion pertain to the right to protect place names used to identify products that come from these places and have specific characteristics (geographical indications - GIs) and the relationship between the WTO agreement in TRIPS and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). In respect of geographical indications, officials considered whether the OECS member states should support the registration of GIs and the extension on protection of GIs to products other than wines and spirits. The discussions on the CBD looked at how the TRIPS agreement, the CBD and other patent systems could be used to strike a balance between the commercial exploitation of traditional knowledge and genetic resources, and the accrual of economic benefits to the area or community from which these originate.

To date the region has paid little attention to intellectual property issues, however, many now realise that protection is important in adding value to the region’s products and services.

The next issue of UpDate will treat with regional and international trade issues.

Email contact: tpu@oecs.org