February 2010
OECS Trade Policy Unit assists Antigua/Barbuda to establish a Coalition of Service Industries
The Trade Policy Unit in collaboration with the Hubs and Spokes Project and the Ministry of Finance and Economy in Antigua/Barbuda a convened a workshop on February 25th 2010 to establish the Antigua and Barbuda Coalition of Service Industries. A Coalition of Services Industries an umbrella body that brings together services sector organizations to lobby and address services trade and development issues.
The workshop was targeted at services firms and was intended to increase awareness of the importance of the services sector and agreed on a roadmap to establish the National Coalition of Service Industries. A task Force was also formed which will have its first meeting on 11th March to discuss matters such as funding, a draft work plan and public sensitization. The Chamber of Commerce reiterated its commitment to serve as an incubator for the Coalition of Service Industries for three years.
Some of the matters discussed at the workshop were understanding trade in services, the purpose and importance of the Coalition, best practice experience from Saint Lucia, accessing donor funding and organizational structure. Facilitators will be drawn the OECS and CARICOM Secretariats, Hubs and Spokes Project and the St. Lucia Coalition of Service Industries. Funding for the workshop was provided by the Hub and Spokes Project which is a trade policy capacity building project funded by the Commonwealth Secretariat and European Union.
OECS Trade Policy Unit helps realtors understand free trade agreements
The Trade Policy Unit presented on the topic “The Challenges and opportunities of FTAs with particular reference to the EPA and emerging FTAs for the real estate sector” during a three-day course convened by the Realtors Association of Saint Lucia from 23-25 February for new entrants into the sector and others involved with real estate. Approximately fifty people participated drawn from real estate, insurance, travel, hotel, law and the distribution sectors. The presentation was well received and participants requested that the Unit be invited to participate in future informal sessions in order to provide more information on services trade regimes in Free Trade Agreements such as the CSME.
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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