May 2010
Trade Policy Unit assists member states to phase out export subsidy programmes
The Trade Policy Unit convened a consultation on the reform of export subsidy programmes onMay 3 – 4, 2010 in Saint Lucia which assisted Member States to prepare draft notifications to the WTO which are due on June 30, 2010 that will set out their plans to phase out export subsidy programmes by 2015.
The fact that export contingent subsidies are not compatible with the WTO Agreement means that OECS governments must utilise alternative measures to support their enterprises. The consultation also discussed international best practices which are WTO compatible such as business facilitation and infrastructure which can be used to attract investment and increase competitiveness. The consultation was attended by trade, investment and legal officials and was financed by the Hubs and Spokes Project.
The Trade Negotiations Group concludes its fourteenth meeting in Saint Lucia
The Trade Policy Unit convened the 14th meeting of the Trade Negotiations Group on 26-27th May 2010. The meeting considered matters such as the ongoing CARICOM-Canada negotiations, the WTO negotiations, implementation of the EPA, trade facilitation initiatives, the operation of the trade regime in the Economic Union and reports from trade capacity building projects such as the Hubs and Spokes Project, CSME Trade and Competitiveness Project and the IDB Trade Capacity Building Programme.
The meeting amongst other things welcomed support from the Office of Trade Negotiations to convene national consultations on CARICOM-Canada negotiations, agreed to activities to be undertaken to implement the EPA, noted that the World Bank will be undertaking research on trade facilitation, expressed thanks to the Hubs and Spokes Project for the tremendous technical and financial support provided and requested that the Project be extended. The TNG is comprised of representatives from the public and private sector of Member States. Funding for participants was provided by the IDB Trade Capacity Building Programme.
Trade Policy Unit continues to support officials to negotiate with Canada
The Trade Policy Unit participated in the recently held preparatory meetings in advance of another negotiating round with Canada. The Technical Working Group on Services and Investment met during 10-14th May and the Working Group on Market Access met 10-12thMay in Barbados. The meetings discussed textual proposals such as technical barriers to trade, agriculture and fisheries, temporary movement of service providers, investment, preparation of tariff reduction schedules and national consultations. The proposals from these working groups will be submitted to the next meeting of Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) for endorsement. The next negotiating round will probably be held in the last quarter of this year. The new agreement will set out the conditions under which OECS manufacturers, farmers and service providers will trade with Canada.
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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