July 2010
Trade Policy Unit supports EPA implementation in Saint Lucia
The Trade Policy Unit collaborated with the Ministry of International Trade of Saint Lucia, Caribbean Export and the CARICOM EPA Implementation Unit to convene a workshop on 22-23rd July. The objectives of the workshop were to assist public sector officials and representatives of business support organisations to better understand the EPA in order to enable them to carry out their respective functions related to its implementation. Participants were drawn from the public and private sectors. The workshop examined St. Lucia’s market access commitments and obligations under the EPA and discussed activities and support required to export to Europe and implement the EPA.
The Trade Policy Unit supports Antigua/Barbuda, St. Kitts/Nevis and Dominica to negotiate with Canada
The Trade Policy Unit and the Hubs and Spokes Project collaborated with the CARICOM Office of Trade Negotiations and the Ministry of Trade of Antigua/Barbuda, St. Kitts/Nevis and Dominica to convene national consultations in July 2010 to assist the countries to prepare their national positions on matters being negotiated in the CARICOM- Canada Agreement. The Trade Policy Unit was part of the team of facilitators which provided technical guidance to stakeholders on matters such as the implications of the agreement for the countries, development assistance needs and the preparation of market access offers for goods and services. The new agreement will set out the conditions under which OECS manufacturers, farmers and service providers will trade with Canada.
St. Vincent and The Grenadines discuss WTO Services Negotiations
The Trade Policy Unit participated in a workshop convened by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Commerce and Trade of St. Vincent and the Grenadines on July 21-23rd 2010 to assist the government to sensitize stakeholders in St. Vincent and the Grenadines to the key issues in services negotiations in the WTO and provide technical assistance in related areas. The participants identified service sector priorities and recommended sectors where greater market access is required as well as those which can be liberalized so that formal requests and offers can be made to other WTO members as part of the ongoing services negotiations. The workshop was facilitated by international services trade experts, Mr. Ramesh Chaitoo and Mrs. Ayana Young- Marshall.
The TPU supports Member States to negotiate a WTO Agreement on Trade Facilitation
The Trade Policy Unit was part of a delegation from the OECS which participated in another round of negotiations for an agreement on Trade Facilitation at the WTO’s headquarters in Switzerland during 12-16th July. The meeting debated the draft text of the Agreement. Certain members remain concerned about the possible circumvention of commitments by the inclusion of exceptions, special and differential treatment provisions and other language that can potentially dilute obligations. Issues of particular concern to the OECS are those related to special and differential treatment for developing countries. The objective of the Agreement is set out disciplines for reducing the cost and time for goods to move across borders of WTO members. The meeting assessed the progress made thus far and agreed on a work programme for the remainder of the year. Funding for the participation of the members of the OECS delegation which included a representative from St. Kitts/Nevis was provided by the UNCTAD.
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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