October 2010
The TPU works with Member States to prepare a common services offer to Canada
The OECS Member States are a step closer towards finalising a common Offer for Services trade following a technical meeting held in Saint Lucia on 20-21st October with funding from the Hub and Spokes Project. The offer sets out the conditions under which Member States will provide access to their services market for selected sectors.
Some Member States requested additional time to consult with stakeholders on specific sectors prior to indicating their position. The Trade Policy Unit will revise the offer and submit it to Member States for formal endorsement. Following this it will be incorporated into CARICOM’s offer to Canada. Professional, Business, Environmental, Medical, Recreational and Transportation Services are among the sectors which are included in the draft harmonised schedule of commitments.
The Draft OECS Harmonised Services Schedule of Commitments was prepared in July 2009 with financial assistance from the OECS Hub and Spokes Project.
The Trade Policy Unit continues to support OECS officials participating in the CARICOM-Canada negotiations
The Trade Policy Unit supported OECS officials participating in meetings preparatory to the next round of negotiations with Canada which were held in Barbados during the week of 25th October. The meetings discussed matters related to services, investment, market access conditions for industrial and agricultural commodities and fisheries such as rules of origin and customs procedures. The meetings examined textual proposals prepared by CARICOM and Canada and tariff liberalisation. The Trade Policy Unit in collaboration with other units of the Secretariat provided technical advice to officials for these meetings.
The new agreement will set out the conditions under which OECS manufacturers, farmers and service providers will trade with Canada. Recommendations from these meetings will be sent to the CARICOM Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) for endorsement. The next round of the CARICOM-Canada negotiations will be held in 2011.
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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