May 2011
The Trade Policy Unit prepares to discuss EPA implementation with services officials
The Trade Policy Unit is preparing for a meeting to discuss a report that reviews the legislation relating to services trade and investment regimes of the OECS Member States who are party to the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) . The objectives of the review, launched in November 2010 are to:
1. Identify, for each OECS Member State, pieces of legislation related to Trade in Services and Investment that need to be brought into conformity with the Agreement, including suggested legislative changes and drafting instructions, and,
2. Identify and design possible projects for ensuring conformity of the OECS countries’ legislation with the CARIFORUM-EU EPA.
A draft final report identifying, for each OECS Member State, legislation related to Services trade and Investment that needs to be brought into conformity with the CARIFORUM-EU EPA, as well as possible projects to fill the gaps identified in the aforementioned report will be discussed at a meeting for Trade and legal officials to be held in Saint Lucia on 14-15th June 2011. It is important that Member States laws and regulations relating to trade and investment are compatible with the EPA in order to make it easier and more equitable for service providers and investors to trade with Europe.
The Organization of American States (OAS) in collaboration with the EPA Implementation Unit of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat and the OECS Secretariat coordinated the review throughout the participating OECS Member States.
CSME Trade and Competitiveness Project’s Work Plan for 2011 is approved
The CSME Trade and Competitiveness Project is focused on improving the functioning of the Single Market and Economy by addressing reform and improvement of administrative systems, improved access to labor and services markets and increased participation by stakeholders.
The 2011 Work Plan will focus on;
- completing legislative and administrative reviews in St. Kitts/Nevis and Saint Lucia;
- Preparing and implementing action plans to reform the legal and administrative regimes in Member States so that they are compliant with the CARICOM Treaty;
- Implementing a regime for certification of people with technical and vocational skills and developing a policy for the mutual recognition of qualifications by governments,
- developing best practices for increased participation of stakeholders on CSME matters,
- developing a CARICOM environment policy and completing gender impact assessments.
The Project’s Steering Committee approved its 2011 work plan on 30th May. The Project is funded by CIDA and is being implemented by the OECS and CARICOM Secretariats in Antigua/Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts/Nevis, Saint Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
If you have questions about trade policy 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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