In May 2008, the Inter American Development Bank approached the Trade Policy Unit to develop a proposal for a Regional Technical Cooperation project in the area of trade capacity building, with an initial budget of US$150.000.  The Unit responded and the Bank prepared a proposal for a capacity building programme for Cdn$ 376,800 to be financed by the IDB-Canada Trust Fund. The Secretariat is required to make a counterpart contribution of Cdn$9,600.00.

OBJECTIVES

The general objective of the Project is to assist small producers in the OECS region to benefit from international trade while strengthening the region’s ability to negotiate and implement trade agreements.

Specifically the Project will:

1. assess current market intelligence efforts, study best international practices and the viability for implementing them in the region,
2. design a MIF pilot project aimed at the strengthening of market intelligence for small producers,
3. enhance the capacity of officials to formulate and implement trade policy,
4. promote harmonization of trade policy among Member States through the Trade Negotiations Group,
5. support and facilitate participation in negotiations on trade in goods, services, agriculture and trade related areas through technical studies and consultative activities geared towards the articulation and inclusion of modalities that will support trade policy objectives.

COMPONENTS

In keeping with the aforementioned objectives the project comprises six components

1. Design of a market intelligence system(Cdn$37,900),
2. Technical studies(Cdn$76,000),
3. Private sector consultations and capacity building (Cdn$57,500),
4. Working group sessions of the Trade Negotiations Group (Cdn$56,200),
5. Preparation of market access offers(Cdn$15,200),
6. Institutional strengthening of the Trade Policy Unit (Cdn$96,000)

BENEFITS AND RISKS

In keeping with the Inter American Development Bank’s strategy for the region technical and financial support is extended to the six independent Member States of the OECS Antigua/Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts/Nevis, Saint Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines and it seeks to improve the ability of Member States to participate and negotiate trade agreements in the framework of the regional integration process. At the same time the Project will establish the basis for the construction of a market intelligence system that will benefit the private sector.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

The IDB Charter requires the Bank to work with the Caribbean Development Bank in the case of the OECS where countries are non-bank members, and are direct beneficiaries of Bank funds. The CDB will serve as financial agent for the project under the framework of a customary agreement. The Secretariat will also collaborate with organizations such as the CARICOM Secretariat to ensure that the activities contemplated in the Project, are aligned with the regional process of trade policy formulation.

PROJECT EXECUTION

The Project is being executed by the Trade Policy Unit in close coordination with the Integration and Trade Sector of the Inter American Development Bank. This includes supervision of consultants, coordination of workshop activities and general management of the Project.

The Project will be executed over a period of twenty four months with a disbursement period of thirty months effective from the date of signature of the agreement between the Bank and the Secretariat.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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