Trade

CHRIST CHURCH, BARBADOS – The month of February will be a time of serious deliberation for the Region as Ministers will convene to engage a number of salient issues related to external trade at the 20th Special Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) on February 2-3, 2007 in Montego Bay, Jamaica. The tone of the meeting will be set by discussions on refining strategies that capitalize on the collective strengths of the Region to mitigate development challenges.

CHRIST CHURCH, BARBADOS – As the Caribbean seeks to diversify its services exports, a clear area of comparative advantage is the culture and entertainment sector. In striving to promote Caribbean interests in this sector in external negotiations the CRNM realized that it was first necessary to get a more precise overview of the cultural industries. Based on consultations with industry stakeholders in 2004, the CRNM commissioned a comprehensive study to provide background on the cultural industries in CARICOM and their position in the global market.

(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) Trade Ministers of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) are to bring into sharper focus the expansion of the categories of persons eligible to move freely, within the context of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).

The Ministers will meet on 16-17 November in Georgetown, Guyana for the Twenty-Second Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED), which is expected to advance discussions on Free Movement as well as other issues relevant to the operation of the CSME.

WASHINGTON, DC – Caribbean Community (CARICOM)-US trade relations received a boost today, as a result of a decision by the two sides to revitalize a long-dormant Trade and Investment Council (TIC). This decision was reached at a meeting of CARICOM Trade Ministers with United States Trade Representative Rob Portman in Washington, D.C. this afternoon.  One of eight CARICOM Ministers at the meeting, Hon.

CHRIST CHURCH, BARBADOS – The Director-General of the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery (RNM) Ambassador Dr. Richard Bernal met yesterday afternoon with Jamaica’s new Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Hon. Anthony Hylton. Ambassador Bernal described this first official meeting, that took place at the office of the Minister in Kingston, as “very productive”. He said, “our exchange of views on the status of external trade negotiations in which CARICOM and CARIFORUM are involved highlighted the Region’s trade priorities and approach.

CHRIST CHURCH, BARBADOS – Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Trade Ministers are to meet with United States Trade Representative Rob Portman in Washington, D.C., April 12. In addition to Member State delegations, the CARICOM Secretary-General H.E. Edwin Carrington and the Director-General of the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery (RNM) Ambassador Dr. Richard Bernal will also participate in the meeting.

Historic Step towards greater Regional Unity Ceremonial Inauguration of the Caricom Single Market held An historic milestone was reached with the formal launch of the CARICOM Single Market (CSM) on Monday January 30, in Kingston, Jamaica. A new spirit of regional cooperation was ushered in at yesterday’s signing ceremony, which marked the signing of two declarations by the Heads of Government of CARICOM.

(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) We are all privileged to meet in this bustling and fascinating host city - Hong Kong. I congratulate the Chair of this Conference and his able team for all the logistical and administrative arrangements, which have made our stay here enjoyable despite the hectic schedule. Jamaica is committed to trade liberalisation and to the World Trade Organisation. We will continue to work towards a successful Doha Round. Yet there is cause for concern.