Kingstown, St. Vincent -- 15 Feb., 2007 -- Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda the Hon. Baldwin Spencer says that trade liberalization should not be to the detriment of the countries within the region. 

Making an intervention during the discussions on External Trade Negotiations at the 18th Inter-Sessional Meeting of CARICOM Heads being held here, Prime Minister Spencer said that through trade liberalization and negotiations like the Economic Partnership Agreement EPA, the region must be strong on the importance of development being tangible and real.

“The granting of technical assistance and the exchange of experts by themselves cannot sustain our fragile economies, many of which are without mineral wealth. We accept that we must become competitive, but there must be a reasonable period of graduation with adequate support mechanisms to allow our enterprises, industries and sectors to retool, Prime Minister Spencer noted.

He noted that as leaders of the region, Heads must have an input in the articulations of the development dimension or Chapter of any Economic Partnership Agreement, noting that if the region is unable to properly articulate its development Chapter, it will not be able to quantify the needs of the region.

Antigua and Barbuda recently presented to CARICOM elements of what should constitute its development dimension and Chapter in any Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union.

Trade Coordinator in the Ministry of Finance, Ambassador Dr. Clarence Henry who is also a part of Antigua and Barbuda's delegation attending the 18th Inter-Sessional Meeting supported the Prime Minister's arguments.

Ambassador Henry told regional Heads that CARICOM must work with the European Union as agreed on a timetable, but if CARIFORUM (Caribbean Forum) or CARICOM interests are not adequately covered, Antigua and Barbuda will have difficulty signing the document. He said that in that regard, there is the need for a good agreement which must have the input of all stakeholders.

“Therefore, there is need for greater public consultation/sensitization on the opportunities and challenges of the Economic Partnership Agreement EPA. The Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery, CRNM needs to urgently embark on a region wide programme of public awareness and acceptance of any eventual agreement,” Ambassador Henry pointed out.

He told heads that the CRNM should copy what was undertaken when the region was revising the CARICOM Treaty bringing ordinary citizens on board.

Ambassador Henry also stated that the Caribbean must build a more matur relationship with its development partners, one which includes reduced waivers or preferences.

Source: ab.gov.ag