Castries -- August 6, 2010–  Trade officials in Antigua and Barbuda say although there is export potential in several of its sectors, transportation remains a major issue for increasing trade under the proposed CARICOM- Canada Trade and Development agreement.

Antigua and Barbuda’s Ministry of Trade recently hosted a national consultation on CARICOM – Canada negotiations organized by the OECS Secretariat’s Trade Policy Unit and the Hubs and Spokes Project in collaboration with the CARICOM Office of Trade Negotiations.

During the meeting, specific export interests were identified in education, environmental services, marine transportation, cultural industries and professional services.  However transportation remains a major challenge affecting the export sector which is already keen in maximizing business opportunities based on CARICOM-Canada trade negotiations. Antigua and Barbuda’s Trade Comissioner Sharon James says challenges facing the export sector need to be resolved as access to Canadian markets continue to be negotiated: “The business people in Antigua articulated their interest in the Canadian Market but they also gave us some idea of what they see as challenges. The big challenge with exports of products to Canada is transportation and we are hoping that through this agreement we can encourage investment from Canada and that is one of the areas in which we are hoping that investors in Canada  would step up and invest in the OECS in terms of actually being able to access the market. As trade officials in Antigua and Barbuda we are going to keep these in mind in terms of our negotiating position but also work with them in terms of how we can help them overcome the challenges. It would not be helpful  if we negotiate the access and then we are not able to take advantage of it.” The main objectives of the consultations were to sensitize and increase the awareness of stakeholders on the objectives and rationale for a Trade and Development Agreement between CARICOM and Canada and to receive recommendations and guidance from the stakeholders.

James says stakeholders at the meeting also discussed professional development opportunities through specific cooperation arrangements with Canada: “Canada is strong in some areas of training where we are hoping we could do some projects with them. They seem to be very strong in national parks and historical sights and Antigua and Barbuda needs help in these areas. They also have programes in marine services which can help us as well. Architects here would also like to have arrangements with Canada where they can do some career development studies to keep themselves up to par with new developments.”

The Trade Commissioner also hailed the presence of the OECS/CARICOM team at the talks on CARICOM-Canada Trade Negotiations as very useful.  In addition to participation in radio and television programmes, a meeting was held with the Cabinet Sub-Committee and Inter-ministerial Committee, on issues of interest that should be reflected in the agreement for Services, Investment and Market Access for Goods.

It was agreed that the Inter-Ministerial Sub-Committee would complete the national consultative processes and an official position will be submitted to the Office of Trade Negotiations. The recent meeting in Antigua and Barbuda on the CARICOM-Canada Trade Agreement is one of similar sessions in Grenada as well as the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis and Dominica.

The OECS Secretariat’s Trade Policy Unit and the Hubs and Spokes Project in collaboration with the CARICOM Office of Trade Negotiations will also be conducting talks on the CARICOM-Canada Trade negotiations later this year in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.                                             

Media Contact: Raymond O’Keiffe Email: rokeiffe@oecs.org Tel. 1-758- 455-6305 or 455-OECS
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it