Caribbean Export OUTLOOK 2016

supply side and logistical challenges,market access

barriers, and weak business facilitation and a

sometimes unwilling business culture. If we are

serious about long-term growth as a region, we

have to address these deficiencies.”

He further revealed that a more integrated

approach to trade could be a catalyst for

overcoming these challenges, but a divergence

of interests among Caribbean countries with

respect to market and product orientation,

limited awareness of regional markets, and a

competitive business culture, as opposed to

one that is collaborative, is a major deterrent to

achieving this goal. The two-time PrimeMinister

however shared that his vision for CARIFORUM,

as it relates to international trade, takes into

account trade in both goods and services, and

the establishment of strategic partnerships.

“Trade in goods must be based on strategic

positioning along the supply chain for those

goods which can be produced and traded

competitively, and trade in services development

must exploit our national competitive advantage

including cultural services. We must also create

and participate in strategic alliances such as the

CARIFORUM-EU EPA, trade agreements with

North America and, increasingly, South-South

Trade. CARIFORUM has a vested and strong

At the national level a number of Caribbean Countries have

put legal and other policy instruments in place to provide

incentives to support trade and investment in key sectors.

Pulse OF THE CARIBBEAN