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common developmental challenges
that territories are facing in the
establishment
of
sustainable
trade relations. All parties were
able to gain an understanding of
preventative trade issues being
faced and to collectively brainstorm
creative solutions. To conclude the
day’s proceedings, the firms were
given a guided tour of CEC, the
Caribbean’s first special economic
zone.
The
technology
and
information-based model is one,
which was designed to attract
international companies to the
unique advantages of investment in
the Caribbean context.
As it relates to enhancing
collaboration between CARIFORUM
and the FCORs/OCTs, a fiche on
technical cooperation between
Caribbean Export and the Regional
Council of Guadeloupe was
developed in 2013, and anMOUwas
signed between the Governments
of Antigua and Barbuda and
Guadeloupe in 2014. Caribbean
Export further commissioned a
study in 2014 on the
Legal Opinion
on the Imposition of the Octroi
de Mer by the FCORs on Products
Originating
from
CARIFORUM
States.
Researched and supplied by
A-Z Information Jamaica Limited,
the study sought a legal opinion
on the Octroi de Mer, otherwise
referred to as dock tax/dock dues,
which is an internal tax applicable
to all imports in the FCORs. This
opinion is intended to assist Caribbean Export in its trade advocacy role in
the Caribbean.
Also in 2014, the Agency contracted Smart Consulting to conduct a
Feasibility Study on the Establishment of a Technical Management Unit
in the FCORs.
The objectives of this research were to examine the current
trade and investment climate between the FCORs and CARIFORUM, and
the promotion services available to exporters from the two regions; assess
the needs of exporters and other stakeholders from CARIFORUM and the
FCORs to increase trade; evaluate the possible options for meeting those
needs and the provision of timely information to potential exporters as
well as support for their projects; develop financial models to estimate the
potential income and expenditure for each of the short proposed options;
and make recommendations based on the evaluation of each proposed
option. These will focus on Caribbean Export’s long-term objective of
increased and sustained CARIFORUM exports to the FCORs.
CARIFORUM/FCORs/OCTs Task Force on Trade and Investment
Caribbean Export currently holds the Chairmanship for the CARIFORUM/
FCOR/OCT Task Force on Trade and Investment, which has a mandate
to encourage dialogue between trade and investment officials from the
public and private sectors of the three regions. Meetings of the Task Force
primarily includeGovernment representativesof thethreeregions, regional
organisations such as CARICOM, CARIFORUM, and the OECS Secretariats,
as well as select members of the private sector from CARIFORUM, the
FCORs and the OCTs.
In 2013, Caribbean Export convened the 7th and 8th meetings of the
CARIFORUM/FCOR/OCT Task Force on Trade and Investment. A total of
49 participants from the three regions met to discuss further engagement
opportunities. Following the meetings, it was recommended that a
subcommittee on the trade in goods be established. It was proposed that
this sub-committee should be comprised of the private sector, customs
officials, and tax experts. It is expected that this committee will provide
market intelligence on penetrating these markets, which also represents a
gateway to the broader EU market. The Agency also met with key officials
from Montserrat to determine potential
areas for collaboration, with the
view of facilitating the increased involvement of the OCTs in enhancing trade
and cooperation with CARIFORUM.
STRONGER TRADE AND INVESTMENT RELATIONS
BETWEEN CARIFORUM, FCORS AND OCTS