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the private sector for sustainable and
inclusive development.
The meeting, which was held in
Barbados, gathered information on the
following:
• Areas for strategic focus and
programmes - identification of the
broad areas of intervention
that are thought to be most
important for the Caribbean,
including sectors as well as actions
(e.g. finance, technical assistance,
training, etc.) that may cut across
sectors. Additionally, specific
areas for intervention
(programmes and projects) were
identified;
• Targeting and implementation
modalities - identification of
targets (countries, sectors,
groups, institutions, etc.) and
modalities for implementation
(e.g. programmes/projects
managed by Programme
Management Units in Brussels, by
ACP Secretariat, international
organisations, regional
organisations, etc.);
• National and Regional
Intermediaries - Identification of
agencies, institutions,
corporations, etc. through which
programme support should be
channelled; and
• Potential strategic partners
Identification of other entities (the
ACP Group is European focussed
and all programmes are financed
by the European Commission),
which can partner with the ACP in
the implementation of its private
sector development strategy.
As a follow up to the consultation, the ACP Secretariat will complete and
disseminate the private sector development strategy.
PUBLIC-PRIVATE SECTOR DIALOGUE VALIDATION MEETING
In 2014, following a request from the CARICOM Secretariat and a mandate from
the Ministers of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED),
Caribbean Export commissioned a consultant to undertake a study examining
the status of regional public-private dialogue. The study presented an analysis
of the issues presented and made recommendations on the way forward for the
regional private sector. Entitled Public-Private Sector Dialogue: A Roadmap for
Reengagement, the study also identifies a path for a speedy return to regional
public-private sector dialogue that will ensure the achievement of growth and
sustainable development goals for the region. These findings were presented at
the 39th Regular Meeting of COTED.
In March 2015, Caribbean Export convened a validation meeting for 32 regional
stakeholders to examine and discuss the findings and recommendations of this
study, with the aim of achieving consensus on the way forward for regional
private sector representation, and determining the next steps in implementation,
including timelines, of the agreed way forward. The conclusions of the meeting
were presented at the 40th Regular Meeting of COTED, in April 2015. Participants
included several high-level representatives from various regional private
sector advocacy organiSations, including manufacturers’ associations, industry
associations, coalitions of service industries, and chambers of commerce. The
meeting was a combination of plenary and sessions.
Key decisions agreed upon by participants included that:
• The Caribbean Business Council (CBC) should remain the best vehicle for
vibrant and effective public private dialogue (PPD) in the Caribbean;
• The formulation of the CBC shall be designed to achieve an early harvest of
benefits, specifically an established relationship with the Caribbean
Community and its institutions;
• The CBC shall progress to more robust forms of organisation and PPD
engagement;
• The CBC should be fully functional by the end of the third quarter of 2015;
• To establish a steering committee with a mandate of reviewing the
constitution of the CBC within three months, reviewing good practice, such
as the OECS Business Council and extra regional sources, for organising PPD,
developing a business plan to guide the operations of the CBC, and
STRENGTHENING CARIBBEAN EXPORT’S
INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY
s
,