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Tradewatch
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The Official E-Newsletter of the Caribbean Export Development Agency • Vol. 8 No. 3 July 2014
FOSTERING PARTNERSHIPS
Caribbean Export’s vision for a self-sufficient and globally
competitive private sector is one which is inclusive of all the
region’s resources, regardless of the territories from which they
originate. In order to realize this vision, the Agency continues
its efforts at the economic integration of the CARIFORUM
territories which it represents with the FCORs and OCTs. As
such, Caribbean Export convened its 9th Meeting of the
CARIFORUM-FCORs-OCTs Task Force on Trade and Investment
in Grand Cayman from June 26-27, 2014. The meeting, which
brought together members of government and leaders in the
private sector, followed a highly successfully business forum
which provided a platform for CARIFORUM, FCOR and OCT
private sector firms to engage in business to business meetings,
thus stimulating exchanges on trade and investment amongst
the territories.
These exchanges were crucial to the strengthening of the
linkages which, up until now, have been lacking amongst the
territories. Despite their close proximity, and the existence of
a number of trade tariffs and agreements, most significantly
the EPA, commerce and investment among the territories has
remained largely unexploited. This lack of development may
be due to the fact that a number of barriers to trade still exist
among the territories. The forum presented the opportunity for
members of the private sector to discuss these challenges and to
build on the linkages made during the business forum.
The Agency also led discussions on the establishment of a
Technical Management Unit (TMU). This unit would provide
assistance to exporters from CARIFORUM States that wish to
enter the French Caribbean Market and also to assist French
9th Meeting of the CARIFORUM-FCORs-OCTs
Task Force on Trade and Investment
David Gomez, Manager Trade and Export Development, Caribbean Export
delivers remarks during the Task Force meeting
Caribbean Exporters with exploring trade opportunities within
the CARIFORUM region. Regional BSOs are already highly
instrumental in this market research and export preparation
process and have already begun assisting CARIFORUM firms
to export to FCORs. However, Caribbean Export is aware that
they face challenges in doing and therefore the TMU is intended
to address issues such as the provision of market research and
intelligence in doing business in the FCORs; assist with meeting
language and cultural requirements; identify key contacts and
the coordination of trade fairs and market visits to facilitate
buyer/seller contacts.
(TW)