September 29, 2023

Caribbean Trade and Development Digest – January 1st-7th, 2017

Photo source: Pixabay

Welcome to the first Caribbean Trade and Development Digest for 2017!  I am pleased to share some of the major trade and development headlines and analysis across the Caribbean region and the World for the weeks of January  1-7, 2017. 

For past issues of our weekly Caribbean Trade & Development Digest, please visit here.

To receive these mailings directly to your inbox, please follow our blog.

REGIONAL

Barbados sets new tourism record 

Caribbean News Now: A new tourism record was set for 2016 when 610,000 long-stay visitors visited Barbados. Read more

Changes to Citizenship by Investment programme (St. Lucia)

St Lucia Times: On December 22nd, 2016, the minister to whom citizenship by investment is assigned signed a statutory instrument making amendments to the Citizenship by Investment Regulations No. 89 of 2015. Read more 

PM advocates OECS approach to CIP 

St. Lucia Times: Prime Minister, Allen Chastanet, has voiced support for an OECS approach to the Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP), being offered by some member states of the group. Read more

IDB approved billions for Latin American and Caribbean projects in 2016 

Nation News: The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) says it had provided US$11.7 billion for various projects in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2016.Read more

First Cuban exports to US in more than half a century to mark new era of trade 

Caribbean News Now: Reneo Consulting LLC announced on Thursday that its subsidiary company Coabana Trading LLC has finalized an agreement with Cuba Export to import into the United States marabu (sickle bush) charcoal produced in Cuba.  Read more 

The View from Europe: The US should respect the WTO ruling on Antigua

David Jessop: Late last November, the government of Antigua gave notice to the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) Disputes Settlement Body (DSB) that, if the United States did not reach “an appropriate and beneficial settlement” in relation to a legal adjudication made previously in its favour, it would act to recover the revenue it has lost. Read more 

Dominican mining exports top US $6.5B in 6 years 

Dominican Today: The Dominican mining market exported US$6.5 billion as a result of extractions between 2010 and 2016, foreign sales heading led by the international transaction in gold worth US$4.9 billion in the five years, according to a document by the Energy and Mines Ministry (MEM). Read more

Dominican Republic: Two decades of legal change in favor of foreign investment

The National Law Review: For approximately 16 years now, the Dominican Republic has been implementing a continued legal reform to adjust its legal framework to international standards, specifically aiming to attract foreign investors. Read more 

Progress being made (with CRFM)

The Advocate: Still a long way to go but making progress. This is how Executive Director of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), Milton Haughton, described the work being made toward introducing region-wide laws, rules and regulations intended to make Caribbean fish and seafood not only ready for world trade but safe for Caribbean tables. Read more
Regional group welcomes conclusion of regulatory project for CARIFORUM countries
Jamaica Observer: The Belize-based Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) says it has successfully completed a project aimed at helping Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM) countries to improve the safety of fish and fishery products for consumers in national and export markets, and several activities. Read more 

REGIONAL

NZ highlights Free Trade Agreement gains with Korea

TVNZ: Trade Minister Todd McClay is highlighting gains made in a free-trade agreement with Korea as he looks to make progress in getting one with the European Union. Read more 

UK’s Brexit approach is not muddled at all, says Theresa May

The Guardian: PM defends her government’s approach against charge by Sir Ivan Rogers, the UK ambassador to the EU who quit last week. Read more 

UK ambassador to the EU Sir Ivan Rogers resigns 

BBC: The UK’s ambassador to the EU, Sir Ivan Rogers, has resigned. Sir Ivan, appointed to the job by David Cameron in 2013, had been expected to play a key role in Brexit talks expected to start within months. Read more 

Container ship fleet growth expected to accelerate in 2017

JOC: The global container ship fleet will grow around 3.1 percent in 2017, a level of growth faster than 2016, and one that may or may not increase the gap between container shipping demand and supply, according to shipowner association Bimco. Read more 

5 International Arbitration Cases to watch in 2017

Law360: International arbitration attorneys will be keeping a close eye on the proceedings involving former Yukos shareholders as they seek to revive their historic awards totaling $50 billion against Russia, a trio of interrelated cases involving Belize in the U.S. Supreme Court, and other disputes that could affect the arbitration and enforcement landscape for years to come. Read more 

Ghana ratifies the Trade Facilitation Agreement

Pacific Scoop: Ghana has ratified the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), making it the 104th WTO member to do so. Only six more ratifications from members are needed to bring the TFA into force. Read more 

Minister: Malaysia ready to face possibility of TPPA cancellation

Malay Mail Online: Malaysia is ready to face any eventuality arising from the possibility of the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) being scrapped. Read more 

US imports rose in 2016 despite adversity

JOC: The US container trade in 2016 expanded an estimated 3.6 percent to a record of approximately 20.4 million 20-foot-equivalent units on the back of subdued import prices and further gains in home sales.Read more

The WTO option for Brexit is far from straightforward

The Economist: The two sides of the Brexit debate do not agree on much, but they agree on this: if Britain fails to reach a trade deal with the EU it will have to revert to the “WTO option”. Read more 

Good Prospects for RCEP to wrap up negotiations this year 

The Star: The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), involving 16 countries including Malaysia, has good prospects to wrap up negotiations in 2017, said HSBC Bank plc. Read more

Free Trade Agreement: Pakistan, Malaysia in talks to cut duties

The Express Tribune: Pakistan and Malaysia are negotiating to further reduce duties on existing and additional tariff lines under the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to facilitate businesses of both countries.Read more

Trump taps Lighthizer for Trade Representative

The Hill: President-elect Donald Trump will nominate Robert Lighthizer for U.S. trade representative, his transition team announced early Tuesday. Read more 

US-NAFTA trade falls in October, reports BTS

Logistics Management: US trade with North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners Canada and Mexico fell 3.6 percent to $93.2 billion on an annual basis in October, according to data issued by the Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Read more 

NEW ARTICLES ON CTLD BLOG

New articles on the CTLD blog are:

Trump Trade Team Poised to Reset US Trade Policy

Seven Major Trade Developments of 2016: Trade Year in Review & Look Ahead

Fathering a Nation: Barbados and the Legacy of Errol Walton Barrow 

 

For past issues of our Caribbean & Trade Development Digest, please visit here. To receive these mailings directly to your inbox, please follow our blog.

caribbeantradelaw

The Caribbean Trade Law and Development Blog is owned and was founded by Alicia Nicholls, B.Sc. (Hons), M.Sc. (Dist.), LL.B. (Hons), a Caribbean-based trade and development consultant. She writes and presents regularly on trade and development matters affecting the Caribbean and other small states. You can follow her on Twitter @LicyLaw. All views expressed on this Blog are Alicia's personal views and do NOT necessarily reflect the views of any institution or entity with which she may from time to time be affiliated.

View all posts by caribbeantradelaw →
%d bloggers like this: