by Welcome to the Caribbean Trade & Development News Digest for the week of November 3-9, 2019! We are happy to bring you the major trade and development headlines and analysis from across the Caribbean Region and the world from the past week.
China hosted a WTO Mini Ministerial in Shanghai on November 5th. Jamaica was among the countries which attended. Read more here.
India has opted out of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Read more
Two high level meetings were held in Barbados this week: An Insurance Colloquium with the theme ‘Insurance in the Age of Climate Change‘ hosted by the Government of Barbados and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the 2019 Caribbean Forum: Regional Transformation for Inclusive and Sustainable Growth hosted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).
REGIONAL NEWS
Barbados to partner with Suriname for Black Belly Sheep operation
Barbados Advocate: Local agricultural officials are seeking to partner with their counterparts in Suriname, to facilitate a Black Belly Sheep operation which will see land being utilised in that CARICOM country to increase production of our Black Belly Sheep and to build out the full value chain, where the local industry is concerned. Read more
Saint Lucia gets help from Argentina to boost honey production, marketing
IICA: The authorities of Saint Lucia give final touches to the preparations for the next visit of two Argentine experts in the framework of API Caribe, a regional project of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and the government of Argentina to boost the beekeeping industry of the Caribbean nations. Read more
Jamaica Launches Online Investment Guide
JIS: Jamaica has joined 28 other nations, including several Caribbean states, that have developed online investment guides (iGuides). Read more
Holness assures China of Jamaica’s cooperation in economic development
Jamaica Observer: Prime Minister Andrew Holness yesterday welcomed the opportunity to pair Jamaican minds and aspirations with China’s experience and know-how. Holness said that Jamaica was excited about exploring the possibilities of pairing those assets in areas such as renewable energy, border security, agriculture, health care, and STEM education to achieve sustainability and resilience in its economy. Read more
New age limit on imported vehicles takes effect
Jamaica Observer: The new age limit at which motor vehicles can be imported into the island has taken effect. Read more
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to Export Largest Single Shipment of Livestock to Grenada
OECS: The bilateral agri-export agreement between Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines continues to grow from strength to strength. St. Vincent and the Grenadines is set to export a shipment of 100 heads of cattle and 400 pigs to Grenada on November 17, 2019. Read more
UWITV: The Caribbean/St Vincent election
Watch the recording of the debate here.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
As deadline looms, WTO fish subsidy talks get new Colombian chief
Reuters: World Trade Organization (WTO) member states agreed on Friday to a new chair for talks to end harmful fishing subsidies, though an NGO said it would still take a “Herculean” effort to reach a deal before an end-December deadline. Read more
India, 16 others complain to WTO about EU’s residue limits for pesticides
Hindu Business Line: India and sixteen other countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Argentina and the US have complained at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) against the EU decision to amend its policy on the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for a wide range of pesticides mainly used in the cultivation of citrus fruit and bananas. Read more
Trade and Trade Diversion Effects of United States Tariffs on China
UNCTAD: The study, Trade and Trade Diversion Effects of United States Tariffs on China, shows that the ongoing US-China trade war has resulted in a sharp decline in bilateral trade, higher prices for consumers and trade diversion effects (increased imports from countries not directly involved in the trade war). Read more
East Asia Summit: PM Lee calls on regional leaders to update trade rules to keep up with digital economy
Strait Times: Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Monday (Nov 4) called on Asean nations and their partners to help write a new rule book on trade to keep up with the rapidly evolving digital economy. Read more
RCEP trade deal can take effect without India, Thailand confirms
Nikkei Asian Review: A historic Asia-Pacific trade pact may come into force without one of the biggest participants — a hesitant India — a top Thai official indicated on Friday. Read more
Passing USMCA by Thanksgiving would be a ‘linchpin’ for global trade, former Trump aide says
CNBC: Congress must approve the United States-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) trade agreement in order to provide a linchpin for global trade discussions, according to Rick Dearborn, the former White House deputy chief of staff for policy. Read more
India, 30 other nations call to protect WTO appellate body at Shanghai meet
Livemint: India and 30 other countries on Tuesday called for urgently resolving an impasse at the World Trade Organization’s (WTO’s) highest dispute settlement body, which faces being reduced to a one-judge court after 11 December. Read more
STRAIGHT FROM THE WTO
NEW ON THE CTLD BLOG
The Caribbean Trade & Development Digest is a weekly trade news digest produced and published by the Caribbean Trade Law & Development Blog. Liked this issue? To read past issues, please visit here. To receive these mailings directly to your inbox, please subscribe to our Blog below:
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