Caribbean Trade Law and Development

Month: August 2021

  • New CARICOM SG committed to a more ‘inclusive’ community

    New CARICOM SG committed to a more ‘inclusive’ community

    Alicia Nicholls

    Newly installed Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary General, Dr. Carla Barnett, has voiced her commitment towards greater stakeholder engagement for a “truly integrated, inclusive and resilient community that is driven by knowledge, excellence, innovation and productivity”. She made this pledge while outlining her vision during an installation ceremony streamed online on August 16.

    Dr. Barnett, who assumes office as CARICOM’s eighth and first appointed female Secretary General, acknowledged the many “economic, social, environmental and financial challenges” affecting lives and livelihoods in the region. She specifically outlined the issues of climate change, youth unemployment, rising crime, the need for greater food security and the issue of blacklisting by large global powers which has led to the loss of correspondent banking relations (CBRs) for many indigenous Caribbean banks. The new SG also extended condolences to the people of Antigua & Barbuda on the passing of their second Prime Minister, Sir Lester Bird, who she acknowledged as a committed regionalist. She also expressed solidarity with the people of Haiti where over 1,200 innocent lives were lost as a result of a 7.2 magnitude earthquake on August 14 and who also face the impending Tropical Storm Grace.

    Dr. Barnett implored stakeholders to reach out to the Secretariat to share their “their fears, concerns, and vision for the future of the Community and telling us how they feel they can contribute to building our Community”, as no one has all the ideas or answers so all must be involved. She further noted that “it is, therefore, incumbent on all of us to be engaged in finding solutions and taking action to overcome these obstacles in our path to a secure, viable and ultimately sustainably prosperous Community for all”.

    She made reference to the unity showed by CARICOM people during sports, culture and in times of adversity. She stated she would “build on and maintain that strength” and “will require that my team and I reach out on a regular basis to explain, to exhort, to inform, to educate so that all will feel a part of the whole that constitutes CARICOM and “I Am CARICOM” will mean much more than a catchy slogan”.

    In addition to greater stakeholder engagement, Dr. Barnett also called for new thinking “not only to solve the problems of the present but to outline new paths for the future of our integration process”, including for closing the implementation gap. She praised the work of her predecessor Ambassador Dr. Irwin Larocque of Dominica who served from 2011-2021. She noted that much has been achieved in the past 48 years, but “a lot of it is taken for granted today, to the extent that some are not even associated with the integration movement”.

    Dr. Barnett is the first Belizean national to be appointed CARICOM SG. She brings to the position a wealth of experience, including as an economist and having previously served as the first woman and the youngest person appointed as Deputy-Secretary of CARICOM (1997 -2002).

    We at the Caribbean Trade Law & Development Blog wish Dr. Barnett the very best during her tenure.

    The recording from the event may be viewed here, while the transcript from her full address is available here.

    Photo credit: CARICOM

    Alicia Nicholls, B.Sc., M.Sc., LL.B. is a trade and development consultant with a keen interest in sustainable development, international law and trade. All views herein expressed are her personal views and should not be attributed to any institution with which she may from time to time be affiliated. You can read more of her commentaries and follow her on Twitter @LicyLaw.

  • Caribbean Trade and Development News Digest – August 8-14, 2021

    Caribbean Trade and Development News Digest – August 8-14, 2021

    Welcome to the Caribbean Trade and Development News Digest for the week of August 8-14, 2021! We took a much-needed month-long vacation break and are pleased to once again bring you the major trade and development news headlines and analysis from across the Caribbean Region and the world from the past week.

    We at the CTLD Blog extend our deepest sympathies to our brothers and sisters in Haiti following the devastation caused by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake on August 14 which was also felt in several other islands . As of the time of this article’s publication, the earthquake has led to the loss of over 300 innocent lives.

    HIGHLIGHTS

    This week the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Working Group 1 Sixth Assessment Report issued a dire warning about the current levels of global warming. This article from The University of the West Indies provides 10 ‘urgent takeaways’ and this other article from the University of Melbourne gives a good breakdown of the 5 key takeaway points.

    Registration for UNCTAD15 to be hosted virtually by Barbados is open. To register, please see link here.

    Coming up this week, the first appointed female SG of CARICOM will take office.

    REGIONAL NEWS

    WTO Negotiations on Fisheries Subsidies Small states need special, differential treatment for ‘workable’ solution – CARICOM

    SKNVibes: While Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Member States have welcomed the progress on the Fisheries Subsidies negotiations, they have signalled that further adjustments are required, underlining the necessity for special and differential treatment (SDT) for small developing states. Read more

    Trade Ministry: Trinidad and Tobago exported $12.5b to US in 2020

    TT Newsday: Trinidad and Tobago continued to be an important trading partner with the United States, having recorded $12.5 billion in exports for 2020, the Ministry of Trade and Industry said on Friday. Read more

    Gopee-Scoon tells India: Trinidad and Tobago open for investment

    TT Newsday: Trade and Industry Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon has said Trinidad and Tobago is open for investment. She expressed optimism that some of that investment could come from India, as efforts are being made to further strengthen economic ties between TT and India, on the journey towards a post-covid19 period. Read more

    G’town Chamber in cooperation pact with Barbados and Suriname trade bodies

    Stabroek: The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) recently entered into an agreement with the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) and the Suriname Trade and Industry Association (STIA) in order to enhance trade and cooperation. Read more

    National Trade Negotiating Commission holds first Regular Meeting

    BBN: This week the National Trade Negotiating Commission (NTNC) held its First Regular Meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, and Immigration auditorium in Belmopan. Read more

    JAMPRO Pivots to Assist Producers

    JIS: Over the years, Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) has been assisting various companies, from different sectors, to gain access to overseas markets for their products. Read more

    New JMEA president eyes Amazon to boost exports

    Jamaica Observer: Newly appointed President of the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA) John Mahfood is hoping to help small manufacturers to tap into a wider market by distributing their products through online channels. Read more

    New duties for T&T exports to Dominica

    Daily Express: SOME goods manufactured in Trinidad and Tobago and exported to Caricom member state Dominica will face new import duties from tomorrow, the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) has confirmed. Read more

    Oil finds propel Guyana to top of CARICOM FDI table

    Stabroek: Guyana’s successive world class oil finds beginning back in May 2015 have propelled the country to the top of the list of Foreign Direct Investment recipients across the entire Caribbean Community (CARICOM) last year and second behind the Dominican Republic across the Caribbean and Latin America as a whole, according to a recently released assessment of FDI inflows into the region released earlier this month by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. Read more

    INTERNATIONAL NEWS

    Brexit has ‘significantly altered’ Irish-British freight traffic, report finds

    Reuters: Post-Brexit trade frictions have “significantly altered” freight traffic between Ireland and Britain and sparked a steep rise in volumes to and from Ireland and other European Union members, an Irish government agency report said on Thursday. Read more

    UK-EU monthly exports again above pre-Brexit 2020 levels

    City AM: The UK’s monthly exports to the EU were above 2020 levels for the second straight month in June, despite earlier concerns about Brexit disruption. Read more

    EU implements first animal welfare-based condition in trade agreement

    Euractiv: In an unprecedented move, the EU has included the first animal welfare-based condition in the Mercosur trade agreement, but stakeholders warned that this does not go far enough to save the controversial deal that is facing increasing opposition in Europe. Read more

    UNCTAD, IATA Extend Partnership to Facilitate Global Trade

    IATA: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and UNCTAD have extended their collaboration to facilitate international trade, particularly e-commerce. Read more

    US Joins Services Domestic Regulation Talks

    IISD: The US announced that it will join the process on services domestic regulation at the World Trade Organization (WTO) and “support conclusion of the Initiative” by the 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) in November. Read more

    Top U.S., South Korean trade officials discuss supply chain resiliency -USTR

    Reuters: U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and South Korean Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo on Thursday discussed supply chain resiliency efforts, tackling climate change, and reform of the World Trade Organization, the USTR said in a statement. Read more

    Europe’s carbon emissions plan risks more damage to global trade regime

    East Asia Forum: The European Union (EU) recently announced its ‘Fit for 55’ plan to reduce carbon emissions by 55 per cent from 1990 levels by the end of this decade and to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Read more

    Argentina among top 15 countries with most import barriers, says WTO report

    Buenos Aires: New WTO and UNCTAD technical report warns country is among those which slap the most levies on the entry of products, with Brazil next in 16th position. Read more

    New report reveals ‘sobering’ impact of China trade war on Australian exports

    6PR: A new report on the overall impact of the Beijing trade war shows the extent of the losses have been grossly understated, due to a boom in iron ore prices. Read more

    China is still falling short of meeting an agreement to reduce its U.S. trade surplus

    CNBC: China’s purchases of U.S. goods are still falling short of trade agreement levels, even as overall Chinese imports from the U.S. have surged. Read more

    China’s export slowdown in July may signal more bumps ahead

    Reuters: China’s export growth unexpectedly slowed in July following outbreaks of COVID-19 cases, while imports also lost momentum, pointing to a slowdown in the country’s industrial sector in the second half even as easing global lockdowns boost commerce. Read more

    Biden revives Trump’s Africa business initiative; focus on energy, health

    Reuters: The Biden administration on Tuesday announced a new push to expand business ties between U.S. companies and Africa, with a focus on clean energy, health, agribusiness and transportation infrastructure on the continent. Read more

    Africa-Singapore trade on the up and up in the last five years

    The Citizen: Trade between Singapore and Africa has been growing at a compound annual growth rate of over 7.6 percent over the past five years, a senior official said at the weekend. Read more

    Lomé seeks firm to update its trade development policy

    Togo First: To this end, the ministry of trade and industry issued a notice of interest to hire a firm that will handle the process. Read more

    U.S. looks to leverage African diaspora in trade with Africa

    Reuters: The Biden administration plans to tap the African diaspora in the United States to bolster trade with Africa, a U.S. official said on Wednesday, in a push to work with people who understand “social nuances” on the continent. Read more

    Rwanda to host headquarters of AU backed e-commerce platform

    The New Times: Rwanda will host the continental headquarters of Sokokuu, an e-commerce platform aimed at enhancing the role of Africa’s small and medium enterprises in inter and intra-African trade. 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:

  • New CARICOM SG to take office Monday

    New CARICOM SG to take office Monday

    CARICOM Secretariat: An Installation Ceremony for the new Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Dr Carla Barnett, will be held on Monday 16 August 2021, from 10:00 a.m. ECT.

    The Chairman of CARICOM, Prime Minister Hon Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda, will welcome the new Secretary-General and bring greetings from the Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government.

    Dr Barnett will address the Ceremony and is expected to outline her vision and indicate some matters that will occupy her immediate attention.

    Read the full release from CARICOM here.