Caribbean Trade Law and Development

Blog

  • Caribbean Trade & Development Digest – June 30 – July 6, 2019

    Caribbean Trade & Development Digest – June 30 – July 6, 2019

    Welcome to the Caribbean Trade & Development News Digest for the week of June 30-July 6, 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.

    THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS

    CARICOM Heads of Government held their 40th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government (HoG) at Gros Islet, Saint Lucia 3-5, July 2019 under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Honourable Allen Chastanet. Read the communique here.

    UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres addressed the Opening Ceremony of the CARICOM HoG Meeting and his speech may be viewed here.

    Ghana has been selected to host the AfCFTA Secretariat.

    The Global Aid for Trade Report 2019 was launched this week. The full report may be read online here.

    REGIONAL NEWS

    Strengthening ties

    Barbados Today: The Barbados Government was looking to broaden and deepen trade in the region and Prime Minister Mottley was particularly interested in pursuing relationships with Guyana, which was expected to experience growth from the development of its oil and gas industry. Read more

    Sustainable Trade: OECS signs € 3.6 million project to develop trade capacity in the region

    OECS: Stronger trade expertise and the creation of a harmonised trade information and facilitation platform in OECS Member States are key areas earmarked for development under the 3.6 million euro, EU/ACP-funded TradeCom II Agreement signed by OECS Director General Dr. Didacus Jules in Geneva, Switzerland today. Read more

    Regional countries seeking support for dealing with climate change impact

    Jamaica Observer: Caribbean countries have welcomed an initiative by the SIDS Resilience Foundation and Project Lodge designed to mobilise financing to build resilience, St Lucia’s Prime Minister Allen Chastanet has said. Read more

    Resilience We Seek To Build Must Be Built Within CSME – CARICOM SG

    CARICOM: The 40th Regular Meeting of the Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government, opened on Wednesday evening under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister Allen Chastanet of Saint Lucia, at the Royalton St Lucia Resort, with strong calls to strengthen regional integration mechanisms. Read more

    SVG assumes Chairmanship of CARIFORUM for one year

    Searchlight: St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) has assumed its role of Chair of the Caribbean Forum of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (CARIFORUM) for a one-year period. Read more

    Jamaican companies seek export opportunities in Trinidad

    LoopJamaica: Seven Jamaican companies are currently exploring export opportunities in Trinidad and Tobago on an export mission being led by JAMPRO and the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA). Read more

    JAMPRO Coordinating Activities to Boost Exports

    JIS: Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) has been coordinating various marketing and investment activities aimed at boosting the range of export markets for local products. Read more

    INTERNATIONAL NEWS

    Aid for Trade Review opens with call to preserve trading system as driver for development

    Hellenic Shipping News: The seventh Global Review of Aid for Trade opened at the World Trade Organization on 3 July with a call for preserving the multilateral trading system in order to support trade as a driver of economic growth and development. Read more

    African Leaders Meet to Push Forward Free-Trade Deal

    VoA: Officials are gathering in Niger’s capital this weekend for an African Union summit that begins the “operational phase” of a long-sought continental free trade zone. Read more

    Ghana selected to host AfCFTA secretariat

    CGTN: Ghana was on Saturday selected as the country to host the secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Read more

    African Union to launch operational phase of AfCFTA in Niger

    CGTN: The African Union said on Thursday that it will launch the operational phase of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) at an Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government on July 7 in Niamey, Niger. Read more

    Hopes dim for passage of Trump trade deal

    The Hill: House Democrats say there’s little to no chance that Congress will take up President Trump’s replacement for the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) before the end of summer. Read more

    Mexico and U.S. try new trade fix to win over Democrats: official

    Reuters: Mexico is working closely with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to close a loophole in the new North American trade deal, aimed at satisfying demands of U.S. Democratic lawmakers for tougher labor and environmental provisions, a senior Mexican official said. Read more

    Cheese and whiskey are targeted in US’s latest proposed tariffs on EU

    Vox: The US wants to add new tariffs on $4 billion in goods as part of a trade dispute involving Boeing and Airbus. Read more

    US drags India to WTO for imposing additional tariffs on 28 goods

    Business Line: The US claims that the additional duties, which India imposed through a series of notifications issued between June 2018 and June 2019, are inconsistent with provisions of the WTO’s General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade by unfairly discriminating against US imports vis-à-vis those from other WTO members and by according less favourable treatment to US goods than that provided for in India’s schedule of concessions,” according to an official release. Read more

    U.S. and 15 others slam EU regulation of farm products at WTO

    Reuters: The United States and 15 other countries launched a broadside of criticism at the European Union on Thursday, saying its “hazard-based” approach to regulating pesticides and other “critical tools” used by farmers was damaging livelihoods worldwide. Read more

    China is not the only trading partner targeted by US President Donald Trump’s trade wars

    ABC (Australia): The US-China trade war has been dominating headlines, but Beijing is not the only trading partner in President Donald Trump’s crosshairs. Read more

    Talks ongoing for Pacific Alliance-Singapore free trade agreement

    Business Times: Negotiations on the Pacific Alliance-Singapore free trade agreement (FTA) are underway, involving a grouping of four countries – Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru – which Singapore traded $5.9 billion in goods with last year. Read more

    WTO NEWS

    NEW ON CTLD BLOG

    The Caribbean Trade & Development Digest is a weekly trade news digest 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:

  • CARICOM Heads adopt St. Johns Declaration to address plastic pollution in Caribbean Sea

    CARICOM Heads adopt St. Johns Declaration to address plastic pollution in Caribbean Sea

    Alicia Nicholls

    Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government this week adopted a Declaration aimed at addressing the high levels of plastics and microplastics in the Caribbean Sea and their adverse impact on Caribbean sustainable development.

    The St. John’s Declaration was signed and launched by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda at the Play it Out Concert hosted by Antigua and sponsored by Norway. It is part of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) President Maria Espinosa’s global call to action for Governments against plastic pollution and single-use plastics launched in December 2018. The Declaration was subsequently adopted by CARICOM Heads of Government during their 40th session held in St. Lucia July 3-5, 2019.

    Why is the St. John’s Declaration important?

    The Caribbean Sea is of tremendous economic, social and ecological value to the countries washed by its shores. A World Bank Study estimates that “in 2017, the insular Caribbean’s gross revenues from marine and coastal tourism alone totaled an estimated US$57 billion”. This same study cites pollution as one of the biggest threats to the Caribbean marine environment.

    Indeed, the World Bank study notes that “marine litter is accumulating in the Caribbean Sea, originating both in the region as well as distant countries overseas through the ocean currents” and that “studies have… found as many as 200,000 pieces of plastic per square kilometer in the northeastern Caribbean”.

    According to the World Bank Report, “up to 80 per cent of the litter found in our oceans is made of plastic”. It further states that “Caribbean data from beach and coastal clean-ups in 2017 indicate that plastic beverage bottles alone amount to 21 percent of the items recorded.”

    These plastics are dangerous because they take many years to degrade, remaining blights on the marine and land-based environment and death traps for marine life. According to Ocean Crusaders, “100,000 marine creatures a year die from plastic entanglement” and approximately 1 million sea birds also die from plastic. This of course has implications for human health and food security.

    Twelve CARICOM Member States have to varying extents passed legislation to implement full or partial bans on the use of single use plastics and styrofoam products. However, the region has fallen short of a region-wide plastics ban. CARICOM’s adoption of the St. Johns Declaration is a good step towards showing our leadership’s commitment towards addressing the serious threat marine litter poses to our sustainable development.

    Key Elements of the Declaration

    The St. Johns Declaration encourages CARICOM Member States that have not yet done so to introduce measures to reduce and/or eliminate the use of single use plastics. It also commits to addressing the damage to our ecosystems caused by plastics by 2030 and to work with the private sector to “find affordable, sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives”.

    The Declaration recognizes that effective implementation of these actions “requires enabling and coherent policy, legislative and regulatory frameworks, good governance and effective enforcement at the global, regional, national and local levels”. They also “encourage development partners and the private sector to contribute financial and technical assistance, capacity-building initiatives”.

    Marine litter is not just a Caribbean issue, but a global one. Firstly, plastic pollution in the Caribbean Sea comes not just from Caribbean countries, but from other countries, particularly in the North. Secondly, other oceans globally also face a similar threat.

    There has been some global action on the issue of marine litter. Goal 14 of the UN Agenda 2030 and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals is to “conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development’. More specifically, one of its targets is “to reduce significantly all forms of marine pollution by 2025”. There are also several United Nations resolutions, including resolution 4/7 on ‘Marine Litter and Microplastics’.

    Recently, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) adopted the Bangkok Declaration on Combating Marine Debris in the ASEAN Region in June 2019. The St. Johns Declaration encourages other regional and sub regional groups of countries “to take similar measures to eliminate discharge of plastic litter and microplastics to wells, rivers, seas and oceans”.

    Given the magnitude of the threat of marine litter, and in particular, plastics pollution, global action still falls far short of what it should be. As such, the St. Johns Declaration calls for the urgent need for a global agreement to address plastics and microplastic pollution.

    Our CARICOM leaders’ adoption of the St. John’s Declaration is a good step, but this is just the beginning. It must be translated into concrete action. For instance, getting countries which have not yet done so to implement bans on single use plastics and styrofoam products. This requires not just strong enforcement of the bans, but widespread public service campaigns educating businesses and the general public on the impact plastics have on the marine environment, and consequent implications for human health and food security. As several countries around the world, including some Caribbean countries, have implemented bans, there is scope for learning from these countries’ experiences in order to formulate best practices.

    The full text of the Declaration of St. John’s is attached the Communique of the Conference of Heads of Government 40th Session which may be read here.

    Alicia Nicholls, B.Sc., M.Sc., LL.B., is an international trade and development consultant with a keen interest in sustainable development, international law and trade. You can also read more of her commentaries and follow her on Twitter @LicyLaw.

    DISCLAIMER: All views expressed herein are her personal views and do not necessarily reflect the views of any institution or entity with which she may be affiliated from time to time.

  • Caribbean Trade & Development News Digest – June 23-29, 2019

    Caribbean Trade & Development News Digest – June 23-29, 2019

    Welcome to the Caribbean Trade & Development News Digest for the week of June 23-29, 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.

    THIS WEEK’S TRADE HIGHLIGHTS

    The EU and Mercosur have reached a trade deal. Read the EU’s press release here.

    G20 leaders met in Osaka, Japan and among other things, have affirmed their commitment to WTO reform. The full G20 statement may be read here.

    Barbados and UAE will co-chair UNCTAD’s 15th Quadrennial in October 2020. Read more here.

    REGIONAL NEWS

    C’bean leaders to further discuss CSME at summit

    Jamaica Observer: Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders will meet here early next week with the implementation of measures to enhance the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) high on the agenda. Read more

    Caricom heads to meet in July

    Newsday: The 40th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) will be held in St Lucia from July 3-5. Read more

    Barbados to host UNCTAD Conference

    Nation News: Prime Minister Mia Mottley announced today the island would host the 15th United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) quadrennial meeting in October next year. Read more

    Imports up 1.9% in May 2019

    Amandala: The Statistics Institute of Belize (SIB) reported that Belize imported $169.4 million worth of goods in May 2019, a 1.9% increase over goods imported last year in the same period. Read more

    Guyana listed as world’s fastest growing economy

    Jamaica Observer: The world’s second largest stock market NASDAQ, has named Guyana as the fastest growing economy in the world. Read more

    Regional rum producers promoting responsible drinking

    Jamaica Observer: The West Indies Rum & Spirits Producers’ Association (WIRSPA) has ended a meeting here discussing how to promote responsible drinking and to reduce the harmful use of alcohol. Read more

    Jamaica Imports and exports rising

    Jamaica Observer: The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (Statin) is reporting in its quarterly report that for the period January to March 2019, Jamaica’s imports were valued at US$1.66 billion — a 13.1 per cent increase when compared to the corresponding period for 2018 with a value of US$1.47 billion. Read more

    Antigua PM willing to create team to sensitise correspondent banks about CIP

    Antigua Observer: In an effort to sensitise correspondent banks on the integrity and security of the Citizenship by Investment Programme’s (CIP’s) application and approval process, Prime Minister Gaston Browne, in his capacity as OECS Chair, said that he is willing to assemble a team of government officials, CIP executives, Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism experts and banks to hold joint meetings. Read more

    INTERNATIONAL NEWS

    G-20 leaders agree to speed up WTO reforms

    Nikkei Asian Review: The Group of 20 leaders ended a summit dominated by the U.S.-China trade war with a commitment to accelerating efforts to reform the World Trade Organization. Read more

    India wins solar case against US at WTO

    Livemint: India on Thursday won a major trade dispute against the US at the World Trade Organization, with a dispute settlement panel pronouncing that subsidies and mandatory local content requirements instituted by eight American states breached global trade rules. Read more

    Nigeria: Finally, Nigeria to Sign African Continental Free Trade Agreement

    AllAfrica: Following the recommendation of the Presidential Committee on African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), which submitted its report to President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday, Nigeria will sign the agreement, with conditions authoritative presidency sources have told THISDAY. Read more

    All set for Horn of Africa trade forum focusing on region’s pharmaceutical industry

    Africanews: All is set for the two-day regional trade forum for the Horn of Africa focusing on the implementation of the historic African Continental Free Trade Agreement that went into force on 30 May. Read more

    Dairy imports off to a slow start in Pacific Rim trade deal

    CBC: As dairy, egg and poultry farmers wait for the Liberal government to explain the details of a $3.9 billion compensation package promised in this spring’s federal budget, a serious threat from imports under the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) has yet to emerge. Read more

    UK seeks new no-deal Brexit freight plan

    BBC: Transport companies are being asked to bid to provide extra freight capacity to be used in the event of a no-deal Brexit on 31 October. The hurried ferry procurement process as the UK prepared to leave the EU on 29 March cost taxpayers more than £85m. Read more

    Canada and Mexico may be open to tweaking USMCA: U.S. Democrat

    Reuters: Canada and Mexico may be open to a limited renegotiation of aspects of the United States-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement to satisfy U.S. lawmakers’ concerns, a top U.S. Democrat said on Wednesday, opening the door to its passage in the fall. Read more

    EU signs free trade agreement with Vietnam

    Deutsche Welle: The European Union has signed a landmark free trade deal with Vietnam. With concerns from some lawmakers about the country’s human rights record, the agreement needs approval from the European Parliament. Read more

    U.S. will sanction any countries that import Iranian oil: special envoy

    Reuters: The United States will sanction any country that imports Iranian oil and there are no exemptions in place, the U.S. special envoy for Iran said on Friday. Read more

    G20 summit: Trump and Xi agree to restart US-China trade talks

    BBC: The US and China have agreed to resume trade talks, easing a long row that has contributed to a global economic slowdown. US President Donald Trump and China’s President Xi Jinping reached agreement at the G20 summit in Japan. Read more

    EU to provide 40 billion euros in grants to help create jobs in Africa

    Africanews: The European Union Commission fully supports the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) and is proposing a 40 billion Euro package to attract investments that would create at least 10 million jobs in Africa. Read more

    Trump Says He’ll Allow China’s Huawei to Buy From U.S. Suppliers

    Bloomberg: President Donald Trump said he’ll allow Huawei Technologies Co. to buy products from U.S. suppliers, in a concession to China after talks with the country’s President Xi Jinping on Saturday. Read more

    Farmers welcome trade truce, hope for more

    WSJ: Farmers and agricultural groups welcomed the U.S.-China trade truce but many said they still need a comprehensive agreement to restore large-scale exports of U.S. crops and meat and lift the fragile farm economy. Read more

    WTO NEWS

    NEW ON CTLD BLOG

    The Caribbean Trade & Development Digest is a weekly trade news digest 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:

  • Why Barbados’ co-hosting of 15th UNCTAD Quadrennial is a big deal

    Why Barbados’ co-hosting of 15th UNCTAD Quadrennial is a big deal

    Alicia Nicholls

    Barbados has been successful in its bid to host the 15th Quadrennial Conference of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in October, 2020. In a strong nod to south-south cooperation, Barbados will co-chair the events with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) which will host the World Investment Forum and the first eCommerce Week for Asia in Abu Dhabi.

    On June 25th, the UNCTAD Trade and Development Board unanimously endorsed both countries’ bids, and the decision has been submitted to the UN General Assembly for their approval in September.

    For most Barbadians, trade and development issues seem remote. However, the success of our island’s bid is a significant achievement for several reasons. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, UNCTAD is the United Nations’ main subsidiary organ dealing with trade and development matters. Barbados will be the first Caribbean country and first Small Island Developing State (SIDS) to host the quadrennial conference, which is UNCTAD’s highest decision making body which sets that organisation’s mandate and priorities every four years. The first quadrennial was held in Geneva, Switzerland in 1964 and the 14th Conference was held in Nairobi, Kenya in 2016.

    Barbados has always sought to be a leading global voice championing the issues affecting small States not only with regard to trade, but also climate change. For example, in 1994, Barbados hosted the UN Global Conference on Sustainable Development for Small Island Developing States, out of which had come the Barbados Programme of Action. Hosting the UNCTAD Quadrennial gives Barbados the opportunity to have a strong imprint in setting UNCTAD’s trade and development mandate and work priorities for the next four years.

    The UNCTAD Quadrennial and its side events are expected to attract a reported 3,500 visitors and delegates, including Heads of Government and State and other government representatives from UNCTAD’s 194 Member States, representatives of the private sector, civil society, academia and other international bodies and organisations. This is a potential boost to the island’s tourist arrivals and foreign reserves and another golden opportunity to showcase Barbados’ quintessential hospitality and culture on a global stage. The thematic side events include, for example, the World Youth Forum, the Global Commodities Forum and the World Civil Society Forum.

    Co-hosting such a momentous event with UAE is also an opportune catalyst for Barbados to deepen economic ties with that country.

    The Barbados delegation, which was involved in negotiations with UNCTAD for several months and which made their final pitch on June 24th, must be commended for their hard work and initiative.

    The UNCTAD press release on the success of Barbados’ bid may be read here.

    Alicia Nicholls, B.Sc., M.Sc., LL.B., is an international trade and development consultant with a keen interest in sustainable development, international law and trade. You can also read more of her commentaries and follow her on Twitter @LicyLaw.

    DISCLAIMER: All views expressed herein are her personal views and do not necessarily reflect the views of any institution or entity with which she may be affiliated from time to time.