Caribbean Trade Law and Development

Tag: caribbean trade and development digest

  • Caribbean Trade & Development Digest – September 8-14, 2019

    Caribbean Trade & Development Digest – September 8-14, 2019

    Welcome to the Caribbean Trade & Development News Digest for the weeks of September 8-14, 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.

    HIGHLIGHTS

    Prime Minister of Barbados, the Hon. Mia Amor Mottley, delivered the prestigious 16th Raul Prebisch Lecture. Prime Minister Mottley’s theme was ‘Invisible yet Indispensable’. The full lecture may be watched here.

    UNCTAD held its first UN Trade Forum, with climate change as the major focal point. This week also marked the twenty-fifth anniversary of the conclusion of the Uruguay Round which culminated in the formation of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

    On a personal note, I had the pleasure and honour of being a panelist at the 3rd annual BITT Conference ‘Central Bank meets Blockchain‘. I spoke on the potential benefits of BITT’s proposed blockchain-enabled Caribbean Settlement Network (CSN) for facilitating intra-regional payments and trade, regional integration and development. Kudos to my fellow panelists, to the moderator and to the BITT team on an informative and well-executed conference!

    L-R – John Williams (CEO, Cave Shepherd Group of Companies), Racquel Moses (CEO, Caribbean Climate Smart Accelerator), Marla Dukharan (Chief Economist of BITT and moderator of the panel), Alicia Nicholls (Trade Specialist, UWI) and Geoffrey Scott (Executive Director, ICBL).

    REGIONAL NEWS

    Barbados leader urges moral leadership to tackle climate crisis

    UNCTAD: Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley, challenged the world to reinvent the international order and do better by small island states that are on the frontlines of the climate crisis, fighting for their survival in a war they did not start. Read more

    Hefty bill for pork imports

    Barbados Advocate: A Government official is gravely concerned with the fact that millions of dollars are being spent on importing pork into Barbados. Read more

    JAMPRO targeting Latin America for Jamaican exporters

    Loop Jamaica: To increase Jamaican exporters’ access to Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) markets, Jamaica’s trade and investment promotions agency, JAMPRO, will be leading a delegation of 6 companies to the LAC Flavors trade exhibition in Cali, Colombia. Read more

    Digitally transforming the Eastern Caribbean

    World Bank: The Caribbean has been at the forefront of the resilience-building agenda. For countries in the region, most of them Small Island States located in the path of strong and recurrent hurricanes, climate change adaptation is a matter of survival. The passage of Hurricane Dorian in 2019 is a stark reminder of this vulnerability. Read more

    Region good for trade

    Newsday: Trade and Industry Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon believes the region has evolved to transform its economies to some extent away from traditional sectors into the production of high value-added goods. Read more

    Bahamas suspends immigration crackdown

    Jamaica Observer: The Bahamas Government says it has suspended the crackdown on illegal migrants in the Abacos and Grand Bahama, as the death toll from the passage of Hurricane Dorian a week ago climbed to 45. Read more

    Dr. Rowley goes to Washington

    Trinidad Express: Within 24 hours of his arriving in Washington DC, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley met with a number of high-ranking members of the United States Congress on Thursday. Read more

    Caricom Silent While Refined Sugar Quarrel Rages

    Jamaica Gleaner: It might be working feverishly behind the scenes to cool tempers and iron out differences as it normally does in these matters, but the secretariat for regional trade bloc Caricom is not saying anything publicly about the running battle between regional sugar producers on the one hand, and manufacturers and national governments. Read more

    Greater ties with CARICOM-Africa Trading Partners

    Barbados Advocate: The changing nature of the world economy is demanding that there be greater co-operation between Barbados and its Caribbean Community trading partners as well as with African countries. Read more

    Trump admin won’t give temporary protected status to Bahamian victims of Hurricane Dorian

    CNBC: The status would have let Bahamians work and live in the U.S. until it is deemed safe to return home. Read more

    Trade issues too distant from climate issues, says Vaz

    Jamaica Observer: Jamaica has called on member countries of the World Trade Organization (WTO) to include the cost associated with climate change in any discussion on international trade. Read more

    The Rum Market In The UK Could Grow By 8.8% In Coming Years

    The Voice: Caribbean Rum is one of the preferred drinks of the British, a fact reflected in the market, which is expected to grow in the UK by 8.8% in coming years. Revenue in the rum segment for 2019 amounts to nearly £1 million. Read more

    INTERNATIONAL NEWS

    All 16 nations set for final RCEP deal: Australian negotiator

    The Hindu: Amidst conflicting signals from the government over whether India will join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) this year, Australia’s lead negotiator for the 16-nation free trade agreement (FTA) says all countries have “committed” to completing talks in time for the RCEP summit on November 1. Read more

    Mexico may be an unexpected winner of the US-China trade war

    CNBC: China and the United States are disrupting trade in much of the world with their trade war — but Mexico may be a winner. Read more

    Wary of China in RCEP, India looks for bilateral deals amid mounting trade deficit

    Business Today: In 2018-19, India had trade deficit with 11 out of 20 RCEP countries. In 2017-18, it had a trade deficit of $104 billion with all RCEP countries; more than half of this ($57.86 trillion) was with China. Read more

    A Latin American Brexit? Analysing Brazil’s threat on Mercosur

    Buenos Aires Times: Jair Bolsonaro has said Brazil could leave Mercosur if Argentina, the second-largest economy in the customs union, pivots to the left after presidential elections in October. But how feasible is such a break? Read more

    South Korean Duties on Japanese Valves Violate Rules, WTO Finds

    Bloomberg: The World Trade Organization on Tuesday ruled for a second time that South Korea’s anti-dumping duties on Japanese valves violate international trade rules, according to a decision published on the WTO website. Read more

    Trump Advisers Consider Interim China Deal to Delay Tariffs

    Bloomberg: Trump administration officials have discussed offering a limited trade agreement to China that would delay and even roll back some U.S. tariffs for the first time in exchange for Chinese commitments on intellectual property and agricultural purchases, according to five people familiar with the matter. Read more

    WTO on brink of crisis due to inaction over dispute-settlement reforms, Birmingham warns

    Sydney Morning Herald: Trade Minister Simon Birmingham has warned inaction over reform of the World Trade Organisation’s dispute-settlement system has taken the body to the brink of crisis. Read more

    A New Phase in Japanese-South Korean Relations as Trade Becomes Weapon in Political Row

    Nippon: Japanese and South Korean relations entered a new phase when the Japanese government announced on July 1 that it was going to “normalize” its export control measures, in effect curbing its trade with South Korea. The move linked a political conflict between the two countries with the economy in a way that has not been seen before. Read more

    Trade rep sends responses on revised NAFTA deal to Democrats

    Politico: U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer on Wednesday formally responded to House Democrats’ concerns about the new North American trade agreement, marking a step forward in negotiations between the Trump administration and Capitol Hill. Read more

    Britain agrees post-Brexit trade deal with southern Africa

    Reuters: Britain has agreed a deal with six southern African countries including South Africa, the continent’s most developed economy, that will ensure continuity of trade conditions after Brexit, the British High Commission in South Africa said on Wednesday. Read more

    New EU trade commissioner is Phil Hogan

    BBC: Irishman Phil Hogan has been named as the EU’s new trade commissioner. His appointment was announced at a press conference by the incoming head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. Read more

    Trump poised to hit EU with billions in tariffs after victory in Airbus case

    Politico: The United States has gotten the green light to impose billions of euros in punitive tariffs on EU products in retaliation for illegal subsidies granted to European aerospace giant Airbus. Read more

    Countries dependent on commodities should diversify economies to survive climate crisis, says UN report

    UNCTAD: Economic and export diversification is the best response to the challenges posed by climate change in developing countries that depend on commodities, according to UNCTAD’s Commodities and Development Report 2019. Read more

    WTO NEWS

    NEW ON CTLD BLOG

  • Caribbean Trade & Development Digest – September 1-7, 2019

    Caribbean Trade & Development Digest – September 1-7, 2019

    Welcome to the Caribbean Trade & Development News Digest for the weeks of September 1-7, 2019! We do apologise again for the delay in last week’s digest and are happy to bring you the major trade and development headlines and analysis from across the Caribbean Region and the world from the past two weeks.

    I will be a panelist at the upcoming 3rd annual BITT “Central Bank meets Blockchain” Conference. Learn more here!

    Statement on Hurricane Dorian

    To our readers in The Bahamas, the CTLD Blog would like to extend our extreme sadness about suffering and devastration wrought by Hurricane Dorian on the northern Bahamas, particularly the Abaco Islands and the island of Grand Bahama.

    We stand in support of our Bahamian brothers and sisters, and urge our readers to please support a reputable charity of your choice currently providing relief supplies and/or monetary donation to assist the many persons who are displaced, and to aid in the massive rebuilding effort ahead.

    We have every confidence that like the mystical phoenix, The Bahamas will rise again.

    HIGHLIGHTS

    China has requested WTO dispute consultations with the United States concerning additional duties imposed by the United States on imports of Chinese goods that took effect on 1 September.

    The Brexit chaos continues. The UK parliament has passed a bill seeking to prevent the UK Government from leaving the EU on October 31, 2019 without a deal. However, Prime Minister Johnson has indicated his intention to still seek a suspension of Parliament for 5 weeks. There is also speculation that he intends to ignore the No deal bill.

    The Caribbean has rallied around The Bahamas. A CARICOM delegation has gone to The Bahamas, please see here. Cuba has also sent doctors and teachers to The Bahamas in the aftermath.

    REGIONAL NEWS

    T&T Braces for Brexit

    Jamaica Observer: Trade Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon says the Dr Keith Rowley-led Administration is looking at bringing legislation to Parliament to enact a treaty signed between Cariforum and the United Kingdom to prevent any sudden imposition of tariffs if the UK leaves the European Union (EU). Read more

    Caribbean countries ramp up oil production

    Amsterdam News: Some Caribbean Community countries are rushing to ramp up oil and gas exploration, motivated by the runaway success Guyana has had since first discovering commercial quantities back in mid 2015. Read more

    IMF says Barbados making good progress on economic reform programme

    Barbados Today: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says Barbados continues to make good progress in implementing its ambitious and comprehensive economic reform programme. Read more

    ‘Horror stories’ of migrant workers

    Royal Gazette: Migrant workers have shared “horror stories” claiming abuse, xenophobia, unfair discrepancies in working contracts and having their travel documents seized, according to a union leader. Read more

    Minister signs World Intellectual Property Organisation instruments

    LoopTT: Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Minister Dennis Moses signed Instruments of Accession to a Convention and three Treaties of the World Intellectual Property Organization on behalf of the country. Read more

    Cuba and South Africa strengthen bilateral relations

    Radio Havana: The 15th meeting of the Joint Consultative Mechanism South Africa-Cuba met Thursday with delegations led by Vice Ministers Alvin Botes and Marcelino Medina, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Read more

    Deputy PM Outlines Impact Events Like CARIFESTA Have on Federation’s Artists

    St Kitts & Nevis Observer: Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Minister of Culture, the Honourable Shawn Richards, said while appearing on the “Working for You” programme Wednesday, events such as the Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA) have a great impact on the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis’ artists. Read more

    INTERNATIONAL NEWS

    Brexit: MPs willing to go to court to enforce delay

    BBC: MPs, including Tories expelled from the party, are preparing legal action in case the PM refuses to seek a delay to Brexit. Read more

    RCEP Ministerial: Trade experts, economists warn that pact would hit vulnerable sectors

    Hindu Business Line: As Trade Ministers from sixteen member countries of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) prepare to meet in Bangkok on Sunday to give a final shape to the ambitious trade and investment pact, a number of economists, trade experts and industry and farm bodies have underlined the need for India to opt out as they fear that it would hit sensitive industrial and farm sectors. Read more

    Prayut urges Asean to back micro-sized businesses

    Bangkok Post: Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has urged Asean countries to support “micro-SMEs” by keeping their owners abreast of digital technological know-how and to ensure they have access to financial resources. Read more

    U.S. Democrats concerned about enforcement of new NAFTA, Pelosi tells Trudeau

    Financial Post: U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi told Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday that Democrats are especially concerned about enforcement of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) free trade agreement and Mexico’s implementation of labour standards, a spokesman for Pelosi said. Read more

    US-China trade war: Supply chains affected in Thailand

    Al jazeera: For countries like Thailand, its largest export market is China. The economy here relies heavily on its big neighbour to the north. So businesses could be forced to recalibrate their supply chains. Read more

    The US-China trade war is helping drive the massive fires burning the Amazon rainforest

    Business Insider: The Amazon rainforest is burning, and it’s sparking outrage around the world. One reason for this growing ecological tragedy may be the escalating US-China trade war. Read more

    Exclusive: New Study Says U.S. Can’t Win the Trade War and Neither Can China

    TIME: The escalating U.S.-China trade war is unwinnable by either side, according to new research shown exclusively to TIME. Read more

    WTO NEWS

    NEW ON CTLD BLOG

  • Caribbean Trade & Development News Digest – August 18-31, 2019

    Caribbean Trade & Development News Digest – August 18-31, 2019

    Welcome to the Caribbean Trade & Development News Digest for the weeks of August 18-31, 2019! We do apologise again for the delay in last week’s digest and are happy to bring you the major trade and development headlines and analysis from across the Caribbean Region and the world from the past two weeks.

    We also extend our best wishes and prayers to our brothers and sisters in the northern Caribbean and the US facing Hurricane Dorian.

    HIGHLIGHTS

    WTO reform was one of the topics for discussion at the recently held G-7 Leaders Meeting in Biarritz, France. See G-7 speech by WTO DG on why WTO reform is an opportunity to tackle inequalities.

    On the Brexit front, things took another turn for the bizarre as Prime Minister Boris Johnson requested the prorogation of Parliament until October 14, 2019.

    The Amazon rainforest has been experiencing wildfires drawing the attention of the international community. It may also have implications for the EU-Mercosur trade agreement.

    REGIONAL NEWS

    St Kitts-Nevis records 13-year-low in exports to US in June 2019

    WICNews: The value of goods and services exported from St Kitts and Nevis to the United States hit a 13 -year low for the month of June this year, 2019. Read more

    Caribbean is a leading importer of US goods – US diplomat

    Jamaica Observer: The Caribbean which is described as the “third border” of the United States, is a leading trade partner in terms of United States exports to the region and as the largest importer of Caribbean goods, a United States diplomat has said. Read more

    Local fishermen encouraged to meet counterparts in Tobago

    Barbados Today: A team of Barbadian fishermen could soon be headed to Tobago for discussions on fishing, with the expectation this could lead to the end of a years-old fishing dispute. Read more

    Jamaica government labs upgraded to analyse salt, fat in foods

    Jamaica Observer: For the first time, Jamaica will have the capacity to analyse the sugar, salt and fat content of food products. Read more

    Cuba Seeks to Expand Ties with China

    St Kitts & Nevis Observer: The director general of Bilateral Affairs of the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Emilio Lozada, began this Monday a working visit to China, the Cuban Foreign Ministry reported in Havana. Read more

    Secretary General of ACP urges Caribbean to negotiate new agreement with Britain post Brexit

    Antigua Observer: According to CANA, the Secretary General of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group, Dr. Patrick I Gomes, says it will be in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries favour to quickly negotiate new trade agreements with the United Kingdom as it moves to leave the European Union. Read more

    Barbados UN Ambassador’s Keynote Address at CTO Conference

    St Kitts & Nevis Observer: It is wonderful to be in the Caribbean, in the beautiful country of St Vincent and the Grenadines, amongst brothers and sisters who are responsible for the leadership and management of our region’s premier foreign exchange earner. Read more

    Rice exports dip but earnings up during first half of 2019 –GRDB

    Stabroek: Despite a dip in rice exports within the first six months of the year as compared to 2018, the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) says more revenue has been earned during the same period by way of the sale of higher-value products. Read more

    INTERNATIONAL NEWS

    Finance ministry reviewing India’s free trade agreements

    Economic Times: The Finance ministry has initiated a review of India’s free trade agreement framework to assess the impact of such pacts on the overall economy. The view has been gaining ground among policymakers and industry that these free trade agreements (FTAs) brought little tangible benefit to India, while helping the partner country. Read more

    UK and South Korea sign ‘continuity trade agreement’

    BBC: The UK has signed a “continuity” trade agreement with South Korea, allowing businesses to keep trading freely after Brexit. Read more

    Over 100 stakeholder consultations on proposed RCEP in last 6 years: Commerce Ministry

    Hindu Business Line: The Commerce Ministry, on Saturday, said over 100 stakeholder consultations have been held on the mega free trade agreement RCEP in the last 6 years. Read more

    AfCFTA is game-changer for Africa’s socio-economic development – ECA

    Ghanaweb: Dr Joseph Atta-Mensah, Principal Policy Advisor, Macroeconomics and Governance Division, Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) has described the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTFA) agreement as the game-changer for Africa’s socio-economic development. Read more

    As Ghana prepares to host the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) secretariat it organises a High-Level Policy Dialogue on Harnessing the benefits of the AfCFTA for a Ghana beyond Aid

    Africa News: The Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration and, in partnership with the Economic Commission for Africa and the African Union Commission (AUC), are organising a High-Level Conference on AfCFTA from 19-21 August 2019, at the Accra International Conference Centre, Accra, Ghana focsuing on Harnessing the benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) for a Ghana beyond Aid. Read more

    Emmanuel Macron says he will block EU trade deal with Brazil over Amazon forest fires

    Independent: France will block an EU trade deal with Brazil and its neighbours over the country’s handling of fires in the Amazon rainforest, a spokesperson for Emmanuel Macron has said. Read more

    Leaders Seek WTO Reform to Spur Open, Fair Trade: G-7 Update

    Bloomberg: Group of Seven leaders hold their final day of talks in Biarritz, France, with U.S. President Donald Trump holding out the prospect of a meeting with Iran’s leader and signaling fresh trade talks with China. Read the developments in real time. Read more

    Remarks by President Donald Tusk before the G7 summit in Biarritz, France

    EU: First of all, let me express my best wishes to the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker. I always attended G7 summits with Jean-Claude, and I must say I will miss him in Biarritz. Read more

    WTO reforms should be wholistic and comprehensive

    Moneycontrol: Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on August 22 made a case for wholistic and comprehensive reforms of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) without ignoring the ground realities, especially the stark inequality among developed and developing nations. Read more

    The crucial role of a WTO appeals court

    The Hill: Imagine there were no Supreme Court, and questions about fundamental issues such as free speech, religious freedom and equal protection were left up to various lower courts to decide. Read more

    What’s at Stake and at Risk in U.S.-Japan Trade Talks

    Bloomberg: More than two years after U.S. President Donald Trump walked away from a regional Asia-Pacific trade agreement, the U.S. and Japan — the world’s largest and third-largest economies — are negotiating a deal of their own. Both sides say they are very close to a deal. Read more

    RCEP: India wants auto-trigger mechanism to curb import surges

    Hindu Business Line: To protect domestic industry against surge in imports once tariffs are brought down under the proposed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) pact, India has suggested an auto trigger method that would automatically increase import levies once shipments cross a given threshold limit. Read more

    Petition handed in opposing Switzerland-Mercosur trade deal

    Swissinfo: A 65,000-strong petition has been handed into federal authorities in Bern demanding the cancellation, or significant revision, of a trade deal between EFTA – of which Switzerland is part – and the Mercosur trade bloc. Read more

    WTO NEWS

    NEW ON 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:

  • Caribbean Trade & Development News Digest – August 11 -17, 2019

    Caribbean Trade & Development News Digest – August 11 -17, 2019

    Welcome to the Caribbean Trade & Development News Digest for the week of August 11-17, 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.

    HIGHLIGHTS

    ECLAC’s Foreign Direct Investment in the Latin America and Caribbean Report 2019 revealed that while FDI to the entire LAC region increased by 13.2% in 2018 versus 2017, in the Caribbean, inflows shrank by 11.4% due to lower investment in the Dominican Republic ($2.535 billion dollars, -29%). Read the report here.

    The WTO has also reported that the growth of world merchandise trade volumes is likely to remain weak in the third quarter of 2019 according to that organization’s Goods Trade Barometer, released on 15 August. Read more

    It was announced that the UN will be hosting its first ever Trade Forum on September 9-13, 2019 and will be entitled “SDGs and Climate Change”.

    REGIONAL NEWS

    New Customs Act (2019) to promote Jamaica’s socio-economic development

    Jamaica Observer: Arising from a decision of Cabinet in 2017, the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) was tasked with the responsibility to develop a new legislative framework which would further promote business opportunities for Jamaica, particularly in the areas of shipping, logistics and international trade. Read more

    Eel Export Tax Jumps from 42¢ to $16.00 per kg

    Haiti Sentinel: A memorandum from the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development (MARNDR) dated August 12, 2019 stated that “from now on, the export costs of the eels are set at 1,500 gourdes ($15.77 [USD]) per kilogram.” Read more

    Haiti and Dominican Republic Teaming Up against Cocoa Cultivation Threat

    Haiti Sentinel: Haiti and the Dominican Republic, together with representatives of the private sector of both countries, are working to define and apply a common strategy to prevent an eventual occurrence of moniliasis, a disease that attacks cocoa crops. Read more

    Green welcomes mapping of Jamaica’s cultural, creative industries

    Jamaica Observer: Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Floyd Green, says the Mapping of Cultural and Creative Industries in Jamaica will increase the awareness of the island’s resources and give an accurate valuation of the industries. Read more

    Belize Minister of Investment leads delegation visit to Taiwan

    Breaking Belize News: Minister of State for Investment, Tracy Panton, and an accompanying delegation visited the Republic of China (Taiwan) this week as one of several activities commemorating the 30th anniversary of Belize and Taiwan’s diplomatic relationship. Read more

    Delays at the Port costing Barbados government

    Barbados Today: Goods imported into Barbados take four times as long as they do in neighbouring St Lucia to be cleared, the head of the Port of the Bridgetown has revealed, complaining of the cost of the delay to Government. Read more

    Belize and Republic of China (Taiwan) strengthening ties through new agreement

    Breaking Belize News: Today, the Government of Belize (GOB) and the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) (RoC) signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to engage in the negotiation of a Partial Scope Agreement (PSA) geared towards formalizing trade relations between the two countries. Read more

    The Bahamas’ Ease of doing business committee satisfied with improvements

    The Nassau Guardian: Chair of the National Ease of Doing Business Committee (EODB) Lynn Holowesko said the committee is very pleased with many of the policies introduced in the 2019/2020 budget aimed at improving the business climate in the country, particularly surrounding immigration, conveyance valuations and estate planning. Read more

    Customs Fraud Fighting Initiative Launched in The Bahamas

    The Bahama Journal: The Bahamas Customs Department and Deputy Prime Minister Peter Turnquest introduced the new online portal Click2 Clear, which is designed to protect against customs fraud. Read more

    Guyana working closer with India to build solar energy capacity

    Kaieteur News: The Head of State noted that the relations between the two countries continue to be enhanced by high-level engagements between officials of both states as Guyana would have signed and ratified the Framework Agreement of the International Solar Alliance in January 2018 under his tenure. Read more

    Chastanet Meets With US Delegation

    The Voice: St Lucia Prime Minister met with representatives of the US House of Representatives. Read more

    CBU President calls for preservation of indigenous broadcasters

    RJR: President of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU), Gary Allen has expressed the need for a sincere commitment to the preservation of indigenous broadcasters in recognition of the integral role they play in social and economic development. Read more

    Sugar Association of the Caribbean wants governments to tax sugar coming outside of CARICOM

    Breaking Belize News: The Sugar Association of the Caribbean (SAC) is calling for Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nations to place Common External Tariffs (CETs) on white sugar imported from outside the region to strengthen the regional market. Read more

    EU releases food for Haiti in response to food crisis

    Jamaica Observer: The European Union (EU) has released €9 million in humanitarian aid to Haiti, in response to the deteriorating food and nutrition situation in the French-speaking Caribbean Community (Caricom) member state. Read more

    T&T Prime Minister envisions one border for region as Carifesta begins

    LoopTT: Carifesta XIV opened on Friday night with Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley calling for regional unity. Read more

    Time to Fully Implement CSME

    Trinidad Guardian: If ever there was op­por­tu­ni­ty and ne­ces­si­ty for Cari­com coun­tries to ful­ly im­ple­ment the 30-year old Cari­com Sin­gle Mar­ket and Econ­o­my, the “sub­dued glob­al eco­nom­ic ac­tiv­i­ty and glob­al trade” of the present makes it the right “Time for Ac­tion.” Read more

    Caricom’s Assistant Secretary General, CSME is not a dream

    Trinidad Guardian: The CARI­COM sin­gle mar­ket and econ­o­my (CSME) and CARI­COM is not a fan­ta­sy but a con­crete sit­u­a­tion that is mov­ing for­ward. This is ac­cord­ing to CARI­COM’s As­sis­tant Sec­re­tary-Gen­er­al in the Di­rec­torate for Trade and Eco­nom­ic In­te­gra­tion, Joseph Cox. Read more

    Water Scarcity May Be New Way of Life for Caribbean, St. Kitts and Nevis Minister warns

    CARICOM: Minister of Public Infrastructure, Honourable Ian “Patches” Liburd, says that climate change related challenges such as floods, sea level rise, drought and extreme weather conditions are the new norm for the Caribbean. Read more

    INTERNATIONAL NEWS

    Ottawa announces $1.75-billion compensation for dairy farmers to offset impact of trade deals

    Financial Post: Agriculture minister says Liberals are committed to no longer cede market share in the dairy sector in future international free trade negotiations. Read more

    Australian Government releases list of items the EU wants protected in free trade deal

    News.au: Australian cheesemakers could be dealt a major blow as the European Union targets the naming rights to some of the most popular products. Read more

    Cambodia-European Union trade deal is on the chopping block

    Al Jazeera: Accusations of human rights abuse by the Cambodian government may force the end of a preferential trade agreement. Read more

    Brazil’s Guedes threatens to quit Mercosur if populist opposition wins Argentina election

    Reuters: Brazil will pull out of the Mercosur trade bloc if the opposition party wins Argentina’s presidential elections later this year and closes the economy with protectionist policies, Brazil’s Economy Minister Paulo Guedes said on Thursday. Read more

    US retailers to rely on Vietnam amidst exits from China’s textile industry

    Singapore Business Review: Vietnam’s textile sourcing rose 13% YoY in Q1 2019.Vietnam is expected to benefit the most from plans by US retailers to diversify production to other manufacturing hubs and reduce reliance on China for their textile needs, according to a Fitch Solutions report. Read more

    India’s export basket skews towards services, pulls down trade deficit

    Livemint: India’s export basket is undergoing a silent transformation, a trend that explains why the services sector, which accounts for about half of India’s gross domestic product (GDP), is doing better than other segments of the economy. Read more

    US-China trade war hits Africa’s cobalt and copper mines with 4,400 jobs expected to vanish

    South China Morning Post: The US-China trade war is partly to blame for Anglo-Swiss mining giant Glencore’s move to shut a cobalt mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo and copper mining shafts in Zambia, with the probable loss of about 4,400 jobs, analysts say. Read more

    China Makes Up US Trade War Deficit by Buying from ASEAN, Belt and Road Countries

    China Briefing: China is balancing the US trade slowdown with more bilateral trade with ASEAN and Belt and Road Initiative countries. Read more

    US-UK trade pact ‘won’t pass Congress if Good Friday deal undermined’

    Euronews: There is no chance that a trade agreement between the United States and Britain will pass Congress if Brexit undermines the Good Friday peace accord between Ireland and Northern Ireland, US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Wednesday. Read more

    UK ‘first in line’ for US trade deal, says John Bolton

    BBC: The UK is “first in line” for a trade deal with the US, President Trump’s national security adviser has said. John Bolton said the US supported a no-deal Brexit and added Washington would propose an accelerated series of trade deals. Read more

    Norway Freezes Support For Amazon Fund: EU/Brazil Trade Deal At Risk? – Analysis

    Eurasia Review: Ola Elvestrun, Norway’s environment minister, announced Thursday that it is freezing its contributions to the Amazon Fund, and will no longer be transferring 300 million Norwegian Krone (US$33.2 million) to Brazil. Read more

    Nigerian Traders Seek National Assembly’s Ratification of AfCFTA Agreement

    AllAfrica: The National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS) has advised the National Assembly to urgently ratify the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement to ensure its speedy implementation. Read more

    Ghana is best entry point for foreign investors to Africa – Trade Minister

    Ghanaweb: Alan Kyerematen, Minister of Trade and Industry, has said that Ghana is the best entry point for foreign investors to do business in Africa because of its investor-friendly policies. Read more

    Sadc launches Business Council

    The Chronicle: Southern African Development Community (Sadc) has officially launched a new Business Council, an over-arching regional private sector platform aimed at increasing collaboration with the public sector and accelerating regional economic development and industrialisation. Read more

    Brexit: judge fast-tracks challenge to stop Johnson forcing no deal

    The Guardian: Hearing in Edinburgh to block suspension of parliament backed by more than 70 MPs. Read more

    EU’s Juncker tells Britain: no-deal Brexit will hurt you the most

    EURACTIV: A no-deal Brexit would hurt Britain more than the rest of Europe no matter how much Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government pretends otherwise, outgoing European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said in remarks published on Saturday (10 August). Read more

    US and Britain discuss trade deal that could take effect on 1 November

    EURACTIV: Britain and the United States are discussing a partial trade accord that could take effect on 1 November, the day after Britain is due to leave the European Union, a senior Trump administration official said on Tuesday (13 August). Read more

    Trump threatens to pull out of WTO

    WTO: At the site of an under-construction petrochemicals plant in Monaco, Pa., for a speech Tuesday that was to be about energy policy, Trump said that the United States has been taken advantage of by WTO member states, especially China, for too long — and it was about to stop. Read more

    ‘India, China No Longer Developing Nations, Will Not Let Them Take Advantage’: Trump Flays WTO Status

    News 18: Earlier in July, Trump asked the WTO to define how it designates developing-country status, a move apparently aimed at singling out countries like China, Turkey and India which are getting lenient treatment under the global trade rules. Read more

    India’s seafood exports to EU to be hit after Vietnam-EU free trade pact

    Hindu Business Line: India’s seafood exports to the European Union is set to drop sharply this year after its biggest competitor Vietnam signed a free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Bloc in July that helps it export products to the EU without any customs duty, according to the Maharashtra region head of the seafood exporters body. Read more

    US-China trade war — The unlikely European winners

    Deutsche Welle: The imminent US tariffs on Chinese goods are expected to throw up some unexpected winners in Europe, a study shows. The gains for the European countries are only likely to increase if China chooses to retaliate. Read more

    European Commission proposes adjustments to the existing safeguards for steel

    EU: The Commission today presented a proposal for adjustments to the existing safeguard measures for steel. Read more

    South Korea hits back at Japan in WW2 dispute

    BBC: South Korea has said it will take Japan off its favoured trade partners’ list. Read more

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