CARIFORUM and UK EPA Study

As was shown however, there is a high level of concentration of CF exports. Additionally, there is a high level of concentration in exporters, with three CF countries accounting for over 77% of exports to the UK. Signalling that the potential benefits of increased exports need to be spread regionally. Though all CF countries could not have a revealed comparative advantage in in all products, then the creation of regional global value chains that would then integrate into global value chains is one way to take advantage of this opportunity and overcome the constraints noted. Importantly “how” CF integrates into Global Value Chains is therefore critical. That is in forging the regional linkages (either forward or backward). This study has shown that the flexible cumulation provisions under the CF-UK EPA may facilitate this. Notably, GVC participation in agro-food activities has wider spill-overs in terms of productivity improvements, production growth, and livelihood improvement. In the wool, oilseeds and plant fibres sectors, GVCs account for between one third and one-half of employment. At the aggregate level, there is evidence that involvement in GVCs is a key driver of economic transformation and growth in non-agricultural sectors and for the sector as a whole, with evidence that jobs linked into GVCs have higher productivity levels. Greater service content has helped producers to differentiate and customise their products, improve product quality and build long-term relationships with customers.

5. NON-TARIFF BARRIERS

The study aims to highlight impediments to trade in goods 27 in the form of Non-tariff Barriers (NTB), which are more important for the identification of the effect of the transition to the CF-UK EPA, in a context where tariffs and quantitative restrictions have been removed. NTBs can

27 Barriers to trade in services, usually take the form of regulatory measures and this will be covered in the section on Services Trade.

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