Caribbean Export OUTLOOK 2016 - 2017

Pulse OF THE CARIBBEAN

At the national level a number of Caribbean Countries have put legal and other policy instruments in place to provide incentives to support trade and investment in key sectors.

supply side and logistical challenges,market access barriers, and weak business facilitation and a sometimes unwilling business culture. If we are serious about long-term growth as a region, we have to address these deficiencies.” He further revealed that a more integrated approach to trade could be a catalyst for overcoming these challenges, but a divergence of interests among Caribbean countries with respect to market and product orientation, limited awareness of regional markets, and a competitive business culture, as opposed to one that is collaborative, is a major deterrent to achieving this goal. The two-time PrimeMinister

however shared that his vision for CARIFORUM, as it relates to international trade, takes into account trade in both goods and services, and the establishment of strategic partnerships. “Trade in goods must be based on strategic positioning along the supply chain for those goods which can be produced and traded competitively, and trade in services development must exploit our national competitive advantage including cultural services. We must also create and participate in strategic alliances such as the CARIFORUM-EU EPA, trade agreements with North America and, increasingly, South-South Trade. CARIFORUM has a vested and strong

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