Impact Study: UNESCO-Aschberg Programme for Artists and Cultural Professionals

Overall, it can be said that the CARIFORUM-EU EPA has had no sizeable impact on trade figures. These trends mirror broader trade performances under the EPA, as detailed above. With regard to implementation efforts undertaken by CARIFORUM States, the statistics may mask some of the developments that can fuel true EPA implementation. Building frameworks for exports and trade The CARIFORUM-EU EPA has put forth an innovative framework for exports and trade 42 . While the CARIFORUM Secretariat and governmental agencies were optimistic through the mobilization of resources in the creative industries (through the 2012 draft Action Plan for the CARICOM’s Council for Human and Social Development and the 2015 initiative for a “Regional Strategic Plan for Cultural and Entertainment Services / Cultural Industries in CARICOM and CARIFORUM States”), the desired momentum was never achieved. In fact, intra-regional trade and mobility in the creative sector have performed poorly 43 . In this regard, while governmental support is important, export agencies and business support organizations have played a critical role in facilitating the increased participation of creative producers and entrepreneurs. It is increasingly recognized that regional producers do not possess the business relationships or market intelligence required and that they do not meet global and EU market standards. Bridging these gaps is necessary to improve market entry. Findings from the 2014 CARIFORUM-EU EPA study provide helpful insights. The study identified an increase in post-EPA trade between trade promotion organizations (TPOs) and business support organizations (BSOs) throughout the region 44 .

42. Keith Nurse, ‘The Economic Partnership Agreement and the Creative Sector: Implications and Prospects for Cariforum’ in The Cariforum-EU Economic Partnership Agreement: A Practitioners’ Analysis , A. Beviglia Zampetti and J. Lodge (eds.), Kluwer International, London, 2011, pp. 149-163. 43. See Joint Statement from the Fourth Meeting of the CARIFORUM-EU EPA Consultative Committee (CC), 3-4 December 2018, Castries, Saint Lucia; also The Music Sector and CARIFORUM-EU Trade Relations , Background Brief for the 3 rd CARIFORUM-European Union Business Forum, April 15-16, 2015. 44. See Keith Nurse, The UNESCO Convention and Preferential Treatment: Lessons and Insights from the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement , report commissioned by UNESCO, 2014.

60 Culture in the CARIFORUM-EU EPA