Trade Watch V7 No 3 May-June 2013

Tradewatch TRADE & EXPORT DEVELOPMENT

Meeting on Trade and Investment Task Force

Caribbean Export as chair for the CARIFORUM, French Caribbean Outermost Regions (FCORs) and EU Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) Task Force on Trade and Investment, convened the 7th Meeting of the Task Force in Tortola, British Virgin Islands on May 30-31, 2013. The mandate of the Task Force on Trade and Investment is to promote dialogue on issues related to trade and investment and to assist with the identification of projects between CARIFORUM States and the French Caribbean. This dialogue is important given the fact that the French Caribbean Regions through their political status with the French Republic is a party to the CARFIROUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). Speaking at the opening of the meeting Caribbean Exports’ Executive Director Pamela Coke Hamilton stressed that “It is also important to note that there are host of opportunities for enhanced trade and investment between CARIFORUM States, the French Caribbean and the OCTs. These opportunities range from

the traditional trade in goods (where CARIFORUM enjoys trade surpluses) but also with regard to trade in services where all parties have significant opportunities to gain from enhanced private sector involvement.” Dr. The Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE, Premier, British Virgin Islands echoed her sentiments and expressed that, “ Although BVI has only observer status in the organisation we are proud to be part of a forward moving process and congratulate the region for being able to move forward with the EPA with the European Union (EU).” The two day meeting allowed members of the task force to examine the key developments that have taken place in 2010- 2012 as it relates to the CARIFORUM-EU relationship including an update on the CARIFORUM-EU Partnership Strategy, deliberations in the CARIFORUM-EU EPA Institutions and an update on European Development Fund (EDF) programming.

Pamela Coke Hamilton, Executive Director, Caribbean Export, with the Honorable Oliver Joseph, Deputy National Authorising Officer, Minister of Economic Development, Planning, Trade and Cooperatives, Grenada during the Task Force Meeting

7 Tradewatch • The Official E-Newsletter of the Caribbean Export Development Agency • Vol. 7 No. 3 May-June, 2013