ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, Sept. 16, CMC – The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is assessing the readiness of member states for further tariff liberalisation with external trading partners as part of efforts to strengthen the region’s approach to future trade negotiations.
The CARICOM Secretariat is conducting national consultations across member states that participate in negotiations with third countries on the liberalisation of trade in goods.
Officials said the readiness assessment is intended to ensure that future market access commitments are based more heavily on trade data, economic performance and the interests of regional producers and consumers.
As part of the exercise, CARICOM officials held consultations here with representatives from the public and private sectors.
Vincent Atkins, technical adviser and market access specialist for goods at the CARICOM Secretariat, said the sessions were aimed at examining the current trading environment and identifying national interests, opportunities and challenges that could shape the region’s negotiating positions.
CARICOM agriculture specialist Dennis Crawford said input from businesses and other private-sector stakeholders involved in the production, importation and distribution of goods was particularly important.
He said the information gathered would help ensure that regional negotiating positions reflect the realities of individual CARICOM economies.
About 25 stakeholders participated in the Antigua and Barbuda consultations, which examined the possible implications and opportunities associated with further tariff liberalisation.
Discussions covered specific sectors, imports, exports, competitiveness and opportunities for increased market access.
The findings from Antigua and Barbuda will form part of the wider regional assessment being undertaken by CARICOM and will help guide future negotiations with external trading partners.
The Secretariat said the process is aimed at ensuring that future trade negotiations are informed by reliable data, national priorities and the interests of regional producers and consumers.
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