Home

Site Map

Trade
Transport
Sustainable Tourism
Natural Disasters

The Special Committee on Trade Development and External Economic Relations fosters cooperation and integration by uniting the efforts of ACS Member States and Associate Members to build and consolidate an enhanced economic space for trade and investment in the Greater Caribbean.

Two areas of vital action are the promotion of understanding and the merging of positions in areas of common interest in the principal negotiation processes, such as the FTAA and the WTO, especially where the treatment of small economies is concerned.

That work includes studies on the possible measures that could be taken to implement Special and Differential Treatment (SDT). The Committee has also commissioned a study on trade relations with the European Union.

The Committee's two-year work plan includes studies on obstacles to trade, a study on Principal Trade Trends, Trade Policy and Integration Agreements of the Countries of the Association of Caribbean States and the creation of the Integrated Information System of the Greater Caribbean, which will gather from all ACS Member States and Associate Members, information on the priority areas of the Association (trade, transport, sustainable tourism and natural disasters) and make it available on the Internet. The system is a joint initiative of the integration secretariats and other relevant institutions of the region.

The work of the Special Committee also involves collecting trade statistics and keeping an inventory of studies undertaken by other bodies in the region, as well as an inventory of training programmes in trade negotiations.

The Committee seeks to strengthen ties within the business community through the business forum, which has been held annually on three consecutive occasions. Each forum gives business people the chance to establish contacts, explore business opportunities and exchange ideas. The first Forum was held in Venezuela in the year 2000, the second, in Mexico in 2001, the third, fourth and fifth were held in Costa Rica, Cuba and The Domincan Republic respectively. Through a similiar manner as each Forum, this years Forum will be held in Guadalupe from the 4 to the 6 of Ocotber. Simultaneously with each Business Forum a meeting of Trade Promotion Organisations takes place, to encourage and facilitate further cooperation among these organisations of the Greater Caribbean aimed at improving trade in the region.

Additionally, the Committee is dedicated to supporting dialogue within the region to explore the possibilities of establishing a common definition of rum. This dialogue started in 2002 and the initiative will bring together governmental authorities and producers to draft a proposal for a definition of rum, which would be introduced into the FTAA negotiation process.

The Special Committee on Trade Development and External Economic Relations meets twice per year, with ordinary meetings held on both occasions

Association of Caribbean States © 2007
Please send questions/comments/suggestions to:

5-7 Sweet Briar Road, St. Clair, P.O. Box 660, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies
Tel: (868) 622 9575 | Fax: (868) 622 1653
mail@acs-aec.org -- http://www.acs-aec.org