• Projects
• Board
• Statistics
  
• Papers:
  - Economic Performance of Caribbean Countries in the 20th Century
  - The Main Trends in Trade, Trade Policy and Integration Agreements in the Countries of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) (1MB Word Document)
  
• Small economies
• Directories
• The Greater Caribbean and the European Union: after the Madrid Summit
  
• CAFTA
• The Greater Caribbean in International Trade Negotiations
• The Free Trade Area of the Americas:
  Selected Issues, Prospects and Implications for Subregional Groupings

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

Business Forum Documents