Caribbean Export and TTMA host Rules of Origin Workshop

The CARICOM Secretariat’s current review of the rules of origin under the CSME was one of the major issues discussed at the workshop on the subject hosted by Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) in association with the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers Association (TTMA) at the Ken Galt Hall, Centre of Excellence, Macoya, Trinidad and Tobago, on June 26.

The rules of origin under the CARIFORUM-EC Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) have led to some calls for reviews not only of the CSME rules but those under other CARICOM bilateral trade agreements, to ensure that they are consistent. The event was the first of a series of workshops to be held by Caribbean Export aimed at briefing manufacturers on the production and administrative requirements for a product to benefit from preferential access under various trade agreements.

The workshop was attended by over 40 participants from the manufacturing sector, local and regional business support organisations and Trinidad and Tobago’s Ministry of Trade and Industry. Presentations focused on the Rules of Origin within the recently signed CARIFORUM-EC EPA, the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas and CARICOM’s rules of origin proposals within the context of the pending negotiations of a trade and development agreement between CARICOM and Canada. These discussions were facilitated by Mr. Branford Isaacs and Mr. Norris Breedy of the CARICOM Secretariat.

Fo workshop presentations follow the links below:

Application of Rules of Origin - Norris Breedy

Protocol 1 - Definition of the Concept of "Originating Products"