GTZ Consults with BSOs on EPA Implementation Project

The German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) has sought during a two-day workshop in Barbados to include a number of regional stakeholders in consultations regarding the final format of a project in support of regional and national institutions for the implementation of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) in the Caribbean.

Some 15 representatives of business support organisations (BSOs) from 9 CARIFORUM Member States joined officials of Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export)  in Barbados for discussions with Professor Dr Dieter Reineke and Andreas Edele of GTZ who are finalising the document for approval by the German Government. The project is expected to assist the business community to better understand the opportunities within the EPA, strengthen BSO in their delivery of support to exporters and help these institutions to prepare project proposals to access additional resources through the global Aid for Trade programme.

Philip Williams, Executive Director of Caribbean Export complemented GTZ on their approach to consultative project preparation and participants were generally supportive of the aims and objectives of the proposed project. The 4 million Euro project, is likely to field six long term advisers in the region and will focus mainly on services exports. It will be implemented in close cooperation with the CARICOM Secretariat in Guyana and Caribbean Export in Barbados. It is expected to begin operations early in 2010 and last for three years.

About Caribbean Export

Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) is a regional export development and trade and investment promotion organisation of the Forum of Caribbean States (CARIFORUM).  Caribbean Export’s mission is to increase the competitiveness of Caribbean countries by providing quality export development and trade and investment promotion services through effective programme execution and strategic alliances.

More information about Caribbean Export can be found at www.carib-export.com.  Contact: Cora Lowe, Research and Communication Officer, Caribbean Export Development Agency, Tel: 1+246-436-0578, Fax: 1+246-436-9999, E-mail: clowe@carib-export.com