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RNM News Release 0305 - CARICOM Reaffirms Interest in FTAA

CARICOM REAFFIRMS INTEREST IN FTAA CHRIST CHURCH, BARBADOS – “CARICOM Countries are prepared for the possible resumption of Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) negotiations.” This according to the Director-General of the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery (RNM), Ambassador Dr. Richard Bernal. “The Region is actively positioning itself to re-shape the ‘vision’ of the FTAA, in accordance with Regional development goals and priorities,” he added.

RNM News Release 02/05 - CARICOM and Canadian Trade Officials optimistic about way forward in Trade

CARICOM AND CANADIAN TRADE OFFICIALS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT WAY FORWARD IN TRADE TALKS CHRIST CHURCH, BARBADOS - “Both sides felt that the meeting was constructive. Today’s encounter has provided impetus for forward momentum in a process that is the precursor to the commencement of formal negotiations for an enhanced trade arrangement between CARICOM and Canada.” This was the view of the Director-General of the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery (RNM), Ambassador Dr.

Chile rallies behind Port-of-Spain, front-runner in Secretariat race

CHILE RALLIES BEHIND PORT-OF-SPAIN, FRONT-RUNNER IN SECRETARIAT RACE
CHRIST CHURCH, BARBADOS - Port-of-Spain has formally secured the backing of Chile, in connection with CARICOM’s bid for the Permanent Secretariat of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA).
Chile is the latest country to signal its endorsement of Port-of-Spain.  Recently, Port-of-Spain received the backing of Peru.

CARICOM Special Session on Services Convened

A Special Session of the ‘CARICOM Working Group on Services Negotiations’ was convened in Barbados, November 16 to 18. Mr. Ramesh Chaitoo, Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery (RNM) Services Trade Specialist, characterized the Special Session as an “important opportunity to assess the status of the region’s preparations for World Trade Organization (WTO) services offers, and discuss crucial next steps in this process.” The Special Session considered draft initial services offers, with a view to submitting all outstanding offers from CARICOM Member States to the WTO by February 2005.

Government Procurement Takes Center Stage

CHRIST CHURCH, BARBADOS – A joint WTO/IDB-INTAL 'Regional Workshop on Government Procurement for Caribbean Countries' was held in Trinidad and Tobago, October 18 to 20. The workshop was opened by Hon. Conrad Enhill, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, Government of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago. Mr. William Robinson, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Representative in Trinidad & Tobago and Mr. Kodjo Osei-Lah of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Secretariat also addressed the opening ceremony.

Regional Meeting on Smaller Economies Issues/HCP Convened

CHRIST CHURCH, BARBADOS – A ‘CARICOM Meeting on Smaller Economies Issues in the FTAA & Preparatory Meeting for the CARICOM Sub-regional Round Table’ was held in Barbados, June 7 to 8. The Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery (RNM) provided an update to the meeting on the status of Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) talks and formal/informal discussions at the level of the Trade Negotiations Committee (TNC) regarding the scope and structure of negotiations, pursuant to the Miami Ministerial mandates.

Regional Trade Officials Consult on CARICOM-Canada Trade Talks

CHRIST CHURCH, BARBADOS – The 'CARICOM Exploratory Group on CARICOM-Canada Trade Negotiations' met in Barbados, May 28. The consultation was convened with a view to taking stock of deliberations between CARICOM and Canada on the scope and elements of negotiations for a CARICOM-Canada enhanced trade arrangement. Officials sought to refine positions on areas that would be under negotiation, including Services, Market Access, Agriculture, and Investment. CARICOM countries have expressed keen interest in provisions for Services in the arrangement. Mr.

CARICOM Ministers and US Congressional Representatives meet in Miami

CHRIST CHURCH, BARBADOS – The Director-General of the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery (RNM), Ambassador Dr. Richard Bernal, called for an enhancement of the economic partnership between CARICOM and the United States, “based on interdependence and mutuality of benefits”. He made these remarks today at a forum organized and hosted by the Inter-American Economic Council (IAEC), in Miami.