Consultation Workshop to Examine Trade and Business Facilitation in Federation
By Stanford Conway
Editor-in-Chief, SKNVibes.com
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Trade and Policy Officer Samuel Berridge
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BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS – FOLLOWING the success achieved last week at the two-day Economic Partnership Agreement [EPA] Sensitisation Seminar, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Commerce and Consumer Affairs in collaboration with the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Hub and Spokes Project will be hosting a National Consultation Workshop on Trade and Business Facilitation tomorrow [Thursday, May 1].
According to Trade Policy Officer Samuel Berridge, the day-and-a-half Workshop would be held at the Ocean Terrace Inn [OTI] from May 1 to May 2 and participants would be engaged in the examination and discussion of issues related to the enabling environment for trade and business in St. Kitts and Nevis.
He declared that the Workshop is organised by the OECS Export Development Unit (OECS-EDU) in collaboration with the institutions that hosted EPA Sensitisation Seminar.
“The main objective of the Consultation,” he said, “is to examine and discuss ways of improving the enabling environment for trade and business in St. Kitts and Nevis and the OECS in general.”
He noted that presentations would be made by representatives of various Government Ministries, Departments and Statutory Bodies, whose activities impact on the trade and business environment in the Federation. ~~Adz:Right~~
Berridge also informed that specific attention would be given to activities and procedures in the delivery of services in St. Kitts and Nevis that would enhance the business and trading environment.
He is of the view that at the end of the Workshop, participants would be better informed of the national issues affecting trade and business in the Federation and actions to be taken, as well as the development of an action plan involving all agencies to augment the trade and business environment.
“Participants will be further sensitised on the various external trade Agreements, such as the Economic Partnership Agreement, and the various CARICOM Bi-laterals and the approaches to be taken by local business persons to take advantage of these Agreements,” he said.
He noted that the participants would be drawn from the private sector, including producers, exporters, brokers importers, traders and distributors, and Labor Unions as well as the public sector.
The Trade and Policy Officer said the Workshop would commence with an Opening Session at approximately 9:00 a.m. and among those scheduled to address the participants are: Rosalyn Hazelle, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade, Industry, Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Collin Bully, Executive Director, OECS Export Development Unit; and Mark Wilkin, President of the St. Kitts and Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce.
Last week, the three entities hosted a two-day EPA Sensitisation Seminar aimed at sensitising local stakeholders on the scope, context and outcome of the EPA negotiations between the Caribbean Forum of the African, Caribbean and Pacific States (CARIFORUM) and the European Community (EC).
This Seminar was declared a success by members of both the private sector and public sectors.
