Published: 25 May 2020

This Agreement creates a free trade area between the parties. It was signed on 9th March 2004. The Agreement is non-reciprocal for CARICOM lesser Developed Countries (LDCs). However, if the LDCs grant preferential treatment to originating goods from a country that is not Costa Rica, that treatment shall be granted to those same goods from Costa Rica.

The objectives of this Agreement, as elaborated more specifically through its principles, rules and provisions, including national treatment, most-favored-nation treatment and transparency, as referred to in this Agreement, are to:

• establish and develop a free trade area in accordance with its provisions;
• stimulate trade expansion and diversification between the parties;
• eliminate barriers to trade, and facilitate the cross-border movement of goods and services between the territories of the parties;
•  promote conditions of fair competition in the free trade area;
• increase substantially, investment opportunities in the territories of the parties;
• create effective procedures for the implementation and application of this Agreement, for its joint administration, and for the resolution of disputes;
• promote regional integration in the Americas, and contribute to the progressive elimination of barriers to trade and investment; and
• establish a framework for further bilateral, regional and multilateral co-operation to expand and enhance the benefits of this Agreement.

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Published: 25 May 2020

This partial scope Agreement between the Caribbean Community and Cuba was signed on 24th July 1994. It is seen as a way of strengthening the trade and economic relations and technical cooperation between the parties. The main objectives of the Agreement are:

• the promotion and expansion of the sale of goods originating in CARICOM and Colombia, with particular emphasis on exports from CARICOM states in the early stages of the implementation of this Agreement;
• the promotion and protection of investments aimed at taking advantage of the opportunities offered by the markets of the parties, and strengthening their competitiveness in the international market;
• the facilitation of the creation and operation of regional joint ventures;
• the development of technical and scientific co-operation activities which may be agreed upon between the parties;
• the promotion of private sector activities, including business exchanges between the parties.

The Agreement also takes into account the differences in developing in Colombia and the countries of CARICOM most specifically the least developed countries (LDCs) of CARICOM which includes Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Therefore, the Lesser Developed Countries (LDCs), do not have to undertake the same level of obligations as the More Developed Countries (MDCs).

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Published: 25 May 2020

The International Trade Centre will facilitate virtual regional meetings of the project "United Kingdom Trade Partnership Programme (UKTP-CARIFORUM)” on 28th and 29th May 2020.

The UK Trade Partnerships (UKTP) Project is designed to ensure countries maximize benefits of Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs), and the main objectives are to create quality jobs and raise exports to the United Kingdom and European Union. The UKTP project is implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC), in partnership with regional and national partners. This programme is funded by the government of the United Kingdom, through the Department for International Development (DFID), and will run until 31 December 2022.

With a focus to increase export flows to the UK and the EU, the project will improve the accessibility and transparency in trade intelligence and competitiveness of export ready enterprises, strengthening the capacity of trade support institutions and activating market opportunities at local, regional and global levels. Following-up consultations with regional and national institutions, two sectors with high export potential have been selected under the UKTP CARIFORUM project:

1. Specialty foods: valued added agri-products with certain attributes such as authenticity, novelty, locally sourced, organic, non-GMO and ethnic
2. Creative industries, particularly music, film and animation.

The two-day virtual meetings will provide an opportunity to inform stakeholders on UKTP’s main objectives and desired impact, to raise project visibility and determine synergies with existing national and regional initiatives. National EPA Co-ordinators, representatives of producers, national and local authorities, diplomatic representatives and allied organisations of the project, will also participate. The draft agenda is attached for your information.

Please contact the Department of Trade if you wish to participate.

 Click to view CARIFORUM Virtual Meeting Note and Agenda