Published 9 July 2019
Buckie Got It, St. Kitts and Nevis News Source
Today Tuesday 9th July the Ministry of International Trade , Industry, Commerce and Consumer Affairs in Collaboration with the CARIFORUM Secretariat
held a One Day National Consultation at the Royal St.Kitts Hotel where the subject of EPA Market Access vs Market Presence was discussed. The benefits and challenges of market access were focused areas and generated much debate . Among the participants were representatives from the St .Kitts Chamber Of Industry and Commerce , Management Consultants, Engineers , Architects , Coalition of Service Providers and Key Public Sector Officials.
The Honourable Minister Of International Trade Lindsay Grant was present and was happy to share with the media how very pleased he was of the initiative and the potential benefits that can be realized by our local service providers through the Cariforum-EU EPA. The Director General of the Cariforum Directorate – Percival Marie told participants that there was a lot to be gleaned from the EPA especially through the provision of Services and encouraged participants to engage meaningful to pursue the benefits.
Chairperson Nakieda Drew from the Ministry of International Trade did an excellent job at taking the participants through the day’s program. Ms Monique Prentice in her opening remarks gave participants a brief overview of the Cariforum-EU EPA and urge participants to learn as much as possible from the one day capacity building exercise.
Permanent Secretary Mrs Jasemin Weekes , Mr Sean Lawrence, Director and other public sector officials from Key Ministries and Departments including the ministry of Tourism , Culture , Health and Environment were also in attendance . Legal Experts and Services Specialists From Cariforum Secretariat facilitated the one day consultation.
According to Permanent Secretary Weekes the Ministry is a forward looking Ministry and is mandated to ensure that it’s populace is kept abreast of all the issues that can affect their livelihood . Service Providers she believes are to be looking at expanding their markets not only in the region but as far as Europe and other such international markets . She believes that this initiative was a worthwhile exercise and thanked the Cariforum Secretariat for working closely with the Ministry on this assignment. According to Permanent Secretary Weekes the Ministry will continue to make big strides and ensuring that the Trade Agreements Of which we are a part reap the economic benefits and the trickle down effect is realized by all .
