CARIBCAN was established between Canada and CARICOM countries in 1986 to provide one-way duty-free access into the Canadian market for commodities that satisfy certain rules of origin requirements. However, after seven rounds of unsuccessful negotiations of a free trade agreement, the World Trade Organization extended the CARIBCAN waiver until 2023. A free trade agreement … [Read more...] about Are CARICOM and Canada Good Trading Partners?
trade
Why we need Economic Diversification in Trinidad and Tobago
Economic diversification in Trinidad and Tobago is imperative, although diversification away from the energy sector has largely failed. A country with a perfectly diversified export portfolio will have an index close to 0 (most diversified), whereas a country that exports only one product or to one country will have a value of 1 (least diversified). In Trinidad and Tobago, … [Read more...] about Why we need Economic Diversification in Trinidad and Tobago
Meet Me in Bridgetown at the Intersection of Brand Equity & Competitiveness
Less than two months ago I was sitting in a French restaurant in an American city looking at an item on the menu called Meet Me in Havana. I frantically messaged a marketing communications friend and pointed out that it should have been called Meet Me in Bridgetown since the main ingredient has been made in Barbados since 1703! My friend calmly pointed out that Havana was … [Read more...] about Meet Me in Bridgetown at the Intersection of Brand Equity & Competitiveness
Making International Trade Work for the Caribbean
The British Economist, Alfred Marshall said that the causes which determine the economic progress of nations belong to the study of international trade. Indeed, international trade is probably one of the most important drivers of economic growth for developing countries. By increasing production and export levels, an economy can realize positive benefits through greater … [Read more...] about Making International Trade Work for the Caribbean
Caribbean Trade with Europe: A Reflection on the Negotiating Process
by Guest bloggers Christine V. Gomes and Mathias Mondino On February 6th, former Caribbean Executive Director for the Inter-American Development Bank, Ambassador Richard Bernal was hosted at the Council of the Americas to discuss Caribbean Trade negotiations with the European Union. During the event, Ambassador Bernal presented his recently released book about his … [Read more...] about Caribbean Trade with Europe: A Reflection on the Negotiating Process