CCAA Hosts Caribbean Trade Ministers in Washington

Washington, D.C.–Caribbean Central American Action (CCAA) announced today the success of a Washington briefing and reception attended by Caribbean Trade Ministers.

The April 12th activity, co-hosted with the US Chamber of Commerce and the Association of American Chamber of Commerce in Latin America (AACCLA) was attended by Washingtonbased private sector leadership, as well as representatives from the administration and Capitol Hill. Regional participation included Ambassador Richard Bernal of the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery (CRNM); Minister Clement Rohee, Ministry of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation of Guyana; Minister Anthony Hylton, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica; and Minister Fred Mitchell, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Bahamas. Also in attendance were Berthia Parle, President of the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) and Alec Sanguinetti, Director General of CHA, and members of the Caribbean ambassadorial corps.

CARICOM trade representatives were in Washington this week to meet with United States Trade Representative Rob Portman on the future of the regional trade agenda and, more specifically, trade programs such as the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA) and the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA) - known collectively as the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) - that are due for renewal. The U.S. representatives also advised the CARICOM leaders that opposition to the World Trade Organization (WTO) renewal of CBERA, which would extend through September 30, 2008, has diminished. However, some countries continue to block consensus.

The trade representatives also aimed to convey the region’s concern over the status of Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) negotiations and the outlook for the World Trade Organization (WTO) Doha Development Agenda (DDA). Ambassador Portman reaffirmed that the FTAA is important to the U.S. while cautioning that the advancement of the FTAA process depends upon decisions yet to be made on issues, like agriculture, at the WTO level.

The Ministers also noted to attendees at the briefing that commitments were made to revitalize the long-dormant Trade and Investment Council (TIC). Minister Hylton commented that, “we came away with a practical mechanism on which to build further on CARICOM-US trade relations. The TIC will provide an important forum for dialogue on trade relations.” The Council could meet as early as this summer.

There was also discussion of a proposed Conference on the future of the Caribbean, which would examine a broad range of issues of critical importance to development of the region. This high-level event is projected to convene in June 2007.

In conclusion, the Ministers agreed that it was clear that the meeting has served to pave the way for future, constructive meetings between CARICOM trade leaders and the U.S. Trade Representative.

CCAA is a non-governmental organization that promotes private sector-led economic development in the Caribbean Basin. More information on the organization and the Annual Miami Conference can be found by visiting CCAA's website at www.c-caa.org.

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