1. SPECIAL
OTN Update
OFFICE OF TRADE NEGOTIATIONS
… for trade matters
April 30, 2011
UPDATE:
CARICOM-Canada Negotiations for a Trade and
Deve lopmen t Ag reem en t
I. Overall Brief/Update on CARICOM‐Canada been held. While the first two Rounds allowed both
Sides to articulate their broad perspectives and
The WTO General Council on 30 November 2011 approved approaches regarding the negotiations, textual
a new waiver for CARIBCAN until December 31 2013. negotiations commenced during the Third Round in April
Canada’s application for the waiver became necessary in 2011. To date, while Canada has tabled textual
order to preserve CARICOM’s preferential access whilst proposals in all subject areas, CARICOM has tabled text
the two Sides complete their negotiations of a new WTO- proposals in Fourteen (14) subject areas.
compatible trade agreement.
During the margins of the WTO Ministerial Conference,
CARICOM and Canada met in discussions where both
Sides took stock of the progress achieved to date in the
negotiations and considered the steps that, in light of the
Parties’ ambitions and sensitivities, will become necessary
in order to complete the negotiations within the currently
CARICOM-Canada Trade and Development
available timeframe implicit in the new waiver. Agreement
It should be noted that since the launch of negotiations for
a CARICOM-Canada Trade and Development Agreement
in November 2009, three Rounds of Negotiations have
OTN UPDATE is the flagship electronic trade newsletter of the Office of Trade Negotiations (OTN), formerly the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery
(CRNM). Published in English, it is a rich source of probing research on and detailed analyses of international trade policy issues and developments
germane to the Caribbean. Prepared by the Information Unit of the OTN, the newsletter focuses on the OTN, trade negotiation issues within its mandate
and related activities. Its intention is to provide impetus for feedback by and awareness amongst a variety of stakeholders, as regards trade policy
developments of currency and importance to the Caribbean.
http://www.crnm.org

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II. Update on Specific Negotiating Areas CARICOM is also in the process of developing textual
proposals in the area of Tourism, Energy, ICT (including
telecoms) and E-commerce. CARICOM has been
A. The Treatment of Development continuing consultations on the substance of emerging
draft texts in these areas. In the meanwhile, CARICOM
CARICOM and Canada have tabled proposals for Chapters has articulated its priorities and objectives in these areas
on Development Co-operation and Trade-Related Co- through the tabling of Concept Notes.
operation, respectively. The inclusion of a strong
At this stage, informal discussions have been held with
development dimension in the Agreement is regarded by
CARICOM as an essential outcome of the negotiations. Canada in the area of Culture, which is another important
area in which CARICOM has offensive interests. These
CARICOM’s proposal features a framework Chapter on
Development but is further complemented by subject- discussions have been helping both Sides to gain a
better sense of each other’s objectives and sensitivities
specific proposals on development co-operation in the draft
chapters in each subject area. As the negotiations evolve, associated with the sector and have been helpful to
discussions on this issue of importance to the Region will be CARICOM in furthering its work in the development of a
continued. textual proposal in this area.
B. The Treatment of Market Access of Goods CARICOM is undertaking consultations on the treatment
of Financial Services and is currently developing a text
CARICOM has tabled text in the following subject areas
proposal with the aim of tabling a formal proposal order
under this heading: in upcoming negotiating sessions on Trade in Services.
• Rules of Origin The Region is currently working towards the
• Agriculture and Fisheries development of offers in both Services and Investment.
• Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) The OTN has been continuing to support the Member
• Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) States in the development of their offers and in the
• Alcoholic Beverages (Rum) undertaking of their national consultations on outstanding
• Safeguards matters, including Tourism, Energy, ICT, E-commerce,
financial services, and culture, and in that regard, has
CARICOM and Canada have been engaging on these areas been providing technical assistance to the Member
and on the proposals that have been submitted by States when required.
CARICOM. Preliminary exchanges have also been held on
the tariff liberalization modalities. In upcoming Rounds of D. Trade-Related Issues
negotiations, the Parties are expected to address technical
issues related to tariff liberalisation modalities including the 1. Competition Policy
Both sides have had the opportunity to review each
format for the exchange of tariff offers, base rates, reference
date and tariff elimination categories. other’s texts. In future Rounds, discussion on this area
will be continued.
C. Services and Investment 2. Transparency in Government
With regard to Investment, framework text proposals have Procurement
been exchanged. In the area of Services, CARICOM has Negotiations in this area are at an advanced stage.
tabled Framework texts on Trade in Services and CARICOM expects that the next Round of negotiations
Facilitation of Business Persons. will address substantively the remaining outstanding
issues.
OTN UPDATE is the flagship electronic trade newsletter of the Office of Trade Negotiations (OTN), formerly the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery
(CRNM). Published in English, it is a rich source of probing research on and detailed analyses of international trade policy issues and developments
germane to the Caribbean. Prepared by the Information Unit of the OTN, the newsletter focuses on the OTN, trade negotiation issues within its mandate
and related activities. Its intention is to provide impetus for feedback by and awareness amongst a variety of stakeholders, as regards trade policy
developments of currency and importance to the Caribbean.
http://www.crnm.org

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3. Trade and Innovation to clarify issues and to allow for exchanges on their
respective interests in relation to these issues. Canada
CARICOM has proposed to address Trade and Innovation has accepted CARICOM’s proposal. Preparations are
in the negotiations. CARICOM has been continuing the underway to support CARICOM’s participation in the
development of its initial textual proposal and in that Joint Working Groups. Activities in this regard include the
regard, consultations have been ongoing. The OTN has undertaking of a regional consultative process and the
also been providing technical assistance to Member States preparation of the Concept Notes on Labour and on
during their consultation process. It is anticipated that Environment which are to outline the key interests and
progress in the development of the textual proposal will priorities of the Region, guided by the recommendations
culminate in the tabling of an initial CARICOM text at a of the CARICOM Working Groups. These Concept
subsequent Round. Notes will be approved by the relevant CARICOM
Working Groups.
E. Labour and Environment
Canada’s approach has been to propose addressing
Labour and Environment issues through the negotiation of
Side Agreements. Currently there is no CARICOM ******************
mandate to negotiate Side Agreements on Labour or
Environment in these negotiations.
Without prejudice to the existing mandate, CARICOM
Heads of Government have agreed that CARICOM should
propose the establishment of Joint Working Groups on
Labour and Environment to allow Officials from both Sides
A consultation on the current negotiations for a CARIOM‐Canada Trade and Development Agreement
Photo Courtesy: trulycaribbean.net
OTN UPDATE is the flagship electronic trade newsletter of the Office of Trade Negotiations (OTN), formerly the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery
(CRNM). Published in English, it is a rich source of probing research on and detailed analyses of international trade policy issues and developments
germane to the Caribbean. Prepared by the Information Unit of the OTN, the newsletter focuses on the OTN, trade negotiation issues within its mandate
and related activities. Its intention is to provide impetus for feedback by and awareness amongst a variety of stakeholders, as regards trade policy
developments of currency and importance to the Caribbean.
http://www.crnm.org