The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export), in conjunction with implementing partners the CARICOM Secretariat and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of the Dominican Republic (DICOEX), has been awarded responsibility for the implementation of a 3.2 million Euro programme by the European Union, towards the implementation of the 10th EDF Services Sector Component.{{more}}Implementation of the services component will be a collaborative effort between the Agency and implementing partners CARICOM Secretariat and DICOEX.

“The services component of the EPA represents one of the concrete ways that Caribbean businesses and entrepreneurs could reap tangible, economic benefits. The services sectors in most CARIFORUM countries is a significant contributor to GDP, accounting for more than 50 per cent of GDP in most cases and over 60 per cent for the OECS member states,” informed Ambassador Mikael Barfod, Head of Delegation to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean for the European Union, during his remarks at the cheque hand-over ceremony, to a room filled with regional stakeholders, who were gathered for an ACP consultation meeting, also hosted by Caribbean Export.

In most CARIFORUM States, trade is increasingly driven by services exports. However, due to inadequate policies and regulatory regimes for the services sector, CARIFORUM States are severely constrained in their ability to take advantage of the numerous trade agreements such as the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), and the opportunities that exist for long-term economic development. In addition regional and national support organisations have insufficient capacity and lack the coordination to effectively assist services suppliers or even consumers to take full advantage of the EPA. It has been recognised that there are also critical data gaps in services statistics for planning and marketing analysis that are needed to effectively plan and implement strategies for growth and market penetration in the services sector.

The 10th EDF Services Sector programme will address these issues specifically through: the development of a policy and regulatory framework to support the CARIFORUM services sector; building capacity of national and regional services, support organisations such as Coalitions of Services and Chambers of Commerce; and improvement in the mechanisms for the collection and dissemination of data and statistics. The programme, whilst supporting the development of the services sector world, also facilitates the beneficial integration of the CARIFORUM States into the world economy.

“We all recognise the increasingly important role which the services sector plays in our economic development,” stated Senator the Honourable Maxine McClean. “Some of us have been reaping success in this area; for example, the financial services sector has become the second largest contributor to GDP in the Caribbean. Expansion of investment in this area has served to deepen linkages with the agricultural, manufacturing and alternative energy sectors. The contribution of this relationship has been truly outstanding. It continues to generate employment and much needed revenue, which augurs well with the creation of a sound economic base.”

The programme will cover at least the professional, financial, education, health and wellness, tourism, cultural entertainment and sport, and ICT services sectors, with the objective of ultimately improving the competitiveness of CARIFORUM services suppliers and promoting improved access to regional and international markets.

“The creative industries have emerged as a key growth sector in the Caribbean economy through its contribution to GDP, exports, and employment, as well as its impact on destination and intellectual property branding” observed executive director Pamela Coke-Hamilton. “In light of the great importance that the services sector plays in the region, we are pleased that Caribbean Export will play a role in the implementation of the 10th EDF Services Sector Component. In collaboration with our implementing partners, the CARICOM Secretariat and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of the Dominican Republic (DICOEX), our intention is that the end result of this programme will enhance the competitiveness of CARIFORUM service suppliers and create an optimum business environment for services.”