CARICOM Trade Ministers began meeting in hybrid format on Monday in the 55th Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED). The Hon. Alva Baptiste, Minister of External Affairs International Trade, Civil Aviation and Diaspora Affairs of Saint Lucia is presiding over the Meeting. Some Ministers and other delegates are at the Georgetown Headquarters of the CARICOM Secretariat for the two-day meeting while others joined virtually.
Among the matters on the Ministers’ agenda are the implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) including the facilitation of additional categories of skilled Community nationals – agricultural workers, domestic workers and private security workers.
Under the CSME umbrella, Ministers will also focus on mergers and acquisitions, the implementation of the CARICOM Marketplace and Suspension Procedure (CIMSuPro) and the public procurement regime for the Community.
Trade in goods; external economic and trade matters, including the outcomes of the 12th World Trade Organisation Ministerial Conference in June this year, and matters related to future trade agreements will be subjects of discussion.
The Ministers will also consider a number of Standards for approval. (CARICOM Today)
