Government TPR |
WT/TPR/G/299/REV.1 |
G-VI§44 |
|
2014 |
Trade Policy Framework |
|
|
Relevant information
|
The Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines recognizes that Aid for Trade should create the enabling conditions for sustainable development among small Member States. This should take into account a modernised trade policy framework through a broader focus on sectoral issues and cross cutting measures such as information technology and renewable energy initiatives. A sustainable trade model should therefore be accompanied by a development aid package designed to positively impact multilateral trade liberalization while maximizing the benefits of production synergies through:
• Capacity-Building in Export Strategy Design and Management
• Capacity-Building in Trade Information Management and Market Analysis
• Capacity-Building in Quality Management and
• Standards for Trade and Services Development.
|
Keywords
|
Sustainable
Renewable
Energy
|
|
Government TPR |
WT/TPR/G/299/REV.1 |
G-VI§45 |
|
2014 |
Trade Policy Framework |
|
|
Relevant information
|
Trade related assistance should therefore be unconditional, demand driven, not related to any previous trade negotiations and incremental to existing programs. In this regard, such arrangements would mean non-reciprocity with developed countries. The Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines remains committed to the process of liberalization, however, given its classification as a middle income country, development assistance under the Aid for Trade regime would continue to be miniscule. This technical barrier would therefore need to be overcome if vulnerable island Member States are to realise worthwhile objectives of sustainable development. In short, the limited progress Small Developing Island States have made in realizing true benefits from trade liberalization have been stymied by the unequal relationships and classifications with developed countries.
|
Keywords
|
|
|
Government TPR |
WT/TPR/G/299/REV.1 |
G-I§2 |
|
2014 |
Trade Policy Framework |
|
|
Relevant information
|
The OECS Member States, with a combined population of approximately 639,331 (UNDP: 2009 MDG Report) are small, vulnerable, open economies, which are heavily trade dependent. These countries are very volatile and prone to external shocks. Their main developmental challenges are their exposure to changes in terms of trade, tourism and foreign investment flows, as well as natural hazards and impact from climate change. In addition to their small size; high debt levels and limited fiscal space also pose significant constraints on governments' ability to address development needs.
|
Keywords
|
|
|
Government TPR |
WT/TPR/G/299/REV.1 |
G-II§8 |
|
2014 |
Trade Policy Framework |
|
|
Relevant information
|
(…) Moreover, the OECS States are particularly vulnerable to natural disasters, such as hurricanes and other extreme weather events including droughts, which are now being exacerbated by the adverse impacts of global climate change. These disasters effectively reduce the domestic capital stock, lead to an increase in the cost of capital through high replacement rates, and force States to resort to additional borrowing to aid recovery efforts.
|
Keywords
|
|
|
Government TPR |
WT/TPR/G/299/REV.1 |
G-VII§1 |
|
2014 |
Trade Policy Framework |
|
|
Relevant information
|
This period of review of the OECS-WTO Member States' trade policies and procedures was plagued by the effects of global economic and financial crisis and a series of natural disasters in the region. (…)
|
Keywords
|
|
|
Government TPR |
WT/TPR/G/299/REV.1 |
G-II§26 |
|
2014 |
Trade Policy Framework |
|
|
Relevant information
|
Parallel initiatives will be implemented to establish a common maritime space in the OECS, which will include facilitating the seamless travel of yachts across the single space, and the development of guidelines for environmental compliance and enforcement, so that territorial waste and marine pollution by commercial and pleasure vessels, are traceable and minimized.
|
Keywords
|
Environment
Waste
Pollution
|
|
Government TPR |
WT/TPR/G/299/REV.1 |
G-III§13 |
|
2014 |
Trade Policy Framework |
|
|
Relevant information
|
In 2003 the OECS Secretariat established the Trade Policy Unit (TPU) within the Economic Affairs Division to assist Member States to formulate and implement trade policies and negotiate trade rules and arrangements which will facilitate sustainable development.
|
Keywords
|
|
|
Government TPR |
WT/TPR/G/299/REV.1 |
G-VI§18 |
|
2014 |
Trade Policy Framework |
|
|
Relevant information
|
The proper and timely execution of this strategy should create the enabling conditions for sustainable development across the OECS-WTO Member States. The premise of this strategy is geared toward developing a modernized trade policy framework with a broad focus on sectoral issues and cross cutting measures such as information technology and renewable energy initiatives. Additionally, Aid for Trade should target the private sectors' need to increase its competitive edge, including the utilization of the latest technological methods of production, increasing access to trade financing, ensuring compliance with international standards, trade facilitation and increasing market intelligence. The efficient utilization of such aid will be dependent on whether it is unconditional, demand driven, and not tied on to any previous trade negotiations or existing programs.
|
Keywords
|
Sustainable
Renewable
Energy
|
|
Government TPR |
WT/TPR/G/299/REV.1 |
G-VI§4 |
|
2014 |
Trade Policy Framework |
|
|
Relevant information
|
Since the last trade policy review, the multilateral trade agenda has expanded beyond the traditional trade issues (e.g. tariffs, trade in services, barriers to trade, etc.) to address issues such as climate change, value-added trade, food security, environmental goods, among others. However, the limited human and technical capacity across these OECS-WTO Member States have hindered their ability to effectively cover these negotiations, develop effective policy formation with cross-cutting sectoral issues, and fulfil all the requisite notifications within each negotiating sphere.
|
Keywords
|
|
|
Government TPR |
WT/TPR/G/295 |
G-I§1 |
Oman |
2014 |
Trade Policy Framework |
|
|
Relevant information
|
The economic policy of the Sultanate of Oman continues to be based on four pillars: Sustainable development with a stable macroeconomic framework; diversified, dynamic and globalized economy; advanced human resource development; and efficient and competitive private sector.
|
Keywords
|
|
|