Boosting intraregional trade very important

 

The European Union-CARIFORUM Economic Partnership Agreement is not only aimed at increasing CARIFORUM member states’ access to the European market, but trade among themselves.
 
In that respect, Silvia Kofler, the Minister Counselor, Political, Trade, Press and Information within the European Union Delegation to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, said in terms of intraregional trade there is still a lot of work to be done. She made the point as she referred to the disparities that exist in the trade rules of regional countries, where some countries are more stringent with imports from CARICOM or CARIFORUM countries, than products that come from further afield.
 
She was speaking to The Barbados Advocate on the sidelines of a recently held Regional Validation Workshop of Model Agricultural, Health and Food Safety Bills for CARICOM member states. Referring to the need to harmonise legislation as well as sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures throughout the region, she contended that such efforts, without the political will, will come to naught. With that in mind, she said CARICOM countries can learn from experiences of the EU, which comprise of 28 member states.
 

“We have assisted in many workshops like this, and assisted with negotiation, so I know how difficult it is, because you have countries thinking that their own system is the best, and the other countries should adapt to theirs, rather than really reaching a consensus,” she said.

 

Kofler made the comments as she reflected on the speed at which countries are taking advantage of the 10th European Development Fund (EDF). Even as she acknowledged that there have been some delays in implementation, she said this has not stopped European Commission officials from coming up with the structure for the 11th EDF.

 

“It could be faster, but I think sometimes it also that our rules are very complicated; I don’t want to deny that. But that is because we have 28 member states that are really looking at how we are spending our funds and want to have transparency and fairness in how the funds are allocated. That’s why it is so complicated, it is not the European Commission’s fault, because the money comes from taxpayers in Europe and you have to be accountable to them,” she said.

 

Kofler spoke of the delays as she referred to the 10th European Development Fund SPS Measures Project, which expires in March next year, noting that there is less than a year left to complete it. (JRT)

 

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