Dominica’s trade policy will be reviewed over the next two days with a two-man team from the World Trade Organization (WTO) with the aim of creating a trading environment that is transparent, predictable and will respect the obligations that the island has to the world body, according to Director of Trade, Wellsworth Bethelmie
“The purpose of the Trade Policy Review (TPR) is to contribute to improved adherence by all members to the rules, discipline and commitment made under the multilateral agreement and hence smoother functioning of the multilateral trading system by achieving greater transparency and understanding of the trade policy practices of member states,” he explained at a press conference on Monday.
Economist Nelan Koumtingue, who is part of the WTO team, added that the process which started earlier this year in the OECS will lead to a two-day meeting of the WTO Trade Policy Review Body on the 17th and 19th of June 2014 in Geneva.
“This joint exercise provides an opportunity for OECS members to evaluate the progress made in terms of the harmonization of their policies. The discussions over the next two days will provide material for the report which is needed in Geneva,” he explained.
Dominica’s Trade Policies were last reviewed in 2007 and according to Trade Policy Analyst Usman Ali Khilji the 2013 review will be used as a base to track Dominica’s development over the years.
“We will use the 2007 report as a basis on which we will guage the level of progress, the impact on the economy of Dominica particularly in light of the global recession that we experienced within the last three years,” he stated. “So that report will set the framework for the decisions that we will be having over the next two days.”
The two-day forum will include discussions on trade and investment policy framework, economic environment, trade policy and practices by measure, measures directly affecting exports, measures affecting production and trade and services.
Various representatives from the various trade sectors are attending the forum which is being held at the Garraway Hotel.
We import more than we export. what else is there to know. If they are going to establish standards or offer ideas that will secure international trading relationships from island to international markets then their trip will be relevant.
What a joke. Dem fellas from the WTO must be tired of the cold weather in Washington and looking for an expense paind vacation in Dominica.
LIAT should lose their damn luggage on the way back.
Understand exactly where you are coming from.
Da to the bone
The WTO is not in Washington; it is located in Geneva Switzerland.
they come and finish kill us, bring them to see them poor banana farmers
what is going they are seeing that Dominica is getting to much of Development so they are stepping in and put a stop on us, that’s how they want to see third world Country stay back all the time.
Say one say two, DT looking lost we.
The WTO is an extension of Western imperialist governments, such as the US, Britain, France, Germany and Japan. The talking about our obligations to them is just a way of reminding us that we don’t have a choice but to play by their rules and open up our economy so they can continue to subjugate us with their policies. Tell the US to pay Antigua its dues before you can talk about our obligations. Don’t the rich countries have obligations too? Your policies are killing us because our economies cannot work the way yours work and forcing us to play by WTO and its masters rules is forcing us into continuous dependency and poverty.
You really have no idea what you’re on about do you?
If you disagree with him, say why. Otherwise you’re all snark and no substance.