Fostering cultural cooperation between CARICOM and Canada

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, May 9, 2012 - Identifying technical assistance to build capacity in cultural cooperation and trade and innovation was one of the areas focused on at a consultation for negotiations between CARICOM and Canada.

Officials of CARICOM and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) visited the island recently to meet with local stakeholders to hear first-hand the concerns specific to Grenada to include in the negotiations with Canada.

Some of the areas under technical assistance in the draft text include the development of digitalisation of audio visual archives; and the development of film animation and video art capabilities.

Grenada also reported keen interest in securing technical assistance in facilitating compliance with international and regional standards to ensure compatibility and interoperability of audio-visual technologies, and in the development of international theatre technology standards.

The consultation also sought to increase the awareness of the private and public sectors of the CARICOM-Canada Trade and Development Agreement.

Malcolm Spence, Senior Coordinator of the Office of Trade Negotiations (OTN) of the CARICOM Secretariat said the concerns gathered from Grenada and other regional member-states will fast-track efforts to meet the deadline to complete an agreement with Canada.

The Senior Coordinator of the OTN said Canada has a current waiver in place for CARICOM which will expire at the end of 2013. He also noted that Ministers of Trade in the region have requested a report by the end of July this year to have a clearer understanding of how negotiations will likely unfold.

Grenada’s Minister with responsibility for Information, ICT and National Mobilisation, Sen. Glen Noel, indicated that discussions for the new trade and development agreement between CARICOM and Canada began in 2001.

He said CARICOM Heads of Government proposed to their Canadian counterpart for negotiations that would lead to a more mature trading relationship to enhance existing arrangements, and to fulfil the objectives of the economic development of CARICOM countries.

The objectives include broadening the scope of the current instruments of trade and economic cooperation; deepening disciplines to improve market access for CARICOM exports of goods and services; and providing a more secure and predictable environment for bilateral trade.

Mrs Sally Anne Bagwhan-Logie, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment and Trade, noted that trade and culture play an important role in the socio-economic development of Grenada.

She said fora, such as the CARICOM/OECS consultation, give calypsonians, playwrights and other artistes an opportunity to share information on barriers faced when seeking to export cultural services.

The Permanent Secretary said the Ministry welcomes additional inputs from stakeholders in driving the process forward.  
SOURCE: Kareen Morain, Public Relations Officer
Ministry of the Environment, Foreign Trade & Export Development