The United Kingdom (UK) has launched a plan of action to support trade in several Caribbean states to help them maximise the benefits of their Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).
Conceived by the UK’s Department for International Development and delivered by the International Trade Centre (ITC), the UK Trade Partnerships Programme (UKTP) aims to create a more transparent business environment across all CARIFORUM states “by making comprehensive and up-to-date trade and market information available, and supporting SMEs to access it, and by establishing mechanisms to monitor trade obstacles”.
The programme will also work with businesses, trade-support institutions, and other key stakeholders in Jamaica, St Lucia, and the Dominican Republic to boost exports in the creative and specialty-foods sectors.
In her opening address delivered via videoconference, UK Minister for the Caribbean Baroness Sugg said that the UK Trade Partnerships Programme is globally more important now than ever before.
“This is a significant addition to our aid programme in Jamaica to help local businesses tap into the UK market.”
