It was only a few months ago, I sat here as the stand-in-chair of the Council in place of my colleague from Trinidad and Tobago and directed the meeting on a number of critical matters facing the Community. Since then, a number of other developments at the national, regional and international levels have taken place, and the Council, like many times before, is being called upon to take decisions that will map the trade and development agenda for the region into the approaching New Year 2011.

As we consider the issues on the Agenda, and not withstanding our respective national positions, let us not forget that the decisions we take over the next two days will impact the lives and livelihoods of the people in the Community.

Ladies and gentlemen, the Community will soon bid farewell to the distinguished Secretary General, Sir Edwin Carrington at the end of this year following an outstanding tenure to the regional integration movement during which he has played a pivotal role in the establishment of a number of key institutions. Over the years, Sir Edwin assisted in the elaboration of the work of this Council particularly negotiations leading to the crafting and signing of the Revised Treaty along with the implementation of its provisions. Indeed, Sir Edwin’s even temperament enviable wisdom and steadfast hands at the wheel of CARICOM have guided the regional integration movement. I recall my first COTED in Trinidad and Tobago as the Minister of Agriculture when Sir Edwin’s effervescent welcome words of encouragement and statements of high expectations of me have remained with me and guided my actions in my service to our Community. Sir Edwin, you are leaving at a most challenging period for the region, but I trust that your services will still be available in some capacity for and on behalf of the region. Sir, you epitomise professional regional stewardship and it is for those reasons, among others, the government and people of Antigua and Barbuda accorded you our country’s highest honour.

On behalf of the Council, we congratulate you and express our appreciation for your stewardship, advice, and support to the work of the Community and by extension this Council. Colleagues, as we reflect on our individual interactions with Sir Edwin, I invite you all to stand with me and offer a round of applause to the Secretary General for his distinguished contribution and dedication of the Community.

Colleagues, the events of the past month relating to the devastation of Hurricane Tomas on our sister countries, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Barbados, reaffirms the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters. Those events and the historic experiences especially the destruction of Haiti have reminded us of the need to be prepared, since our geographical location coupled with the challenges of climate change will continually cause us to battle with some type of natural disaster in the future. As the region collectively responds to the needs of Member States affected by these disasters, let us continue to support the reconstruction efforts in those territories.

Of course, Haiti poses unique challenges; from the trade dimension, the Council is being called upon to support a temporary concessionary request from Haiti for nonreciprocal trade of selected goods in the regional market. The Council in its deliberations on this issue should also map the technical assistance requirement of Haiti for their eventual participation in the CSME.

Colleagues, the global environment still places tremendous pressure on small vulnerable economies in the Caribbean. Ministries of Finance continue to experience difficulty in balancing national budgets, while seeking to meet various commitments. That is why this meeting of the COTED and the expected exchanges among Ministers should result in the articulation of solutions to the trade-related issues.

In considering the external trade agenda, particularly as it relates to the CARICOM-Canada negotiations, the region must utilize a robust consultative mechanism with national and regional stakeholders to provide constructive input throughout the life of the negotiations. We are continually reminded that the purpose for which we conduct trade negotiations is to expand the market opportunities for the regional private sector to trade. Equally, the “Development Agenda” that is likely to form part of this agreement, should seek to incorporate the developmental needs of our economies, while enhancing our competitiveness.

However, in order for the regional private sector to take advantage of the conditions afforded them from the negotiated bilateral trade agreements, the COTED must institute a structured framework for engagement with the regional private sector. Therefore, I call again for a focussed meeting between COTED and the private sector to ensure that the opportunities that accompany the agreements can be fully accessed.

One particular agreement that comes to mind is the CARIFORUM-EC Economic Partnership Agreement in which Member States are now seeking to establish the national framework, of which Antigua and Barbuda is happy to be among the first countries who have established an EPA Implementation Unit. Member States must make a concerted effort to calibrate, document and articulate their respective implementation needs and progress relevant to this agreement.

In complementing our efforts to advance the external trade relations, the revision of the Treaty should remain an important element of the agenda of this Council given the fact that it underpins the regional trade process. We are reminded of the pending implementation of the amendments to Article 83, and our previous deliberations on that matter.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the COTED must continue to review its policies and programmes to respond to the needs of the Community, while improving the efficiency and effectiveness of our procedures. Member States must continue to build on the policy framework and build partnerships essential to the sustainable development of our economies.

Furthermore, let us share best practices, and more importantly discuss and develop approaches and policies to address the challenges which confront us.

Thank you for your kind attention.

CONTACT: piu@caricom.org