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OFFICE OF TRADE NEGOTIATIONS

DAILY DIGEST
2010 November 15th WTO Arena
Lamy: G20 and APEC leaders expect the Doha Round to be a deliverable next year Director-General Pascal Lamy, in opening the 21st Geneva Week for WTO non-resident members and observers, said that the G20 and APEC leaders meetings last week provided a clear signal that they expect the Doha Development Round to be a deliverable next year. He said that: Discussions between leaders on this topic were to the point: how to supplement what is already on the table with new give and take in order to build a final package that they would take to their respective Parliaments. The challenge is now to translate this political will into negotiations here in Geneva. Since June last year, members have been testing flexibilities in various formats. This process must now intensify in order to walk the talk. http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/sppl_e/sppl179_e.htm

WTO issues report on cigarette dispute The WTO, on 15 November 2010, issued the report of a panel that had examined a complaint by the Philippines against Thailand regarding customs and fiscal measures on cigarettes from the Philippines (DS371). http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news10_e/371r_e.htm

CARICOM-CANADA
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MERCOSUR
NOTE: The opinions and articles mentioned do not necessarily reflect the views of The Office of Trade Negotiations (OTN), or the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat.

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EU/ ACP
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Regional
(NB. Watch the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) News Brief via this link) (NB. Also listen to BBC Caribbean Report via this link) TOURISM - Caribbean leading global anti-APD lobby Caribbean countries are forging an international alliance to fight soaring increases in Britains controversial air passenger tax. Members of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation used a big annual tourism fair in London to push their case that the distance-based duty penalises long-haul destinations. The CTO has submitted its own proposals for what they say is for a more equitable reform of the tax, which has been blamed in part for a decline in visitors from Britain to the the region. http://www.csmenetwork.com/2/index.php? option=com_content&view=article&id=10149:tourism-caribbeanleading-global-anti-apd-lobby&catid=138:businessopportunities&Itemid=357

Cool heads and no crowns: The Caribbean in a storm by Ronald Sanders NOT for the first time in the history of Caricom, our leaders are conveying mixed signals to the people of the region about how they feel about the Caricom relationship and, indeed, about themselves. Two incidents brought this reality into sharp focus over the last few days. The first was an inflammatory statement attributed to Trinidad and Tobago's Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, which she did not make, and the other was the almost complete turnout of Caricom leaders to the funeral of David Thompson, the late prime minister of Barbados, and the genuine sense of "family" that they showed. http://www.csmenetwork.com/2/index.php? option=com_content&view=article&id=10044:cool-heads-and-nocrowns-the-caribbean-in-a-storm-by-ronaldsanders&catid=146:opinion&Itemid=383

NOTE: The opinions and articles mentioned do not necessarily reflect the views of The Office of Trade Negotiations (OTN), or the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat.

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CARICOM gets IADB funding to support Caribbean Sustainable Energy Development The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) last month formalized the Technical Cooperation Agreement that made available US$400 000 in grant funding to pave the way for the preparation of the Caribbean Sustainable Energy Roadmap and Strategy (CSERMS). http://www.thebahamasweekly.com/publish/caribbeannews/CARICOM_GETS_IADB_FUNDING_TO_SUPPORT_CARIBBEAN_SUST AINABLE_ENERGY_DEVELOPMENT13154.shtml

World
SKorea takes another step forward on free trade by provisionally signing deal with Peru South Korea took another step forward in its ambitious free trade strategy Monday, agreeing the text of a pact with Peru as a much bigger accord with the United States remains snagged amid haggling over autos and beef. Negotiations for the South Korea-Peru deal, which will eliminate tariffs on a wide array of goods within 10 years, were concluded in August. The signing Monday by the South Korean and Peruvian trade ministers is one of the final steps in bringing the pact into effect. In attendance were the presidents of the two countries, Lee Myung-bak of South Korea and Peru's Alan Garcia, who arrived in Seoul the day before for a three-day official visit. Garcia came from Japan, where he attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. The so-called "initialing" of the accord "basically confirms the text" of the agreement, said Hong Seung-in, an official at South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. http://www.canadianbusiness.com/markets/market_news/article.jsp? content=D9JGGQN00

South Korean fear of US beef breaks trade balance The G20 summit in Seoul ended up with a deadlock, without reaching any substantive agreement among the world's leading economies. Currency issues and trade imbalances continue to linger among an anemic worldwide economic recovery. This time, South Korea should take some responsibilities for steadfastly stonewalling a free trade agreement with the US. You may ask what this has to do with the Sino-US trade relations. From the US perspective, the road to a balanced trade with Beijing is via Seoul. And beef stands out as a litmus test for South Korea's commitment to a sustainable global trade system. http://opinion.globaltimes.cn/commentary/2010-11/592071.html
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US pushes to complete Asia Trade Deal by next Apec summit The United States is pushing to complete trade talks with nine Asia-Pacific countries - which would conclude the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) - by next year's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) gathering in Honolulu, Trade Representative Ron Kirk said yesterday. The nine countries involved - Chile, New Zealand, Brunei, Singapore, the US, Australia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Peru - met on the sidelines of the Apec summit, with Japan invited as an observer. http://www.todayonline.com/World/Worldinbrief/EDC1011150000067/US-pushes-to-complete-Asia-Trade-Deal-by-next-Apecsummit See also: US puts foot to the pedal to conclude Asia trade deal, USTR Kirk says TPP members aim to create the most forward-leaning high-standard trade agreement ever engaged in, he saidWhat we are ultimately creating will become the Free-Trade Agreement of the Asia-Pacific. President Barack Obama is pushing to open Asian markets to U.S. companies in an effort to double exports in five years. He heads back to the U.S. today after a 10-day trip to the region, during which he was unable to secure a trade deal with South Korea on differences over beef and autos. U.S. beef has been shut out of most of Southeast Asia for the last 10 years, and so we are looking for reentry into this market, not only in Korea but in Japan and China and others, Kirk said. http://www.bilaterals.org/spip.php?article18477

U.S. vs. China: A cold trade war On Friday, the G-20 meeting in Seoul - the summit bringing together the world's 20 most important economies - concluded. The gathering, the fifth since former President George Bush revived the grouping in 2008, was the place where the world was supposed to come together to rebalance the teetering global economy. Instead of doing so, presidents and prime ministers deferred solutions to the most intractable problems to the indefinite future. Worse, they did so when global commerce is especially vulnerable. Countries are already erecting barriers to trade and engaging in predatory policies that are sure to set back growth. The central obstacle to a global solution? Despite wishful thinking to the contrary, the world's two largest economies - the U.S. and China - have interests that are diametrically opposed. http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2010/11/14/2010-1114_us_vs_china_a_cold_trade_war.html
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APEC summit in Japan calls for regional free-trade zone, but gives no details Leaders of the 21-member Asia-Pacific Co-operation (Apec) forum have pledged to move towards creating a regional free-trade area. The agreement was announced at the end of a two-day summit in Yokohama, Japan. The move would link the world's three biggest economies - the United States, Japan and China. However, deep differences remain - chiefly between the US and China - over trade imbalances and currency distortionsIn their final declaration, Apec leaders reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to achieving free and open trade and investment in the region. They also pledged to take concrete steps toward realising a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific, but gave no timetable. http://en.mercopress.com/2010/11/15/apec-summit-in-japan-callsfor-regional-free-trade-zone-but-gives-no-details See also: Declaration - The 18th APEC ECONOMIC LEADERS MEETING Yokohama, Japan, 13-14 November 2010 http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/kan/topics/201011/aelmdeclaration2 010_e.pdf

Indonesia unprepared for Asia-Pacific free trade Indonesia is still considering participating in the Asia-Pacific free trade agreement. We think we are not ready yet because the agreement is very hard for the local industry, Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu after attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Conference (APEC) in Yokohama, Japan, with Vice President Boediono yesterday. Also attending the event were Coordinating Minister for the Economy Hatta Rajasa, Finance Minister Agus Martowardojo, Industry Minister Muhammad Sulaiman Hidayat, and National Development Planning Minister Armida Alisjahbana. http://www.bilaterals.org/spip.php?article18486

Moving Ahead On Trade With U.S. Results from the recent U.S. election may benefit Canadian cattle producers. The mid-term elections resulted in an increased number of Republicans in the House of Representatives. "Historically, when the House of Representatives has been in control of Republicans, it has typically been more friendly to trade issues with Canada. We think the outcome is going to bode well for trade interests," says Travis Toews, president of the Canadian Cattlemen's Association. "I believe that as we trade, it strengthens both of our economies, and so we see the results as positive." Not everybody has been as optimistic about the changes as Toews. Many of the Republicans that were elected are
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members of the Tea Party movement, which tends to have a protectionist view on foreign trade. http://www.portageonline.com/index.php? option=com_content&task=view&id=19796&Itemid=469

Kan points way to talks on EPA with EU Visiting Prime Minister Naoto Kan called Friday on the European Union to start preliminary talks on negotiations for an economic partnership agreement (EPA). Kan agreed with EU President Herman Van Rompuy during talks on the sidelines of the G-20 summit to start a new round of ministerial meetings with an eye on reaching agreement for starting negotiations on an EPA early next year when Japan-EU summit talks are scheduled. http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201011120303.html

Other News
World Trade Organisation team meets with businesses Consultation with private enterprises has started as the Bahamas negotiates membership in the World Trade Organisation (WTO). WTO chief negotiator, chartered accountant Raymond Winder, said there may have to be changes in the Governments revenue structure. Mr Winder met with representatives from printing, publishing, packaging, manufacturing, beverages and furniture operations last week. Meetings with Family Island businesses are planned http://www.thebahamasweekly.com/publish/bis-newsupdates/World_Trade_Organisation13149.shtml

Business Monday: UWI Cave Hill, WTO to host international workshops in January Director of the Shridath Ramphal Centre, Dr. Keith Nurse, disclosed that a consolidation training programme will be staged for two weeks in January (10-21) and will be open to both professionals and students. The workshops will focus on trade facilitation and WTO policies and development, and are expected to attract a wide range of regional participants. According to Dr. Nurse, the programme will be specially adapted to the needs of the Caribbean and will move beyond knowledge transfer and focus on deepening the analytical skills of participants. The programme will be co-delivered by experts from the WTO and from the Caribbean. Dr. Nurse made the disclosure during the recent graduation dinner, at the Azul Restaurant in Christ Church, for 24 students who successfully completed the MITP programme. http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/newsitem.asp? more=business&NewsID=14022
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Business Monday: Measures needed to help Cbean economies rebound THE three leading economies in the Caribbean are the subject of much discussion as the global recession and recent bad weather compound their fortunes. Barbados, which is into its second consecutive year of economic decline, will end the year with a marginal economic contraction, said the Governor of the Central Bank, Dr. Delisle Worrell, when he last reviewed the economy. While the economy remained stable at the end of September this year, growth is however expected next year. http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/newsitem.asp? more=business&NewsID=14023

Regulatory reform coming for fat banks? Government is exploring policy measures to encourage Jamaica's cash-rich banking sector to more equitably share the burden of economic development with the rest of the productive sector. In separate instances last wek, Prime Minister Bruce Golding and Commerce Minister Karl Samuda reiterated the need for commercial banks to balance the cost of funds and the price of funds so that businesses can more equitably share in success. http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/business/Regulatory-reformcoming-for-fat-banks_8143888

National Consultation on Industrial Policy The CARICOM (Caribbean Community) Secretariat, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, will be conducting a national consultation on Industrial Policy on November 18 at the Antigua and Barbuda Hospitality Training Institute (ABHTI), from 9 am to 2 pm. This forms part of a regional initiative to craft a harmonized industrial policy for CARICOM Member States. An Industrial Policy can be defined as a set of actions or interventions by the state in order to affect the way factors of production are being distributed across national industries. http://www.caribarena.com/antigua/news/latest/nationalconsultation-on-industrial-policy-2010111510693.html

PIOJ to host dialogue for development lecture With global climate change emerging as one of the most significant threats to the sustainable development agendas of CARICOM countries, the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) will host a Dialogue for Development Lecture, focusing on the theme: 'Building Climate Resilient Economies: The Way Forward'.

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http://www.jis.gov.jm/officePM/html/20101114T1800000500_25976_JIS_PIOJ_TO_HOST_DIALOGUE_FOR_DEVELOPMENT_LECTU RE.asp

Turkey pledges support at Global Economic forum The Bahamas has asked the Republic of Turkey, a G-20 country, for assistance in ensuring that smaller developing states have a voice within the global economic forum for a level playing field. This call came as His Excellency Sir William Allen, Deputy to the Governor General accepted Letters of Credence from Her Excellency Inci Tmay, as Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, during a ceremony Thursday, November 11 at Government House http://www.thebahamasweekly.com/publish/bis-newsupdates/Turkey_pledges_support_at_Global_Economic_forum13145.sh tml

ITGA: 79 Developing Countries Say No to World Health Organisations Guidelines The International Tobacco Growers' Association (ITGA) applauds the decision by the Council of Ministers of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP), to oppose the approval of the World Health Organization's (WHO) guidelines - for a ban on ingredients used in tobacco products - at its 4th Conference of the Parties (COP) in Uruguay next week (1). The latest WHO guidelines for articles 9 and 10 of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) would virtually eliminate blended cigarettes, which require ingredients, and account for half of global consumption. The knock-on effect would be a drastic reduction in demand for burley and oriental tobacco used to make these products. The ban is being proposed despite WHO acknowledgments that products without ingredients are just as harmful as those with. http://www.seekingmedia.com.au/news.php?newsid=1795&g=-1

Quick Media Links

Antigua & Barbuda Antigua & Barbuda Government Portal http://www.ab.gov.ag/gov_v3/index.php The Bahamas

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Broadcasting Corporation of the Bahamas http://www.znsbahamas.com The Government of the Bahamas http://www.bahamas.gov.bs/bahamasweb2/home.nsf Barbados Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation http://www.cbc.bb/ Barbados Government Information Service http://www.gisbarbados.gov.bb/ Belize Belize News http://belizenews.com/ Government of Belize Portal http://www.belize.gov.bz/ Cuba Granma (Official News) http://www.granma.cu Cuban News Agency http://www.ain.cubaweb.cu Dominica Dominica News http://www.dominicanewsonline.com/ Dominica Government http://www.dominica.gov.dm/cms/ Dominica GIS http://www.gis.dominica.gov.dm/index.php Dominican Republic Dominica Today http://www.dominicantoday.com/ Grenada Grenada Government Portal http://www.gov.gd/ Guyana GINA Guyana Government Information Agency http://www.gina.gov.gy Haiti News Haiti http://www.newshaiti.com Haitian Times http://www.haitiantimes.com/ Jamaica Jamaica Information Service http://www.jis.gov.jm St. Kitts & Nevis St. Kitts/ Nevis News http://www.sknvibes.com/News St. Kitts & Nevis CUOPM http://www.cuopm.com/ St. Kitts & Nevis ZIZ http://www.zizonline.com/ St. Lucia Helen Television Services (HTS) http://www.htsstlucia.com Radio St. Lucia (RSL) http://www.rslonline.com St. Lucia Government Information Service http://www.stlucia.gov.lc/

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St. Vincent & the Grenadines National Broadcasting Corporation http://www.nbcsvg.com St Vincent Today http://svgtoday.com/ Government of St. Vincent & the Grenadines GIS http://www.gov.vc/ Suriname Surinamese Televise Stichting http://www.strs.info.sr ATV TeleSur http://www.sr.net Suriname News http://www.topix.net/world/suriname/ Trinidad & Tobago Trinidad & Tobago Official News http://www.news.gov.tt/

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