The document discusses opportunities and challenges for CARICOM countries to export professional services to Canada under the CARICOM-Canada Trade and Development Agreement. It outlines Canada's large professional services import market and growth areas. It then summarizes Canada's regulatory frameworks and requirements for legal services, accounting, architecture, and engineering. CARICOM positions seek commitments from Canada to remove restrictions at both federal and provincial levels and pursue mutual recognition agreements to facilitate CARICOM access. The document also addresses development cooperation priorities around professional services exports to Canada.
This document is the introduction to the 2010 edition of the Barbados International Finance & Business magazine. It discusses the impact of the global financial crisis and recession on international financial centers. While some recovery is occurring, credit availability remains a challenge. The G20 continues to criticize some international financial centers. Barbados is working to strengthen its regulatory environment through a new Financial Services Regulatory Commission. Barbados is also making legislative changes to attract more holding companies and improving processes for international business through assistance from the IADB. Overall, Barbados is working to improve its competitiveness as a financial center despite the difficult global environment.
Who we are - We are committed to being a trusted partner for acquisitions from Canada and offer our services where access, risk mitigation and competitiveness benefit from a government to government contracting approach. Our engagement on corporate social responsibility helps us operate in an environmentally, socially and ethically responsible manner when we work with our Canadian exporters and purchasing governments of other nations.
What we do - We take on the role of prime contractor and sign contracts with governments of other nations for purchases from Canada. All the contracts we sign have the legal effect of being signed in the name of the Government of Canada.
We sign a sub-contract and flow the contractual commitments through to our qualified Canadian exporter. As the Canadian exporter fulfils the obligations under the contract, we take on a contract oversight role and financial administration of the contract.
How we work - We offer a strategic whole of government approach to help Canadian exporters provide foreign government buyers with Canadian expertise through government to government contracts.
Paolo Pellegrin é um fotógrafo italiano renomado conhecido por suas fotografias em preto e branco de locais de conflito e catástrofe. Sua carreira inclui cobrir guerras no Líbano, Iraque e revoluções no norte da África. Seu portfólio mostra imagens poderosas da dor humana e da destruição causada por desastres naturais e conflitos.
How to Get Your Book Ahead with Social Media John Herman
This document provides tips on using social media to promote a book. It discusses establishing a blog and social media accounts like Facebook, Twitter, podcasts and video to connect with potential readers and market your work. Examples are given of successful authors who have used these strategies. The document argues that social media allows writers to establish themselves as experts, locate readers, and network professionally at low cost with potentially high returns.
The document provides guidance on adding value to a business through effective customer service. It outlines best practices for establishing relationships with customers, responding to their needs, communicating information, delivering reliable service, developing customer relationships, and resolving any problems. The goal is to give customers a positive impression, provide excellent customer service, and ultimately make money as a result of keeping customers satisfied.
This document outlines a plan for the UK to leave the European Union and establish a UK-EU Free Trade Agreement instead of EU membership. It argues that leaving the EU is possible and beneficial for the following reasons:
1) The UK could preserve its trade access to the EU market through a free trade agreement, as the EU has with many other countries, and would not lose the 3 million jobs that depend on EU trade.
2) Tariff barriers would not be imposed on UK-EU trade under a free trade agreement, as is the case for agreements the EU already has.
3) The UK can survive economically outside the EU, as major economies like Japan have shown, and the EU is no longer
The document discusses customer relationship management and enhancing customer service. It provides tips for identifying customer service problems, gathering information, selecting solutions, implementing solutions, and considering customer feedback. The document also discusses options for resolving customer service issues, such as consulting on options and selecting the best solution. Finally, it discusses communicating with customers, organizational procedures, and using outsourcing to grow customer markets.
The 2014 Annual Report is split into three main sections. The first contains a message from the WTO Director-General. The second section provides a brief overview of 2013 and some background information on the WTO, while the third has more in-depth information.
This document is the introduction to the 2010 edition of the Barbados International Finance & Business magazine. It discusses the impact of the global financial crisis and recession on international financial centers. While some recovery is occurring, credit availability remains a challenge. The G20 continues to criticize some international financial centers. Barbados is working to strengthen its regulatory environment through a new Financial Services Regulatory Commission. Barbados is also making legislative changes to attract more holding companies and improving processes for international business through assistance from the IADB. Overall, Barbados is working to improve its competitiveness as a financial center despite the difficult global environment.
Who we are - We are committed to being a trusted partner for acquisitions from Canada and offer our services where access, risk mitigation and competitiveness benefit from a government to government contracting approach. Our engagement on corporate social responsibility helps us operate in an environmentally, socially and ethically responsible manner when we work with our Canadian exporters and purchasing governments of other nations.
What we do - We take on the role of prime contractor and sign contracts with governments of other nations for purchases from Canada. All the contracts we sign have the legal effect of being signed in the name of the Government of Canada.
We sign a sub-contract and flow the contractual commitments through to our qualified Canadian exporter. As the Canadian exporter fulfils the obligations under the contract, we take on a contract oversight role and financial administration of the contract.
How we work - We offer a strategic whole of government approach to help Canadian exporters provide foreign government buyers with Canadian expertise through government to government contracts.
Paolo Pellegrin é um fotógrafo italiano renomado conhecido por suas fotografias em preto e branco de locais de conflito e catástrofe. Sua carreira inclui cobrir guerras no Líbano, Iraque e revoluções no norte da África. Seu portfólio mostra imagens poderosas da dor humana e da destruição causada por desastres naturais e conflitos.
How to Get Your Book Ahead with Social Media John Herman
This document provides tips on using social media to promote a book. It discusses establishing a blog and social media accounts like Facebook, Twitter, podcasts and video to connect with potential readers and market your work. Examples are given of successful authors who have used these strategies. The document argues that social media allows writers to establish themselves as experts, locate readers, and network professionally at low cost with potentially high returns.
The document provides guidance on adding value to a business through effective customer service. It outlines best practices for establishing relationships with customers, responding to their needs, communicating information, delivering reliable service, developing customer relationships, and resolving any problems. The goal is to give customers a positive impression, provide excellent customer service, and ultimately make money as a result of keeping customers satisfied.
This document outlines a plan for the UK to leave the European Union and establish a UK-EU Free Trade Agreement instead of EU membership. It argues that leaving the EU is possible and beneficial for the following reasons:
1) The UK could preserve its trade access to the EU market through a free trade agreement, as the EU has with many other countries, and would not lose the 3 million jobs that depend on EU trade.
2) Tariff barriers would not be imposed on UK-EU trade under a free trade agreement, as is the case for agreements the EU already has.
3) The UK can survive economically outside the EU, as major economies like Japan have shown, and the EU is no longer
The document discusses customer relationship management and enhancing customer service. It provides tips for identifying customer service problems, gathering information, selecting solutions, implementing solutions, and considering customer feedback. The document also discusses options for resolving customer service issues, such as consulting on options and selecting the best solution. Finally, it discusses communicating with customers, organizational procedures, and using outsourcing to grow customer markets.
The 2014 Annual Report is split into three main sections. The first contains a message from the WTO Director-General. The second section provides a brief overview of 2013 and some background information on the WTO, while the third has more in-depth information.
Trade between Canada and CARICOM has more than doubled over the last decade. While still relatively small, Canada imports more goods from CARICOM than it exports and Canadian investment in CARICOM exceeds CARICOM investment in Canada. There are opportunities to increase trade in both goods and services, particularly in sectors like agriculture, energy and professional services. Strengthening economic ties through a trade agreement could facilitate greater market access, investment, and exchange of skilled workers between Canada and CARICOM countries.
The document summarizes regional preparations for negotiations between CARICOM and Canada on a Trade and Development Agreement. Key steps in preparations include exploratory discussions between officials to identify negotiation topics, completion of CARICOM's negotiating brief incorporating stakeholder input, and approval of the brief by CARICOM Heads of Government. Negotiations are expected to cover 5 groups: market access, trade in services, investment, institutional issues, and trade-related topics. A College of Lead Negotiators with expertise in relevant areas was established to coordinate CARICOM's negotiation positions.
OBJECTIVE
Canada is an open country when it comes to those who want to set up businesses irrespective of nationalities. Foreign investors who want to open Canadian companies as non-residents have several options. They can set up companies and manage them from abroad or by moving to Canada. In this webinar, we shall focus on foreign companies and corporations intending to do business in Canada.
The CARICOM Secretariat will convene a CARICOM-Canada Trade Development Forum on November 2-3, 2011 in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. The forum will bring together private sector stakeholders from CARICOM and Canada to discuss existing and future trade and investment opportunities under the proposed CARICOM-Canada Trade and Development Agreement. Key sectors to be discussed include professional services, tourism, film production, financial services, and goods such as agribusiness products, rum, and mining. The forum aims to identify business opportunities and foster cooperation between private and public sectors in both regions.
This document summarizes the activities and progress of the Kigali International Arbitration Centre (KIAC) in its first year since launching in May 2012. Key activities included conducting awareness seminars, media campaigns, and regional workshops to promote arbitration. KIAC also established panels of domestic and international arbitrators, provided training to over 250 local professionals to develop arbitration skills, and worked to improve Rwanda's legal and institutional arbitration framework. While institutional arbitration cases are still lagging, KIAC registered some cases in its first year and sees this as an important milestone as it typically takes three years for new centers to get their first case.
The document summarizes the findings of a Barbados market survey mission conducted in January 2014. It examines opportunities in professional services, ICT services, and construction services. In professional services, management and accounting services were focused on. Construction services looked at architectural, engineering, and general contracting. Across sectors, the document outlines power structures, standards/certification requirements, regulatory frameworks, and strategies for market penetration. It also provides information on temporary stay and establishing a commercial presence in Barbados.
An Introduction to the Legal Aspects of Investing and Establishing a Business in Canada. Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG), a leading full-service, Canadian law firm, is driven to help achieve the best possible results for all our clients. BLG’s more than 750 lawyers, intellectual property agents and other legal professionals in five offices provide corporate, litigation and arbitration, as well as intellectual property solutions to a wide range of clients nationally and internationally,.
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This brief covers the Treatment of Professional Services within the CARIFORUM-EC Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), which was concluded on December 16, 2007, and signed in October 15, 2008.
Clifford Chance is advising Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) on its multi-billion dollar Clean Fuels Project (CFP), the first time KNPC has sought to access debt markets. Financing for the first phase was expected to close in early 2016. National Bank of Kuwait and Kuwait Finance House will be the mandated lead arrangers for the conventional and Islamic finance tranches, respectively. The Corporate Counsel Middle East Awards will take place on May 12th in Dubai, aiming to recognize exceptional achievement by private practice and in-house lawyers working in local and international companies and law firms such as Allen & Overy, Herbert Smith Freehills, and Hadef & Partners. Law firm strategy
Uq capability statement iraq - july 2010upperquartile
Upper Quartile provides strategic advisory services in challenging economic environments, including post-conflict reconstruction and economic development. They have expertise in Iraq since 2009, developing newsletters, recruitment partnerships, and serviced offices to support private sector growth. Recent projects include trade missions and skills training for the Ministry of Oil, as well as advisory work for international clients.
Aéro Montréal, Quebec's aerospace cluster, is a strategic think tank created in 2006 that groups all the major decision makers in Quebec's aerospace sector, including companies, educational and research institutions, associations and unions.
Aéro Montréal's mission is to mobilize industry players around common goals and concerted actions to increase the cohesion and optimize competitiveness of Quebec’s aerospace cluster. It aims to foster the growth and expansion of the cluster to ensure that it may continue to create wealth for Montreal, Quebec and Canada. Over the years, Aéro Montréal adopted a strategic action plan that includes the creation of working groups. These working groups are dedicated to six areas of intervention, namely supply chain development, branding and promotion, innovation, human resources, defense and national security and commercialization and market development.
The US, and the State of New Hampshire, sent a delegation to the 4th edition of the Aerospace Innovation Forum, to explore their participation with the industry's global leaders and the latest developments in the lifecycle management of new aircraft platforms.
Canada has taken steps to strengthen its innovation system through increased investment in research and development (R&D), commercialization of intellectual property, and support programs. Key measures include tripling R&D investments, providing tax incentives for private sector R&D, establishing networks of excellence in universities, and the Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) to support small and medium enterprises. The goal is to move Canada from 15th to 5th in government expenditure on R&D as a share of GDP and develop 10 internationally recognized technology clusters.
Canada implements the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) through the Export and Import of Rough Diamonds Act (EIRDA) which is administered by Natural Resources Canada. The EIRDA provides for controls on rough diamond exports and imports and certification for trade with KPCS participants. Canada's import and export regime requires Canadian Kimberley Process Certificates for rough diamond shipments that are verified by the Kimberley Process Office before being approved and issued.
License for forex brokers. The best jrusdictionsAmirani Azaladze
This document provides information on obtaining various financial services licenses from regulatory bodies around the world. It outlines the application process, timeline, fees, and requirements for licenses from the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Labuan Financial Services Authority (LFSA) in Malaysia, and the FCA's Small Payment Institution (SPI) license in the UK. Key details include application fees ranging from $60,000 to $97,000, capital requirements, required documents, and the multistage application and review process taking 3-8 months.
Canada and the Madrid Protocol: An Updatelorrainefleck
A presentation on the status of Canada’s implementation of the Madrid Protocol. Also provides a brief overview of some of the Canadian trade-mark practice changes required if Canada adopts the Protocol.
Tax Support to Professional Services PracticesCrowleys DFK
Crowleys DFK is an Irish accounting firm that provides tax and advisory services. They have experience working with legal firms and other sectors. Their tax services include corporate tax, VAT, capital gains tax, and assisting with revenue audits. They also offer outsourced accounting and payroll. Crowleys DFK is a member of DFK International, an association of independent accounting firms with over 400 offices worldwide. This allows them to provide integrated services for clients with international needs.
The document is the 2014-2015 Global Competitiveness Report published by the World Economic Forum. It was edited by Professor Klaus Schwab and Professor Xavier Sala-i-Martín. The report assesses the competitiveness of various countries and economies based on the Global Competitiveness Index and data from the Executive Opinion Survey. It acknowledges contributions from various partner institutes that provided important support and data.
This document provides an overview of the 20th anniversary of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), which was established in 1994 to promote cooperation among countries in the Greater Caribbean region. It discusses the ACS's origins, achievements over its first two decades, and priority areas of focus going forward such as expanding trade and investment, reducing disaster risks, sustainable tourism, and regional transportation connectivity. The ACS Secretary-General highlights progress made in 2013, including ratification of agreements and approval of projects, and looks ahead to the upcoming 6th Summit in Mexico to further consolidate cooperation efforts across the region.
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Trade between Canada and CARICOM has more than doubled over the last decade. While still relatively small, Canada imports more goods from CARICOM than it exports and Canadian investment in CARICOM exceeds CARICOM investment in Canada. There are opportunities to increase trade in both goods and services, particularly in sectors like agriculture, energy and professional services. Strengthening economic ties through a trade agreement could facilitate greater market access, investment, and exchange of skilled workers between Canada and CARICOM countries.
The document summarizes regional preparations for negotiations between CARICOM and Canada on a Trade and Development Agreement. Key steps in preparations include exploratory discussions between officials to identify negotiation topics, completion of CARICOM's negotiating brief incorporating stakeholder input, and approval of the brief by CARICOM Heads of Government. Negotiations are expected to cover 5 groups: market access, trade in services, investment, institutional issues, and trade-related topics. A College of Lead Negotiators with expertise in relevant areas was established to coordinate CARICOM's negotiation positions.
OBJECTIVE
Canada is an open country when it comes to those who want to set up businesses irrespective of nationalities. Foreign investors who want to open Canadian companies as non-residents have several options. They can set up companies and manage them from abroad or by moving to Canada. In this webinar, we shall focus on foreign companies and corporations intending to do business in Canada.
The CARICOM Secretariat will convene a CARICOM-Canada Trade Development Forum on November 2-3, 2011 in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. The forum will bring together private sector stakeholders from CARICOM and Canada to discuss existing and future trade and investment opportunities under the proposed CARICOM-Canada Trade and Development Agreement. Key sectors to be discussed include professional services, tourism, film production, financial services, and goods such as agribusiness products, rum, and mining. The forum aims to identify business opportunities and foster cooperation between private and public sectors in both regions.
This document summarizes the activities and progress of the Kigali International Arbitration Centre (KIAC) in its first year since launching in May 2012. Key activities included conducting awareness seminars, media campaigns, and regional workshops to promote arbitration. KIAC also established panels of domestic and international arbitrators, provided training to over 250 local professionals to develop arbitration skills, and worked to improve Rwanda's legal and institutional arbitration framework. While institutional arbitration cases are still lagging, KIAC registered some cases in its first year and sees this as an important milestone as it typically takes three years for new centers to get their first case.
The document summarizes the findings of a Barbados market survey mission conducted in January 2014. It examines opportunities in professional services, ICT services, and construction services. In professional services, management and accounting services were focused on. Construction services looked at architectural, engineering, and general contracting. Across sectors, the document outlines power structures, standards/certification requirements, regulatory frameworks, and strategies for market penetration. It also provides information on temporary stay and establishing a commercial presence in Barbados.
An Introduction to the Legal Aspects of Investing and Establishing a Business in Canada. Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG), a leading full-service, Canadian law firm, is driven to help achieve the best possible results for all our clients. BLG’s more than 750 lawyers, intellectual property agents and other legal professionals in five offices provide corporate, litigation and arbitration, as well as intellectual property solutions to a wide range of clients nationally and internationally,.
Quebec legal environment: Great for businesses cedec_qc
The document discusses the legal environment for businesses in Quebec. It notes that Quebec offers a favorable environment, with recipes for creating and operating companies, hiring employees, commercializing products and services, protecting intellectual property, negotiating contracts, and resolving disputes. It outlines specifics related to each area, such as requirements for bilingual labeling, regulations for certain industries, and that Quebec courts have experienced judges and allow trials in English or French. Overall, the document presents Quebec as providing a supportive legal framework for businesses.
This brief covers the Treatment of Professional Services within the CARIFORUM-EC Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), which was concluded on December 16, 2007, and signed in October 15, 2008.
Clifford Chance is advising Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) on its multi-billion dollar Clean Fuels Project (CFP), the first time KNPC has sought to access debt markets. Financing for the first phase was expected to close in early 2016. National Bank of Kuwait and Kuwait Finance House will be the mandated lead arrangers for the conventional and Islamic finance tranches, respectively. The Corporate Counsel Middle East Awards will take place on May 12th in Dubai, aiming to recognize exceptional achievement by private practice and in-house lawyers working in local and international companies and law firms such as Allen & Overy, Herbert Smith Freehills, and Hadef & Partners. Law firm strategy
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Upper Quartile provides strategic advisory services in challenging economic environments, including post-conflict reconstruction and economic development. They have expertise in Iraq since 2009, developing newsletters, recruitment partnerships, and serviced offices to support private sector growth. Recent projects include trade missions and skills training for the Ministry of Oil, as well as advisory work for international clients.
Aéro Montréal, Quebec's aerospace cluster, is a strategic think tank created in 2006 that groups all the major decision makers in Quebec's aerospace sector, including companies, educational and research institutions, associations and unions.
Aéro Montréal's mission is to mobilize industry players around common goals and concerted actions to increase the cohesion and optimize competitiveness of Quebec’s aerospace cluster. It aims to foster the growth and expansion of the cluster to ensure that it may continue to create wealth for Montreal, Quebec and Canada. Over the years, Aéro Montréal adopted a strategic action plan that includes the creation of working groups. These working groups are dedicated to six areas of intervention, namely supply chain development, branding and promotion, innovation, human resources, defense and national security and commercialization and market development.
The US, and the State of New Hampshire, sent a delegation to the 4th edition of the Aerospace Innovation Forum, to explore their participation with the industry's global leaders and the latest developments in the lifecycle management of new aircraft platforms.
Canada has taken steps to strengthen its innovation system through increased investment in research and development (R&D), commercialization of intellectual property, and support programs. Key measures include tripling R&D investments, providing tax incentives for private sector R&D, establishing networks of excellence in universities, and the Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) to support small and medium enterprises. The goal is to move Canada from 15th to 5th in government expenditure on R&D as a share of GDP and develop 10 internationally recognized technology clusters.
Canada implements the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) through the Export and Import of Rough Diamonds Act (EIRDA) which is administered by Natural Resources Canada. The EIRDA provides for controls on rough diamond exports and imports and certification for trade with KPCS participants. Canada's import and export regime requires Canadian Kimberley Process Certificates for rough diamond shipments that are verified by the Kimberley Process Office before being approved and issued.
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This document provides information on obtaining various financial services licenses from regulatory bodies around the world. It outlines the application process, timeline, fees, and requirements for licenses from the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Labuan Financial Services Authority (LFSA) in Malaysia, and the FCA's Small Payment Institution (SPI) license in the UK. Key details include application fees ranging from $60,000 to $97,000, capital requirements, required documents, and the multistage application and review process taking 3-8 months.
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Crowleys DFK is an Irish accounting firm that provides tax and advisory services. They have experience working with legal firms and other sectors. Their tax services include corporate tax, VAT, capital gains tax, and assisting with revenue audits. They also offer outsourced accounting and payroll. Crowleys DFK is a member of DFK International, an association of independent accounting firms with over 400 offices worldwide. This allows them to provide integrated services for clients with international needs.
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The document is the 2014-2015 Global Competitiveness Report published by the World Economic Forum. It was edited by Professor Klaus Schwab and Professor Xavier Sala-i-Martín. The report assesses the competitiveness of various countries and economies based on the Global Competitiveness Index and data from the Executive Opinion Survey. It acknowledges contributions from various partner institutes that provided important support and data.
This document provides an overview of the 20th anniversary of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), which was established in 1994 to promote cooperation among countries in the Greater Caribbean region. It discusses the ACS's origins, achievements over its first two decades, and priority areas of focus going forward such as expanding trade and investment, reducing disaster risks, sustainable tourism, and regional transportation connectivity. The ACS Secretary-General highlights progress made in 2013, including ratification of agreements and approval of projects, and looks ahead to the upcoming 6th Summit in Mexico to further consolidate cooperation efforts across the region.
The European Commission’s assessment of the likely benefits of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership
(TTIP) is based on analysis carried out by the Centre for Economic Policy Research, a leading
independent pan-European economic research organization. Given the significance of TTIP, this analysis
has been widely discussed in policy debates, in the press, on social media. The material provided in this
document attempts to answer some of the questions that have been raised in those contexts.
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is responsible for the preparation of this report. U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman gratefully acknowledges the contributions of all USTR staff to the writing and production of this report and notes, in particular, the contributions of Brittany Bauer, Colby Clark, and Michael Roberts. Thanks are extended to partner Executive Branch agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency and the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Health and Human Services, Justice, Labor, State, and Treasury. In preparing the report, substantial information was solicited from U.S. Embassies around the world and from interested stakeholders. The draft of this report was circulated through the interagency Trade Policy Staff Committee. March 2014Wto2014 0918a
This document discusses trade between the CARICOM region and Ghana. It finds that while CARICOM exports a modest amount to Ghana, totaling $26.8 million USD in 2012, the trade is inconsistent and concentrated in a few products like ceramics, fish, and chemicals. Ghana's economy has grown around 6% annually in recent years due to its oil, gas, agriculture and services sectors. The document recommends CARICOM explore opportunities in Ghana's growing market, as some companies like GraceKennedy have already begun operations there.
The document discusses a meeting of the Council on Trade and Economic Development (COTED) of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) that recognized the need to address the link between trade policies, diet, and obesity in the Caribbean region. The COTED established a working group to prepare for a joint meeting in 2014 on these issues. The working group is coordinated by the Caribbean Public Health Agency, the Office of Trade Negotiations, and CARICOM. The collaboration aims to develop effective strategies to address non-communicable diseases related to poor dietary intake. The document summarizes research finding that international trade has reduced the costs of energy-dense foods high in sugars and fats, making these diets more affordable and contributing to obesity
This guide helps businesses take advantage of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement. The agreement simplifies customs procedures, allowing businesses to become more competitive. This jargon-free guide explains the provisions with a focus on what businesses need to know to take advantage of the agreement. It will also help policy makers identify their needs for technical assistance to implement and monitor it. - See more at: http://www.intracen.org/wto-trade-facilitation-agreement-business-guide-for-developing-countries/#sthash.UA1o6V3G.dpuf
The document summarizes the Common External Tariff (CET) structure used by CARICOM member states. It describes how the CET categorizes products as either inputs into production or final goods. These products are then further divided into competing or non-competing based on whether regional production meets 75% of regional demand. Several categories of products are given special treatment in the CET rates, including selected exports, agriculture, agricultural inputs, safety items, cost of living sensitive goods, socio-economic/cultural goods, and revenue generating items like alcohol and cigarettes.
This Working Paper was published by United Nations University Maastricht Economic and social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (UNU-MERIT). It seeks to provide insights about the main characteristics of innovative firms and to gather new evidence with regard to the nature of the innovation process in the Latin American and Caribbean region. This Paper analyses data from a number of CARICOM countries.
The Caribbean Community Regional Aid for Trade Strategy 2013-2015 aims to help CARICOM member states overcome constraints to competitiveness and trade expansion through three strategic goals: 1) Upgrading key economic infrastructure, 2) Enhancing competitiveness and trade diversification, and 3) Deepening regional integration and maximizing gains from trade agreements. The strategy identifies priority areas and "anchor" projects to achieve these goals in maritime transport, ICT, energy, trade facilitation, and private sector development. It also categorizes activities as regional, national-regional, or national to coordinate aid for trade efforts across the Caribbean.
Details for persons who are interested in attending the Caribbean Festival of the Arts (CARIFESTA) scheduled for Suriname from 16-25 August 2013 under the theme “CULTURE FOR DEVELOPMENT, Celebrating our Diversity and Promoting the Central Role of Culture in Economic, Social and Human Development”
The Caribbean Community Secretariat is seeking to fill the position of Technical Advisor in Investment and Private Sector. The position is based in Barbados and requires a candidate with at least a Master's degree and 5 years experience in investment promotion, business development, or related trade matters. Key responsibilities include providing technical support and advice on investment, serving as a liaison to private sector stakeholders, conducting research and analysis, and representing CARICOM at various meetings. The position offers an attractive remuneration package including education grants for dependents and relocation assistance.
This document celebrates the 40th anniversary of CARICOM (Caribbean Community). It contains speeches and articles from political leaders and experts reflecting on the progress and achievements of CARICOM over the past 40 years as well as the continued importance of Caribbean integration and cooperation going forward. Key points made include that CARICOM has advanced economic integration, functional cooperation, and the vision of a unified Caribbean community despite ongoing challenges. The document encourages continuing efforts to deepen regional integration to address global issues and take advantage of opportunities through a shared Caribbean identity and destiny.
The document summarizes global trade in cheese and curd. It finds that in 2011, global cheese and curd imports totaled $27.4 billion, with Germany accounting for over 15% of imports. The top 10 importing countries jointly accounted for 63.3% of global imports. While global import spending grew 4% annually from 2007-2011, some individual countries like Israel and Brazil saw above average growth. The US imposed the highest average tariffs on cheese and curd imports at over 17%. The document then analyzes cheese and curd exports from CARICOM countries, finding that exports have declined in recent years and are concentrated in a few markets like the US. Jamaica dominates CARICOM exports, though prices are higher
OTN UPDATE is the flagship electronic trade newsletter of the Office of Trade Negotiations (OTN). The newsletter provides analyses of international trade policy issues and developments relevant to the Caribbean. It focuses on the OTN's work, trade negotiation topics within its mandate, and related activities. The intention is to provide stakeholders awareness of important trade policy changes affecting the Caribbean.
The document discusses innovation emerging as a new frontier in multilateral trade cooperation at the WTO. It notes that as knowledge and creative economies grow, countries are increasingly concerned with the link between innovation, trade performance, and competitiveness. While intellectual property protection is important, innovation depends on broader factors. The prospects for multilateral trade cooperation expanding beyond reducing barriers to
The Panel on Defining the Future of Trade was established in 2012. The Panel was mandated to: “….examine and analyse challenges to global trade opening in the 21st century” against the background of profound transformations occurring in the world economy, looking “at the drivers of today’s and tomorrow’s trade, […] at trade patterns and at what it means to open global trade in the 21st century, bearing in mind the role of trade in contributing to sustainable development, growth, jobs and poverty alleviation.” This is the Report of the Panel.
The document provides an overview of trade between the CARICOM region and the European Union (EU27). Some key points:
- CARICOM's exports to the EU27 grew by 11.8% annually from 2002-2011, compared to 10.2% annual growth in EU imports overall. However, CARICOM only accounted for 0.1% of the EU27's total import spending.
- The top CARICOM exports to the EU27 in 2011 included liquefied natural gas, cargo vessels, light petroleum distillates, and semi-manufactured gold. However, some major exports like raw cane sugar, aluminum oxide, and rum have not been growing in the EU27 market.
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OTN - CARICOM-Canada Professional Services Brief
1. CARICOM-Canada Trade and Development Agreement
TradeBrief
The Export of Professional Services in the
Context of the CARICOM-Canada Trade &
Development Agreement: Opportunities &
Challenges1
Introduction
For the rest of the world, Canada is a tangible services import market. Just for reference, in 2008, Canadians spent
over US$87bn on services imports, and this spending grew by an average of over 10% per year between 2004 and
2008 signalling some import dynamism. In 2008, Canada’s largest professional services import sectors included:
Business and management consultancy services (US$4.2 bn); Architectural, engineering and technical consultancy
(US$2.7bn); Computer services (US$1.6bn); and Legal services (US$826mn).
Canada’s most dynamic professional services import sectors include architectural, engineering and technical
consultancy (15% growth in import spending between 2004 and 2008); legal services (14.2%); and education
services (13%). The rest of the world is increasingly penetrating Canada’s professional services market and exploiting
specific business opportunities. Existing services data shows CARICOM trade with Canada primarily in financial
services and tourism, travel and business services, which includes professional services. However, other types of
activities are occurring through various modes of delivery though there is relatively less CARICOM services export
through commercial presence in Canada. Further information on these activities should be obtained through
consultations and research, and business support organisations and professional bodies such as CAIC have an
important role to play. The OTN is also trying to improve the information available on CARICOM-Canada services
trade at the provincial level through a study scheduled for completion in August 2010.
Caribbean Professional Services Overview
I am now going to spend a brief moment outlining Canada’s framework for market access for our legal services,
accountants, architects and engineers as these seem to be priority areas of export interest.
1
Excerpts of Presentation made by OTN’s Private Sector Liaison, Mr. Lincoln Price at the 5th Annual Private Sector Meeting/Dinner with CARICOM
Ministers of Trade and Ministers of Finance, June 12th 2010 at Rex Resorts, Grenada
OTNBARBADOSOFFICE
1
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Floor, SpeedbirdHouse,Bridgetown BB11121,
BARBADOS
Tel:(246)430‐1670 Fax:(246)228‐9528
Email:barbados.office@crnm.org
OTNJAMAICAOFFICE
2
ND
Floor,PCJBuilding,Kingston5,
JAMAICA
Tel:(876)908‐4242 Fax:(876)754‐2998
Email:jamaica.office@crnm.org
Ref: 31000. 6-2010-10-03
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CARICOM-Canada Trade and Development Agreement
Legal Services
Legal services in Canada are provided by lawyers, notaries (in Quebec), and foreign legal consultants. In December
2005, the 11 provincial and 3 territorial law societies of Canada had approximately 98,000 member lawyers and
notaries.
To practice law in Canada requirements include admission to one of the law societies, each setting its own rules,
ethical standards and codes of practice. In the province of Alberta, members of a law society are required to be
permanent residents in Canada. Lawyers from different provinces and territories may exercise mobility across
provinces provided they meet the requirements of the legal profession’s National Mobility Agreement or the Territorial
Mobility Agreement. The National Mobility Agreement sets common principles to govern the temporary and
permanent (transfer) mobility of lawyers among common law provinces (Quebec is the only non-common-law
province).
Internationally trained individuals may have their legal credentials evaluated by the National Committee on
Accreditation, a standing committee of the Federation of Law Societies of Canada (FLSC, or by the equivalent
accreditation body of Quebec, for admission to one of the Canadian law societies. The Committee also evaluates
qualifications from Quebec for the purpose of entry into the bars of the common law provinces. Foreign lawyers may
be licensed as foreign legal consultants to provide legal advice only on the law they are permitted to practise in their
home jurisdiction.
Accounting Services
There are three main professional accountancy titles in Canada: Chartered Accountant (CA), Certified Management
Accountant (CMA), and Certified General Accountant (CGA). At end 2005, there were some 72,000 CAs, 37,000
CMAs, and 42,000 CGAs. Each title is regulated and protected by provincial legislation under a provincial body, and is
represented at the national level by its respective national professional body. To provide accountancy services as a
CA, CMA or CGA, it is necessary to be a member of, or licensed by, one of the registered professional bodies in the
province where the practice is to take place.
A mutual recognition agreement (MRA) of CA qualifications was signed in 2002 by the accounting professions of
Canada, Mexico, and United States. The three Governments issued a statement encouraging their respective
competent authorities to implement the agreement in a manner consistent with NAFTA. Additional MRAs for CA
qualifications have been signed by Canada Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA) with professional accounting
bodies in England and Wales; Scotland; Ireland; South Africa; New Zealand; Australia; Hong Kong, China;
Belgium; France; Mexico; and the United States. CMA Canada has established MRAs with two professional
accounting associations in the United Kingdom.2 In December 2006, CGA-Canada signed a global MRA with the
international accountancy body, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). CGA-Canada has also
signed Memoranda of Understanding with several professional accountancy bodies world-wide.
Architectural and Engineering Services
The professions of architect and engineer are individually regulated at the provincial/territorial level and a licence is
required for the provision of either service. Licences are issued by the respective provincial association of architects
and engineers, whose requirements vary between provinces/territories. A licence is valid only for that specific
2
The two U.K. professional accounting associations are: the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and the
Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy.
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CARICOM-Canada Trade and Development Agreement
jurisdiction. However, in the engineering profession, a mobility agreement among provinces/territories, called the
Inter-Association Mobility Agreement, allows engineers licensed in one jurisdiction in Canada to obtain a full licence in
another jurisdiction.
Foreign architects wishing to obtain a licence must have their academic qualifications certified by the accrediting
body, the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB). Foreign architects may also apply for a temporary
licence to practice in collaboration with a registered architect of the given province. Licences are for one specific
project and must be renewed after one year. There are no residency requirements to obtain an architectural licence.
Foreign engineers wishing to obtain a licence must have their academic and experience qualifications assessed by
the relevant provincial engineering association. Temporary licences are not linked to a specific project, but are for
one-year and renewable, except in Quebec where the temporary licence is project-specific. To practice under a
permanent licence, citizenship or permanent residency is required in Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick,
Ontario, and Saskatchewan.
Several mutual recognition agreements (MRAs), signed by the different regulatory bodies cover the architecture and
engineering professions. An agreement under NAFTA exists for engineers. The Canadian Council for Professional
Engineers has also negotiated MRAs with professional engineering bodies in France (La Commission des Titres
d'Ingénieur) and Hong Kong, China (Hong Kong Institute of Engineers).
For architects, a Canada-United States Inter-recognition Agreement signed between the Committee of Canadian
Architectural Councils (CCAC) and the U.S. National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) grants
reciprocity to 55 jurisdictions in the United States and 11 jurisdictions in Canada. In October 2005, the CCAC also
signed a Tri-National Mutual Recognition Agreement for International Practice with the United States and Mexico,
which provides for the recognition of credentials between the three countries. On this note, we are pleased that we
have obtained some funding for assistance with negotiating MRAs for the Architects and engineers under the EPA.
Hence, our capacity for negotiating MRAs will be improved, enhancing our prospects of negotiating MRAs with
Canada in the future.
CARICOM Positions on Exports of Professional Services to Canada
Now let me spend a few moments on CARICOM’s position on exports of professional services to Canada within the
framework of a CARICOM-Canada Trade and Development Agreement.
CARICOM has examined Canada’s commitments and planned commitments/offers in the World Trade Organisation
and determined that these should set the floor for Canada’s market opening to CARICOM in the context of a bilateral
agreement. In addition, CARICOM has noted that Canada’s bilateral agreements are significantly more liberal, and
include for example a general obligation to disallow any requirement for commercial presence or residency as a
condition for cross-border services supply of a service, although reservations could be made. In addition, Canada’s
bilateral also encourage MRA negotiation and include guidelines for the negotiation of MRAs based on the NAFTA
model. MRAs sets out, among other things, accreditation, licensing and registration; eligibility for registration/licensure
in the export market; as well as information exchange, and; dispute resolution.
Although Canada’s proposed text provides that commitments in the agreement would apply at the sub-national level,
CARICOM Member States recognise that the federal nature of Canada provides specific challenges for effective
market access in Canada and reviewed a recent study commissioned by the OTN on Regulatory Regimes at the
Provincial Level that Limit Effective Market Access for Services in Canada. The study covers accounting, auditing,
bookkeeping, architecture, engineering, management consulting, tour operators and travel agency services, and
entertainment services. Member States have noted that signature of an FTA by the federal government of Canada
does not necessarily bind provinces and that some provinces and sectors are more open than others. The member
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CARICOM-Canada Trade and Development Agreement
states have further noted the possible need to focus on specific sectors and specific Canadian provinces in identifying
trade prospects under the agreement.
The Member States identified several provincial restrictions on market access and national treatment identified in the
study that could be the subject of CARICOM requests to Canada. These include:
1. removal of residency, citizenship requirements, and joint venture requirements;
2. introduction of temporary licensing for CARICOM architects in those provinces that do not have
such a system;
3. recognition of CARICOM services suppliers certified in one Canadian province in other Canadian
provinces;
4. exemption from examination fees for engineers;
5. acceptance of CARICOM work experience to meet accreditation requirements as done for engineers
in British Columbia; and
6. market access and national treatment for technicians, as done in the Canada-Peru FTA.
The Member States have noted that other requests could be made in the context of development cooperation; such
as,
• waivers for professional registration and license fees;
• licensing of CARICOM professionals for work on specific projects in partnership with Canada as done
for Architects in Alberta;
• facilitation of business-to-business matching where joint venture requirements are maintained by
Canada; and
• facilitation of increased contact with Canadian counterpart bodies.
The Member States have proposed that Mutual Recognition Agreements could be useful in facilitating services
exports from the Caribbean to Canada and that the eventual CARICOM-Canada agreement should include more
detailed provisions relating to such MRAs than was included in the EPA. Member States have stressed that
CARICOM should seek commitments from Canada at all levels of Government, particularly since such challenges did
not arise for Canadian service providers seeking to trade in the Caribbean. CARICOM service providers could also be
effectively disadvantaged in the Canadian market because of the cost and time associated with the approval process
in the Canadian provinces for the provision of services by CARICOM service providers.
Furthermore, The Member States have noted that most CARICOM nationals require a visa to travel to Canada and
that the requirement acts as an impediment to CARICOM services providers supplying services in Canada via the
temporary movement of natural persons. The Member States are proposing to seek cooperation on visa and
immigration issues to the extent feasible, while recognizing that traditionally immigration matters are outside the scope
of trade agreements.
Development
In discussing the area of development as it relates to services, The Member States have noted that the approach
taken by Canada in its previous FTAs, was either very limited or very broad, which erects various challenges for
project implementation flowing from the provisions of the agreement. The member states also consider the previous
statements from Canada in the context of the preliminary interchanges which were not supportive of the development
approach favoured by CARICOM. It is proposed that gap analysis be conducted to ensure that there is no overlap
between specific proposals to be made by CARICOM and development-related actions that were either already
contemplated or being implemented by CIDA or any other Canadian donor vehicle. Member States also reiterate the
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CARICOM-Canada Trade and Development Agreement
importance they placed in the regional strategic plans to be developed further to the July 2009 Regional Symposium
on Services and on the need to link regional and national projects.
Conclusion
In closing, external trade negotiations play a key role in attempting to reduce the transaction costs of doing business
internationally for our lawyers, accountants, nurses, software developers, teachers and other professional service
suppliers, and it is important that the end users of these agreements continue to inform the negotiations, or begin to
participate.
In the area of professional services, national services coalitions are at differing levels of operation. As such, the
approach to professional services in these negotiations are in need of a central interlocutor, and it is hoped that the
CAIC will seek to play this coordinating role in the same way that it does, and has been recognised by COTED for the
merchandise sector. For example, one starting point is the indication of the specific professional services market
access interests of member states. This is a basic input that member states are having some difficulty articulating to
date, and may signal the need for private sector involvement.
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