SVG TO HOST CARIFORUM CONSULTATIONS FOR         PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND KEY SERVICE SUPPLIERS

SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES, September 9, 2019 – The commitments undertaken by the EU under the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) represents a potentially wide market for CARIFORUM services suppliers.  The CARIFORUM Directorate, in embarking upon initiatives in accordance with its work programme for 2019-2020 to enhance awareness and knowledge of the market access opportunities available to regional services suppliers under the EPA, is seeking to address the dearth in capacity in CARIFORUM States through the organisation of in-country consultations.  St. Vincent and the Grenadines as Chair of CARIFORM-EU will host a series of consultations over a 4-day period from the 10^th to 13^th September, 2019 at the Beachcombers Hotel Conference Room.The consultations in St. Vincent and the Grenadines will cover the following:· 10^th September, 2019 – Second CARIFORUM-EU Meeting on Trade in Services (resumption);· 11^th -12^th September, 2019 – Second CARIFORUM Meeting on the Development of a Mutual Recognition Agreement for Architectural Services; and· 13^th September, 2019 – Services Seminar Converting Market Access into Market presence under the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement.– 2 –The objectives of the consultations are to sensitize public officials and key services suppliers on the opportunities available under the services and investment provisions of the EPA while addressing the challenges and proposed approaches to them.The targeting of private officials stems from the need to build capacity amongst the stakeholders. With their enhanced capacity, the stakeholders in turn would be better equipped to engage in discussions on the critical issues impacting on the services sector and leverage the benefits available under the Agreement. The consultation on Friday will therefore examine the market access opportunities for CARIFORUM businesses looking to enter the European Union market.