The project was recently launched in St. Lucia.

The project was launched during a trade facilitation workshop and was collaboration between the OECS and the United Nations’ Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) through its multi-donor trust fund.

A communiqué from the OECS Secretariat stated that the goal of the project was to facilitate a future treaty with the World Trade Organisation (WTO), simplify and harmonize trade rules within the OECS, boost proficiency in business meets and shrink trading delays, while studying tariff payment alternatives, data accessing and socio-economic and political coop and aid among clients and with other partners.

Organisers noted that trade facilitation negotiations at the WTO level was one area in which OECS member states stood to benefit significantly, as reform could result in increased efficiency by reducing delays in the clearance of goods which could also be more cost effective for consumers.

The workshop participants, including trade and customs officials, reviewed the state of WTO negotiations on trade facilitation and discussed the project tools, outputs and stakeholder involvement. The workshop also sought to identify OECS interests and concerns, in the context of the establishment of the OECS Economic Union and identify regional approaches to implementation.