Current Projects

Project: Technical assistance to private sector representatives in the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)
Agency/Counterpart: Antigua and Barbuda Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Dominica Association of Industry and Commerce, Grenada Chamber of Industry and Commerce, St. Kitts and Nevis Chamber of Commerce, St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Chamber of Industry and Commerce

Overview

Between June 2003 and August 2005, USAID employed its C-TRADECOM project in support of several technical assistance initiatives in the OECS. In addition to supporting direct national level programming in several OECS countries, C-TRADECOM has ensured participation by the smaller economies in USAID supported regional initiatives.

C-TRADECOM programming areas in which OECS countries have participated include:

•  Public and private sector institutional development and training;

•  Standards programming and removal of technical barriers to trade;

•  Civil society outreach and public - private sector dialogue and networking; and

•  Marketing and export development.

C-TRADECOM national level projects in the OECS have included:

•  Investment climate diagnostic assessments and investment “road map”/ business guide development in Antigua/Barbuda and Dominica;

•  Investment promotion and management website development in Antigua/Barbuda, St. Lucia, Dominica and Grenada;

•  Private sector participation in and preparation for FTAA negotiations; and,

•  Extensive Hurricane Ivan recovery efforts in Grenada.

USAID has supported several initiatives to develop effective private sector discussion and communications platforms. Considerable attention has been given to regional expansion of the USAID sponsored, Jamaica-based “Briefing Room” project, which provides a multi-faceted forum for private sector information dissemination and discussion. Feedback from business managers and private sector organizations in the smaller countries suggested that private sector initiatives in the OECS would be most effectively implemented using strategies based on clear understanding of the uniqueness of small economy circumstances and requirements. In response, USAID devoted much of the remaining C-TRADECOM resources to development of a forum to facilitate effective participation by the private sector in the smaller countries in the region in current and future trade and competitiveness related programming.

The objectives of a “Smaller Economies Private Sector Forum” included:

•  Analysis, discussion and education on issues relevant to more competitive business activity in smaller economies , including promotion opportunities for marketing, horizontal/vertical business integration, etc;

•  Facilitate trade liberalization progress, including FTAA and CSME;

•  Advocate/support improved legal, regulatory and policy environment;

•  Ensure effective representation of the interests of small economy-based private businesses in regional private sector organizations;

•  Enable businesses in smaller economies to “level the playing field” with larger economies;

•  “Harvest” the benefits of C-TRADECOM and other development programs in the interest of business in small economies; and,

•  Provide reliable guidance to USAID and other development agencies regarding design and management of development initiatives.

Proposed Technical Assistance, Level of Effort and Timeframe for Project Implementation

C-TRADECOM managers advanced the development of the “Smaller Economies Private Sector Forum” during June, July and August 2005. Activities included:

•  Project conceptualization;

•  Identification and recruitment of appropriate participants from select countries;

•  Sponsorship of two meetings of participants (July 6, 2005 in Antigua and July 20, 2005 in Barbados);

•  Facilitate discussion consensus among participants on behalf of project objectives;

•  Develop and implement a website to facilitate communications among participating countries (www.oecsbusiness.org); and,

•  Facilitate development of a one-year operating plan for evolution of the “Forum”.

Delivery of IT Equipment

Each of the six participating Chambers in the OECS have received the following equipment from C-TRADECOM to facilitate operations:

• Multi-media projector
• Teleconferencing facilities (teleconference phone and related adapters)
• Laptop computer with Microsoft Office software and licenses