The World Trade Organization (WTO) has commenced a regional trade policy course in Trinidad and Tobago. The course is designed to address trade policy issues pertinent to the Caribbean region, aligning them with WTO agreements.
In a video message at the opening session, WTO Deputy Director-General Xiangchen Zhang emphasized the importance of equipping participants with the necessary knowledge and tools. "The goal is to equip the participants with the knowledge and tools to effectively advocate for their government's positions in WTO negotiations, regional discussions, and engagements with other trading partners. The course will also help strengthen your government's ability to meet WTO obligations and seize new opportunities within the global trading system," said DDG Zhang.
Participants will be guided by WTO experts, regional specialists, and an academic team from UWI as they delve into various trade-related topics. These include trade facilitation, agriculture, trade in services, digital trade, small and medium-sized enterprises, and other development issues.
The program aims not only to deepen understanding of WTO rules but also to explore strategies for enhancing resilience against natural disasters. Randal Karim, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Trade and Industry of Trinidad and Tobago, spoke on behalf of Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon at the opening ceremony. He noted that "in the Caribbean, we are acutely aware of the challenges that result from being small island states in the global system."
Karim highlighted challenges such as vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters which require resilience, innovation, and strategic trade policies. "To maximise our potential requires a deep understanding of the global dynamics and effective engagement at the multilateral level," he added.