ORGANISATION OF EASTERN CARIBBEAN STATES

Business Facilitation &

Development In The OECS

Presented at: OECS/Chamber

Encounter, 2nd April 2013

OECS Secretariat & Business development

OECS/Export Development a Unit of the OECS Secretariat is

mandated to promote private sector development by increase

exports from the OECS region through the enhancement of the

competitiveness of OECS Products and Services in the domestic,

regional and international markets

EDU/CBU to promote private sector

development

TPU to assist officials to develop and

implement policy to facilitate trade

EPU to facilitate the development and

implementation of sector and development

policies

CBU/EDU’s Mission

• To improve enterprise level competitiveness by

providing direct support to individual enterprises,

• To provide OECS firms with information on the

regional & international trading environment,

• To provide assistance and support to current &

potential OECS exporters in the preparation and

implementation of business and marketing plans

Business Development Work Programme

• Support to Trade Development & Competitiveness

• Management Enhancement

• Sector Capacity Building

• Development of Goods & Services

Rum Buyers Mission - St. Lucia 2010

• Marketing Support

• Private Sector Expansion Facilitation

Business Development Work Programme

Expo Caguas, Puerto Rico - 2009

Business Opportunities

Natural Resources

–Pumice,

–water,

–geothermal energy

Business Opportunities

Resource-based investments developed on

multi-domestic/allocation principles

e.g. Renewable Energy (geothermal) potential in

Nevis, Dominica to supply other OECS islands

and beyond.

Business Opportunities

Agricultural Sector

–Export of fresh produce regionally

OECS are services economies

Business Opportunities

Legal

Finance and Accounting

Management Consulting

Health and Wellness

Education Services (esp. Medical Education)

Film and Entertainment/Creative Industries

Engineering-related

ICT

Construction

Cultural

Tourism and Travel-related

Sector Capabilities

– Eco-tourism

– Medical transcription

– Business process operations

– Health and wellness – recuperative spas and

centres

– Education

Health and Wellness Tourism

– Several private medical clinics/medical

centres

– Off-shore medical schools

– Growth in spa centres and services

development guided by OECS & CARICOM

CARICOM Imperatives

Business/trade Policies, Plans and Strategies are also determined by:

• CARICOM Treaty

• CARICOM Organs e.g. Council for Trade and Economic Development

Trade Negotiations also important

Priority Issues in Negotiations

• Market access for goods and services

• Trade related issues e.g. intellectual

property, trade remedies

• Development support

Future for Private Sector Development

• Develop a new business model in the OECS to encompass Joint

Marketing, Procurement, Production, Shipping and Logistics.

• Develop centers of excellence in the OECS to rationalize the use

of scarce resources.

• Regional Shipping Network Programme to provide freight

consolidation and logistics.

• New enterprises development – tourism related business

development support to strengthen inter-sectoral linkages and

Investment Promotion.

THANK YOU