HISTORICALLY, THE business community has approached issues related to trade liberalisation and negotiations with much apathy. The producers of goods have constantly adopted a defensive approach while service suppliers have exhibited a very nonchalant attitude to trade issues.
However, in recent times a number of events have acted as a catalyst for a more proactive response from the private sector on trade negotiations. These include the last Business Forum in Quito, Ecuador, and the fast approaching deadlines of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). In October 2002 United States Agency for International Develop-ment (USAID) sponsorship facilitated the participation of over 90 Caribbean delegates at the Business Forum of the Americas. This was the first time that the Caribbean had such significant representation or involvement at any meeting related to hemispheric trade relations and the FTAA specifically.
The delegates had an opportunity to witness the high level of representation from the Latin Americans, the Americans and Canadians who all presented positions and were vociferous in pressing for their demands. The Jamaican delegates like their Caribbean counterparts realised that it was not business as usual. Coupled with this, the private sector is currently grappling with the imminent deadline for the completion of the FTAA scheduled for December 2004.
These two factors have generated increased private sector interest and involvement in both the hemispheric and multilateral trade negotiations. To better prepare for free trade the business community has been building strategic alliances with government negotiators both in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery.
The private sector perceives this alliance as critical as governments do not trade but must negotiate favourable market access for businesses. To this end, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade is represented on the Trade Policy Committee of the PSOJ and the dialogue and consultative process has improved tremendously.
BUSINESS ADVOCACY
Business associations in small developing countries with a significant number of small and medium -sized operations and service providers have an important role to play in business advocacy within the negotiating arena. In this regard the PSOJ has been assisting companies to transform tariff concessions into market access opportunities through information, consultation and dialogue. The association will continue to guide companies in making prudent requests and offers during the negotiations. It is important to note that Jamaica is currently negotiating simultaneously in three theatres. These are the FTAA, the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the Economic Partnership Arrange-ment (EPA) under the Cotonou Agreement. In this regard, the PSOJ has been collaborating with the negotiators in the delivery of a range of sector-specific trade sessions to assist the business community to make the link between business expansion and the complex issues that are involved in trade negotiations. The sessions examine the status of negotiations, the regulatory regime that govern service providers in local and other jurisdiction, the direct impact of the liberalisation schedules and outline areas for market access requests. Sessions have been convened with the life and general insurance industry and the housing financiers sector. The schedule will continue with the members of the Jamaica Bankers Association and other service groupings. The FTAA deadlines are fast approaching and requests for improvement of offers are due to be submitted by June 15, 2003. Therefore each sector will need to examine the offers that have been tabled and present their position through this consultative process.
BUSINESS FORUM OF THE AMERICAS
The PSOJ will co-ordinate the participation of local business persons in the eighth and final Business Forum of the Americas scheduled for November 18-20, 2003 in Miami. The Association will ensure that business position on issues within the 12 negotiating groups are carefully examined and submitted both at the level of the technical working groups and at the Forum in Miami. The associations will continue to encourage members to participate in negotiating fora, establish networks with businesses worldwide and to support Government negotiators who will enunciate the sector's positions. Through collaboration with the Caribbean Association of Industry of Commerce (CAIC) the PSOJ will continue to participate in efforts to develop a mechanism for a co-ordinated approach to the CARICOM private sector participation in international trade negotiations.
The PSOJ has assumed the role of Lead Co-Chair for Dumping and Subsidies, Competition Policy, Smaller Economies and Dispute Settlement. As we continue on this path we realise that business advocacy within trade negotiations is vital. We therefore implore the business community to assist in strengthening the capacity of business associations like the PSOJ to better serve the trade policy needs of the private sector.
This article was contributed by the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica.
