Job Opportunities
Please see the following job vacancies: Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago Association of Caribbean States
SRC stands in solidarity with The Bahamas
The SRC stands in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in our Caribbean Community (CARICOM) sister country of The Bahamas. The Bahamas is currently being affected by Hurricane Dorian, the second most powerful Atlantic hurricane on record, which has hit the northern part of the archipelagic State as a Category Five hurricane. Caribbean countries are no strangers to these increasingly destructive forces of nature. In 2017, Hurricanes Irma and Maria caused significant damage, and in some cases loss of life, in several Caribbean countries and territories, most notably The Commonwealth of Dominica, the US territory of Puerto Rico and the island of Barbuda (part of Antigua & Barbuda). As ocean temperatures continue to rise due to climate change, scientists predict that more frequent and deadlier storms will become the norm. We must find trade-related responses to these climatic disasters that will only serve to further disadvantage small island states’ participation in the global economy We keep our Bahamian brothers and sisters in our prayers. #prayfortheBahamas
SRC Deputy Director convenes WTO Reform Symposium on Afronomics Blog
Deputy Director of the SRC, Dr. Jan Yves Remy, has this week convened a Symposium on “WTO Reforms: Views from the Global South” on the Afronomicslaw Blog. The Symposium will feature contributions by Dr. Remy and the following other WTO law experts: Justice David Unterhalter (Former Appellate Body Member – and current High Court Judge of the Gauteng Division, South Africa Professor Makane Moïse Mbengue – (Professor of International Law at the Faculty of Law of the University of Geneva Dr. James J Nedumpara – Executive Director at Centre for International Trade and Economic Laws (CITEL); Jindal Global Law School; and The Introduction to the Symposium on WTO Reform – Views from the Global South by Dr. Remy is now live on the Afronomics blog. The SRC thanks the Afronomics Blog, which is one of our partners, for the opportunity to convene this important symposium.
Cement Saga Confirms Importance of CCJ to CARICOM
Dr. Jan Yves Remy and Alicia Nicholls$*This year, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) delivered two substantive rulings in a dispute aptly dubbed by the media as the ‘cement saga’, a reference to a long-running spat involving regional competitors in the cement business: Rock Hard Distribution Limited, and its subsidiary Rock Hard Cement Ltd (RHCL), on the one hand; and Trinidad Cement Limited (TCL) and its subsidiary Arawak Cement Company Ltd (ACCL) on the other. The dispute would result in five CCJ rulings and several orders.
In its first substantive ruling, issued in April, the Court decided on the applicable rate of duty to be paid on Rock Hard cement imported from outside th…
Diplomatic Academy of the Caribbean releases fifth anniversary commemorative e-booklet
The Diplomatic Academy of the Caribbean, the first of its kind in the region, has released a commemorative e-booklet on the occasion of its fifth anniversary of establishment. The Academy, which was established in 2014, is the result of a cooperative arrangement between the Government of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago, via its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and The University of the West Indies through its Institute of International Relations. The Trinidad-based institution seeks to provide learning and training to a cross-section of target groups and beneficiaries involved in international cooperation negotiations and transactions within the CARICOM region and beyond. The book is entitled Re-inventing Diplomatic Education: The DAOC’s Story so far, its Future-focused Agenda, and the Issues that Inform its Role. Please click here to download an e-copy.
ECLAC Releases FDI in LAC Report 2019
The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) has released the 2019 edition of its flagship Foreign Direct Investment in Latin America and the Caribbean Report. The report notes that “in contrast to the global trend, flows of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to Latin America and the Caribbean increased by 13.2% in 2018 versus 2017, totaling $184.287 billion dollars and putting an end to five years of declines”. It further states that “in the Caribbean, inflows shrank by 11.4% due to lower investment in the Dominican Republic ($2.535 billion dollars, -29%), which is the main receiver in that subregion.” Read the full report here.
OPPORTUNITY: Local Manager Consultant for the ProFuturo
Local Manager Consultant for the ProFuturo Educational Programme in [BARBADOS] Type of contract: Results-based – Part time consultancy Organisational Unit: Department of Human Development, Education & Employment Estimated Start Date: September 1st, 2019 Estimated End Date: December 31st, 2019, Deadline for Application: August 18, 2019 ProFuturo Educational Programme in the Caribbean is a joint initiative of the OAS and ProFuturo Foundation to provide access to digital education for children and youth from the most disadvantaged areas in the Caribbean. Focusing on the acquisition of skills through technology, this programme contributes to creating equal opportunities for children in the region. The consultant will provide local operational and monitoring support to the Operations Coordinator of the programme. For further details on the posting and qualifications desired, please consult this document.
New SRC Video Series ‘Talking Trade: The Caribbean at the WTO’
The Shridath Ramphal Centre for International Trade Law, Policy & Services of The University of the West Indies (UWI), in partnership with UWITV, is pleased to share our exciting new video interview series entitled “Talking Trade: The Caribbean at the WTO”. The three-part series is co-hosted by SRC Deputy Director, Dr. Jan Yves Remy and Jeanelle Clarke, graduate of the SRC’s Masters in International Trade Policy (MITP) programme and a 2018 WTO Young Professional in the Information and External Relations division. Neil Paul, SRC Director, is also one of the interviewers. The series features interviews with key WTO experts and Geneva-based Caribbean trade professionals on the hot-button discussions and negotiations taking place at the WTO, bringing a unique Caribbean perspective. Interviewees include Ambassador Chad Blackman, Permanent Representative of Barbados to the United Nations and the WTO; Emmanuelle Ganne, Counsellor, WTO; Michael Roberts, Aid for Trade Coordinator, WTO and Stephen Fevrier, Head of Mission and Charge d’Affaires of the OECS Permanent Delegation in Geneva. To watch the series, please go to our Video Gallery.
Exports of essential oils from the Caribbean to Europe are increasing due to the boom in natural cosmetics
According to a recent article posted by the Caribbean Export Development Agency, there is a growing market for Caribbean essential oils in Europe. The article notes that”in the past year, exports of essential oils from CARICOM to the EU have grown by 33%”. The article further explains that “in 2018, Caribbean countries (CARICOM) exported essential oils valued at over 32 million euros to the EU,which represents 8% of all imports to the region”. Read the full article here.
WIPO Internship and Fellowship Opportunities
The World Intellectual Property Organization has a number of internship opportunities available for undergraduates and graduates, as well as fellowship opportunities for young professionals. WIPO internships and fellowships are available year-round and are open to persons from across the world, including the Caribbean. Please see the below documentation which outlines the details of each programme: WIPO Internships WIPO Junior Professional Officer WIPO Fellowships For further information, please visit WIPO’s website.