SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION AND CLOSURE OF THE BULK OF THE TCII-FUNDED PROGRAMMES UNDER THE PROGRAMME ESTIMATE 2
Posted on: November 03, 2020
The closing phase of the Programme Estimate 2 (PE2) provides an opportunity to give an update on the status of the TradeCom II Programme.
TCII’s SUCCESSFUL RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Covid -19 is causing an unprecedent situation at a global level bout mainly in Europe and the targeteed beneficiary countries of the TradeCom II Programme interventions in Africa, Caribbean and the Pacific. On the European side, the Covid-19 pandemic triggered a full-scale responses by the respective Governments that included strict lockdowns, border closures, and overall travel restrictiones. Because of these measures, especially those implemented by teh Belgim Government, the daily activities of the TradeCom II Programme Management Unit were impaceted as all staff were required to work from home from mid-March 2020. The PMU team successfully managed the sustan the implementation of the support programmes and projects under the Programme Estimate 2 (PE2), the Rapid Response Facility (RRF) and the grant component.
The Covid-19 pandemic has significant impact on the implementation of the four PE2 support programmes that are under implementation, the many RRF support projects under implementation, and all the seven actions under the grant contracts and contribution agreements. For the PE2 and RRF support programmes and projects the impact has been in terms of changing the modalities of the delivery of the services from active field activities to remote support. To that end, TCII PMU has also taken several measures to redress the pandemic that includes reassuring the beneficiaries and the companies involved in the programmes’ field activities that the agreed and postulated support would be forthcoming in full but with an adapted modalities for the the implementation of the inherent actions. The full support received from the beneficiaries enabled the PMU team and the contcators to move forward with the adjusted delivery modalities. The outcome is that the implementation of the support programes and projects under the PE2 and RRF are progressing very well.
As for the actions under the five grant contracts and two contribution agreements, these have been impacted in terms of suspension of all or part of the activities for two to six months from April 2020. Presently most of the grantees have been able to resume the implementtaion of the key activities after two months of suspension. It is also forseen that these actions will be fully implemented within the stipulated timelines, and, therefore, contribute to the successful delivery of the support to the beneficiaries in the African, Caribbean and Pacific states.
SUPPORT PRORAMMES UNDER THE PE2
Since operations commenced in May 2018, the TradeCom II Programme has funded 16 support programmes under PE2 across five pillars of operations, namely, (a) Trade Policy and Regulation; (b) EPAs, regional and WTO Trade Agendas; (c) Market access and Standards; (d) Competitiveness and Investment.
In terms of project cycle, out of the 16 support programmes, twelve (12) are closed or under closure, and four (04) are under implementation.
The 16 programmes are a result of the bundling of 45 project requests that were part of the 258 projects’ requests received from beneficiaries and validated internally by the PMU.
Despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic during the closing period of the PE2, the TC2 Programme Management Unit regularly carried out all the duties related to the support programmes and overall programmes’ results warrant the strong commendation of all the partners mainly beneficiaries, consulting firms, the ACP Secretariat, DEVCO and EU Delegations involved in the Programmes’ design and implementation
Trade Policy and Regulation
GUINEA
SUPPORT TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF INSTITUTIONAL AND TECHNICAL CAPACITIES IN TERMS OF FORMULATION, IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING OF GUINEA’S TRADE POLICIES
January 2018 – April 2019
This programme was generated from five requests and aimed at:
· Better access to international agricultural and industrial production markets;
· Strengthening of the capacities of the services of the Ministry of Commerce for better management of trade policies;
· Enhancing capacity building of private sector actors, in particular women, and consumers for optimizing business opportunities.
Key programme results are the following:
1 Strategies developed for strengthening export support services.
· National export promotion strategy;
· Sectoral strategy for promotion of cashews;
· Sectoral strategy for promotion of fonio;
· Export manual;
· Institutional and technical capacities of AGUIPEX (Guinean Export Promotion Agency) agents strengthened;
· National workshop to validate and share export promotion strategies for Guinean products.
2 Strengthened capacities of actors in the negotiation and monitoring of trade agreements.
· Training modules on international trade negotiations;
· Training workshop on business negotiations;
· Action plan for monitoring, analysis and evaluation of the negotiation process.
3 Operational management tools created for non-state commercial actors.
· Manual on accounting and management procedures for SMEs / SMIs;
· Manual on the professionalization of informal trade activities carried out by women;
· Consumer protection manual on unfair commercial practices and products dangerous to health;
· Training and results sharing workshop.
VANUATU
Targeted Support for the 2017 Update of the Vanuatu Trade Policy Framework (TPFU2017).
June 2018-March 2019
By supporting the update TPFU 2017 through the provision of experts and adequate visibility, this support programme provided a crucial contribution towards the strengthening of the EU’s Sectoral Policy for Vanuatu. More generally, by keeping up the momentum of the Vanuatu’s TMP, the programme will play a pivotal role in driving progressive policy reforms, ensuring increased inflows of Aid-for-Trade, and ultimately enhancing the role of trade as the key engine of sustainable development in Vanuatu.
At the end of the programme, the “policy pillar” of the Vanuatu’s Trade Mainstreaming Program (TMP) is strengthened, in particular:
· Six chapters of the Vanuatu Trade Mainstreaming Programme prepared and submitted:
Chapter 2 - The macroeconomic environment;
Chapter 3 - Trade composition and trends;
Chapter 4 - External trade policies and trade agreements;
Chapter 6 - Trade Facilitation and related infrastructure;
Chapter 11 – Agriculture;
Chapter 12 - Agro-processing and manufacturing.
· Implementation Matrix/Roadmap for the selected 6 chapters of the Trade Policy Framework.
GABON
STRENGTHENING GABON’S TRADE CAPACITIES
February 2019 – January 2020
Gabon is a country well on the track of a development based on three thrusts: Green Gabon, Industrial Gabon and Services Gabon. The challenge now facing Gabon is precisely to emerge from its heavy dependence on oil and other raw materials, by changing its economic structure towards high value-added industries.
The areas of intervention considered in this TradeCom II initiative was four:
· The first component will update the Commercial Code of Gabon taking into account the existing texts and integrating new regulations and draft a document containing concrete proposals for the establishment of a body devoted to trade administration.
· Under the second component, a Trade Policy Paper for Gabon will be prepared.
· The third component focuses on capacity building in trade statistics through the establishment of a statistical unit is set up within the Directorate General of Trade.
· The design of strategies for the promotion of foreign trade and investment will be the objective of the fourth component of the Programme.
1 The Gabonese trade legislation drawn up and a body dedicated to trade governing set up.
· Audit of the legal framework for trade activities;
· Proposal of new legal texts (unregulated or poorly regulated areas);
· Harmonization of texts (old / new) in a Legislation Framework;
· Audit of legal texts on the status of civil servants;
· Proposal of legal texts establishing the Governing Council;
· ENA / EPCA Trade discipline (access, training, status (s) and caree (s)) created.
2 Trade policy document for Gabon prepared.
· Diagnosis of constraints to trade development;
· Strategy to articulate trade policy to the PSGE;
· Proposal for an import policy (incentives / protection).
3 Reinforced capacities in terms of trade statistics and establishment of a statistical unit within the General Directorate of Commerce.
· Indices and analysis of foreign trade statistics;
· System for streamlining procedures;
· System for collecting and compiling trade statistics;
· Data collection missions (non-computerized customs offices);
· Continuing education sessions for officials of the concerned administrations;
· 4 training workshops held.
4 Development of foreign trade and investment promotion strategies.
· Investment promotion strategy
· Export promotion strategy
· Grants for Sectoral project (Agro-industry and tourism)
· Training on the implementation of the PPP policy
· Technical training to promote investments and exports
EPAs, regional and WTO Trade Agendas
IVORY COAST
IMPROVING MARKET ACCESS AND TRADE FACILITATION CONDITIONS IN IVORY COAST
February 2019-February 2020
This programme was the results of the bundle of three requests and designed with the Ministry of Trade with the aim to:
· Implement the National Export Strategy;
· Implement and optimize the measures foreseen in the Trade Barriers Alert Mechanism.
Two results were achieved through a number of activities, namely:
1 National Export Strategy developed.
· Studies on five the export potential to the (05) target markets (Brazil, India, South Africa, Nigeria and China);
· Feasibility study of an Export Credit Insurance mechanism;
· Training workshop for members of the National Trade Information Network (RNIC);
· RNIC promotion workshop with Trade Support Institutions (TSIs).
2 Trade Barriers Alert Mechanism (MAOC) operational and implemented.
· Framework for effectively addressing trade barriers developed;
· Two training workshops for members of the National Committee to Monitor Trade Obstacles (CNSOC);
· Two workshops promoting the MAOC to beneficiaries;
· Restitution workshop on the results of the studies.
UEMOA
UEMOA (WAEMU) TRADE CAPACITY BUILDING
July 2019-October 2020
This programme was designed with a number of objectives:
· Provide the Commission with a regional strategy for the development of specific trade between the Hinterland countries and the coastal countries;
· Establish a strategy of coordination and cooperation of the various structures responsible for the management of the borders of the Member States, with a view to reducing the time, numbers and duration of checks on persons, goods imported, exported or in transit;
· Capacity building of Commission officials on rules of origin in trade agreements;
· Support the process of developing national legislation and an institutional framework on competition for Niger and for Guinea Bissau;
· Carry out an inventory and train the trade officials in the management of trade defense measures.
At the end of the activities implemented under this programme the results achieved are:
1 Strategy drawn up for the development of trade in goods between Hinterland and coastal countries within the WAEMU member states.
· A regional strategy for the development of specific trade between the Hinterland countries and the coastal countries.
2 Study prepared on the strategy for the coordinated management of borders in WAEMU member states.
· Study on the strategy for coordinated border management in WAEMU member states.
3 The rules of origin in trade agreements (WTO, EPA, FTA, Regional trade integration) disseminated.
· Rules of Origin training workshop within WAEMU.
4 Strengthened administrative capacities in competition rules on Niger and Guinea Bissau.
· Training workshop on competition in Niger;
· Training workshop on competition in GuineaStrengthened capacities of the Commission and the Member.
5 States to use the provisions on trade defense measures.
· Trade defense mechanisms training workshop.
MAURITANIA
Strengthening Mauritania’s Trade Information Systems and Competitiveness
June 2019-February 2020
The support programme Strengthening Trade Information Systems and Competitiveness in Mauritania was based on two thematic components:
1. The implementation of a National Commercial/Trade Information System in response to the need to gather and compile the trade and economic data available with the use of a computer tool in the form of an electronic commercial/trade platform easily accessible and usable by national and international commercial/trade actors;
2. Strengthening public health standardization capacities and improving the level of trade competitiveness in order to address the difficulties associated with the implementation of Mauritanian legislation relating to the standardization, certification and accreditation process.
The results achieved were, namely:
1 Set up of the National Trade Information System.
· Evaluation of national standards and regulations in the field of online content in the digital age - Elements of response for Mauritania;
· Establishment of a trade electronic platform for Mauritania;
· Training workshop for stakeholders in the national trade information system.
2 Capacity for standardization in public health and improvement of the level of trade competitiveness strengthened.
· Inventory of 12 laboratories including INRSP, LNCQM (Physico-chemistry and Microbiology Laboratories), ONISPA (Chemistry Lab), and the Metrology Laboratory of (General Directorate for Standardization and Promotion of Quality (DGNPQ);
· Audits of 8 INRSP laboratories;
· ISO 9001 training workshop;
· ISO 17025 training workshop;
· ISO 15189 training workshop;
· Training workshop on metrology;
· Final awareness workshop for public and private actors.
HAITI
SUPPORT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND STRENGTHENING OF HAITI’S TRADE POLICIES AND RULES
July 2019-October 2020
The programme is the bundle of 4 project’s request and was oriented at:
· Optimally implementing the opportunities offered to Haiti by the Cariforum-EU EPA, for the benefit of its private sector in particular;
· Providing Haiti with economic and commercial capacities that facilitate its integration into the Caribbean single market;
· Implementing the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement in Haiti;
· Strengthening the technical and certification capacities of the Haitian Bureau for Standardization.
At the end of the period of implementation the results achieved were:
· The EU / CARIFORUM EPA is implemented.
· Study and training on the integration process.
· Implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, including Category B and C measures.
· Certification capacities of the Haitian Bureau for Standardization strengthened and its agents trained.
THE COMOROS
ACCESSION OF COMOROS TO THE WTO AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REGIONAL EPA
May-December 2019
This programme was generated from the bundle of two requests and targeted the accession of Comoros to the WTO and the implementation of regional EPA, in particular:
· the compliance of Comorian trade legislation and practice with commercial commitments resulting from accession to the WTO;
· the development of measures to integrate the provisions of the regional APE into the trade legislation and practice of the Comoros.
A number of activities were carried out to reach these objectives, namely:
1 The trade legislation and practice of the Comoros to commitments resulting from accession to the WTO is brought into conformity.
· Review of texts relating to legislative and regulatory reforms, and provision of advice;
· Review of the Legislative Action Plan (WT / ACC / COM / 9 / Rev.3);
· Trade policy training workshop held.
2 Development of measures to incorporate the provisions of the regional EPA into the trade legislation and practice of the Comoros.
· State of play of the implementation of the EPA in the Comoros;
· Customs duty and tax-free regime;
· Transposition of Comoros tariff commitments from the HS 2012 version to the HS 2017 version;
· Promotion of the gradual transition from customs to internal taxation.
Market access and Standards
ZIMBABWE
Targeted support for strengthening the capacity and competitiveness of small-scale horticulture farmers for the production of niche export products under the EPA in Zimbabwe
December 2018 – January 2020
In the context of boosting the capacity of the horticulture farmers/private sector to export, sustain the competitiveness gained and enhance access into the EU and other markets, the purpose of the TCII support programme to Zimbabwe was three-fold:
· First, to develop a stakeholder-led and “good practice” value chain compliance system for horticulture exports;
· Second, to improve the capacity of the beneficiaries to access value chain compliance and export requirements that enhance and sustain access to the EU and other export markets including the CFTA;
· Third, to mainstream the recognized export requirements and “good practice” both in the public and private sectors into the stakeholder-led value chain compliance system.
Key results attained under this programme are:
1 Stakeholder-led and “good practice” value chain compliance system for horticulture exports developed.
· Value chain compliance system in 7 selected value chains (Sweet potato, Floriculture, Paprika, Bananas, Avocados, Pineapples and Macadamia), and key market compliance, using the EU market as a benchmark;
· Baseline study for the Development of Stakeholder-led “Good Practice” Value Chain Compliance and competitiveness for Seven Selected Horticulture Products;
· Self-Assessment Good Practice Compliance Guide for each of the seven selected horticulture value chains (Sweet potato, Floriculture, Paprika, Bananas, Avocados, Pineapples and Macadamia);
· “Export Opportunity under iEPA” manual;
· Technical Report of Requirements for “Good Practices” Value Chain Compliance Systems for Seven Selected Horticulture Products for Export;
· Laboratory audit undertaken and matrix elaborated for testing for food safety, quality and phytosanitary norms of the GAL, Kutsaga, Quarantine Department and SAZ laboratories;
· Training programme for all stakeholders and peer review and sensitisation programme;
· Multi-stakeholder consultation sectorial framework on the value chain and export compliance system;
· Capacity building and peer review workshop on ‘stakeholder led ‘good practice’ for seven horticultural value chains for export markets’ was held at Mutare Catholic University Training Centre, Mutare.
2 Improved capacity of beneficiaries to access the value chain compliance and export requirements that enhance and sustain access to the EU and other export markets including the CFTA.
· Training session in-house on the use of the compliance system;
· Training Session in-house on the practical aspects of updating the compliance system in line with the evolution of export requirements in the EU and other key export markets.
3 Export requirements and “good practice” both in the public and private sectors mainstreamed into the stakeholder-led value chain compliance system.
· Validation Workshop attended by Beneficiaries (ZimTrade, Government Analyst Laboratory) and Key Support Institutions (January 2020).
MOZAMBIQUE
Targeted assistance for EPA implementation through SPS conformity for fisheries and aquaculture, and enhanced export capacity of fisheries in Mozambique
January 2019-March 2020
This support programme is oriented to improve and facilitate the expansion and diversification of Mozambique’s fish and aquaculture production and export potential developing the national standardisation strategy for the fisheries sector and support the implementation of the SADC-EU EPA in Mozambique with regard to the Fisheries sector. The objectives of the supporting programme are:
· Improve/Facilitate the expansion and diversification of Mozambique’s fish and aquaculture production and export potential;
· Develop the national standardisation strategy for the fisheries sector;
· Support the implementation of the SADC-EU EPA in Mozambique with regard to the Fisheries sector.
The key objective were attained through the implementation of a number of activities and results achieved, namely :
1 Expansion and diversification of Mozambique’s fish and aquaculture production and export potential facilitated.
· Relevant training methods and manuals on conformity to standards;
· Field visit and interviews in the provinces of Gaza, Maputo, Inhambane, Tete, Sofala and Nampula;
· Report on legal framework on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures in place for Fisheries-related exports;
· Good Practices Guide Report;
· Fisheries Compliance Manual.
2 National standardisation strategy for the fisheries sector developed.
· National standardization and conformity assessment strategy;
· Roadmap for ISO 22000 and ISO 17020 accreditation with all relevant procedures and instructions;
· In-house training for officials on ISO 22000 and ISO 17020 certification and requirements.
3 Implementation of the SADC-EU EPA in Mozambique with regard to the Fisheries sector supported.
· In-house training sessions on the salient and most urgent elements of the SADC-EU EPA and the CFTA implementation faced by Mozambique’s fisheries sector;
· “Trade Facilitation Challenges and Opportunities for Mozambique’s fisheries and aquaculture export growth and diversification into the EU and African markets” Report;
· Consultations with responsible government agencies to collect evidence on the quantity and quality ;of existing infrastructure, new infrastructure projects and their expected economic impact, and future priorities, such as export corridors and transport infrastructure;
· Trading opportunities and benefits under the SADC-EU EPA and the CFTA for the fisheries business community (including Women and Youth entrepreneur) identified;
· Training and validation workshops.
SEYCHELLES
Strengthening capacity to improve trade-related SPS conformity and capacity building for competitive fisheries exports in Seychelles
May 2019-December 2019
This programme is a bundle of two requests received from Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA) and the National Biosecurity Agency (NBA)
The purposes of this TradeCom II initiative was oriented at:
· providing targeted support for quality development and export competitiveness in the Seychelles fisheries sector;
· strengthening the capacity to understand and meet the requirements of main fish markets importation standards;
· building Institutional and management capacity of senior officials to meet SPS compliance obligations under the WTO Agreement and international standards.
The results achieved of this programme are:
1 Targeted support provided for quality development and export competitiveness in the Seychelles fisheries sector.
· Field site visits to the local stakeholders, artisanal fishermen and processors;
· Gap Analysis Report;
· Fish handing training manual;
· SWOT Analysis of the Current SPS Control Systems;
· Simplified Gap Analysis Report;
· A guide on Strengthening Export Competitiveness and Enhancement of the business environment for Fisheries in Seychelles, including potential for upscaling fisheries production and commercialization opportunities;
· A guide on Strengthening Export Competitiveness and Enhancement of the business environment for Fisheries in Seychelles, including potential for upscaling fisheries production and commercialization opportunities;
· On-the-job training to artisanal and industrial fishermen and processors on Fish quality assessment and cold chain management;
· EU Legal Text Fisheries & Food;
· Briefing Notes for use by the Seychelles Delegation in negotiations on the ESA EPA - August 2019;
· Review of current of gaps with iEPA compliance standards for products imported into the EU;
· Introduction of Biosecurity Risk Analysis
· Training workshops RoO;
· Guide on Compliance with i-EPA EU RoO for Fisheries
2 Capacity to meet SPS compliance obligations under the WTO Agreement built.
· Simplified Gap Analysis on current SPS capacity of Seychelles;
· Introduction to Biosecurity Risk Analysis;
· Validation workshop in November 2019;
· Multi-Media visibility and information material;
· Project dissemination video.
ST VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES
Support for the development of a Trade Export Strategy for St. Vincent and the Grenadines and a GI Certification Scheme for Quality Exports in Guyana
June 2019-November 2020
This programme, designed with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Commerce (MFACT) of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and the government of Guyana, was aimed at:
· developing and disseminating a national Trade and Investment Export Strategy and Implementation Plan for St. Vincent and the Grenadines; and
· improving export competitiveness in Guyana through GI Certification Schemes for quality products.
These goals were achieved through the implementation of a number of activities and reaching key results such as:
· Preliminary audits and analysis of constraints and opportunities in major sectors conducted;
· National Trade and Investment Export Strategy designed, prepared and disseminated;
· National Export Strategy Implementation Plan of Action prepared;
· Awareness on the National export Strategy, its Implementation Plan of action and the National Export Council (NEC) developed
· Five (5) quality origin products to benefit from certification as Geographical Indications are identified and confirmed;
· Standards and technical specifications for these five (5) quality origin products and the registration process are identified and disseminated;
· Registration process for the protection of the identified quality products is completed and market access strategies developed and presented.
GSA AND ARSO
Capacity building for export competitiveness of women-led PMEs and standards promotion in cosmetology sector in Africa – Global Shea Alliance (GSA) and the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO)
January 2019 – December 2019
This Programme was designed in collaboration with Global Shea Alliance (GSA), based in Ghana, and the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) based in Kenya, on behalf of Africa as it relates to Standards and was aimed at providing support for trade enhancement and export-readiness for women-led small cosmetics producers and exporters in West Africa and promoting harmonised standards to mainstream cosmetology into the formal sector in Africa.
In particular, the programme:
· Provided support for trade enhancement and export-readiness for women-led small cosmetics producers and exporters in West Africa;
· PROMOTED harmonised standards to mainstream cosmetology into the formal sector in Africa.
The key results of the programme are:
1 Support provided for trade enhancement and export-readiness for women-led small cosmetics producers and exporters in West Africa.
· Study on Export Management and Documentation Requirements - Conformity and Compliance Requirements for Shea Cosmetics Exports, focusing on women-owned small cosmetics companies;
· Manual focusing on quality for export, including analysis on the requirements for packaging, marketing/labelling and international certification;
· Interviews and analysis of standards requirements and market access opportunities as well as quality for export conducted in Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria;
· Validation workshop in October 2019.
2 Harmonised standards promoted to mainstream cosmetology into the formal sector in Africa.
· Diagnostic Study on the trade barriers and health and safety concerns related to the cosmetology industry in ACP Africa;
· Standards and conformity procedures that require harmonisation identified;
· Training and validation workshop in November 2019.
COMPETITIVENESS AND INVESTMENT
REGIONAL MULTIDISCIPLINARY CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE (RMCE)
Targeted support to the Regional Multidisciplinary Centre of Excellence (RMCE) for the Implementation of the Key Trade Components of its APEI Programmes
May – December 2019
The support Programme to the Regional Multidisciplinary Centre of Excellence (RMCE) was aimed at:
· contributing to the facilitation of the free movement of business persons and professionals among the APEI countries;
· enhancing cooperation in trade in services;
· strengthening the business climate for increased investment and trade among APEI Member States.
The activities carried out during the period of implementation were oriented to reach the following results:
1 Free movement of business persons and professionals among the APEI countries facilitated.
· Draft Operating Framework of the ABTC;
· International Best Practices in the area of business travel facilitation” with policy recommendations;
· Reflection paper on future disciplines for a deeper level of integration in the area of the movement of business persons and professionals;
· Architecture for a forum for information sharing and policy deliberation on the ABTC.
2 Cooperation in trade in services enhanced
· Compendium of regulations on the profession of architects.
3 Enhanced business climate for increased investment and trade among APEI Member States
· Business Facilitation Framework Report;
· Validation workshop in December 2019.
PIF AND MSG
Targeted assistance for the development of an enabling environment for e-commerce in the Pacific Region
January-November 2020
This Programme was conceived in collaboration with The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIF) on behalf of its PACP member states and the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Secretariat on behalf of the four PACP member states (Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu) with the aim to address the obstacles which undermine the development of e-Commerce.
The activities foreseen for this programme was oriented at:
· Completing the assessment of Pacific e-Commerce environment;
· developing, validating and disseminating a regional and sub-regional e-Commerce Strategy with a corresponding roadmap for implementation;
· designing, validating and disseminating a Regional e-Commerce Strategy and Implementation Roadmap for FICs and MSG.
Through a number of activities carried out, at the end of the programme:
· Assessment of Pacific e-Commerce environment is completed;
· Regional e-Commerce Strategy and Implementation Roadmap for FICs and MSG is developed, validated and disseminated.
CROSQ, ARSO AND PIFS
Targeted assistance to strengthen regional trade-related quality infrastructure through intra-ACP partnerships - the CROSQ, ARSO and PIFS
February 2019 - February 2020
This TCII support programme created inter-regional QI and trade collaboration through North-South QI twinning arrangements between CARICOM and the European Union. This will be facilitated through relationship building between the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) and European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) and the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC). The information gleaned from this collaboration will be used to inform the development of specific regulations in the CARICOM region, and provide means to build capacity in CARICOM private sector, specifically in the area of standards development on packaging and labelling.
In particular the activities of the programme were oriented to:
· Improve the capacity in Standards and technical regulations development and implementation in CARICOM;
· conduct Feasibility study for developing trade capacity enabling Sustainability Standards and associated conformity assessment modalities by CROSQ, modelling the success of ARSO;
· Enhance understanding of QI and the capacity for developing QI in the PIF.
The results attained under this programme are two folded:
1 Contribute to the activation of intra-regional quality infrastructure agreements in support of market access and improved trade performance.
· Study tour in Kenya (CROSQ-ARSO);
· Comparative research report of CARICOM-EU Standards Development and Regulatory Support;
· Technical Guide on EU Standards and Regulation on Packaging and Labelling;
· 2 days validation workshop to the presentation of the Analysis Report in January 2020;
· Feasibility Study on Sustainability Standards and related conformity assessment.
2 An optimized quality infrastructure in the Pacific region for enhanced trade competitiveness developed.
· Quality Infrastructure Awareness and Capacity building Material;
· PIF Regional Training and dissemination workshop in Fiji (September 2019).
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