BY: CHRIS PATTERSON
KINGSTON, Sept. 16 (JIS):
Over the past year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, under the charge of Deputy Prime Minister, Dr. Kenneth Baugh, has focussed on implementing strategies to positively impact the country, with regard to trade, while ensuring sustainable relations within the region and the wider society.
These include cementing the specifications, as they relate to the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA); developing a foreign policy in the context of international politics; strengthening ties with diplomatic partners around the world; sustaining relationships with CARICOM; and integrating the Diaspora.
The EPA, between CARIFORUM states and the European Union (EU), covers trade in goods and services, and investments, and provides for development assistance for capacity building.
The underlying principles and aim of the agreement are defined by the Cotonou Agreement, which has replaced Lomé IV. It seeks to create sustainable development of the African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) states, their smooth and gradual integration in the world market, and eradication of poverty.
Particularly, sustainable growth will be enhanced; production and supply capacity increased; and structural processing and economic diversification of ACP states promoted, while supporting regional integration.
Also, under the reciprocal agreement, CARIFORUM exports will enjoy duty and quota-free access to the markets of EU member countries. However, they are not immediately required to provide equal access to EU exports, as the region has secured an 'exclusion list', representing 13 per cent of current imports, which are available locally.
Minister Baugh, in emphasising the importance of the CARICOM-EU trade and investments to the region, said at the fourth CARICOM-Spain Summit, in the Spanish city of Zaragoza, that "as small and vulnerable states, CARICOM members recognise that they require a capacity for greater economic leverage and effectiveness in their external trade and economic relations, with states and groups of states. In this regard, CARICOM-EU trade and investment relations are extremely important to the countries of CARICOM."
Meanwhile, under the newly negotiated EPA, which is expected to be signed before year end, a special Committee on Customs Co-operation and Trade Facilitation, is to be established, with the chairperson rotated annually between the parties.
With regard to foreign policy, the Ministry sought to maintain a non-aligned political posture, taking positions consistent with obligations under international Conventions that are in the best interest of Jamaica and the international community.
Additionally, the work of the United Nations, the Commonwealth, Organisation of American States (OAS), and other regional and international bodies, of which Jamaica has membership, was supported.
Dr. Baugh also delivered his maiden address at the opening of the 62nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly, at the UN Headquarters in New York, U.S.A.
He encouraged the world body to live up to its commitment for development, in an effort to ensure that the lives of poor people around the world are changed.
Dr. Baugh called on member states to renew their dedication to reducing global poverty and human degradation by 2015, by focussing more on human development.
He underscored Jamaica's support for the implementation of a global response to climate change and combating global warming beyond 2012, when the Kyoto Protocol expires.
The Kyoto Protocol, is an agreement made under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Countries that ratify this protocol, commit to reducing their emissions of carbon dioxide and five other greenhouse gases (GHG), or engaging in emission trading if they maintain or increase emissions of these greenhouse gases.
At the forum, Minister Baugh also urged the international community to do more for the CARICOM, and the Small Island Developing States (SIDS), which are susceptible to natural disasters, and threaten the sustainable development agenda and existence of these member states.
On human rights, the Minister said that Jamaica was grateful for having achieved the chairmanship of the Third Committee, which has responsibility for the preservation and protection of human rights globally.
Addressing the Jamaican Diaspora Investment Conference and Trade Exposition in New Jersey, Dr. Baugh reiterated the Government's devotion, to actively engage Jamaicans overseas in the country's economic growth and development, adding that a number of avenues are being looked at to achieve this goal.
Dr. Baugh also led a delegation to Spain on a four-day visit. The team included: Industry, Investment, and Commerce Minister, Karl Samuda; Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett, and Jamaica Trade and Invest (JTI) President, Robert Gregory.
They participated in an investment forum, which targeted investors in the country; prospective investors for renewable energy, manufacturing, and agricultural sectors, as well as sought to strengthen trade relations between Jamaica and Spain.
On regional integration and CARICOM, the Ministry continued to support policies and the process of regional integration, which will ultimately combine energies and resources, as individual states, to secure investments, create jobs, increase exports to third countries, and improve living standards within the region.
The Third Biennial Jamaican Diaspora Conference, was held on June 16 and 17, under the theme: 'Borderless Partnership for Development'. It was deemed a success, with more than 700 overseas nationals taking part.
Dr. Baugh lauded the participants for attending the conference and noted that the Government was very appreciative of the Diaspora's contribution to the country's development.
"You have made a difference in several areas, such as education, health, community development, and disaster relief," he said.
The Ministry sought to maintain its support for the Diaspora Foundation and its efforts to network all Jamaican organisations overseas.
On-going work within the Ministry, with regard to the Diaspora are: strengthening Consular Affairs Departments in an effort to improve the procedures with which returning residents have to contend, as well as promote and protect the interest of Jamaicans overseas; using diplomatic channels to proactively represent the interests of the Jamaican community to the Governments of the countries in which they reside; floating a special, secure Diaspora Bond, to provide an attractive investment opportunity for Jamaicans overseas and raise capital to help finance the Education Transformation project; and to establish a database of Jamaicans overseas to strengthen contact with the Diaspora, while providing a resource base for the recruitment of special skills.