Trade and Business Development Committee

The ITNU acts as the Secretariat for the Trade and Business Development Committee. The Terms of Reference of the Committee are as follows: -

• Consider and develop strategies for promoting trade and investment (locally, regionally and internationally) and influence the establishment of an appropriate legal, fiscal and regulatory framework[1]

• Identify, in collaboration with other business organizations current barriers/impediments to competitive trading and issues impacting on business/trading and investment environment in current markets[2] with a view to developing and promoting industry-wide positions
• Influence Government policies on trade matters and support practical implementation of supportive policies and relevant regulations
• Influence and guide participation in policy formation at the regional level and encourage the implementation of the CSME
• Take actions as necessary pursuant to matters arising from the work of the Diversification and Innovation Roundtable
• Create awareness among members and assist members in developing coherent positions on trade matters

The Committee’s Terms of Reference presage an internal and external agenda. It will be necessary to prioritize activity to ensure that available resources of the Chamber and the Committee are effectively utilized and that the correct issues are being addressed. Among the specific possible activities or issues that may require the Committee’s attention in no particular oder of relevance are: -

•  Competitiveness improvement
• Procurement Legislation
• Competition Legislation (Regionally and Nationally)
• Financial Sector Legislation (Insurance)
• Revision of Trade Policies
• Revision of Investment Policy
• Trade Negotiations with Canada and Chile
• EPA Implementation
• Building Business with Central America
• Interaction with the Ambassador for Trade
• Implementation of the Recommendations of the TradeCom Project
• Chamber Trade Missions
• CARICOM-related issues
• Promotion of Innovation
• Diversification of the Economy

[1] including fiscal incentives where appropriate, and appropriate machinery for efficient administration and implementation of rules, regulations, procedures etc.)