CARICOM and Canada for trade accord

Canada: Representatives of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and Canada are working for a new commercial agreement to foster development and the exchange of goods and services.

The new agreement aims to increase free access of agricultural products to the Canadian market and expand direct investment, electronic trade and technical coopperation.

Also, it should foster sustainable growth of the economies of the 15 member countries of CARICOM.

The agreement will replace the current bilateral agreement in force until 2011, which permits entry of Caribbean products to Canada without taxes only for members of the Commonwealth Nations.

By this agreement, the Caribbean countries will take to Canada gold, aluminium, methanol, oil, drinks, fruits and vegatables.

Official statistics said the export operations went over 700 million dollars in the last decade with more than 60 million in favour of CARICOM.

Canada is the third commercial partner of CARICOM, with the biggest number of tourists to the Caribbean islands.

Bridgetown, Prensa Latina