Local and regional participants are engaging in a training conference in Data Analysis which is expected to provide the necessary capacity building in trade relations to further enhance economic development across the OECS region.

The 3 day workshop organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) in collaboration the OECS Commission commenced on Tuesday November 14 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Commerce Conference Room and features facilitators from across the region, including Mexico.

Sheldon McLean, Coordinator of the Economic Unit of ECLAC said participants are being introduced to ECLAC’s Data Analysis software: TRADECAN, MAGICPLUS and WITS, which are designed to provide greater insight into the competitiveness of international markets, and in particular, the competitiveness of a trade partner or group of trade partners of the United States for the case of MAGICPLUS.

McLean said the workshop is geared towards providing participants “with an increased capacity to effectively use ECLAC’s analytical tools that will ultimately be beneficial to their respective countries and the region on a whole.”

Regional Trade Advisor with the OECS Commission Allan Paul applauded the collaborative efforts of regional institutions in organizing this very important trade conference, which he expects will produce a cadre of trade officials from respective member states capable of providing valuable inputs “when we [OECS Commission] are pursuing future trade negotiations as an OECS Economic Union,” as well as in developing regional trade policies and strategies.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Commerce, Sir Louis Straker thanked the organizing team for selecting St. Vincent and the Grenadines as the venue for this important trade meeting.

Minister Straker cited current trade-related statistical data for St. Vincent and the Grenadines to highlight the current trade imbalance, which he said needs to be improved.

He said the onus is therefore on us within our respective states to better facilitate trade through an improvement in the production and dissemination of relevant, useful and timely data to current and potential export-ready producers in the private sector.

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