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LETTER TO THE CARIBBEAN PRIVATE SECTOR FROM
AMBASSADOR DR. RICHARD BERNAL, DIRECTOR-GENERAL CARIBBEAN
REGIONAL NEGOTIATING MACHINERY (CRNM)
Dear Private Sector colleagues
I am writing you this special letter as part
of an outreach initiative by the Caribbean Regional
Negotiating Machinery (CRNM) to increase dialogue with the
private sector and invite greater participation by its
various constituents in the region’s external trade
negotiations.
As you are well aware, our Caribbean is at a
critical juncture in its history. Under the increasing
influence of globalization, our economies are making a
fundamental transition from old protectionist arrangements
to a liberalized, highly competitive economic and trade
environment.
The challenge we face as a region is
determining how best we can work together to safeguard our
gains and capitalize on new opportunities to build
prosperity for the future. As the Caribbean’s chief
representative in the various negotiations currently
underway at the global hemispheric, and regional levels, the
CRNM is always mindful of this responsibility.
As the private sector is the undisputed
engine of economic growth and main actor in the field of
trade, whatever agreements our governments achieve will
ultimately have a direct impact on their operations. It is
for this reason that I am taking the opportunity to invite
more private sector input in shaping our negotiating
positions and influencing the content of final agreements.
Several business persons have been pro-active
and have continuously shared their views with the CRNM. We
thank them for their keen interest. However, greater
involvement is needed if we are to present positions which
are truly reflective of the concerns, needs and aspirations
of the region’s private sector.
The CRNM has stepped up its outreach
activities. We invite your attendance at CRNM trade
seminars. We also look forward to your feedback about our
information products, including the monthly Private Sector
Brief which is distributed by email and our weekly radio
programme dealing exclusively with trade issues.
To find more about what we are doing, feel
free to call our offices at anytime or, better yet, email us
at
private.sector@crnm.org if it is more convenient. We at
the CRNM look forward to working more closely with you to
build a prosperous future for our beautiful region.
Sincerely yours,
……………………………………….
Ambassador Richard Bernal |
