Private Sector Involvement in Formulation of Foreign Trade Policy Critical – Brown

Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Hon. Arnaldo Brown, says private sector involvement in the review, formulation and ultimate implementation of Jamaica’s Foreign Trade Policy is highly critical.

“As the trade operators actively engaged in export and import, the private sector plays a critical role in trade, and thus formulating and implementing the trade policy, and growth in the economy, cannot be achieved without the committed involvement of this sector,” he said.

Mr. Brown was speaking at the Private Sector Session of the Review and Revision of Jamaica’s Trade Policy Validation Workshop, held at the Terra Nova Hotel, in Kingston, on February 21.

He said this special session was organised, as the Government attaches great importance to the partnership between the public and private sectors in the formulation and ultimate implementation of the trade policy.

“I am pleased to see the level of interest, as I am advised that the private sector has been involved in this project from its inception. This is extremely commendable, because invariably, while it is the government that is creating the policy framework, it is the members of the private sector who are going to have to operate in whatever context and whatever framework is established,” he stated.

Mr. Brown, who has responsibility for Foreign Trade, further commented that the private sector’s involvement from the very beginning will ensure that it is not only knowledgeable of the rules of engagement, but it will also be able to adapt to the circumstances that may arise.

He pointed out that the private sector’s importance to trade policies was also highlighted in its continuous engagement during the formulation of the National Export Strategy and the National Aid for Trade Strategy.

“I also welcome the formulation of the Foreign Trade Advisory Council, which sees Chief Executive Officers of larger companies being more actively engaged in trade policy formulation. We want to see more active engagement for the entire private sector, as it is small firms which grow into large firms,” he said.

He argued that the trade policy can only have success if the private sector takes ownership of it and is involved in the implementation process. “You have an opportunity in this process to put forward your ideas,” he said.

The State Minister explained that trade now covers a wide range of issues and that trade negotiations have become very complex. “We must, therefore, have in-depth knowledge of the issues and clear policy positions to guide us,” he said.

Mr. Brown stressed that it is important that trade be integrated or mainstreamed into the National Development Plan – Vision 2030 Jamaica, and that there is policy coherence.

“Increasing production and exports has to be accorded national priority, if we are to reverse decades of minimal growth and move into a period of higher levels of investment, leading to increased production and employment, driven by increasing demand in export markets for high quality goods and services,” he said.

Vision 2030 Jamaica is the country’s first long-term national development plan, which aims at enabling Jamaica to achieve developed country status by 2030.  It is  based  on a comprehensive vision:  “Jamaica, the place of choice  to live, work, raise families and do business.”

The session was attended by members of the private sector, including top executives from the  Jamaica Manufactures’ Association (JMA), the Jamaica Exporters’ Association (JEA), the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC), Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), and the Small Businesses Association of Jamaica (SBAJ).

Presentations were made by Deputy Programme Manager, CARICOM Secretariat, David Lord; Programme Manager, Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME)  Unit, CARICOM, Ivor Carryl; Trade Consultant, Dr. Noel Watson; and Consultant, Sanaa Consulting, Dr. Phil Rourke.