Implementation of Article 164 of Revised Treaty

Regional officials meet to discuss sensitive industries in the CSME
Source: Caribbean Net News

Published on Friday, October 19, 2007
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CASTRIES, St Lucia

The sensitive industries of the less developed countries (LDCs) within the CARICOM region, will top the agenda of a meeting of Trade and Private Sector Officials from these territories, when they meet in Saint Lucia on October 22-23.

The meeting, which is being hosted by the OECS Secretariat in collaboration with the CARICOM Secretariat, will focus specifically on Industries approved for Article 164 treatment under the revised Treaty of Chaguramas.

This article allows the LDCs of CARICOM, including Belize and Haiti, to submit a collective request to the CARICOM Council on Trade and Economic Development (COTED), to suspend as a “temporary measure” preferential treatment usually granted to products of other CARICOM member states, in order to promote the development of a specific sensitive industry in the LDCs. The two day meeting will examine the overall implementation of Article 164. This will include a review of the procedures for granting Article 164 treatment, the current criteria for determining the products and industries which qualify for such treatment, the types of measures which can be used to implement Article 164, as well a common system for monitoring and evaluation of the programme.

The government of Belize is expected to make a presentation on the category of industries currently approved by the COTED for Article 164 treatment. Belize will also put forward its proposal for broadening the criteria as well as the industries which currently qualify for Article 164 treatment. An OECS official explains Article 164 as very important to the operation and functioning of LDCs within the CARICOM Single Market.

“It not only operates as a special and differential treatment mechanism for OECS member states, Haiti and Belize, but more significantly ensures that certain industries that are deemed important for the industrial development of these countries are given temporary preferential treatment within the Community."

The official says the continued implementation of this provision is critical to facilitating the operation of the LDC’s productive sectors and their adjustment to competition in the CARICOM Single Market and Economy. At the end of the two day meeting trade and private sector officials expect to agree on a plan of action that addresses and provides common principles, standards and solutions to the major implementation issues regarding Article 164.

Once finalised, some concrete proposals on how Article 164 should be preserved and extended will be tabled to the next meeting of the Council of Trade and Economic Development. This meeting is scheduled for November of this year.