Caribbean trade and tourism bulletin

The openness of the countries of the Greater Caribbean has resulted in a renewed effort to deepen existing relationships at all levels both, within the framework of multilateral, regional arrangements, and in the bilateral environment.

These efforts have been consolidated with the signing of trade agreements between countries and increased cooperation among regional organizations as the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). The tightening of relations has highlighted gaps to be addressed and has demonstrated the need for the formal opening that is accompanied by efforts at facilitating business; programs aimed at reducing high transaction costs; improved procedures and transport costs; facilitating knowledge on customs and streamlining processes; addressing the difficulties of small business participation, as well as improving access to information and knowledge of markets.

Facilitating regional trade, would allow for additional growth opportunities for regional companies; achieve support in nearby markets in order to investigate new and expanded business opportunities. Markets in the Caribbean as a whole represent a high commercial value, and whose full potential is yet to be explored.

It is important to show the potential of these countries to carry out strong and targeted regional integration, which is achieved as core aspects assimilate process interlinking of economies. For these countries Caribbean integration constitutes an alternative independent development, which takes place from new bases with a multidimensional character and has as its fundamental objective, to adopt strategies to ensure better levels of economic development. It is therefore necessary to develop various actions to effect integration in the Caribbean Zone that strongly boost the distorted economies of this Region.

The Caribbean economies need in an objective way to be inserted in international trade, from their own characteristics and perspectives. Therefore it is necessary to insist on the real possibilities offered to establish the mechanisms of the trade with countries in the region and the world.

In current conditions, to develop integration processes in the area of the Caribbean is a positive action, and strategies that will encourage the economic development of the countries of the region; on the basis of the opportunities, threats, strengths and weaknesses of such economies in order to establish its trade relations with other countries.