WHAT'S NEW AT  COMPETE CARIBBEAN
NEW COMPETE CARIBBEAN PROJECTS TO IMPROVE BUSINESS AND INNOVATION CLIMATE
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Compete Caribbean approved new projects to further its goal to enhance the business and innovation climate in the region

The new projects include:

Digitalization of processes for construction permits in Antigua and Barbuda 

The project's objective is to implement a digitized system for  obtaining construction permits to facilitate a reduction in the number of processes, time and cost involved for firms seeking a construction permit in Antigua and Barbuda. 

Improved business registration in St. Vincent & the Grenadines

The recently approved program seeks to lower transaction costs for SMEs by improving business registration through the strengthening of institutional capacity at the Commerce and Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.  

Institutional strengthening to improve business climate in Grenada

The program will provide support to three public sector institutions that have important roles to strengthen and enable the business environment in Grenada: The Ministry of Health, Social Security & International Business; Corporate Affairs and Intellectual Property Office (CAIPO); and the Grenada Customs and Excise Division.

Modernization of business support processes in Saint Lucia 

The technical assistance will support the implementation of a business climate reform agenda that will create an enabling environment for SMEs in St. Lucia, specifically addressing issues to improve and modernize tax payments, protect minority investors and promote use of mediation mechaniusms.


COMPETE CARIBBEAN SUPPORTS BIO-SECURITY PLAN FOR BELIZE SHRIMP PRODUCERS
In collaboration with Belize Shrimp Growers Association (BSGA), Compete Caribbean continues its second phase of support to the Belize Shrimp Cluster. A Compete Caribbean mission visited Belize to provide support to develop a Cluster Development Plan (CDP), which will focus on establishing a Biosecurity Aquaculture Zone Management Plan (BAZMP) among Belizean shrimp growers.

For more information about Compete Caribbean support to the BSGA please click here
CONSULTANCY OPPORTUNITIES TO WORK ON COMPETE CARIBBEAN PROJECTS

Compete Caribbean is seeking a communications consultant to support work being carried out to improve business climate reform in St Lucia.

Additionally, we are receiving expressions of interest from consultants interested in working in community -based tourism initiatives.

For more information and to submit your information please click here  .
CARIBBEAN ISLANDS BAN PLASTIC AND STYROFOAM TO FURTHER CLIMATE RESILIENCE

The fight against single-use plastic and styrofoam has been gathering steam over the past years, and the Caribbean has been one of the regions taking the lead in this area. Eight Caribbean nations have implemented bans and virtually all are under discussions to implemented different measures. The most recent bans include:

Grenada has put in place a ban on styrofoam imports effective September 2018, a ban on styrofoam sales effective April, 2019 and is finalizing consultations to enact a ban on single use plastic poducts by February, 2019.

Dominica as well has announced its aim to completely ban common plastics and single-use Styrofoam cups and food containers -- effective January 2019.
 
FEATURED RESEARCH
Online Platform:
Caribbean Export Intelligence Portal 

Caribbean Export Intelligence Portal is an online platform that provides you information and tools to support the growth of your business into new export markets.

Run a search on best suggested markets to find out where the demand is for your products, then develop a quick market pointer for a customized report on your market of interest. 

Check the export guides to make sure you are export ready and view our list of finance opportunities across the region.  


Publication:
The Jobs of Tomorrow : Technology, Productivity, and Prosperity in Latin America and the Caribbean

While adoption of new technologies is understood to enhance long-term growth and average per-capita incomes, its impact on lower-skilled workers is more complex.

Concerns abound that advanced technologies developed in high-income countries would inexorably lead to job losses of lower-skilled, less well-off workers .

This book squarely addresses both sets of concerns .
 

Publication:
Bringing PPPs into the sunlight

The use of public-private partnerships (PPPs) has taken off dramatically since the 1990s, within both developed and developing economies. 

The perception among many practitioners that PPPs do not carry fiscal consequences is flawed. Bypassing fiscal constraints is not a valid reason to choose a PPP over traditional public investment (TPI).
 
NEWS FROM OUR DONORS
ITC and CDB announce scaled-up partnership

The International Trade Centre (ITC) and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) have announced that they are scaling up their partnership to strengthen support for businesses across the Caribbean Region. The announcement was made by CDB President, Dr. William Warren Smith and ITC Executive Director, Arancha González during a meeting at CDB's headquarters .
Learn more


CDB to evaluate its work in up to 11 Borrowing Member Countries

The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) is preparing to conduct an evaluation of the work it did in up to 11 of its Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs) between 2005 and 2017. The countries make up the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and Overseas Dependent Territories (ODTs).


The Bahamas encourage competitiveness through digital governance with IDB support

The  Bahamas will boost  competitiveness by reducing the time and cost of carrying out administrative procedures with the government, by encouraging digital transformation of the public sector with a $30 million loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
By 2025, the goal is to increase by 70 percent the number of people using online government.

Canada launches public consultation on foreign investment promotion and protection agreements

Honourable Jim Carr, Minister of International Trade Diversification, announced the launch of a public consultation on Canada's foreign investment promotion and protection agreements (FIPAs). This is the first in a series of consultations that will take place as part of Canada's progressive trade agenda .

 
 

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