November 22, 2016:
Legislators from around the region are meeting in Port of Spain to discuss their experiences in economic and trade policies in relation to World Trade Organization rules. The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) is partnering with the WTO and the Trinidad and Tobago Branch of the CPA for a three-day workshop.
During her welcome remarks this morning, the Speaker of the House, Hon. Bridgid Annisette-George, MP, indicated that this was the second occasion that the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago had the opportunity to host such a workshop, the first occasion being in 2003. In placing the workshop into perspective, the Speaker praised the World Trade Organisation’s current drive which emphasized a wider role which parliamentarians play in bringing international organisations and people closer together, especially as it pertains to the trading system. Further, the significance of this workshop was placed in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2030 in which national parliaments are crucial in the achievement of numerous goals and can possibly be attained through trade.
Speaker of the Montserrat Legislative Assembly and Vice Chairperson of the CPA, Hon. Shirley Osborne stressed the vital importance of Parliaments around the region working collectively towards a broader and deeper understanding of the World Trade Organization. This sentiment was echoed by the Head of External Relations at the WTO, Bernard Kuiten, who placed the central importance of trade at the heart of the discussions and underlined the need for immense interactive and in-depth participation and dialogue among the delegates.
In delivering the keynote address, Minister of Trade and Industry, Sen. the Hon. Paula Gopee-Scoon reaffirmed Trinidad and Tobago’s commitment to the multilateral system and to the World Trade Organisation as she says Trinidad and Tobago has been a strong proponent of multilateralism and the work of the World Trade Secretariat since its establishment in 1995.
Delegates attending represent various organizations such as the CARICOM Secretariat, the University of the West Indies and the Caribbean Association of Trade and Industry (CAIC).
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For further information, please contact:
Manager, Corporate Communications
Parliament of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
Tel: (868) 624-7275 exts. 2520, 2318 or 2295.