During the opening ceremony of the Sixth Ordinary Session of the OECS Council of Ministers for Trade, Dr. Didacus Jules, Director General of the OECS Commission, highlighted the complex global environment in which the meeting was held.
Dr. Jules underscored the urgency of a coordinated regional response, stating, “We gather today… at a very critical juncture in global economic history… at an inflexion point of tectonic shifts in the world’s geopolitical and trade architecture… [in]… a Poly crisis … of economic, environmental, technological and geopolitical disruptions, each amplifying the other leaving small island states like ours with vanishing margins for manoeuvre.”
“…This moment demands more than analysis; it demands strategic clarity. It demands political courage and above all, it demands action, not in silos, not in speeches, but in coordinated regional response and resolve,” he emphasized.
The gathering took place on May 14 and 15, 2025, at the Radisson Grenada Beach Resort in Grand Anse, Grenada.
According to an OECS press report, the meeting was convened to discuss critical issues related to regional trade policy, economic integration, and external trade relations within the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). The gathering was presided over by Honourable Joseph Andall, Grenada’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Export Development.
Key agenda items included discussions on the Regional Trade Policy Coordinating Framework, the progress of the OECS Customs Union with Free Circulation of Goods, the development of the OECS Free Trade in Services Regime, and strategic coordination of the OECS’ positions ahead of upcoming regional and global trade engagements, notably within CARICOM, the World Trade Organization (WTO), and other international partners.
The Council’s deliberations led to a series of decisions aimed at bolstering the region’s trade and development strategies. Notably, the Council adopted Terms of Reference and Rules of Procedure to establish an OECS Trade Policy Committee. This committee will comprise officials, private sector representatives, civil society members, and technical experts, tasked with providing analysis, reports, and recommendations to the Council on trade policy matters.
The Council also welcomed technical assistance to help member states and the OECS Commission develop comprehensive trade policies and frameworks, as well as the revitalization of the OECS Business Council (OBC). The OBC, which will serve as the primary advocacy and representative body for the private sector, was granted observer status at OECS Ministerial meetings.
A major focus was placed on advancing the full operationalization of the OECS Customs Union with Free Circulation of Goods. The Council supported a recent decision by the OECS Economic Affairs Council (EAC) to launch a comprehensive public education and awareness campaign about the Customs Union. An updated roadmap with revised timelines and a pilot implementation phase was also endorsed to facilitate progress.
Similarly, efforts to enhance trade in services were prioritized. The Council agreed that the OECS Commission and member states must take all necessary actions to align national policies, laws, and regulations with the mandates of the OECS Treaty. The removal of restrictions and discriminatory practices was emphasized to promote the free movement and establishment of service providers within the Economic Union.
On the international front, the Council coordinated regional positions for the upcoming 60th Meeting of the CARICOM Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED). It also prepared unified stances for engagement at the WTO, especially in light of recent disruptions caused by the United States’ trade policies. The Council expressed concern over the US’s recent increase of tariffs, notably the 10% tariff on all OECS exports, and agreed on strategic actions to engage with US authorities to advocate for the region’s trade interests.
In addition, the Council noted initiatives launched by the OECS Commission to improve trade competitiveness among local businesses and entrepreneurs. It also recognized efforts to implement maritime single window systems across member states to streamline ship clearance processes.
Furthermore, a proposal from Martinique was highlighted, involving the pilot deployment of a digital platform aimed at facilitating electronic freight transport information exchange between the European Union and its Outermost Regions, as well as neighboring independent Caribbean nations.
In his remarks, Honourable Joseph Andall, in turn, reaffirmed the importance of adhering to the principles outlined in the OECS Treaty, stressing the need for urgent assessment of ongoing efforts towards realizing the OECS’ trade objectives and operating of the Economic Union as a unified economic and financial space.
He noted, “The premise for our gathering at this Council of Ministers for Trade is found in the Revised Treaty of Basseterre establishing the [OECS] Economic Union… Member States have agreed to implement the decisions of the OECS, and to endeavour to coordinate, harmonise, and undertake joint actions and pursue joint policies in several areas across the economic, environmental, and social dimensions.”