Caribbean News
Caribbean Export Launches the National Trade Information Network
By Caribbean Export
Oct 21, 2013 - 5:38:16 PM

Bridgetown, Barbados - The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) officially launched the Belize National Trade Information Network (N-TIN) at the Radisson Hotel, Belize on Friday, October 11, 2013.

Belize is one of six countries identified in a region wide scan of the trade support institution landscape as being in the position to move ahead with the establishment of a National Trade Information Network (N-TIN). The other countries include Trinidad and Tobago, the Dominican Republic, Barbados,  Suriname, and Jamaica. Over the past year the Agency has conducted a series of workshops and consultative meetings with the selected countries to introduce the approach and methodology that will be undertaken in the formation of the N-TINs. According to David Gomez, Manager for Trade and Export Development at Caribbean Export, “the N-TINs are central to the delivery of enhanced trade information services and will contribute to the establishment of mechanisms at the regional level for similar services delivery…the process involves both data collection and compilation and identification of services that respond to the trade information needs of CARIFORUM exporters and the wider private sector.”

The National Trade Information Network is a collaboration between trade and business support institutions of the named countries who have committed to develop quality trade information within their respective country, required to support the development of a regional trade information system managed and implemented by Caribbean Export. The N-TINs will provide high quality, relevant and timely information on services trade, trade and economic statistics, market and sector briefs, tariff and non-tariff data, directory of businesses (exporter/buyers), links to important intermediaries e.g. Trade Promotion Organisation and Government agencies, and the structure and export performance of national economies within the CARIFORUM region.  Accurate information of this nature is critical to any private sector business that is looking to export.

Participation of members in the network will be governed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)  which outlines the areas and modalities for the network members as it relates to the collection and dissemination of trade information.

Each N-TIN will have an official launch that features the signing of the MOU between the network members, and the signing of an MOU between the a National Focal Point and Caribbean Export; as well as technical training sessions with network members on the protocols for data collection, dissemination and the tools required to build national business and export registries

BELTRAIDE is the coordinator for the network in Belize and serves as the National Focal Point signing the MOU with Caribbean Export on all matters related to the provision of trade information services.

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