1. About the OTN Structure, Functions & Governance www.otn.crnm.org

2. Background Established in 1997 by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Governments as the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery (CRNM) and the principal regional intergovernmental organization mediating the Caribbean’s encounter with the global trading system. The CRNM was accorded primary responsibility for coordinating and spearheading a cohesive, coherent regional trade policy, both strategically and on technical issues under negotiation. 1

4. The newly constituted OTN (formerly CRNM) will have responsibility for all CARICOM Trade Negotiations.

5. As a Directorate of the CARICOM Secretariat, OTN will report to the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) and the Conference of the Heads of Government through the CARICOM Secretary General.2

6. Governance 3

7. Governance The governance structure established by the Heads provides for the OTN(formerly CRNM) to report to the CARICOM Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) through the Secretary General of CARICOM. The COTED and the Conference of Heads of Government will provide policy guidance and approve the work programme and budget of the OTN. 4

9. Coordinating the formulation of a cohesive negotiating strategy

10. Providing advice as necessary5

11. Strategic Framework, Programme Activities & Focus The CRNM Strategic Plan 2003/4 - 2007/8 provided for six (6) programme areas detailed below which it is proposed to retain under a new OTN Strategic Plan 2008/9-20013/14. The new OTN Strategic Plan which is still under development envisions an expansion of the original 6 programme areas to better reflect the OTN’s scope of activities. 6

13. Representation in negotiating forums:Ensure that the region is present at the negotiating table so that its interests are reflected in the content of agreements.7

15. Research and studies: Provision of advice on strategies to negotiating teams by identifying and addressing knowledge gaps and needs through technical research and analysis.

16. Resource mobilization and project management: Strengthen technical and professional capacity of the both OTN and member states to effectively support the negotiating teams by identifying needs and mobilizing human and financial resources to achieve the region’s goals.8

18. The strategic plan provides a framework for preparation for annual technical work plans in the execution of which OTN works closely with regional agencies and organizations both public and private especially with the CARICOM Secretariat.9

19. Negotiating Theatres The main negotiating theatres in which the Region is simultaneously involved are: (i) World Trade Organization (WTO); and (ii) bilateral negotiations. Heads of Government at their 30th Meeting in July 2009 decided to accord priority to negotiations with Canada. It is anticipated that thereafter the focus will be on engaging MERCOSUR with a view to concluding functional agreements as a precursory step towards the negotiation of a trade agreement with MERCOSUR. 10

21. Donor contributions which fund programme activities and some staff.Payment of member state contributions is unscheduled and irregular and invariably amounts to less than that projected. Donors contributions while dependable tend to be subject to bureaucratic delays in processing. 11

23. The technical team comprises Caribbean Nationals who are experts in the various issues which are the subject of the negotiations .

24. The OTN maintains principal offices in Jamaica and Barbados as well a presence in a number of other locations.12

26. Federal Republic of Germany - Deutsche GesellschaftfürTechnischeZusammenarbeit (GTZ)

27. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland – Department for International Development and Cooperation (Caribbean) (DFIDC)

28. United States of America – Agency for International Development (USAID)

29. Caribbean Development Bank (CDB)

30. Commonwealth Secretariat (COMSEC)

31. European Commission (EC)

32. Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)

33. Organization of American States (OAS)

34. Ad hoc bilateral support13

36. Caribbean Export Development Agency (CaribExport)

37. Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)

38. University of the West Indies

39. United Nations Council Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

40. United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (UN-ECLAC)

41. World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

42. World Trade Organization (WTO)14

43. For More Information Please visit our Website: http://www.crnm.org Email: jamaica.office@crnm.org barbados.office@crnm.org