1. INNOVATIONS IN EXTENSION AND ADVISORY SERVICES –
LINKING KNOWLEDGE AND ACTION FOR FOOD AND LIVEHOODS,
Nairobi, Kenya 15 – 18 November , 2011
The Role of Extension in
Implementing Trade Agreements
and Improving Trade in the
Caribbean: An Illustrative Case study
Manager – Research and Development
Shridath Ramphal Centre (SRC)
for International Trade Law, Policy and Services
The University of The West Indies, Cave Hill, BARBADOS

2. The Role of Extension In Implementing Trade Agreements
and Improving Trade in the Caribbean : An Illustrative Case Study
Neil CA Paul

3. The Role of Extension In Implementing Trade Agreements
and Improving Trade in the Caribbean : An Illustrative Case Study
 Table 1: Balance of Trade between CARICOM
 and Selected Countries (US$ 000)
Trade Year
Agreement into 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
force
CARICOM 2008 -356.8 -480.8 -321.9 -712.6 -282.3 797.6 677.6 1,253.4 102.8 235.1
-EU
CARICOM- 2004 -39.2 -47.7 -47.7 -64.8 -87.7 -63.0 -18.8 8.7 -33.3 59.2
Costa Rica
CARICOM- 1998 92.2 -47.3 -76.8 6.2 -73.0 -197.8 -109.2 -142.7 -616.8 -108.4
DR
CARICOM- 1995 -192.1 -86.9 -188.4 -156.7 -311.3 -380.2 -551.0 -627.2 -741.9 -184.0
Colombia
CARICOM- 1992 -646.3 -594.8 -347.7 -360.2 -611.2 -819.3 -1,006.9 -1,584.5 -861.8 29.4
Venezuela
 Source: International Trade Centre, Geneva, Switzerland
Neil CA Paul

4. The Role of Extension In Implementing Trade Agreements
and Improving Trade in the Caribbean : An Illustrative Case Study
 Why aren’t Firms in Caribbean Making Use of the
Agreements
Neil CA Paul

5. The Role of Extension In Implementing Trade Agreements
and Improving Trade in the Caribbean : An Illustrative Case Study
Table 2: Comparison of the Characteristics of
Farmers and Small Firms in the Caribbean
Characteristics Farmers Private sector Firms
1. Mainly conservative / conventional  
2. Small scale of operations  
3. Lack Innovativeness  
4. Risk averse  
5. Not information seekers  
6. Suspicious Nature  
7. High unit cost  
8. Low level of Capitalization or  
unavailability of Capital
9. Low level of Capacity  
Source: Barbados Private Sector Trade
team
Neil CA Paul

6. The Role of Extension In Implementing Trade Agreements
and Improving Trade in the Caribbean : An Illustrative Case Study
Options In the Current situation
1. Research - Extension Paradigm (SRC -UWI)
2. Public sector - Extension Paradigm (Min of Trade)
3. Public/ Private Sector – Extension Paradigm
i. Barbados Private Sector Trade team (BPSTT)
ii. European Partnership Agreement (EPA)
Implementation Unit
Neil CA Paul

7. The Role of Extension In Implementing Trade Agreements
and Improving Trade in the Caribbean : An Illustrative Case Study
Recommended Model
CARICOM Ministry of Foreign
UWI- Shridath Office of Trade Trade and
Ramphal Centre Negotiations International
(Trade Policy Res) Business
Coalition of Chamber of
Services Industries Private Sector Commerce &
Trade Team Industry
Trade Extension Service
Firms Firms Firms
Neil CA Paul

8. The Role of Extension In Implementing Trade Agreements
and Improving Trade in the Caribbean : An Illustrative Case Study
Next Steps…
THANK YOU !!!!
Neil CA Paul