The Power of Trade Information

by Lucius Doxerie

August 18, 1997 - In an epoch where the revolution in communication technology has brought new meaning to the phrase "global village" and at a time when the major issue on the agenda of many countries is diversification, a number of local business men and women, benefited from a one day seminar on the power of trade information. Jose Luis Liranzo, Programme Manager, Trade Information Services at the Caribbean Export Development Agency is of the opinion that more OECS countries need to jump on the bandwagon of trade information. Mr. Liranzo observed that only 29 countries on the island had access to a trade information system (CARTIS) - a computerized network designed to assist Caribbean exporters, producers, and other business decision makers to identify export market opportunities and to expand export sales.

Established in January 1996, the Caribbean Export Development Agency, hopes to service Caribbean businesses in the areas of trade information, market information, export training and trade policy advocacy and economic integration. One significant implication as it refers to access to information, according to Minister of Trade Industry, and Consumer Affairs is the cost involved.

Dr. Walter Francois said that he hopes that the cost factor is a consideration that will not escape the national information carrier on the island and that it will in all its wisdom, not permit its monopoly state to detract it away from the need to set its rates at a level which will facilitate the access of information to St. Lucians.

The Minister went on to suggest, that there may be, perhaps, a need to open up the communication sector to competition.

The board and management of Caribbean Export is designed to promote the legitimate objectives of exporters through extensive linkages with key policy makers in the regional public sector.
From the system can be obtained Business Opportunities and Trade Leads, Trade Fax, Trade Statistics, Trade Information Centre (TIC), Internet Presence.

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