“This meeting comes at a most appropriate time in which the Virgin Islands is progressing towards developing our trade regime. This is evident in the development of the National Trade Policy framework from, which the Virgin Islands Trade Commission Act was established,” Hon Flax-Charles said.

According to information, the meeting was held yesterday, Thursday, November 25, 2022, with the Junior Minister engaging in discussions in the area of strengthening OECS trade policy coordination through Establishing National and OECS Trade Policy Committees, this also includes discussion on developing a private sector trade facilitation and engagement strategy.

While at the meeting, Honourable Flax-Charles also took the opportunity to make contributions to the discussion on operationalizing the OECS Customs Union and the free circulation of goods through harmonizing the policy, legislative, regulatory, and institutional framework.

High-level talk on OECS trade

In referring to discussions on the agenda, Hon Flax-Charles added, “Key to this, is the establishment of The Virgin Islands Trade Commission, which is responsible for trade and economic development. It is evident from these various initiatives, that the Virgin Islands is well on its way towards achieving a key component of the mandate set forth by the OECS, for its members, in order to strengthen trade policy coordination."

The minister also participated in discussions on trade for development including strategies for enhancing trade competitiveness and improving OECS trade as well as transport logistics, among other areas.

The VI is currently an Associate Member of the OECS, which is an international organization dedicated to economic harmonisation and integration, protection of human and legal rights, and the encouragement of good governance among independent and non-independent countries in the Eastern Caribbean.