Hylton challenges shipping community

Foreign Trade Minister, Anthony Hylton (left) in discussion with Grantley Stephenson, (centre) President of the Shipping Association of Jamaica and Honorary Consul General to Norway, and Alvin Sinclair, Negotiation/Education Officer at the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU). Occasion was the recent SAJ World Maritime Day Luncheon at the Le Meridien Jamaica Pegasus hotel in Kingston.

MINISTER OF Foreign Trade, Anthony Hylton, has urged the local shipping community to continue making an input in the discussion and consultations toward creating a local trading environment that guarantees the country's competitiveness in the global marketplace.

The Minister said the Shipping Association of Jamaica and other shipping interests "must be ready to actively engage in negotiations" in the area of service (including shipping) under the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), which are to be concluded by the end of next year. Generally, the negotiations for the FTAA are to be completed in 2005.

He was speaking at the world Maritime Day Luncheon, hosted by the SAJ at the Le Meridien Jamaica Pegasus Hotel last Thursday. The minister gave an overview of efforts underway at the local and international levels to ensure Jamaica's survival in the globalised community. Specifically, he mentioned the new trade policy recently approved by Cabinet; the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) and activities involving the World Trade Organisation (WTO), among others.

"There is much to be done to meet the challenges and to take advantage of the opportunities of the new global economy, and there is very little time to do it. Under the Cotonou Agreement, we must now transform our economies within six years and nine months in order to effectively compete under the WTO-compatible trading arrangements," the Minister emphasised.

Turning to the CSME, Mr. Hylton said for the shipping industry to benefit under the arrangements in the CSME, the Caribbean Court of Justice must be established, as the court is necessary to interpret and apply the Treaty of Chaguaramas and to enforce the legal rules governing the CSME.

Minister Hylton noted the expectation that the regional integration through the CSME will yield greater benefits for the Jamaican Shipping community. The Minister acknowledged the work toward the integration process by the SAJ through its affiliation with the Caribbean Shipping Association.

In his remarks, Grantley Stephenson President of the SAJ reaffirmed the Association's commitment to lend support and collaborate to foster the growth and expansion of the local shipping industry. On the matter of security, he said the industry would remain vigilant, especially in light of the recent terrorist attack on the United States. He said new measures and strategies would be adopted for increased security.

The Association hosts the luncheon annually to demonstrate solidarity with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in highlighting and creating awareness of the maritime sector globally.

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